Eyan broke the surface with a strangled gasp.
Water burned his lungs as he swam blindly toward the edge, one arm locked around Eva’s limp body.
He reached the side.
With a broken cry, he lifted Eva up first, hands slipping against her soaked dress as he hauled her onto the marble edge of the pool.
Eyan pulled himself up after her.
His palms slipped on the wet marble and he fell hard to his knees, pain shooting through them. He barely noticed.
He shoved himself upright again and crawled to her side, breath shaking violently.
Eva lay motionless.
Her hair spread beneath her head, soaked and heavy. Her face was frighteningly pale, lips tinged blue—too blue. Too still.
Eyan’s breath stuttered.
With shaking hands, he cupped her face, thumbs brushing her cheeks.
“Eva,” he whispered, voice cracking. “Open your eyes.”
Nothing.
Her lashes didn’t flutter. Her lips didn’t part.
Fear wrapped around his heart and squeezed.
He bent down quickly and pressed his ear to her chest.
There was a heartbeat.
Faint. Weak. Like an echo fading down a long corridor.
Relief crashed through him so hard it nearly broke him—
then terror followed just as fast when the sound began to slip away.
“No,” he whispered urgently. “Stay… stay with me…”
He jerked his head up and shouted toward the knights, his voice tearing apart.
“CALL LUCA! NOW! BRING HIM HERE!”
A knight ran.
Eyan turned back to Eva.
She wasn’t breathing.
His heart slammed violently against his ribs.
His hands moved on instinct. He placed them over her chest and began pressing, his rhythm uneven, desperate, his hands shaking so badly they slipped.
“Breathe,” he begged. “Eva, breathe… please…”
Nothing.
Tears blurred his vision. He pinched her nose shut and pressed his mouth over hers. Her lips were icy—so cold it stole his breath away. He forced air into her lungs, once, twice, three times, his own breathing breaking apart.
He pulled back and pressed her chest again, harder now, panic stripping away all restraint.
“EVA!” he shouted. “BREATHE!”
Still nothing.
Footsteps echoed.
Luca arrived.
He froze the moment he saw her.
His breath caught painfully in his throat, his vision blurring as his eyes landed on Eva’s unmoving body.
“Sister-in-law…” he whispered, barely audible.
He turned sharply to the knight, forcing his voice steady. “What happened here?”
The knight swallowed hard. “She… she jumped into the pool from the palace top .”
“JUMPED?” Luca repeated hollowly.
Slowly, his gaze shifted to Eyan.
Eyan was still forcing air into Eva’s mouth, his hands trembling violently.
“Eyan,” Luca said softly.
Eyan looked up.
His eyes were wild—frantic, terrified, already breaking.
He grabbed Luca’s hands in his own, clutching them tightly, his grip desperate.
“Luca Please,” he begged. “Do something. She’s not moving.”
His voice cracked completely. “Use your magic. Heal her. Do anything. Make her wake up.”
Luca dropped to his knees beside Eva and placed his palm over her heart.
Eyan watched him, barely breathing.
Seconds passed.
Too many.
Luca’s face drained of color. His hand trembled—then slowly pulled away.
He leaned back and collapsed onto the marble, tears spilling freely.
“Luca,” Eyan said sharply. “What are you doing? I told you to use your magic!”
Luca broke completely, sobbing openly now.
“There’s no point,” he cried. “My magic won’t work on her anymore.”
Eyan stared at him in disbelief.
“Why?” he demanded hoarsely.
Luca’s chest tightened.
Tears spilled freely down Luca’s face as he shook his head, unable to meet Eyan’s eyes.
“Because…” his voice cracked. “Because her body is too cold…”
Eyan looked down at Eva in his arms.
“Of course her body is cold,” Eyan said quickly, almost sharply. “The water was freezing. Anyone would be cold after that."
He looked back at Luca, frustration bleeding into his voice.
“What does that have to do with you not using your magic on her?” he demanded.
“Use it,” he ordered desperately. “Wake her up.”
