(Eyan’s Chamber)
Eyan lay on his bed, eyes closed, the vast chamber drowned in silence. Yet inside his mind, everything was loud—too loud.
Her kiss lingered on his lips like a curse he couldn’t shake. The warmth of her mouth. The way her fingers had pressed against his chest, slow and deliberate, as if she already owned the space beneath his skin.
Even the faint sting of her teeth at his neck sent a shudder through him now, unbidden.
He exhaled sharply.
Her face flashed before him—eyes dark, heavy with need, staring at him as though she had seen straight through every wall he had built.
His body reacted before reason could catch up, desire pooling low and insistent, turning thought into ache. It was maddening. Unwanted. Impossible to ignore.
With a frustrated groan, Eyan pushed himself upright, fists curling into the sheets as he gripped them tightly, knuckles whitening.
“I can’t do this…” he muttered, voice strained. “I can’t get her out of my head.”
His chest tightened.
“She’s alone,” he whispered, the word alone cutting deeper than any blade. “In the prison… because of me.”
A bitter laugh escaped him—low, broken. “I want to go to her,” he admitted, breath uneven. “But not like this.”
His eyes darkened with disgust—at himself. “I won’t let her see me like this.”
“Like some animal who can’t control his own body.”
His breathing grew erratic, heat crawling beneath his skin, desire and guilt twisting together until he could barely tell them apart.
“I need to stop,” he hissed. “I need to cool down.”
He stood abruptly, and strode toward the bathing chamber—hoping the chill would silence both his body and the dangerous thoughts that refused to leave him alone.
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(Royal Palace of Velmoria)
Luca returned to the palace well past midnight, having personally ensured Duke Malric Vane was dealt with.
Yet the moment he stepped through the palace gates, he sensed it—
Chaos.
Torches burned brighter than usual, knights rushed through the corridors, voices overlapped in sharp, anxious whispers. The once-serene palace felt wounded.
Luca frowned. “What’s going on here?”
He beckoned to a knight standing a short distance away. The man hurried over and bowed deeply.
“Did something happen?” Luca demanded. “What is all this commotion about?”
The knight hesitated, then spoke carefully. “Master Luca… His Majesty was attacked not long ago.”
Luca stiffened. “Attacked?” His voice dropped dangerously low. “Who dared?”
The knight swallowed. “It was the same lady who kissed His Majesty during the banquet.”
“She was in His Majesty’s chamber,” the knight continued, voice tense. “She restrained him with cuffs. When we entered… His Majesty was in a terrible state. It was difficult to witness.”
Luca slowly closed his eyes, a sharp breath escaping him.
…, he thought bitterly.
He opened his eyes and cleared his throat, forcing authority into his voice.
“That woman is fortunate she escaped again after doing something like that to Eyan.”
The knight shook his head. “She didn’t escape this time. We captured her. She’s imprisoned now.”
Luca froze. “In prison?” He turned sharply. “Did Eyan give that order?”
“Yes,” the knight replied. “It was His Majesty himself who summoned the knights when she attacked him.”
Luca clenched his jaw. “…
He let out a slow, exhausted sigh, then waved a hand. “You may go.”
The knight bowed and withdrew, leaving Luca standing alone in the corridor.
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(Royal Palace — Prison)
After bathing, Eyan made his way to the palace prison, dressed only in simple night clothes. The hour was late, the corridors eerily silent.
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The knights stiffened when they saw him and immediately bowed.
“What is she doing?” Eyan asked quietly.
“She’s sleeping, Your Majesty,” one of them replied.
“…Open the gate.”
The iron bars slid apart with a dull echo. Eyan glanced at the guards. “You two may leave.”
They bowed again and withdrew.
Eyan stepped inside.
Eva lay on the cold stone floor, her knees drawn to her chest. Chains bound her wrists, metal biting into pale skin. Her body trembled uncontrollably.
Pain struck his chest.
He knelt beside her, his palm brushing the icy floor. His jaw tightened.
Eyan stood abruptly and left the cell. When he returned moments later, a thick sheet was folded in his arms.
This time, Eva was awake—sitting against the wall, knees pressed tightly to her chest. Her face was flushed, yet frighteningly pale. Her lips quivered.
“Lady Eva,” Eyan said softly. “You’re awake.”
She lifted her eyes to him, unfocused.
“Are you all right?” he asked, concern bleeding into his voice. “You don’t look well.”
“I’m… cold,” she whispered.
Eyan rushed to her side, unfolded the sheet, and wrapped it around her trembling body.
Eva immediately clutched it, fingers tightening as if afraid it might be taken away.
“Are you still cold?” he asked urgently. “Should I bring another—”
“N-no… it’s fi—”
Her words cut off.
Eva collapsed sideways, chains rattling sharply against the stone.
“Lady Eva!”
Eyan dropped to his knees instantly, panic slicing through him. He slid his hand beneath her head before it struck the ground, cradling her carefully.
“Lady Eva… are you all right?” His voice shook despite his attempt to steady it.
Her eyes were closed. Her lashes fluttered faintly, her body trembling uncontrollably. Warm, uneven breaths brushed against his wrist.
Something felt wrong.
Eyan lifted his free hand and pressed his fingers gently to her cheek.
