Sia's breath stopped.
Her heart felt as if someone had wrapped iron chains around it.
That's… mine.
On the throne, Eyan's gaze had already fallen on the black cloak.
"Bring it here." Eyan Said.
The knight immediately rose and approached the dais, offering the cloth with both hands.
Eyan removed his glove slowly.
The hall watched in complete silence.
His bare fingers brushed over the fabric.
A familiar texture.
Rough.
Lightweight.
Worn at the edges.
His eyes sharpened.
"What did the attacker look like?" he asked coldly.
"Height. Build. Clothing."
The knight straightened.
"Your Majesty. The attacker was not very strong. Around five and a half feet in height… slim build. Completely dressed in black. The face was hidden behind a mask."
At the doorway—
Sia swallowed.
Her throat had gone dry.
That description… is mine.. ..But I didn't do it.
Eyan leaned back against his throne, still holding the cloak.
"That thief woman," he said slowly, lifting the cloth slightly. "This belongs to her. I only need to touch it once to recognize it."
The court fell into uneasy murmurs.
"You found her house, didn't you?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the knight replied.
"But no one was there… and she hasn't returned."
"Hm."
A faint, dangerous curve appeared on the Eyan's lips. "She stopped stealing for some time. I thought perhaps she had finally grown afraid."
His gaze darkened.
"But it seems… she had other plans."
He looked down at the kneeling knights.
"Inform all units. We are no longer dealing with a thief."
His voice became ice.
"We are dealing with a killer."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Sia's blood ran cold.
No… it's not true. I didn't kill anyone.
At that moment, a lady-in-waiting approached quietly. "Your Majesty… shall we go?"
Sia forced her gaze away from the cloak still resting in the Eyan's hand.
"…Let's go."
Without another word, she turned and exited the throne hall.
-------------------------------------------------------
(Palace Hallway)
Her steps were quick.
Too quick for a queen.
Her mind was racing.
What should I do…? They will find me… but I didn't do anything…
Her fingers trembled inside her sleeves.
Just then—
Footsteps echoed behind her.
Familiar ones.
Eyan with Hans walking beside him.
She slowed… just enough to hear them.
"Your Majesty," Hans asked respectfully,
"Where are you taking that cloak?"
"I'm taking it to Leo...So he can tell me the location of that killer woman."
Sia stopped in the middle of the corridor.
Her body went rigid.
No.
Eyan and Hans halted a few steps behind her.
Hans quickly stepped forward.
"Your Majesty… what happened? Why did you stop so suddenly?"
Sia turned.
A polite smile appeared on her lips — perfectly practiced… perfectly false.
"I apologise. I happened to hear your conversation with His Majesty."
Her eyes moved calmly to Hans.
"Tell me… how can Prince Leo reveal the killer's location?"
Hans smiled proudly.
"Your Majesty does not know yet. The little prince's magic is extremely powerful — even more refined than Master Luca's. It has only been six months since his powers awakened… yet he has already helped track many criminals."
Sia felt something twist painfully inside her chest.
"Oh… I see."
Her voice remained steady.
"So His Majesty can discover the killer's location… right now?"
"Yes," Hans said with confidence.
She forced another smile.
"That is… a very good thing."
Then she turned and began walking again.
Behind her—
Eyan remained still for a moment.
Lost in thought.
Should I ask for Leo's help… or not…
Hans returned to his side
"Your Majesty… we should go."
Eyan finally began walking.
__________________________________
(Royal Palace — Training Grounds)
The training ground rang with the sharp hum of magic.
A glowing sphere shot forward—
BOOM.💥
It slammed straight into Luca's face.
He fell flat onto the ground.
For one stunned second… there was silence.
Then—
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Nolan, Nayra and Aranel burst into laughter, clapping like an audience enjoying a performance.
"Yeah!" Nayra laughed loudly.
"Father got hit again!"
Luca slowly sat up, rubbing his cheek with deep betrayal in his eyes.
"Aranel… you are my wife," he said dramatically.
"And you two," he pointed accusingly at Nolan and Nayra, "are my children… yet you are supporting him?"
He pointed at Leo standing a few steps away.
Mana swirled around the boy's small hands like restless flames. His red-tinted eyes still glowed faintly.
Leo bowed politely.
"I apologise, Master."
Luca sighed and activated healing magic, soft golden light sealing the bruise instantly.
He stood up again.
"This is the fiftieth time you have apologised today," he said tiredly.
"I told you to hit the target — not me. You need to learn control."
Leo straightened seriously.
"I'll try again."
Luca folded his arms and nodded.
"Good. Do it."
Leo took a deep breath.
His small fingers moved into a precise magic sign. Mana gathered instantly, swirling like restless wind around his palm.
Then—
He released it.
A glowing magic sphere shot forward.
But instead of flying toward the wooden target…
It curved.
Straight toward Luca.
Luca grinned confidently.
"You missed again. But this time… I'll dodge."
He stepped aside smoothly.
