(Somewhere in an Endless Field)
Cold wind drifted gently across the open field. The scent of wildflowers filled the air as countless soft petals scattered across the grass, dancing with the breeze.
In the middle of the field—
Eyan lay on the grass with his eyes closed.
His hair moved softly with the wind.
The sunlight was warm, the earth beneath him soft.
For the first time in what felt like forever— Everything felt peaceful.
Quiet.
A blade of grass bent with the wind and brushed lightly against his ear.
Eyan stirred slightly. His hand lazily brushed the grass away before settling back onto the ground.
But the wind shifted again. Another blade of grass tickled his ear. Eyan frowned faintly and turned onto his side, half-asleep.
The grass brushed his ear again. He groaned softly and pushed it away.
Just then—
A soft voice whispered near his ear.
"Honey…"
Eyan's eyes remained closed.
"Hmm…"
The voice came again, gentle and warm.
"Wake up....How long are you planning to sleep?"
Eyan sighed softly.
"Let me sleep a little longer…" His voice was lazy, almost childlike. "It's so peaceful here."
A soft laugh followed.
"I know it's peaceful…But you should wake up now....Everyone is worried about you."
Eyan slowly turned toward the voice. Without opening his eyes, he reached out and wrapped his arm around the person beside him.
His hand slid around her waist, pulling her down onto the grass beside him.
Then he held her tightly against his chest. His arms wrapped around her as if he never wanted to let go.
"I don't want to wake up."
The woman resting against him looked at him quietly.
"Why?"
Eyan's grip tightened.
"Because if I wake up…" His lips trembled. "You'll disappear again."
For a moment neither of them spoke.The wind passed gently through the flowers around them.
Then she whispered softly. "Do you know this is only a dream?."
Eyan nodded faintly against her hair. "Yes…i know"
His arms tightened around her. "And I want to stay here."
His voice trembled slightly. "So stay with me."
Silence filled the field.
"I can't stay here." she said softly.
Then slowly, She lifted her hand and placed it gently against his chest. Right over his heart.
"But I will never truly leave you." Her voice was soft… filled with sadness.
She tapped softly over his heart.
"I'll always be here....Inside your heart."
"So you should, let me go now."
A tear slipped slowly from the corner of Eyan's closed eyes. He hugged her tighter, almost desperately, as if trying to keep her from fading away.
His voice broke into a whisper.
"I love you...."
She slowly wrapped her arms around him. Holding him the way she always had.
"I love you too...."
She lifted her head and kissed him softly, then she smiled.
"Good bye.. Eyan."
Her voice was soft… fading.
The wind grew colder. The warmth in his arms slowly began to disappear.
__________________________________
(Royal Palace — Velmoria)
Eyan's eyes slowly opened.
His face was wet with tears. For a moment he didn't move. His arms were still wrapped tightly around something—as if he had been holding someone in his sleep.
But there was nothing there. Only empty air.
His fingers slowly loosened. His gaze lifted toward the ceiling above him. The familiar carved patterns came into focus.
His chamber.
A sharp pain suddenly bloomed in his skull. "Ah—"
Eyan winced slightly and lifted his hand to his head. His fingers brushed against thick bandages wrapped around his forehead.
For a moment he froze.
Then—
The memories came rushing back.
War.
Eva.
The broken road.
The river.
Her hand slipping from his grasp.
His lips trembled. "Eva…"
The name left his mouth like a broken whisper.
Suddenly he threw the blanket aside and forced himself up from the bed. His body swayed from weakness but he didn't stop.
He rushed toward the door and pushed it open. The guards outside immediately straightened.
"Your Majesty—!"
But Eyan was already running down the corridor. His footsteps echoed through the palace halls as he rushed toward the main entrance.
"Your Majesty!" The knights hurried after him. "Please stop!"
But Eyan didn't slow down. His heart pounded violently.
He ran through the final corridor and pushed open the palace doors. Cold air rushed against his face.
Just as he stepped forward— A hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder.
"Eyan!"
Eyan stopped abruptly.
Luca stood in front of him.
His eyes were filled with worry.
"Stop." Luca's grip tightened slightly. "Where are you going?"
Eyan's breathing was uneven.
"Move." His voice trembled. "I have to go find Eva."
Luca's expression hardened slightly. "Eyan—"
"She fell into the river!" Eyan's voice rose desperately. "I have to bring her back home!"
He tried to push past him. But Luca grabbed him firmly.
"Eyan stop."
"No!" Eyan's voice broke. "She's waiting for me!"
Luca's chest tightened painfully.
He looked at him quietly before speaking.
"She isn't waiting, Eyan.....There's nothing there anymore."
Eyan shook his head immediately.
"No." His voice trembled. "No… she fell into the river yesterday…"
"Six months."
Luca's words echoed in the silent hall.
