Just as Eyan turned to leave—
The massive doors of the hall opened.
"Wait."
The voice was soft… yet it carried clearly across the silence.
Eyan stopped walking.
Slowly, he turned back.
A woman was walking toward him.
Her dress was simple, slightly worn from travel. Loose strands of hair framed her face.
But there was no hesitation in her steps.
She stopped a few feet away and bowed deeply. "Greetings, Your Majesty. My name is Sia."
Then she straightened… and looked directly into his eyes. "I am here to marry you."
A faint wave of whispers moved through the hall.
Sia reached into her bag and took out a folded pamphlet.
She held it out calmly.
"You were the one who spread this all over the capital… right?"
Her gaze did not waver.
"I have come for this position."
Eyan watched her in silence.
Then he turned and walked back to his imperial chair.
He sat down slowly, resting his arm on the armrest.
His eyes remained fixed on her.
"Let us see… what you have to offer."
He gestured toward the seat before him.
"Lady please...Sit."
Sia bowed again and sat down.
The atmosphere in the hall grew heavier.
"If you are here," Eyan said quietly,
"Then you must know the conditions written in that pamphlet."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I read them carefully." she said calmly.
"And you accept all of them?"
"Yes."
Eyan leaned slightly forward.
"Tell me… why do you want such a marriage?"
Sia answered simply,
"I need a roof over my head… food to eat… wealth… and a comfortable life."
Eyan hummed thoughtfully.
"Then give me one reason… why I should choose you."
Sia held his gaze.
"As per Your Majesty's own words… you require a woman who can take care of the Crown Prince… and who will not expect love or attention from you."
"Yes," Eyan said. "And?"
There was a brief pause.
Then Sia spoke calmly,
"Forgive my boldness… but I do not like you, your majesty."
The words struck the hall like thunder.
"And that," she continued, "is exactly why you should choose me."
Silence followed.
Luca stiffened.
This is over… she ruined everything…
But then—
A faint smile curved on Eyan's lips.
"You passed."
Luca's head snapped up.
"…What?"
Sia blinked in confusion.
"I… passed?"
Eyan nodded calmly. "Yes."
He leaned back in his chair, studying her.
"You are exactly the kind of woman I need for my son." He spoke slowly, deliberately. "Someone who does not like me....Someone who can look me in the eyes… without trembling."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"And someone who is not easily frightened."
A small pause.
"You possess all these qualities." He gave a short nod. "So… congratulations."
Sia let out a soft laugh of disbelief.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Luca suddenly brightened.
"Eyan! Then what about the marriage? When will it happen?"
Eyan glanced at him. "I will tell you."
Then he looked back at Sia.
"But first… she must pass a test."
Luca frowned instantly. "A test? What test? You never mentioned anything about a test."
Eyan's voice remained calm.
"She will be taking care of Leo...I need to see whether she can actually handle a child."
His eyes returned to Sia.
"So, Lady… are you ready?"
Sia straightened her back and nodded without hesitation.
"Yes."
Eyan turned toward Luca.
"Go. Bring the children here."
Luca blinked. "…Children? Not just Leo?"
Eyan hummed softly.
"Yes bring Nayra and Nolan as well."
Luca stared at him in disbelief.
"If you want to reject her… then just reject her directly. Why make her go through something like this?"
Before Eyan could reply—
Sia spoke gently. "Master Luca… it's alright."
She smiled faintly. "If His Majesty wishes to see whether I can handle children… then I will accept the test."
Luca sighed heavily. "Lady… you don't understand."
He ran a hand over his face. "Even though they are my own children… I can tell you honestly — they are little devils."
Sia laughed. "Then I would very much like to meet those little devils myself."
Luca shook his head. "You will regret this."
And with that—
He turned and walked out of the hall.
________________________
Heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor.
Loud.
Chaotic.
Like a storm approaching.
The grand doors burst open.
Luca walked in, looking completely exhausted.
In each of his hands he was holding the back collars of two struggling children — Nayra and Nolan.
Both were kicking, twisting, trying to escape.
Beside them walked Leo.
The moment Leo entered—
He froze.
His eyes immediately found the woman standing before his father.
Lady Sia…? Shock spread across his face. What is she doing here…?
Meanwhile—
Luca was losing his battle.
"These kids…!" he groaned, trying to keep his grip.
"Hey! Behave for once!"
Nayra twisted violently.
"Father! Let go!" she protested angrily.
"I want to go to Uncle Eyan!"
Nolan was no better.
He was almost dragging Luca forward with his attempts to run.
Eyan watched the scene… and smiled faintly.
"Luca," he said calmly.
"Let them go."
Luca stared at him.
"…Are you serious?"
He sighed in defeat and released their collars.
The effect was instant.
Both children shot forward like wild cubs set free.
