“Sister is just buying fruit,” Luca muttered. “What about it?”

  Kyel’s gaze didn’t leave Eva.

  “Eva is allergic to peaches,” he said quietly. “She can’t eat them… not even a single bite.”

  Luca’s eyes widened. “What…?”

  He looked at Eva again, now noticing how many peaches she was buying.

  “Then why is she buying something she can’t even eat?” Luca asked, stunned. “And why so many?”

  “So she can help that old woman sell her fruit faster,” Kyel replied. “So she can go home early…”

  Luca’s expression slowly changed.

  “She lives alone,” Kyel said. “She has no one who will look after her. She sells peaches just to earn enough money to eat.”

  Kyel’s eyes narrowed slightly, not in anger—more in quiet sorrow.

  “Eva tried many times to help her,” he added. “She tried giving her money for free…”

  “But the woman refused. She said she didn’t want charity. She wanted to earn with her own hands.”

  Luca swallowed hard, his gaze still fixed on Eva. “So she’s doing all this…” Luca murmured, “…just to help that old woman?”

  Kyel nodded slowly. “Yes.”

  Luca hesitated, then asked softly, “But… if sister-in-law can’t eat peaches… what will she do with so many?”

  Kyel’s lips curved into a faint smile. “She’ll keep some for me,” he said. “And the rest…” Kyel continued, his voice growing even gentler, “she’ll make pancakes. Then she’ll give them to the children at the orphanage.”

  Luca’s chest tightened.

  “That’s what she’s been doing,” Kyel whispered, “even before she met me.”

  “When I first met Eva…” Kyel said slowly, “it was also in the market.”

  Luca glanced at him.

  Kyel’s voice held a faint amusement, but also something deeper… something tender. “I ruined her fruit,” Kyel admitted.

  Luca’s eyes widened. “…You did what?”

  Kyel let out a quiet laugh. “At first, I was only curious about her,” he said. “So I asked her name. Then… I offered to buy her fresh fruit to replace what I ruined.”

  Kyel’s gaze drifted back to the old woman selling peaches. “And she brought me to this old woman.”

  Kyel chuckled, shaking his head slightly as if even now he couldn’t believe it. “And then…she made me apologize to her.”

  “That was the first time I ever bowed my head… to someone other than my mother and father.”

  Luca’s lips parted in disbelief, and then he laughed. “I can’t even imagine that,” Luca said, shaking his head. “The Emperor… apologizing in the market.”

  Kyel laughed too, but his laughter was quieter, warmer—filled with memory.

  “That day,” Kyel continued, “I found out about their relationship… about how Eva always came here. Not because she wanted peaches…But because she wanted to help.”

  Kyel slowly turned his gaze toward Luca. “You asked me what made me fall in love with her…”

  Kyel’s voice lowered, as if he was speaking a truth he kept locked inside his heart.

  “It wasn’t her beauty.”

  He paused.

  “It wasn’t her laughter.”

  Kyel’s eyes softened even more.

  “It was .”

  Luca stared at Kyel for a long moment, warmth rising in his chest.

  Then he nodded slowly, his voice gentle. “Indeed…” Luca murmured. “Sister-in-law has a very pure heart.”

  Kyel’s gaze remained fixed on Eva, who was still laughing warmly with the old woman.

  “Yes…” he murmured. “She has a very pure heart.”

  But as the words left his lips, the faint smile on his face slowly faded. A quiet sadness settled over him—so subtle that most people would never notice it. But Luca did.

  Luca’s brows furrowed as he turned to him. “Why are you suddenly looking sad?”

  Kyel didn’t answer right away. His fingers tightened slightly around the shopping bags he was holding. Then he spoke, his voice low—almost like he was confessing something he had kept buried for far too long.

  “Luca…” Kyel said quietly. “I’ve been thinking about it.”

  Kyel’s eyes darkened. “If only my bloodline didn’t have that dragon to look after…” he whispered. “If only there was no punishment… no curse tied to me”

  His voice grew softer, heavy with regret. “…I would have shown Eva to everyone openly.....I would have kept her close to me… as my Empress.”

  For a moment, Kyel’s lips curved faintly again, “I believe she would rule Velmoria better than me,” he admitted. “And… the people would love her as their Empress.”

  The market noise around them felt distant now.

  Kyel let out a slow breath, like the weight inside his chest was too heavy to carry. “But I can only dream about it,” he said bitterly. “I can never give her that.”

  His voice trembled slightly. “I can never give her the luxurious life in the palace that she deserves.”

  Kyel swallowed, and his eyes looked strangely distant—as if he was imagining a life that would never exist. “I want her to meet Father too,” Kyel said quietly. “I want to introduce her proudly… as my wife not as someone else.”

  His voice cracked slightly at the last word. “So the next time we sit at the dining table together she won’t have to be nervous… or scared around him.”

