(Next Day – Royal Palace of Velmoria)
Eva moved quietly through the narrow secret passage, a dark hoodie pulled low over her face. The stone walls pressed close on either side, damp and ancient, as if the palace itself was breathing around her. Talon, Fen, and Mara padded beside her, their steps soundless against the cold floor.
Her eyes shone with curiosity as she looked around. “Wow… this secret passage is so long…”
She took a few more steps—then halted. Ahead of her, the corridor dissolved into pure darkness.
Eva frowned, unease creeping into her chest. “Why is it so dark from here?”
She lifted her foot to step forward—then froze. Talon gently caught the hem of her dress between his teeth and tugged it back, careful and light.
Eva exhaled shakily and knelt, patting his head. “Alright… alright. I’m not scared.” She smiled faintly. “Show me the way.”
Talon nodded—as much as a wolf could—and began pulling her forward. Eva followed, trusting him completely. After a while, a faint glow appeared ahead. Light spilled from the edges of a closed door.
Eva stopped before it. A faint magical barrier shimmered across its surface. “It’s closed… how am I supposed to open this?”
She glanced around nervously. Talon stepped closer and nudged her hand with his nose, pushing it toward the door.
Eva blinked. “You want me to place my hand on it?”
Talon nodded.
Taking a breath, Eva placed her palm against the door. The barrier vanished instantly, and the door slid open with a soft click.
Eva’s eyes widened in delight. “Oh—it opened!”
All three wolves wagged their tails proudly, their expressions almost smug.
Eva stepped through it and found herself in an empty chamber, silent and untouched. Crossing the room, she cracked open another door and peeked outside. The corridor beyond was eerily quiet. No knights. No servants.
She slipped out and began walking.
“I made it inside the palace… but now where do I go?” she whispered. “Where are Eyan and Princess Violet right now…?”
She looked down at the wolves. “Do you guys know where His Majesty is?”
The wolves nodded in unison and lifted their paws, pointing toward a nearby chamber only a few steps away. Eva followed—and slowly pushed the door open. She peeked inside.
Empty.
Confused, she stepped in. “There’s no one here—”
Footsteps echoed outside.
Eva stiffened. She rushed back to the door and peeked out again—then froze.
Her blood ran cold. She clamped a hand over her mouth. “I-it’s Eyan’s Father…”
Her eyes darted around the room. “Wait—don’t tell me… this is chamber?”
She turned to the wolves in disbelief. “You misunderstood! I asked where was… and you brought me here. Of course—Eyan's Father is also His Majesty…”
Panic surged through her. “What do I do now? I can’t run—he’ll see me!”
She looked around desperately. “Where—where do I hide?”
The footsteps stopped right outside the door.
King Thalor Therald’s voice rang out, calm but commanding. “Why is the door to my chamber open?”
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He turned to the knight beside him. “Who entered my room? Go and check.”
The knight bowed and stepped inside. The chamber was empty—except for the three wolves, wagging their tails happily.
“Your Majesty,” the knight said, puzzled, “it’s the wolves.”
King Thalor smiled warmly. “Oh… it’s you three.”
He entered the chamber and knelt as the wolves rushed forward, licking his hands and face enthusiastically.
He laughed, deep and fond.
“It’s been a long time, boys. What brings you here?” He raised a brow. “And how did you slip out of Eyan’s shadow?”
The wolves only licked him harder, tails wagging wildly.
King Thalor laughed despite himself. “Alright, alright—that’s enough.” He straightened. “Now go back to Eyan.”
The wolves backed away obediently— But they didn’t leave the room. They stopped near the far wall, bodies tense, eyes fixed on a single spot.
King Thalor frowned, following their gaze.
He exhaled slowly. “Tch… stubborn as ever.” Turning to the knight, he said, “Go. Bring Eyan here.”
The knight bowed deeply and hurried away.
__________________________________
(Royal Palace – Princess Violet’s Chamber)
Eyan and Violet sat side by side on the couch, the room filled with restless silence.
Violet swung her legs impatiently. “Eyan, just how long do I have to wait?” she groaned. “When will Eva arrive?”
“She’ll be here any moment,” Eyan replied calmly. “Have some patience.”
