The room was quiet except for the soft rustle of sheets. Morning light filtered through the curtains, painting the bed in a warm golden hue.
Eva lay in Eyan's arms, her fingers tracing the faint lines of his shirt as she murmured, "Eyan… where are we now?"
Eyan smiled faintly, his eyes still half-lidded. "We're somewhere," he said simply.
Eva frowned, her brows knitting. "You're not going to tell me, are you?"
"No."
"Why not?"
He exhaled softly. "Luca told me to take you far from the palace until you give birth."
Eva blinked in surprise. "Brother did? But… why?"
Eyan shook his head. "He didn't tell me. But I know he must have had a reason."
Eva sighed, letting it go. "Okay… then I won't ask."
For a while, there was silence again, until she whispered, "But I want to see Leo."
Her voice softened, fragile. "Eyan, can I see him?"
Eyan hesitated before answering, his voice low. "Leo isn't here. He went back… to his world."
Eva froze. Her lips trembled. "He went back?"
Eyan reached out and brushed her hair gently. "Don't be sad. He said he'll come back."
Her eyes lit up instantly. "He said that?"
"Yes."
A small smile bloomed on her face, bright and relieved. But as she turned, she pressed her hand against her temple. "Ah…"
Eyan straightened. "What happened?"
"My head… it hurts."
He gently pressed his fingers against her temples, massaging in slow, comforting circles. Eva closed her eyes, relaxing under his touch.
"How do you feel now?" he asked softly.
"I feel good now," she murmured, smiling faintly.
He continued for a moment longer before asking quietly, "Eva…"
"Hmm?"
"When we dueled yesterday, you said there was something you wanted from me." He paused, searching her gaze. "Can you tell me what it was?"
Eva looked at him, her eyes turning tender. "I wanted to ask you to let Leo call you father—just once."
Eyan's expression softened.
"I knew he had to go back," Eva continued, her voice trembling slightly, "so I just wanted him to have that moment—to call his father 'father' at least once. Leo never had his father's love… I wanted him to feel it through you."
Eyan's eyes glimmered, pain and warmth tangled together.
"When you found out about Leo…" Eva whispered, "did he ever get the chance to call you father?"
Eyan lowered his gaze. "No… he didn't."
Eva's shoulders slumped. "Oh…"
He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Don't worry," he said gently. "Next time… when he comes again, he can call me that."
Eva smiled faintly, her eyes still hazy with sleep. The tenderness in Eyan's gaze made her heart flutter all over again.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
She nodded quickly. "Yes."
Eyan chuckled under his breath and stood up from the bed, stretching slightly. "Alright then, I'll go make something for you."
Eva tilted her head, watching him with a lazy smile. "What are you going to make?"
He turned back, that familiar teasing smirk curving his lips. "What do you want to eat?"
"Pancakes," she said instantly, her voice soft but eager, like a child confessing a craving.
Eyan laughed quietly. "Pancakes it is."
He leaned closer, his tone playful yet warm. "But first, go take a bath. You'll feel better."
Eva sighed, pouting slightly. "Okay."
As she rose from the bed and disappeared behind the curtain toward the bath chamber, Eyan stood there for a moment, watching the sunlight play across the empty sheets. A small, contented smile touched his lips.
Moments later, he walked into the kitchen. The quiet hum of the morning filled the air as he rolled up his sleeves and began mixing the batter. The faint scent of butter and sugar soon drifted through the house.
---
Steam curled from the bathroom door as Eva's voice rang out, soft but impatient.
"Eyan!"
From the kitchen, he called back, "What?"
"I don't have anything to wear!" she said, sounding both embarrassed and cold.
Eyan blinked, looking around. "Wait—I'll find something for you."
He went to the bedroom, opened the wardrobe, and frowned. Every piece of clothing inside was his—plain, dark, and far too large for her. "There's nothing…" he muttered.
"Did you find something?" Eva called again.
"Wait a little!"
"Hurry, Eyan! I'm freezing!"
Startled, he grabbed one of his shirts—soft, oversized, and warm—and hurried to the bathroom door.
"Open up," he said, knocking gently.
The door opened a crack, and he held out the shirt. "Here. Wear this."
Eva took it, her fingers brushing his. "This is yours."
"Yes," he said, smiling faintly. "I couldn't find anything else for you. Just wear it for now—I'll bring something better later."
"Okay," she said softly, closing the door again.
Eyan returned to the kitchen, the faint scent of soap and steam lingering behind him. He tried to focus on the pancakes sizzling in the pan. The smell of butter filled the room, the air warm and quiet.
After a few minutes, he heard soft footsteps.
Without turning, he smiled. "You came. The pancakes are ready—eat all you wan—"
He turned—and froze.
Eva stood in the doorway, her damp hair falling over her shoulders, wearing only his shirt that brushed just above her knees. Bare legs. Bare feet. And that innocent, unknowing look in her eyes that made his heartbeat stumble.
He dropped the spoon with a clatter.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Eva asked, adjusting the shirt nervously. "Do I look weird?"
Eyan swallowed hard, unable to answer for a moment.
"Eyan," she called again, her voice breaking through his daze.
He cleared his throat and looked away quickly. "You look… fine," he said, his voice a shade too rough.
She smiled softly, walking closer. "Is breakfast ready?"
He turned his back immediately. "Y-yes, it's ready."
Eyan set the plate on the table, avoiding her eyes. "Here, eat."
Eva sat and began eating, occasionally sneaking glances at him. When she finished, she placed her fork down. "All finished."
"Good. Now go and rest," he said, collecting her plate and turning to the sink.
But Eva followed him quietly, stopping just behind him as he washed the dishes.
He sighed. "Why are you still here? Go rest."
"I can't," she said.
He glanced over his shoulder. "Why not?"
Her voice softened. "How can I rest when you're hungry?"
Eyan stiffened. "I'm not hungry."
"Ohh your not not, Then look at me," she said.
He froze mid-motion, fingers still wet from the sink. "…Why?"
"Just look at me."
Slowly, he lifted his head and turned. Her eyes locked onto his—calm, knowing, warm enough to melt his restraint.
"See?" she whispered, stepping closer. "You are hungry."
He shook his head, his breath unsteady. "No."
"You want me, don't you?" she murmured.
Eyan's voice faltered. "No… it's not like that."
Eva cupped his face in her hands, her touch gentle but firm. "Then why do your eyes look at me as if you might devour me whole?"
He went still—caught between guilt and desire. "I… I'm sorry," he breathed. "I can't control it. You look… breathtaking in that shirt."
She leaned close, her lips near his ear. "Then don't fight it."
Eyan's breath hitched. "What?"
"Don't hold back," she whispered. "Just love me, Eyan."
He looked at her, torn. "You're pregnant, Eva… i shouldn't—"
"Don't worry," she said softly, pressing her forehead to his. "I want this. I want you."
Eyan hesitated "but you are still recovering, the physician told me to keep the distance from you"
Eva smiled "don't worry about that I am already recovered because of Leo's power"
He hesitate. "Are you sure?" he asked one last time.
Eva smiled faintly, brushing her thumb over his lips. "Yes."
He exhaled shakily. "Forgive me, then…"
Eyan drew her closer and kissed her—slowly at first, then deeper, every breath a confession of love, every touch a promise of care.
----