Luca’s voice had risen in panic before he could stop himself.

  “I don’t know what he will do. He told me he never wanted a child. If he learns that the child could cause your death, I don’t know what he will—”

  “He said what?”

  Eva’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

  Luca froze.

  “Brother,” she asked slowly, her eyes locking onto his face, searching for even the smallest denial, “did Eyan say he never wanted a child?”

  Luca avoided her gaze.

  That silence was louder than any answer.

  “Brother,” she pressed, her voice trembling now, “tell me.”

  He sighed heavily. His eyes shifted toward Leo. He couldn’t say such words in front of a child.

  Turning to Aranel, he spoke gently but firmly, “Lady Aranel, please go downstairs and take Leo with you.”

  Aranel understood immediately. She nodded, took Leo’s small hand, and led him out. Leo glanced back once, sensing the tension, before the door closed softly behind them.

  Now it was just the two of them.

  Eva’s eyes never left Luca’s face.

  “Leo is gone,” she said quietly. “Now tell me.”

  Luca inhaled slowly. “Today, in the market, we had a conversation. Eyan told me he would never have a child with you.”

  The words fell heavily between them.

  “He said he wants the Therald bloodline to end with himself.”

  Eva’s lips parted in disbelief.

  Luca continued, forcing himself to finish. “He’s been taking Moonveil tonic since your wedding day… to prevent having a child.”

  For a moment, Eva couldn’t even breathe.

  “He’s been taking tonic?” she whispered.

  Anger flared in her chest. "No… it can’t be."

  Her thoughts spiraled.

  But then another memory rose—Eyan’s face when she had told him she was pregnant. The joy. The disbelief. The happiness that had filled his eyes. (From Ch. 28 )

  Her voice cracked as she looked at Luca.

  “Brother… does that mean Leo back then… and Leo now… were just mistakes? That the tonic simply failed?”

  Luca immediately stepped forward. “No, sister. Don’t think that way. It’s not like that.”

  Eva’s shoulders trembled slightly, but she said nothing.

  Luca softened his voice. “You and I both know why Eyan took that tonic.....He didn’t want his future child to carry the burden of his cursed bloodline. That’s all.”

  He hesitated before adding,

  “You don’t know this… but the day after he learned about Leo in the previous timeline, he came to me to tell me about the child.”

  Eva looked up quickly. “He did?”

  “Yes,” Luca nodded. “He was happy. Truly happy. He couldn’t stop talking about the child.”

  Eva’s eyes softened. “Really…?”

  “Yes,” Luca said firmly. “So please don’t misunderstand his intentions. I know his actions hurt you, but—”

  “But what if the tonic had worked this time?” Eva interrupted, her voice breaking.

  “What if I could never have my Leo?”

  “What if my wish had never been fulfilled?”

  Her hand trembled against her chest. “Everything I sacrificed… everything I endured… everything I did to come back in time to save him…”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “He could have ruined it all without even knowing.”

  Luca paused before answering.

  “It could have happened,” he admitted quietly. “But it didn’t.”

  His voice was steady now, grounding her. “You got Leo back, didn’t you, sister?”

  Eva’s trembling hand slowly moved to her belly. Her palm rested there instinctively, protectively.

  Luca continued, gentler this time. “And the Dragon King is gone from this timeline. That’s what you wanted, right? To free Eyan from that punishment.”

  The words struck her like a bell ringing in her mind. Free him.

  Eva blinked—and then realization washed over her expression.

  “Yes…” she whispered.

  She straightened slightly, as if waking from her spiraling thoughts.

  “You’re right, brother. What was I even thinking?”

  Her lips curved into a faint, emotional smile. “That was what I wanted the most… to free Eyan from that punishment.”

  Her fingers pressed softly against her stomach. “And now… he is finally free.”

  Luca released a deep breath of relief he hadn’t realized he was holding. The tension in his shoulders eased.

  But Eva’s mind was already moving forward.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Brother,” she said thoughtfully, “now that Zeradros is free and will be born as Leo… the black marble in the secret chamber is gone, right?”

  Luca nodded. “Yes. The black marble disappeared.”

  Eva’s brows drew together. “Then Eyan would have noticed by now. The marble was kept in the royal secret chamber. Its disappearance wouldn’t go unnoticed.”

  Luca shook his head calmly. “No. He wouldn’t know.”

  Eva looked at him in confusion.

  “Eyan has no idea that the black marble is gone,” Luca explained. “Zeradros and the Therald bloodline were never directly connected.”

