Eyan's composure cracked. "Luca, are you insane? How can we possibly share a room—"
"What's wrong with it?" Luca pressed, smirking wider. "It's just a room. Besides, you two already had spend the night toget—"
Before he could finish, Eyan's hand clamped over his mouth, his face flushing crimson. "Shut your mouth!" he hissed through gritted teeth.
Luca muffled a laugh behind his hand, then pulled away. "Eyan, why are you so against the idea? Sister-in-law doesn't seem to mind."
He turned to Eva expectantly. "Right, Sister? You don't have a problem sharing a room with him?"
Eva, still shivering, shook her head. "No, I don't have a problem."
"Lady Eva…" Eyan started, clearly unsettled, but Luca cut him off with a triumphant clap.
"Then it's settled!" Luca announced cheerfully. "I'm off to my room. You two enjoy yours." He winked before strolling down the hall, leaving no room for argument.
Eyan stood frozen in place, flustered and red-eared, until Eva tugged gently at his sleeve. "Your Majesty… can we go too? I really need to change. I'm cold."
His expression softened at once. "…All right. Let's go."
Eyan inserted the key into the lock and turned it. The door clicked open, and Eva stepped inside first, shivering slightly from the rain.
"Lady Eva," Eyan said softly, concern lacing his tone, "you should change your clothes… or you'll catch a cold."
"But… Your Majesty," she shivered, hugging herself, "I don't have any dry clothes with me."
"I'll go ask the innkeeper for something suitable," Eyan replied. He left the room quickly, closing the door behind him.
A few minutes later, he returned carrying a bundle of neatly folded clothes. "Here, Lady Eva. Wear these."
Eva accepted them gratefully but realized there was no private corner to change. She hesitated, glancing around.
"I'll wait outside," Eyan said, averting his gaze. "You should change. I'll… step out."
With that, he quietly left the room, shutting the door gently behind him.
A minute passed before Eva's soft voice called, "Your Majesty?"
Outside, Eyan froze. "What is it, Lady Eva?"
"I… I can't reach the knot on this dress. Could you help me?" Her voice trembled slightly.
Eyan's heart raced. "Me?"
"Yes."
He stepped inside awkwardly. Eva had turned her back to him, letting her damp hair cascade down, exposing the smooth curve of her shoulders.
"Your Majesty… could you tie the knot for me?" she asked softly.
Eyan's eyes flickered, his hands trembling slightly as he reached for the ribbon. Carefully, he tied it, trying not to let his gaze linger too long.
"It's… done," he murmured, cheeks flushed.
Eva turned slightly, smiling warmly. "Thank you for helping me, Your Majesty."
He glanced away, mumbling, "…It's okay."
"You should change too," she reminded him, looking at his soaked clothes.
"Oh… right," he said.
the awkwardness between them thickening.
"Your Majesty… is something wrong?" Eva asked, tilting her head with curiosity.
"Lady Eva… could you turn around, please?" His voice was tense, embarrassed.
"Oh! I apologize," she said, suppressing a small smile as she turned her back fully to him.
Eyan quickly changed into his dry clothes, still flushing at the closeness and the view he'd glimpsed.
Once he finished, he cleared his throat. "Lady Eva… you can turn around now."
Eva turned her head toward him.
"Now… let's sleep," Eyan said quietly.
"Okay…" she whispered, climbing onto the bed and lying down.
Eyan grabbed a pillow and placed it carefully on the floor.
Eva sat up, frowning. "Your Majesty… what are you doing?"
"I'm sleeping…" he said simply.
"On the floor?"
"Yes… why?"
Her brows furrowed. "Your Majesty, there's a bed. Why are you sleeping on the floor?"
"Lady Eva… how can I sleep in the same bed with you?" His voice was tense, almost pained.
"Why? What's wrong with sleeping in the same bed?" she asked innocently.
"Lady Eva—"
Before he could finish, she stood, took his pillow, and placed it on the bed.
