Prince Velco's lips curled into a sinister smile. "So that's what happened… that's how I came back in time," he said, his voice smooth but dripping with venom.
Leo's expression darkened. If he was the one who wished to return in time… then who wished for the world to end? His heart sank. It must have been Uncle Luca.
Leo lifted his gaze. "You said you wanted revenge," he began, his tone cautious but curious. "Can I ask… who you want it against?"
Velco's smile widened, his eyes glinting with cruelty. "Revenge?" He tilted his head slightly. "I want revenge on Luca. He was the one who almost killed me. But killing him…" —he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dark whisper— "that wouldn't be satisfying enough."
He stepped back, pacing slowly. "My perfect revenge will be when I kill Eva, Eyan, and you—right in front of his eyes."
Leo froze.
Velco's voice grew colder. "I've already seen how broken he became after watching them die once. I wonder…" His grin widened, twisted with madness. "What kind of face he'll make this time when I kill everyone he ever cared for—while he can do nothing but watch?"
Leo let out a small, bitter laugh. "You're out of your mind."
Velco turned sharply, his eyes narrowing.
"You enjoy watching people suffer, don't you?" Leo continued, voice laced with contempt.
Velco smirked. "I do. There's nothing more entertaining than watching people fall apart. I could watch it all day and never get bored."
Leo smiled faintly. "Careful with your words, Prince. What will you do when your suffering becomes someone else's entertainment?"
Velco's smile vanished. In a flash, he grabbed Leo by the throat, his grip iron-tight. "Shut up… you rat," he hissed, his crimson eyes blazing. "No one can beat me. I am superior to all of you!"
Leo choked, but even as his breath faltered, a defiant smile ghosted his lips.
Velco released him with a shove. Leo coughed, his voice hoarse but steady.
"I've had enough of you," Velco muttered, turning toward the door.
"Wait," Leo rasped. "There's something I want to ask."
Velco stopped, half-turning with a smirk. "Ask, then."
Leo's eyes hardened. "How did you know that I'm Zeradros?"
Velco chuckled darkly. "You really aren't very clever, are you?" He crossed his arms. "I have eyes and ears everywhere. My men watch, listen, and report everything. I know about you… and I know that the child Eva is carrying—" he leaned closer, his words deliberate— "is also Zeradros."
Leo's breath hitched, but he masked his shock. "Then why didn't you act right after returning? Why wait this long for your revenge?"
Velco's smile returned, sharper than a blade. "Because I was waiting for your mother to have the child."
Leo frowned. "Why?"
"Because of your father," Velco replied coldly. "I knew taking him down wouldn't be easy. But now…" His eyes gleamed with triumph. "The dragon's power within him is fading. As the child grows, Zeradros's essence divides, weakening your father's strength."
He began to pace again, hands clasped behind his back. "The wolves that protect him—they can heal him, yes? Soon, even that will fade. His resistance to magic will crumble piece by piece."
He stopped at the door and turned to Leo one last time. "And that's when I'll strike. Until then…" He smirked. "You'll stay here—locked away."
Leo's eyes burned with fury. "You won't win."
Velco merely chuckled, brushing invisible dust off his cloak. "We'll see. Goodbye for now, Leo."
He turned, his footsteps echoing through the hall as the heavy iron door slammed shut.
Silence settled once more.
Leo sat motionless for a moment, the weight of Velco's words pressing on his chest. Then his jaw clenched, and resolve flared in his eyes.
I need to get out of here… and warn Uncle Luca and Father before it's too late.
----
(Unknown Resistance—)
Moonlight filtered softly through the curtains, painting silver streaks across the bed where Eva and Eyan lay sleeping. The night was quiet—too quiet—until a faint whisper pierced through the silence.
In Eva's dream, a voice echoed—strained, pained, desperate.
"Mother… save me…"
Eva's eyes widened within the dreamscape. "Leo?" she whispered.
Before her stood Leo, his small frame trembling, his eyes dim with agony. His skin cracked like porcelain, faint glimmers of light escaping from the fissures.
"Leo!" Eva screamed, reaching for him.
He tried to speak, but only a weak sound came out. "Mother… help me…"
"Leo, no! Don't—don't go!" She ran toward him, but the more she reached, the farther he drifted away, his body disintegrating into dust that vanished into the dark void.
"Leo!" she screamed again, her voice raw with pain. "LEO!"
"Eva…" a distant voice called, but it wasn't Leo's.
"Eva!"
Her body twisted under the sheets, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Eva!" Eyan's voice broke through, firm yet worried. He grasped her shoulders, shaking her gently but urgently.
Her eyes flew open, breath coming in ragged gasps. She sat up, trembling, tears spilling freely.
Eyan cupped her face, eyes full of worry. "Eva, you were having a nightmare. You kept calling Leo's name. What did you see?"
Eva collapsed into his arms, her body shaking. "Eyan… I don't know why, but I keep having this one dream." Her voice cracked. "Leo's in pain, his body is… crumbling, fading away. He keeps calling for me, saying 'save me, Mother.'"
Eyan held her tighter, silent as she wept into his chest.