He looked at Eyan, his eyes filled with sorrow. "It's been six months… you were unconscious for six months."
For a moment, Eyan did not react..It was as if the words could not reach him.
His eyes stared ahead, unfocused.
"No…" The whisper barely left his lips. "No… that's not possible."
His breathing became uneven. "It was just yesterday…"
His voice trembled with desperate denial.
"She's still there…"
Luca's chest tightened painfully as he watched him. He stepped closer, his voice quiet but heavy with grief.
"She isn't there anymore, Eyan."
Eyan slowly shook his head. "No…"
"I searched." Luca swallowed hard. "I searched the entire river....But i couldn't find her body."
Eyan's lips began to tremble. The strength slowly left his body. His knees gave out beneath him and he collapsed onto the cold marble floor.
A broken sound escaped his throat. "Eva…"
Tears spilled uncontrollably down his face. "Eva… please forgive me…"
His voice shattered as guilt crushed his chest. "I couldn't even give you a proper burial…"
His hands trembled helplessly against the floor. "I couldn't even bring you home…"
Luca's eyes filled with tears.
He quickly knelt in front of him and pulled Eyan into his arms.
"It's not your fault."
Eyan's voice was hoarse from crying. "She's gone…" A painful sob tore from his chest. "She left me alone…"
Luca held him tighter as his own tears fell.
"Eyan… get hold of yourself…"
But Eyan clung to him desperately.
"I can't…" His voice broke completely. "I can't live without her…" His shoulders shook violently as grief poured out of him. "I can't…"
Luca closed his eyes tightly, holding him as if trying to keep him from completely breaking apart.
Eyan's hands slowly tightened around Luca's robe as he cried like a man who had lost everything.
There, on the cold palace floor—The Emperor of Velmoria wept like a broken man. Mourning the woman who had been his world.
His love. His wife. The mother of his child. The one person he had never imagined living without.
__________________________________
(Royal Palace — Velmoria)
(Eyan's Chamber)
Eyan sat quietly on the edge of the bed. His eyes were red and swollen from crying, the grief still lingering heavily in his expression.
Beside him stood Luca while the royal physician carefully unwrapped the bandage around Eyan's head. The cloth slowly loosened, revealing the long scar running across his temple.
The physician examined it closely.
"It's almost healed now, Your Majesty."
Eyan lifted his gaze toward the mirror placed across the room. Slowly, his hand rose to his head.
His fingers brushed lightly over the scar.
The rough line beneath his skin was a silent reminder of thatday.
Luca watched him for a moment before turning to the physician.
"That will be all. You may leave."
The physician bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Master Luca."
He quietly exited the chamber, leaving the two men alone.
Luca stepped forward and sat down on the bed in front of Eyan. For a moment, he simply looked at him. Then he gently placed his hand over Eyan's.
"Are you feeling better now?"
Eyan nodded slowly. "Yes."
Silence filled the room for a moment. Then Eyan spoke again.
"Did Leo (8 years old) wake from his deep sleep?"
Luca exhaled softly. "He did."
Eyan looked at him.
"But he left the moment he woke up," Luca continued. "I only found a letter beside the bed."
Eyan frowned slightly. "What did it say?"
"He wrote that, now that the child has been born, he will return to his own world."
Eyan lowered his gaze.
"That's better." His voice was quiet. "He returned."
His fingers tightened slightly against the bedsheet. "He didn't have to know about his mother."
Luca watched him carefully.
"Eyan… I heard everything that happened there."
His voice softened. "It wasn't your fault."
Eyan didn't respond.
"Sister-in-law made that decision herself." Luca's hand tightened around his. "You don't have to hate yourself for it."
Eyan slowly shook his head.
"How can I not?" His voice trembled faintly. "It was all my fault."
Luca immediately shook his head.
"No, it was—"
Suddenly—
"WAAAH—! WAAAH—!"
A baby's cry echoed from outside the door.
Eyan's head jerked up instantly.
"Is that Leo crying?"
Without waiting, he stood up from the bed and quickly walked toward the door.
He opened it.
Aranel stood outside the chamber, holding Leo in her arms. The child was crying loudly, his small face red and his tiny fists trembling in the air.
Aranel looked apologetic.
"Brother-in-law, I apologize. I didn't mean to disturb you."
Eyan shook his head gently.
"No, Lady Aranel. It's alright."
His eyes softened as he looked at the crying child. Leo's cries echoed through the corridor.
Eyan slowly extended his hands.
"Give him to me."
Aranel nodded and carefully placed Leo into Eyan's arms. The moment the child settled against his chest, Eyan began rocking him gently.
"Shhh…" His voice was soft, almost instinctive. "Don't cry, Leo…"
Slowly, the child's cries began to quiet. Leo's small body relaxed in his arms.
After a moment, he opened his eyes and looked up at Eyan.
