After finishing her meal, Eva gently placed her spoon down on the table. She leaned back slightly in her chair, a satisfied breath escaping her lips.
A faint, content smile appeared on her face. Her eyes slowly moved toward Eyan.
"It's been so long…"
She paused briefly, her expression softening.
"…since I tasted something this delicious."
There was genuine warmth in her voice.
Eyan, who had been quietly watching her reaction the entire time, rested his elbow lightly on the table, his chin supported by his hand.
His gaze held quiet anticipation.
"Did you like it…?"
There was something almost boyish in the way he asked, as if waiting for approval from the person who mattered most.
Eva smiled gently.
"Yes… it was very good, Hone—"
She suddenly stopped. The word froze on her lips. For a brief moment, something vulnerable flickered across her face.
Eyan noticed immediately. His smile deepened slightly, eyes soft with amusement.
"Eva…" His voice was warm. "Why did you stop?...Just say it."
Eva straightened slightly, her expression instantly turning formal again.
"It was very delicious, Your Majesty."
The distance in her words was impossible to ignore.
Eyan's shoulders dropped slightly. A small shadow of disappointment crossed his face.
Before the silence could stretch further, Leo spoke cheerfully:
"The food was very tasty." He looked at Eyan with bright admiration. "Thank you, father, for your hard work."
Eyan's gaze softened as he looked at Leo.
"I'm glad you liked it, son."
Luca nodded approvingly while wiping his hands with a napkin. "Yes, it was very delicious."
Aranel smiled gently. "You did very well, brother."
From the other side of the table, two small voices spoke at the same time:
"Uncle… can you cook dinner too?"
Nolan and Nayra looked at Eyan with hopeful eyes.
Aranel immediately shook her head lightly.
"Children, no…Your uncle has many important duties...He cannot cook dinner."
The twins' shoulders drooped instantly, their expressions falling in disappointment.
"Oh…"
Eva watched their faces carefully. Her lips curved into a small smile.
"Oh… don't look so sad."
She rested her chin lightly on her hand. "I will cook for you two."
The twins' eyes sparkled immediately. "Really, Aunty?!"
Eva nodded.
"Yes." She added honestly: "But my cooking is not as good as your uncle's."
Nolan shook his head seriously.
"It's okay, Aunty...We will eat whatever you make."
Nayra nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes!"
Eva laughed softly.
"Alright then…I will cook for you tomorrow."
Both twins immediately protested:
"Tomorrow?..Not… tonight!"
Eva chuckled at their impatience.
"Aunty cannot cook tonight…I have to go somewhere this evening."
Eyan's relaxed expression sharpened instantly.
His gaze lifted toward her.
"Go… where?"
His tone had become serious.
"Where are you going, Eva?"
Eva met his gaze calmly.
"I am going to my old house...the one near the riverside...There is something important I need to bring from there."
Eyan frowned slightly.
"Tell me what it is...I will send knights to retrieve it."
Eva shook her head gently.
"No…I must go myself...They won't be able to find it."
A brief silence passed.
Eyan spoke firmly:
"Then I will go with you."
Eva looked at him for a moment. Then nodded slightly.
"Alright…Then we will go together."
For the first time since morning—
A small victorious smile appeared on Eyan's face.
-----------------------------------
(Night — Eva's Riverside House)
Moonlight shimmered gently across the quiet forest.
The narrow path leading to the riverside was illuminated only by pale silver light filtering through the tall trees. The soft sound of flowing water echoed faintly in the distance, blending with the quiet rustle of leaves stirred by the night breeze.
Two horses moved through the forest path side by side.
One black.
One white.
Eyan rode slightly ahead, his posture straight, his gaze occasionally shifting toward Eva… as if making sure she was still there.
Eva followed calmly on her own horse, her back straight, her expression composed… though her eyes quietly observed the familiar surroundings.
Soon, a small wooden house appeared near the riverbank.
Simple.
Peaceful.
