Eyan's lips curved into a faint smile as he closed his eyes. "Now sleep… we have to go back to the palace tomorrow."
Eva's gaze lifted, firm and resolute. "I'm not going back."
Eyan's eyes snapped open, a mix of shock and disbelief. "What?"
"Yes," she said, unwavering. "I'll stay here for a few days."
"Fine, then I'll stay with yo—" he began.
"No, you won't," she interrupted, her tone gentle but firm. "You're going back."
"Why can't I stay?" he asked, frustration threading his voice.
"you can't." Eva paused, then sat on the bed, picking up his clothes from the floor.
She handed them to him. "Here. Wear your clothes and go back to the palace now."
"Now?"
"Yes."
Eyan didn't take the clothes. He simply stared at her, unblinking, unyielding.
"What are you doing? Eva said, throwing the clothes onto him and nudging him gently,
"Wear it and leave."
His jaw tightened.
He grabbed her wrist, pulling her down onto the bed with him, breath ragged and eyes burning with hurt. "Why are you pushing me away now?"
"Did you not forgive me yet?" he pressed, voice breaking slightly. "Do you want me to beg for your forgiveness on my knees?"
"If you do, then i wil—"
"No…" Eva whispered.
"Then what?" he demanded, still holding her close.
Her eyes flicked from his face down to his waist, sparkling with mischief. "Oh… so you do get hard when I push you away."
Eyan's gaze followed hers for a heartbeat, then darted back to her, and a short laugh escaped him, half amusement, half disbelief.
"I wasn't convinced when you said that," Eva teased, "so I had to see for myself."
"Now… are you convinced?" His voice was low.
Eva's lips curved into a smile. "Yes."
"Now Eyan… let go of me," she said smiling.
But Eyan didn't move. He simply stared at her, dark and intense.
Eva's laugh wavered, nervous. "Eyan… let go."
His eyes darkened, a storm behind them.
Eva shifted slightly, feigning pain. "Ahh… my leg… it hurts. I need… rest."
"Oh? Your leg hurts?" Eyan's voice was quiet, dangerous.
"Yes," she murmured, playing her part.
"You shouldn't have provoked me, then." His words were a warning, low and gravelly.
"I know… I'm sorry," she whispered.
"I don't want your sorry," he said, voice rough with desire. "I want you."
Eva gasped, trembling slightly. "But my leg… hurts."
"No, it doesn't. You're lying," he said, voice fierce. "But it will now."
Wide-eyed, she tried to run from his grasp, panic and anticipation battling within her.
Eyan's hands were faster. He pulled her back effortlessly. "Where do you think you're running to?"
"EYA—"
---
(Next Morning — Royal Palace)
Luca paced anxiously in the grand hall. "Why hasn't Eyan returned with Sister-in-law yet?"
Aranel appeared at the doorway, worry etched on her face. "Luca… they still aren't back."
"No… not yet," Luca replied, running a hand through his hair. "What about the children?"
"They're still sleeping," Aranel said, a small relief in her voice.
"That's good," Luca sighed. "They'd cry if they woke up and didn't see Sister-in-law."
"Yes…" Aranel nodded, but her worry didn't fade.
A sudden commotion made both of them turn. A servant came running, breathless. "Master Luca! His Majesty and Her Majesty… they've returned!"
Luca's eyes lit up. "They're back!" Both he and Aranel hurried forward, anticipation propelling their steps.
Then a faint, wailing sound reached their ears—Nyra's crying. They both froze.
Luca quickly decided. "Aranel, you go—I'll check on Nyra."
Aranel nodded and darted off while Luca moved in the other direction.
---
Aranel stopped at the palace gates, calling out, "Eva—"
Her words caught in her throat as she saw Eyan, walking steadily, cradling Eva in his arms.
"Your Majesty… what happened to her? Why are you carrying her?" Aranel asked, worry threading her voice.
Eyan glanced down at Eva. "Oh… her?"
Eva whispered from his arms, a flush rising on her cheeks, "Don't… please, don't…"
With a faint sigh, Eyan set her down carefully, stepping back to give her space. But the moment she stood on her own her legs wobbled and her hands flailed for balance, she nearly fell.
"EYAN!" she shouted.
Without hesitation, Eyan scooped her up again, holding her firmly against him. "That's what happened to her."
Eva buried her face into his chest, embarrassed, cheeks burning.
Aranel, holding back a laugh, cleared her throat. "I… see." She tilted her head, trying to keep her composure.
"Your Majesty, please… come inside."
