(The Magic Tower — Velmoria)
Prince Velco lunged forward with the knife.
Eva screamed, eyes shut tight. "No…!"
But the strike never came.
Her breathing quickened, heart pounding in her chest. Slowly, she opened her eyes—confused to see the blade halted inches away.
Prince Velco smiled faintly. "Don't be afraid, Your Grace. I was just joking."
Eva stared at him, trembling.
Prince Velco lowered the knife. "I'm not here to kill you. I'm here to save you."
Eva's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Prince Velco stepped closer, his tone calm. "Your Grace, do you know why your husband is keeping you trapped here?"
Eva hesitated. "No…"
"It's because he doesn't trust you."
Eva frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Do you know what happened after you fainted on the training ground?"
"No…"
"When the royal physician came, after examining you," Velco said, his smile curling faintly, "they told His Majesty that you were pregnant."
Eva blinked, confusion flickering in her eyes.
"How do you think your husband reacted to that news?"
Eva's lips trembled. "He would have been happy."
Prince Velco's smile widened. "Sorry to disappoint you, but that's not how he reacted."
Her eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"He said that the child wasn't his," Velco said softly. "That you cheated on him—that the father was someone else."
Eva's heart shattered. "No… you're lying. Eyan could never—"
"You can ask Master Luca if you don't believe me," Velco interrupted smoothly. "He was there the whole time. And Leo was there too. He saw how his father refused to accept him as his own."
Eva sank onto the nearest chair, her legs weak.
"Master Luca went to great lengths," Velco continued, "using his most powerful attack on you—just to prove to His Majesty that the child was his."
Eva's voice trembled. "Even if what you're saying is true, he only did it because the child was one month old. Anyone in his place would have done that."
"That's true," Velco said with a soft chuckle. "But still—he says he loves you, yet his trust in you crumbled so easily. Doesn't that show how little faith he has in you?"
Eva shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. "No… it's not like that…"
"Then tell me," Velco pressed, "why is he keeping you here—trapped like a prisoner?"
"I… I don't know."
"It's because everyone in the palace knows your child was already one month old," Velco said darkly. "They're saying the child isn't His Majesty's. He's keeping you locked away to protect his own name."
Eva's tears fell faster.
"He doesn't love you," Velco whispered. "He wants to own you."
She looked up at him, trembling.
"Even Master Luca was against the idea of keeping you imprisoned," Velco went on. "That's why he sent me here."
Eva blinked. "Brother sent you here?"
"Yes," Velco said with confidence. "How else would I have known you were hidden in the Magic Tower?"
Eva's eyes widened. "I'm… in the Magic Tower?"
"You didn't know?"
"No…"
"See?" Velco said softly. "Your husband didn't even tell you where you are—so you wouldn't run. That's how little he trusts you."
Eva's lips trembled. "Then… what do you want me to do?"
"Run away from here," Velco said simply.
"What?"
"Yes. Run away from him. Take your child with you—and never return."
Eva's eyes filled with confusion. "Why would I run away?"
"Because that's what Leo wants."
"Leo…" she whispered.
"Yes," Velco said. "He's still here. He's waiting for you."
Eva's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're lying. Eyan told me Leo left… to his world."
"His Majesty lied to you," Velco said flatly. "Leo is still here—waiting for you."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a folded piece of cloth.
"Here."
Eva took it slowly, staring down. Her breath caught. "This… this is what Leo was wearing the day I fainted."
Velco nodded. "Yes. He gave it to me—to show you. He knew you wouldn't trust me otherwise."
Her hands shook as she held the cloth.
"Do you trust my words now?" Velco asked quietly.
Eva hesitated, tears shimmering in her eyes.
"I know I'm not someone you can trust easily," Velco said gently. "Not after what I've done. But I've changed. I don't want the dragon anymore. I got my life back, and I don't intend to throw it away again for some dragon."
He bowed his head slightly. "I apologize for what I did in that timeline."
Eva looked at him for a long time, torn between doubt and desperate hope. Slowly, she nodded.
"When do I have to go?"
Velco's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Tomorrow. I'll come to get you then… and I'll take you to Leo."
Eva nodded faintly. "Tomorrow… fine."
"Then I should take my leave."