  Kyel let out a shaky sigh. “I want to do all those things,” he whispered. “But it’s not possible.”

  For a moment, Luca didn’t speak.

  He simply looked at Kyel.

  Then Luca’s expression softened.

  A confident smile appeared on his lips. “Don’t worry,” Luca said firmly. “After some time… you’ll be able to give her everything you want.”

  Luca continued, his voice calm, certain. “You’ll even be able to show her to the people of Velmoria openly.”

  Kyel slowly turned his head toward him. His eyes narrowed slightly.

  “What do you mean by that…?” Kyel asked quietly. “And how can you be certain?”

  Luca’s confident smile vanished instantly. His eyes widened, panic flashing across his face.

  “I-I’m just saying!” Luca stammered quickly. “You know… I mean… someday it might happen!”

  Kyel stared at him.

  The air between them suddenly felt heavy.

  Luca swallowed hard, avoiding Kyel’s gaze.

  Kyel studied him for a moment, then simply replied, “Oh.”

  Luca turned his head away and closed his eyes.

  He cleared his throat and glanced around carefully, making sure no one was close enough to hear them. Then he leaned closer. “Eyan… can I ask you a personal question?”

  Kyel looked at him calmly. “A personal question… sure.”

  Luca lowered his voice to a whisper. “When will you and sister-in-law have a child?”

  Kyel froze.

  For a moment, he didn’t breathe.

  Luca continued, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. “You know, it’s better if you have a child early. And I want to be an uncle too—”

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  “Never.”

  The word fell cold and absolute.

  Luca blinked in shock. “What?”

  Kyel’s gaze hardened. “I don’t want a child.”

  Luca’s heart began to pound. “W-why? What are you saying?”

  Kyel looked away, his jaw tightening. “I don’t want to continue my bloodline. I want it to end with me.” His voice dropped lower. “That’s why Eva and I will have a child.”

  Luca forced himself to stay calm, though panic clawed inside him. “Eyan… don’t think too much about the Dragon King. Just live your life. Have a family—”

  “No.”

  Kyel’s answer was immediate.

  “I’ve already made my decision.” He turned his head slightly, his eyes shadowed. “And I made sure Eva will never carry my child.”

  Luca’s breath caught. He grabbed Kyel’s shoulder immediately and turned him forcefully.

  “What do you mean you made sure?” Luca demanded, his voice filled with alarm. “What did you do, Eyan?”

  Kyel didn’t hesitate. “I’ve been taking the Moonveil tonic every day since our wedding.”

  Luca’s hand slowly loosened. Disbelief filled his face. Anger surged through him.

  “You idiot…” Luca snapped, his voice trembling with anger. “Have you lost your mind? Why would you do that?”

  Fear gripped his chest.

  Luca looked at him sharply. “Did you tell sister-in-law about this tonic?”

  Kyel answered calmly. “No.”

  Luca took a step forward. “Then I’ll tell her what you’ve been doing.”

  Before he could move further, Kyel grabbed his collar and yanked him back violently. “Don’t.”

  Kyel’s voice was low. Dangerous. “If you tell her… I will throw you out of The Palace.” His grip tightened. “And out of our family.”

  Luca let out a bitter laugh. “You can’t be serious.”

  Kyel’s eyes were cold and unwavering. “I am.” A heavy silence fell between them. “I won’t hesitate.”

  Luca swallowed hard. He knew that look. Eyan wasn’t bluffing. He meant every word.

  “…Fine,” Luca said quietly. “I won’t tell her.”

  Kyel released him completely.

  “Good,” Kyel said coldly. “Make sure you remember that.”

  Just then, Eva and Aranel approached them through the crowd.

  Eva tilted her head slightly, her soft eyes moving between the two men. “What are you two talking about?”

  Luca’s body stiffened.

  His gaze instinctively shifted to Kyel, and Kyel returned it with a cold, silent warning. It wasn’t spoken—but it was clear.

  Luca forced a smile. “N-nothing, sister-in-law,” he said quickly. “Just… trivial matters.”

  Eva studied his face for a moment longer, as if sensing something unusual, but she didn’t press further.

  “Oh,” she said gently. “Then let’s go home. We’ve finished shopping.”

  Kyel immediately reached for the bags in her hands. “You shouldn’t carry heavy things,” he murmured.

  Eva blinked. “They’re not heavy—”

  But he had already taken them from her.

  Behind them, Luca silently took the bags from Aranel as well. “Allow me,” he said.

  Aranel smiled softly. “Thank you, Lord Luca.”

  And together, the four of them began walking toward their home.

  The afternoon sun stretched their shadows across the cobblestone road.

  Eva and Kyel walked ahead.

  Close.

  Quiet.

  Peaceful.

  Behind them, Luca walked beside Aranel—but his mind was nowhere near the present.

