(Eva and Kyel’s House)
Eva slowly opened her eyes.
The familiar wooden ceiling came into view, followed by the soft scent of home. The bed beneath her, the quiet air, the gentle creak of the house—it was unmistakable.
She was back.
A faint smile curved her lips.
“I’m back…” Eva whispered.
Her hand trembled as it moved to her abdomen. The warmth there was gone—only memory remained.
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry…” she sobbed, her voice breaking.
She lay there for a long moment, letting the pain wash over her. Then, slowly, she gathered herself. Eva sat up, wiped her tears, and took a deep breath.
“I want to see him,” she said firmly. “I want to see his face… my Eyan.”
She left the bedroom and descended the stairs. The house was quiet, peaceful—almost cruel in how normal it felt. Eva poured herself a glass of water and lifted it to her lips.
Just as she drank—
A voice whispered behind her.
“Good morning, sister-in-law.”
Startled, Eva turned abruptly and splashed the water straight onto Luca’s face.
Luca blinked, water dripping down his hair as he wiped his face with his sleeve.
“Sister… is that a new way of saying good morning?”
Eva gasped. “Brother! I—I’m sorry! You startled me. Why did you appear out of nowhere?”
“I wanted to surprise you,” Luca said, smiling.
“Oh, I’m surprised,” Eva replied dryly. “My soul almost left my body.”
Luca chuckled. “Forgive me, sister.”
“It’s fine,” she sighed. “Come, sit.”
They walked to the couch and sat side by side. Eva turned serious.
“Brother… we both made the wish to go back in time. That means we returned on the same day, right?”
Luca shook his head. “No. We didn’t.”
Eva stiffened. “What do you mean?”
“I came back before you,” he said. “It’s been a week since I returned.”
“A week…” Eva murmured.
“Yes. I was waiting for you.”
She swallowed. “What day is it? How far back did I return?”
Luca said quietly, “Today is Friday… and you came back one day before Eyan’s birthday.”
Eva’s breath caught. “Did you meet Eyan? How is he? Is he okay?”
“I didn’t meet him,” Luca replied. “I was waiting for you to return. Then we can see him again—together.”
A soft smile appeared on Eva’s lips. “Yes… I want to see him again.”
Luca studied her expression. “So what’s next? You came back in time—what are you planning to do now?”
He hesitated before asking, “Are you going to tell Eyan the truth?”
Eva shook her head immediately. “No. I can’t tell him. Not yet. If he finds out that I came back by sacrificing my life—and our child’s—he’ll be really angry.”
Luca sighed. “True. We’ll both be in serious trouble if he learns the truth.”
“That’s why I have to keep it a secret from him,” Eva said firmly.
“Then tell me,” Luca said. “What are you going to do? I’ll help you.”
Eva lifted her gaze, her eyes burning with determination.
“Brother… this time, I want to marry Eyan.”
Luca froze. “Marry him?”
“I want him to love me as ,” she said softly. “Not as Kyel.”
Luca exhaled slowly. “That won’t be easy. Making Eyan marry you is nearly impossible. He would never reveal you to the world.”
“Don’t worry,” Eva replied calmly. “I already have a plan.”
Luca frowned. “What plan?”
“I can’t tell you yet,” she said. “My plan has two stages. I must clear both steps to make him marry me.”
Luca studied her for a long moment, then nodded. “You seem confident. Fine—I’ll leave it to you. But if you need my help, don’t hesitate to ask.”
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“There something I need your help with,” Eva said.
“What is it?”
“I need something that can restrain something from moving,” she said carefully. “Something you can put on and bind to a place. And it must be without magic.”
Luca narrowed his eyes. “What are you trying to restrain?”
“Don’t ask questions,” Eva replied. “Just tell me if you have it.”
Luca thought for a moment. “Without magic… there’s only one thing. We use it to restrain those unaffected by magic. They’re like cuffs. We usually use them to restrain beasts.”
“Beasts…” Eva repeated.
“Yes. Will that work?”
A slow, knowing smile spread across Eva’s lips. “To restrain a beast… that’s perfect.....Give it to me.”
Luca stood up from the couch. “Alright. I’ll bring it and give it to you when we meet at Eyan’s birthday celebration.”
“Okay.” Eva said smiling.
“Then goodbye, sister-in-law,” Luca said.
He raised his hand, and a teleportation circle formed beneath his feet. In the next instant, he vanished.
Eva remained standing in the silent room. Tomorrow would be the day she would see the man she loved again.
--------------------------------------------------------
(Next Day — Royal Palace of Velmoria)
Eva and Lady Aranel stepped down from the carriage and entered the grand banquet hall side by side.
Crystal chandeliers gleamed overhead, reflecting off marble floors and silk gowns. Nobles from across the world filled the hall—laughing, whispering, observing.
Eva’s eyes immediately searched the dais.
Her breath hitched. “He’s not here yet…” Eva murmured.
Aranel followed her gaze. “His Majesty? We arrived early,” she said gently. “Guests are still arriving. He’ll be here soon.”
Eva nodded, though her fingers clenched the fabric of her dress.
Suddenly, a clear voice rang through the hall.
A ripple of excitement spread instantly.
Eva turned toward the entrance. Luca stepped inside.
His blond hair gleamed beneath the lights, his forehead exposed, his sharp features calm yet commanding. He wore deep blue attire embroidered with silver runes—the mark of the Magic Tower.
Whispers erupted around them.