Eyan nodded seriously and began walking toward the palace, carrying Eva.
Aranel trailed behind, teasing lightly, but Eva shot her a deadly glare over Eyan's shoulder, silencing any further mischief.
---
Eyan walked down the long corridor toward their chamber, Eva still nestled in his arms.
Just as he reached the door, a cheerful voice echoed.
"Mother!"
Eyan turned, startled, just as Leo came running down the hall—followed by Nyra and Nolen.
"Mother, you're back!" Leo beamed.
"Aunty Eva, you're back!" Nyra and Nolen chimed together, their small feet pattering across the floor.
Eva smiled softly, her heart melting at the sight. "Yes, I'm back."
Behind them, Luca appeared, breathless. "Sister-in-law, you're back!"
Eva laughed lightly. "Yes, brother."
"You got us all worried," Luca said, folding his arms.
"I apologize for that," Eva replied sweetly.
Luca turned to Eyan. "And you—did you apologize to Sister-in-law for your fault?"
Eyan's expression remained perfectly serious. "Yes. I did apologize to her."
Then, glancing at Eva with that faint, knowing smirk, he added quietly, "All night."
Eva's cheeks turned crimson while Aranel, standing beside Luca, bit back a laugh so hard she nearly choked.
Luca blinked, completely clueless. "Good then."
But after a moment, he frowned. "Wait—why are you carrying her like that?"
Eyan deadpanned, "She can't walk. Her legs hurt."
"Can't walk? But why—"
Aranel stomped hard on Luca's foot.
"AHH!" Luca winced, clutching his leg. "What was that for!?"
Aranel glared daggers at him. "Stop asking questions, or you won't be walking on your legs either."
Luca stiffened. "What did I even do?"
"Shut up," Aranel hissed, still glaring.
Eyan and Eva both burst into laughter, their voices echoing through the hall.
Aranel quickly turned back with a polite smile. "Your Majesty, you should lay her down on the bed."
Eyan nodded and carried Eva inside. The three children followed closely behind, full of energy.
Inside the bedchamber, Eyan gently lowered Eva onto the bed.
"Aunty Eva, you're sleeping?" Nyra asked, crawling closer on bed. "But I wanted to play with you."
Eyan took the sheet and covered Eva carefully. "No, Nyra. Aunty can't play right now. She needs to rest."
He then picked up a few pillows, sliding them beneath Eva's lower body to make her more comfortable. "Instead, I'll play with you."
Nyra's face brightened instantly. "Okay!"
Eyan paused, looking down at Eva with quiet care. "Are you comfortable?"
Eva nodded softly.
"Good." His voice lowered, warm with relief.
Then he suddenly pointed toward the window. "Kids, look— is that a fairy?"
All three little heads turned at once, eyes wide with excitement. "Where?" they chorused, scanning the air eagerly.
While their attention was elsewhere, Eyan leaned down and brushed a gentle kiss against Eva's lips.
"Rest well," he whispered, smiling.
Eva blushed, nodding faintly, her heart fluttering.
Meanwhile, the children were still looking around. "Where is it?" Leo asked, frowning.
Eyan straightened, pretending to squint at the air. "Ah," he said with mock disappointment, "I think I saw wrong."
The children pouted and turned back toward him.
"Alright," Eyan said, "now all of you get down from the bed and let her rest."
Leo and Nolen obediently climbed down, and Eyan lifted Nyra into his arms.
"Come on, little one," he said gently as they all filed out of the room together.
At the doorway, Eyan paused again, turning to glance back at Eva one last time.
Their eyes met.
Eyan mouthed, I love you.
Eva's lips curved tenderly. I love you too, she mouthed back.
Eyan smiled, closing the door softly behind him.
After the door clicked shut, Eva's gaze lingered on it for a moment.
Then, unable to hold it in any longer, she rolled onto her side, giggling and blushing like a young bride again.
But the movement sent a sharp ache through her leg.
"Ahh…" she winced softly. "I shouldn't do that."
She carefully eased back to her place, her fingers brushing over the sheet—just the way Eyan had done for her moments ago.
Clearing her throat, she pulled the sheet close and shut her eyes. "Let's sleep," she murmured.
But her lips curved into another shy smile, the warmth refusing to fade.
"I thought he didn't love me the same anymore…" she whispered, her voice trembling with happiness.
A tear of relief glimmered in her lashes as she smiled wider.
"But He loves me even more now."
And with that thought, Eva drifted into sleep—her heart full, her doubts dissolving like morning mist, leaving behind only the quiet certainty of being loved.
---