Eyan smiled faintly. He lifted his hand and gently touched Leo's cheek.
"You've grown so much… since I last saw you."
The baby suddenly grabbed one of Eyan's fingers with his tiny hand and pulled it toward his mouth, beginning to suck on it.
Eyan laughed softly.
"Are you hungry?" He gently tried to pull his finger back. "You shouldn't eat my finger."
Aranel chuckled softly. Luca, who had been watching from behind, laughed as well.
Eyan then turned toward Aranel.
"Lady Aranel, could you bring some milk for him? It looks like he's hungry."
Aranel nodded. "Of course."
She turned and walked away to fetch the milk.
Just then—
A hurried voice echoed down the corridor.
"YOUR MAJESTY!"
Eyan turned.
Hans stood there, slightly out of breath, his face filled with relief.
He quickly approached and bowed.
"Your Majesty… you finally woke up."
Eyan smiled faintly.
"How are you, Hans?...Did you take care of everything in my absence?"
Hans nodded firmly.
"I did, Your Majesty. You don't have to worry about anything."
"Good."
Just then Luca's nose twitched.
He sniffed the air.
"…What is that smell?"
Eyan paused. Hans sniffed as well.
Hans frowned slightly.
"You're right, Master Luca… I smell it too. Where is it coming from?"
All three men slowly looked down at Leo. The baby stared back at them. Then he suddenly giggled.
Luca sighed.
"Well…" He raised his hands. "Looks like it's his doing."
He stepped forward and reached out. "Give him to me. I'll take him to Aranel. She'll wash him."
But Eyan shook his head. "No."
Luca blinked.
Eyan smiled slightly. "I'll do it."
Luca looked surprised. "You're going to do it?"
Eyan didn't answer. He gently laid Leo on the bed. Carefully, he began unwrapping the cloth around the baby. A moment later the source of the smell became very clear.
Eyan calmly cleaned Leo's legs with a cloth.
Luca watched the whole thing with mild disbelief.
After a moment he went to a nearby chest and brought out fresh clothes. He handed them to Eyan.
Eyan dressed Leo carefully, wrapping the clean cloth around him with practiced care.
Once he was finished, he lifted Leo back into his arms.
"It's done." He looked down at the baby with a faint smile. "Now you're fresh and clean."
Just then, Aranel returned.
She carried a small cup of warm milk and approached the bed quietly.
"Here, Brother in law" she said softly.
Eyan nodded and carefully took the cup from her. He sat down on the edge of the bed and adjusted Leo in his arms. Slowly and carefully, he began feeding the child, guiding the milk to his lips with gentle patience.
Leo drank quietly.
Eyan supported the baby's head with one hand, making sure he wouldn't choke.
Luca stood nearby, watching the scene with visible surprise. For a moment he simply stared.
Then he spoke—
"Eyan… why are you so good at this?"
Eyan looked up briefly.
"It's your first time having a baby."
A faint smile appeared on Eyan's face. "It is."
His eyes returned to Leo. "But I was already prepared."
"I read all the books about how to raise a child."
He gently wiped a drop of milk from Leo's lips. "I couldn't just leave everything to Eva."
A quiet laugh escaped him.
"If Eva were here right now…" He shook his head softly. "She would have fainted from the smell earlier."
Eyan chuckled lightly.
"I'm glad she's not here."
The words left his mouth without thought.
And suddenly—
His hands trembled slightly as he continued holding the cup. The smile slowly disappeared from his face.
His lips trembled. A tear suddenly fell from his eyes and dropped onto Leo's blanket.
Eyan's voice cracked. "…She's not here."
Another tear fell. His breathing grew uneven. "She's… not here anymore."
Aranel's eyes instantly filled with tears. She covered her mouth to stop the sob rising in her throat. Luca's expression tightened, his eyes reddening. Hans quietly turned his face away, covering his mouth., unable to speak.
Eyan's voice broke as the truth crushed him again. "…She's really gone."
Tears streamed down his face. "I keep… forgetting for a moment…"
Suddenly—
A sharp pain shot through his skull.
"Ahh—!"
Eyan gasped and grabbed his head. The pain struck violently, like something tearing through his mind.
"Ahh—!"
Aranel immediately rushed forward. She carefully took Leo from Eyan's arms before the baby could slip.
Luca grabbed Eyan by the shoulders.
"Eyan!...Are you alright?!"
Eyan clutched his head, his fingers digging into his hair.
"Ahh…!"
His breathing turned ragged as the pain spread through his skull like fire.
Luca quickly turned to Hans.
"Hans! Go get the physician!"
Hans immediately ran from the chamber.
Luca carefully helped Eyan lie back onto the bed as he continued gripping his head, his body trembling from the intense pain.
Moments later the door burst open. Hans returned with the physician.