The sphere flew past him—
And struck someone standing behind him.
BOOM.💥
Aranel shot to her feet.
Nolan and Nayra stopped laughing immediately.
Leo's face went pale.
Luca rubbed his nose proudly.
"You all look surprised that I dod—"
"LUCA, YOU FOOL! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Aranel snapped.
Confused, Luca turned around.
And froze.
Sia was on the ground.
The magic blast had struck the side of her face.
She coughed weakly.
"…What… was that…"
Leo ran to her instantly.
"Mother! Are you alright?!"
Aranel and the twins rushed forward.
"Your Majesty!" Aranel said anxiously.
Sia wiped her cheek slowly.
"Oh… I'm okay…"
Then she noticed something warm on her fingers.
She looked down.
Blood.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…Is that my blood?"
Before anyone could react, Leo grabbed her hand.
Golden light burst from his palm.
Healing magic spread across her body like sunlight breaking through clouds.
Within seconds—
The wound vanished.
Everyone stared in stunned silence.
Luca blinked in disbelief.
"Leo… you can use healing magic too?"
Leo looked at his tiny hand in wonder.
"…Yes. I think I can now. It's my first time."
Luca smiled proudly.
"At this rate, you'll learn everything in just six months."
Then he slowly stopped smiling.
Because Aranel… Nolan… Nayra… and Leo were now glaring at him.
Luca panicked.
"Oh… I apologise!"
He hurried to Sia.
"I'm really sorry, Sister-in-law. It's my fault you got hurt."
Sia gave a gentle smile.
"It's alright… I'm fine now."
Aranel helped her to her feet carefully, still frowning in worry.
"Please be careful, Your Majesty."
Leo tilted his head, looking up at her with innocent curiosity.
"Mother… what brings you here? I thought you were with Father in the throne room. Did the meeting end?"
Sia hesitated.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her sleeve.
"Leo… I need to talk to you about something. Can you come with m—"
"Leo."
The voice cut through the moment like cold steel.
Sia stiffened.
Eyan approached.
His presence alone changed the air.
"Are you done with your training?" he asked.
"He is done for today," Luca replied.
Eyan's gaze settled on his son.
"Come to me."
For a brief moment Leo looked back at Sia, then slowly released her hand and walked toward his father.
"Yes, Father."
Eyan revealed the black cloak.
The moment Sia saw it again—
Her heartbeat turned violent.
"Touch this," Eyan said quietly.
"And tell me the location of the person it belongs to."
Luca frowned slightly as he stepped closer.
"Does that belong to a criminal?"
"Yes," Eyan replied.
"It belongs to a killer. There was a murder in the capital last night. The knights found this near the body."
A heavy silence fell.
Leo nodded seriously and accepted the cloak.
He closed his eyes.
Mana began to gather around his small form, swirling like mist touched by moonlight.
Sia shut her eyes tightly.
Her hands trembled.
Leo will hate me now…
After a few moments, Leo spoke.
"I found her."
Eyan's gaze sharpened at once.
"You found her? Where is she right now?"
The world seemed to tilt for Sia.
Her vision blurred.
Leo slowly raised his tiny finger.
And pointed.
Straight toward her.
"She is there."
Sia turned to look at him.
Her entire body froze.
One by one, everyone's eyes shifted to her.
Even Eyan.
Fear seized her throat.
"I… I—"
"She is in that direction. Five miles from here… She is hiding in a tree." Leo said smoothly.
Eyan studied him carefully.
"Five miles?"
"Yes, Father. You should hurry…."
A faint, satisfied smile touched the Eyan's lips.
He placed a hand on Leo's head and gently kissed his forehead.
"My boy… I knew I could rely on you. Thank you."
Leo's face brightened.
"You're welcome, Father."
Eyan straightened.
Without another word—
He turned and walked away from the training ground.
Leo turned and walked back to Sia.
Her hands were trembling helplessly at her sides. Without saying anything, he gently took one of them and looked up at her.
"Mother… you wanted to talk about something. Let's go."
Sia swallowed the lump in her throat.
"…Okay."
Leo turned and bowed politely to Luca.
"Master, I will take my leave now."
Then he smiled at Aranel.
"Goodbye, Aunty."
He looked at the twins next.
"Bye, Nayra. Bye, Nolan."
The twins waved happily.
"Bye-bye, brother!"
And just like that, he walked away from the training ground with Sia beside him.
__________________________________
(Sia's Chamber)
The moment they entered, Sia forced herself to remain composed.
She looked at the maids and the lady-in-waiting.
"You may all leave. I want to stay alone with Leo."
They bowed respectfully to both of them and exited.
The door shut.
Silence fell.
And suddenly—
Sia's legs gave out.
She collapsed onto the floor.
Her hands shook violently as tears burst from her eyes.
"Leo… I didn't do it… I didn't kill anyone… please believe me…"
Leo immediately knelt beside her.
His small face was calm.
"I know you didn't kill anyone."