  He folded his arms, his expression turning serious. “If something happened to the marble—if someone stole it from the secret chamber—Eyan or Father would never sense its disappearance.”

  Eva’s eyes widened slightly.

  “That makes guarding Zeradros far more difficult,” Luca continued. “Because no one would know it was gone.”

  He paused, then added, “That’s why, in the past, I placed a barrier around the secret chamber.”

  His gaze darkened with memory. “So that if anyone ever attempted to steal it… I would know instantly.”

  Eva finally exhaled, the confusion in her eyes clearing at last.

  “Oh…” she murmured softly. “So that’s how it is.”

  The pieces settled into place in her mind. It all made sense now.

  For a moment, neither of them spoke.

  Then Luca leaned slightly closer, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

  “So, sister,” he asked carefully, “when are you planning to tell Eyan that he’s going to be a father?”

  A faint smile tugged at his lips. “And… about everything else.”

  Eva fell into thought. Her fingers brushed absently over her belly before she looked up at him with sudden determination.

  “Brother,” she said, standing from the bed, “come with me.”

  Without another word, she walked toward the door and opened it. Luca followed behind her, puzzled but intrigued.

  They descended the stairs together. In the living room, Aranel and Leo were seated on the couch, waiting quietly. Leo’s small legs dangled off the edge, while Aranel absentmindedly smoothed his hair. Both looked up when Eva and Luca entered.

  Eva cleared her throat, drawing their attention fully.

  “Leo. Aranel,” she announced with a dignified air, though excitement sparkled in her eyes, “I have an announcement to make.”

  Luca, Aranel, and Leo exchanged a curious glance.

  Eva lifted her chin slightly. “I have decided that I will tell Eyan everything.”

  Aranel blinked. “Everything?”

  “Yes,” Eva nodded. “About my wish. About returning in time....And about the fact that he is going to be a father.”

  A slow smile spread across Luca’s face.

  Aranel’s eyes lit up. “Really? You’ll tell him?”

  Eva smiled warmly. “Yes.”

  Aranel clasped her hands together, delighted. “That’s wonderful—”

  “But…” Eva interrupted gently, and the single word shifted the entire mood.

  A spark of mischief flickered in her eyes. “I will tell him in my own way.”

  Aranel’s smile slowly faded into suspicion. “In your way?”

  Eva clasped her hands behind her back, rocking slightly on her heels like someone hiding a dangerous secret.

  “I’ve come up with a very… memorable plan.” Eva added with satisfaction “He will be completely surprised."

  Luca crossed his arms, already intrigued. “Memorable?”

  Now Aranel looked openly suspicious. “Eva… what are you planning?”

  Instead of answering, Eva crooked her finger at the three of them.

  “Come closer. I’ll tell you.”

  Luca leaned in immediately, curiosity blazing in his expression. Leo scooted forward on the couch, eyes sparkling with excitement. Aranel hesitated only a second before joining them.

  The four of them formed a tight circle.

  Eva lowered her voice and began to whisper.

  As she spoke, Luca’s eyebrows rose higher and higher. A grin slowly spread across his face. Leo’s lips curled into a mischievous smile that looked far too knowing for a child. Aranel, however, went pale.

  When Eva finally leaned back, she looked extremely pleased with herself.

  “Well?” she asked proudly. “How’s my plan?”

  Aranel stared at her in disbelief.

  “Eva,” she said carefully, “if you do that… brother-in-law won’t just be surprised.”

  She swallowed. “He might collapse on the spot.”

  Luca burst into a quiet laugh.

  “No, Lady Aranel,” he said enthusiastically, “I like this idea very much.” He looked almost impressed. “It’s bold.”

  Eva turned to Leo, her eyes softening. “What about you, Leo? Do you like my idea?”

  She crouched slightly so she was at his level. “Will you help me?”

  Leo smiled brightly. “Yes, Mother. I’ll help you.”

  His eyes gleamed with confidence. “Just leave it to me.”

  Eva straightened, already grinning. Luca was clearly enjoying the thought of Eyan’s future reaction far too much.

  Only Aranel remained deeply concerned.

  She looked at the three conspirators—one proud mother, one overly excited uncle, and one dangerously cooperative child.

  After a long sigh, she surrendered. “…Fine. I’ll help too.”

  Eva immediately looped her arm through Aranel’s.

  “Of course you will help, Aranel.”

  The plan was set.

  Three of them were thrilled.

  One of them was worried.

