"Your Majesty… the Queen didn't tell you she's pregnant?"
The words struck Eyan like a blade.
His face turned deathly pale in an instant.
All strength seemed to drain from his body, leaving him numb and hollow. The room spun slowly around him.
His legs buckled without warning, and he began to collapse forward.
"Eyan—!" Luca lunged from behind and caught him just before he hit the floor, arms wrapping tightly around his torso.
Luca's voice was thick with worry. "Eyan…"
Eyan sank down onto the cold wooden floor, barely supported by Luca. His breath came in harsh, ragged gasps, chest heaving as if he couldn't get enough air.
"She's… pregnant…" he whispered, voice cracking.
His hands rose to his head, gripping tightly, as if trying to steady the storm inside.
No…No…
Then, without warning, a surge of raw emotion propelled him upward.
Eyan pushed himself off the floor with shaking hands, his entire body trembling. He staggered toward the door, nearly knocking over a small table in his haste.
Luca reached out. "Eyan, wait—"
But Eyan was already moving. He burst out of the physician's clinic and rushed to his horse. In one swift, desperate motion, he mounted and kicked the stallion into a full gallop.
Luca ran after him, shouting, "Eyan! Where are you going?!"
"To Eva!" Eyan shouted back, voice raw with anger and fear. "She needs to explain herself to me!"
"Eyan, listen—!"
It was too late. Eyan was already racing down the street at dangerous speed, cloak whipping behind him as he headed straight for the Marquess Calren Delyss Estate.
Luca was left standing in a cloud of dust, breathing hard.
He clenched his fists, muttering under his breath, "Damn it… He's not thinking clearly. I need to do something."
--------------------------------------------------------
(Marquess Calren Delyss Estate)
A bright blue magic circle flared open in front of the grand entrance.
Luca stepped out of it, breathing hard, and immediately rushed inside the house without hesitation.
_________________________________
(Inside the House)
The servants bowed deeply the moment they saw him.
Marquess Calren Delyss, who had been relaxing on the couch, stood up with a warm smile.
"Luca, my son-in-law! It's good to see—"
"I apologise, Father, but I'm in a hurry," Luca said quickly, running straight past him toward the stairs.
He took the steps two at a time, urgency clear in every movement.
__________________________________
(Aranel's Chamber)
Knock knock knock
Aranel opened the door, her face lighting up with joy when she saw her husband.
She opened her arms for a hug.
"Darling! What brings you here so sudden—"
Luca gently stopped her arms before she could embrace him.
His face was tight with panic.
"Aranel, we don't have time for this. Tell me where Sister-in-law is right now."
Aranel's smile faded as she noticed the fear in his eyes. "Luca… what happened?"
"Don't ask questions. Just tell me. Hurry."
"She's in her room," Aranel replied, confused.
"Which room? Take me there."
Luca gently grabbed her hand and began leading the way. Aranel followed, still bewildered, while Luca's steps remained hurried and tense.
__________________________________
(Eva's Chamber)
Knock knock
Eva opened the door with a small smile.
"Brother Luca, Aranel—"
Before she could finish, Luca rushed inside, pulling Aranel in with him, and quickly closed the door behind them.
Eva blinked, startled.
"Brother…?"
Luca turned to her immediately, his expression tense, voice sharp with urgency.
"Sister… why didn't you tell Eyan?"
Eva's face turned nervous.
"Tell him what, Brother?"
Luca stepped closer, his gaze unwavering.
"Why didn't you tell him… that you're with a child?"
Silence.
The words hung heavy in the air.
Aranel's eyes widened in shock. She turned sharply toward Eva. "What?"
Eva clutched the fabric of her dress tightly, avoiding their gazes.
Aranel's voice softened with disbelief and concern. "Eva… are you pregnant?"
Eva nodded slowly. "Yes."
Aranel's face lit up with pure joy.
"Eva!" she exclaimed, stepping forward with a bright smile. "Why didn't you tell me?"
She turned toward Luca, lightly hitting his arm.
"You scared me for nothing! The way you said it—I thought something terrible happened. This is wonderful news!"
