The meal continued in cautious calm.

  King Thalor wiped his hands with a cloth, then suddenly looked at Eva.

  “I realize,” he said slowly, “I have forgotten to ask your name.”

  The air shifted.

  Eva’s fingers tightened slightly around her fork.

  Violet stilled.

  Eyan’s posture remained relaxed—but his eyes sharpened.

  Eva lowered her gaze respectfully. “My name is… Elara,” she said after the smallest pause. “Elara Davencrest, Your Majesty.”

  The name felt foreign on her tongue.

  King Thalor repeated it quietly. “Davencrest.”

  His brows drew together. “I do not recall such a family among nobles.”

  Eva’s heart skipped.

  Violet placed her fork down gently, smiling as if the question amused her. “That would be because they are not part of the high-ranking houses, Your Majesty,” Violet replied smoothly. “The Davencrests oversee a small border territory near the southern trade route. They rarely attend royal gatherings.”

  King Thalor glanced at her.

  Violet’s expression remained perfectly composed. “I encountered Lady Elara during a visit outside the capital,” she added lightly. “She was assisting with local relief efforts. I found her… refreshing.”

  Eva resisted the urge to stare at Violet in gratitude.

  King Thalor hummed softly. “I see.”

  But his gaze returned to Eva. Longer this time. Studying. Evaluating.

  Then—

  "Lady Elara have we met before?”

  Eva froze. Her pulse began to pound in her ears.

  “I feel,” the king continued thoughtfully, “as though I have seen you somewhere.”

  For a split second, panic flickered across her eyes.

  Eyan leaned back in his chair casually. “Father,” he said evenly, “you have never met the lady.”

  King Thalor did not look away from Eva. “Is that so?”

  Eyan gave a faint, teasing sigh. “With respect,” he added lightly, “perhaps it is simply your age. After a certain point, everyone begins to look the same.”

  The hall went silent.

  Violet nearly choked.

  Eva’s eyes widened.

  King Thalor slowly turned his head toward his son.

  There was a long pause.

  Then—

  “Perhaps you are right, son.”

  The tension dissolved just enough to breathe again.

  King Thalor pushed his chair back and rose to his feet. Immediately, everyone stood.

  “Sit,” the king said calmly. “I am finished. You may continue your meal.”

  A knight stepped forward to assist him. With steady steps, King Thalor left the dining hall, his presence lingering even after the doors closed behind him.

  Silence.

  Then—

  Eyan’s expression changed instantly. He turned toward the remaining servants and knights.

  “You are all dismissed.”

  They bowed immediately and exited without question. The heavy doors shut once more, leaving only the three of them alone.

  The moment they were alone—

  Eyan moved.

  He picked up his plate and, with alarming speed for a supposedly dignified emperor, strode to Eva and Violet’s side of the table. He placed his plate down directly between them as if staking a territorial claim.

  Eva looked up at him, confused.

  Violet rolled her eyes. “There he goes again.”

  Without responding, Eyan grabbed the chair that had been beside Eva and dragged it across the marble floor. The sound echoed sharply in the quiet hall. He wedged the chair between the two women and sat down.

  His shoulders pressed against both of them.

  “Your Majesty,” Eva asked slowly, “what are you doing?”

  “I’m eating.”

  “You are crushing us,” she replied flatly. “How are I and Her Highness supposed to eat like this?”

  Eyan paused mid-reach for his fork.

  He glanced to his right.

  Eva looked squashed.

  He glanced to his left.

  Violet looked equally offended.

  “Oh… I apologize.” The apology lacked sincerity.

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  Without warning, he shoved Violet’s chair farther away rather sharply. The sudden movement nearly sent her tipping sideways.

  “Eyan..” Violet snapped, catching herself on the table.

  Eyan adjusted his own chair again—this time creating comfortable space only on Eva’s side, leaving a noticeable gap between himself and Violet.

  He smiled, pleased with his arrangement. “Now the problem is solved.”

  Violet slapped his arm. “You are calling a problem?”

  Eva stared at him in disbelief. “…Eyan. Move.”

  He turned to her calmly. “Why?”

  “I want to sit close to Princess Violet.”

  His expression changed instantly. “No. I’m not moving.”