Luca squeezed his eyes shut.
“She won’t wake up,” he sobbed. “Even if I use my magic… she won’t.”
“What are you saying?” Eyan whispered.
Luca pointed with a trembling hand.
“Can’t you see?” he cried. “Her eyes… they’re closed......Eyan she's dea—"
“UNCONSCIOUS,” he snapped. “She jumped into cold water, of course she fainted.”
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He pulled Eva closer, wrapping his arms fully around her, pressing her against his chest as if shielding her from Luca’s words, from the truth itself.
He rubbed her arms, her back, her shoulders—his movements frantic, relentless, refusing to stop.
Luca watched helplessly.
Then Violet arrived.
She fell to her knees beside them, her legs giving out, tears streaming down her face.
“Eva…” Violet sobbed.
Eyan looked at her sharply. “Violet—rub her feet. She’s cold. She needs warmth.”
Violet nodded through tears and grabbed Eva’s legs.
Then she froze.
Her hands trembled violently.
Still, she rubbed her legs harder, desperate, sobbing openly.
Luca finally broke.
“Stop,” he cried. “Both of you—stop. It won’t work.”
Eyan’s hands froze mid-motion.
Slowly, he buried his face into Eva’s neck, breathing her in as if that alone could keep her here.
“Eyan,” Luca whispered brokenly. “She’s already—”
“Shh,” Eyan cut him off sharply. “Don’t speak.”
He raised his head, his voice suddenly cold, commanding.
“no one will speak. Don't make a single sound.”
The crowd surrounding them froze.
Not a sound.
Not even breath.
Eyan closed his eyes and pressed Eva closer, shutting out the world, focusing on one thing—
.
Thump…
.
.
Thump…
.
.
.
Relief surged—
.
.
.
Then he realized.
The sound wasn’t hers.
It was his.
Eyan slowly lifted his trembling hand and placed his palm over her heart.
Nothing.
No sound.
The faint heartbeat he had felt moments ago was gone.
His hand curled into a fist.
He released a shuddering breath.
“Eyan?” Violet cried. “Say something—why are you still?”
Eyan didn’t answer.
Violet turned desperately to Luca. “Luca—what happened to Eva?”
Luca swallowed hard. “Her heart isn’t beating… she’s de—”
“SHUT UP!”
Eyan’s scream ripped through the night.
“DON’T SAY IT.”
He laughed—bitter, broken—then tears slipped down his face without him realizing.
“EVA,” he screamed.
It wasn’t human. It was the sound of something breaking beyond repair.
“Don’t go,” he begged. “Don’t leave me…”
Violet collapsed to the ground, sobbing. “No… no… that’s not true…”
Eyan shook Eva’s body desperately.
“EVA!” he screamed. “don’t die! i can’t live without you!”
Eyan’s scream tore through. “Come back—!”
His voice cracked, raw and animal. “Please… please… why did you do this?”
“Why did you jump into the pool?” he screamed again, shaking. “Why—why.”
Luca’s head snapped up.
Tears streamed down his face, but beneath them, something darker rose—anger, sharp and burning.
“You don’t know,” Luca said hoarsely. “You don’t know why she did it.”
Eyan looked at him, eyes wild, bloodshot, desperate.
Luca pointed straight at him, his hand trembling.
“It’s your fault,” he cried. “You pushed her to this.”
Eyan froze.
“All she ever wanted,” Luca continued, voice breaking, “was for you to marry her. That’s all.”
Luca swallowed hard, then whispered, “All she wanted… was YOU.”
Eyan’s lips parted, but no sound came out.
Luca turned sharply and pointed at Violet. “But you—” his voice rose, shaking with fury, “you chose violet over her.”
“You told her you loved Violet,” Luca continued, tears falling freely now.
“You told her she meant nothing to you.”
He turned back to Eyan, eyes blazing. “So tell me—” his voice dropped, cruel and quiet, “why are you holding now?”
