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(Eva and Eyan's Chamber — Night)
Eva sat on the couch in her nightgown, a book resting in her hands. Her fingers tapped idly against the cover, her mind elsewhere.
"Eyan will come in..." she whispered to herself. "One… two… three."
Right on cue, the door opened.
Eyan stepped in, the faint scent of night air following him.
Eva quickly lifted the book, hiding her face with a smile.
"Eva, what are you doing?" he asked with a low chuckle.
"I'm reading a book, honey," she replied, pretending to focus on the page.
Eyan began unbuttoning his shirt, tossing it aside carelessly. "Alright... I'm going to take a bath."
"Okay," Eva murmured, eyes still fixed on the book.
The bathroom door shut behind him.
And then—Eva's expression changed. She lowered the book, her eyes sharp and restless as she glanced toward the closed door.
And Eva's thoughts raced—
"Tomorrow is that day... which means he'll take the medicine tonight."
"The servant will come soon with two glasses of milk — one for me and one for Eyan."
"He'll mix the medicine into his glass… and drink it."
"I have to stop him from drinking it. No matter what."
---
The door to the bathroom opened again. Eyan came out, drying his damp hair.
Eva instantly returned her gaze to her book, trying to look unbothered.
Then came a soft knock.
Knock. Knock.
Eyan crossed the room and opened the door.
"Your Majesty, milk for you and Her Grace," the servant said with a bow, holding a tray with two glasses.
Eva peeked over the top of her book.
"Ok," Eyan said, taking the tray and closing the door behind him.
He walked to the bed and set it on the bedside table. "Eva, drink your milk before it gets cold."
"Alright," Eva said sweetly, standing from the couch.
She came around to the other side of the bed.
Eyan handed her one of the glasses. "Here."
Eva took it, watching him closely as he sat on the bed and opened the drawer beside him.
From within, he pulled out a small vial — the medicine.
Her heart skipped.
Eyan poured the liquid into his glass of milk and stirred it slowly with a spoon. The faint clink of metal against glass filled the quiet room. The white liquid swirled until the medicine dissolved completely.
Eva's grip on her glass tightened. Her pulse raced.
Then Eyan lifted the glass toward his lips—
—and Eva moved.
She pretended to bump into the table, knocking over the empty water glass beside her.
CRASH!
Eyan froze, his drink still in hand, just a breath away from his mouth.
He turned quickly. "What happened?"
Eva placed her milk glass back on the table, feigning surprise. "Oh—I accidentally bumped into the table."
She knelt immediately, beginning to pick up the shattered pieces.
"Eva, don't touch it! You'll hurt yourself," Eyan warned.
But she picked up a shard deliberately —and nicked her finger on purpose.
"Ah!"
Eyan's eyes widened. "What's wrong?"
Eva showed him her hand, blood trickling from her finger. "I cut myself."
Eyan put his own glass down and rushed to her. He grabbed her hand, brows furrowed.
"I told you not to touch it! Why didn't you listen to me?"
"It hurts," Eva said softly, playing her part.
"Wait here. I'll bring Leo — he'll heal it instantly."
"Okay."
Eyan hurried out of the chamber.
As soon as Eyan left, Eva stood up, her heart pounding.
She grabbed her glass of milk and ran to the other side of the bed, switching her glass with Eyan's. Then she hurried back to where she'd been.
She stared at Eyan's glass in her hand.. "What do I do with this? I can't drink it!"
Footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Panic struck her chest. She dropped the glass from her hand.
CRASH!
The milk spilled across the floor in a white splash.
Eyan and Leo entered together.
"Eva! What was that sound?" Eyan's voice rose in alarm.
He froze when he saw the mess. "What is this?"
Eva looked up innocently. "Honey, I tried to stand up and grabbed the table, but my glass fell."
Eyan sighed. "Alright. Just stay still, you're barefoot—there's glass everywhere. I'll come to you."
"Okay."
He slipped on his boots and crossed the floor carefully. Scooping her into his arms, he carried her across the room and set her down on the rug safely.
"Leo, heal your mother's finger," he said firmly.
"Okay," the boy said, rubbing his sleepy eyes. His small palm glowed softly as he touched her hand.
A warm light brushed across Eva's skin. The wound vanished in seconds.
"Done," Leo said with a yawn.
Eyan caught Eva's hand, examining it closely. "Let me see..."
He traced his thumb where the cut had been. "Hmm. All healed."
He smiled faintly, his tone softening. "Good work, Leo. Now go back to your room — you're tired."
Leo nodded, rubbing his eyes. "Okay."
He turned and padded out sleepily.
The door clicked shut, leaving Eva and Eyan alone again.
---
The servant finished tidying the room and left quietly, leaving behind the faint scent of jasmine and a freshly poured glass of milk on the table for Eva.
Eyan turned toward Eva, his voice calm yet gentle. "Sit on the bed."
Eva blinked. "Why?"
"Just do it," he said.
She sighed and sat down, watching him pick up the glass. He walked over and brought it to her lips. "Open your mouth."
Eva frowned. "Eyan, I can drink it myself."
He arched a brow. "No, I don't trust you with a glass anymore."
"Eyan—"
"Open your mouth," he repeated, his tone teasingly firm.
Eva couldn't help but smile, shaking her head before giving in. She drank obediently, He held the glass steady as she drank, watching her until she finished every drop.
Then he turned to place the glass on her side of the table—paused—and frowned.
"No, not here."
He picked it up again and carried it to his side of the bed, setting it down carefully. "Now it's safe."
Eva's lips curved. "Satisfied?"
"Now let's sleep," he said simply.
She glanced at him. "Wait—you didn't drink yours."
Eyan blinked, then chuckled. "Right. I forgot."
He lifted his glass and frowned at it. "It's cold now."
"So?"
"This can't be warmed again. I guess I'll have to make another one."
Eva panicked, waving her hands. "No! Don't bother—just drink it."
"But it's cold."
"So what? Just drink it!" she urged, her voice rising.
She crawled across the bed, kneeling beside him before he could protest. Taking the glass from his hand, she pressed it firmly to his lips. "Here. Drink it."
He blinked, surprised "Eva, you really want me to drink cold milk? You know I don't like—"
"Eyan," she cut him off, her eyes determined, "just drink it."
She tilted the glass, making him drink until it was empty. When he swallowed the last drop, she grinned victoriously and patted his shoulder. "There. Good job, honey."
Eyan's expression shifted, his brows drawing together. "That tasted horrible."
Eva laughed softly. "Oh really?"
"You ruined the taste in my mouth," he said seriously.
Eva leaned forward, cupping his face in her palms. "Then let me fix it."
She leaned forward, and pressed a deep, lingering kiss to his lips.
When she pulled back, her eyes glimmered. "What about now?"
Eyan licked his lips, the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Sweet."
"Good," she murmured, brushing his hair back. "Now sleep."
He lay down, opening his arms for her. "Come here."
Eva smiled, nestling into his chest as his arm wrapped around her.
Eyan kissed her forehead. "Good night."
Eva smiled faintly, curling closer into his warmth. "Good night."
His breathing slowed, steady and calm, his arm tightening protectively around her.
Eva smiled against his chest, her fingers gently tracing the edge of his shirt.
"I did it…" she thought.
After everything she'd done tonight—switching glasses, making up excuses, pretending to spill the milk.
"He hadn't noticed a thing." she thought, closing her eyes.
Her lips curved into a quiet, secret smile. I can't wait for tomorrow.
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