Surrounded by trees that swayed softly in the night wind.
This was the place where Eva had lived… when she was known only as a thief.
Both horses slowed to a stop.
Eyan stepped down from his horse first, landing steadily on the ground. He tied the reins to a nearby branch before turning toward Eva.
Without hesitation, he extended his hand toward her.
A silent offer.
Eva looked at his hand. Then slowly lifted her gaze to his face.
Her expression remained calm, almost innocent.
"Your Majesty…"
Her voice carried polite formality.
"First wear your gloves...Then I will take your hand."
Eyan blinked in confusion.
"My gloves?"
Eva nodded gently, as if stating something completely reasonable.
"You cannot touch me directly."
Her lips curved ever so slightly.
"It would be breaking the condition."
A quiet sigh escaped Eyan's lips.
For a moment, he tilted his head back toward the dark sky as if questioning every decision he had made in life.
Without arguing, he reached into his coat and pulled out his gloves.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
He wore them one by one, his movements filled with restrained patience.
Then he extended his hand again.
"This should be acceptable… correct?"
Eva placed her hand in his. This time, she did not hesitate.
Even through the thin fabric of the glove, the warmth of his hand felt steady… reassuring.
Eyan gently helped her down from the horse, his hold firm as her feet touched the ground.
Eva stepped forward slowly, her eyes resting on the familiar wooden door.
"We have arrived."
Her voice was quiet… almost gentle, as if speaking too loudly might disturb the fragile memories sleeping inside this place.
Eyan glanced around the dark forest surrounding the small house. The sound of the river flowed softly nearby, the night air cool and slightly damp.
This was where she had survived.
Alone.
Eva pushed the door open and stepped inside. Eyan followed closely behind her.
The moment Eva entered—
She froze.
Her eyes widened.
Everything inside the small house was in disarray.
It looked as if someone had searched every corner without worrying about what they broke in the process.
Her gaze slowly fell to the floor near the table.
A clay cup… Broken into pieces.
The same simple cup she had once used every morning… when her life had been nothing more than quiet survival.
A faint sadness passed through her eyes as she slowly bent down and picked up the broken fragments carefully.
"My tea cup…" Her voice was soft, almost fragile. "It's broken."
Eyan felt his chest tighten at the sight. Without hesitation, he crouched beside her.
"Princess…" His voice carried gentle concern.
"Don't be sad…The knights must have broken it while searching the house."
He tried to sound reassuring.
"I will buy you many more… as many as you want."
His eyes softened deeply.
"Just don't be sad."
Eva looked at him quietly, the moonlight reflecting faintly in her eyes.
"You promise?"
Eyan nodded immediately.
"I promise."
Eva gave a small nod.
"Okay."
She carefully placed the broken pieces aside before standing up slowly.
Her gaze moved toward the corner of the room. A thin, worn mattress rested quietly against the wall.
Old.
Faded.
Slightly torn at the edges.
She walked toward it slowly, her fingers brushing gently over the rough fabric.
For five and a half years… This had been her bed. Her shelter. Her only comfort during long nights filled with uncertainty.
Eyan watched her in silence, his heart growing heavier with every step she took inside that small house.
"Eva…"
His voice was quiet, strained.
"It must have been very hard…To live in a place like this…And sleep on something like that."
Eva turned to look at him. A soft smile appeared on her lips.
"It was hard at first…"
Her fingers gently pressed against the worn fabric.
"But after some time…I got used to it."
Before she could say anything more—
Eyan suddenly stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.
Eva froze slightly, surprised by the sudden closeness.
His arms wrapped firmly around her, holding her close.
"Eva…"
His voice was low… heavy with guilt he had carried for years.
"While I was sleeping comfortably in the palace… eating warm meals every day…"
His hold tightened further, almost painfully.
"You were sleeping on the floor…"
"…and starving for days…"
His breath trembled slightly.
"I…" His voice broke. "I apologize… for living well."
Eva's eyes widened slightly at his words.