“She means nothing to you, doesn’t she?”
Luca stepped forward and grabbed Eva’s limp hand. “Let her go.”
Eyan’s arms tightened instantly, almost violently.
“Eyan,” Luca said, voice cracking, “I said let her go. “Why are you clinging to a corpse that meant to you?”
“SHE’S MY EVERYTHING!” he screamed.
.
.
“I LOVE HER” His voice broke completely.
.
.
.
The words echoed—too late, too late.
Luca let out a hollow laugh, bitter and broken. “You love her?” he said. “It’s too late to say that.”
Luca pointed at Eva’s still face. “Look at her.”
Eyan shook his head.
“She’s dead,” Luca said mercilessly. “And there’s nothing you can do to change that.”
Luca stepped closer and pointed at Eyan, his voice sharp as a blade.
“YOU killed her.”
Something inside Eyan snapped.
The world tilted.
The air vanished.
He couldn’t breathe.
He pressed his forehead against Eva’s, eyes squeezing shut as tears fell onto her cold skin.
“Eva…” his voice was barely a whisper. “You can’t die like this.”
His hands shook. “I won’t let you.”
Luca laughed again—empty, cruel, shattered. “What you can even
Eyan didn’t answer.
Slowly—carefully—he lowered Eva onto the cold marble floor, arranging her as if she were only sleeping.
Then he stood. His eyes opened, and there was something terrifying in them now—madness, resolve, desperation all twisted into one.
Without another word, Eyan turned and ran toward the palace.
Time passed—no one knew how much.
Then suddenly—
Eyan came running back, with something clutched tightly in his hand.
He dropped to his knees beside Eva.
Carefully—almost reverently—he placed the into Eva’s cold, unmoving palm.
Eyan brushed her wet hair back, his fingers trembling, his smile broken and manic.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered, voice shaking with certainty, “you will be fine.”
Luca stood frozen.
Even when he saw the marble—
Even when his blood ran cold—
He did not move.
The crowd began to murmur.
“What is that…?”
“A black marble?”
“No… isn’t that the one from the legends?”
“The one in which the Dragon King is sealed?”
“That’s impossible—”
“But why would His Majesty bring something cursed here?”
"Don't tell me he is about to release the dragon—"
Fear spread faster than grief.
Eyan rose slowly and turned to Luca. His eyes were wild—burning with desperation and resolve.
“Luca, can you make a wish for me,” he said, stepping closer.
“There are criminals in the prison—take one.”
He grabbed Luca’s arms. “sacrifice that life.”
His voice broke. “And wish for .”
His grip tightened. “Please… can you do it.”
Luca didn’t pull away.
“I’ll do it,” he said quietly. “So go on.”
Eyan’s face lit up—“Thank you.”
He turned and ran. Toward the empty ground beyond the crowd. They followed him instinctively—fear and curiosity dragging them forward.
They left Eva behind.
Left Luca and Violet alone with her body.
Violet collapsed beside Eva, sobbing uncontrollably.
“I’m so sorry…” she whispered, clutching Eva’s dress.
“This is my fault… I shouldn’t have—”
She stopped.
Her breath caught.
Her eyes widened.
She grabbed Luca’s sleeve with shaking fingers.
“Luca… look.”
Luca turned.
--------------------------------------------------------
Eyan sat in the clearing. He placed the black marble on the ground. Drew a dagger. And without hesitation—Slashed his palm open.
Blood spilled freely, dripping over the marble, soaking into its dark surface. The air shifted.
“I, Eyan Lucien Therald—”
Luca seized his wrist.
The words shattered.
Luca dropped down beside him, Eva cradled in his arms.
“Before you release Zeradros,” Luca said quietly, dangerously calm, “let me ask you one thing.”
Eyan didn’t look at him.
His gaze was locked on the black marble— as if nothing else existed.
“‘I’LL NEVER
Silence.
Luca leaned closer. “What's your answer NOW?”
Eyan’s breath broke.
“I REGRET it,” he choked out.