But her smile faltered...Because neither Luca nor Eva smiled back.
The air felt… heavy...Tense.
Aranel's brows drew together.
"…Eva, Luca why you two look like that?"
Eva looked at Luca with panic in her eyes.
"Brother, please… don't tell Eyan."
"There's no point hiding it anymore," Luca said grimly. "He already knows."
Eva's face paled. "He knows…? But how?"
"That's not important right now," Luca replied. "Eyan is on his way here right now, and he is upset — very upset — because you hid it from him."
Eva covered her mouth with both hands, panic rising. "Brother… is he really that upset?"
"Yes," Luca said.
Eva's fingers trembled against her lips. For a moment, she looked like she might collapse under the weight of it.
"…What do I do…?"
Luca stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Sister listen to me carefully. Stay here. Don't leave this room."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…What?"
"When he arrives," Luca continued, "I will speak to him first. I will calm him down." A small pause. "…Then you can face him."
Eva hesitated....Fear flickered across her face—
But she nodded.
"…Okay."
Luca turned to Aranel. "Let's go."
Aranel glanced at Eva, concern now replacing her earlier joy, then nodded quietly.
The two moved toward the door.
Just before stepping out, Luca looked back one last time.
"Sister… lock the door."
Eva swallowed...Then nodded.
The door closed. .And with a soft, final sound—Click...The lock turned.
Eva stood alone in the room...Her hand slowly fell from the door...Her heart wouldn't stop racing.
__________________________________
(After some time)
Marquess Calren Delyss Estate
The thunder of hooves echoed through the quiet estate as a horse galloped at full speed toward the house. In the main hall, Luca and Aranel stood waiting, faces tense.
Luca's head snapped up. "He's here."
Eyan jumped down from the saddle before the horse even stopped, his boots hitting the ground hard. Fury and fear burned in his eyes as he stormed inside, footsteps heavy and urgent.
"EVA!" he shouted, voice echoing through the halls.
Luca rushed forward immediately. "Eyan, wait— listen to me first!"
Eyan shoved him aside sharply without slowing down. "Move!"
"EVA!"
Luca blocked his path again, hands raised. "Eyan, you can't see her like this! Calm down first!"
Eyan's eyes blazed. "You expect me to be calm after hearing that?!"
"Yes, I know you're upset, but please—"
"Luca, get out of my way. NOW!"
Aranel hurried over, voice pleading. "Brother, please… don't be angry…"
Eyan ignored her. He pushed Luca harder this time, sending him stumbling to the floor, then rushed up the stairs toward Eva's chamber.
__________________________________
(Eva's Chamber)
Eyan stopped in front of Eva's chamber...The door was locked...
He pushed the door once—It didn't move. A sharp breath escaped him.
Then—
BANG!
His fist slammed hard against the wood.
"EVA! OPEN THE DOOR!"
Inside—
Eva froze where she stood. Her heart began pounding violently in her chest.
"…Eyan…" she whispered, her voice trembling with fear and guilt.
BANG!
This time louder. Harder.
"Eva, open the door RIGHT NOW!" Eyan's voice rose, strained and shaking. "Don't make me break it—I swear I will!"
Eva's hands trembled. For a moment, she couldn't move. Fear rooted her in place.
Then slowly—
She forced herself forward. Step by step. Her fingers curled around the handle.
She hesitated.
Then—
Click.
The door opened.
Eyan didn't wait...He pushed the door open and stepped inside immediately...The door slammed shut behind him.
Eva stumbled back slightly. Her breath caught in her throat.
His eyes—
Burning. But not just with anger. With pain. With betrayal. With something broken deep inside.
"…Eyan…" she said softly, almost afraid of him.
Eyan took a step toward her.
Then another.
Slow. Heavy.
Like each step carried weight.
"…Is it true…?" he asked, his voice low but trembling beneath control.
Eva didn't answer.
"EVA," his voice rose, sharper now, "don't stay silent. Look at me and ANSWER ME."
She flinched...Her eyes lowered.