"Your Majesty," she said firmly, smiling mischievously, "you are sleeping here. That's final."
Eyan groaned softly, running a hand down his face. "Okay… fine."
Eva beamed. "Then let's sleep." She slipped back under the covers, patting the empty space beside her.
"Your Majesty, what are you waiting for? Lay down," she prompted.
Eyan sighed, hesitated for a moment, then slowly lay down beside her.
A quiet, awkward silence fell between them. Both stared at the ceiling, the only sound the faint drip of rain outside.
"Your Majesty?" Eva whispered.
"Yes?"
"Can I… sleep hugging you?"
Eyan froze. "What?"
"I can't fall asleep until I hug something," she explained softly. "So… can I hug you?"
He hesitated, then nodded, voice low. "Okay."
Eva smiled and scooted closer, resting her head on his shoulder. She wrapped her arms around him, feeling the warmth of his body.
Eyan's heart pounded uncontrollably.
She couldn't help but smile as she listened to the rapid beat of his heart against her ear. It was a comforting, intimate rhythm—and it made her own chest flutter.
----
After a while, Eva had fallen asleep, her head resting gently on Eyan's shoulder, arms wrapped around him.
Eyan remained awake, watching her quiet breathing. He turned slightly to face her and couldn't help the wide smile that spread across his face.
"Princess… it's been so long since I last saw you sleeping like this beside me," he whispered softly, his eyes tracing every delicate feature of her face.
His gaze drifted down, resting on her lips. His throat went dry, and his heart beat faster.
I… I want to kiss her, his mind admitted, but he shook his head.
No… no, don't look at her lips, he told himself.
Yet his eyes betrayed him, drawn irresistibly to them again.
She's sleeping… just one gentle kiss… it won't hurt, he reasoned, almost tenderly.
Slowly, carefully, he leaned closer, letting the warmth of his breath brush her skin. Their lips hovered just inches apart.
But suddenly, Eva's eyes fluttered open.
Eyan froze, caught mid-movement.
"Your Majesty… what are you doing?" she asked softly, eyes wide with surprise.
He panicked, spinning to face away from her. "N-nothing!" he stammered.
Eva smiled knowingly. "Your Majesty… were you trying to kiss me just now?"
His face heated instantly. "I… I… there was… something on your face," he mumbled, his voice trembling.
She tilted her head slightly, teasing gently. "Your Majesty… don't be shy. If you wanted a kiss, you should have just said so."
He swallowed hard, heart pounding. "I… I don't—"
But then Eva turned him toward her, their eyes meeting. The look in her gaze left him momentarily breathless.
Before he could protest, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his.
Eyan's eyes fluttered closed, and he returned the kiss with equal passion. In one swift motion, he pressed her gently back onto the bed, holding her close.
Their lips moved together, fervent and hungry. Eva's hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, drawing him into the rhythm of the moment.
Without him realizing it at first, Eyan's hand slipped inside her clothes, brushing against her thighs.
Eva broke the kiss, gasping for breath. "Your Majesty… your hand—"
Eyan froze, glancing at his hand and realizing what he had done. His entire face flushed crimson.
He yanked his hand back in panic. "Lady Eva… I-I apologize. I… I lost control."
Eva shook her head, still catching her breath. "No… Your Majesty… it's okay."
He scrambled off the bed, stumbling slightly. His embarrassment was overwhelming.
"Lady Eva… I should… I should go sleep with Luca. You… you sleep here by yourself," he stammered, then quickly left the room, shutting the door behind him.
Eva slumped back onto the bed, heart pounding, whispering to herself, "Honey… come back…"
She buried her face in her hands. It was going so well… why did I have to open my mouth?
Outside, Eyan leaned against the wall, pressing a hand to his face, trying to calm himself.
What is wrong with me? Why is it getting harder to control myself when I'm with her?
He shook his head sharply. Eyan… get a hold of yourself…