  “Eva,” Aranel said cautiously, still unsettled by the dangerous sparkle in her friend’s eyes, “when exactly will your plan take place?”

  Eva did not hesitate.

  “Tomorrow.” She smiled, far too calmly. “Let’s tomorrow.”

  Luca’s face lit up like a child promised a festival.

  “Tomorrow?” he repeated, delighted. “I can’t wait to see his reaction.”

  All three of them burst into laughter, already imagining the scene that would unfold.

  Only—

  Leo stopped laughing first.

  The shift in his expression was subtle, but immediate.

  His small fingers tightened around the fabric of Eva’s dress as he tugged gently.

  “Mother.”

  His voice was no longer playful.

  Eva looked down at him, confused by his sudden seriousness. “Yes?”

  “Father is coming back home.” Leo said worried.

  Eva blinked.

  “So what if he’s coming back?” she asked lightly. “Why do you look worried?”

  Leo’s expression darkened as he focused on the entrance.

  “He’s not alone,” he said quietly. “He’s bringing a woman with him.”

  Eva frowned. “A woman? What woman?”

  Leo answered without hesitation. “She’s a physician.”

  The word struck like lightning.

  “A physician?” Eva’s voice rose in disbelief. “Why would he bring a physician with him?”

  Luca and Aranel stiffened as the same realization dawned on them.

  Luca ran a hand through his hair in panic. “You fainted in the market. Of course he would be alarmed. He must have brought her to examine you thoroughly.”

  Eva’s face drained of color.

  “Brother, what do I do?” she asked urgently. “If that physician examines me… Eyan will find out about the child right now.”

  All her careful plans would crumble before they even began.

  Leo stepped closer, his small voice steady in contrast to the rising panic around him.

  “Mother, calm down first. Don’t panic.”

  Eva looked at him, her breathing uneven.

  “He will not find out,” Leo said firmly.

  Before anyone could question him, he lifted his tiny hand and gently placed it against her belly.

  For a fleeting moment, his red eyes shimmered with a faint glow—soft, controlled, almost imperceptible.

  A subtle wave of magic pulsed outward. Then the light faded, and his eyes returned to normal.

  Leo looked up at her calmly. “Now you don’t have to worry. That physician will not be able to detect the child.”

  Eva released a long breath of relief, her shoulders finally relaxing.

  Before she could thank him, Leo turned his head toward the door once more, his senses sharpening.

  His voice lowered. “Mother… Father is here.”

  

  The sound echoed through the house like a warning bell.

  Everyone froze in place.

  In the very next second, Leo activated his disguise spell. A faint shimmer passed over his small body before settling, his appearance altered in the blink of an eye.

  He turned quickly to Eva. “Mother, sit on the couch… and smile.”

  There was no time to question him.

  Eva hurried to the couch and sat down. Her hands folded neatly over her lap as she forced her lips into a gentle smile—though her heart was pounding so loudly she was certain the entire room could hear it.

  Aranel immediately joined her, sitting close by. She leaned in as if mid-conversation, smiling brightly.

  They began pretending to chat, their laughter a little too light—but convincing enough.

  Leo scanned the room one last time. Everything was in place.

  Satisfied, he stepped forward and opened the door.

  Standing outside was Kyel.

  Behind him stood a middle-aged woman dressed modestly, carrying a physician’s satchel. Her gaze was sharp, observant.

  Leo lowered his head respectfully. “Your—”

  Kyel cut him off smoothly. “Alen. I brought someone with me.”

  His eyes flickered toward Leo with a subtle shake of his head—a silent warning not to address him as in front of the woman.

  Leo understood immediately.

  He stepped aside, bowing politely.

  “Please come in.”

  Kyel moved slightly to allow the physician to enter first, gesturing courteously.

  “Please, come inside.”

  The woman stepped into the house, her eyes calmly assessing the interior.

  Kyel then looked back at Leo.

  “Alen, you’re still here? Does that mean your master is here as well?”

  “Yes,” Leo replied evenly. “He is here.”

  Kyel nodded and walked inside—

  Then stopped.

  Eva was sitting on the couch beside Aranel, smiling softly, laughing.

  For a split second, Kyel simply stared.

  “Eva.” he called softly. His voice carried relief—and lingering worry.

  Eva turned her head toward him.

  Then she stood and walked gracefully in his direction, her expression warm and affectionate.

  “Honey,” she said sweetly, “you’re back.”

  Her smile was flawless.

  .

  .

  To be continued—