Then slowly—
She nodded. "…Yes… I'm pregnant."
The words landed between them like a crack in glass.
Eyan's expression twisted...Pain flickered across his face.
"…Why…?" His voice broke slightly. "Why didn't you tell me, Eva…? Why did you hide something like this from me…?"
Eva's fingers clenched her dress.
"I… I was going to tell you…" she said softly, her voice filled with guilt. "But I couldn't… I was afraid of your reaction…"
"I'm sorry—"
Before she could finish—
Eyan suddenly stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.
His arms wrapped around her desperately...His body trembling.
"I'm sorry…" His voice shook badly, breaking with emotion. "Eva… Please… forgive me…"
Eva froze in his arms, confused.
"…Eyan…? What are you saying…?"
"You didn't know, right?" he continued, his voice heavy with guilt. "About the tonic… you didn't know what it actually was…"
Eva said softly. "…No… I didn't know…"
Eyan buried his face into her shoulder, his grip tightening.
"This… this is all my fault…" he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of it.
Eva frowned slightly, her confusion deepening.
"Eyan, what are you talking about? Why are you blaming yourself like this…?"
He pulled back slowly, his hands cupping her face.
His fingers were shaking.
"Tell me…" he said, his voice unsteady. "How long has it been…? How many months…?"
Eva looked at him, hesitant.
"…Two months…"
Eyan's breath hitched.
Then—
He exhaled deeply...Relief washed over his face.
"…Two months…" he repeated softly, almost to himself.
He leaned his forehead against hers.
"…Then it's not too late… there's still time…"
Eva stiffened slightly...A strange unease crept into her chest.
Eyan suddenly grabbed her hand.
"Come with me, Eva."
She blinked.
"…Where are we going…?"
"To the palace," he said quickly, urgency in his voice. "We need to go right now."
Eva frowned.
"…Why, Eyan…? Why do we need to go so suddenly…?"
Eyan avoided her eyes for a brief moment.
"…The royal physician will take care of everything," he said, his tone tight, almost desperate. "So don't worry… nothing will go wrong this time."
Those words—
Froze her.
Her heart began to pound harder.
Take care of everything…?
Does he mean—
No…
Her fingers slowly turned cold in his grasp.
Eyan didn't notice...He was already pulling her toward the door.
"Come on," he urged, his voice filled with tension. "We're wasting time. I won't let anything happen again—not this time…"
Again…?
Her breath became uneven.
He opened the door.
"Let's go, Eva."
Outside—
Luca and Aranel stood waiting.
Luca stepped forward immediately.
"Eyan, what are you doing? Where are you taking her in such a hurry?" he asked, concern clear in his voice.
"To the palace," Eyan replied without stopping.
Luca frowned. "The palace? Why?"
Eyan's jaw tightened.
"So the physician can—"
"Eyan… wait." Eva's voice stopped him.
He turned back, slightly impatient.
"What is it, Eva?"
Eva forced a small smile onto her face.
"I'll come with you," she said gently.
A pause.
"…But can you give me a moment to change? I'm not comfortable in this dress…"
Eyan glanced at her outfit, his expression softening slightly.
"…You're uncomfortable?"
She nodded.
"Yes… I feel uneasy. Let me change quickly, then we can go together."
A brief silence.
Then—
He released her hand.
"…Alright," he said, though urgency still lingered in his tone. "But be quick, Eva. We really don't have time."
She nodded.
"I will."
Eva turned.
Walked back into her room.
Closed the door.
And—
Click.
Locked it.
The moment the lock clicked—
Silence swallowed the room.
Eva stood still for a heartbeat.
Then another.
Her hand slowly moved to her stomach, fingers trembling as they pressed gently against it.
"…He's going to…" she whispered, her voice trembling. "He's going to take this child away from me…"
Tears filled her eyes. "I knew it...i knew, you will never let me have this child.... that's why i lied."
She shook her head, panic rising.
"No… I won't let that happen…"
Her gaze slowly shifted toward the window...Determination replaced fear.
"…I won't lose this child."
She took a step toward it...Resolve hardening with every heartbeat...