They ran across the hall giggling loudly and jumped straight onto Eyan, who was seated on his chair.
One climbed onto his lap.
The other clung to his arm.
Eyan chuckled softly and adjusted them comfortably, as if he were used to this chaos.
Then his gaze lifted toward Sia. "Lady…"
His voice turned slightly formal.
"Your test begins now."
He gently stroked Nayra's hair.
"Your first task is simple." A small pause. "You must make Nayra leave me… and take her into your arms."
Sia blinked.
"…Just take her from you?"...That's all?"
Eyan smiled. "Yes."
Before she could react—
Luca exploded.
"Eyan! That's impossible!" He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "No one — and I mean no one — can take Nayra away from you....Not even me....Not even Aranel."
Eyan only continued smiling.
A knowing… almost dangerous smile.
Luca's eyes narrowed.
You sly fox…You never wanted to marry in the first place. You passed her only to give her an impossible task…If she fails, you can send her away without blame.
His chest tightened slightly.
Looks like Leo's dream of having a mother… will remain just a dream.
Sia tilted her head and looked at Nayra sitting in Eyan's lap.
The child's big eyes met hers — wide, curious… unafraid.
For a brief moment neither of them moved.
Then slowly… very slowly… Sia began walking toward her.
Her steps were soft, measured. The faint rustle of her dress seemed unnaturally loud in the silent room. She stopped just in front of Nayra — close enough that the child could see the small smile resting on her lips.
Sia extended her hand.
Eyan watched the gesture with narrowed eyes.
A mocking laugh slipped from his lips.
"Lady… it's not going to work," he said lazily, leaning back as if completely unconcerned. "You'll need to do something more convincing than that—"
Nayra had already lifted her tiny hand.
Her fingers curled around Sia's.
And in the very next second she pushed herself up… climbing out of Eyan's lap as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The room froze.
Eyan's body went rigid.
Luca's jaw literally dropped open.
The disbelief on their faces was so clear it needed no words.
Sia caught Nayra smoothly, as if she had been expecting it.
She adjusted the child against her shoulder and began rocking her gently.
Nayra rested her head there without hesitation.
As if she belonged.
Eyan stared at them.
Something sharp twisted inside his chest.
"Nayra…" he called quietly.
There was hurt in his voice now.
Bare.
Unhidden.
But the child only clung more comfortably to Sia.
Sia's gaze lifted to meet his. There was a strange calmness in her expression — a quiet confidence that felt almost dangerous.
"Then… Your Majesty," she asked softly while swaying the child in her arms, "did I pass?"
Eyan let out a laugh.
But there was no humor in it.
"Yes," he said slowly. "You passed."
Luca's curiosity had already taken over his shock.
He stepped closer, circling them like a man studying an unsolved mystery.
His eyes narrowed at Nayra.
"Nayra, sweetheart…" he said gently, though suspicion lingered beneath his tone. "You never leave your uncle's arms. Not until he tells you to. Then why now?"
Nayra lifted her head.
Her big eyes blinked once… twice… then she smiled — a small, shy smile meant only for Sia.
"Because Nayra likes… this nice aunty."
The words were simple.
But they struck Eyan harder than any blade ever could.
He stared at her.
"You like her?" he asked quietly.
"Yes… uncle."
A slow breath escaped him.
He looked away for a moment, as if gathering something that was slipping from his control.
"…Good work, Nayra."
But his voice had grown lower.
Rougher.
Almost wounded.
A strange excitement flickered in Sia's eyes. "Then… what's the next test, Your Majesty?"
Eyan, who had been treating the entire matter like a passing amusement until now, grew visibly serious. His gaze shifted to Nolan, who was still sitting on his lap —
"Make Nolan eat… bitter gourd," Eyan said at last, his voice calm but firm. "Just one spoon."
Luca immediately rubbed his face in worry.
This is it… this is the end… he thought grimly.
Moments later, the vegetable was brought.
Nolan was seated on a chair now, legs swinging restlessly in the air. Sia stood before him holding the plate. The faint, bitter smell filled the room.
Eyan and Luca watched without blinking.
Their entire attention was fixed on that single spoon.
Now it's all in your hands, Nolan… Eyan thought.
Sia lifted the spoon and brought it toward the boy's mouth.
Nolan reacted instantly — clamping his lips shut and turning his head away with dramatic refusal.
"I won't eat it… I hate it very much."
A small satisfied smile touched Eyan's lips.
Good work my boy.
Sia paused.
She let out a slow breath… then quietly placed the spoon back in the plate.
"Little lord… don't eat bitter gourd," she said suddenly.…That's why that day the snake attacked you."
Nolan blinked at her. "What do you mean?"
Sia crouched down so their eyes were level.
"Little lord saw how that day I fought that snake… didn't you?"
Nolan's face brightened immediately. "Yes! I remember! You threw it like it was nothing!"
