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[Next Morning – Royal Palace]
Warm sunlight spilled through the tall arched windows, brushing against the silk curtains and pooling across the marble floors. Eva stirred beneath the soft sheets, her body heavy as if it had been dragged through darkness.
Her eyes fluttered open.
The ceiling above was carved with golden vines and unfamiliar stars.
"Where... am I?" she whispered, her voice dry and faint.
Sitting up slowly, she glanced down at herself—and gasped. Her dress, the same one she remembered wearing, was soaked in blood, dark and dried against the fabric.
Her heart pounded.
"Oh… now I remember. I was shot by an arrow, and then…" Her breath caught.
"The Emperor… he came. And after that..." She blinked hard. "I don't remember anything."
She looked at her arm, the one that had been struck. The skin was smooth, flawless, not a scar in sight.
Her brows furrowed in disbelief.
"The wound… it's gone. But how?"
Just then, the heavy door creaked open.
Eyan stepped in quietly, dressed in black, his crimson eyes catching the morning light.
"Lady, you're awake." His voice was calm but carried a subtle weight.
Eva jolted up, trying to stand and bow—but her legs trembled, giving out beneath her.
"Ah—!"
In an instant, Eyan crossed the room and caught her before she hit the floor, his hand gripping hers firmly.
"Careful," he said, his tone shifting with concern. "Are you alright?"
Eva quickly released her hand from his, lowering her gaze.
"Thank you for helping me, Your Majesty." Her voice was soft, almost reluctant.
He stepped back. "It's nothing."
She glanced around again, anxiety creeping in.
"Your Majesty… can you tell me where I am? And what happened last night?"
"You're in the Royal Palace," he replied. "Last night, you fainted. So… I brought you here."
She stared at him, stunned. "But… why? You could have just left me there."
A shadow flickered across Eyan's expression.
"I could never do that."
Her eyes narrowed slightly in confusion.
He cleared his throat. "What I meant is… I couldn't leave a wounded woman alone on the streets. I didn't know your name, or where you live, so I had no choice but to bring you here."
A pause.
"It was my knight's arrow that struck you. That's why I helped. There's nothing more to it."
Eva's fingers curled against her dress.
"Eva." She raised her eyes to meet his.
"Your Majesty, my name is Eva."
Eyan blinked, his gaze lingering on her face longer than it should have.
"That's a beautiful name, Lady Eva."
He moved a little closer, glancing at her arm.
"The royal healer treated your injuries. If you feel pain anywhere, you must let me know."
Eva shook her head gently. "No, Your Majesty. I'm perfectly fine now."
She hesitated, then looked down at her stained dress.
"But… there's one thing."
"What is it?"
She lifted the edge of the fabric slightly. "Could I perhaps… have a change of clothes? This one is covered in blood."
Eyan's eyes shifted to the gown, guilt flickering briefly in them.
"Lady Eva, I did notice that last night. But…" He exhaled. "Since there are no female maids in the palace, no one could attend to you. That's why you're still wearing that dress."
Her brow arched. "You don't have female maids?"
"No. We don't." He looked away, jaw tightening for a breath. " Lady Eva, you should take a bath first. I'll bring you something to wear."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
With a nod, he turned and exited the room, the door closing behind him.
---
[Moments Later – Queen Seris's Chamber]
The late Queen's quarters were silent, cloaked in dust and memories. Eyan stepped into the dim room, his footsteps muffled on the velvet carpet.
He opened the wardrobe slowly, revealing gowns untouched for years.
He ran his fingers across silks, velvets, and lace—stopping at a soft, pale lavender dress. Modest. Elegant.
He held it up, imagining her in it.
"This one looks good on... Princess."
He folded the gown neatly, and returned to the guest chamber.
---
[Back in Eva's Room]
The sound of water running came faintly from the bathing chamber.
Eyan stepped up to the door and knocked gently.
"Lady Eva," he called. "I've brought a dress. I'll leave it here."
A moment passed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," came her voice from inside, muffled by the steam.
He placed the folded dress on the bench beside the door and turned without another word.
The moment lingered behind him like a breath not yet exhaled.
And then he walked away.
---
Eyan strode through the palace hallway, his black cloak trailing behind him. His eyes, bloodshot from a sleepless night, remained sharp as ever.
Hans appeared at his side, brows furrowed with concern.
Hans stepped in, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty… how is Her Highness?"
Eyan's expression softened, just for a moment. "She's fine now."
Hans glanced at the dark circles beneath the emperor's eyes. "Your Majesty, you didn't rest at all last night. Perhaps you should—"
Eyan cut him off, tone firm. "No, Hans. I'm fine."
His voice turned cold.
Eyan: "Bring me the knight."
