Next Day — Royal Palace, Velmoria)
Prince Velco sat alone in his chamber, the faint glow of candlelight flickering against the his eyes.
"Did you find where the Queen is hiding?" His voice was calm, but the edge beneath it could cut steel.
The man before him bowed low. "No, Your Highness. We searched every trace, but there's still no clue."
Velco leaned back, lips curving into a humorless smile. "Hmm… so she's really making this difficult."
Then his tone darkened. "Looks like I'll have to take action myself."
He reached for the drawer beside him and pulled it open, retrieving a small silver ring engraved with ancient runes.
"Well then," he whispered, turning it between his fingers, "let's see if this disguise spell works or not."
The moment the ring slid onto his finger, the air around him shimmered. His form began to twist, flesh and shadow rearranging until a different man stood in his place—
the face of Emperor Eyan Therald staring back from the mirror.
Velco smirked. "How do I look?"
The servant raised his head, eyes wide in disbelief. "Y-Your Highness… you look exactly like His Majesty."
Velco's smirk deepened, cold and satisfied. "Perfect."
He adjusted the emperor's collar and brushed back his hair with practiced ease..
"Now," he murmured, voice lowering into Eyan's familiar tone, "let's go find my queen."
---
(Royal Palace— Luca's Chamber)
A firm knock echoed through the door.
Knock. Knock.
Luca looked up from his desk. "Come in."
The door opened, revealing Eyan.
"Eyan?" Luca blinked, surprised. "What brings you here?"
"There's something on my mind," Eyan said quietly, stepping into the room.
Luca gestured for him to sit. "What is it this time?"
"It's about Eva." His tone carried an unease that seemed almost… foreign. "Do you think she's safe there?"
Luca chuckled softly. "You worry too much. That place is guarded by two hundred knights. There's no safer location in the realm."
"Still…" Eyan's brows furrowed. "I can't shake the feeling that something might happen—to her, or to the child."
Luca leaned back in his chair, amused. "Even if someone managed to slip past the knights, they still couldn't reach her."
Eyan tilted his head. "Why's that?"
"Because of the barrier, of course."
"Barrier?"
Luca frowned. "Why do you sound so surprised? You know how it works. Even you can't enter the room unless she lowers the shield herself."
For a split second, something flickered in Eyan's eyes—panic, quickly hidden beneath a smile.
"Ah, right. The barrier. I… forgot about that."
Luca raised a brow. "You? Forgetting something like that? You really must be tired."
Eyan gave a small, awkward laugh. "Perhaps."
A quiet moment passed between them. Then Luca said, "Well, what are you waiting for? Go see her already."
"Of course." Eyan turned toward the door.
"Wait—take this with you." Luca handed him a small pouch.
Eyan accepted it, pretending curiosity. "What's inside?"
"Nothing special. Just a few items I need delivered."
"Delivered… where?"
Luca blinked. "What do you mean where? To the Magic Tower. You are going there to meet sister-in-law, aren't you?"
Eyan's lips curled into a slow, secret smile. "Ah. The Magic Tower… of course. Just teasing."
Luca shook his head, chuckling. "You're acting strange today."
Eyan stepped into the corridor, the smile never leaving his lips.
His footsteps echoed faintly through the marble hall, each one sharper, more deliberate.
"The Magic Tower," he whispered under his breath. "I've found you."
The flicker of satisfaction in his crimson eyes gave away the truth—
this wasn't Emperor Eyan at all.
It was Prince Velco
---
(The Magic Tower — Velmoria)
The heavy doors of the Magic Tower creaked open as Eyan stepped inside.
Every knight in the hall turned and bowed low.
"Your Majesty," one of them said, confusion in his tone. "Did something happen? You just left minutes ago."
Eyan smiled faintly. "I forgot something. I came back to take it."
The knight straightened. "Understood, Your Majesty."
Eyan lingered in the hall for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the towering crystal walls.
Inside, his thoughts churned quietly.
