(Five Days Later — Velmoria Royal Palace)
Trumpets blared through the palace courtyard.
"His Majesty and the royal knights have returned victorious from the war!" the herald's voice echoed across the marble halls.
Luca hurried down the steps, smiling as he bowed. "Welcome back, Your Majesty!"
Eyan dismounted from his horse, his armor gleaming faintly under the fading sun. His gaze swept through the gathered crowd, but his smile faded.
"Luca," he said quietly, "where is Eva? I don't see her."
"She's resting in her chamber," Luca replied.
Eyan's brows furrowed. "Resting? Is she alright?"
"She's fine," Luca assured quickly.
But Eyan's expression softened with worry. "I should go see her."
Luca stepped forward, blocking his path. "You're really going to see Sister-in-law while you're still covered in blood?"
Eyan looked down at his hands—dried crimson staining his armor. He sighed. "You're right… I should clean up first."
Without another word, he turned away, heading toward the royal baths.
---
(Moments Later — Eva's Chamber)
Eyan returned, dressed simply in white and gray, his hair damp and loose from the bath. He stood before the ornate door of Eva's chamber and knocked softly.
The door creaked open. Aranel appeared, bowing lightly. "Your Majes—"
"Shh." Eyan placed a finger to his lips, smiling faintly.
Aranel's lips curved into a knowing grin. "She's sleeping," she whispered.
Eyan nodded, peeking inside. "Alright. Lady Aranel, you can go now. I'll stay with her."
She bowed once more. "Yes, Your Majesty."
As Aranel slipped away, Eyan quietly closed the door behind him.
The room was dim, the fire in the hearth glowing low. Eva lay peacefully on the bed, her hair spilling across the pillow like soft silk.
Eyan stepped closer, kneeling beside her. His eyes softened as he brushed his fingertips along her cheek.
"I missed you…" he whispered.
His hand drifted down to her round belly. "I missed you too, Leo."
A sudden kick beneath his palm made him smile—just as Eva's eyes fluttered open.
"Eyan…" Her lips curved gently. "You're back."
He helped her sit, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"I missed you, honey," she said softly, embracing him.
"I missed you too."
Another kick.
Eva gasped, wincing. "Ahh… I forgot to turn it off."
She tapped her wedding ring, and the faint magical hum surrounding her belly faded. "Now we're good."
Eyan chuckled. "You had it turned on?..why?"
"I didn't know when you'd return," she said, a smile on her lips. "I felt sleepy… so I turned it on. That way Leo could tell me when you were home."
Eyan laughed quietly. "You're too smart for your own good."
"I know," she said proudly.
He sat beside her, resting a hand over her belly again. "Why is it so big?"
Eva sighed. "Brother said the baby grew too fast these past fifteen days. He's almost nine months now."
Eyan's smile faded into realization. "That means—"
"Yes," Eva whispered, "in a few days, the baby will be bor—"
Her words cut off with a sharp cry.
"Ahhh!"
Eyan shot up. "Eva? What's wrong?"
Her hand clutched his tightly, face twisting in pain. "Eyan—it hurts—"
Then a sudden gush of water spilled beneath her.
Eyan's heart stopped. "Eva… wait—I'll call the physician!"
He rushed to the door, shouting down the hall. "Hans!"
Hans appeared, startled. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Call the royal physician! Now! Eva's in labor!"
Luca, hearing the commotion, came running. "What's going on—"
"Eva's giving birth!"
Luca froze for a heartbeat before snapping into motion. "Hans, hurry!"
Within moments, the royal physician arrived with his assistant and a group of maids carrying linens and basins of steaming water.
"Your Majesty, please wait outside," the physician said firmly.
Eyan lingered, his hand trembling over Eva's. "Eva… hold on. I'll be right here."
She nodded weakly, tears glimmering in her eyes.
The door shut between them.
---
(Inside the Chamber)
"Your Grace, you must push," the physician urged.
Eva gritted her teeth, sweat pouring down her face. "I—I'm trying—ahhh!"
Her scream echoed through the chamber, raw and desperate.
"Push harder! One more time!"
"Ahhh—!"
---
(Outside the Chamber)
Eyan paced, his hands shaking. "What's happening?"
Luca placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. She's strong. She'll be alright."
Then—
"WAAAH..!"
A baby's cry broke through the silence.
High, piercing, alive.
Eyan froze, his eyes glistening.
Luca grinned. "Eyan… congratulations."
