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  Eva and Eyan lay tangled together on the bed, the quiet of the night wrapping around them like a cocoon.

  Eyan held her close, his ear pressed firmly against her chest, listening—counting every sound as if it were something sacred.

  A small, relieved smile curved his lips. He leaned down and kissed her there, right above her heart.

  Eva’s fingers slid into his hair, combing through it slowly.

  She smiled. “Are you done listening to my heartbeat?”

  Eyan adjusted his ear, stubbornly settling back against her.

  “No,” he murmured. “I want to hear it more.”

  Eva laughed softly, the sound warm and light.

  Silence fell again—comfortable, unafraid.

  “I feel more at ease now,” Eyan said quietly. “Now that I’ve told you the truth.”

  Then, after a pause, “I should tell Luca too… and apologize to him.”

  Eva turned slightly in his arms. “Brother already knows.”

  Eyan froze.

  He lifted his head, staring down at her in disbelief. “He knows?”

  Eva smiled. “Yes. I told him about you.”

  Her voice softened as she continued, “When I found out the truth, I looked through the royal family tree. That’s how I learned about the Master of the Magic Tower.”

  She met his gaze calmly. “Then I went to meet him. We talked about you.”

  Eyan let his head fall back onto her shoulder, laughter slipping from him—quiet, helpless. “So I was the foolish one…”

  He reached for her hand, gently threading their fingers together. Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed it reverently.

  “You were hurt because of me, weren’t you?” he asked softly.

  “I said cruel things. I said I loved Violet… not you.”

  His voice wavered. “That’s why you jumped into the pool… right?”

  Eva shook her head. “I didn’t jump.”

  Eyan lifted his head again. “…You didn’t?”

  “No,” she said gently. “I went to the top of the palace to get some fresh air. I was standing close to the edge… and I lost my balance.”

  Her voice was steady. “That’s how I fell into the pool.”

  Eyan exhaled slowly. “So that’s what really happened…”

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  “You thought I was heartbroken after your little with Princess Violet,” Eva said with a faint smile.

  “I was a little hurt, but—”

  He didn’t let her finish.

  Eyan cupped her face, his fingers brushing her ears as he pulled her close and kissed her deeply—an apology, a confession, a promise all at once.

  Eva smiled into the kiss and kissed him back.

  When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers, his thumb brushing her cheek.

  “I’m sorry for that,” he said softly.

  “There’s nothing between me and Violet.”

  Eva frowned slightly. “But you said you were in a relationship with her for five years… and Brother Luca didn’t deny it.”

  “We were,” Eyan admitted. “But we had our reasons.”

  He searched her eyes. “Please don’t hate Violet. I was the one who asked her to do it.”

  Eva smiled. “I don’t hate her. She’s beautiful… and kind of cute.”

  She paused thoughtfully. “I actually like her.”

  Eyan stiffened. “…You her?”

  “Yes,” Eva said innocently. “Why?”

  Eyan leaned closer, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, “Violet likes women.”

  Eva pulled back instantly, eyes wide with shock.

  Eyan smiled and nodded slightly, confirming it.

  “Oh,” Eva murmured, suddenly understanding. “…So it’s like that.”

  “Yes,” Eyan said quietly. “So you don’t have to worry about her.”

  Eva frowned. “Brother Luca knows that, right?”

  Eyan shook his head. “No. Luca has no idea. Only I know Violet’s secret.”

  His voice lowered. “I promised her I wouldn’t tell anyone—not even Luca.”

  Eva looked at him carefully. “Then why did you tell me? You broke your promise to Her Highness.”

  Eyan sighed.

  “Before coming to you, Violet told me I could tell you.”

  His expression softened.

  “She’s blaming herself for what happened to you.”

  Eva’s brows knit together. “But… how does she still remember?”

  “Brother told me he erased everyone’s memories about me falling into the pool.”

  “Luca was angry with Violet,” Eyan explained quietly. “He left her memories untouched—on purpose.”

  “She remembers everything.” His voice dropped. “And she hates for it.”

  Sadness filled Eva’s eyes.

  Eyan gently brushed her cheek with his thumb. “Don’t worry. I’ll tell Violet the truth—that you didn’t jump because of her.”

  Eva hesitated. “…Her Highness about me?”

  “Yes,” Eyan replied. “She knows everything.”

  A small smile touched his lips.

  “She was the person I told about you.”

  “I didn’t tell her your name,” he said quickly.

  “But I sent her a letter.”

  His voice softened as he repeated the words,

  Eva looked at him, something unreadable in her eyes.

  “You’re close to her. You didn’t tell Brother Luca about me… but you told Her Highness.”

  Eyan nodded. “I am close to her. She’s a good friend—kind, honest.”

  Then his expression turned serious. “Now that you know everything, I don’t need to drag her into this.”

  “I’ll cancel the engagement announcement.”

  He took Eva’s hands, brushing his fingers over hers slowly, carefully.

  “So, Princess…” he began softly. “Can we—”

  “Let’s like this,” Eva interrupted gently.

  She looked into his eyes, steady and sincere. “I’ll stay here as Kyel’s wife.”

  “I won’t force you to marry me.”

  Her voice softened. “So don’t worry.”

  Eyan tightened his grip on her hands and lifted them, pressing a tender kiss to her fingers.

  “Thank you,” he whispered. “…Eva.”

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  After some time, Eyan finally fell asleep.

  The exhaustion of the day claimed him completely, his breathing slow and deep as his head rested heavily against Eva’s shoulder. Even in sleep, his arms remained wrapped protectively around her waist, as if letting go was not an option—even in dreams.

  Eva stayed awake.

  Slowly, she lifted her head and looked down at his face. In sleep, all the weight he carried faded away—no crown, no fear, no guilt. Just

  Her fingers trembled as they traced his cheek, brushing lightly over his closed eyes.

  Tears slipped down silently.

  she thought.

  her heart whispered.

  She nestled closer, pressing herself into his embrace.

  she told herself softly.

  A small, fragile smile touched her lips.

  Eva leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips, her tears soaking into the moment.

  “I love you,” she whispered.

  Then she lay back down, tucking herself against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. With a peaceful smile on her lips, Eva closed her eyes—safe, loved, and finally at home.

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