Sia froze.
"You were with me," he continued softly. "And ever since your marriage to Father… you haven't left the palace."
He looked down for a moment.
"That's why… I lied to Father."
Sia covered her mouth and cried harder.
"…Thank you… thank you…"
But fear quickly returned.
"But how was my cloak found at the murder scene? The knights described the killer exactly like me… how is that even possible?"
Her voice trembled.
"And that cloak… before coming here I buried all my old clothes in the ground. How did it end up there…?"
Sia slowly wiped her tears.
"…I have to go and check."
Leo blinked.
"Go? Where, Mother?"
"To the place where I buried my clothes. If someone stole them… maybe I can find evidence to prove my innocence."
Her lips trembled bitterly.
"Being a thief isn't so terrible. If I was caught… I might have spent some time in prison. But a killer…"
Her voice dropped into a whisper.
"His Majesty will execute me."
She stood and hurried to her wardrobe, opening it in frustration.
Silk. Velvet. Embroidery. Jewels.
Every dress inside was luxurious… elegant… unmistakably royal.
Sia clenched her fists.
"These are all luxury dresses… there isn't a single simple one. I can't go out wearing any of this."
Leo looked at her quietly.
"Mother… you need a dress?"
"Yes," she said anxiously. "A simple one. Something no one will recognize."
Leo thought for a moment.
Then—
A teleportation circle flared beneath his feet.
He vanished.
Sia blinked in shock.
Moments later, the circle appeared again.
Leo stepped out of it holding a plain green dress and a red cloak.
He walked to her and extended them.
"Here, Mother. Wear this."
Sia took them quickly and went into the bathroom. After changing, she stepped out again. She pulled the red cloak forward, hiding most of her face.
Then she turned slowly.
"Leo… look at me. Do I look like a thief in this dress?"
Leo smiled softly.
"No…."
A small relieved smile appeared on her lips.
"Good. Then I'm going."
She moved toward the window.
"Mother, wait."
Sia stopped just as she was about to move toward the window and turned back to him.
Leo reached behind his neck and removed a thin silver chain. A small ring hung from it, glowing faintly in the afternoon light.
"Mother… wear this."
Sia frowned in confusion.
"Wear it? But why…?"
"There's a disguise spell inside Mother's ring," Leo explained gently. "If anyone sees your face… they still won't know it's you."
Sia immediately shook her head.
"No… I won't. It belongs to your mother. I shouldn't wear it."
Leo's small brows drew together.
"Mother, don't argue. You can't go out like this. I would have used my own disguise magic on you… but right now I don't know how to use it on others. So please… wear it."
Before she could refuse again, he took her hand and made her sit down on the floor.
He carefully lifted the chain.
"It's too small. It will get stuck," Sia murmured nervously.
But the moment he lowered it—
The chain slipped perfectly over her head, as if it had adjusted itself.
Leo settled it around her neck.
The silver ring rested against her chest and began to shine softly.
He smiled.
"Don't worry. This chain is magical. It fits whoever wears it."
Sia touched the ring with uncertain fingers.
"…Thank you."
"Now activate the disguise spell."
"How?"
"Just snap your fingers."
Sia hesitated only a second.
Then she snapped.
A glow burst around her body.
Soft magic wrapped around her like sunlight through mist.
Slowly… her face began to change.
Her dark hair faded into a bright golden blonde.
Her warm brown eyes turned into a clear, icy blue.
Even the shape of her features shifted slightly.
Leo watched the transformation with a satisfied smile until the magic faded completely.
Sia turned toward the mirror.
For a moment she only stared.
Then a surprised laugh escaped her.
"I look completely different…"
She touched her eyes… her cheek… then glanced down at the simple dress she was wearing.
A relieved, almost excited smile spread across her face.
"Now no one can recognize me."
She turned back to Leo.
"Can you handle things here while I'm gone? I'll be back soon."
Leo nodded confidently.
"Leave it to me."
Sia took one last breath, then quietly opened the window and moments later jumped down from the palace window into the bright afternoon.
Leo stood there watching until she disappeared beyond the garden walls.
"…Good luck, Mother."
He then walked back to the bed.
Carefully, he arranged the pillows to look like someone is lying and pulled the blanket over.
Satisfied, he went to the door and opened it just a little.
"Knights."
The guards outside immediately knelt.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I am sleeping with my mother right now. Do not let anyone enter the room until I wake up."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Leo shut the door again and locked it from inside.
He returned to the bed and lay down beside the pillows, staring quietly at the ceiling.
After a moment… he smiled.
"Mother (Sia) looked really good in Mother's (Eva) dress… it fits her well."
His eyes slowly moved toward the sunlit window.
"I hope she comes back soon… so I can return Mother's (Eva) dress to where it was."
Then another thought crossed his mind.
"Father is out… he won't notice that one of Mother's dresses is missing."
The afternoon light grew softer across the room.
Leo finally closed his eyes.
And waited.
.
.
.
To be continued