  Eyan’s refusal was immediate and stubborn.

  Violet stared at him for a heartbeat… then calmly stood up.

  Without arguing further, she picked up her plate, walked around them, and pulled a chair to Eva’s other side. She sat down gracefully and leaned toward Eva with a victorious smile.

  “There,” she said brightly. “Now the problem is solved.”

  Eyan pointed at her at once. “You—”

  Eva slapped his hand down sharply. “Don’t point your finger,” she warned. “And eat quietly.”

  Eyan blinked. Then, like a thoroughly disciplined husband, he lowered his hand and resumed eating without another word.

  Violet lasted only a few seconds before bursting into loud laughter. She grabbed her stomach, nearly wheezing.

  Eva smiled. “Your Highness, why are you laughing?”

  Violet wiped the corner of her eye. “Nothing. It’s just… even the mighty Emperor of Velmoria is afraid of his wife.”

  Eva laughed too, glancing at Eyan.

  Eyan froze mid-bite.

  “Who said I’m afraid of her?” he muttered. “I’m not.”

  Violet’s smile turned dangerous.

  “Oh? You’re not afraid?” She leaned back lazily. “Then you wouldn’t mind if I told her about your first kiss.”

  The air shifted.

  Eva turned her head slowly toward her husband.

  “Your first kiss?” Her eyes sharpened. “That means our kiss wasn’t your first?”

  Eyan stiffened.

  Visibly.

  “No—Eva, don’t listen to her. She’s lying.”

  Eva folded her arms.

  “Answer the question.”

  His throat went dry.

  “Of course you were my first kiss,” he said quickly. “I have never kissed anyone besides you.”

  Violet gasped dramatically. “That’s a lie. Have you forgotten how you kissed me?”

  Eyan’s blood ran cold.

  Violet turned to Eva innocently. “You saw it too, Eva. How he kissed me in front of you.”

  Eyan began sweating.

  “No—Eva, I already explained everything.” He pointed at Violet defensively. “I told you she likes women. That kiss doesn’t count. And we both hated it.”

  Eva tilted her head slightly.

  “Yes, you did explain that.” Her voice was calm. Too calm. “But a kiss is a kiss… whether you liked it or not.”

  Violet nodded solemnly. “She’s right. A kiss is a kiss.”

  Eyan looked like a man cornered by two executioners.

  He quickly grabbed Eva’s hands, holding them tightly.

  “Eva, my love,” he pleaded softly, “just let it slide this once. Please.”

  She slowly removed her hands from his grasp. “I’ll let it slide,” she said sweetly, “if you let slide.”

  Before he could ask what she meant—

  Eva turned. She reached out, cupped Violet’s face gently—

  And kissed her. Softly. Right on the lips.

  Violet closed her eyes immediately, clearly far too pleased with the situation.

  Eyan’s jaw dropped.

  He froze.

  Completely.

  For three full seconds.

  Then he shot to his feet, grabbed Eva by the wrist, and pulled her sharply back toward him.

  “EVA!” he snapped, eyes blazing. “What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?”

  Eva looked up at him, utterly calm.

  Then she smiled.

  “Honey,” she said gently, “just 'let it slide' this once. Please.”

  The words hit him like a direct attack.

  Eyan stared at her.

  Speechless.

  Defeated.

  Deeply offended.

  Violet rose from her chair with unmistakable delight.

  She walked toward Eyan slowly, hands clasped behind her back like someone about to deliver excellent news.

  “Eyan,” she said sweetly, stopping just in front of him. “Let me tell you the number.”

  She lifted one finger and held it up right before his face.

  Eyan let out a bitter, humorless laugh. “Just one.”

  “Well,” Violet replied lightly, “it’s not zero.”

  Then—deliberately—she touched her fingertips to her own lips. “…And it was your wife who kissed me.”

  The words were soft.

  The effect was catastrophic.

  Color flooded Eyan’s face instantly—red climbing from his neck to the tips of his ears. His jaw tightened so hard it looked painful.

  For a second, he simply stared at her. Then he turned sharply toward the door. He grabbed the handle. Opened it far more forcefully than necessary. And walked out.

  No—

  Stomped out.

  His footsteps echoed down the corridor with dramatic, childish fury.

