(Three Hours Later)
The banquet had ended two hours ago. Only now had the palace finally fallen into silence.
The grand hall—once alive with music, laughter, and scandal—stood dim beneath fading chandeliers. Empty wine glasses lined the tables, and the echoes of the night’s chaos still seemed to cling to the marble walls.
Eyan remained seated on the dais.
Below him, the royal knights were kneeling, heads bowed low, armor glinting faintly in the low light.
“Forgive us, Your Majesty,” one knight said heavily. “We were unable to capture that woman. We searched everywhere—the palace halls, the courtyards, the outer gates—but we couldn’t find her.”
Eyan’s gaze didn’t waver. “It’s fine,” he said calmly.
The knight hesitated, then spoke again. “Your Majesty, do not worry. Tomorrow we will find where she lives, and then we will drag her before you—”
“No,” Eyan interrupted. “There is no need for that.”
The knight lifted his head slightly. “But, Your Majesty—”
Eyan’s eyes hardened. “I said there is no need to look for her,” he said coldly. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”
The knight immediately lowered his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Eyan rose from the throne. “All of you,” he said, his voice carrying authority, “return to your posts. Forget everything that happened at the banquet tonight.”
The knights bowed deeply in unison. “As you command.”
One by one, they left the hall, their footsteps fading until silence returned once more.
Eyan turned slightly. “Hans.”
Hans stepped forward at once. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Take care of the reporters,” Eyan said. “Make sure no one writes anything about Lady Eva in tomorrow’s papers. Her identity must remain hidden.”
Hans bowed. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”
Luca, who had been standing quietly to the side, tilted his head.
“Eyan,” he said, eyes sharp, “you’re acting strangely.”
Eyan turned to him. “What do you mean?”
“That lady kissed you in front of the entire court,” Luca said evenly. “And you’re choosing not to punish her.”
He crossed his arms. “That’s not like you.”
Luca’s gaze darkened slightly. “I still remember when you threw a noblewoman into prison just for touching your hand.”
He paused. “But this time… you’re doing nothing.”
“Why?”
Eyan’s expression remained unreadable. “There’s no reason,” he replied. “Besides, I know her well. It was just an accident.”
Luca blinked once. “An accident?”
A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Well… if you say so.”
He turned and began walking toward the doors.
“Are you leaving?” Eyan asked. “You said you’d be staying at the palace from now on.”
Luca stopped but didn’t turn back. “I’m not leaving, Eyan,” he said lightly. “There’s just something I need to take care of.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Good night.”
With that, Luca walked out of the hall.
Hans stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Your Majesty, you should rest as well. It’s already past midnight.”
Eyan exhaled slowly. “Yes… you’re right.”
He descended from the dais and walked toward his chambers, his footsteps echoing softly through the empty corridors.
But even as he walked away—
His mind wasn’t quiet.
And neither were his lips.
--------------------------------------------------------
(Eyan’s Chamber)
Eyan entered his chamber and shut the doors behind him harder than necessary.
The echo rang through the room.
One by one, he stripped himself of everything that marked him as emperor— the crown, tossed onto the table without care. The rings and jewelry, clattering like accusations against marble. The heavy cloak slid from his shoulders and pooled at his feet.
Then his coat—he tore it off and threw it aside.
Eyan crossed the room in long, restless strides and threw himself onto the bed, face first, the mattress dipping beneath his weight.
A long breath left him. Then another.
His fingers curled into the sheets.
.
His fist slammed down.
“Damn it… damn it.”
His ears burned. His chest felt tight—too tight. “Stop thinking about it,” he muttered into the bed. “It was an accident. Just an accident.”
His jaw clenched. “Stop thinking about the kiss.”
Too late.
His mind betrayed him instantly.
Her hands— the way Eva had grabbed his neck, fingers digging in as if afraid he would vanish. The way her lips had crashed against his, fierce and reckless, stealing his breath before he could even react.
Eyan groaned and rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. “Why did she kiss me so suddenly…?” he whispered. “It had to be an accident.”
But his heartbeat said otherwise. “If it was an accident, then why—”
He squeezed his eyes shut. “Why was it so intense…?”
“Why was it so wild?”
His face burned hotter. “And why did I close my eyes?”
Eyan dragged a hand down his face and covered it completely, groaning in frustration. “I was caught off guard,” he said quickly, as if convincing himself. “Yes… it was sudden. I forgot who I was.”
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His voice dropped. “I forgot I was Eyan… not Kyel.”
The room felt smaller.
“…But I didn’t want it to stop.” The words escaped before he could swallow them back.
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(Eva and Kyel’s House)
Eva stood before the familiar wooden door, the night air still clinging to her skin. The house was quiet—too quiet.
She reached for the doorknob. It turned easily. The door was already unlocked.
Eva frowned. “…Why is the door open?”
A beat passed.
