Next Morning
Eva slowly opened her eyes. She was lying on a bed.The ceiling above her was unfamiliar, the soft curtains swaying gently beside the window. For a moment, she simply stared—confused, disoriented.
"…Where am I?" she whispered.
She pushed herself up, sitting on the bed—and suddenly, last night came rushing back.
Her unexpected encounter with the emperor. The knife sinking into his shoulder. The sharp pain when an arrow pierced her arm.
Her breath hitched. Eva looked down at her arm.There was no wound. Not even a scar. Her skin was smooth, completely healed—and she was wearing a clean, unfamiliar dress.
Just then, the door opened, and two maids entered the room. "My lady," one of them said gently, "you are awake."
Eva swallowed. "C-Can you tell me… where am I?"
"You are in the Royal palace, my lady."
Her breath caught. "The… Royal palace?" Her voice trembled. "Who brought me here?"
"His Majesty brought you himself last night. You were badly injured."
Eva's heart began to race.
The emperor brought me here…
Why?
So I wouldn't escape again?
Is he going to kill me?
I stabbed him. I tried to run away.
The maids exchanged uneasy glances. One of them nodded to the other. "Go and inform His Majesty. The lady is awake."
Eva panicked. "W-Wait—please don't tell him!" She grabbed the edge of the blanket. "I beg you!"
"My lady," the maid said apologetically, "we cannot disobey His Majesty's orders." And with that, she left the room.
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The door creaked open. Eyan stepped inside.
With a quiet gesture, he dismissed the maid. The door closed, leaving only the two of them.
Eva sat on the bed, her head lowered, her entire body tense.
"Lady, are you alri—"
Before he could finish, Eva hurriedly climbed off the bed and dropped to her knees in front of him.
Eyan froze. "Lady—stand up. What are you doing?"
Trembling, Eva clasped her hands together and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me!" she cried. "I didn't mean to hurt you.
I ran away because I was scared—please don't kill me!" Her voice broke as she begged.
Eyan's chest tightened at the sight of her shaking form.
He knelt in front of her. "Lady," he said softly, "please… raise your head."
Hesitantly, Eva looked up She flinched slightly when she met his eyes.. Her fingers were curled tightly in her lap, knuckles white.
"I'm not going to kill you," Eyan said calmly. "I understand why you did it. You were afraid."
He paused. "My shoulder is already healed. So please, be at ease."
Eyan smiled faintly. "How is your arm? Are you feeling any pain?"
She shook her head. "N-No, Your Majesty. I'm fine."
After a moment, she gathered her courage. "Your Majesty… why did you bring me to the palace?"
"You were badly injured," Eyan replied. "I didn't know your name or where you lived. I couldn't leave an injured woman on the street."
His voice hardened slightly. "And it was my knight's fault you were hurt. I had to take responsibility."
Eva bowed her head. "Thank you… for saving me. And for not killing me even after I hurt you. I won't forget your kindness."
Eyan studied her for a moment. "May I ask you something?"
"Yes," she nodded.
"What were you doing in a place like that?"
"I went there for work," Eva said quietly. "They were offering good money. But I didn't know they would drug me and force me into something like that."
Her voice trembled. "I don't remember what happened after that. When I woke up… you were there. I panicked and stabbed you."
She bowed again. "I'm truly sorry, Your Majesty. I was just trying to protect myself."
"It's alright," Eyan said. "I understand."
Eyan was silent for a moment, as if weighing his thoughts. "Lady," he said at last, his voice low, "there is something you should know."
Eva lifted her eyes hesitantly.
"If you ever find yourself trapped again—drugged, cornered, with no way to escape…"
His gaze sharpened, not cruel, but frighteningly clear. "Then you must not hesitate."
He reached out slowly and pointed to his own chest. "The shoulder is useless. It only causes pain."
His fingers pressed lightly against his heart. "Here is better. A single thrust—deep enough—and the heart will stop within moments."
Eva's breath grew shallow.
Eyan continued, his tone steady, almost gentle. "But if your hand is shaking, or if you're too close…"
His fingers slid upward, resting against the side of his neck.
"Here," he said quietly. "The artery. The windpipe. One strike in the right place, and the body collapses before the mind can even understand what happened."
Eva's nails dug into her palms.
"You must strike without warning," Eyan went on. "No hesitation. No mercy. Survival depends on it."
Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
Eyan finally looked at her properly.
Only then did he notice how pale she had gone. How her shoulders were trembling. How her eyes were wide—not with understanding, but fear.
He stopped. "…Lady It was only advice," he said, unaware of how cold his words sounded. "I was trying to teach you how to protect yourself."
Eva lowered her head quickly, forcing her voice to remain steady. "I understand," she whispered. But her hands were shaking.
Eyan rose to his feet and extended his hand toward her. "Lady, please stand up. The floor is cold—and you are still recovering."
Eva hesitated only for a heartbeat before placing her trembling hand in his. He helped her up carefully, his grip steady.
"Your Majesty…" She swallowed. "C-Can I go home?" For a brief second, Eyan studied her.
Eva's heart skipped. Did I say something wrong?
"Yes," he said at last. "You may go." He straightened. "I will have a carriage prepared. Tell the coachman where you live—he will see you safely home."
Relief washed over her face.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Eva bowed deeply.
She took one step toward the door—
"My lady… wait." His voice stopped her cold. Eva froze, then slowly turned back. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty?"
"May I know your name? I still do not know what to call you." Eyan said simply.
She paused, fingers tightening at her sides. "It's Eva, Your Majesty."
A faint smile touched his lips. "Lady Eva," he said softly. "It was nice meeting you."
Eva returned the smile, small but sincere. "It was nice meeting you too, Your Majesty."
Then she turned—and left the room, her footsteps fading down the corridor.
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Eyan stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the courtyard below. The carriage slowly rolled forward, carrying Eva away from the palace gates—away from him.
Beside him, Hans watched the rigid line of his king's shoulders, the storm hidden beneath his silence.
"Your Majesty," Hans said carefully, "you look troubled. Is everything alright?"
Eyan didn't answer. Instead, he looked at his own reflection in the glass—cold eyes staring back at him, sharp and unyielding.
"Hans," he asked quietly, "do I look… scary?"
Hans stiffened, clearly taken aback. "No, Your Majesty. Not at all. Why would you ask such a thing?"
Eyan raised a hand, his fingers brushing the reflection as if trying to touch the man staring back.
"Then why did she look at me like that?" he murmured. "Those eyes… she looked at me with fear."
Hans hesitated. "Perhaps because of what happened last night. Anyone would be frightened after an experience like that."
Eyan shook his head slowly. "No. That wasn't it." His voice was calm—too calm. "She was afraid because it was me."
He lowered his hand. "And that's better."
Hans frowned. "Your Majesty—"
"She should be scared," Eyan continued. "She should keep her distance. That way… she'll be safe."
A slow breath left his chest.
"It's not as if I'll have to see that fear again," he said quietly. "We won't meet again."
His gaze followed the carriage until it disappeared beyond the gates.
"This was our first," Eyan whispered, "and last meeting."
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