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The silence between them stretched, broken only by the soft crackle of the fireplace.
Eyan — still wearing Kyel's face — leaned back slightly, eyes glinting with mischief.
"You kidnapped me?" Eva asked in disbelief.
Kyel smiled faintly. "Yes."
"Why?"
He tilted his head, his voice soft, teasing. "What do you mean why? It's because I missed you, Princess."
Eva blinked, heart pounding. What is Eyan trying to do… and how should I react to that? she thought, panic fluttering in her chest. Well, I'm married to Eyan. If my ex-husband kidnapped me, I should push him away, right? What if he's testing me?
Kyel's gaze sharpened. "What are you thinking?"
Eva met his eyes, steadying her tone. "Kyel, you said you missed me, but we already divorced. We have nothing to do with eachother. We're strangers now."
Kyel smiled faintly, but his eyes darkened. "Right… we are strangers."
He paused, voice low.
"But if that's truly the case, Princess, then why are you still lying here so close to me?"
Eva glanced down at herself — her body still half-leaning toward him. She gasped softly. "Oh… right. I shouldn't be."
She quickly stood, stepping back from the bed. "Kyel, I want to go back. Send me back to the palace. Right now."
Hurt flashed across Kyel's face. He rose, his expression unreadable. "Princess, we used to love each other so much."
He stepped closer, each word trembling with emotion. "And now… do you really hate spending even a moment with me?"
He stopped just in front of her, their faces inches apart. "Princess… do you really not love me at all?"
Eva froze, her pulse racing. What kind of question is that, Eyan? How am I supposed to answer that? Should I say yes… or no? Is he trying to test me again?
"Princess," he said softly, "why aren't you answering?"
Eva drew a breath. "Kyel… the only man I love is my husband — and no one else."
Kyel's eyes flickered with pain. "So, you only love your husband?"
"Yes," she whispered.
His lips curved faintly. "Then if I do this… you'll probably push me away, right?"
Before she could react, he pulled her by the waist. Eva gasped, her hands pressed against his chest. His face lowered, breath warm against her skin, his lips hovering just a breath away from hers.
No… no, Eyan, what are you doing? What do I do? her mind screamed. Should I close my eyes—or stop him?
His lips were mere inches away when Eva abruptly covered her mouth with her hand.
"Princess…" he said softly, hurt flickering in his voice.
"You can't do that," she said, breathless.
"Why?"
"What do you mean why, Kyel? I'm someone else's wife. You can't kiss me."
His gaze darkened. "Then… will you let your husband kiss you?"
Eva's brows furrowed in confusion. "What—?"
Before she could finish, Kyel snapped his fingers. The air shimmered, and in an instant, the illusion faded.
Where Kyel had stood, now Eyan looked back at her — tall, sharp, unmistakably himself.
Eva didn't even flinch.
"You don't look surprised," Eyan said quietly, studying her face.
Right… I need to act surprised, she thought quickly. Then she widened her eyes. "Eyan? You… you were Kyel? You were lying to me all this time?"
Eyan chuckled softly at her forced tone.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked, flustered.
"You act very well, Eva. Very well."
Her confusion deepened. "What do you mean?"
He stepped closer, his voice gentle but firm. "You don't have to pretend anymore. You know, right? That I'm Kyel."
Eva froze.
"You don't have to hide it," he continued quietly. "I know everything."
Her lips parted. "How… how did you find out?"
"Luca told me everything," he said simply.
"You mean…" her voice trembled, "you know everything?"
Eyan's eyes softened. "Yes. Everything."
He took a slow breath, his tone steady but heavy with meaning. "I know that you came back in time. I know you've been carrying that secret alone. I know that you know about Zeradros… and the punishment."
Eva's breath hitched. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, "You know about Leo too?"
"Yes," he murmured.
The sound of that one word broke her completely. Her tears spilled over as she threw her arms around him, holding him tightly. "Eyan… I'm sorry," she choked out between sobs. "I'm so sorry for lying to you."
He shook his head, his voice cracking as emotion overtook him. "Why are you apologizing? I should be the one apologizing to you."
