"What—"
The question escaped Eyan's lips before he could stop it. His gaze flickered from Eva's face to her hand—more precisely, to her finger.
Empty.
The place where her wedding ring should have been was bare.
"Lady Eva," Eyan said carefully, masking the sudden tightening in his chest, "how is your husband doing?"
Eva stiffened at once. Her fingers curled slightly as she turned to look at Aranel.
Aranel frowned, clearly confused. "Your Majesty… what do you mean by husband?"
She looked at Eva in disbelief. "Eva isn't married."
Eyan turned back to Eva, deliberately schooling his expression into polite surprise.
"Oh—my apologies, Lady Eva. I misspoke."
He paused, eyes lingering on her hand just long enough to be noticed.
"The last time we met, I clearly remember seeing a wedding ring on your finger. So I assumed you were married. I must have been mistaken."
Aranel's hand shot out, gripping Eva's shoulder.
"Eva," she whispered sharply, "what am I hearing? Is it true? Are you married?"
Eva let out a quiet sigh, her shoulders sagging. "Aranel… forgive me for not telling you"
"Yes..... I'm married." she said softly.
Aranel's hands flew to her mouth. "Eva—how could you?"
Her voice trembled with hurt. "How could you hide something so important from me? Didn't you think, even once, to tell me?"
Her eyes burned. "Am I not your friend?"
"Aranel, please—" Eva reached for her, trying to steady her. "Calm down. I'll explain everything."
Aranel jerked away. "Explain what? Is there anything left to explain?"
Her voice rose, drawing attention.
"I thought we were like sisters. And yet you hid something like this from me"
Eva noticed the sudden silence around them. Too many eyes were watching.
She clasped Aranel's hands tightly. "Aranel, I'm sorry. It's my fault. I'll tell you everything—please, people are staring. Let's talk somewhere else."
Aranel yanked her hands free. "I don't want to hear anything from you."
Her voice broke. "You lied to me."
She straightened, cold and distant. "From now on, we have nothing to do with each other. Goodbye."
"Aranel, don't be like th—" But Aranel had already turned away, storming out of the hall without a second glance.
Eva pressed a hand to her temple, her breath shallow.
Eyan stood silently, having witnessed everything.
After a moment, he leaned closer and spoke softly, almost cautiously. "Lady Eva… did I do something wrong?"
"What else could you have done?" Eva snapped, her restraint shattering.
Gasps rippled through the hall.
Eyan blinked, genuinely startled.
All eyes turned toward Eva—at the way she had raised her voice at the Emperor himself.
Realizing what she had done, Eva paled. She immediately bowed. "I apologize, Your Majesty. I did not mean to raise my voice."
Eyan studied her for a long moment, then said calmly, "It's all right."
Eva glanced toward the doors Aranel had disappeared through, pain flashing across her face.
She turned back to Eyan and bowed again. "Your Majesty, I must take my leave. I have an urgent matter to attend to."
Eyan nodded.Without another word, Eva turned and left the hall.
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(Kyel and Eva's house — Night)
Eva lay on the couch with her back turned to Kyel, her knees drawn slightly to her chest.
The house was quiet except for the faint clatter of dishes from the kitchen, where Kyel was preparing dinner.
When he returned home earlier, she hadn't greeted him with her usual smile. No warm words. No gentle embrace.
She had simply opened the door, walked past him, and collapsed onto the couch as if the weight of the day had finally crushed her.
Kyel glanced at her again and let out a quiet sigh.
"Princess," he said softly, trying to lighten the heaviness in his chest, "dinner's ready. Come eat."
Eva slowly pushed herself up and walked to the dining table. Her movements were sluggish, almost hollow.
She sat down, lifted her spoon, and took a few small bites.Then she stopped.
Kyel frowned. "Eva, what happen—"
A single tear slipped from her lashes and fell onto the table.
Kyel's chair scraped back as he stood abruptly and rushed to her side.
He knelt before her, gently cupping her face in his hands. "Eva… what's wrong?" His voice softened with worry. "Why are you crying?"
She broke.
Eva threw her arms around him, burying her face against his shoulder as sobs wracked her body. Her shoulders trembled violently as she cried.
Kyel wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, one hand stroking her hair in slow, calming motions.
"Honey…" Eva choked, her voice breaking. "What should I do? Aranel won't talk to me anymore…" Her sobs grew louder.
Kyel held her tighter. "Eva, look at me," he said gently. "Stop crying and tell me what happened."
She pulled back slowly, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. Her eyes were red and swollen, her lips trembling.
Then, in a broken voice, Eva told Kyel everything.
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Eva's voice dropped to a whisper. "I went to her house to apologize, but she refused to meet me…"
Her shoulders shook again as tears welled up. "I know what I did was wrong. I shouldn't have hidden my marriage…"
She covered her face, crying softly. "But it hurts so much, Kyel. What should I do?"
