---
There was a soft knock on the door.
"Princess..."
Eva's voice trembled, "Kyel."
She opened the door, and Kyel stepped in.
"Princess, I'm sorry I'm late—"
Before he could finish, Eva threw herself into his arms, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Kyel tightened his embrace, concern flooding his voice.
"Princess, what happened? Is something wrong?"
She continued crying silently.
"Eva, look at me." Kyel gently cupped her face, his eyes searching hers.
"Why are you crying? Tell me what's wrong."
Through the tears, Eva poured out everything—the men, the fear, her father's betrayal.
Kyel's jaw clenched.
"So it was your father who sent those men?"
Eva nodded, voice barely a whisper.
"I didn't know my father was still looking for me after all these years."
She looked up at Kyel, pleading.
"Kyel, I don't want to go back."
He stroked her hair soothingly.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you. No one can take you away from me."
Still sobbing, Eva suddenly asked,
"Kyel, where did you put the tea herb?"
Kyel blinked, surprised.
"Eva, you're crying and worried about the tea herb?"
She wiped her tears.
"Do you have any idea how bad I feel? His Majesty helped me, and I couldn't even make tea properly."
"I looked everywhere and still couldn't find it."
Kyel smiled softly and rose.
He walked to the kitchen and tapped a jar placed neatly on the counter.
"Here it is... right here, Princess."
Eva glanced away, cheeks flushing.
Kyel chuckled.
"Where are you looking? Embarrassed because you couldn't find it?"
He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Eva let out a small, surprised sound.
"Aww…"
"What's wrong?" Kyel asked gently.
Eva pointed at her elbow.
Kyel frowned as he inspected it.
"It's swollen."
"Why did you stand on that stool?" he asked with concern.
Eva frowned.
"Kyel, I never said I fell from the stool. How did you know?"
Kyel nervously stammered, "That stool's still on the floor… I couldn tell just by looking that you actually fell from it."
Eva glanced down at the stool.
"Oh, right... I never picked it up."
Kyel quickly said, "Let me put some ointment on it for you."
---
(Next Day, Royal Palace)
Eyan strode down the long, dimly lit hallway, his footsteps echoing softly on the polished stone floor.
Hans appeared quickly at his side, bowing respectfully.
"Your Majesty, you have returned."
"Just arrived," Eyan replied curtly, his eyes sharp.
Hans hesitated before asking, "Your Majesty, who were those men the knights brought in last night?"
Eyan's expression darkened. "They were the ones who tried to kidnap Eva last night."
Hans's eyes widened in shock. "Her Highness? Is she unharmed?"
"She is fine," Eyan said, voice firm. "I found her just in time."
"They dared to touch Her Highness?" Hans's voice was laced with disbelief and anger. "Why didn't you kill them on the spot, Your Majesty?"
Eyan's gaze hardened. "Eva stopped me. She begged me not to kill them."
Hans frowned. "So you're not going to punish them?"
"Who said that?" Eyan's tone turned icy. "Tell the knights to execute them immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Hans bowed again.
"And Hans," Eyan added, "Drag Count Elric Elvaris to me."
Hans blinked. "That's Her Highness's father, Your Majesty?"
Eyan's eyes narrowed. "Yes."
Hans smirked lightly. "Then you should have told me to invite him, not drag him here. He's your father-in-law, Your Majesty."
"No, Hans," Eyan said coldly. "Drag him to me."
"Because he was the one who sent those men to kidnap Eva."
Hans's voice dropped to a whisper. "Really?"
"Yes," Eyan confirmed.
Eyan's gaze was cold and unwavering.
"Hans The report you showed me last time—he was involved in illegal activities, wasn't he?"
Hans bowed his head slightly. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"I turned a blind eye to his crimes because he is Eva's father," Eyan admitted, his voice low but resolute.
"But now, I have no reason to allow him to act with impunity. He must be punished."
He fixed Hans with a sharp look.
"Tell the knights to show no mercy. Drag him here, and if he resists, use force."
Hans bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Majesty."
----