(Eva and Eyan’s House — Night)
Eva opened the door, and a bright smile bloomed instantly across her face.
Kyel stood there, head tilted slightly, lips curved in that familiar teasing grin.
“Princess,” he said lightly, “I’m back.”
Eva’s smile widened. “Welcome back, honey.”
She opened her arms without hesitation. Kyel stepped inside, shutting the door behind him before pulling her into a warm embrace. His fingers flicked once, and the disguise spell dissolved like mist.
Eva looked up at him, eyes shining. “Did you miss me?”
Eyan smiled—soft, unguarded. “I missed you so much.”
He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. Eva leaned into it for a moment, then pulled back.
Her gaze drifted past him, toward the Wolves near the wall.
“Now that you’re here,” she said, “send them back. They must be tired too. They need rest.”
Eyan chuckled. “Alright.”
“Come in, boys.”
One by one, the wolves melted into his shadow, disappearing silently.
The moment they were gone, Eva grabbed Eyan’s hand and tugged him down onto the couch.
Eyan blinked, startled. “What’s wrong?”
She leaned closer, glancing around as if the walls themselves might listen. “Give me your ear.”
Curious, Eyan bent toward her.
She whispered, barely containing her excitement, “Brother proposed to Aranel… and she said yes.”
Eyan froze.
He pulled back slowly, staring at her in disbelief. Eva beamed and nodded eagerly.
“How—” Eyan frowned slightly. “They don’t even know each other that well.”
“Oh, they do,” Eva said smugly.
She laughed. “Aranel was glowing when she came back. I’m really happy for them.”
Eyan’s expression softened into a smile. “Looks like Lady Aranel will be sharing two relationships with me now.”
“Yes,” Eva said quietly, pleased.
Then Eyan’s gaze shifted—to the kitchen counter.
He stopped. “What is that?”
Eva followed his eyes. “It’s a cake. I was bored, so I made one.”
Eyan walked over slowly, studying it. “Chocolate cake.”
He turned sharply to her. “Eva… we don’t have chocolate in this house. Where did you get it from?” His tone tightened. “Don’t tell me you went outside alone. Didn’t I tell yo—”
“Aranel brought it for me,” Eva cut in quickly. “It’s high-quality chocolate.”
Eyan turned back to the cake. It smelled… rich. Too rich. Warm, somehow—despite the cool air of the room.
“Oh,” he murmured. “It does look like it.”
He scanned it carefully, unease creeping in.
he thought.
Eva noticed his stare and rolled her eyes. “Your Majesty, stop glaring at it so intensely. It’ll melt.”
Eyan straightened.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Eva gave him a light push toward the hallway. “Go take a bath. Then we’ll cut it together.”
He hesitated for a heartbeat, then nodded. “Alright.”
Eyan headed toward the bathroom, leaving Eva alone with the cake—and a faint, unreadable smile on her lips.
__________________________________
Eyan returned from the bathroom wearing a simple white shirt and dark pants, his hair still slightly damp.
Eva was setting dinner on the dining table.
“Eva,” he said casually, “what happened to the bathroom lock? It’s broken.”
She glanced at him. “It’s my fault. I broke it by mistake.”
He shrugged. “Then I’ll fix it later.”
“Okay.”
Eyan sat down at the table just as Eva brought the cake out first and placed it carefully between them. She pulled a chair beside his and sat close enough that their shoulders brushed.
“Let’s cut the cake,” she said.
She lit the candle, clasped her hands together, and closed her eyes. Eyan watched her quietly, smiling at the small seriousness on her face.
After a moment, Eva opened her eyes. “Done.”
They leaned forward together and blew out the candle, then cut the cake side by side.
Eyan lifted a piece and held it out to her. At the same time, Eva lifted one toward him.
Eyan opened his mouth and ate the cake she offered.
Eva leaned forward to take a bite from his hand—but Eyan suddenly pulled it back and popped it into his own mouth instead.
“Hey—”
Eva picked up another piece and brought it toward her lips. Before she could take a bite, Eyan reached over, snatched it, and ate that one too.
She stared at him for a second… then laughed.