She pulled back just enough to look at his face.
"Why are you apologizing…?"
Her voice was soft but firm.
"You were struggling too."
Her fingers gently curled into his clothes.
"Leo told me… you always became sick whenever it rained."
Her gaze lowered slightly.
"I didn't understand it before…But now I do."
Her voice trembled faintly.
"It's because… it was raining that day too…the day I die—"
"Don't."
Eyan's voice broke sharply.
His hand immediately moved to her hair, gently brushing it as if trying to erase the words before they could exist.
"Don't say it…"
His voice trembled.
"Please… don't say that word."
His eyes searched hers desperately.
"Nothing happened to you that day."
He spoke slowly, firmly… as if trying to rewrite reality itself.
"You are here now…With me."
His thumb brushed softly along her hairline.
"So never speak of that day again."
Eva's eyes began to sting as emotion filled her chest.
Eyan continued softly:
"I want to fill your memories with only happiness now…"
His gaze lowered slightly.
"That is what I regretted the most… for five and a half years."
His voice grew quieter… heavier.
"From your childhood until adulthood…You never had good memories."
His fingers tightened slightly on her shoulders.
"You never received love from anyone."
"All the people who came into your life…only took from you."
His voice cracked.
"And I was no different."
His lips trembled faintly.
"I was the most selfish person you ever met."
His eyes filled with pain.
"I married you…I lied to you...because I wanted someone I could rely on."
His laugh was hollow.
"I convinced myself I was doing it for you…For your happiness."
He shook his head slowly.
"But that was a lie....I never truly cared about your happiness....I only cared about mine."
Eyan's voice grew heavier with every word, as though each sentence dragged something painful from deep inside his chest.
"And because of me… you went through hell…"
Eva's tears fell faster as she shook her head desperately.
"Eyan… it wasn't like that…"
But he did not let her comfort him this time.
"No…" His voice trembled, yet he did not look away. "It was exactly like that."
Tears gathered in his eyes, blurring his vision, but he continued speaking as if he had waited years to confess this truth.
"Eva… if you had never met me…"
His lips trembled.
"Maybe… you would have lived more peacefully."
"Maybe… you would have smiled more."
"Maybe… your life would not have been filled with suffering."
Eva grabbed his clothes tightly.
"Eyan…"
But he shook his head slowly, his eyes filled with deep regret.
"All those years after you were gone…I kept thinking about it again and again."
"Every night…"
"Every rainy day…"
"I kept asking myself…"
"If meeting me… was the greatest misfortune of your life."
His voice cracked.
"And every time that thought came…I hated myself even more."
A tear slid down his cheek.
"If you had not returned…"
His breathing became uneven, as if the next words were tearing him apart from inside.
"I had already decided…"
He forced himself to continue.
"After Leo turned ten…"
"I would come to you myself."
Eva froze. Her fingers tightened around his clothes.
"What… are you saying…?"
Eyan smiled faintly, a broken smile that did not reach his eyes.
"I wanted to see you again."
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"I wanted to stay with you...even if it meant leaving this world."
Eva's eyes widened in shock.
"I thought…If I endured until Leo became old enough to understand…If I made sure he was surrounded by people who loved him…"
"Then…"
His voice broke.
"I could finally apologize to you properly."
Tears fell freely from his eyes now.
"I wanted to tell you… how sorry I was."
"For using you…For loving you selfishly…"
"I thought…If I came to you… even in the afterlife…You might forgive me at least once."
Eva hit his shoulder weakly, her heart trembling violently.
"Are you crazy?!"
Her voice broke between tears.
"If you had died too…Then who would have taken care of our son?!"
Eyan closed his eyes briefly.
"Luca…And sister Aranel…They love Leo more than their own children."
His voice softened.
"They would have protected him… guided him…They care for him deeply."
A shadow of guilt crossed his expression.
