(Velmoria Royal Palace)
Hans entered the study, a stack of neatly sealed envelopes in his hands.
"Your Majesty, the banquet invitations have all been delivered—just as you instructed."
Eyan didn't look up from the documents in front of him. "Good."
Hans hesitated. "Your Majesty… there is one more thing."
Eyan kept reading. "What is it?"
"Some extra invitations are being distributed."
That made Eyan pause, finally raising his head. "Extra invitations? I never ordered that."
"You didn't," Hans admitted. "They were sent under your father's orders."
Eyan's gaze sharpened. "Father's orders?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Additional invitations to all the noble ladies in the capital."
The faintest crease formed between Eyan's brows. "And why would he do that?"
Hans cleared his throat. "He… wants you to choose a woman from among them. To marry her."
Eyan leaned back in his chair, letting out a slow, exasperated sigh. "Just when will Father stop pushing me to get married?"
Hans gave a small shrug. "Your Majesty… why don't you simply tell him you're already married? I'm sure he would be very happy to hear that."
Eyan's eyes hardened. "Hans, I've told you before—I will not let Eva anywhere near me. If anyone found out, it would not be good for her."
"Still…" Hans murmured, but Eyan had already risen to his feet.
"I'll talk to him."
---
(Emperor's Chambers – King Thalor Therald)
Eyan pushed open the carved double doors and stepped inside.
"Father. How are you?"
King Thalor Therald sat in his high-backed chair, a fur-lined mantle draped over his shoulders. "I'm fine, as you can see."
Eyan didn't waste time. "About the order you gave Hans—cancel it."
Thalor's brow arched. "And why should I? Since you seem to care so little about your marriage, I had to do something."
"I'm not going to get married, Father. So please… give up on that."
"You have to," Thalor's voice deepened, his tone turning resolute. "You must marry and produce an heir—to protect the Dragon."
Eyan's gaze darkened. "Why do you care so much about the Dragon?"
Thalor's eyes met his without wavering. "Because our bloodline has only one purpose—to guard the Dragon, even if it costs us our lives."
Eyan's jaw tightened. "Father, you lost your wife… and I lost my mother… because of that Dragon. Do you truly think it was worth it?"
"We must make sacrifices to protect the world," Thalor said quietly, though his words were like steel.
"I can't do that, Father. I can't make such a sacrifice. That's why I will not marry. Please—don't force me."
Without another word, Eyan turned and strode out, the heavy doors slamming shut behind him.
---
---
(Velmoria Royal Palace – Eyan's Office)
The door slammed open with a heavy bang.
Hans jumped in surprise, nearly dropping the papers in his hands.
"Your Majesty—you're back," Hans said quickly.
Eyan strode in, his expression dark, his steps sharp. "Hans, tell a servant to bring me tea. I have a headache."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Hans hurried out, ordered the tea from a servant, and returned to find Eyan rubbing his temple.
"What did your father say, Your Majesty?" Hans asked cautiously.
"Just cancel what Father ordered you."
Hans winced. "But… Your Majesty, all the invitations have already been sent out."
Eyan sighed, still pressing his fingers against his temple. "Forget it, then. It's not like anyone knows why the invitations were sent to all the noble ladies."
"Okay, Your Majesty."
The servant arrived, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty—your tea."
But his hands trembled so badly that the cup slipped and shattered on the floor.
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty!" the servant stammered, dropping to his knees. "My hand slipped… please don't kill me."
Eyan looked at the young man, noting the fear in his eyes. "I am not going to kill you for something like this. Now go, bring me another tea, and clean this mess."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The servant hurriedly gathered the broken pieces and fled.
Eyan sighed.
"Your Majesty… may I say something?" Hans asked.
"Speak."
"You have changed since you got married to Her Highness."
Eyan's brow rose. "What do you mean?"
"Now… you are more like a human."
Eyan narrowed his eyes. "You're saying I wasn't human before?"
"Yes," Hans said without hesitation.
"Hans, you have a death wish."
"That's exactly what I was saying, Your Majesty. You were more like that before… but now you've changed. You could have killed that servant for that mistake if it was before you got married—but you didn't. You forgive people easily now, and you even get less angry."
Hans lowered his voice. "I heard people say when two people are married and spend time together, they influence each other."
Eyan leaned back in his chair. "I guess you're right. Eva is soft-hearted. She would probably hate me if she found out I can kill people that easily."
---
(Aranel's Tea Party)
Eva sat quietly at the long table, delicate porcelain cups and sweet cakes laid out before them.
"Aranel, why did you invite me here?" she asked softly. "I'm not a noble now—I shouldn't be here."
"Eva, don't worry about that. If anyone says anything, I'll throw them out myself."
"But—"
"Shhh." Aranel stood, smiling at the gathered ladies. "Thank you, everyone, for coming to my tea party. I hope you will enjoy it."
"We are honoured to be here, Lady Aranel," the ladies replied politely.
One woman spoke up. "Lady Aranel, the tea party is wonderful… but there is one thing I don't like."
Aranel's eyes narrowed slightly. "And what is that, Lady…?"
"Lady Selvina," the woman answered.
"Very well. What is it you don't like, Lady Selvina?"
"It's Eva. She shouldn't be here, sitting with us. She's a commoner now."
The other women shot her warning glances—they all knew of Aranel and Eva's friendship.
Aranel's voice turned cold. "Lady Selvina, you're new here, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"How dare you insult my friend? Do you have a death wish?"
Aranel grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her toward the door.
"Aranel—stop! Don't do that!" Eva called, but Aranel didn't slow. She shoved Lady Selvina out into the street.
"Get out—and don't ever show your face in front of me again!"
The door slammed shut.
Aranel turned back to Eva with a satisfied smile. "Come, Eva. Let's go inside—everyone is waiting."
They returned to the table.
"Anyone else have any complaints?" Aranel asked, her gaze sweeping the room.
Silence.
"Good. Now, let's enjoy the tea party."
The conversation flowed again, light and cheerful, until one lady brought up a topic.
"Did you all receive the invitation for the Emperor's birthday banquet?"
"Yes, we did!" the others said, excitement in their voices.
"Lady Aranel, did you receive one?"
"My father works for the Emperor. He's one of the close ministers," Aranel said confidently. "Of course I received an invitation. But I'm not going."
"But why?"
"Because Eva wouldn't be there. I'm not going without her."
"Aranel, why would you give up because of me?" Eva asked.
"No, Eva—I simply won't go if I have to go without you. Will you come with me?"
"What? How can I—"
"Please, Eva. You and I will have so much fun."
Eva sighed. "Fine… I'll go."
Aranel hugged her tightly. "Thank you!"
One lady smirked. "Lady Aranel, I heard a rumour that His Majesty will be choosing his future bride at his birthday—that's why the invitations were sent to all unmarried noble ladies in the Empire. You might catch his eye… what if he chooses you?"
"I don't want to marry any Emperor," Aranel scoffed. "Besides, the Emperor won't be choosing a bride."
"Why not?"
Aranel leaned forward conspiratorially. "Because… the Emperor is gay."
Every jaw dropped.
"Is that true, Lady Aranel?"
"It's true. My father told me—he's never seen the Emperor even getting close to any woman. And in the palace, there are no female servants—only men."
Hearing this, Eva's thoughts drifted. Right… the Emperor told me they have no women maids.
"So that's the reason…" she thought.
Aranel continued, "Since the Emperor doesn't even like women, there's no way he would choose a bride."
The ladies' excitement faded instantly.
And with that, the tea party came to an end.