He pulled her closer, his chin brushing her hair. "For lying to you. For leaving you and our child all alone."
Eva pulled back slightly, her eyes red and glistening. "Eyan… you don't hate me, right? For doing what I did?"
He met her gaze, then gently wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. His touch was tender, reverent.
"Why would I hate you?" he said softly. "You did it to save my life. And for that… thank you, Eva."
Her lips quivered. "I was so desperate to tell you the truth," she whispered.
"I know," he said, cupping her face in his hands. "Now you don't have to face everything alone anymore."
His voice softened into a promise. "I'm here with you now always."
Eva nodded, tears still clinging to her lashes.
"Now," Eyan murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face, "stop crying… and smile a little."
A faint laugh escaped her, and she smiled through her tears.
"That's better," he said quietly, his eyes lingering on her face. "You look more beautiful when you smile."
Eva looked up at him, her voice low and teasing. "Are you trying to flirt with your wife, Your Majesty?"
Eyan's lips curved. "You can say that."
Before he could say another word, Eva reached out, fisting the collar of his shirt and pulling him down to her. Her lips met his—sudden, breathless, certain.
Eyan froze for only a heartbeat before the warmth of her kiss pulled him under. He drew her closer, his arm sliding around her waist as the world narrowed to the sound of their uneven breaths and the soft rustle of sheets.
Her movement knocked him slightly off balance, and they stumbled back together, falling onto the bed. But Eva didn't stop. Her lips moved against his with a hunger she hadn't meant to show.
Eyan flinched softly at the force of her longing, his hands moving to her shoulders as though trying to steady both of them.
But just as her fingers brushed the buttons of his shirt, Eyan caught her hand gently. He pulled back, breathing hard, his forehead resting against hers.
"Eva…" his voice was low, tender. "Let's stop here."
She blinked up at him, her cheeks flushed. "Why?"
He smiled faintly, easing her back onto the bed, then laying beside her. His arms wrapped around her, drawing her close. "Let's sleep a little more," he murmured.
Eva sighed, pouting softly. "You're really not going to do it, are you?"
"No," he said with quiet amusement.
A teasing glint lit his eyes. "And what about that thing that's poking me?"
Eyan blinked, following her gaze, and he chuckled softly. "It's nothing," he said with mock seriousness. "Don't worry about him."
Eva flushed, then whispered, "We… we can do it, if you want. I'm ready."
Eyan shook his head gently. "No, Eva. I don't want to hurt the child."
"Right… the child." she said simply.
Eyan leaned back slightly, a smile tugging at his lips as he watched realization dawn on her face.
"Wait—did you just say child?" she gasped, eyes wide.
His smile softened into warmth. "Yes."
Eva froze for a moment, her lips parting in disbelief.
Her voice trembled. "That means…"
Eyan's gaze softened as he reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "You're pregnant, Eva."
For a heartbeat, silence hung between them—then her eyes widened, glowing with tears and joy all at once. "R–really?"
Eyan nodded with a warm smile. "Yes."
Eva gasped, her hands flying to her stomach. Eva couldn't contain herself—she was laughing, spinning, and bouncing on the bed like a child.
"I'm pregnant!" she kept saying, the words spilling from her lips as if she needed to hear them again and again to believe they were real.
Eyan watched her, completely mesmerized for a moment—until his heart lurched in panic. He rushed forward, his voice rising in worry. "Eva! Don't jump like that—you're pregnant!"
She froze mid-motion, her hair falling around her flushed, smiling face. Then, with a soft giggle, she sat down on the bed, still grinning from ear to ear.
She threw her arms around him instead, burying her face against his chest.
"Eyan… I've waited for this moment for so long," she whispered, her voice breaking with emotion. "Finally… I have our child."
Eyan held her tightly, his arms circling her protectively, His voice was soft. "Are you happy?"
Eva looked up at him, her eyes shimmering. "Yes," she said, smiling through her tears. "I'm so happy."
He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his hand resting over hers on her stomach—where their future had just begun.
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