(Later That Night)
Eva lay curled against Kyel's chest, the steady rhythm of his breathing the only sound filling the darkened room. His arm was wrapped securely around her, fingers resting warm and familiar against her back.
His eyes were closed already asleep. She wasn't. Her face was buried against his chest, but her heart refused to calm, beating far too fast. Aranel's words echoed in her mind, each one stirring a heat she didn't know how to quiet.
Kyel stirred. His eyes opened slowly, heavy with sleep, and he murmured softly, "Princess… why are you still awake?"
His voice was low, gentle. "Is something wrong?"
He shifted slightly, tightening his hold. "You've been quiet since Lady Aranel left. Did you two argue again?"
Eva pulled back just enough to look at him, meeting his gaze in the dim light. "No… Kyel. It's not like that. We didn't fight."
She turned onto her side, facing away. "I just… can't fall asleep."
Because my heart won't stop racing, she thought. It's just a kiss… then why am I feeling so nervous?
Kyel moved closer, hugging her from behind, his face resting against her shoulder.
His breath brushed her skin. "You think too much," he said with a soft laugh.
"I'll never understand what goes on inside that tiny head of yours." He tapped her head playfully.
Eva rubbed the spot, pouting.
"I'm not thinking about anything."
Kyel chuckled. "Stop lying. Your heart's beating so fast—I can feel it through your back."
Eva turned sharply to face him.
"You… can hear it?"
He smiled. "I can."
Flustered, she scooted away until she was nearly at the edge of the bed and pulled the blanket over her face.
Kyel reached for her instinctively, but she blurted out, "Stop. Stay where you are. Sleep on your side—don't come closer."
He froze. "…Eva," he said quietly. "Did I do something wrong? Why are you pushing me away?"
She hesitated before answering.
"Let's just sleep like this tonight. You on your side… me on mine."
There was a pause before he spoke again, his voice more serious now.
"I didn't tell you but I have to leave town for work. I'll be gone for a while… I won't be able to see you."
Eva lowered the blanket. "For how long?"
"About ten days." kyel said.
"You should have told me earlier," Eva said softly.
She pushed the sheet aside and sat up, the movement deliberate, as if she were steadying herself for something she could no longer postpone.
Kyel watched her, uncertainty flickering across his face.
"Kyel," she said, meeting his eyes. "Sit."
He stood, clearly confused, then sat in front of her, close enough that she could see the faint tension in his shoulders.
Eva drew in a slow breath, forcing her racing heart to calm.
Her hands came up, cupping his face—warm, familiar, grounding.
For a heartbeat, she hovered there, close enough to feel his breath mingle with hers.
Then she kissed him.
It was soft. Careful. A kiss born of resolve rather than impulse. She pulled back almost immediately, cheeks flushed, pulse roaring in her ears.
Kyel didn't move. For a moment, he simply stared at her, stunned—as though his mind struggled to decide whether what had just happened was real.
Then something eased in his expression. A smile, slow and tender, curved his lips.
He reached for her waist and drew her closer, his thumb brushing lightly over her mouth, lingering as if to memorize the shape of her lips.
And then he kissed her. This time, there was no hesitation.
The kiss began gentle, unhurried, but deepened naturally—his mouth moving with a certainty that made her breath catch.
The bed dipped beneath them as they fell back together, Eva's back meeting the mattress.
Her hands slid around his neck, pulling him closer, anchoring herself to the heat of him.
Kyel's lips left hers, trailing along her jaw, then lower—until they brushed the sensitive skin of her neck.
And then Her body betrayed her.
A sudden, violent tremor ran through her, sharp and uncontrollable.
Her hands curled into fists against his shoulders, her breathing turning ragged as though the air itself had become too thin.
Kyel felt it instantly and he pulled back immediately.
Eva opened her eyes, confused by the sudden distance.
"Kyel… why did you stop?" she asked softly, unaware of how visibly her body was shaking.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead—slow, reverent—before rolling onto his side.
He gathered her against his chest, holding her close, his hand moving in calm, steady strokes along her back.
"Let's sleep now," he murmured.
Eva nodded, settling against him.
Gradually, the tension loosened its grip on her body.
The tremors faded, her breathing slowed, and the tight knot in her chest finally eased.
Moments later, she drifted into sleep—safe in his arms, unaware of how much restraint it had taken for him to stop.
That night, Eva fell into a strange dream. When she opened her eyes, she was no longer in her bedroom.
Pale mist surrounded her, thick and cold, curling around her ankles and blurring everything beyond a few steps.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't see where she was—until a shadow emerged through the fog.
A tree stood before her.
Its branches were heavy with fruit. Beneath it stood a small boy, no older than seven or eight.
He held a stick in his hands, stretching on his toes as he tried—again and again—to knock down one of the fruits.
"Just a little more…" the boy muttered, frustration lacing his voice.
Eva couldn't help but smile.
She walked toward him and gently lifted him up.
