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(Open Field —)
"Please… don't," Eva's trembling voice broke the silence.
Prince Velco lunged toward her, his movements quick and predatory. Startled, Eva pulled a dagger from her sleeve and slashed instinctively—its blade slicing across his arm.
Velco hissed, clutching the wound, crimson staining his pale fingers.
"You—" he growled, eyes narrowing with both fury and amusement.
Eva pointed the dagger toward him, her hands shaking. "Don't move… or I'll kill you."
Velco's lips curved into a dark smile. "Your Grace, have you ever killed a man before?" His tone dripped with mockery as he stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "You can't kill me. Look at you—you're trembling."
Before she could retreat, his gloved hand reached out and grabbed the blade itself, pressing it into his palm until blood dripped between his fingers. Eva gasped, trying to pull the dagger back, but his grip was like iron.
She stumbled, losing her balance—the dagger slipped from her grasp, now trapped in Velco's bleeding hand. He flung it aside, the metal clattering onto the cold ground.
Then, with a cruel smirk, he seized Eva's wrist and yanked her close.
Her breath hitched—his fingers were cold, his eyes hungry.
But before she could scream—
A sword came flying through the air.
It pierced through Velco's leg, the sound of steel meeting flesh echoing across the barren field.
Velco howled, collapsing to one knee and releasing Eva's hand.
"Get your filthy hands off my wife."
Eyan's voice was a thunderclap. His eyes burned with fury as he strode forward, every step radiating wrath.
"Eyan…" Eva's voice cracked, tears spilling down her cheeks—relief and terror entwined.
Without hesitation, Eyan gripped the hilt of his sword, tore it free from Velco's leg, and pressed it against his throat.
Velco's teeth clenched, blood pooling beneath him.
Eyan's rage was cold and sharp. "Luca! Get Eva out of here. Now."
Luca appeared, breathless. "ok."
He grasped Eva's shoulder gently. "Sister-in-law, come. Quickly."
Eva followed, dazed, her eyes still fixed on the scene.
Behind them, Velco's voice cut through the night like a blade.
"Your Grace…" he rasped, "so you made the choice, after all."
Eva froze mid-step.
Velco chuckled darkly. "You abandoned that Leo… for this one."
Eva turned, her heart hammering. "What—what did you just say?"
Luca's grip tightened. "Sister in law, we need to go. Now."
But she shook her head, trembling. "No… I can't."
Eyan's voice thundered behind them. "Shut your damn mouth—and die."
His sword swung downward, gleaming in the moonlight—
Eva ran to Eyan, her gown catching the dirt, her breaths ragged. "Eyan, stop!"
Eyan froze, sword trembling in his grasp, his eyes still locked on Velco. "Eva, why did you stop me?"
Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head. "He has Leo. If you kill him now… we'll never know where he's keeping him."
"Your Majesty," Velco rasped, laughter spilling between his breaths, "why stop? Kill me—end this game already."
Eyan's grip tightened on his sword until his knuckles turned white. For a moment, he looked like he would strike again—
—but then he exhaled sharply and lowered the weapon.
Velco smirked, his chest rising and falling heavily.
Eyan's voice came low and sharp, vibrating with restrained rage. "Tell me where Leo is."
Velco's gaze glimmered, teasing. "I don't want to."
Eyan's patience snapped. In a blur, he grabbed Velco by the throat, lifting him halfway off the ground.
"Tell me now—if you don't want to die."
Velco's laughter turned hoarse, his breath wheezing. "You… can't kill me. If you do… Leo dies with me."
Eyan's eyes widened.
Velco smirked. "That boy is already fighting for his life. His body is breaking. It won't be long before he dies."
Eva's voice trembled. "What… what do you mean his body is breaking?"
"Eva—listen," Eyan started, but Velco cut him off.
"You don't know, do you, Your Grace?" Velco's voice dripped with venom. "That boy came here to find me. He knew I had returned… in the past."
Eyan's eyes darkened, but Velco continued, cruel delight gleaming in his gaze.
"But since he belongs to another world, every time he uses his power—his body breaks apart from within."
Eva's breath hitched. "What?"
Velco's tone turned almost playful. "And now, his body has reached its limit. Because he used his power to free you from the curse… his body is destroyed."
Eva's mind froze. "What do you mean? I was never cursed!"
Velco tilted his head. "You were. The night you fainted—I was the one who placed that curse upon you. And that foolish boy… used everything he had to lift it."
He smiled wickedly. "Didn't His Majesty tell you?"
Eva turned to Eyan, eyes wide, tears trembling on her lashes. "Eyan… is he telling the truth? Why didn't you tell me?"
Eyan's voice was low, almost broken. "Eva, I didn't want to make you worry."
Her tears fell freely now. "How could you hide this from me? My Leo… he's in pain because of me!"
Her voice cracked with grief. "If something happens to him, I'll never forgive myself."
Luca stepped forward, his tone soft yet heavy. "Sister-in-law… don't blame Eyan. I was the one who told him not to tell you about Leo."
Eva turned to him, sobbing. "Why? Why would you hide something like that from me?"
Luca's eyes dimmed. "Because Leo didn't want to worry you. He made us promise."
Eva's hands trembled as she clutched her chest. "My Leo…" Her sobs broke the silence.
She turned to Velco, her eyes desperate and red. "Prince Velco, please… tell me where my Leo is."
Her voice cracked like glass. "If you want me dead, then wait until I give birth. After that… I'll gladly die. But please—give my Leo back to me."
"Eva, are you insane?!" Eyan caught her by the shoulders, shaking his head in disbelief. "Do you hear yourself?"
She sobbed harder, clutching his tunic. "Eyan, there's no other way! I can't lose Leo… I can't."
Eyan's heart twisted. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight as she cried against his chest. His voice trembled against her hair. "Eva…"
Then his gaze lifted to Velco—cold, merciless once more. "Tell me what you want. I'll give you anything… but you can't have Eva."
He took a step closer, eyes burning. "If you want the throne, it's yours. I'll give it up."
"Just tell me where Leo is."
Velco's lips curved into a cruel smirk. "That's not a bad offer, Your Majesty."
He leaned back slightly, his breathing steadying. "But first… I want Master Luca to heal me."
Eyan's jaw tightened. He turned to Luca. "Heal him."
Luca hesitated for a moment, then nodded silently. A faint golden light bloomed from his palms, weaving through the air and wrapping around Velco's wounded leg. The blood stopped. The torn flesh knitted together.
Velco flexed his leg, satisfaction flickering in his eyes.
Eyan's voice came again, low and sharp. "Now… what else do you want?"
Velco reached into his coat pocket and drew out two small crystal bottles, each filled with a shimmering dark-red potion.
His smile deepened.
"Your Majesty," he said slowly, lifting the bottles between his blood-stained fingers,
"I want you and Master Luca… to drink these."
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