(One month later—)
Eva stood before the mirror, her hand resting on the gentle curve of her belly.
"It's only been a month," she murmured with a faint smile, "but it looks like I'm five months along already."
Her fingers traced the rounded shape lovingly. "I should walk a little," she decided softly.
She opened the door and stepped into the garden beyond the room. The air was fresh and filled with the sweet scent of blooming lilies. Still, a shadow lingered on her expression.
"I don't even know where I am," she whispered to herself. "Eyan refuses to tell me."
It had been two days since he'd gone to the palace. Two long, silent days.
"I'm so bored here," Eva sighed. "I guess all I can do is wait."
She turned toward the open path. "Let's go on a stroll, Leo."
But before she could take more than a few steps, a knock echoed from the door.
Her heart skipped.
"He's back."
Eva turned, smiling, and hurried toward the entrance as fast as her condition allowed. But when she open the door and her hand met resistance—a faint shimmer of magic rippled through the air. A barrier.
Through the glowing surface, she could hear his voice.
"Eva, remove the barrier."
Her joy vanished, replaced by anger. "No! I won't ....I'm not letting you in."
"Why?" his voice softened.
"Where have you been for two days?" she demanded, her tone breaking with frustration. "I was waiting for you! Did you just remember that you have a pregnant wife waiting alone?"
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," Eyan replied gently. "I had some work at the palace."
"Some work," she muttered under her breath.
"Please," he said again, "don't be angry. Let me in. I just want to see your face."
Eva hesitated, her shoulders relaxing a little. With a sigh, she dispelled the barrier. "Fine. I'll forgive you this time, but if you—"
She didn't finish. Eyan pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in her hair.
"I missed you," he whispered.
Eva didn't return the hug.
Eyan drew back, cupping her face. "Why aren't you hugging me back?"
She stayed silent, lips pressed together.
"Still angry?" he asked softly.
Eva nodded.
Eyan smiled faintly. "Then tell me—what must I do to make my angry wife happy again? I'll do anything."
"You'll do anything?" she repeated, her tone daring.
"Yes. Just ask."
"Then take me back to the palace."
Eyan's smile faded. "No, Eva. You can't go to the palace."
"Why not? I feel like a prisoner here. I'm tired of being alone."
"I told you," he said, voice low but firm, "you can't leave this place until you give birth."
Anger flickered in her eyes. She pushed him away. "Fine! Do as you like."
Turning sharply, she started toward the garden.
"Eva, where are you going?"
"To hell!" she snapped without looking back.
"Then take me with you," he replied, his voice calm and teasing.
Eva ignored him, her pace quickening. Eyan sighed and caught up, walking beside her.
"Eva, look at that flower—it's beautiful, isn't it?"
She kept her eyes straight ahead.
"Look, a butterfly," he tried again, gently. "You like butterflies, right?"
Eva's lips tightened as she walked faster.
"Eva, don't walk too fast," he said, a hint of worry breaking through his light tone.
He stepped in front of her, blocking the path. "Talk to me first."
"I have nothing to say to you. Now move."
When he didn't, she tried to push past him—but Eyan caught her, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
"Eva," he murmured against her ear, "don't do this to me. Don't push me away."
His voice trembled faintly. "My heart hurts when you push me away."
He pressed his forehead to her shoulder. "I know you feel lonely here, but I can't take you to the palace. I'm doing this to protect you—and our child."
"So Please… talk to me." he begged.
Eva's heart softened. She turned her head slightly; his face was buried in the crook of her neck. Slowly, she lifted his chin and kissed him.
Eyan tightened his hold, one hand cupping her neck to deepen the kiss, the other resting protectively over her belly.
When they parted, he smiled gently. "Does that mean you forgive me?"
Eva's lips curved. "What else could it mean?"
"Then tell me," he said playfully, "the real reason you were angry."
"The real reason?"
"Yes," he chuckled. "I know you too well. You wouldn't be this mad just because I was gone for two days."
Eva's lips curved with a faint smile as she touched her belly.
"I wanted to show you the kick," she said softly.
Eyan blinked, surprised. "Kick?"
She nodded, warmth filling her tone. "I started to feel the baby's movements since yesterday. I wanted you to feel it too."
Her hand caressed the curve of her stomach as she added, "I couldn't sleep all night. He was moving so much."
Eyan's eyes softened. Slowly, he stepped closer and knelt before her, his face level with her belly. For a moment, he simply stared in awe — at her, at the small life growing within her. Then he leaned in slightly and whispered, his voice low and tender,
"Leo, your mother is complaining about you. Can you stop moving so much at night so she can sleep?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Eva gasped. "Oh!"
Eyan's head shot up. "What happened?"
