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(Royal Palace — Late Night)
The flickering torchlight cast long shadows across the corridor as Eyan stood outside his chamber, his jaw tense and hands clasped behind his back. The physician had been inside for what felt like an eternity. Every muffled sound from within made his heart lurch.
Finally, the door opened with a soft creak. The physician stepped out, bowing respectfully.
"Your Majesty," he said, "I've given Her Grace medicine for her fever and pain. She should recover fully within twenty-four hours."
Eyan exhaled a quiet breath of relief. His shoulders relaxed, but only slightly. "Good," he murmured.
The physician hesitated before speaking again. "There is one more thing, Your Majesty."
Eyan's eyes lifted. "Speak."
"You must keep your distance from Her Grace for at least five days until she's completely recovered."
Eyan nodded, though the words felt heavier than they should have. "Understood."
"You may go now."
The physician bowed once more and walked down the dim hall, his footsteps fading into silence.
Just as Eyan turned back toward the door, a small voice called out—
"...Mister."
Eyan looked up to see Leo, standing beside Luca, both of them still wide awake.
Eyan's brow softened. "Leo? Luca? You two are still awake?"
Luca shrugged helplessly. "He said he wouldn't sleep until he saw his sister-in-law."
Eyan's gaze fell to Leo. "You want to see Eva?"
Leo nodded earnestly. "Yes. Where is she? What happened to her?"
"She's resting," Eyan said gently. "She caught a fever, but she'll be fine soon."
"Fever?" Luca frowned. "Then why didn't she tell us she was sick?"
"She didn't want us to worry about her," Eyan replied.
Leo's voice came soft, hesitant. "Mister... if you don't mind, may I see her once?"
A faint smile curved Eyan's lips. "Of course. You don't need my permission for that."
He opened the chamber door, letting Leo slip inside quietly, then closed it behind him—leaving the son and mother alone.
Luca frowned. "Why'd you lock the door? I wanted to go too."
Eyan stopped him with a look. "Stay here."
Luca groaned. "But I haven't seen her either—"
Eyan's sharp glance was enough to silence him.
Luca muttered under his breath, "Fine…"
---
Inside the room, moonlight spilled across the bed where Eva lay, her skin pale against the white sheets. Her eyes were closed, her breathing soft and shallow.
Leo approached quietly, his small steps barely making a sound. "Mother…" he whispered, his voice trembling. "Are you all right?"
Eva's lashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes. "Leo…"
He rushed closer, eyes glassy. "Mother, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, Leo," she said softly, forcing a gentle smile.
"Then why did you hide yourself from us?" he asked, his lower lip trembling.
Eva reached out, brushing his cheek. "I'm feeling better now, see? I'm smiling."
Tears welled in his eyes. "You always do that… You always smile and hide your pain from me."
Eva's smile softened with guilt. "I'm sorry, Leo. Don't cry."
"I'm not crying," he said, quickly wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
"Oh?" she teased quietly. "Then what's that running down your cheek?"
"It's… nothing."
Eva laughed softly. "You're cute."
Leo smiled weakly, his heart easing at the sound of her laughter. "Mother, you should rest now. I'll see you in the morning."
"Good night, Leo," she whispered.
"Good night mother."
He nodded and stepped out quietly.
---
When Leo came out, Eyan was waiting. "Did you talk to her?"
"Yes," Leo said with a faint smile.
Luca leaned forward, squinting. "Hey, why are your eyes red? Don't tell me you cried."
"I didn't," Leo muttered quickly.
"Luca, stop teasing him," Eyan said, his tone warning.
"Fine," Luca sighed. "You're so serious all the time. Why are you angry?"
Eyan's gaze turned sharp. "You think just because you helped me earlier, I'll let you run your mouth however you wish?"
Luca blinked, then smirked. "It wasn't me who helped you."
Eyan frowned. "What do you mean?"
"It was Leo's idea," Luca explained with a grin. "He was the one who came up with the plan to distract Lady Aranel—and he told me to go outside sister in law's window to help you. That's how I found you."