He slipped the ring back onto his finger, Eyan's face reappearing in a shimmer of light.
"See you tomorrow."
Eva only nodded.
When he was gone, she sank onto the bed, her hands trembling.
"Eyan…" she whispered, voice breaking. "Did you really say… that our baby isn't yours? Do you really trust me so little?"
-----
(Magic Tower, Velmoria — Night time)
Eva sat motionless on the chair, her thoughts spiraling like a storm she couldn't silence. The words Prince Velco had spoken still echoed in her mind—each one carving a deeper wound than the last.
Then came a soft knock.
Knock knock
Her head lifted slowly, almost unwillingly.
"Eva," came Eyan's voice from the other side, steady yet warm. "Open the door."
She hesitated, fingers tightening around the armrest. After a moment, she rose and walked to the door. And opened it.
Eva Stood there for sometime
"Eva," he said again.
She didn't answer.
"What's taking you so long? Lift the barrier," he urged gently.
Her hands trembled as she lifted the barrier.
The moment it fell, his expression instantly softening when he saw her.
Eyan stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. His familiar warmth surrounded her—but she stood still, her body unresponsive, her arms refusing to move.
When he pulled back, confusion creased his brow. He cupped her face, thumbs brushing against her cheeks.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong? Why didn't you hug me back?" His voice was low, tender, searching. "You're not even smiling."
"I'm just tired," she whispered.
"Tired?" He tilted his head, still worried. Then, with a faint smile, he scooped her into his arms before she could protest. "Then rest for a while."
He carried her to the bed and gently laid her down. "I'll make you something to eat," he said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face before leaving.
----
When he returned, the scent of warm stew filled the room. He sat beside her on the bed, holding a plate in his hands.
"Come on, sit up and eat something," he coaxed gently.
She did as told, moving without energy.
He took a spoonful and raised it toward her lips. "Here."
Her gaze lingered on him—on the tenderness in his eyes, the way he always cared for her—and yet, all she could hear were Velco's lies whispering through her head: 'He said the child isn't his'.
Her eyes stung.
Eyan paused when he saw her tears. He set the spoon aside and reached out. "Eva? Why are you crying?"
When she didn't answer, he pulled her close, his arms tightening protectively around her trembling frame.
"Tell me what happened," he whispered into her hair. "Why are you crying?"
But she only sobbed softly into his chest, as if words themselves would shatter her completely.
After a long while, her tears slowed. He leaned back slightly, brushing her face with his thumb.
"Are you feeling better now?"
She nodded faintly.
"Then tell me, why were you crying?"
"For no reason…" Her voice was fragile. "I just… wanted to cry. Don't worry, I'm fine now."
He studied her face, uncertain, before nodding slowly. "If you say so."
He lifted the plate again. "Then eat, at least a little. You need strength—the baby's growing faster every day."
She hesitated. "Eyan, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"When you found out I was pregnant…" Her fingers clutched the blanket. "How did you react?"
His expression faltered for a moment. "I—"
"Were you happy?" she pressed, her eyes searching his.
"Of course I was," he said, forcing a small smile. "Why would you even ask that?"
"Nothing," she murmured. "I was just curious."
"Alright…" he said softly, still watching her with a puzzled gaze.
"I want to sleep now."
"What about the food?"
"I don't want to eat."
He sighed quietly. "Alright."
He laid her down gently, pulling the blanket up to her shoulders. He leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. "Goodnight."
She closed her eyes, her heart aching with every beat.
Eyan turned off the lamp and settled beside her. But when he looked, she had already turned her back to him.
"Eva," he murmured. "Why aren't you looking at me? You always fall asleep in my arms."
Her voice came softly, almost lifeless. "My belly's getting bigger. I feel suffocated when I hold you too close."
He paused for a moment—then shifted closer, wrapping an arm around her from behind.
"How about this, then? Do you still feel suffocated if I hold you like this?"
"No…"
"Good." His hand rested gently over her stomach, feeling the faint warmth there. "Then we'll sleep like this from now on."
She didn't answer, only nodded faintly.
He smiled against her shoulder, eyes closing in peace.
But hers never opened again that night—except for the single tear that slipped free, quiet and unseen, carrying every doubt she could never voice aloud.
----