(Afternoon)
Something cold and damp touched Luca’s forehead.
His eyes twitched.
He moved his fist weakly—and felt warm fingers close around it.
His breath hitched.
“Mother…” he whispered as his eyes opened.
The blurred figure beside him slowly came into focus.
“…It’s me.”
Luca’s gaze sharpened.
“…Eyan.”
He swallowed. “Why are you here… in the Magic Tower?”
“You’re not in the tower,” Eyan said quietly. “You’re in the palace.”
“…Did you bring me here?”
“I did.”
Eyan’s grip tightened slightly, worry etched deep into his face.
“You had a high fever—just like day.”
He searched Luca’s face desperately.
“What happened to you?”
Then his voice broke.
“And why…are you crying?”
Only then did Luca realize his cheeks were wet.
He turned his face away and wiped his tears with the back of his hand.
“It’s the backlash,” Luca said hoarsely. “I used memory-erasing spells on too many people. My mind couldn’t handle it.”
He exhaled shakily. “I was dragged through all my sad memories.”
Eyan stiffened. “…You saw Mother.”
“Yes,” Luca replied softly. “That’s why I cried.” A pause. “I miss her.”
Eyan lowered his eyes, jaw tightening as emotion flickered across his face.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “For not telling you about Eva.”
Luca didn’t respond.
“I had my reasons,” Eyan continued. “I couldn’t keep her close to me as . That’s why I lied—to her, to everyone.”
A bitter laugh escaped Luca’s lips. He turned onto his side, his back facing Eyan.
“You’re not going to tell me the reason,” Luca said coldly. “Even if I ask. So I won’t.”
“…Punishment.”
Luca froze.
“If I release the Dragon King,” Eyan said, voice low, “there is a punishment.”
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Luca forced his voice to stay calm. “And what is the punishment?”
he thought.
“I’ll die.”
Luca turned sharply, staring straight into Eyan’s eyes.
“Not just me,” Eyan continued. “Father will die too.”
“…What?”
“Yes.” His voice didn’t waver. “As punishment for releasing Zeradros, I must kill my own bloodline.”
A pause.
“And in the end… I must kill myself.”
Silence crushed the room.
“You hid this from me for years,” Luca said, voice trembling. “Why are you telling me now?”
“I don’t want to hide anything anymore,” Eyan replied. “But I can’t tell Eva about the punishment.”
He hesitated. “So can you—”
“I won’t tell her,” Luca interrupted quietly. “Don’t worry.”
Eyan let out a breath he’d been holding. “…Thank you.”
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Eyan pressed the back of his hand to Luca’s forehead once more.
“…Your fever’s gone,” he said quietly. “Good.”
He straightened, relief easing his shoulders.
“I’ll go tell Eva you’ve recovered. She’s been worried.” Then, softer, “Rest a little more.”
Luca nodded faintly. “…Mm.”
Eyan turned and walked toward the door.
He opened it—
And froze.
“…Lady Aranel.” Eyan said.
At the sound of her name, Luca’s body stiffened.
Aranel stood in the corridor, her gaze briefly flicking to the knights stationed nearby before returning to Eyan.
“Your Majesty,” she said politely, “if you don’t mind… may I come inside?”
“Of course,” Eyan replied.
She stepped in. Eyan closed the door behind her.
Aranel cleared her throat and bowed. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Eyan smiled lightly. “Greetings, Lady—”
“—Brother-in-law,” Aranel added calmly.
Both Eyan and Luca paused, exchanging a brief look.
“…You’ve met Eva,” Eyan said.
“Yes,” Aranel replied. “I came here right after seeing her. She told me everything.”
Eyan’s smile widened—open, unguarded. “Then allow me to introduce myself properly.”
He placed a hand over his chest. “Greetings, Lady Aranel. My name is Eyan Lucien Therald—Eva’s husband.”
Aranel bowed again. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“What brings you here?” Eyan asked.
Aranel reached into the basket she carried and pulled out a covered bowl, steam still rising faintly from it.
“Chicken broth with soft rice porridge,” she said, walking toward Luca.
“Eva prepared it herself and asked me to bring it to you, Master Luca.” Her voice gentled. “Please eat while it’s warm.”
Luca lifted the lid. The familiar scent made his chest loosen just a little.
He smiled faintly.
“Eyan,” he said, “go tell sister-in-law I’m fine now.”
He glanced at the bowl. “And tell her… thank you. She doesn’t need to worry.”
Eyan nodded. “I will.”
He left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
Silence settled.
Aranel remained standing near the bed, hands clasped together.
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Luca finished the last spoonful and extended the empty bowl toward her.
“…Here. I finished everything,” he said. “Tell sister-in-law I ate it all.”
Aranel took the bowl, placed it carefully back into the basket, and bowed.
“Then, Master Luca… I should take my leave now.”
She turned.
And froze.
Luca’s hand closed around her wrist.
She didn’t look back.
“…How much do you know?” he asked quietly.
Aranel inhaled.
“Eva told me everything,” she said. “That you and she came back in time and about His majesty too.”
She smiled faintly. “I’m her best friend. She doesn’t hide things from me.”
Luca nodded slowly.
“Then… I should hiding too.”
Her heart skipped.
“I like you.”
Aranel froze, pulse pounding.
She turned—and saw Luca’s face flushed red, his grip trembling.
“I’ve liked you since the first day we met,” he admitted softly. “That time.”
Her brows knit together. “But Eva told me our first meeting was terrible. I was rude to you.”
“That’s why,” Luca admitted, embarrassed. “That’s what made me fall for you.”
Her breath caught.
“I didn’t confess back then,” he continued. “And I regretted it.” His voice steadied. “This time, I don’t want any regrets.”
She hesitated, doubt flickering across her face.
“…I’m not easy. I have a sharp tongue. A bad temper and i argue alot.” She laughed weakly. “No man can handle me.”
Luca met her eyes.
Silence.
“So…” he asked, barely breathing, “what’s your answer?”
Aranel gently pulled her hand from his grasp.
Luca’s chest tightened. “…So that’s a no?”
She leaned forward instead. Warmth brushed his cheek. A kiss—soft, brief, trembling.
Luca froze, stunned.
Aranel pulled back, her face burning red.
“Yes,” she blurted out.
Before he could react, she turned and ran out of the room, shutting the door behind her.
Luca stared at the door.
Then he laughed—quiet, disbelieving. “…She runs fast.”
He touched his cheek, still warm.
A wide smile broke across his face as he fell back onto the bed, kicking his feet like a child.
“…I did it.”
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