  His grip on the bags tightened unconsciously.

  Aranel noticed the change immediately. She slowed her steps slightly, turning to him with concern.

  “Lord Luca,” she said gently, “is something wrong? You look troubled.”

  Luca stopped walking. His jaw tightened. Slowly, he lifted his hand and pointed ahead—at Kyel’s back.

  “That idiot,” Luca muttered under his breath. His voice trembled with restrained anger. “That complete fool… that moron has ruined everything.”

  Aranel’s brows furrowed, unease settling in her chest.

  “His Majesty?” she asked carefully. “What did he do that made you so angry?”

  Luca opened his mouth. “He—”

  “Eva.”

  Kyel’s voice cut through the air.

  Sharp. Alarmed.

  Both Luca and Aranel looked ahead immediately. Kyel and Eva had stopped walking. Eva stood unsteadily beside him, her fingers tightly clutching his arm. Her grip wasn’t gentle—it was desperate, as if she were afraid she would fall if she let go.

  They rushed toward them.

  “What happened?” Luca asked, his voice filled with concern.

  Kyel didn’t look away from Eva. “It’s Eva,” he said, his voice tight.

  Eva leaned closer to him, her breathing uneven. “Honey…” she whispered weakly. “I don’t feel good… it happened suddenly… my body feels strange…”

  Kyel’s expression changed instantly. He dropped all the bags without hesitation, the sound of them hitting the ground echoing faintly. He placed both hands on her arms, steadying her.

  “Eva,” he said urgently, his voice trembling despite his effort to stay calm. “Look at me. Tell me exactly what you’re feeling. Are you dizzy? Is your vision blurry? Are you in pain somewhere? Tell me.”

  Eva shook her head faintly, her fingers tightening around his sleeve. “I don’t know… my head feels light…”

  Her grip tightened further.

  “Eyan…” Her voice trembled. “Hold me tightly… I feel like I’m about to faint—”

  Before he could respond, her body went limp.

  “EVA!”

  Kyel caught her immediately. He pulled her into his arms before she could collapse to the ground. Her head fell against his chest, completely unconscious.

  “Eva,” he whispered, panic flooding his voice. “Eva, open your eyes.”

  He slowly bent down and sat on the ground, laying her gently across his lap. His hand moved to her face, tapping her cheek lightly.

  “Eva… wake up,” he said, his voice softer now, filled with fear he could no longer hide. “Can you hear me? Eva, answer me.”

  She didn’t move.

  Didn’t respond.

  Luca stepped forward quickly.

  “She fainted,” he said quickly, kneeling in front of them. “Let me see her.”

  He dropped the bags from his hands without a second thought and moved closer. he carefully placed his hand on Eva’s forehead.

  A soft golden glow formed beneath his palm as he activated his magic. The energy flowed gently, cautiously, meant to stimulate her consciousness without causing harm.

  For a moment—

  It worked.

  The magic moved toward her.

  But the instant it touched her—

  It vanished.

  Completely.

  As if something had swallowed it whole.

  Luca’s eyes flew open.

  His breath caught.

  A chill ran down his spine.

  His fingers trembled slightly against her skin, though he quickly steadied himself before Kyel could notice.

  “Luca!” Kyel’s voice broke through his thoughts. “What are you doing? Why did you stop? Do something! Wake her up!”

  Kyel’s arms tightened protectively around Eva. Fear was written plainly across his face.

  Luca slowly withdrew his hand. He forced his expression to remain calm.

  “I can’t use my magic on her right now,” Luca said, forcing his voice to remain steady. “I used a memory-erasing spell yesterday. It drained more power than I expected… my magic isn’t responding properly.”

  Kyel stared at him, disbelief and frustration flickering across his face. “You can’t…?” he asked quietly, as if refusing to accept it.

  Luca shook his head.

  “Not safely,” he replied. “But don’t worry. This doesn’t mean she won’t wake up. Take sister-in-law home immediately. She needs rest. I’ll go to the Magic Tower and bring my disciple with me. His magic is stable—he’ll be able to examine her properly.”

  Kyel hesitated for only a moment, then nodded. “…Alright.”

  He carefully lifted Eva fully into his arms, holding her close against his chest. Her head rested against his shoulder, unmoving.

  He stepped into a nearby carriage and sat inside with her.

  Before the door closed, Kyel looked at Luca, his eyes filled with worry.

  “Don’t take too long,” he said. “Come quickly.”

  Luca met his gaze and nodded. “I will.”

  The carriage door shut, and moments later, it began to roll away, carrying them into the distance.

  Luca turned to Aranel, his expression serious, his mind already moving ahead of the present moment.

  “Lady Aranel,” he said calmly, though urgency hid beneath his voice, “come with me. We need to go to the Magic Tower immediately. There are things we cannot discuss here.”