Violet huffed. “I don’t patience. I want to see her now.” She leaned forward anxiously. “You told her everything, right? She’s not still angry with me, is she? What if she doesn’t come?”
Eyan’s brow twitched. “Violet,” he said, irritation slipping into his voice, “she’s not angry. I already explained everything to her. Just wait. She will come.”
Both of them froze and looked at each other.
Violet straightened. “Who’s there?”
“Your Highness,” a knight replied from outside. “Is His Majesty present?”
Eyan stood and opened the door. “Yes. What is it?”
The knight dropped to one knee. “Your Majesty, the King has summoned you.”
Eyan’s chest tightened for reasons he couldn’t name. He turned to Violet. “Princess Violet, I’ll be back in a few minutes. If our guest arrives—take care of them.”
Violet met his gaze and nodded, understanding the unspoken message. “Alright. Leave it to me.”
__________________________________
(King Thalor Therald’s Chamber)
“Come inside.”
Eyan opened the door and stepped into the chamber, bowing respectfully. “Greetings, Father. You called for me?”
King Thalor turned from the window, his expression calm and unreadable. “Greetings… my son.”
He gestured toward the far end of the room. “I called you here to take with you.”
Eyan frowned. “…Take whom?”
King Thalor lifted a hand and pointed. “Them.”
Eyan followed the gesture—and froze.
Talon, Fen, and Mara stood side by side near the wardrobe, their bodies rigid, eyes alert.
His breath caught in his throat.
King Thalor continued, unaware of the storm raging in Eyan’s mind.
“I don’t know how they slipped out of your shadow.” He crossed his arms. “I told them to return to you, yet they refuse to leave. They’ve been standing there since I entered.”
Eyan’s gaze snapped to the wardrobe. Fear crawled up his spine.
He moved before he could stop himself, striding toward it. His hand trembled as he grasped the door and opened it just a fraction.
Inside—
Eva.
Curled into herself, trembling violently. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with terror. Both hands were clamped tightly over her mouth as she held her breath, fighting the sob trying to escape.
Their eyes met.
His blood ran cold and he shut the wardrobe door instantly.
Behind him—
King Thalor’s voice sharpened. “Why are you looking inside my wardrobe?” A pause. “What is in there?”
Eyan spun around too fast, panic flashing across his face before he could mask it..
“Nothing,” he said quickly. “There’s nothing inside.”
King Thalor studied him closely, eyes narrowing. “…Is that so?”
Eyan dragged a hand through his hair, forcing a shaky breath. “Father,” he said abruptly, “let’s go outside. We can take a walk.”
King Thalor frowned. “I’ve just returned from a walk.”
Eyan swallowed. “Then—then let’s eat lunch together.”
The King’s brow lifted slightly.
“That’s rare,” he said slowly. “You seldom ask me to share a meal.”
Eyan forced a smile, though his heart was racing. “…I thought it would be nice.”
King Thalor watched him for a long moment—then smiled faintly. “Very well. Let’s eat together.”
Eyan exhaled in relief. “Alright. Let’s go.”
“Go where?” King Thalor asked.
“To the dining hall,” Eyan replied quickly. “For lunch.”
King Thalor shook his head. “No. We’ll eat here. I’ll have the servants bring everything.”
Eyan stiffened. “…Here?”
“Yes,” the King said calmly.
Eyan rubbed his face, panic creeping back in. His mind raced desperately for an excuse— excuse.
Then—
“Father,” he said carefully, “Princess Violet is leaving today for Bluebird. She wanted to have lunch with you as well.” He added quickly, “It would be improper to host her in your private chamber.”
King Thalor paused. Then nodded. “Alright. In that case, we’ll go to the dining hall.”
Eyan nearly sagged in relief.
King Thalor turned and began walking toward the door. Eyan stepped forward, gently taking his arm to guide him.
As they passed the wolves, Eyan spoke loudly and clearly—
“Stay here. Don’t move. I’ll come back for you.”
The wolves remained still.
Inside the wardrobe, Eva heard him.
The door closed behind them.
And in the sudden silence, Eva’s breath finally broke free—quiet, shaky, but alive.
To be continued—