“Honey,” she said, amused, “I know it’s good, but at least let me have a taste. I worked so hard making it.”
Eyan didn’t reply.
He picked up the entire cake.
“No,” he said simply. “It’s mine.”
And then he started eating.
Not neatly. Not slowly.
He ate with alarming determination, fork moving again and again, not stopping until the plate was completely empty.
Eva watched him the whole time, chin resting lightly on her hand, smiling to herself.
Only after the cake was gone did she calmly turn back to her dinner and begin eating.
Eyan leaned forward, resting his head on the table.
he thought.
He sighed inwardly.
Eva glanced at him. “Honey… how was the cake?”
Eyan lifted his head and smiled brightly. “It was tasty. Didn’t you see? I ate it all.”
Eva nodded slowly. “You did eat it all.”
She lowered her gaze to her plate.
“Good luck,” she murmured under her breath.
__________________________________
(10 minutes later)
Eva finished her meal and stood, gathering the plates.
Eyan rose immediately, reaching for them. “Let me do this.”
She shook her head gently. “No. You’re tired. Sit. I’ll wash them.”
He hesitated, then smiled and sat back down.
Resting his elbow on the table, he watched her move about the kitchen. The quiet sound of running water filled the room. Eva rolled up her sleeves and began washing the dishes, unhurried, comfortable in the silence.
She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at him.
Eyan smiled back—
Then his expression faltered.
Heat crept through his body without warning, slow and unfamiliar, settling beneath his skin.
he thought.
His gaze drifted back to Eva before he could stop it.
Water splashed lightly as she rinsed a plate, droplets catching on her lashes, sliding down her cheek. She brushed her damp hair back with wet fingers, the simple gesture effortless, unthinking.
Eyan’s throat went dry.
He swallowed hard and looked away, lowering his eyes as if that alone might steady him.
But his restraint cracked. He looked up again, breath uneven, eyes searching her without permission.
The thought hit him with startling clarity.
Eyan dropped his head, hands curling into fists. “No… no,” he muttered under his breath. “Eyan, control yourself.”
Memories stirred—mistakes he had sworn never to repeat.
He pushed his chair back abruptly and stood, heart pounding. Without a word, he ran upstairs.
He pushed into the bedroom and immediately turned toward the bathroom, yanking the door open—then slamming it shut behind him.
The lock didn’t catch.
“Damn it,” he hissed.
The heat surged through him once more, stronger this time, crashing over his senses. His legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees, breath coming fast and uneven.
, his mind latched onto desperately. .
He forced himself up and turned the tap, filling the bathtub as quickly as possible. He leaned over the edge, gripping the porcelain, shoulders tense, jaw clenched.
His breathing grew heavier by the second.
When the tub was full, he didn’t hesitate.
Still fully clothed, he stepped in and sank down, lowering himself until the water covered him—until even his head slipped beneath the surface. Bubbles trembled above him as he stayed there, eyes shut, trying to drown the fire burning through his veins.
Then—
Water rippled.
Two slender legs stepped into the tub.
Eyan broke the surface with a sharp gasp and sat up—
Only to freeze.
Eva stood before him, the hem of her nightwear darkening as it soaked into the bathwater, her gaze calm, unreadable.
She moved closer, lifting a hand toward his face.
Eyan shut his eyes and backed away instinctively, his back pressing against the tub.
“Don’t,” he said hoarsely. “Don’t touch me.”
His hands trembled. “Eva… stay away.”
She tilted her head, studying him gently.
“Why?” she asked softly. “It looks like you’re struggling. Let me help you....i'm your wife.”
She leaned closer.
Eyan shook his head, panic and restraint warring inside him.
“No… please. Go,” he begged. “I don’t want to hurt you again. Not like that night.”
Eva paused. Then she smiled.
She leaned in, close enough that her breath brushed his ear, her voice barely a whisper.
“I wasn’t hurt,” she murmured. “In fact… I enjoyed every second of it.”
Eyan’s eyes snapped open.
Eva met his gaze steadily. She took his trembling hand and placed it against her cheek, pressing into his touch just enough to make her meaning clear.
“So, honey,” she said softly, almost tenderly, “touch me … like that night.”
To be continued—