Sia smiled gently. "Yes… and do you know why I was able to do that?"
"Why?"
"Because I eat bitter gourd every day. It gives you strength to fight snakes."
Nolan's mouth slowly fell open. "Strength… to fight snakes?"
"Yes."
She picked up the spoon again and held it near his lips. "If you want to become strong enough to defeat a snake next time… please eat it."
Nolan stared at the spoon. His small brows knitted together in serious thought.
Then… determinedly… he opened his mouth.
And ate it.
He chewed once.
Twice.
"…It's not that bad." he said first time testing it.
Eyan and Luca stood frozen.
Stunned.
Luca was the first to recover.
A laugh burst out of him — loud, disbelieving, impressed.
"Lady Sia… you really are incredible."
Sia only smiled.
But Eyan's smile had already vanished.
This is bad, he thought. Very bad.
She was not just passing his tests.
She was dismantling them.
Sia stood and faced him again.
"Then, Your Majesty… did I pass this one too?"
"…Yes," Eyan replied.
She smiled brighter this time.
"Now… what's the next test?"
Eyan sighed and finally turned his gaze toward Leo.
"Leo. Come here."
Leo, who had been silently watching everything from the side like a shadow, stepped forward.
His expression was unreadable.
"Yes… father."
Eyan's eyes remained fixed on him.
"Make him fall asleep."
Leo stiffened. "…Father?"
"My son only falls asleep beside me. No one else," Eyan said evenly. "If you are going to be his mother… this is something you must learn. If you succeeds… I will sign the marriage certificate instantly....but if you failed...you will leave without a complaint."
The words struck the room like a thrown blade.
Sia slowly turned her head toward Leo.
Leo looked back at her.
For a long moment… they simply stared at each other.
Something unspoken passed between them. Recognition.
Hesitation.
Perhaps even fear.
__________________________________
(Leo's Chamber)
The atmosphere inside the prince's chamber felt heavier than anywhere else in the palace.
Tall curtains muted the afternoon light, letting only thin golden lines slip across the polished floor.
The large bed stood in the center like a silent witness… waiting.
Eyan's voice broke the stillness.
"Lady… you have fifteen minutes. If you can make him fall asleep within this time limit, you will pass."
There was no warmth in his tone now.
Only authority.
Only challenge.
"And your time starts… now."
He turned without another glance.
"Luca. Let's wait outside."
Luca hesitated for half a second — his eyes flickering between Leo and Sia — then he nodded and followed Eyan outside.
The heavy door closed behind them with a dull thud.
Silence.
The moment it did, Leo rushed toward Sia in panic.
"Lady Sia… what in the world are you doing here?" he whispered urgently. "You appeared right in front of Father. If he recognizes you… you are finished."
Sia shook her head calmly.
"Your Highness, don't panic. His Majesty can't recognize me… because he has never seen my face. Only you know what I look like."
Leo exhaled in relief.
"Oh… that's good. But… why are you here?"
Sia smiled faintly.
"I'm here to become your mother. I saw the pamphlet about wanting a mother to look after you… so I stepped in."
Leo blinked.
"Why do you want to become my mother?"
"Because I like Your Highness. I already told you… you were the first person who ever talked to me kindly." She paused, then added softly, "And I need food… to continue living."
Leo frowned. "you need food?."
"To tell you the truth," she went on, her voice almost too light for the words she was saying, "I haven't eaten anything for ten days."
Leo's eyes widened. "What?! But… why?"
"Because I don't have money to buy it. Since that day you told me not to steal anything… I quit."
Her gaze met his. "I quit everything."
Something tightened painfully in Leo's chest.."It feels good to hear that… but you could have worked somewhere and gotten paid. Why starve for ten days?"
"I tried," Sia said quietly. "But as I told you, Your Highness… people don't like me. They hate me. The moment they see my face… they refuse to talk to me. I asked for work… but nobody gave me any."
A small, helpless smile curved her lips.
"That's why I came here."
Leo's eyes turned moist. "Oh… I'm sorry."
"It's nothing," she said gently. "But Your Highness… I really need a house right now."
"What happened to your house?"
"Today the Royal knights found it. They are looking for me… so I can't live there anymore."
Leo's panic returned.
"Oh… then what should you do? I can't even help you…"
"You can," she said, stepping closer. "Just accept me as your mother. I will take good care of you… I promise."
Leo looked at her for a long moment.
Then he nodded. "I already chose you as my mother."
Sia blinked in surprise. "Really?"
"Yes."
Her smile this time was brighter… relieved. "Then everything is solved. I can live with you here."
Leo suddenly remembered. "But you still have to pass the last test."
"Right…" she murmured. "The last test."
She looked at him thoughtfully.
"Your Highness… can you pretend to be asleep for me?"
Leo laughed immediately. "No. I can't. Father will catch me in an instant."
