(In Front of the Royal Palace)
Eyan stepped out into the vast front courtyard, his cloak moving sharply with the night wind.
He turned toward the nearest royal knight.
"Bring me a horse."
The knight bowed deeply.
"At once, Your Majesty."
He hurried away.
Just then a group of royal guards who had returned from Sia's old house approached.
Their captain stepped forward and bowed.
"Your Majesty, where are you going at this late hour? Allow us to accompany you."
Eyan's gaze remained fixed on the dark road ahead.
"There is no need. I will go alone."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
The captain bowed again and turned to leave with his men.
Among them… a familiar face.
The same man who had attacked Sia that night.
Eyan's expression hardened instantly.
"STOP."
The captain and the knights froze and turned back.
Eyan calmly extended his hand.
A knight beside him immediately placed a sword into his palm.
The captain and the others stepped back without a word.
The man looked confused… frightened.
"Your Majesty… why are you—"
SHHHHK!
The sound of steel slicing through flesh echoed coldly in the courtyard.
In one swift motion — the man's head separated from his body.
It rolled across the stone floor… stopping right before Eyan's boots.
Blood spread in a dark pool beneath it.
Eyan looked down without emotion.
Then he placed his boot on the severed head… and kicked it aside like worthless debris.
He tossed the sword back onto the ground.
"Throw his body to the beasts."
The captain bowed deeply.
"As you command, Your Majesty."
At that moment the knight returned, leading a powerful black horse.
Eyan took the reins… mounted in one smooth movement… and rode out of the palace without another word.
The captain stood watching the bloodstained ground.
His lips curved into a faint, loyal smile.
"I serve the right Ruler."
He gestured toward the guards.
"Take it away."
The knights lifted the corpse and carried it toward the beast pits.
From behind a marble pillar in the front hall… Sia had witnessed everything.
Her eyes followed the lifeless body being dragged away.
"That man… he is the one who attacked me that night…"
Then her gaze shifted to Eyan's retreating figure on horseback… disappearing into the darkness.
Guilt tightened painfully around her heart.
"He is going to look for Her Majesty…"
Her fingers curled into her shawl.
"I will tell him the truth when he returns… no matter what happens to me."
Her voice trembled — but her resolve did not.
"I will leave the palace if I must… but I will not lie anymore."
----------------------------------------------------
(Royal Palace — Luca and Aranel's Chamber, Night)
Knock… knock…
A soft sound echoed against the wooden door.
Luca stirred in his sleep.
Just as he was about to sit up — Nayra and Nolan shifted beside him.
He quickly leaned over them, gently patting their backs until their breathing steadied again.
Then he reached out and shook Aranel lightly.
"Aranel…"
She frowned sleepily.
"What is it…"
"Someone is at the door."
Still half-asleep, Aranel began patting the children too, making sure they stayed asleep.
Luca slipped off the bed and walked toward the door.
He opened it quietly. Two knights stood outside. And between them… Leo.
Luca's brows knitted with concern.
"Leo? What happened? Why aren't you asleep yet?"
The knights bowed respectfully.
"Master Luca… His Majesty instructed us to bring the Prince here. He is to sleep in your chamber tonight."
Luca blinked — surprised — but then smiled warmly.
He bent down and lifted Leo into his arms.
"Is that so? Then you will sleep with Uncle and Aunty today."
Just then Aranel's soft voice came from behind.
"Who is it, Luca?"
He turned slightly.
"It's Leo. He came to sleep with us."
Aranel's face brightened instantly.
She stepped forward and gently took Leo from Luca's arms.
"Come here…"
She carried him to the bed and laid him down between the twins, her hand softly patting his head.
"Sleep now…"
Leo nodded quietly, though his eyes remained wide for a moment before finally closing.
Luca was still standing near the door, frowning thoughtfully.
"Where did Eyan go…? It's already late. He shouldn't be outside at this hour."
One of the knights answered carefully.
"His Majesty went to look for the Queen."
Luca frowned.
"The Queen…?"
He let out a small confused laugh.
"But Sister-in-law is in her chamber. Why would he go looking for her?"
The knight shook his head.
"No, Master Luca… His Majesty went to look for Queen Eva Therald."
Luca froze.
His eyes widened slowly.
"What…?"
Aranel turned sharply toward them.
"What nonsense are you saying?" Luca demanded, his voice suddenly tense. "Why would he go looking for Sister-in-law…?"
The knight swallowed.
"His Majesty said… he saw the late Empress in the southern forest today. He believes she is the thief woman."
Silence crashed into the room.
Luca stared at the knight… unable to breathe.
"The thief woman…" he whispered.
His lips trembled.
"That… was Sister-in-law?"
The knight nodded slowly.
"Yes…"
For a moment Luca stood completely still.
Then something inside him broke.
A disbelieving, joyful laugh escaped his lips.
"She's alive…"
Aranel stepped closer, her eyes shining with sudden hope.
