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(Next Day — Royal Palace, Velmoria)
Hans came running down the marble corridor, his face pale.
"Your Majesty!"
Eyan looked up from his desk, papers scattered before him. "What happened?"
Hans bowed, catching his breath. "Your Majesty… have you read today's newspaper?"
Eyan frowned. "No."
Hans took a folded sheet from his hand, his voice tense. "Here, Your Majesty. You should see this."
Eyan took it. The headline glared at him in thick ink:
"Velmoria Welcomes the New Crown Prince of the Empire."
His brows furrowed. "What's wrong about this?"
Hans swallowed. "Read a little more, Your Majesty."
Eyan's eyes fell on the next line—
"But is the new heir truly the Emperor's child? Rumors whisper that the Queen's son is not of royal blood. How could the Empress bear the Emperor's child when their marriage is but a few months old?"
Eyan's jaw tightened. "Who wrote this nonsense?"
"The author remains anonymous, Your Majesty."
Eyan's voice dropped, cold as steel. "Find them. Bring them to me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Eyan rose, fury simmering beneath his calm tone. "And Hans… burn every copy of today's paper. Don't let Eva see it."
Hans bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
But before he could leave—
Knock knock.
The door opened, and Lady Aranel stepped inside, her face drawn.
"Your Majesty," she bowed, "Her Grace wishes to see you."
Eyan's expression darkened. "I'm coming."
He strode down the corridor, heart sinking with every step.
---
(Eva's Chamber—)
When he entered the chamber, Eva was sitting on the bed—
the morning light spilled across her pale face.
In her trembling hands, the newspaper.
Eyan froze. "Eva, you calle—"
His breath caught.
She looked up at him, eyes already wet.
"Eyan…"
He rushed to her side, panic breaking through his composure. "Eva, don't believe what's written there—it's all—"
"Eyan," she interrupted softly. "When the physician told you I was pregnant… you said you were happy."
"I was," he said, confused, desperate. "Why are you asking me that again?"
Her lips trembled. "Can you tell me the truth now?"
His brows drew together. "What truth?"
"You weren't happy, were you?" Her voice shook. "You thought the child wasn't yours."
Eyan's hand fell limp. His gaze dropped, his fist tightening against the sheet.
Eva gave a broken smile. "So… you did have that thought."
Eyan's voice was hoarse. "Eva, I'm sorry. I didn't trust you, but I didn't know what to believe. My mind—was poisoned by what that man, Marek, told me."
Her eyes narrowed. "You… spoke with him? You told me you killed him before he could say anything."
"I lied," he admitted quietly. "I didn't kill him. We spoke."
Her pulse quickened. "And what did you two talk about?"
Eyan clenched his jaw. "He said vile things. Lies—that he was your lover. That you and Duke Malric Vane had shared a night together. That Leo was Vane's child."
He gritted his teeth. "It was all nonsense. I should've never listened—"
Eva whispered, "It wasn't all a lie."
The world seemed to stop.
Eyan's eyes widened. "What… do you mean?"
She lowered her gaze, voice trembling. "I did share a night with Duke Malric Vane."
Eyan's breath caught. "What?"
Her eyes glistened. "But that's not the entire truth."
Her voice cracked. "When I was eighteen… Duke Malric Vane raped me."
The words struck him like thunder. His heart pounded in his ears. "He… what?"
Tears welled in her eyes. "You noticed too, didn't you? After our wedding night—that I wasn't…"
She swallowed. "I wasn't a virgin."
Eyan's chest ached. "Eva… why didn't you tell me this before?"
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
He cupped her face, eyes soft with pain. "Don't apologize."
His thumb brushed away her tears. "It must have been hell for you."
"It was," she admitted, voice breaking. "That's why, after our wedding, I trembled every time you came close. I was terrified of a man's touch."
Eyan pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. "I'm sorry for not seeing it. I should've known."
She clung to him, burying her face against his shoulder. "Don't apologize. It's not your fault."
But rage burned in his chest. "That bastard… I'll make Malric Vane pay for what he did."
