The banquet had ended hours ago.
In the quiet of the guest chamber, Eva sat curled in a chair by the window, the moonlight brushing her hair.
"I'm bored," she murmured to herself, staring at the empty courtyard below. "When will Eyan come…"
A soft knock broke the silence.
Knock… knock…
"Lady Eva, are you awake?" Eyan's voice came through the door.
She jumped up from the chair, heart racing, then quickly slipped back onto the bed to look composed.
"I'm awake, Your Majesty. Please, come in."
The door opened and Eyan stepped inside, still in his dark formal attire.
"Lady Eva," he said gently, "how's your leg now?"
"I'm not in pain anymore, Your Majesty."
"That's good to hear." He hesitated a moment, his eyes sweeping the quiet room. "Why are you still awake?"
"I can't seem to fall asleep."
"Do you need something to help you?"
"Yes…" she said, her voice softer. "I want wine."
He blinked. "Wine?"
Eva shifted on the bed, feigning embarrassment. "Yes, Your Majesty. Would you join me for a drink?"
"Of course," he said slowly, "but I'm not sure you should drink on an injured foot."
Her shoulders dropped. "Forget it then. I only thought wine might help me sleep, but if you won't allow it…"
Eyan's tone softened. "Don't be sad. All right, you can drink—just not too much."
Her eyes brightened. "Thank you."
"I'll fetch it."
He left and returned a few minutes later with a bottle of deep red wine and two crystal glasses. Pulling a chair to the bedside, he sat across from her.
"Here," he said, filling both glasses. "Drink."
She accepted the glass with both hands. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
They sipped slowly, the quiet crackle of the hearth filling the silence between them.
After a moment Eva rubbed her arms theatrically. "Your Majesty… would you mind bringing me something to cover myself? Suddenly I feel a little cold."
He set his glass down immediately. "Of course. Wait here."
When he left, Eva reached into the drawer of her bedside table and took out the small bottle
Luca had given her. The liquid inside glimmered faintly. She uncorked it and tipped it into Eyan's wine glass, swirling until the color blended seamlessly. Then she returned the bottle to the drawer. Her pulse raced with anticipation.
Eyan returned with a soft shawl. "Lady Eva, here—wear this."
She wrapped it around her shoulders. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
He lifted his glass and drank, unaware of the potion. Eva watched him over the rim of her own glass.
When he finished, she leaned forward. "Your Majesty, your glass is empty. Please, have some more."
She poured for him again.
"Thank you," he said, lifting it once more.
He drained the second glass. As he set it down, his brow furrowed. He pressed a hand to his temple.
"Your Majesty… are you all right?"
"no… something feels off. I think I've had too much drink tonight…" He tried to rise. "Lady Eva, I should return to my chamber. You should rest."
Eyan tried to take a step, but his legs wobbled uncontrollably. He stumbled and fell—landing directly on Eva, who was sitting on the edge of the bed.
Their faces were inches apart.
"I… I apologize," Eyan murmured, his voice low and strained. "It seems… my body isn't listening to me…"
He tried to rise again, but the moment he shifted, his knees buckled. He fell forward, collapsing fully onto her.
"Lady Eva… please forgive me… I—" His words faltered as his gaze locked with hers. Their eyes met, the closeness making both of their hearts hammer violently.
Eva's breath hitched. She lifted her hands and cupped his face, feeling the warmth of his skin. Slowly, deliberately, her lips hovered over his.
His heart raced, every nerve on fire. He swallowed hard, his throat dry, unable to find words. The world around them seemed to shrink until nothing existed but her. Closing his eyes, he leaned forward—and their lips met.
The kiss started gentle, testing, but quickly deepened, urgent and consuming. Eyan's hands trembled as they grazed her waist, pulling her closer. Eva's fingers gripped his shirt, anchoring herself as her own lips moved against his in a heated rhythm.
And then, mid-kiss, his body betrayed him completely. The potion overtook him. He sagged, his lips slipping from hers, and his weight pressed fully onto her shoulder.