"They have already suffered so much because of me…I did not want to burden them any longer…"
Eva suddenly pulled away from the embrace and looked directly at his tear-streaked face.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Her hands slowly lifted, gently holding his face. Her thumbs carefully wiped the tears falling from his eyes.
Her own tears continued to fall.
"I was wrong…"
Her lips trembled.
"I should have beaten you more yesterday… "
A faint, emotional smile appeared through her tears.
"But it's okay…"
Her voice softened dangerously.
"I can still do it now."
Eyan let out a quiet laugh despite the tears.
"There is not a single place left on my face…"
He smiled weakly.
"At least let me recover first…Then you can beat me as much as you want."
Eva laughed softly through her tears.
"I cannot wait that long…" Her eyes narrowed slightly. "It has to be now."
Before Eyan could react—
Eva suddenly lifted her knee, aiming straight between his legs.
Eyan's eyes widened instantly in alarm.
He quickly pressed his legs tightly together and stepped back, protecting himself as if his life depended on it.
"No, no, Eva… absolutely not there."
He looked genuinely distressed for the first time.
"That place is very important to me now."
Eva narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Oh really?"
Eyan leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice just enough to make her heart beat faster.
"If you harm me there…"
His gaze held hers meaningfully.
"…then how am I supposed to properly love you at night?"
Eva froze.
Her cheeks immediately flushed deep red.
Eyan did not stop.
"As your husband… I have responsibilities."
His voice softened, becoming warm… dangerously gentle.
"And one of those responsibilities…"
His eyes darkened with playful intensity.
"…is making sure my wife is completely satisfied."
Eva's breath caught.
He tilted his head slightly, pretending to think seriously.
"If you damage me now…"
He sighed dramatically.
"…then I might fail terribly in that duty."
His gaze slowly traced her expression, enjoying every second of her embarrassment.
"And I doubt my wife would be happy with such poor performance."
"EYAN!"
Her voice came out flustered and breathless.
He leaned just a little closer, voice almost a whisper.
"A good wife should protect what belongs to her…"
A teasing smile touched his lips.
"…especially the part that exists only to make her nights… unforgettable."
Eva's entire face burned.
"You shameless man!"
Before he could say anything more—
She punched directly on one of the bruises already on his face.
Thud
Eyan let out a soft sound as a thin line of blood slipped from his nose.
He blinked slowly, touching the blood beneath his nose.
Eva crossed her arms calmly, pretending nothing had happened.
"This much should be enough…"
Her gaze shifted toward the dark forest outside.
"…to lure them out."
Eyan frowned slightly, confused.
"…Lure who?"
And then—The forest began to move.
Leaves rustled violently although the wind had not blown a moment before.
A presence moved through the darkness.
Fast.
Silent.
Watching.
Eyan's expression instantly sharpened.
His hand moved behind his back, pulling out the dagger hidden beneath his coat, while his other arm instinctively moved in front of Eva, shielding her.
"Eva… stay behind me."
His voice had returned to that cold, commanding tone of a king.
The shadows suddenly leapt forward with terrifying speed.
A dark figure lunged straight at him.
Eyan reacted instantly, stepping forward to intercept the attack before it could reach Eva. The impact pushed him slightly backward and he dropped to one knee, raising the dagger in defense, ready to strike without hesitation—
But then—
He froze.
Golden eyes met his.
Familiar.
Unforgettable.
His breath caught.
His grip on the dagger loosened.
His eyes widened with pure disbelief… then overwhelming joy.
"Talon…?"
Another shadow stepped forward from the darkness.
"Fen…?"
A third appeared beside them.
"Mara…?"
His voice broke as emotion flooded his chest.
"You… you're alive…"
The three large black wolves approached him slowly, their eyes shining softly under the moonlight.
They greeted him.
Talon nudged his shoulder firmly, almost scolding him for taking so long to recognize them.
Fen circled him once, letting out a low sound that almost resembled a relieved sigh.
Mara pressed his head gently against his chest, his tail moving slowly.