  Without waiting for a reply, he raised his hand. A glowing circle formed beneath their feet, intricate runes spinning slowly, humming with power.

  Aranel stepped closer to him instinctively as the light intensified.

  In the next moment—

  They vanished.

  __________________________________

  (The Magic Tower – Velmoria)

  The teleportation circle reappeared inside a quiet chamber at the top of the tower.

  The light faded.

  Luca and Aranel stepped out. Luca walked forward slowly and sat down in a chair.

  His posture was calm.

  But his mind was far from it.

  Aranel stared at him, confused.

  Seconds passed.

  Then a full minute.

  He didn’t move.

  He didn’t say anything.

  Her worry grew.

  “Lord Luca,” she said finally, her voice filled with urgency, “why are you sitting down? You said you would bring your disciple with us. Eva is still unconscious. We should hurry and return to her immediately.”

  Luca remained silent for a moment longer.

  Then he spoke. “There is no disciple.”

  Aranel blinked. “…What?”

  He looked at her. “My magic is perfectly fine,” he said quietly. “I lied to Eyan.”

  Aranel stared at him in disbelief.

  “You… lied?” she whispered. “But why would you do that? Eva collapsed suddenly, and you—”

  “She is with a child.” Luca said calmly.

  Aranel froze.

  Her lips parted. “…A child?” she repeated faintly.

  Her eyes widened slowly as realization dawned. “That means…”

  Luca smiled faintly. “Yes,” he said. “Her wish granted.”

  His voice was calm. Certain. “That child… is .”

  For a moment, Aranel said nothing. Then joy flooded her face.

  “A child…” she whispered, her voice trembling with happiness. “Eva is carrying a child…”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “That means… I’m going to become an aunt.” She laughed softly through her tears. “And you… you’re going to become an uncle, Lord Luca.”

  Luca smiled. “Yes,” he said quietly. “It seems that way.”

  Aranel happiness softened into confusion.

  “Then why didn’t you tell His Majesty?” she asked gently. “He was so worried. If he knew this, he would be happy beyond words. Why hide something like this from him?”

  Luca froze.

  Kyel’s voice echoed in his mind.

  Luca’s hand slowly tightened on the armrest.

  “He said…” Luca began quietly, “…that he does not wan—”

  

  A hesitant voice spoke from outside the chamber door. “Master… are you inside?”

  Luca, who had been sitting near the table with Aranel, frowned slightly at the interruption.

  “Yes, I am,” he replied calmly. “What is it?”

  The magician outside answered carefully, almost uncertain.

  “Master… there is a Kid here. He insists on meeting you. He said it is urgent.”

  Luca’s brows pulled together in annoyance. “A Kid?”

  He exhaled slowly, already irritated. “Send him away. I don’t have time to entertain some lost noble brat or curious street kid. Tell him to come back when he grows up.”

  .

  BANG!

  .

  The door suddenly burst open with force, slamming against the wall.

  Both Luca and Aranel flinched in shock.

  Their eyes snapped toward the entrance.

  A small figure stood there.

  A kid.

  The Kid was dressed in dark clothes, a deep hood covering most of his face. His posture, however, was not that of a timid child. He stood straight. Calm. Composed.

  Aranel instinctively stepped closer to Luca.

  Luca stood up abruptly.

  “Hey. Do you have any idea where you are?” Luca snapped. “This is not a playground. I don’t have time to deal with foolish kids who think this is some kind of joke.”

  The kid immediately bowed politely.

  “I sincerely apologize for my rudeness,” he said, his voice calm and steady. “I know this is disrespectful… but I had no other choice. I am in a hurry, and I cannot afford to waste any more time.”

  Luca’s irritation deepened.

  “I don’t care how urgent you think it is,” Luca said coldly. “This is not a place where children can walk in uninvited. Leave now before I have you escorted out.”

  The child didn’t move. Instead, he lifted his head slightly.

  “Master of the Magic Tower,” he said respectfully, “it is an honor to finally stand before you.”

  Luca’s eyes narrowed. “I said leave.”

  The kid continued as if Luca had never spoken.

  “Please,” he said quietly.“Allow me to introduce myself properly,” he said. “Since this is our first meeting… it would be disrespectful if I did not.”

  His words were careful. Deliberate.

  The kid stepped forward once.

  Then he bowed lightly.

  The gesture was elegant.

  Refined.

  Not something a normal kid could replicate so perfectly.

  Slowly… The kid lifted his hands to his hood. And removed it.

  The fabric slid back, revealing his face.

  Luca’s breath stopped.

  Aranel’s fingers tightened around her dress, her heart skipping violently.

  Both of their eyes widened in shock.

  Luca staggered back half a step, his voice breaking. “…It can’t be.”

  The kid smiled knowingly.

  “Greetings, Uncle Luca,” the kid said gently.

  “My name is .”

  .

  .

  .

  To be continued—