Eva gasped, a mix of surprise and excitement fluttering through her. Carefully, she shook him lightly.
"Your Majesty… your Majesty…" she murmured, her lips brushing his ear.
Still, he didn't move. She pressed her cheek to his hair, wrapping her arms around him, holding him gently against her. Her heart raced, and a small, mischievous smile curved her lips.
"Looks like the potion is working," she whispered, her voice low and teasing.
Eva gently laid Eyan on the bed, adjusting the pillow beneath his head so he was comfortable. She took a slow, deliberate breath, her fingers trembling slightly as she reached for the first button of his shirt.
One by one, she undid each button, her movements careful and quiet, until his shirt fell open. She smoothed it down, running a hand over the fabric, taking a moment to simply feel the warmth of him beneath her fingertips.
With a soft exhale, she slipped out of her gown, leaving only the shawl draped lightly over her shoulders. She climbed onto the bed and settled beside him, careful not to disturb his sleep.
Her lips brushed lightly over his cheek in a gentle, almost apologetic kiss. "I'm sorry for doing this, honey… but I have no choice," she whispered.
Eva rested her head against his bare chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. The familiar scent of him—the mix of warmth, soap, and something uniquely Eyan—filled her senses.
"I missed this… missed him… missed his scent," she murmured softly, closing her eyes.
Slowly, she let herself drift, lying close to her husband.
---
(Next morning)
The first light of dawn filtered through the curtains. A soft, trembling sob broke the quiet.
Eyan's eyes fluttered open. His head throbbed painfully, every movement sending sharp echoes of last night into his skull. He rolled onto his other side—and froze.
Eva sat on the bed, shoulders shaking, tears streaming down her face.
"Eva… what—what happened?" he stammered, panic tightening his chest. "Why are you crying?"
Her sobs broke through in ragged bursts. "Your Majesty… you… you don't remember anything…"
"Remember what?" he asked, frowning, confused and alarmed.
Eyan's gaze drifted downward—and froze again. His body was bare. He scrambled to cover himself, heat rushing to his face.
"Lady Eva… where… where are my clothes? And why… why are you here?"
Eva's crying became louder, more desperate. "Your Majesty… last night… you… you were drunk. And you forced me… to sleep with you!"
The words hit him like a dagger. "I—I did what?" His voice cracked, disbelief lacing every syllable.
"Yes!" Eva's tears fell freely now. "I cried… I told you I'm married… I begged you to stop… but you didn't listen!"
"No… no, it can't be…" His chest tightened, breath coming in short, panicked gasps.
"You even threatened me!" she cried, voice breaking. "You said… if I didn't obey, you'd kill me!"
Eyan's hands trembled as he covered his face. "Lady Eva… no… there must be some… some misunderstanding. I could never—" His words choked off. "I… I don't remember anything…"
Then, like shards of glass piercing his mind, the memory returned.
The stumble. The closeness. The kiss. The way their bodies had pressed together.
His eyes widened, horror and disbelief mingling. His lips trembled. "No… no… I really… I… I did that…"
Eva's crying intensified, each sob like a hammer against his guilt. "Yes, Your Majesty… you did that. Do you… do you remember now?"
"Yes…" His voice was raw, ragged, heavy with shame.
He shook his head violently. "Please… please don't cry… I… I can't bear it…"
Tears blurred his vision. Panic clawed at his chest. "Lady Eva… I apologize… I—please forgive me… I was drunk, I… I made a terrible mistake… I never meant to hurt you… I swear, I never…"
Eva's words came, steady but sharp through her sobs. "Your Majesty… do you really think one apology can erase what you did?"
Eyan's hands clenched into fists. His chest heaved. "Then… tell me. Tell me what I must do. I'll do anything… anything… to make this right!"
"You must take responsibility for your actions," she said softly, her voice trembling with hurt and resolve.
"take responsibility… but how?" His voice cracked with desperation.
"You majesty you have to… marry me,"