Her lips curved into a soft smile. “Did Kyel come back already?”
Hope surged through her chest. “Honey?” she called as she stepped inside. “Are you home?”
The house answered with silence. The lamps were unlit. Shadows stretched long across the walls, unfamiliar, heavy. Still, Eva convinced herself she was overthinking.
“He must be asleep,” she murmured.
She climbed the stairs, each step creaking beneath her feet. “Kyel,” she said gently, pushing open the bedroom door, “look, I’m back—”
Her words died in her throat. The room was dark. And someone was standing inside it. Not moving. Not breathing loudly. Just… there.
Eva’s smile faltered. Her heart began to pound. “Kye—”
She stopped. Instinct screamed. Slowly, she stepped back. “…Who are you?”
From the shadows, a figure emerged, his features revealed by a sliver of moonlight.
A familiar smile.
One that made her blood run cold.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” the man said softly. “My angel.”
Eva’s breath hitched. “…Duke Malric Vane.”
His smile widened. “So you do remember me.”
Her body stiffened, memories clawing their way up from places she had buried deep.
“It felt so good seeing you again tonight,” Malric continued, his voice smooth, almost tender. “The emperor’s banquet… such a perfect stage.”
He took a step closer. “I recognized you instantly.”
Eva’s hands trembled.
“You’ve grown,” he said, eyes roaming shamelessly. “Beautiful. Bold.”
His smile turned sharp. “Kissing the emperor in front of everyone.”
Eva backed away. “Get out of my house.”
He laughed quietly. “Why him?” he asked. “If you were craving attention, you should have come to me.”
He reached out.
Eva flinched.
Before his fingers could touch her face, she shoved him with all her strength and ran.
She barely made it down the stairs.
Pain exploded as Malric grabbed her hair and yanked her back violently. Her cry echoed through the house.
She slammed into the table, the impact driving the air from her lungs. She collapsed to the floor, clutching her stomach, gasping.
Malric Vane grabbed her wrist suddenly and slammed her back against the floor with brutal force.
The impact knocked the breath from Eva’s lungs. Before she could recover, his weight came down on her, pinning her arm above her head, his grip iron-tight.
“You think you can escape me?” he snarled.
Eva struggled beneath him, her movements sharp but controlled, her breathing uneven.
Malric frowned. “It’s strange,” he muttered, eyes narrowing as he studied her face. “You’re not begging.”
He leaned closer, his voice dropping. “You used to beg. You cried. You pleaded for me to stop.”
Eva slowly turned her head. She met his gaze. And smiled.
A calm, deliberate smile—one that didn’t belong to a victim.
“You’ll be the one begging this time, Duke,” she said softly.
The room shifted.
Malric suddenly staggered backward as if shoved by an unseen force. His grip broke. He stumbled, lost his balance, and crashed onto the floor.
Eva rose smoothly. She moved toward him and sat before him with terrifying composure, the fear gone from her eyes.
She lifted his chin with a single finger.
Malric’s body trembled.
“You look scared,” Eva murmured. “Why is that?” She tilted her head. “Did I scare you?”
His lips quivered. “…Who are you?”
Eva’s smile widened. “Oh,” she said lightly, “me?”
She snapped her fingers. The air distorted. In the blink of an eye, Eva vanished. And in her place sat .
Relaxed. Smiling.
“Hello, Duke,” Luca greeted pleasantly.
Malric’s face drained of all color. He scrambled forward and collapsed onto his knees, his forehead hitting the floor hard enough to echo.
“Master Luca—please! Forgive me!”
Luca tilted his head, feigning curiosity. “Forgive you?” He chuckled softly. “But why?” “You were attacking a woman,” Luca continued calmly. “Alone. In her own house.”
He sighed. “That requires punishment.”
Malric trembled violently. “Please—please let it slide just this once! I swear I won’t do it again!”
Luca tapped his chin as if considering it. “…Alright,” he said after a pause. “I’ll let it slide.”
Relief flooded Malric’s face. “Thank you—!”
“But,” Luca added lightly, “I’m not sure about His Majesty.”
Malric froze. “…His Majesty?”
Luca’s smile sharpened. “What do you think the Emperor would do if he found out someone laid hands on his wife?”
Malric stared at him in horror. “…His wife?”
“Yes,” Luca said simply.
“You see,” Luca continued, voice deceptively calm, “His Majesty adores his wife so much.”
He leaned closer. “I’m just wondering… how many pieces he’d cut you into when he learns what you did to her when she was young.”
Malric gasped. “How—how do you know that?”
Luca’s smile vanished completely. “I saw everything,” he said coldly. “Every single thing you did to my sister-in-law.”
His eyes darkened. “I wanted to end you with my own hands back then.” He straightened. “Looks like I finally get the chance.”
Malric screamed and scrambled to his feet, bolting toward the door.
Luca stood slowly, unhurried. “Run,” he said cheerfully, following him outside.