The physician hurried to the bedside and immediately began examining Eyan, checking the wound on his head while Luca held him steady.
__________________________________
The physician slowly stepped away from the bed after finishing his examination.
Eyan had finally fallen asleep, his breathing uneven but calmer than before. The pain had exhausted him.
Aranel gently rocked Leo in her arms, making sure the child stayed quiet.
Luca looked at the physician. "Come with me."
The physician nodded and followed him outside the chamber. The door closed softly behind them.
The corridor was silent.
Luca immediately turned toward him. "What is wrong with him?"
The physician lowered his voice. "The wound on His Majesty's head is healing… but the injury inside his skull has not fully recovered."
Luca's brows tightened.
"The blow he suffered was extremely severe. It caused deep trauma to his brain. That is why he remained unconscious for six months."
Luca crossed his arms, his expression dark. "And the pain he just had?"
"That happens when the brain is under stress," the physician explained. "Strong emotions can trigger intense pressure inside his head. When that happens, the pain becomes unbearable."
Luca looked troubled. "Will it happen again?"
The physician nodded slowly. "If His Majesty continues to put himself under emotional strain… yes."
Luca sighed heavily. "That will be difficult."
The physician hesitated before speaking again. "There is something else you must understand."
Luca looked at him.
"In the state His Majesty is in right now… his mind is extremely fragile."
Luca frowned. "What are you trying to say?"
The physician spoke carefully. "The grief of losing the Queen has deeply affected him."
"Because of that," the physician continued, "you must keep His Majesty away from anything that reminds him of the Queen for the time being."
Luca's eyes widened slightly. "Keep him away… from remembering her?"
"Yes." The physician nodded.
"Right now, every memory of the Queen will only worsen his condition."
He paused before saying the next words. "And you must not leave His Majesty alone."
Luca looked at him sharply. "Why?"
The physician's voice became grave. "In the mental state he is in… there is a risk that His Majesty may try to harm himself."
Silence fell in the corridor.
Luca's eyes widened in shock. "…Harm himself?"
The physician nodded slowly. "Grief can push a person into dangerous thoughts."
"Until his mind becomes stable again, someone must always remain close to him."
Luca clenched his fists.
"For now," the physician continued, "keep His Majesty away from stress, from painful memories… and from anything that may deepen his sorrow."
He looked toward the closed chamber door.."If he continues to relive the Queen's death in his mind...his body and mind may both collapse."
The words struck Luca like a blade. For a moment, the corridor felt colder.
Luca slowly lowered his gaze. His hands clenched into fists. He knew the physician was right. Eyan had loved Eva with his entire soul. Losing her like that… Anyone would break.
After a long silence, Luca finally spoke. His voice was low but steady.
"…I understand."
He lifted his head, his expression firm.
"I will stay by his side."
The physician nodded slightly.
"That would be best."
Luca looked at the closed door once more.
His voice softened. "…He has already lost too much." Then he quietly added, "I won't let him lose himself too."
__________________________________
Luca stood in the quiet corridor for a moment after the physician left.
The words he had just heard still echoed in his mind.
Luca let out a slow breath and pushed the chamber door open.
The room was quiet.
Aranel had already taken Leo away so the child would not disturb Eyan's rest.
Only the faint sound of Eyan's breathing filled the chamber.
Eyan lay on the bed, his face pale, his brows slightly furrowed even in sleep. It was as if the pain followed him even into his dreams.
Luca slowly walked toward the bed. He sat down beside him. For a long moment he simply looked at his friend.
This man who once stood fearless on the battlefield… Now he looked so fragile. So broken.
Luca reached out and gently brushed Eyan's hair away from his forehead.
"You really made a mess of yourself…"
Eyan didn't move. He continued sleeping, unaware.
Luca leaned back slightly in the chair beside the bed. "You always try to carry everything alone."
"You lost your wife…" His voice softened. "And you think it's all your fault."
Luca shook his head slowly.
"You idiot…" His eyes lowered for a moment. "She chose Leo....She chose to protect her child."
"That wasn't your decision."
He looked at Eyan again.
"But you won't listen to that, will you?"
A faint sad smile appeared on his lips.
"So until you finally understand it…"
Luca leaned forward slightly.
"…I'll stay here and keep watch over you."
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Sleep for now....Rest."
"Because when you wake up… you still have a son waiting for you...."
"You can't fall apart....Not anymore."
"For Leo's sake… you have to live."
.
.
.
The wind outside gently rustled the curtains near the window.
.
.
Time slowly moved forward.
Days slowly passed.
The palace that once echoed with joy grew quieter.
Seasons changed one after another.
The wounds of the kingdom slowly healed.
But the wound in Eyan's heart remained.
He continued living… Not because he wished to— But because someone small needed him to.
And somewhere within the palace halls… A child slowly began to grow..
And without anyone noticing—
Five years passed.