Eyan turned to Leo, surprised. "Really?"
Leo nodded shyly.
Eyan knelt in front of him. "How did you know I'd be there?"
Leo's lips curved faintly. "Just a guess. I know you care about Her Grace so much that you'd do anything to see her."
Eyan smiled, warmth glinting in his eyes. "You're a smart kid." His gaze flicked to Luca. "Smarter than him."
"Hey!" Luca protested. "Why are you dragging me into this again?"
Eyan chuckled. "You could learn a thing or two from him. He behaves more like an adult than you do."
Luca crossed his arms, pretending to sulk. "You're right," he said dramatically.
Then, grinning, he bowed slightly toward Leo. "Right, Master Leo?"
Leo's face scrunched in irritation, and Eyan couldn't help the quiet laugh that escaped him.
"It's late," Eyan said finally. "Leo, go sleep in your room. Luca, take him with you."
Luca nodded. "Alright, Your Majesty." He placed a hand on Leo's shoulder. "Let's go."
Leo gave one last glance toward the room before nodding. "Good night, Mister."
"Good night," Eyan replied softly, watching them disappear down the corridor—his expression easing into something tender, almost fatherly.
---
Eyan stepped inside the room and quietly closed the door behind him. His eyes softened the moment they fell on her — pale skin against the white sheets, her cheeks flushed with fever. He walked to her side and sat down carefully, brushing a few stray strands of hair from her face.
"How do you feel now?" he asked gently.
Eva blinked slowly, her voice faint. "I'm… feeling a little cold."
Eyan frowned. "Cold?"
She nodded weakly. "I still have a fever."
Without a word, Eyan stood, moved to the other side of the bed, and lay down beside her. He slipped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her close against his body and pulling the sheets over them both.
Eva sighed softly, melting into his warmth. "I feel good now," she whispered, a faint smile curling her lips. "You're so warm."
Eyan's expression softened, a hint of relief in his eyes. "Sleep now," he murmured.
But before he could settle, Eva's small hand slipped under his shirt. The sudden touch sent a shiver through him.
"Eva—" he breathed, startled. "What are you doing?"
"I can feel your warmth more this way," she said softly, her fingers brushing against his skin.
Eyan tensed, his heart hammering. "Eva…"
She looked up at him, eyes hazy and tender. "Can you take your shirt off?"
He froze. "What?"
"Please," she whispered. "I'm still cold."
"B-but…" He swallowed hard.
"But what" she asked innocently.
"The physician told me to keep my distance from you for fifteen days." Eyan said.
Eva blinked once — then laughed, a quiet, melodic sound that made his heart trip.
He frowned, confused. "Why are you laughing?"
"Because you're terrible at lying," she said between small chuckles.
Eyan blinked again. "What do you mean?"
"The physician said five days, not fifteen," she said, smiling knowingly. "Why are you lying to me?"
He scratched the back of his neck, his ears burning. "How did you know?"
"I asked him myself," Eva said, a hint of mischief glinting in her eyes. You can't fool me this time, she thought.
"Oh…" he muttered, looking away, embarrassed.
Silence settled between them — a soft, intimate quiet broken only by the sound of their breathing.
Then Eva whispered, "Eyan, what are you waiting for? Do it."
His brow furrowed. "Do what?"
She smiled faintly. "Take your shirt off and let me feel your warmth."
He sighed in surrender. "Fine…"
Slowly, he lifted his arm from around her, his movements careful and hesitant. Then, with a single motion, he pulled his shirt over his head and laid back down beside her.
Eva shifted closer, resting her head on his bare shoulder. Her hand came to rest against his chest — his skin warm, heartbeat steady beneath her palm.
A soft smile touched her lips. "It's… a lot better now," she murmured, her voice fading into drowsy contentment.
Eyan looked down at her, his heart full — watching her eyelids grow heavier until she drifted to sleep against him. For the first time that night, the tension in his chest eased.
And as he held her, he whispered quietly—
"Sleep well, Eva."
---