“I REGRET EVERYTHING.”
His shoulders shook.
“Good,” Luca said softly. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”
“Now look at Lady Eva’s face.”
“No,” Eyan whispered instantly.
“Eyan,” Luca said, firmer now. “just look.”
Slowly—painfully— Eyan turned his head.
Eva lay in Luca’s arms.
Her face was pale.
Still.
Then—
Her lashes trembled. Just barely.
Eyan’s breath caught violently in his throat. His heart slammed.
He looked at Luca, eyes wide, unbelieving.
Luca smiled—wide, relieved.
“Yes,” he said. “You it right. Your eyes aren’t deceiving you.”
“Now listen carefully,” Luca said, his voice low and unwavering.
“Take Zeradros back to where he was. You cannot allow anyone else to see him.” His gaze sharpened. “You know it isn’t safe.”
Eyan’s head snapped up.
He looked around—the nobles, the knights, the servants frozen in fearful silence.
“But they already saw it,” he said hoarsely.
Luca followed his gaze, utterly calm. “Don’t worry about that.”
A faint, tired smile curved his lips. “I’ll erase their memories.”
Eyan turned back sharply. “All of it?”
“Yes,” Luca said.
“The memory of Zeradros.”
“And…” his eyes flicked briefly to Eva’s still body in his arms, “the memory of Lady Eva as well.”
Eyan stiffened.
“So first,” Luca continued evenly, “return Zeradros to where he belongs.”
Eyan hesitated his eyes dropped to Eva. “But Eva—”
“She’s fine,” Luca interrupted gently, almost kindly. “You saw it yourself. She’s alive.”
“You can see her again once you return.”
Luca met his gaze fully now. “I’ll wait here for you.”
A pause.
“Go,” Luca urged softly. “And return quickly.”
Eyan’s jaw tightened. Then he nodded. Without another word, he clutched the marble and ran—his boots striking the stone as he disappeared into the palace, never once looking back.
Luca watched until Eyan vanished from sight. Only then did his expression change.
He lifted his hand. Magic shimmered violently around his fingers— thick, unstable, and dangerous.
Then he released it.
The spell rippled outward like a silent wave. Memories shattered.
Luca staggered.
He pressed his fingers hard against his temple, breath hitching.
“Ah…” he muttered. “I used it on too many people at once…” His head throbbed viciously.
Around him, confusion bloomed.
“What are we doing here?”
“Weren’t we inside the palace?”
“How did we come outside?”
Luca straightened slowly, forcing a smile.
“Oh,” he said lightly, masking the pain. “The fireworks just ended. It was a beautiful show.”
Fireworks? “Yes—that must be it.
“Oh, so we came outside to watch them…”
“Let’s go back inside then.”
One by one, the crowd dispersed, laughter and chatter replacing panic, as if nothing had ever happened.
A noblewoman paused, eyeing Eva in Luca’s arms.
“My lord… what happened to her?”
Luca smiled through the pounding in his skull. “She drank too much,” he replied calmly.
“Oh… I see.” The woman turned away.
Luca exhaled slowly. He moved his hand. A teleportation circle bloomed at his feet, glowing faintly.
He rose, adjusting Eva carefully against his chest. For a moment, he looked toward the direction Eyan had vanished down.
“I’m sorry,” Luca whispered.
Then he stepped into the light. The circle vanished.
Moments later—
Eyan came running back. Breathing hard. Eyes frantic.
“Luca,” he gasped, “I returned Zeradros to where he was—”
Nothing.
The place where Luca had stood was empty.
Cold dread surged through him. “Luca?”
He turned sharply. “Where are you?!”
“LUCA!”
Violet stood behind him, pale and shaken. “He’s gone…”
Eyan spun toward her. “Gone where?”.....“And where is Eva?”
Violet swallowed. “He took her with him.”
Eyan froze. “Took her?...Where?”
Violet shook her head slowly. “Only Luca knows that.”
The words crushed him. “Eva…”
