---
The door burst open.
Luca startled, spun around. "Who the hell is—"
"Luca!" Eyan's voice cut through sharply, laced with worry.
Luca's eyes widened when he saw Eva in Eyan's arms, her sleeve soaked in red. "What happened to sister-in-law?"
Eyan carefully set Eva down on the couch. "I'll tell you later. First, heal her."
"Alright." Luca knelt beside Eva and placed his glowing hand over her wound. A soft golden light enveloped her arm, mending the torn skin. After a few moments, he exhaled. "It's done."
He looked up at Eva, concern etched across his face. "Sister-in-law, are you alright? Is there any other injury?"
Eva shook her head weakly. "No."
Now Luca turned to Eyan, his brows furrowing. "Eyan, what happened? Didn't you two go to the temple today? Why did she come back injured—and what were you doing?"
Eyan's jaw tightened as his gaze shifted to Eva. "She saw someone in the street and ran after him," he said quietly. "Then she almost got hit by a carriage."
Luca's eyes widened. "Sister-in-law, you shouldn't have done that! You could have been seriously hurt."
Eva lowered her head. "I apologize for worrying you two for nothing."
Eyan's tone softened. "Eva, don't apologize. Just… don't do something like that again."
She nodded silently.
Eyan leaned forward. "Now tell me—who did you see? I'll have the knights look for him."
Eva hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
"Eva," Eyan pressed, voice firm but gentle, "tell me."
Her fingers trembled slightly as she whispered, "Eyan… maybe you were right. I must've seen it wrong. There's no way he could be here."
Eyan studied her expression for a long moment. "You don't want me to look for him?"
Eva shook her head. "No. You don't have to."
He exhaled slowly. "Fine."
Then he stood and extended his hand to her. "Eva, let's go change your clothes—you've got blood all over them. After that, you should rest a little. You must be tired."
Eva looked at his outstretched hand for a moment before placing hers in it. "Okay."
Together, they quietly left the room.
---
A gentle knock sounded on the door.
"Knock, knock."
"Sister-in-law, it's me—Luca. Open the door," came his familiar voice from outside.
Aranel moved to the door and opened it. Luca stepped inside, his usual easygoing smile replaced with concern.
"Sister-in-law, are you feeling well now?" he asked softly.
Eva lay on the bed, her arm now fully healed but her face still pale. She gave him a small smile. "Yes, brother, I'm fine."
Luca hesitated, fidgeting slightly with his gloves. "Sister, I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Of course. Tell me."
Luca looked briefly at Aranel, clearly unsure whether to speak in her presence.
Eva noticed. "Aranel, could you wait outside for a little?"
Aranel bowed her head. "Of course, Your Grace." She quietly left the room, closing the door behind her and leaving a heavy silence between the two.
Eva turned her gaze back to Luca. "Now tell me, brother—what did you want to talk about?"
Luca drew a deep breath. "Sister-in-law… you lied, didn't you? When you told Eyan that you must have seen it wrong."
Eva's fingers tightened on the bedsheet. She looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes."
Luca stepped closer. "Tell me, sister-in-law… who did you see?"
Eva's lips trembled as she spoke the name. "Leo."
Luca froze. "What…?" His voice came out low, disbelieving. "But how is that even possible? How can Leo be here?"
"I don't know, brother," Eva said softly, her eyes glimmering with confusion and fear. "I don't understand either."
"Are you certain it was Leo and not someone who merely looked like him?"
Eva met his gaze firmly. "Yes, brother. I'm certain. There's no way I wouldn't recognize him."
Luca drew in a sharp breath. "Then… do you want me to look for him?"
Eva nodded quickly. "Please, brother…"
"Alright," Luca said softly. "Then tell me—how did he look?"
Eva closed her eyes, trying to recall the fleeting image. "He looked like a child… maybe six years old."
"Six?" Luca repeated, astonished.
"Yes," Eva whispered.
He paused, his brow furrowing. "And what about his appearance?"
"He looks just like Eyan."
"Alright. I'll go and look for him. I'll let you know if I find anything."
"Okay," Eva whispered.
Luca gave her one last worried look before turning to leave. The door closed softly behind him, leaving Eva alone once more.
----
(Three days later)
Three days had passed, and Eva sat quietly at the breakfast table, staring at the untouched meal before her.
It's been three days already… and I haven't heard anything from brother, she thought, her fingers tracing the edge of her cup. What is taking him so long?
"Eva!"
I should have gone back myself to look for Leo…
"Eva!"
