Kyel walked through the crowded market, his expression calm, steps unhurried. Vendors shouted their prices, children ran past laughing, and no one paid him any special attention.
Then three men stepped directly into his path. Kyel stopped.
"Hey, commoner," one of them sneered. "Don't you know how to show respect to a noble?"
Kyel lifted his gaze. The man in front wore expensive clothes and an arrogant smile—Baron Jaffery, Two men lingered behind him his companions.
Kyel lowered his head and bowed.
"Forgive me, my lord."
Baron Jaffery smirked.
"What's your name, commoner?"
"Kyel, my lord."
Jaffery's eyes narrowed.
"You're the one who married Lady Eva, aren't you?"
"Yes, my lord."
The baron chuckled and pulled out a heavy pouch, tossing it toward Kyel. Gold coins clinked loudly as Kyel caught it with ease.
"Let's make a deal," Jaffery said lazily. "I'll give you two more bags like that. In return, there's just one thing I want."
Kyel looked down at the pouch in his hand.
"And what would that be, my lord?"
"One night," Jaffery said, licking his lips, "with your beautiful wife—Lady Eva."
He laughed. "I had my eye on her for a long time. I was heartbroken when I heard she married some nobody likes you before I could make my move."
Jaffery leaned closer. "So one night with her should be enough to heal my broken heart. What do you say? Sounds like a good deal, doesn't it?"
Kyel stared at the gold for a long moment. Then he smiled. "It is a pretty good deal," he said calmly.
The baron's grin widened.
"But, my lord," Kyel added, lifting his gaze, "it's far too crowded here. Why don't we discuss the details somewhere quieter?"
"Of course," Jaffery replied eagerly. "Lead the way."
Kyel led the three men deep into the forest.
The sounds of the market faded, replaced by the rustle of leaves. The deeper they went, the darker the woods became.
Jaffery frowned.
"Hey, how far are you planning to take us?"
Kyel stopped and then turned slowly.
"This is far enough," he said calmly. "No one will hear your screams."
Jaffery stiffened.
"What do you mean by that—"
Kyel's expression darkened.
"Come out," he said quietly. "Boys."
The shadows beneath his feet moved. They stretched unnaturally, swelling and tearing themselves apart as three massive black wolves emerged from the darkness—Talon, Fen, and Mara. Their eyes glowed, teeth bared, bodies radiating raw killing intent.
The men collapsed to the ground, shaking violently.
Kyel looked down at them, his voice cold. "If I were you, I would have started running by now."
That was all it took.
Jaffery and his companions scrambled to their feet and ran.
Kyel turned away, already bored.
"I'm heading to the palace," he said casually. "Bring me their heads before I get there."
His tone hardened.
"And do whatever you want with the rest."
He began to walk.
"Go," Kyel said softly.
The wolves leapt. Screams tore through the forest. Claws ripped flesh. Teeth crushed bone. Blood sprayed across tree trunks and soaked into the earth.
Then—
Silence.
Kyel never looked back. Not even once.
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(Royal Palace of Velmoria)
Kyel entered the palace through a hidden passage, his steps soundless against the stone floor. A dark hood concealed his face, shadowing his features as he moved deeper inside the palace.
A voice cut through the silence.
"Who are you—and how did you enter the palace?"
Kyel stopped. He turned calmly and lifted his hood.
Hans stiffened the moment he saw his face. "…Forgive my insolence," he said at once, bowing deeply. "I failed to recognize you."
Straightening, he added with quiet respect,
"Welcome back, Your Majesty."
Kyel raised a hand and flicked his fingers.The air shimmered. The disguise magic shattered like glass. His black hair turned silver-white, and brown eyes burned into deep crimson. The gentle presence of Kyel vanished—replaced by the aura of the ruler of Velmoria. Emperor Eyan Lucien Therald.
"Bring me a cup of tea, Hans," Eyan said evenly.
"At once, Your Majesty."
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(Emperor's Study)
Hans returned shortly, placing the tea cup on the desk. "Here, Your Majesty."
Eyan accepted it and took a slow sip, his expression unreadable.
Hans spoke again, careful but composed. "Your Majesty… your wolves returned a moment ago. They brought three heads. What shall be done with them?"
"Send them to their families," Eyan replied without hesitation.
Hans nodded. "As you command."
Eyan reached into his pocket and withdrew a simple silver ring. He held it out. "Hans, take this ring to the Magic Tower. Tell Luca to embed disguise magic into it."
Hans accepted the ring, glancing at it curiously. "Disguise magic… in this ring?"
He studied it for a moment. "It looks rather ordinary. Where did you get it, Your Majesty?"
Eyan took another sip of tea.
"It's my wedding ring."
Hans said simply. "Oh… your wedding ring."
Then he froze."…Your wedding ring?" he exclaimed. "What do you mean—your wedding ring?"
He stared at Eyan in disbelief. "Your Majesty, when did you get married? To whom? Where—and how did this even happen?"
"You have far too many questions," Eyan said calmly. "Ask one at a time."
Hans took a breath. "…When did you get married, Your Majesty?"
"Yesterday."
Hans swallowed. "…To whom?"
"To Eva."
For a moment, Hans was silent. Then he let out a soft, incredulous laugh. "Your Majesty… I knew you liked her. You followed her for quite some time. But I never imagined you would marry her so suddenly."
"I didn't have much of a choice," Eyan replied. "She proposed first. I couldn't reject her."
Hans nodded slowly. "You're right."
Then his expression brightened with excitement. "Your Majesty, when will you bring Her Majesty to the palace?"
He continued without pause. "But first, we must announce the wedding! You should be married again—properly this time—with full preparations."
"Oh my," Hans muttered, already thinking aloud. "The invitations, the decorations—there's so much to arrange."
"Hans."
Still talking, Hans waved a hand. "We must inform your father as well. There's so much to do—"
"HANS." Eyan shouted.
Hans finally stopped. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"There will be no announcement," Eyan said.
Hans frowned slightly. "But Your Majesty, we must officially introduce the empress to the people of Velmoria."
"She will not be an empress," Eyan replied.
Hans looked at him, startled. "She won't?"
"I married her as Kyel," Eyan said quietly. "Not as Eyan. She doesn't know my true identity."
Hans hesitated. "You didn't tell Her.… Why, Your Majesty? Why keep her away from the Crown?"
"Because being close to me will only put her in danger," Eyan answered. "And I won't allow that."
His voice lowered. "She will live as Kyel's wife. She has nothing to do with Eyan."
Then, firmly, "So, Hans—make sure no one finds out about Eva."
Hans straightened. "Don't worry, Your Majesty. You have my word. I won't tell a single soul."
"Good."
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