"He kicked me!" she said in delight. Her eyes sparkled. "He responded to you!"
She caught his hand and guided it to her belly. "Say something again."
Eyan hesitated, then murmured, "Leo."
Another soft kick met his palm.
His eyes widened in disbelief. "I felt it."
Eva laughed softly. "He's responding to your voice."
"Looks like it," Eyan whispered, wonder flickering across his face.
Another small jolt made Eva flinch. "Ah!"
"Did he kick you again?" Eyan asked, half worried, half amused.
Before she could answer, another one came — stronger this time. Eva grabbed her belly. "He's still kicking!"
"Eva—"
She quickly covered his mouth with her hand. "Don't say another word! He kicks me every time you talk."
Eyan, eyes wide, nodded obediently, gesturing an "okay."
When she finally lowered her hand, he couldn't help but smile.
Eva narrowed her eyes. "Why are you smiling?"
He mouthed something.
"What?" she asked suspiciously.
He sighed and spoke softly, "I said you're cute."
A sharp kick made Eva bend slightly, clutching her stomach. "Ahh!"
"Eva!" Eyan caught her, alarmed.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" she accused breathlessly.
He shook his head frantically, hands raised in defense.
"Ah—it hurts," she whimpered, her face twisting in pain.
Eyan's worry deepened. Without hesitation, he scooped her up in his arms.
"Eyan…" she whispered weakly.
He didn't reply, carrying her swiftly back to the room. Gently, he laid her on the bed and brushed the hair from her face.
Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "Are you in pain?"
Eva nodded faintly, her hand still resting protectively on her belly.
"I'll go bring Luca," Eyan murmured. "You rest."
She nodded again, eyes fluttering closed.
Eyan lingered for a heartbeat, his gaze soft and full of worry, before turning and leaving the room in haste.
---
Luca entered the room quickly, his expression tightening when he saw Eva lying on the bed.
"What happened?" he asked, glancing at Eyan.
"I felt pain in my stomach," Eva said.
Without another word, Luca knelt beside the bed and placed his hand over Eva's belly. A faint glow of blue magic spread beneath his palm as he began to scan the child.
Moments later, his eyes widened slightly. "The baby is already six months old."
Eva blinked in surprise. "Six months? Already?"
Luca nodded. "Yes. He's growing very fast. At this rate, his kicks will only get stronger. You'll need to prepare yourself, sister-in-law."
Eva gave a small nod. "Okay."
Luca turned to Eyan. "And you—why are you so quiet? Say something."
Eyan only shook his head silently.
Eva sighed and answered for him, "Brother, don't ask him to speak. The baby kicks every time Eyan says something."
Luca raised an eyebrow, then laughed softly. "Oh, so that's the case."
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then lifted his hand again, summoning a faint thread of golden light. It weaved gently around Eva's belly before fading.
"There," he said with a satisfied smile. "Problem solved. Eyan, you can talk now. The baby won't kick."
Eyan hesitated, then leaned closer to Eva's stomach. "Leo."
Nothing.
"Leo," he said again.
Still nothing.
Eva's eyes widened. "He's not kicking me anymore." She looked at Luca. "Brother, what did you do?"
Luca smiled calmly. "It's just a small voice barrier. It blocks Eyan's voice from reaching the baby. If the baby can't hear him, he won't react."
Eva frowned. "But then… he won't hear Eyan at all."
"Hm?"
"I read that it's important for babies to hear their father's voice before birth," Eva said softly. "That way, they recognize them when they're born."
Luca paused, considering her words. "That's true," he admitted.
Eyan folded his arms. "So what now?"
Luca sighed, amused. "Wait. Let me redo it."
With a wave of his hand, the magic around Eva's belly disappeared. Then he reached for the silver ring on her finger. Blue light shimmered as he cast another spell.
"There," he said. "Now the voice-blocking magic is sealed within your ring."
Eva looked down at it curiously. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Luca explained, "you can turn it on or off by touching the ring. That way, the baby won't be disturbed when you need rest."
"Really?" she asked, brightening.
"Yes. Try it."
Eva touched the ring lightly once.
"Now, Eyan," Luca said, "say something."
Eyan leaned forward. "What should I say—"
Kick!
Eva gasped. "Ah!"
Luca grinned. "He kicked you, didn't he?"
Eva groaned. "Yes!"
She tapped her ring again.
Eyan spoke softly, "Are you all right now?"
Eva smiled. "Yes. It stopped."
Eyan exhaled in relief and brushed her hair gently from her forehead. "Good."
He turned to Luca. "You must be busy. Let's go."
Luca nodded, rising from his seat. "I'll check on her again later."
The two men left the room, the door closing quietly behind them—leaving Eva alone with the steady rhythm of her child's heartbeat beneath her palm.
---