"Eva… is alive?"
Luca grabbed her hands — then pulled her into his arms tightly.
"If she is alive… then Eyan won't suffer anymore…"
Tears streamed down both their faces.
Luca grabbed Aranel's hands tightly.
"Your sister is alive… You always wanted to show her your children… didn't you?"
Aranel's eyes filled with tears instantly.
"Yes…" her voice trembled. "I can finally show them to her…"
Hope shimmered between them like fragile glass.
Then—
Haa… haa… haa…
A sharp, heavy sound of breathing cut through the quiet room.
Both of them froze.
They turned toward the bed.
Leo's tiny body was trembling violently.
His fists were clenched… face flushed deep red… chest rising and falling as if he were fighting for air.
Haaah… haaah…!
They rushed to him at once.
"Leo!" Luca knelt beside him, panic flashing across his face.
"What happened to you?"
But Leo only whimpered… tears slipping from the corners of his closed eyes.
Luca touched his forehead.
He flinched.
It was burning.
Burning like fire.
"He is burning…" Luca whispered hoarsely.
Aranel looked toward the knights immediately.
"Go! Bring the Royal physician — now!"
One knight bowed and ran out.
Aranel hurried to fetch cold water and a cloth.
Her hands were shaking as she placed the damp cloth gently on Leo's head.
"You will be fine… you will be fine…" she murmured, though fear had already gripped her heart.
She looked at Luca helplessly.
"What happened to him? Why is he suddenly like this?"
Luca's expression darkened.
"This is not a normal fever…"
His jaw tightened.
"It's Backlash."
He swallowed hard.
"Just like mine…"
He turned sharply toward the remaining knight.
"Did Leo use his magic just now?"
The knight nodded.
"Yes… the Prince used his power on His Majesty. He healed all of the Emperor's injuries."
Luca closed his eyes for a second — dread settling heavily in his chest.
"Why did he use it on Eyan…?" he whispered. "His body isn't strong enough yet… He cannot bear the strain of healing someone like him…"
Aranel continued patting Leo's head gently.
"Shh… it will pass…"
But Luca's thoughts were racing.
No… it won't pass so easily…
He will be dragged into his deepest sorrow… just like I was…
His gaze softened painfully as he looked at Leo's small, fragile face.
But… what sorrow could a child like him possibly carry…?
Just then the royal physician rushed in.
He examined Leo carefully… feeling his pulse… checking his eyes… muttering urgent instructions.
He quickly mixed bitter tonics and carefully poured them into Leo's mouth.
After ensuring the fever had reduced slightly, he bowed and left.
The room fell into heavy silence again.
Then—
Leo's lips parted. His voice came out broken… trembling… lost in some unseen nightmare.
"Father… forgive me…"
Luca and Aranel froze.
"It's Leo's fault…" he whimpered.
"I shouldn't have given Mother… Mother's dress… then you wouldn't have hoped for her return again…"
A tear rolled down his temple.
"She will not return… she died… because of me…"
The words struck like lightning.
Luca's eyes widened in horror.
Aranel covered her mouth.
Luca grabbed Leo's shoulders gently and shook him.
"Leo! Open your eyes!"
"Don't believe it… these are sad memories... don't listen to them!"
Aranel's voice trembled.
"What is he saying…? Who told him about Eva's death…?"
Her gaze darted helplessly toward Luca.
"For all these years… we hid the truth from him…"
Yes.
They had hidden everything.
Eyan.
Luca.
Aranel.
No one had ever told Leo that his mother died the day she gave birth to him.
It had been Eyan's decision. He didn't want his son to grow up carrying the unbearable weight of guilt.
He didn't even celebrate Leo's real birthday.
Instead — he lied.
He gave the boy another date.
Another story.
Another truth.
Luca's hands trembled as he stared at the suffering child.
"How… did this reach him…?"
__________________________________
(Sia's Chamber)
Sia sat on the cold marble floor… unmoving.
Her hands trembled in her lap… tears falling silently one after another. Guilt pressed down on her chest so heavily she could barely breathe.
Just then noise erupted outside.
Servants rushed past her chamber in panic.
"The Crown Prince suddenly got sick!"
Sia's head snapped up.
"Leo…!"
Without thinking, she ran. Out of the chamber. Down the long corridors. Her heart pounding with fear.
------------------------------------------------------
(Luca and Aranel's Chamber)
Knock… knock…
The door opened.
Aranel stood there — eyes swollen with tears… face pale with worry.
"Lady Aranel… where is Leo? What happened to him?" Sia asked breathlessly.
But Aranel couldn't answer.
She only cried silently.
Fear shot through Sia like lightning.
She rushed past her into the room.
Luca was kneeling beside the bed… shaking Leo gently.
"Leo… don't listen to them… it's not true… you did nothing wrong!"
Sia's voice trembled.
"Leo…"
Luca turned sharply toward her.