  The door slammed behind him. Silence settled in the dining hall.

  Violet leaned slightly toward Eva, lowering her voice. “Eva… you shouldn’t have done that. He’s truly angry. He won’t let this slide.”

  Eva remained perfectly calm, a small knowing smile curved her lips.

  “Don’t worry about him, Your Highness,” she said gently.

  Her eyes sparkled with quiet confidence. “I know exactly how to handle .”

  __________________________________

  (In Front of the Royal Palace)

  The grand courtyard shimmered under the afternoon sun.

  Violet’s carriage stood ready, the Bluebird crest gleaming against polished wood. Knights lined the path, and servants stood in quiet formation.

  Eva stood at the base of the palace steps, offering Violet a graceful farewell.

  “I hope your journey is pleasant, Your Highness.”

  Violet smiled knowingly as she stepped into the carriage. “I will pray for your survival tonight.”

  Eva coughed lightly. “Your Highness…”

  Violet only laughed.

  The carriage door closed. Moments later, the wheels began to roll, carrying the princess of Bluebird away from Velmoria.

  Eva watched until the carriage disappeared beyond the palace gates.

  Only then did she take a slow, steady breath.

  Eyan had not come.

  Not even to see Violet off.

  Instead—

  Hans stood in his place.

  Loyal. Proper. Slightly tense.

  Eva turned to him. “Mr. Hans… where is His Majesty?”

  Hans straightened immediately. “His Majesty is in his chamber.”

  Then, lowering his voice slightly, he added, “Your Majesty… did something happen? His Majesty appeared… rather angry.”

  Eva’s lips curved into a small, almost amused smile. “Don’t worry about that, Mr. Hans,” she said calmly. “I’ll take care of it.”

  Hans blinked once.

  For reasons he could not explain— He suddenly felt sympathy for his King.

  __________________________________

  (Eyan’s Chamber)

  The corridor outside the emperor’s chamber was silent.

  Too silent.

  Eva stood before the grand wooden doors, still cloaked in her disguise. The hood shadowed her face, hiding the faint curve of her lips. She glanced left. Then right.

  No guards.

  Good.

  She lifted her hand and knocked softly. “Your Majesty… open the door. It’s me.”

  Silence. Not even the faintest rustle from within.

  Her lips pressed into a thin line.

  She knocked again — louder this time, the sound echoing against the marble walls. “Your Majesty. Open the door.”

  Nothing.

  Not a single word.

  Eva exhaled slowly and placed a finger against her chin, eyes narrowing in thought.

  A small sigh escaped her.

  She cleared her throat, lowering her voice just enough to sound fragile.

  “Your Majesty… Princess Violet has already left. I’m leaving too.” She paused deliberately before continuing, “But I need your wolves. The secret passage is dark… and I’m afraid to go alone.”

  Her tone softened even further. “So please… open the door and give me your wolves.”

  The hallway fell still.

  One breath.

  Two.

  Three.

  Then—

  A ripple of shadow curled along the floor. Talon appeared first, silent as midnight. Fen followed. Mara last.

  The three black wolves materialized beside her like loyal sentinels.

  Eva blinked. Her shoulders slumped slightly.

  She gave a small, helpless smile. “You are not going to open the door…”

  Her voice returned to normal now, no longer fragile. “Looks like you are very angry. Fine. Don’t open the door.”

  With a snap of her fingers, the disguise spell dissolved. Light shimmered around her body, the illusion fading like mist. Her true appearance returned — the emperor’s wife standing alone before a closed door.

  Slowly, she reached up and removed the chain from around her neck.

  The ring. His ring.

  She held it for a moment, staring at it quietly. Then she stepped forward and hung it carefully on the door handle.

  “I’m leaving your ring here,” she said softly. “Take it.”

  There was no reply.

  Just the heavy stillness of the door between them.

  She pulled her hood back over her head. “Then I’m going.”

  Her voice was calm now — steady. “Come home early if you can… I’ll be waiting.” A small pause. “Goodbye.”

  Eva turned away. The three wolves moved beside her, their paws soundless against the stone floor.

  She did not look back. And the ring swayed gently against the door handle long after she disappeared down the corridor.

  __________________________________