I've made it here… but I don't even know where Eva is being kept.
He looked toward one of the knights. "You there—come here."
The knight stepped forward, head bowed.
Eyan handed him the small pouch Luca had given him earlier. "Take this to where the Queen is."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The knight turned and began walking down a long corridor. Eyan followed silently behind, his steps echoing softly through the marble floor.
One door after another opened, each leading deeper into the Tower's inner chambers.
How long do I have to walk? Eyan thought with irritation. He's really keeping her hidden this well…
Finally, the knight halted in front of a grand door glowing faintly with enchantment.
Eyan frowned. "Why did you stop?"
"Your Majesty," the knight replied, "we are not permitted to enter the Queen's chamber."
"Who gave you that?"
The knight hesitated. "It was you, Your Majesty."
Eyan blinked, then smiled faintly. "Right. I did say that."
He reached out and took the pouch back from the knight. "You can go now."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The knight bowed and left.
Eyan turned toward the grand door.
Knock. Knock.
From inside, a familiar voice answered. "Eyan? Is that you?"
"Yes," he said smoothly. "It's me, Eva. Open the door."
The lock clicked, and the door swung open—but a faint shimmer remained between them. The barrier.
"Wait," Eva said gently. "I'll lift it."
The glow faded, and she smiled as she looked at him. "Why did you come back? You just left."
Eyan smiled. "I came because I missed you."
"Really?"
"Really."
Eva's eyes softened. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
He returned the embrace, but after a heartbeat, she froze.
He felt her body stiffen before she gently pulled away.
"What's wrong?" he asked, feigning concern.
"Nothing." She forced a smile. "Come inside."
Eyan stepped in as the door closed behind him.
Eva tapped her wedding ring once—a faint golden light flickered through the air, almost invisible. Then she turned to him again, smiling sweetly.
"Eyan," she said softly, "you forgot to talk to our baby when you left earlier. Can you do it now."
Eyan smiled. "Of course."
He approached her slowly and bent down, his voice soft and smooth.
"Hello there, Leo. Sorry—Father forgot to talk to you earlier."
But Eva's expression changed in an instant. Her smile vanished, her eyes sharpening like glass.
"Who are you?" she asked quietly.
Eyan froze. "What… what do you mean by that?"
Eva stepped back, her voice trembling but firm. "Even if you managed to fool me… you can't fool my baby."
He blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"My baby kicks every time he hears his father's voice," she said, tears welling in her eyes. "No matter how much you try to imitate his voice… my child knows his father voice."
She reached beneath the pillow and pulled out a small dagger, her hand shaking.
"Now tell me—who are you?"
For a moment, the man just stared at her. Then a low chuckle escaped his lips.
"You're really something," he said softly. "I thought I could fool you. But I guess I was wrong."
He slipped the ring from his finger—and in a shimmer of silver light, the illusion shattered.
The man standing before her was no longer Eyan.
It was Prince Velco.
Eva's eyes widened in horror. "You—"
"Good to see you again, Lady Eva," he said, his crimson eyes gleaming.
She stumbled backward, her breath shaking.
"Does that surprise you?" Velco smirked. "When I called you Lady Eva? Of course it does. That's what I used to call you… in that timeline."
Her face went pale. "How do you know about that?"
"Because," he said, his smile darkening, "just like you, I also came back in time."
"What…?" Her voice trembled. "But how?"
"The same way you did," he said softly. "You made a wish to go back—and so did I."
"Why are you here?" she whispered.
Velco reached into his coat and drew a small knife, the blade glinting under the faint tower light. "Why else? I came to kill you."
Eva gasped, instinctively clutching her belly. "Don't come closer."
Velco took a step forward, his tone almost gentle. "Don't be afraid. I'll make it quick. You won't feel a thing."
"Don't…" Her voice broke. "No… no!"
Velco lunged forward, the knife flashing through the air—
Eva screamed. "NO!"
---