Hans blinked. "The knight?"
Eyan's gaze darkened, a flicker of rage igniting behind his calm mask. "The one who shot the arrow and wounded her… Bring him."
Hans stiffened, then bowed low. "Yes, Your Majesty."
---
In the guest chamber, Eva stood in front of a mirror, her freshly washed hair cascading down her shoulders. She ran her fingers gently over the soft, elegant dress adorning her frame.
Eva murmured to herself, tilting her head. "It's a beautiful dress... I wonder who it belongs to."
A knock came.
Eyan's voice filtered through the door. "Lady Eva, may I come in?"
Eva turned, startled. "Your Majesty, please… come in."
The door creaked open.
Eyan stepped inside and instantly froze. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes roamed over her, stunned into silence. The sunlight from the window framed her like a painting.
Eyan whispered under his breath, almost involuntarily, "You look beautiful…"
Eva blinked. "What was that, Your Majesty?"
Eyan cleared his throat quickly, breaking eye contact. "Nothing..."
He composed himself. "Lady Eva, would you join me for breakfast?"
She gave a polite smile but shook her head. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but it's getting late. My husband must be worried about me. I need to go."
Eyan's expression shifted subtly "Fine… Then I'll ask the guard to escort you back."
Eva smiled faintly. "Your Majesty, don't worry. I can go by myself."
Eyan gave a strained smile. "Lady Eva… you already rejected my invitation for breakfast. At least accept the carriage I offer."
She paused, considering, then finally relented.
Eva: "Fine, Your Majesty."
---
Outside the palace, Eva stood near the gilded carriage. Just as she was about to step in, a voice called out.
Eyan: "Lady Eva."
She turned.
Eva: "Yes, Your Majesty?"
Eyan walked up to her with Hans beside him—and a knight being dragged forward. The knight trembled visibly, his face pale as chalk.
Eyan: "There's one thing you must do before you leave."
Eva's brows drew together. "What is it?"
Eyan gestured to the knight. "He's the one who shot the arrow and wounded you."
Eva stiffened, eyes flicking to the terrified man.
Eva: "What are you going to do with him, Your Majesty?"
Eyan's gaze was emotionless. "You have to choose his punishment."
Eva blinked. "Punishment?"
Eyan: "Yes. Punishments are… both hands cut off—or execution."
Eva's eyes widened. "Your Majesty, that's too much! It was a mistake—and I'm fine now. Please… forgive him."
Eyan looked at her for a long time, unreadable. Then, his lips curved into something too calm.
Eyan: "Very well. He will be forgiven… if you slap him. Once."
Hans nearly choked. "Your Majesty?!"
Eva stared in disbelief. "A slap...? Are you serious?"
Eyan gave a small nod, completely composed. "Yes. I'm serious. Just one slap, and that's it."
The knight, visibly relieved, fell to his knees.
Knight: "Lady, please! Just slap me—I'll be forgiven!"
Eva looked between Eyan and the knight, still processing the absurdity of the situation.
Eva: "Okay..."
Eyan, with a calm face, added, "Lady Eva, don't hold back. Slap him as hard as you can."
She hesitated—then stepped forward. Her hand rose, fingers trembling only for a second.
SLAP!
The sound cracked across the palace courtyard like thunder.
The knight's head whipped to the side. Two of his teeth flew from his mouth and bounced on the stone. His eyes rolled back as he collapsed—completely unconscious.
Eva, stunned, gasped. "Oh dear… Did I hit him too hard?"
Eyan stepped beside her, hiding a smirk. "It's okay, Lady Eva. He's still breathing. You didn't kill him."
Eva turned to him, worried. "Are you sure?"
Eyan looked into her eyes. "You can trust me."
He gently offered his hand and helped her into the carriage.
"Take care," he said softly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Eva replied, and the carriage pulled away into the morning light.
---
Hans stood beside Eyan, still shocked.
Hans: "Your Majesty… you knew."
Eyan: "Knew what?"
Hans: "That's why you suggested the slap… You knew how hard she'd hit him."
A smirk crept across Eyan's face.
Eyan: "Yes, I did. My princess has always had strong hands."
He chuckled to himself. "Hans, do you remember that one time I returned with a swollen cheek?"
Hans blinked. "That was…?"
Eyan: "She slapped me in her sleep."
They both glanced at the unconscious knight.
Eyan: "Judging by the echo of that slap, I'd say his jaw's fractured. He won't be chewing anything for at least a month."
He turned, the humor fading slightly from his eyes.
Eyan: "Hans, have someone drag him out of here. He won't be waking up anytime soon."
Hans: "At once, Your Majesty."
Eyan didn't move. He stood in silence, staring at the road the carriage had taken, lost in thought.
---