Kyel lifted his hand and gently wiped away her tears with his thumb. "It's all right. Don't blame yourself too much."
His voice was calm and reassuring. "She's acting like this because she's angry. Once that anger fades, I'm sure she'll listen to you."
Eva sniffed. "You really think so?"
Kyel smiled. "I do. Now stop worrying—and eat your dinner before it gets cold."
She nodded, managing a small smile, and picked up her spoon again.
Kyel returned to his seat, and they ate quietly together.
Just then, a knock echoed through the house. Kyel stood up. "I'll get it."
He opened the door—and froze in surprise.
"Kyel?" Eva called from the table. "What happened? Who's at the door?"
"Eva," Kyel said slowly, "come and take a look."
Eva walked over—and stopped in her tracks. "Aranel…"
Aranel stood there with her arms crossed. "Are you going to keep me standing outside, or will you invite me in?"
Eva's face lit up. She quickly pulled Aranel inside and guided her to the couch, then sat beside her. Eva reached for her hand. "Are you still angry with me?"
"I wouldn't be here if I was," Aranel replied. Eva smiled and threw her arms around her.
Aranel chuckled and hugged her back. "I forgive you this time," Aranel said softly. "But if you ever hide something this important from me again, I swear I'll break our friendship."
"I promise," Eva said earnestly. "I'll never do it again."
Aranel pulled away from the hug and looked toward Kyel, who was standing a short distance away.
"So," she said, raising a brow, "you must be Eva's husband."
Kyel bowed politely. "Greetings, Lady Aranel. It's nice to meet you. My name is Kyel."
Aranel stood from the couch and returned the bow. "Greetings, brother-in-law. I'm Aranel Delyss—Eva's friend."
She sat back down and glanced at Eva with a teasing smile. "I have to admit, Eva—you found yourself a very handsome husband."
Eva smiled shyly.
Aranel laughed. "Look at you, smiling like a fool."
Then her expression turned mischievous. "Now stop smiling and start talking. I want to know everything—how you met, who fell first, who proposed. Don't leave out a single detail."
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Eva smiled softly as she finished her story. Aranel stared at her for a moment before narrowing her eyes. "You told me everything," she said slowly, "except the most important part."
Eva blinked. "The most important part?" she asked, confused.
With a groan, Aranel grabbed her own head in frustration. "Eva—come with me. We're talking in your room."
Before Eva could ask more, Aranel pulled her along. They entered Eva's bedroom, and Aranel closed the door behind them.
Both women sat on the bed, facing each other. "All right,"
Eva said quietly. "Now tell me—what were you talking about?"
Aranel leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Your wedding night. Tell me about your wedding night. How was it?"
Eva's cheeks instantly flushed. "Aranel…"
"Stop being shy," Aranel insisted. "Tell me."
Eva hesitated, her fingers twisting together. After a long pause, she looked away. "We… haven't done that yet."
Aranel stared at her in shock. "What?"
She blinked. "Eva, you've been married for two months. Are you telling me nothing has happened?" Her voice softened. "Why?"
Eva's hands began to tremble. "I couldn't," she whispered. "When Kyel came close to me that night… I got scared."
Aranel's expression changed instantly. "Is it because of what happened back then?"
Eva nodded slowly. "Yes. I thought I had moved on. I thought my wounds had healed."
Her voice broke. "But that night, I realized they hadn't. My body still remembered everything."
Aranel swallowed. "Did you tell your husband?"
Eva shook her head quickly. "No. And i never will." Tears slipped down her cheeks. "I don't want him to see the broken part of me."
She wiped her face, then spoke again, her voice trembling. "Aranel… do you know what he said to me that night, when I got scared?...He told me he would wait," Eva whispered. "That he would wait until I am ready."
Her voice cracked. "But I'm scared. What if I never forget? What if I can't give him the love a wife should?" Her hands clenched in her lap. "What if one day he gets tired of waiting and leaves me? I keep thinking about it… again and again."
Aranel pulled her into a tight embrace.
"You're worrying over nothing," she said firmly. "He's not going to leave you."
She pulled back slightly and looked Eva in the eyes. "I met him today for the first time, and even then I could see it. He loves you—deeply. It's written all over his face."
After a moment, Aranel added gently, "As for your fear… you don't have to rush anything. Start by small little things." She smiled encouragingly. "Holding hands. Soft kisses. Sleeping together, holding each other tightly."
Eva sniffed. "We already hold hands. And Kyel always holds me when we sleep," she admitted softly. "But… we haven't kissed yet."
Aranel's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Then start with that." She nudged Eva playfully. "In fact—do it tonight."
Eva's heart fluttered. After a brief pause, she nodded. "Ok"
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