She shook her head quickly. "No, you don't have to. I'm fine now."
Her tone softened. "Besides… you already punished him. In that timeline."
He looked down at her, stunned. "I did?"
"Yes," she whispered. "I don't know what exactly you did, but after what you saw… I know you didn't let him live."
His expression darkened. "After I saw what?"
Eva fell silent.
"Eva," he demanded softly, "tell me what I saw."
Her lips trembled. "He tried to rape me again… but you came. You saved me. And you saw me—"
Her voice broke. "You saw me in that state."
Eyan's blood boiled. He stood abruptly, fury surging.
"Eyan—where are you going?"
He turned, his voice trembling with anger. "Wait here. I'll be back."
He stormed down the hall, the echo of his boots sharp against the marble.
Eva watched him go, tears streaming down her cheeks.
A soft whisper escaped her lips.
"That's why I didn't want to tell you…"
---
(Royal Palace, Velmoria — Night)
Eva lay on the bed, cradling Leo in her arms. His tiny breaths brushed against her skin, warm and fragile.
Her gaze flickered toward the clock on the wall.
"Why isn't Eyan back yet…?" she whispered.
Her fingers brushed Leo's soft hair. "Leo, when will your father return?"
As if in answer, the door creaked open.
Eyan stepped in, freshly bathed, the scent of clean linen and steel faint on his clothes. His hair was still damp, water droplets tracing the line of his neck.
He walked over quietly and reached for Leo, his expression softening instantly.
"Leo," he murmured, lifting the boy into his arms, "did you missed your father?"
Leo's tiny hands touched his face.
Eyan chuckled, a real smile lighting his tired features. "So you did."
He kissed Leo's forehead. "I missed you too, my little star."
Eva watched silently from the bed, her expression unreadable.
Finally, she spoke, voice low but sharp. "Eyan… where have you been?"
He glanced at her briefly. "I was in the office. There was some important work to do."
"Stop lying."
Her tone cut through the air like a blade.
Eyan froze.
"Aranel told me you weren't in the palace all day," she continued, sitting up, her eyes fixed on him. "Did you go to Duke Malric Vane?"
He said nothing—just looked down at Leo, rocking him gently.
Eva's hand trembled as she grabbed his shirt. "Eyan, tell me. What did you do? Did you kill him?"
He sat beside her slowly, his expression calm—too calm.
"No, Eva. I didn't do anything."
She stared at him, searching his face. "You're lying."
"I told you," he sighed, "I didn't kill him."
Her voice cracked. "Are you telling the truth?"
"Yes."
"Then swear," she said, her tone firm. "Swear on Leo."
Eyan's eyes darkened. "Eva…"
"Do it," she demanded.
Silence.
Eyan lowered his head, unable to meet her gaze.
Her breath caught. "So you did kill him…"
His voice dropped, cold and final. "He deserved it."
"Eyan!" Her voice broke. "I told you not to—"
He pulled her into his arms suddenly, holding her tight enough to still her words.
"Stop," he murmured against her hair. "Stop talking about him now."
His voice softened. "It's over. All in the past. You should focus on yourself… and Leo."
Eva's voice trembled. "But Eyan, what about the rumors? They're saying Leo isn't your child…"
He brushed her hair back, meeting her eyes. "Don't worry about that. It's been handled."
Her brow furrowed. "How?"
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "I told everyone we were already married … and that I was Kyel."
Eva's eyes widened. "You told them?"
"Yes," he said softly. "Now no one will dare say a word."
She exhaled, the tension slowly easing from her shoulders. "I see…"
Eyan tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "It's late. Let's sleep now."
He stood, placing Leo gently between them on the bed.
"Eva, rest. I'll watch over him."
She nodded faintly. "Good night."
"Good night."
He began humming a quiet melody—low, steady, and tender. The lullaby drifted softly through the chamber.
Eva watched him for a moment—his lashes lowered, his hand resting protectively on their son's chest.
And slowly, her eyes grew heavy.
The last thing she saw before sleep claimed her was Eyan's faint smile—
---