The palace physician emerged from the room, his robes whispering softly against the marble floor.
Eyan was already waiting, eyes sharp with anxiety. "What happened? Is she all right?"
"Your Majesty," the physician bowed low, "there is no need to worry. The lady is fine. All she needs is some rest."
Eyan released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his shoulders sagging slightly.
"Then, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave," the physician added, bowing once more before retreating down the corridor.
Hans stepped closer. "Your Majesty, you should also go and change your clothes. You're soaked."
Eyan glanced down at himself—he hadn't cared about the cold cling of his wet clothes until Hans pointed it out. "All right," he muttered and turned away.
When he returned, fresh and composed, he entered the room quietly.
Eva lay on the bed, her head turned away from him, refusing even to glance in his direction.
"Lady Eva," he said softly, "how are you feeling now? Are you all right?"
Silence.
He took a step closer. "Lady Eva, I asked you something."
Still no answer.
"Lady Eva—"
Her voice cut through the air, trembling but sharp. "Your Majesty, why are you here? I don't want to see your face. Please… leave."
Eyan's fist clenched at his side. "Lady Eva, I just want to know if you're all right."
She gave a bitter, broken smile. "You want to know if I'm all right?"
Finally, she turned, her eyes locking onto his. "Your Majesty, do I look fine to you? Tell me—do I look like I'm all right?"
Her voice cracked, raw with pain. "You ruined my life, and now you won't even let me die—"
"I'll marry you."
Eva froze. Her lips parted. "…What did you just say?"
"I said," Eyan repeated, his voice low but firm, "I'll marry you. So please… don't do anything like this ever again."
Her hands trembled. "Your Majesty… you're telling the truth, right? You won't turn back from your words?"
"I won't," he said, his gaze steady. "You have my word."
Her face lit up with relief and joy, tears glimmering in her eyes. "Thank you, Your Majesty… thank you for accepting me."
But then her expression faltered. "But… what about my husband?"
"Don't worry, Lady Eva," Eyan said, his tone calm but edged with steel. "I'll take care of him."
"Please do, Your Majesty," she whispered. "I don't have the courage to face my husband."
"You won't have to," he assured her. "I'll handle everything. You don't need to meet him."
"…All right."
"Then, Lady Eva, I'll take my leave. Get some rest."
"Yes."
He turned, his footsteps echoing as he left the room.
The door clicked shut.
Eva waited a heartbeat… then sat up, a grin breaking across her face. She jumped lightly on the bed, hugging herself. "Finally…" she whispered.
"It wasn't easy to make him agree to marry me." Her eyes sparkled with triumph. "All my hard work finally paid off. I'm so happy…"
---
Eyan shut the office door behind him, his steps heavy. Hans stood waiting by the desk, his usual calmness wavering when he caught sight of his king's grim expression.
"Your Majesty?" Hans asked carefully.
Eyan's voice was low, controlled. "Hans, I need you to do something for me."
"Of course, Your Majesty. What is it?"
"Prepare divorce papers."
Hans blinked, startled. "Divorce papers? Forgive me, but… who is seeking divorce?"
Eyan met his gaze, unflinching. "Me."
Hans froze. "You… Your Majesty?"
"Yes." His tone left no room for doubt. "I'm divorcing Eva."
Hans hesitated. "But why, Your Majesty? Did something happen?"
Eyan's jaw tightened. "Yes. Too many things happened."
Hans swallowed hard. "I… understand. I'll see to it immediately."
"And Hans," Eyan added.
Hans looked up. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Begin preparations for a wedding."
The quill nearly slipped from Hans's fingers. "Wedding?"
"Yes."
Hans blinked rapidly, as though trying to make sense of the words. "May I ask… who is to be married?"
"Me."
Hans coughed in surprise. "Your Majesty—you are getting married? To whom?"
"To Eva."
Hans stared blankly. "To… Her Highness?"
"Yes."
"But Your Majesty," Hans said carefully, "you just said you are divorcing her, and now you are saying you're getting married to Her Highness—"
Eyan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Hans… Kyel and Eva are getting a divorce. And I—Eyan—am marrying Eva. Do you understand now?"
"Oh…" Hans murmured, finally piecing it together. "But why did you suddenly decide to marry Her Highness?"
"Something happened, Hans," Eyan said, his voice rougher now. "I have no choice but to take responsibility."
Hans bowed his head. "I understand, Your Majesty. Then… when shall the wedding take place?"
Before Eyan could answer, the door burst open with a loud bang. Both men jolted.
"Your Majesty!" Luca shouted.
Eyan's teeth clenched. "Luca—can you not enter a room like a civilized person?"
Luca strolled in, grinning. "Oh, Eyan, why so harsh? Did I do something wrong already?"
"No," Eyan muttered darkly. "It's my fault for having a friend like you."
Luca raised a brow. "Tch. You're in quite the mood. Anyway, what were you two discussing?"
Hans, still shaken, answered before Eyan could stop him. "We were speaking about His Majesty's wedding."
Luca's eyes widened. "Wedding? Eyan, you're getting married?"
"Yes."
Luca's grin returned. "To whom? Who's the lucky lady that managed to steal your cold heart?"
Hans glanced at Eyan nervously before answering. "To Lady Eva."
The smile on Luca's face faltered. "Lady Eva?" He turned sharply to Hans. "You mean the same lady Eyan danced with yesterday?"
"Yes, Master Luca."
Luca frowned. "But isn't she already married?"
"Yes," Hans confirmed softly.
Luca looked at Eyan directly. "She's married, Eyan. How do you intend to marry her?"
Eyan glanced at Hans. "Hans, leave us. I want to speak to Luca alone."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Hans bowed and left.
When the door clicked shut, Eyan turned to Luca. His voice was low. "Luca, I want to tell you something."
Eyan's gaze darkened. "Last night… after too much wine, I…I lost control." His voice was rough, almost shameful. "and I slept with lady Eva."
Luca froze, his usual cheer gone in an instant. "Eyan. Are you insane? How could you do that—with a married woman?"
"I know," Eyan muttered, dragging a hand over his face. "It was my fault. The drink clouded my judgment."
"And Lady Eva?" Luca demanded. "What did she said?"
"She agreed," Eyan said quickly. "But today, she tried to throw herself from the palace in despair."
Luca's eyes widened. "She… what?"
"I couldn't let it happen again," Eyan said quietly. "That's why I chose to marry her. If I don't, she'll try to hurt herself."
For a long moment, Luca said nothing. Then his expression softened. "Perhaps… you did the right thing. At least by marrying her, you're giving her protection—and dignity."
"I know."
"And your father? Does he know?"
"Not yet."
Luca smirked faintly. "Then I'll tell him myself. He'll be delighted to hear you've finally chosen a bride."
Eyan gave him a tired look. "Do what you want."
"Gladly," Luca said with a cheeky grin, already heading for the door. "Leave it to me."
And then he was gone, leaving Eyan alone in the silence—one that pressed heavier than before.