----
Rein ran, his heart hammering violently in his chest. His forehead was slick with sweat, each breath tearing painfully from his lungs yet he didn't stop fear kept driving him forward.
When he finally staggered to a halt, he braced himself against the stone wall, covering his mouth with a trembling hand as he struggled to breathe.
"…What is going on?" he whispered hoarsely.
"I was talking to a ghost all this time." He shook his head violently, refusing to believe.
"No… it can't be real. I must be dreaming."
He slapped his own face—hard.
"Ahh—!" The pain burned. "No… I can feel it," he muttered, panic seeping into his voice. "That means—"
"IT'S NOT A DREAM."
Rein flinched and slammed back against the wall behind him. His breathing turned frantic, his heart pounding fiercely.
Eva stood before him. Her head tilted slightly, a faint smile curving her lips. "Your Highness," she said softly, stepping closer, "are you scared of me?"
Rein pressed himself harder against the cold wall. "How can I not be afraid?" he snapped, voice shaking. "You're a ghost."
Eva's smile widened."That's right," she said calmly. "I'm a ghost."
Rein swallowed, forcing himself to meet her gaze. "What do you want from me? And… how can I even see you?"
She laughed lightly, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I'm not here to hurt you." She stepped closer still. "As for how you can see me…I don't know. I'm just as clueless as you are."
Her brow lifted playfully. "Tell me—this is your first time seeing a ghost, isn't it?"
Rein let out a breathless laugh. "Do you think I would've run that fast if it wasn't?"
Eva folded her arms, nodding. "That's true…" She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Then how is this possible?" she murmured. "How can a living person see me?"
"I don't know," Rein admitted quietly.
Suddenly, Eva stepped forward and grabbed his hands.
Rein stiffened in terror. "Please—don't kill me!"
Eva froze.Her eyes widened as she stared down at where her fingers wrapped around his. "…I can touch you." Before he could react, she pulled him into her arms. Rein's entire body went rigid.
She laughed softly, almost disbelieving.
"That's crazy… I can even hug you." She pulled back slightly, "It's been such a long time," she whispered, "since I felt warmth like this."
Rein stood frozen there.
Eva smiled gently. "Your Highness, you can go now."
Rein flinched. "…What?"
She repeated softly, "I said you can go. Your father must be waiting for you. Did you forget?"
Realization struck him. "Right… Father is waiting for me." He hesitated, feet unmoving.
"Are you sure… I can leave?"
Eva studied him for a moment, then stepped closer. "What else would you do?" she asked lightly. She lifted his chin with one finger, her touch lingering. "do you want to stay with me?"
"No—no!" Rein blurted. "I was just asking."
He gathered himself, turned away, and started to leave.
"Your highness." Eva called.
Rein truned to face her "Yes."
Eva smiled faintly. "It was nice meeting you."
Rein gave an awkward smile. "It was nice meeting you too."
He turned away, mumbling under his breath,
It's wasn't nice at all.
Soon, his figure vanished from sight. Eva watched until he was gone.
---
Rein knew that returning after so many years would bring surprises But meeting a ghost?
That was something he had never imagined.
"How much longer do I have to walk before I reach the palace?" Rein muttered to himself.
A shaky laugh escaped him. "I didn't even realize I ran that far."
---
(In Front of the Palace)
By the time Rein reached the palace gates, the banquet had already ended. Without wasting time, he made his way straight to his father's chambers.
When he entered, Rein's eyes landed on the man seated beside his father.
His breath hitched. A wide smile spread across his face. Rein exclaimed. "When did you arrive? I didn't even know you were coming!"
Ashar rose immediately and pulled Rein into a firm embrace. "How have you been?" he asked warmly.
"I'm fine," Rein grinned. "Brother."
Ashar stepped back, studying him carefully.
"You're all grown up now," he said with a smile. "My little lion."
Before Rein could respond, a sharp voice cut in.
"Of course he's grown," King Cesar Bleak said coolly. "Grown enough to try and steal his own brother's fiancée."
The room fell silent.
Ashar stiffened. "Father," he said firmly, "I told you not to bring that up in front of Rein."
Rein turned to him, confusion flickering across his face. "Brother… how did you find out about it?"
Ashar placed a steady hand on Rein's shoulder. "When I arrived," he said gently, "Yuna told me everything."
Rein lowered his gaze.
"Oh…So she told you."
King Cesar Bleak's expression darkened.
"Your brother treats you with nothing but kindness, Rein and still you choose to stab him in the back."
Ashar's voice rose sharply. "Father, don't say things like that!"
He turned toward Rein protectively.
"Rein is still young. At that age, it's hard to control one's feelings."
He sighed. "He simply liked Lady Yuna and proposed to her. What's so wrong about that?"
King Cesar pressed his fingers to his temple, clearly irritated. "This is your fault, Ashar. You spoiled him."
Ashar laughed softly.
"You say that, Father, but you spoil him just as much."
He cleared his throat stiffly before turning back to Rein. "Well just don't do anything like this again."
Rein bowed his head. "Yes, Father."
---
(Rein's Chamber)
Rein lay back on his bed with a long sigh.
"What a day…" he murmured."So many things happened."
KNOCK.
"Who's there?" Rein asked.
"It's me, Rei."
Rein smiled instantly and crossed the room to open the door.
Ashar stood there, familiar and calm.
"Were you sleeping? I hope i didn't disturb you" he asked.
"No," Rein replied. "I was awake. Please—come in."
Ashar stepped inside, his eyes studying Rein carefully.
"You don't want to ask me anything?"
Rein folded his arms, hesitation flickering across his face.
"There are so many things I want to ask," he said quietly. "But first tell me."
He looked straight at Ashar. "Why did you send me that letter? Why did you tell me to propose to Lady Yuna?"
Ashar smiled faintly. "I did say that… but I didn't think you'd actually do it," he admitted.
"Especially knowing how much you hate her."
Rein let out a tired sigh. "Yes, it was difficult. But I did it because you asked me to."
He paused, then added dryly,
"But this is the last time Next time, you can ask me to kill someone I'll happily do it."
"Just don't ever tell me to talk to Lady Yuna again."
Ashar laughed softly. "Do you really hate her that much?"
Rein shot him a look. "Do you really need to ask?"
Ashar smiled. "I got my answer."
"But…" Rein hesitated."What about you Brother? Why did you do all this?"
He stepped closer. "Brother… you don't want to marry her, do you?"
Ashar's smile remained. "No, Rei," he said gently. "It's not like that."
Rein shook his head."Don't lie to me."
He met Ashar's eyes. "You don't smile when you talk about Lady Yuna."
"Not the way you used to smile when you spoke of her."
Ashar's expression faltered.
Rein exhaled slowly. "See? I knew it. You don't have feelings for her."
He clenched his fists."Then cancel the wedding simple why marry her if you don't love her."
Ashar's voice turned firm. "No, Rei. We can't. Lady Yuna is a princess from a foreign land," he continued. "This marriage is an alliance the kingdom needs."
Rein stared at him. "Even if it means sacrificing your own happiness?"
Ashar nodded without hesitation. "Yes. For me," he said softly, "my happiness is not as important as my kingdom."
Rein turned away, "…Fine," he said quietly.
"Then do whatever you want i won't stop you."
---