“Let’s see how long you last.”
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(Eyan’s chamber)
Eyan lay still on the bed, one arm draped over his eyes, his breathing slow but restless. His mind refused to quiet—images, warmth, lips—
Creak
A faint sound cut through the silence.
Eyan’s eyes snapped open.
Another sound followed.
Rustle
The air in the chamber shifted.
Eyan sat up sharply, every trace of drowsiness gone. He swung his legs off the bed and stood, his senses on full alert.
“Who’s there?” His voice was low, dangerous. “Come out. Now.”
Silence.
Then—
Thump.
Something moved.
Eyan’s gaze shot downward just as a figure slowly crawled out from beneath the bed. Long dark hair spilled forward. A familiar face emerged.
Eyan froze.
“…Lady Eva?” His voice lifted in pure shock. “What are you doing here?”
Eva stood up calmly, dusting her hands as if she hadn’t just appeared from under the emperor’s bed. She smiled—soft, bold, infuriatingly calm.
Eyan’s gaze sharpened, his voice low but controlled.
“Lady Eva,” he said slowly, “I saw you with my own eyes running out of the palace. The entire hall saw you flee. So tell me—”
his eyes flicked briefly toward the window, then back to her face, “—why are you still here… and how did you get inside my chamber?”
Eva clasped her hands behind her back and smiled sweetly.
“Oh,” she said lightly, “that…”
--------------------------------------------------------
(Three hours earlier — outside the royal palace)
Eva came to a sudden stop just beyond the palace gates. Her breathing was steady now, unlike Aranel’s, who was still gasping for air.
Eva turned to her. “Aranel,” she said firmly, “go home.”
“Eva,” Aranel continued, her voice trembling, “you’re a married woman. Do you even realize what you did? You kissed the emperor—in front of .”
Eva’s expression softened for a moment.
“There’s a reason,” she said quietly. “I promise I’ll explain everything to you. Every single thing.”
Aranel grabbed her arm. “Then explain it now!”
“Not now,” Eva replied gently, removing Aranel’s hand. “Right now, you need to leave.”
Aranel hesitated, eyes searching Eva’s face. “You swear you’ll be okay?”
Eva smiled. “I swear.”
After a long pause, Aranel nodded. “Fine. I’ll be waiting. Don’t you dare disappear on me.”
With that, Aranel turned and disappeared into the night.
Eva watched until she was gone.
Then she turned back toward the palace.
Her smile returned—slow, deliberate.
“First stage complete,” she murmured.
“Now… the second stage.”
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(Inside the Palace Grounds)
Eva slipped back through the palace grounds like a shadow, using hedges, pillars, and darkness to hide her presence. She stopped beneath a tall window overlooking the banquet hall.
From there, she could see everything.
Eyan, seated on the dais.
Hans standing rigid beside him.
Luca lounging casually, wine in hand.
Eva raised her hand slightly and waved.
Luca nearly choked on his drink.
He cleared his throat loudly and stood up.
Eyan glanced at him. “Where are you going?”
“Fresh air,” Luca replied smoothly. “The hall is stifling.”
“Don’t take too long,” Eyan said.
The moment Luca stepped outside, his relaxed expression vanished. He rushed toward the bushes.
“Sister-in-law,” he hissed, crouching beside Eva, “are you trying to get yourself in trouble?.... Leave now or They’ll catch you!”
Eva shook her head. “No. I can’t leave yet....there is one more thing left”
Luca stared at her. “After performance, you’re telling me there’s more?”
“Yes,” Eva said calmly. “The second stage.”
Luca groaned. “The first stage nearly got you thrown into prison. I don’t even want to imagine what the second stage involves.”
“It’s easy,” Eva replied. “But I need your help.”
Luca narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like where this is going. What do you need?”
“Teleport me to Eyan’s chamber.”
Luca blinked. “…What?”
“Don’t ask questions,” Eva said flatly. “Just do it.”
“…Fine,” Luca muttered. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
He drew a quick teleportation circle, murmured a spell—and Eva vanished.
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(Back to the Present — Eyan’s Chamber)
Eyan crossed his arms. “I asked you how you got in here.”
Eva pointed casually toward the window. “Through there.”
Eyan stared at her. “…My chamber is on the third floor.”
Eva nodded. “Yes.”
“…There are guards.”
“I avoided them.”
“…And the wall is smooth stone.”
“I climbed it.”
Eyan pinched the bridge of his nose. “You expect me to believe that.”
Eva shrugged. “You don’t have to. I am very good at climbing things.”
He let out a slow breath. “Why are you here, Lady Eva?”
Her smile sharpened. “I came to finish what I started in the banquet hall.”
Eyan stiffened. “What?”
Eva stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Don’t look so scared, Your Majesty,” she teased.
“This time—” she tilted her head slightly, “—I plan to do things properly.”
