Eva lay against the pillows, her body still weak from childbirth. Beside her, little Leo slept soundly, his small hand curled near her arm.
Eyan sat at the edge of the bed, eyes softened as he traced circles on the baby's palm. The sight was enough to quiet even the exhaustion clinging to him.
A few steps away, Luca and Aranel stood side by side—both looking uncharacteristically tense.
Eva tilted her head. "Brother, Aranel… is something wrong?"
Aranel startled slightly. "No—why do you ask?"
Eva frowned. "Because you both look like you've just committed a crime."
Luca straightened too quickly. "Nothing like that, sister-in-law."
But his eyes betrayed him, flickering toward Aranel before darting away.
Why in the world did I kiss her?
Aranel's heart stuttered as she stole a glance back at him.
Why did I let him kiss me?
Their eyes met for one fleeting second—enough for both to flush scarlet and whip their faces away.
Eva blinked, puzzled. She leaned closer to her husband. "Honey," she whispered, "don't you think something's going on between them?"
Eyan didn't answer. His gaze was still fixed on Leo.
"Eyan."
He looked up. "Hm?"
"Look at them," she said, gesturing slightly. "They're behaving oddly."
Eyan followed her gaze. His lips twitched. "They…" He paused, fighting a smirk.
"What's that smile for?" she asked suspiciously.
"I'll tell you later."
Eva narrowed her eyes. "You're hiding something."
He chuckled softly. "Maybe."
Before she could pry further, Luca cleared his throat. "Eyan—Father has ordered a celebration banquet in five days, for the birth of the heir."
Eyan frowned. "Five days? That's too soon. Eva's still recovering. She won't be able to attend."
"I know," Luca said. "But Father insists. He wants to show off his grandson to the court."
Eyan's tone hardened. "Even so—"
"Eyan," Eva interrupted gently, placing her hand over his. "It's alright. Do as Father says."
He looked at her in disbelief. "Eva, it's a celebration for our child. How can we hold it without you?"
She smiled faintly. "The physician said I lost too much blood. It'll take months before I can even walk properly. We can't postpone the entire celebration for me."
Eyan sighed. "Still…"
"Honey, please."
Her soft plea left him defeated. "Fine," he murmured.
Eva smiled with relief.
"Then I'll start preparing," Luca said, bowing slightly.
"Alright," Eyan replied.
"Aranel, can you help brother," Eva said suddenly.
Aranel blinked. "M-me?"
"Yes."
Aranel hesitated, glancing toward Luca, cheeks flushing again. "Fine… Master Luca, shall we?"
Luca nodded stiffly. "Let's go."
Both turned quickly and walked out, their awkward silence filling the room until the door closed behind them.
Eva stared after them. "Something is definitely suspicious. Why are they avoiding each other like that?"
Eyan chuckled under his breath. "Well… I'd act that way too if I'd just kissed someone."
Eva's eyes widened. "What—what did you say?"
Eyan just smiled.
"They kissed?!" she gasped. "Did you see them?"
Eyan nodded casually. "I did. But I didn't want to interrupt, so I walked away."
Eva gasped. "I can't believe it! I didn't expect that to happen."
"Neither did I."
"Eyan," she leaned forward, eyes sparkling, "you have to tell me—who kissed who first? Brother or Aranel? And how was it? Gentle? Awkward? Deep?"
Eyan raised a brow. "You really want the details?"
"Of course!"
Eyan said nothing. Instead, he leaned down and captured her lips in a deep, slow kiss that left her breathless.
When he finally pulled away, Eva's lips curved into a smile. "Ah… so it was a deep kiss."
Eyan smirked. "You seem quite entertained by this."
"Maybe a little," she teased.
He brushed her hair back gently. "Now stop thinking about them and rest."
"Alright," she murmured.
Eyan rose, lifting Leo carefully in his arms.
"Where are you going with him?" Eva asked softly.
"You need rest," he said. "If he cries in the middle of the night, you'll wake up. I'll take care of him."
"But you haven't slept since you returned," she said, worry touching her voice. "You need rest too. I can manage."
Eyan's voice softened, his gaze lingering on her pale face.
"You went through all of this alone, Eva," he said quietly. "Every pain, every breath, every moment—I wasn't the one who suffered through it. You carried him, brought him into this world, while I could only watch."
He looked down at the baby in his arms, then back at her. "So let me do this… at least now, let me take care of him. He's my son too, and it's my turn to share even a small part of what you've borne alone."