Her head snapped up. "What?"
Eyan's voice cut through. "What are you thinking about so deeply?"
"Oh, it's nothing," she said quickly, forcing a casual smile.
"Nothing?" Eyan's gaze narrowed as he looked at her. "Then why haven't you touched your breakfast?"
Eva's stomach tightened. "I… I don't feel like eating."
Eyan's eyes softened, but worry laced his tone. "Eva… what's wrong? You've been acting like this ever since we got back from the temple. You're not eating properly."
"It's really nothing, Eyan," she insisted, trying to hide the growing panic in her chest.
"Are you sure?"
She forced a small smile. "Yes."
At that moment, a servant appeared, bowing low. "Your Majesty, this morning a letter for Her Grace."
Eva's eyes flicked to the servant. "For me?"
"Yes, Your Grace." The servant handed over the envelope with a slight bow.
Eva broke the seal and unfolded the letter, scanning the words.
If you want to see 'him,' come to this address today. Come alone.
Her breath caught. Leo…
Eyan's voice interrupted. "Eva, who sent this letter? Let me see it."
Quickly, she folded it and hid it in her lap. "Oh… it's from a friend."
"A friend?" Eyan's brow rose skeptically.
"Yes," Eva said, forcing a casual tone. "She's inviting me for a tea party."
"When is this tea party?" he asked.
"Today," she replied, hoping he wouldn't press further.
"Then you should go," Eyan said, his tone softening. "It might do you good to get out and see some friends."
Eva exhaled in relief and stood from the chair. "Okay… then I'll go and change my clothes."
Eyan turned to the nearest knights, his expression firm. "Four of you, go with the queen."
Panic rose in Eva's chest. "Your Majesty! I'm just going for a tea party… You don't need to send knights with me!"
"No, Eva. You are not going alone," he said, voice leaving no room for argument.
"But Your Majesty, I'm not alone! I have Aranel with me—"
"Eva, go with the knights, or I will not allow you to go," he interrupted, his tone final.
Eva's shoulders sagged in reluctant defeat. "Okay…"
----
The carriage rattled along the cobblestone streets, the rhythmic clatter of hooves echoing through the quiet morning.
The knight riding beside it cleared his throat. "Your Grace… where is your friend's house?"
Eva fiddled with her hands, keeping her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. "It's a little far from here."
"Very well," he said, nodding.
Aranel leaned forward, curiosity brimming in her eyes. "Eva… who is this friend you're having a tea party with? Tell me her name."
Eva hesitated, biting her lip. "Aranel… you don't know her."
"I know all of your friends, Eva," Aranel pressed. "Tell me her name."
"It's… Fiona," Eva murmured.
"Fiona?" Aranel repeated slowly, frowning. "I've never heard that name before."
"Of course… you haven't, because you don't know her, Aranel," Eva replied, forcing a small smile.
Aranel shrugged. "Very well… I'll just see for myself what she looks like at the tea party."
Eva nodded, her heart tightening. What do I do now? I lied about the tea party… what should I tell Aranel next?
I have to go to the address on the letter… I need to, no matter what.
The carriage turned a corner, and Eva's eyes landed on a quaint flower shop. She shouted, "Stop the carriage!"
The horses skidded to a halt.
The knight riding alongside asked, concerned, "Your Grace, is something wrong?"
"No… I want to buy some flowers for my friend," Eva said quickly.
Aranel tilted her head. "I'll go inside and buy them. You should wait in the carriage."
Eva shook her head firmly. "No, Aranel… I want to pick them myself."
Aranel sighed, then nodded. "Very well. Let's go, then."
Both women stepped out of the carriage, the knights' armor as they remained stationed behind them.
Inside the shop, Aranel addressed the shopkeeper politely. "We would like to buy some flowers."
"Of course," the shopkeeper replied with a warm smile, gesturing them further in.
Eva's heart thudded painfully in her chest as her eyes flicked to the knights outside. They're not moving at all…
She turned to the shopkeeper, her voice light but tense. "Excuse me… may I use your restroom?"
"Certainly," he replied.
Eva gave Aranel a quick nod. "Wait here for me, please."
Aranel looked puzzled but obliged. "Very well."
Once alone, Eva slipped into the small chamber at the back. She drew in a shaky breath. "I have to go… without them finding out."
Peeking through the thin curtain, she saw Aranel chatting with the knights, their heads bowed in conversation.
Perfect… this is my chance.
Quietly, Eva pressed herself against the wall and slipped through the back door, her heart pounding with every step.
--