A soft whine escaped them, filled with longing… recognition… loyalty that had never faded.
Eyan's vision blurred with tears.
He dropped the dagger completely and wrapped his arms around them, burying his face in their fur.
"I thought…" His voice trembled. "I thought I would never see you again…"
Eyan laughed weakly through his tears.
"You're really alive…"
Then he turned toward Eva, his eyes still wet.
"Eva… you were talking about them… when you said you had something important to bring back…"
Eva smiled softly.
"Yes…"
Her gaze moved gently toward the wolves.
"I was talking about them."
Eyan let out a breathless laugh, still overwhelmed.
"But… how are they alive…? And how did you even know it was them?"
Eva slowly sat beside him, gently patting each wolf one by one.
"I did not know it was them at first."
Her fingers moved softly through Mara's fur.
"I had only seen them once… after I lost my memories."
She looked toward the dark forest.
"But after I remembered everything…" Her gaze softened. "I recognized them."
Her eyes lingered on the trees outside.
"I always wondered…Why no wild animals ever entered this forest… all the years I lived here alone."
Her hand rested gently on Talon's head.
"It was because of them."
She smiled faintly.
"They were protecting me silently…"
Eyan's eyes filled with gratitude as he looked at the wolves.
"They stayed with you… all those years…"
Eva nodded.
"Yes… but I only saw them once."
Her expression grew slightly serious.
"One night I was attacked by a wild bear."
Eyan stiffened.
"A wild bear…?"
Eva nodded calmly.
"I was terrified that night...I truly thought I would die."
Her fingers unconsciously tightened slightly in Fen's fur.
"But suddenly…They appeared."
Her eyes softened deeply.
"They saved me…And after that…They disappeared into the forest again."
She gave a small helpless laugh.
"And many times… I returned home injured."
"Because I was a thief… and had no money…I could not go to a physician."
"So I would simply sleep…And the next morning…My wounds were gone."
She smiled faintly at the memory.
"At first… I thought I had some strange healing power."
She laughed softly.
"But no…"
Her gaze returned to the wolves warmly.
"It was them."
"They healed me… without letting me know."
Eyan looked at the wolves, emotion filling his chest.
"Thank you…"
His voice was sincere.
"Thank you so much… for protecting her."
The wolves made soft sounds in response, as if acknowledging his gratitude.
Then something crossed Eyan's mind.
"But Eva…"
He frowned slightly.
"These wolves can only heal the Therald bloodline…How were they able to heal you?"
Eva tilted her head slightly.
"I do not know either…But they can."
She slowly picked up the dagger lying on the floor.
Eyan immediately became alarmed.
"Eva… wait— what are you doing?"
She gave him a calm reassuring look.
"Do not worry....Nothing will happen."
Before he could stop her—
She made a small cut on her palm. A thin line of red appeared instantly as blood began to spill.
The wolves immediately became alert.
Talon stepped forward calmly and gently licked her injured palm.
Within seconds—
The wound disappeared. As if it had never existed.
Eva smiled softly.
"See…"
Eyan quickly grabbed her hand, turning it carefully as if afraid even an invisible wound might remain.
"…It really healed…"
He looked relieved… yet confused.
Then he turned toward the wolves with sudden curiosity.
"Then…"
A small hopeful smile appeared on his face.
"Can you still heal me too?"
The wolves exchanged a brief look, as if silently communicating.
Then they stepped closer to him.
Fen licked the bruise near his cheek. Mara nudged the swelling gently. Talon pressed his warm forehead lightly against Eyan's temple.
Eyan closed his eyes instinctively.
The dull pain faded. The swelling reduced. The soreness disappeared.
Within moments—
His injuries were gone.
Eyan touched his face in surprise.
Then laughed softly.
"Eva…My injuries are completely healed."
Eva smiled sweetly.
"Good."
Her eyes glimmered with mischief again.
"Now I can make new bruises on your face."
Eyan blinked.
"…Wait—"
.
.
.
To Be continue—