“Is that him?” “The Master of the Magic Tower…” “It’s my first time seeing him.” “He’s handsome…”
Eva glanced at Aranel.
Aranel was staring. Dazed. Breathless.
“He’s so handsome…” Aranel whispered.
Eva narrowed her eyes slightly.
Luca looked around the hall, his sharp gaze sweeping over the guests—until it stopped on Eva and Aranel. Without hesitation, he began walking toward them.
Aranel panicked instantly. “Eva… he’s coming this way. How do I look?”
Luca stopped in front of them.
Eva smiled politely. “Mast—”
But Luca’s attention shifted to Aranel.
Smiling, he said, “Nice to meet you, beautiful lady. May I know your name?”
Aranel blushed deeply. “I-it’s… it’s Aranel.”
Luca gently took her hand and kissed it. “Nice to meet you, Lady Aranel. My name is Luca Veyren.”
Aranel bowed shyly, her face still red. “Nice to meet you too, Master Luca Veyren.”
Luca then turned his gaze to Eva. “And this lady with you must be—”
Before Eva could speak, Aranel grabbed her hand. “She’s my friend—Eva.”
Luca smiled. “Nice to meet you, Lady Eva.”
Eva bowed. “Nice to meet you, Master Luca Veyren.”
Luca extended his hand toward her. “May I?”
Eva smiled faintly and placed her hand in his. Luca kissed it gently.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said.
As he released her hand, something slipped into her palm.
Eva stiffened and quickly pulled her hand back, curling her fingers to hide the folded paper.
Luca’s smile didn’t change. “Enjoy the party, ladies. I shall take my leave.”
He turned and walked away.
Aranel clutched her chest dramatically. “Eva… I think I’m in love.”
Eva stared at her in shock. “What? You’re in love with him?”
“Yes,” Aranel said dreamily. “I just know—he’s the one.”
Eva sighed deeply. “She’s gone…”
Turning slightly away, Eva unfolded the note hidden in her hand.
Luca:
Without hesitation, Eva picked up a glass of wine and poured it over her dress.
“Oh my…” Eva gasped. “My dress!”
Aranel stared in horror. “Eva! What are you doing? You ruined your dress—and the party hasn’t even started yet!”
“I’ll go to the washroom and clean it,” Eva said calmly.
She turned away, already moving toward her next destination.
--------------------------------------------------------
(Luca's Chamber)
The door opened.
Luca stood there, smiling faintly. “Come inside, sister-in-law.”
Eva stepped into his chamber and glanced around. The room was neat, elegant, untouched—almost too perfect. “Your room is quite beautiful… and very clean, brother,” she said softly.
Luca smiled. “That’s because I rarely come here. I stay in the Magic Tower most of the time.”
His smile faded slightly. “But not anymore. I’ll be staying in the palace from now on.”
Eva looked at him. “Is there a reason?”
Luca’s expression darkened, emotion flickering across his face. “Yes. There is.” He clenched his fist. “If I had been in the palace day… I would have stopped Eyan. I regret it more than anything.”
Eva’s heart tightened.
Luca noticed her expression and quickly softened. “It’s in the past now. Nothing will happen again.”
Then he smiled gently. “Still, I want to stay here. I want to spend more time with my family.”
His eyes met hers. “That includes you too, sister. After you marry Eyan… you and I can annoy him together.” He chuckled. “You’ll help me, right?”
Eva laughed lightly. “Of course.”
Luca reached into his pocket and took out four tiny metallic balls, placing them in his palm.
“Here, sister,” he said. “This is what you asked for—the cuffs.”
Eva bent closer, staring at the tiny spheres. “These… are cuffs?” she asked slowly. “The ones you said could restrain a beast?” She looked up at him. “Brother… are you joking?”
Luca laughed. “No. They may be small, but they Let me show you how they work.”
He picked up one of the balls. “All you have to do is throw it at the object you want to restrain,” he explained.
“For example—if I throw it at your wrist…”
Before Eva could react, Luca gently took her hand and tossed the ball.
In an instant—
.
.
.
.
A dark metallic cuff formed around her wrist.
Eva gasped. “What—”
Luca continued calmly. “Then you take the cuff and place it on the surface you want to bind it to.”
He guided her hand and placed it against the table.
.
.
.
The cuff fused to the table instantly.
“Like this,” Luca said. “Now try to move your hand.”
Eva tried to pull back. The cuff tightened.
She winced. “It’s not moving… it’s getting tighter.” Her voice trembled. “It feels like my wrist will break.”
She looked at Luca anxiously. “Brother—how do I break free?”
Luca shook his head. “You can’t. No one can.....That’s why they’re used to restrain beasts.”
Eva swallowed hard. “Then what? Do I have to live my whole life like this?”
Luca burst out laughing. “No, no.”
He stepped closer and touched the cuff.
In an instant, the metal dissolved back into a small ball.
“Only the person who places the cuff can remove it,” he said gently.
“Now you understand how it works?”
Eva smiled slowly—bright, sharp, confident. “This is incredible. With this… my second stage won’t have any problems.” She bowed slightly. “Thank you, brother.”
“I’m happy I could help you,” Luca replied.
Eva nodded. “I should go now. Eyan will be arriving soon.”
She turned and walked toward the door. Her hand touched the handle.
She opened it—
—and froze.
Her breath caught.
.
.
.
.
.
“Y-your Majesty…” She wishperd.
Eyan stood before her.