"Sister… please stay away right now. Don't come close to him."
Leo's tiny fists tightened as he cried in his sleep.
"Father… forgive me…"
Luca's voice cracked.
"Why are you asking for forgiveness…?"
Leo whimpered.
"Leo lied to you… Leo is bad… Leo took Mother away from you…"
The words shattered Luca.
Tears streamed down his face.
"No… you didn't…" he whispered hoarsely. "Listen to your Master… Your father went to bring your mother… he will bring her to you… she is alive…"
Sia's heart twisted painfully.
"Brother Luca…"
He looked up at her.
And suddenly—
She dropped to her knees.
"Sister… what are you doing?"
Her voice broke completely.
"It was me…"
Silence fell.
"That thief woman… it was me…"
Luca stared at her in disbelief.
"What…?"
"Yes…" she sobbed.
"I wore the late Empress's dress and went to the forest… I wanted to clear my name for the murder…"
Her breath hitched.
"His Majesty saw me there… and thought I was her…"
Something dark flashed across Luca's face.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE…?" his voice rose sharply.
Aranel quickly stepped forward.
"Luca… don't raise your voice at her."
"Don't Raise My Voice?" he snapped. "She ruined everything!"
Sia lowered her head.
"I apologise…"
"You apologise…?" Luca laughed bitterly. "And what will your apology fix?"
His voice shook with years of suppressed pain.
"Do you have any idea what we went through in this house…?"
"It took Eyan so many years to finally accept his wife's death… and because of your foolish mistake… he has started hoping again."
Sia cried harder.
Luca clenched his fists.
"It's my fault…" he muttered. "He was living quietly some how, surviving… I was the fool who told him to marry again… If that hadn't happened, you would never have come into his life to destroy it again."
Just then—
The twins woke up crying loudly.
"Father… why are you angry…?" Nayra sobbed.
Luca closed his eyes in pain.
He looked at Aranel.
"Take the children to another room. Let them sleep there. I have to stay with Leo."
Sia whispered weakly,
"I can stay with His Highness…"
Luca's voice turned cold.
"No. You won't."
Then more firmly—
"Go back to your chamber."
Aranel looked at Sia with quiet sorrow.
"Your Majesty… please return."
Sia nodded silently.
She stood up… wiped her tears… and walked out.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
__________________________________
(Next Morning — Royal Palace) 🌤️
(Luca and Aranel's Chamber)
After hours of burning with fever and crying in his sleep… Leo had finally fallen into a deep, exhausted slumber.
The room was quiet now.
Too quiet.
Luca sat beside the bed, gently holding Leo's tiny fist in his large hand… watching his sleeping face.
A faint sigh escaped him.
He slowly stood up from the chair.
His fingers moved to Leo's hair, stroking it softly.
"Sleep more…" he whispered.
Then he turned and walked toward the door.
He opened it—
And froze.
Sia was sitting right outside… on the cold floor.
Awake.
Waiting.
The moment she saw him, she stood up quickly.
"Master Luca… is His Highness okay now?"
Luca did not answer.
His face was unreadable.
He simply stepped out… closed the door behind him… and walked away without a single word.
Sia remained standing there… her hands slowly tightening around the edge of her shawl.
----------------------------------------------------------
(Some Time Later — Royal Palace)
Eyan returned.
He had searched the entire night.
Forest paths.
Old roads.
Abandoned ruins.
But there had been no sign of her.
As he entered the palace, he immediately sensed the tension.
Servants stood stiff… their eyes lowered… fear and sorrow heavy in the air.
They bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty."
Eyan's brows furrowed.
"What happened? Why does everyone look so distressed?"
One maid stepped forward nervously.
"Your Majesty… the Crown Prince fell ill last night…"
For a moment Eyan simply stared at her.
Then panic took over.
He ran.
Up the grand stairs.
Through the long corridors.
His heart pounded louder than his footsteps.
--------------------------------------------------------
(Palace Corridor)
As he turned into the hallway leading to Chamber — he saw her.
Sia.
She was standing there… eyes red from crying.
She bowed deeply.
But Eyan did not even look at her.
He walked past her without stopping and entered the chamber.
Sia remained where she was… her fingers trembling.
-------------------------------------------------
(Inside the Chamber)
Eyan rushed to the bedside.
The moment he saw Leo lying there, pale and weak, something inside him tightened painfully.
He immediately touched the boy's forehead.
It was cool.
The fever was gone.
A long breath left his lips — half relief… half exhaustion.
Without hesitation he lifted Leo into his arms and hugged him tightly.
Leo's small head fell against his shoulder, still lost in sleep.
Holding him close... Eyan turned and walked out of the chamber.
Outside, Sia watched silently.
She watched him carry the child… watched the quiet fear still lingering in his eyes.
Her lips parted slightly.
But no words came out.
She remained standing there.
Still.
Silent.
And drowning in guilt.
.
.
.
To be continued—