(Three years later—)
The sky stretched wide and blue, the breeze soft across the open green field where a picnic blanket lay spread beneath the shade of a tree. Eyan sat cross-legged beside Eva, while little Elena, barely three, played with the edge of her dress, crumbs of pastry on her fingers.
"Mother," she asked suddenly, her eyes bright and curious, "how did you meet Father?"
Eva smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Your father and I met in the market for the first time," she said gently. "We bumped into each other by accident, and all my fruits fell on the ground."
Elena's eyes widened. "Then did you two have a fight?"
Eva laughed softly, shaking her head. "No, dear, we didn't fight."
"Then what happened?"
Eyan leaned closer, his tone teasing and warm. "Your mother and I fell in love."
Elena gasped, turning back to Eva for confirmation. "Is that true, Mother?"
Eva chuckled, her eyes meeting Eyan's. "Yes, dear, it's true."
"Now stop asking questions and finish your food," Eyan said, pretending to sound strict, though a smile tugged at his lips.
"Okay!" Elena said, happily taking another bite.
Eva reached for a glass, only to find it empty. "We don't have water," she murmured. She rose, brushing the grass from her skirt. "I'll go and get some."
Eyan stood too. "Wait, I'm coming with you." He turned back to their son. "Leo, look after your sister."
Nine-year-old Leo nodded dutifully. "Okay, Father."
As Eyan and Eva walked toward the nearby stream, the sunlight flickered through the trees, catching on the gold threads of Eva's dress.
Elena watched them go, then turned to her brother. "Brother," she said softly.
Leo looked down at her. "Yes, Elena?"
"Father loves Mother so much, right?"
He smiled. "Yes, he does."
"And Mother loves him too?"
"Hm. She does."
"They met accidentally and fell in love," Elena said dreamily.
Leo's gaze drifted toward the distance where their parents walked hand in hand. "Because they were fated to be together," he murmured.
A knowing smile curved his lips as he whispered under his breath, "Eva… Mister… Elena…"
His eyes softened, a faint shimmer of magic flickering in their depths as the wind brushed past.
I'm not alone anymore, he thought, the whisper carried away by the breeze.
---
By the quiet stream, the sunlight shimmered on the rippling water. Eyan knelt to fill a jug, his reflection flickering with each movement. Behind him, Eva stood still, her gaze distant, lost in thoughts that the wind could almost hear.
Eyan glanced up, smiling softly. "What are you thinking so deeply about?"
Eva's voice was gentle. "I was thinking about our first meeting."
He chuckled. "Thinking how you fell for me at first sight?"
She raised an eyebrow, teasingly. "No, I was thinking how you fell for me at first sight."
They both paused, then said in unison, "Right, I fell for you first."
Eva laughed, the sound bright against the soft hum of the stream. "No, Eyan, I fell first."
He stood, water dripping from the jug, and grinned. "No, Eva, I fell first."
She stepped closer, her tone playful but warm. "Alright, you fell first—but I love you more."
He tilted his head. "No, Eva, I love you more."
She smiled, eyes glinting. "No, I fell in love with you… and your lie. Both Kyel and Eyan. Which means I love you more."
Eyan's smile softened, his voice low and tender. "True. You love me more." He brushed her cheek with his thumb, his tone dipping to a whisper. "You loved me even when I lied to you."
Her lips curved gently. "Kyel…"
He whispered back, "Princess…"
Then, suddenly, she splashed water at him.
Eyan blinked in surprise. "Eva!"
She giggled, stepping back. "But you're still a liar!"
"Stop—" he warned, trying not to laugh.
Another splash hit him square in the chest.
"Eva, I said stop!"
She only laughed harder, throwing more water his way.
Eyan shook his head with a smirk. "You asked for it."
He splashed her back, and soon the stream was filled with laughter, water flying like shards of sunlight between them.
From a short distance, two small voices rang out.
"Mother! Father!" Leo called. "You're playing without us!"
Elena ran beside him, waving her little hands.
Eyan turned, smiling as he caught Elena in his arms. "Come here, sweetheart."
Laughter grew louder as the four of them played together—father, mother, son, and daughter—drenched in sunlight and joy.
After a while, Eva moved aside, sitting on a smooth rock near the water. She watched them—Eyan with his easy smile, Leo chasing after his sister, and Elena's delighted giggles filling the air.
Her heart felt full.
I went through so many storms to stand here today, she thought. So many people to thank… so many memories carved in pain and love.
Her gaze settled on Eyan again. His hair glinted gold in the light, his laugh as soft as the day she first heard it.
He lied to me—and he's still a liar, she thought with a small, fond smile. But his love was always true. He loved me, protected me, and even died for me.
Her eyes softened, a tear catching in the sunlight.
A lie… his lie… a beautiful lie.
Her lips parted, whispering the words that carried every heartbeat, every memory—
"I love the way he lied."
—The End—
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(Thank you all so much for reading this story! Your support means the world to me.)