(Next Day Royal Palace — Morning)
"More tighter," Eva muttered through clenched teeth, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the vanity table for balance.
Behind her, Aranel struggled with the corset strings, her brows furrowed and her face slightly flushed.
"Just—hold still," she puffed. "Almost done."
With one final tug, the strings cinched together, and Aranel let out a breath of victory.
"There. Finally."
Eva exhaled softly, pressing a hand over her tightened waist.
Aranel, wiping her forehead, gave her a curious look. "Tell me, Eva—why after four years are you suddenly torturing yourself with a corset again?"
Eva's gaze lingered on her reflection. The deep red gown framed her shoulders perfectly, but her eyes looked uncertain. "I just thought I should wear it. It's been too long."
She smoothed the dress absently. "You wear it too, don't you?"
Aranel laughed lightly. "No, I don't."
Eva turned, puzzled. "You don't? Then how do you hide the belly bump? And you had twins!"
"Why would I hide it?" Aranel said simply, her tone firm but warm. "It's natural for women to have a bump after giving birth. There's nothing wrong with it."
Eva blinked, unsure how to respond. "And… how did brother react when he saw it?"
Aranel smiled, her eyes softening with memory. "Luca said he likes it."
Eva's lips lifted faintly. "That's… nice."
Aranel leaned a little closer, her voice teasing. "Now tell me, what did His Majesty say when he saw yours?"
Eva's hand froze midway through fixing her hair. She looked down, her lashes trembling. "Eyan said… he likes it too."
Aranel beamed. "I knew it. He would say that. Eva, we've got ourselves very good husbands. It's hard to find men like them."
Eva smiled faintly. "Hmm."
"Good. Then let's go for breakfast before the children raid the kitchen again," Aranel said cheerfully.
Eva gathered her skirts and followed. As she stepped out into the corridor, her crimson gown shimmered softly under the morning light—elegant and perfect.
---
(Royal Dining Hall — Morning)
The morning sun poured through the tall glass windows, spilling light across the long dining table—where peace was clearly absent.
Leo, Nolen, and Nyra were halfway through turning breakfast into a small war. Crumbs flew, giggles echoed, and the maids exchanged panicked glances as plates wobbled at the edge of the table.
"Will the three of you stop making a fuss already?" Luca groaned, rubbing his temples.
The children didn't even hear him.
Luca sighed and sank into his chair. "Every morning… the same battle."
Just then, the grand doors opened. Eva and Aranel entered, elegance gliding beside chaos.
Aranel's voice cut through the noise like a whip. "Nolen! Nyra! Stop torturing your father this instant!"
The twins froze for a second—then burst into louder laughter.
Eva tried to hide her smile behind her hand, but a soft laugh escaped.
Luca looked up at her and smirked. "Sister-in-law, is there something special today?"
Eva blinked, confused. "No… why?"
"You just look far too beautiful this morning," Luca said with an easy grin.
Eva's face lit with a shy warmth. "Do I?"
"Yes," he said with sincerity.
Eva smiled, her mood brightening. "Thank you, brother."
Aranel crossed her arms, mock-offended. "And what about me?"
Luca smirked. "You look good too."
"Good? Just good?" Aranel raised a brow. "You—"
Before she could finish, a calm yet commanding voice filled the hall.
"What is all this noise about?"
The air shifted instantly.
All three children froze in place, eyes wide. The room fell silent as Eyan entered, his presence effortlessly stilling the chaos.
Eva, Aranel, and Luca rose to their feet.
Aranel bowed gracefully. "Good morning, Your Majesty."
Eyan nodded slightly. "Good morning, Lady Aranel."
Luca grinned. "Good morning, Eyan."
Eyan's tone softened. "Good morning."
"Good morning, Father!" Leo chirped.
"Good morning, Uncle!" Nolen and Nyra echoed in unison.
"Good morning, all of you," Eyan replied, a faint smile touching his lips.
Eva adjusted her hair nervously, waiting—hoping—for him to glance at her. But Eyan didn't even turn her way. He simply walked to his seat and sat down.
Eva started softly, "Go—"
"Everyone sit down," Eyan said, his voice steady and cold.
Her words died. She lowered her gaze, her smile fading as everyone quietly obeyed.
Luca tried to lighten the air. "The children were making quite a fuss, but they stopped the moment you walked in."
Eyan's lips curved faintly. "Oh really?"
Leo giggled. "No, Father, we weren't!"
"Yes, Uncle!" Nolen and Nyra countered quickly.
Eyan chuckled under his breath. "I see."
Servants began to serve breakfast, the clinking of silverware and faint scent of buttered bread filling the hall.
Eva sat quietly, her eyes fixed on Eyan. He was reading through a stack of documents as he ate, his face unreadable, his gaze never once rising to meet hers.
Eyan… please look at me once, she thought, her heart aching in silence.
The corset beneath her gown pressed painfully against her ribs, making each breath shallow.
Aranel leaned closer, whispering, "Eva, why aren't you eating?"
"I'm not hungry," Eva replied softly.
Aranel frowned. "You barely touched anything—"
Eva only shook her head.
At that moment, Eyan reached for his glass without lifting his eyes from the papers. Eva, on instinct, took the glass nearest to her and held it out to him.
Their fingers brushed—just for a moment. Their eyes met.
Then Eyan's gaze flickered away, and he withdrew his hand abruptly, reaching for Luca's glass instead.
He drank in silence.
Eva's hand trembled slightly as she set the glass back down, the sound faint but sharp in the quiet hall.
Her throat tightened. She stood up suddenly, the chair scraping against the floor.
"Eva?" Aranel asked, startled. "Where are you going?"
Eva's voice was soft, almost breaking. "Back to my room."
"But you haven't even eaten—"
Eva's gaze flickered toward Eyan, who hadn't lifted his eyes from his documents.
"I'm already full," she whispered.
Without another word, she turned and walked out, the train of her red gown trailing behind her.
At the other end of the table, Luca's expression darkened slightly. He had seen everything—but stayed silent.
---
(Eva's Chamber — Later That Morning)
The heavy door closed behind her with a soft click. The laughter from the hall faded, leaving only silence.
Eva stood still for a moment, her chest rising and falling beneath the tight corset. Then slowly, she reached for her jewelry — unclasping each piece one by one. The earrings, the necklace, the delicate bracelet — they all fell onto the vanity with small, hollow clinks.
Finally, she sank down onto the edge of her bed, her body trembling as the first tear slipped down her cheek.
"Why won't you look at me, Eyan…" she whispered, her voice breaking as she buried her face in her hands.
"He even pulled his hand away when it touched mine." Her sobs grew louder, spilling into the quiet room. "Why are you doing this to me?"
She lifted her head, eyes glistening with tears. "You're treating me like I don't even exist…"
Her heart ached with every word. "What do I have to do to make you look at me again?"
The only answer was silence.
Minutes passed — maybe more.
Eva finally wiped her tears with the back of her hand, her reflection in the mirror red-eyed and fragile, yet determined.
"Maybe… he's just tired of me," she murmured. "We spent too much time together during those three years… perhaps he's bored of seeing me every day."
Her fingers curled against the sheets.
"I need to make him see me again," she said under her breath, a faint spark flickering in her eyes. "Yes… I'll go somewhere else. For a few days."
She stood slowly, a quiet resolve replacing her sorrow.
"If he won't notice me now…" she whispered, "…then he will when I'm gone."
---