"Every time I try to reach him, I fail," she sobbed. "I always failed to save him, Eyan… and I'm so afraid something is going .happened to him."
He brushed away her tears with his thumb, his gaze steady though a faint unease flickered in his eyes. "Don't worry," he murmured softly. "As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to him. I'll protect you both—with my life."
Eva nodded weakly, still trembling.
"Now stop crying," he whispered. "It's not good for you."
Her voice wavered. "Eyan… when will Leo return? It's been ten days… I want to see him."
Eyan sighed quietly, his hand brushing her hair. "I don't know when he'll return either. But don't worry—Luca will inform me as soon as he comes back. Then you can see him, alright?"
Eva sniffled and nodded, her tears finally beginning to slow.
Eyan gently guided her head to his chest, his hand resting over her back. "Now don't think too much. Sleep."
Her breathing steadied gradually, her body relaxing as sleep claimed her again.
Eyan watched her in silence, then slowly laid her back down and covered her with the sheet. He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, his gaze soft yet troubled.
Why is she still having the nightmare? he thought, his brows furrowing.
He exhaled quietly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I'll ask Luca tomorrow," he murmured under his breath, his voice barely a whisper in the dim room.
Outside, the wind stirred faintly against the windows—carrying with it the weight of something unseen, something waiting.
----
(Next Morning — Royal Palace, Velmoria)
The golden light of dawn poured through the arched windows of the royal palace, brushing over the marble floors and shimmering tapestries. Eyan strode quickly down the corridor, his expression grave.
He reached Luca's chambers and knocked lightly. "Luca," he called.
Silence.
The room was empty. there was no sign of him.
Eyan frowned. Where could he be?
He turned and made his way to his office.
Hans, who was arranging scrolls on a nearby table, immediately bowed. "Your Majesty."
"Hans," Eyan said firmly, "where is Luca? There's something important I need to ask him."
Hans straightened. "Your Majesty, Master Luca is with your father."
Eyan blinked. "With Father?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Alright." Eyan turned without another word and made his way toward the royal quarters.
He opened the tall double doors to his father's chamber. "Father—"
But the sight before him made him stop in his tracks.
The room was filled with toys—tiny carved animals, a wooden cradle, soft blankets, and delicate baby clothes spread across the couches.
King Thalor Therald looked up with a warm smile. "Eyan, my son."
Before Eyan could speak, his father pulled him into a tight embrace. "I heard the news about the child," Thalor said, voice trembling with joy. "Thank you, my boy… for making me a grandfather."
Eyan's usual composed demeanor softened. "Father…"
Thalor stepped back, grinning. "Where is my daughter-in-law? I should thank her too."
Eyan hesitated. "She's not here right now, Father, but I'll tell her you said that."
Thalor's smile dimmed slightly. "Not here? Then where is she?"
"I can't tell you exactly," Eyan replied carefully. "But she's fine."
Thalor sighed and nodded. "Alright, I won't ask then."
Eyan glanced around again, eyeing the mountain of gifts and clothes. "Father, what is all this?"
Thalor chuckled, taking Eyan's hand and leading him toward a table stacked with tiny dresses. "Eyan, look at these two. Which one do you like better—the pink silk or the white lace?"
Eyan blinked, almost exasperated. "Father, you can ask me that later. I'm in a hurry right now."
He stepped back. "Tell me—where's Luca?"
Thalor frowned, thinking. "He was here a moment ago."
Just then, the door creaked open and Luca entered, holding a few toys. "Father—oh Eyan what are you doing her—."
Before he could finish, Eyan grabbed his arm. "Luca, come with me."
Luca blinked, startled. "Wait, what—?"
But Eyan didn't stop until they reached a quiet chamber down the hall. He shut the door behind them.
"Did you find out anything about Leo?" Eyan asked urgently. "When will he return?"
Luca's face darkened. "No. I couldn't find anything. I don't know when he'll come back."
Luca tilted his head. "Why are you asking so suddenly?"
"Eva misses him," Eyan said quietly. "She keeps asking me about Leo, and I don't know what to tell her anymore."
Luca sighed. "I see…"
Eyan's tone turned more serious. "There's one more thing."
"Tell me," Luca said.
"Eva said she keeps having the same dream again and again."
Luca frowned. "What does she see in it?"
"She says she sees Leo in pain—crying, asking for help. His body breaking apart, turning into dust."
"Maybe the curse wasn't completely lifted, and that's why she keeps having nightmares."
Luca shook his head. "No. If even a fragment of the curse remained, she wouldn't have been able to wake up. So that's not possible."
He paused, his expression thoughtful. "But if the same dream repeats itself… it could be a warning."
Eyan's brows furrowed. "A warning?"
"Yes," Luca said gravely. "But we don't know if the Leo in her dream is the older one… or the one still inside her womb."
Eyan's eyes widened slightly.
"If that dream is showing what's yet to come," Luca continued, "then we have to stop it before it happens."
He placed a hand on Eyan's shoulder. "Eyan, watch her closely. Don't let her leave that room under any circumstance. Do you understand?"
Eyan nodded firmly. "I understand."
Luca's gaze darkened. "Good. Because if her dream is a vision of what's to come… we may already be running out of time."
---