Hot.
Too hot.
His breath hitched.
“…She has a fever,” he muttered, dread spreading through his chest like poison. “She’s burning.”
His head snapped up. “Knights!” The shout tore through the prison corridor.
The cell door flew open as the guards rushed inside, dropping to one knee.
“Your Majesty!”
“Unlock her cuffs,” Eyan ordered sharply. “Now.”
The knight scrambled to his feet, fumbling with the key. The metal restraints fell away with a dull clang, revealing red, bruised skin beneath.
Without hesitation, Eyan scooped Eva into his arms. She felt frighteningly light.
“Call for the royal physician,” he commanded. “Immediately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The knight bolted from the cell.
Eyan carried her out into the corridor, his steps fast yet careful, holding her close to shield her from the cold air. He pushed open the nearest chamber door and entered, gently laying her onto the bed as if she might shatter beneath his touch.
He pulled the sheet over her trembling body, tucking it around her shoulders.
Still, she shivered.
Minutes passed like hours.
The door opened again, and the royal physician hurried in, bowing deeply.
“Your Majesty, you summoned me?”
“Yes,” Eyan said tersely. “Look at her. She has a fever.”
The physician rushed to Eva’s side, opening his bag and beginning his examination. Eyan stood nearby, arms folded tightly across his chest, jaw clenched as he watched every movement.
The physician prepared a tonic and carefully lifted Eva’s head.
“My lady,” he said gently, “open your mouth. Drink this.”
Barely conscious, Eva obeyed. Her lips parted weakly as she swallowed the medicine before falling back against the pillows.
The physician straightened. “I’ve given her medicine, Your Majesty. It will take time for it to work, but she will recover.”
“How long?” Eyan asked.
“Four to five hours.”
“…I see.” His voice was quiet. “You may go.”
The physician bowed and left the room.
Silence returned—broken only by Eva’s shaky breathing.
She stirred beneath the sheets, her brow furrowing. “It’s… cold…” she murmured weakly.
Eyan moved to her side instantly, worry written across his face. He touched her cheek again. “Lady Eva, you’ll be alri—”
She suddenly reached out.
Her fingers wrapped around his hand, pulling it toward her chest. She shifted closer instinctively, curling into his warmth as though it were familiar—necessary.
“Honey…” she whispered, voice trembling. “I’m cold…”
Eyan froze. His breath caught painfully in his throat.
His hand trembled in her grasp.
“What… am I supposed to do…” he whispered, more to himself than anyone else.
Slowly—agonizingly—he loosened her fingers and pulled his hand away.
Eva stirred faintly, but the medicine dragged her back into sleep.
Eyan stood there for a long moment, staring down at her pale face, at the way she unconsciously leaned toward where he had been.
Then he turned away.
He stepped out of the room and faced the waiting knights.
“You two stay here,” he said quietly. “She’s sleeping. I’m returning to my chamber.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
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Eyan entered his chamber and closed the door quietly behind him.
For a moment, he simply stood there, chest rising and falling, the echo of Eva’s trembling breath still clinging to his senses.
Then he moved straight to the window. With one sharp motion, he pushed it open. Cold night air rushed in, carrying the distant silence of the sleeping palace.
Eyan climbed onto the sill and jumped. His hands caught the stone wall, his body sliding down with controlled urgency. He moved as if driven by instinct alone, until he reached Eva’s window.
Carefully, quietly, he opened it and slipped inside.
He crossed the floor soundlessly and locked the door from the inside, making sure no sound escaped, then turned toward the bed.
Eva lay beneath the sheets, her body still shivering, her breaths shallow and uneven. Even in sleep, her brows were drawn together as if she were fighting something unseen.
Eyan crossed the room in two strides.
He lifted the blanket and slid into the bed beside her, he slipped his arm beneath her waist, careful and slow, and turned her gently toward him. Drawing her closer, he pressed her against his chest, trying to shield her from every trace of cold.
The moment Eva felt his warmth, she moved instinctively toward it. Her body curled into his, seeking comfort without waking, her breath shaky and shallow.
Eyan noticed the way she still trembled.
He adjusted the sheets first, pulling them higher around her shoulders, tucking the edges in to block the chill. When that wasn’t enough, he shifted again, angling his body so his back faced the cold air, making himself a barrier.
Her hand slid beneath his shirt, fingers cold against his skin as she searched for warmth.
Eyan inhaled sharply.
Gently, he lifted her head and settled it back onto the pillow, He sat up, the sheet pooling around his waist, and removed his shirt, tossing it aside without a thought, and lay down again.
This time, when he pulled her close, her cheek rested against his bare chest.
He wrapped both arms around her, one hand resting between her shoulder blades, rubbing slow, steady circles to warm her skin. The other curved around her waist, holding her close, closer still.
Eva clung to him, her trembling gradually easing as his warmth surrounded her. Her breathing began to slow, falling into a calmer rhythm against his chest.
Eyan lowered his head, resting his cheek lightly against her hair. He stayed awake, listening to her breaths, feeling her temperature change little by little.
Only when her shivering finally stopped did he allow his eyes to close.
, he told himself.
He slept that night holding her close, his body curved around hers—doing everything he could to keep her warm.
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