"Well… that's a problem," she admitted. "I don't know how to make a child sleep."
Her eyes lingered on him. Then something changed in her expression —
determination.
Before Leo could react, she lifted him into her arms. His eyes widened in pure shock.
She carried him to the bed, laid him down carefully… then lay beside him.
Her arm wrapped around him gently, pulling him closer. She guided his head onto her chest as if it was the most natural place for him to rest.
"Let's give it a shot…" she whispered.
She lay there completely still...
Then—
Leo spoke.
"Lady Sia… you need to pat my back. Father always does that. I will never fall asleep like this."
"Oh…" she murmured, as if taking a mental note.
Then she began.
Her palm moved slowly over his back — gentle, steady… rhythmic. Not too fast. Not too slow. Just enough to create a comforting warmth through the thin fabric of his clothes.
With her other hand, she started combing her fingers through his hair.
Leo lay still against her chest, his ear pressed there.
The room grew silent. The kind of silence that feels deep… almost sacred.
No footsteps. No voices. No distant palace sounds.
Only one thing remained.
The sound of her heartbeat.
Thum…
Thum…
Thum…
Leo's expression slowly changed.
His brows, which had been slightly tense until now, began to relax.
"…I heard this sound before," he whispered faintly.
He tried to focus.
He closed his eyes… listening more carefully.
Thum.
Thum.
Thum.
Her hand continued stroking his hair — soft strands slipping between her fingers again and again.
The warmth of her body wrapped around him like a quiet promise of safety.
This sound feels so good… Leo thought drowsily.
His breathing began to slow.
Sia noticed.
So she started humming.
A very soft lullaby — almost like a memory carried by the wind.
The melody had no sharp notes… no sudden rises… only a smooth, flowing calm that filled the room little by little.
Leo's body melted against her.
The tension left his shoulders.
His fingers loosened their weak hold on her sleeve.
Within moments… sleep claimed him completely. His head rested peacefully on her chest.
__________________________________
(Outside the Chamber)
Eyan and Luca stood in silence.
Time seemed unusually slow in the corridor.
The faint flicker of torchlight on the stone walls only made the waiting feel heavier.
Neither of them spoke.
Neither of them moved.
Then — just as the fifteen minutes ended — Eyan wasted no time.
He strode forward and pushed the door open.
He stepped inside…
And froze.
Luca, who had been right behind him, frowned.
"Why are you just standing there—"
He walked in.
And froze too.
On the large bed, under the dim golden light, Leo and Sia were sleeping soundly.
Leo's tiny arms were wrapped tightly around her. Sia's hand rested protectively around him, holding him close even in sleep. Their breathing had fallen into the same slow rhythm.
It looked… peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Eyan simply stood there.
Something inside his chest ached.
His eyes softened without him realizing.
Luca exhaled quietly. "Looks like she passed this test too."
"…Hmm."
Eyan walked toward the bed.
His movements were slower now — careful… almost reluctant to disturb the scene.
He picked up the sheet and gently covered Leo.
Luca tilted his head.
"You can cover her too. She's also sleeping."
Eyan didn't even look at Sia.
"She's not a child. She can cover herself if she feels cold."
He straightened.
"Let's leave. Let them sleep."
He took a step forward.
Then—
Grrrrrrr…
A sudden stomach-growling sound echoed softly in the quiet room.
Eyan stopped.
He turned back.
Again—
Grrrrrrr…
He narrowed his eyes. "Luca… do you hear it too?"
"I do…"
Eyan frowned slightly. "Looks like Leo is hungry."
Luca walked closer, bending down to listen carefully.
Then a slow amused smile appeared on his face. "It's not Leo… it's her."
Eyan's gaze shifted to Sia.
Even in sleep, her brows were faintly knitted… as if her body refused to forget hunger.
"She must be starving," Luca said quietly.
For a brief moment, something unreadable passed through Eyan's eyes.
Then he turned instantly and walked out of the room.
Luca blinked and hurried after him.
"Wait — where are you going?"
"I have to ask Hans to prepare a marriage certificate."
Luca stared at him in disbelief.
"Eyan… you're really doing it? I thought you would find another way to stop the marriage."
"That was my plan, But—" Eyan replied.
"—But?"
He slowed his steps.
"…But watching Leo sleep with her made me realize something."
His voice had grown lower.
"No matter what I do… and no matter how hard I try… I can never take Eva's place. A mother is a mother. No father can fill that space."
He looked ahead — expression calm but heavy.
"And only a woman can give Leo the love of a mother."
Luca nodded slowly. "It's true…"
"That's why I decided to give him that," Eyan continued. "This is at least something I can do as a father."
Luca smiled faintly. "It was the right decision."
For the first time since the tests had begun… Eyan smiled back...
.
.
.
To be continued—