Eyan's lips trembled into a smile, tears spilling down his cheeks.
---
(Inside the Chamber)
The physician lifted the tiny, red-faced infant into his arms.
"Your Grace," he said softly, "congratulations. It's a boy."
Eva let out a shaky breath, tears slipping down her temples. "Leo…" she whispered.
The physician turned to his assistant. "Clean the Queen and prepare to treat her."
Moments later, the door opened.
Eyan stood there, breath caught in his throat.
The physician bowed. "Congratulations, Your Majesty. The Queen has given birth to a Prince."
Eyan stepped forward and took the baby carefully, his hands trembling. The child cried softly, his tiny fists waving in the air.
Eyan smiled through tears. "Leo… my son."
Luca entered behind him, beaming. "Let me see my nephew!" He leaned closer. "He looks just like—"
The assistant suddenly burst in, panic on his face. "Master! Come quickly—the Queen—she's not breathing!"
Eyan's world stopped. "What do you mean?"
He ran past them into the chamber.
Eva lay still, pale and motionless. The physician was frantically trying to revive her.
"Eva!" Eyan fell to his knees beside her, clutching her cold hand. "Eva, open your eyes! Look—it's our Leo!"
He placed the baby beside her, his voice breaking. "Please… please open your eyes."
The physician froze, his face grim.
"Why did you stop?" Eyan shouted. "Do something!"
The physician lowered his head. "Your Majesty… the Queen is no more."
The words shattered him.
Eyan's body trembled as he bowed over her, tears falling onto her hand. "No… Eva… don't leave me alone…"
Luca burst into the room, eyes blazing. "Everyone move!"
Eyan looked up, desperate.
"Eyan—hold the baby," Luca commanded.
Eyan did as told, confusion clouding his tears. Luca took the infant's tiny hand and pressed his other palm over Eva's chest.
A surge of powerful light flared—white and gold, swirling through the air. The magic pulsed between the baby, Luca, and Eva like a living storm.
Eyan shielded his eyes.
And then—
Eva gasped. Her eyes flew open, her chest rising in a shuddering breath.
"Eva…" Eyan whispered, his voice breaking.
Relief and disbelief collided in his chest as he held her hand tightly, tears falling anew.
The physician blinked, stunned, then hurried forward. "Your Majesty, Master Luca—please wait outside. I'll tend to the Queen."
Eyan nodded, dazed and trembling, as he stepped back with Luca—clutching his newborn son in his arms.
Luca stumbled out of the room, his steps unsteady.
Before Eyan could speak, Luca coughed—dark blood staining his hand.
Eyan's eyes widened. "Luca! Are you alright?"
Luca wiped his mouth, forcing a weak smile. "I'm fine… it's just the aftereffect of the magic."
Eyan's tone sharpened with worry. "You knew something like this would happen, didn't you?"
Luca exhaled, lowering his gaze. "Yes. Leo told me about it when we last spoke. He said that when he was born—in his world—sister-in-law almost died. And I… his uncle there… used the same method to bring her back."
Eyan frowned. "What exactly did you do?"
"I channeled the Dragon's power into her," Luca said quietly. "But Leo's power hasn't awakened yet, so I had to extract it forcefully."
He winced, pressing his chest. "The Dragon's power isn't something humans can control easily. I had prepared my body to withstand it… but it seems even that wasn't enough."
Eyan's expression softened. He stepped forward and pulled Luca into a tight embrace.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Luca chuckled faintly against his shoulder. "Why are you thanking me? She's my sister too."
"Still," Eyan murmured, "thank you… very much."
Luca patted his back, smiling. "It's alright."
When they pulled apart, Luca looked toward the cradle. "Eyan, give me my nephew. I want to hold him too."
Eyan nodded and carefully handed over the small bundle.
Luca cradled the baby in his arms. "He's so small…"
Suddenly, a soft wail escaped the infant's lips.
"Waaah!"
Luca blinked. "Why is he crying?"
Eyan leaned closer, voice gentle. "Leo… what's wrong?"
The baby's cries faded instantly, eyes fluttering as if soothed by the sound.
Luca smiled. "He knows your voice."
Eyan's lips curved into a quiet smile.
Luca looked down at the child again, warmth flickering in his tired eyes. "Eyan, I'll go show Father his grandson."
Eyan nodded. "Alright."
Luca turned and walked down the corridor, the baby resting peacefully in his arms.
Eyan stood there, eyes fixed on the closing door—his chest heavy with both relief and fear.
---