Eyan hesitated, then met her eyes. "I want a daughter."
The towel slipped from her hands. "What?" she asked, blinking, unsure if she'd heard him right.
"I know…" He let out a slow breath, eyes lowering. "I was the one who always said no whenever you mentioned having another child." His tone carried a quiet regret. "But now I want a daughter."
"I'm not taking that medicine anymore."
He looked back at her, sincerity in every word. "So..Can you… give me one?"
Eva's lips curved slowly into a smile. She walked to him — silent steps on the marble floor — and took his hand gently. Without a word, she guided it and placed it over her belly.
Eyan blinked, confused. "What are you doing?"
Eva's smile only grew softer.
"Wait—" his breath caught, realization dawning. "You're saying yes?"
She shook her head lightly, eyes shimmering. "No, Eyan. I'm saying… I'm pregnant."
For a heartbeat, time stood still.
Eyan's eyes widened. "What?" His voice was almost a whisper, half disbelief, half hope.
Eva nodded, tears glistening faintly. "You're going to be a father."
A stunned silence.
Then Eyan's face lit up, joy flooding his expression as he pulled Eva into his arms, holding her tightly against him.
"Thank you," he whispered, his voice trembling with happiness.
Eva smiled softly, wrapping her arms around him, feeling his heartbeat racing against hers.
When he finally pulled back, his hands were still trembling. He cupped her face, his eyes full of wonder.
"You're not feeling sick, are you?" he asked, worry slipping into his tone despite his joy.
Eva shook her head with a warm smile. "No, I'm perfectly fine."
Eyan exhaled a deep sigh of relief. "Thank goodness…"
Eva tilted her head slightly, teasing, "You're not going to ask how I even got pregnant?"
Eyan arched a brow, lips curving into a smirk. "So you do know something."
Eva chuckled softly. "Yes."
He leaned closer, voice low, amused. "Then tell me."
---
Eva finished her explanation, her voice quiet but full of warmth. "So… that's what happened."
Eyan listened silently, then smiled — a mixture of disbelief and affection in his eyes. "You did all that… just so Nyra could have a sister?"
Eva nodded, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "Yes. But I don't even know if it's a boy or a girl yet."
She looked down, gently resting her hand over her belly. "If it's a boy, then—"
"It's a girl," Eyan interrupted softly.
Eva's gaze lifted to his, surprised. "You think so?"
Eyan's smile deepened, his voice low but certain. "I'm certain."
Eva's heart warmed as she traced her fingers lovingly across her belly, smiling.
Eyan brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Have you thought of a name yet?"
"I did," Eva said with a gentle laugh. "Do you want to know?"
Eyan shook his head slightly, a knowing glint in his eyes. "No… I already know."
Their eyes met, and together, in one soft breath, they whispered—
"Elena."
A smile blossomed on both their lips, the same warmth reflected in each other's gaze.
---
8 months later
(Midnight—)
A sharp knock echoed through the quiet halls of the palace.
The physician, startled awake, hurried to open his door. "Who's knocking on—"
Eyan stood there, breathless, his hair disheveled and panic clear in his eyes.
"Quickly! Eva—she's in labor!"
The physician's face paled for a moment before he grabbed his satchel. "At once, Your Majesty!"
---
(Eyan and Eva's chamber—)
The room was alive with hurried footsteps. Maids moved frantically, the physician and his assistants rushing to prepare.
Eyan was at Eva's side, kneeling beside the bed, his hand clasped around hers.
"Eva, they're here," Eyan whispered, trying to steady his trembling voice.
She couldn't answer—her breath came out in short, pained gasps, sweat glistening on her forehead.
"Your Majesty," the physician urged, "you should wait outside—"
Eyan's voice cut through sharply. "No. I'm staying here. Just do your work."
The physician hesitated only a moment, then nodded. "As you command."
Pain wracked through her body. Eva's cries filled the room, her nails digging deep into Eyan's hand. He barely noticed the sting. His gaze never left her face.
"Eva… look at me," he whispered, his voice trembling. "Just focus on me, alright?"
Her eyes met his through tears, and she gave a faint nod before letting out another scream.
"Almost there," the physician urged. "One more push!"
With one last, desperate cry—
A newborn's cry pierced the air.
The room stilled.
Eva slumped back against the pillows, her eyes fluttering shut.
Eyan's heart stopped. His breath caught in his throat.
"Eva!" Eyan's voice trembled as panic surged through him.
Her eyes opened slowly, and she gave a faint smile. "I'm fine… don't worry."
Eyan exhaled shakily, relief flooding his face.
Then—his vision wavered. The world spun for a second.
And before anyone could react, the mighty Emperor of Velmoria swayed—then collapsed to the floor.
"Your Majesty!" the physician shouted.
"Eyan!" Eva gasped softly, reaching for him with trembling fingers.
The physician hurried to check him and sighed in relief. "He's fine, Your Grace. Just fainted from the shock."
Eva's soft laughter filled the quiet chamber, echoing through the stillness that followed the baby's cries.
The physician gently lifted the tiny newborn into his hands, his expression softening. "Congratulations, Your Grace," he said warmly. "It's a girl."
Eva's eyes shimmered with joy. "A girl…" she whispered, a smile breaking across her weary face.
The physician carefully laid the baby beside her, wrapping her in a soft blanket. The infant's faint cries quieted as Eva reached out, her trembling fingers brushing the child's cheek.
"Welcome to the world… Elena," Eva breathed, her voice trembling with happiness.
Her gaze shifted, and she noticed Eyan still sprawled on the floor beside the bed, motionless.
Eva let out a small chuckle, half amused, half exasperated. "Eyan," she called softly, "wake up… our Elena is here."
But he didn't stir—still knocked out cold, his arm awkwardly bent and his face pressed against the carpet.
---