Eva's eyes shimmered, her lips trembling into a faint smile. "Fine," she whispered. "But if he cries too much… bring him to me."
Eyan's expression softened further, love written quietly across his features. "Alright," he murmured. "But I'll try my best not to wake you."
He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Sleep well, Princess."
And with that, he turned and left the room, his steps soft, his arms cradling their child.
Within moments, Eva's eyes fluttered shut. Her breathing slowed, steady and peaceful at last.
---
The Day of the Celebration — Royal Palace, Velmoria)
The grand hall of Velmoria shimmered under the light of a hundred chandeliers. Nobles from every province filled the hall. Music floated through the air, mingling with laughter and the clinking of crystal glasses.
At the center, King Thalor Therald stood tall upon the dais, his presence commanding even amidst the splendor.
King Thalor raised his goblet. "To all the people gathered here tonight to celebrate the birth of the new heir of Velmoria," his voice rang clear, deep and regal, "I, Thalor Therald, announce my grandson as the Crown Prince of Velmoria."
He turned toward the gathered nobles and extended his arm proudly toward the infant cradled in Eyan's arms. "Bow to the Crown Prince—Leo Alen Therald."
The entire hall bowed deeply.
"Long live the Crown Prince, Leo Alen Therald!" the voices thundered in unison, echoing through the golden chamber.
Eyan stood quietly on the platform, holding Leo close. The baby's small fingers clutched at his father's robe, his soft breaths barely audible over the roar of celebration.
One by one, nobles approached, offering their respects and congratulations.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty," said Count Ravien Corvald, bowing with a warm smile.
Eyan nodded slightly. "Thank you, Count."
More nobles followed—words of praise, blessings, and loyalty pouring from every corner. Eyan smiled politely, but his heart felt distant. Again and again, his gaze drifted toward the corridor leading to Eva's chambers.
You should have been here, he thought silently. This should have been your moment too.
A small cry drew him from his thoughts. Leo stirred, his tiny face scrunching as tears welled in his eyes.
Eyan gently rocked him in his arms. "Shh… it's alright," he whispered softly.
He smiled faintly. "Do you miss your mother, Leo?"
Leo crying blinked up at him, head tilting slightly as if answering.
Eyan chuckled under his breath. "I'll take that as a yes." He kissed the baby's forehead tenderly. "Then let's go see mom."
Without another word, Eyan turned and quietly slipped out of the hall, leaving behind the music and applause that suddenly felt meaningless.
---
(Eva's Chamber — Moments Later)
Eva lay against her pillows, still pale but serene. She pressed a hand to her chest with a faint grimace.
"My breasts feel strange," she murmured to herself. "Looks like Leo's hungry again."
Just then, the door creaked open.
"Eyan?" she called softly.
He stepped inside, carrying the baby in his arms.
Eva's eyes softened. "What happened?"
Eyan crossed the room and laid Leo gently beside her. "He wouldn't stop crying," he said with a faint smile. "I think he misses you."
Eva tried to sit up, wincing. Eyan immediately reached out to steady her, his hands tender and careful. Once she was upright, she gathered Leo into her arms and began nursing him.
Eyan watched silently, his expression melting into something between awe and gratitude. "So he was just hungry," he murmured.
Eva smiled, eyes lowered. "Hmm."
Eyan took a quiet breath. "Father's given him a name."
Eva looked up. "What is it?"
"Leo Alen Therald."
Her eyes softened, a faint smile touching her lips. "That's a beautiful name." She looked down at the baby. "Right, Leo?"
Leo moved slightly, his small fingers brushing against her gown.
Eva laughed softly. "Oh? So you like the name your grandfather gave you?"
Leo wriggled again as if in reply.
Eyan's gaze lingered on them—his wife, fragile but glowing with warmth, and his son, nestled safely in her arms.
Eva noticed his stare. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Eyan's voice was low, heavy with tenderness. "I wish you could've been there. The hall felt… empty without you."
Eva reached for his hand, smiling faintly. "I know. But I can't move much yet. We'll celebrate Leo's first birthday together next year—just the three of us."
She looked down at Leo again. "Right, Leo?"
The baby made a soft cooing sound, and Eva laughed quietly.
After a while, she shifted slightly and looked up. "He's full now," she said, gently placing Leo back in his father's arms. "Take him back."
Eyan took the baby carefully. "Alright."
He looked at her one last time—his gaze lingering with unspoken affection. "Get some rest too," he whispered.
Then, turning softly, he carried Leo out of the room, the door closing behind him with a quiet click.
---