The boy's eyes widened in surprise, but before he could protest, his small hand reached out and plucked the fruit easily.
Eva placed him back on the ground, steadying him until his feet touched the earth.
The boy turned to face her. He had soft black hair and striking blue eyes—far too sharp and knowing for a child his age. He smiled brightly.
"Thank you for your help," he said, then held out the fruit toward her.
"Here. This is for you."
Eva blinked. "For me?"
The boy nodded, his smile widening. "This is a gift for our first meeting. Take it, Eva."
Her breath caught. "You know my name?"
"Not just your name," the boy replied calmly.
"I know everything about you."
Then, softly, almost gently, he added, "I also know you are living your second life."
Eva stiffened. "You know that too…? But how?"
The boy smiled—an expression far too serene, far too old.
"I know," he said, "because I am the one who sent you back in time."
Eva stared at him, disbelief washing over her.
This small boy…? Her mind flooded with questions.
"Are you some kind of god?" she asked hesitantly. "Or… if not a god, then a fairy?"
The boy laughed, a clear, light sound. "No, Eva. I'm not a god, and I'm not a fairy."
He tilted his head. "I'm just a human—with a few powers."
"Then why?" Eva asked softly. "Why did you send me back in time? Is there something you want from me?"
"No," he replied immediately. "There is nothing I want from you."
His gaze softened. "I sent you back because I wanted you to live long… and happy."
After a pause, he added, "That is my only wish."
He looked at her closely.
"Tell me, Eva. Do you want to live a happy life with your husband?"
"Of course I do," she answered without hesitation.
"Then I'll work hard," the boy said quietly. "I'll do everything I can to make that happen."
Eva smiled and reached out, patting his head gently. "Thank you… for doing this for me."
She asked. "But you haven't told me your name yet."
"My name is Leo."
"Leo," Eva repeated, smiling. "That's a beautiful name."
Leo's expression shifted, becoming thoughtful. "Eva… what do you think about Emperor Eyan?"
Fear flickered across her face. "I'm afraid of him," she admitted.
"He's the one who killed me in my first life. I've tried to stay as far away from him as possible in this one because I don't want to die again."
Her voice trembled. "But no matter what I do, we keep crossing paths."
Leo shook his head gently. "You don't have to be afraid of him. He's not going to kill you this time."
Then, quietly, he added, "So Eva if someday you find yourself in danger… or in need of help—look for him. Look for The Emperor...Okay?"
Leo lifted his gaze toward the sky, where the mist was slowly thinning.
"It's time, Eva. The dream is about to end."
He smiled at her one last time. "Let's meet again."
The fog thickened, swallowing the tree, the boy, and the soft glow of the dream.
And then the dream ended.
Eva slowly opened her eyes to the pale light of morning. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, warm and quiet—but the space beside her was empty.
She turned her head instinctively. Kyel was gone.
Her chest tightened. "He's gone…"
she whispered. "Why didn't he wake me up? I didn't even get to say goodbye."
She shifted on the bed, hugging the blanket closer—when something crinkled softly beneath her pillow. Eva frowned and reached out, pulling out a neatly folded note.
She opened it.
I'm sorry for leaving without telling you, but something urgent came up. Don't be sad if you don't find me beside you. I'll be back in ten days. Take care of yourself.
—Kyel.
Eva's smile faded, disappointment settling in her heart.
"That's it?" she murmured sadly.
"That's all he has to say…" Her fingers clenched around the paper.
"We shared our first kiss last night… looks like he forgot."
She was about to place the note aside when her hand brushed against something else hidden beneath the pillow.
Another note.
Her breath caught as she unfolded it.
And thank you for the kiss last night, princess. I love you. —kyel
Eva's face instantly flushed crimson.
She let out a soft laugh and rolled onto her back, hugging the pillow as a radiant smile spread across her lips.
"He didn't forget…"
Clutching the note to her chest, she pressed a gentle kiss against the words.
"I love you too," she whispered.
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(Royal Palace Velmoria)
Eyan sat rigidly in his chair, the large table before him buried under stacks of papers. His hands moved swiftly, signing and reviewing documents without pause. Hans stood quietly at his side. After a moment, he stepped forward and handed Eyan a neatly written list.
"Your Majesty," Hans said, "the invitations for your birthday celebration have been sent to everyone. Please take a look and see if anyone is missing."
Eyan took the list and scanned it once, his expression unreadable.
"No," he said flatly. "No one is missing."
Hans hesitated. "Your Majesty… are you not going to invite Her Majesty to your birthday celebration?"
Eyan's hand stilled. "No."
Hans looked startled. "But why, Your Majesty?"
Eyan placed the list down slowly. "Hans, didn't I already tell you?"
His voice was calm, but firm. "I don't want Eva anywhere near me—or the palace.
If I invite her to my birthday, she will only draw unnecessary attention."
Hans lowered his head. "Understood, Your Majesty."
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