Evening settled slowly over the palace, painting the sky in fading gold and deepening violet. Inside the grand dining hall, warm light from crystal chandeliers bathed the long banquet table where the royal family had already gathered.
All seats were occupied.
All except two.
Keyla and Eris were nowhere to be found.
At first, it drew little attention. It wasn't unusual for either of them to arrive late—especially if they had crossed paths earlier in the day.
But as time passed… and the doors remained closed… the atmosphere shifted.
The Sixth Prince, Elec, was the first to give voice to the unease.
"…Could they be fighting again?"
His words lingered in the air.
Several members of the younger generation stiffened, their expressions tightening with concern. The visiting royals, however, simply looked confused, their gazes drifting from face to face as though trying to understand an inside joke they were not part of.
Sage leaned forward slightly, about to speak—
Then laughter echoed faintly from beyond the hall.
It was light.
Unrestrained.
Familiar.
Every head turned toward the massive doors.
They waited.
But no one entered.
The laughter faded as abruptly as it had come.
And just as confusion began to take hold—
The doors opened.
Keyla and Eris walked in.
Side by side.
Smiling.
For a brief moment, it felt as though time itself had paused.
Eyes widened.
Mouths parted.
Even the servants froze where they stood.
There was nothing outwardly improper about their appearance—no disheveled clothing, no signs of injury. And yet…
Something felt off.
Too normal.
Too… at ease.
They walked forward calmly and took their seats as though nothing at all was unusual.
The Emperor was the first to break the silence.
"You're late."
His tone was steady, but his eyes were sharp.
"Where have you been?"
Eris answered without hesitation.
"In my wing."
A ripple passed through the hall like a silent shockwave.
Don leaned forward slightly, his brows knitting together.
"In your wing… doing what?"
Keyla answered this time, resting her chin lightly on her hand, her expression casual.
"We were playing his formations. We'll go play in mine tomorrow."
Don blinked once.
Then again.
"…Just that?"
Eris nodded.
"Mm. What else would we do? We dueled for hours."
A strange, collective sound escaped nearly everyone present.
"Uhh…"
The visiting royals looked even more lost now.
The tension slowly dissolved after that, though a faint undercurrent of disbelief lingered. Conversation resumed, stories were exchanged, and laughter gradually returned to the table.
But not everyone joined in.
Keyla sat quietly, occasionally responding but largely withdrawn.
Fredda and Aldera were no different.
Their silence did not go unnoticed.
Time passed.
Then Uther, second son of Lan, cleared his throat.
"How about a duel tomorrow? Everyone?"
The suggestion was met with immediate enthusiasm. Voices overlapped in agreement, energy rising once more.
All except two.
Keyla raised a hand lazily, not even bothering to look up.
"Sorry. I already have an appointment with a blockhead. My schedule for tomorrow is full."
She pointed at Eris.
Without looking at him.
Eris turned sharply, incredulous.
"Blockhead? Blockhead?! Since when did I become a blockhead?"
Keyla smirked faintly.
"Ai… what's there to get worked up about? All perverts can be called blockheads."
A few chuckles broke out around the table.
Eris scoffed, leaning back.
"Fine. I'm a blockhead. But tomorrow, I'll beat you. You sponge-brain."
That got her attention.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Sponge-brain? Do you feel like losing your head?"
Eris leaned forward, grin sharp and provoking.
"No. But all ladies with a tiny—tiny—sense of decorum are sponge-brains. How about that?"
A pause.
A beat.
Then—
He moved.
Quick. Unpredictable.
He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.
Just for a moment.
Just long enough.
Then he pulled back and bolted from his seat.
"Good night!"
For a heartbeat—
The world went silent.
Then—
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!!"
Keyla shot to her feet, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.
Her face burned red, her eyes wide with shock and fury.
"JUST YOU WAIT! I'LL SEVER YOUR LIMBS TOMORROW!"
Her foot stomped hard against the floor.
Once.
Twice.
Laughter exploded across the hall.
Even the elders couldn't hold back.
They all understood.
…Or at least, they thought they did.
Keyla spun on her heel and stormed out, her steps echoing sharply as she disappeared into the corridor, slamming her door moments later.
The Emperor chuckled, shaking his head.
"Children are grown, eh?"
Don smirked.
"Yes they are. And tomorrow, they'll injure themselves."
The Emperor's gaze gleamed with quiet amusement.
"Mmm. Then we'll make them tend each other's wounds."
Don's grin widened.
"Heh… that's a good idea."
Around them, the younger princes exchanged uneasy glances.
What exactly are these old men planning…?
Later That Night
The Emperor's study was quiet, the flicker of lamplight casting long shadows across the room.
The Emperor, Empress, Don, and Dhalia sat together.
The Emperor spoke first.
"I want us to find a way to speed up Keyla and Eris' relationship."
Dhalia sighed softly.
"Your Majesty… unless you plan to decree a wedding, there is little we can do. These things take time."
Don leaned back, thoughtful.
"There is a way."
A pause.
"I don't recommend it."
The Empress narrowed her eyes.
"…Don't tell me you're suggesting what I think you are."
Don didn't answer immediately.
He didn't need to.
"Aphrodisiac?"
Silence.
The Emperor cleared his throat awkwardly.
"That was… not my initial thought."
Don waved a hand dismissively.
"Look at it this way. Once they're forced into close proximity—real closeness—their relationship will shift. Even if nothing happens, it will break that barrier between them."
Dhalia frowned.
"But they can detect poison."
The Emperor's lips curved slightly.
"…Not from their mothers."
Realization dawned.
The Empress sighed deeply.
"You want us to prepare their meals."
Don nodded.
"Add just enough. Nothing excessive."
The Emperor added,
"By evening, they'll be too flustered to even argue properly."
Dhalia hesitated.
"…And after that?"
The Emperor's expression remained calm.
"We proceed."
The Next Day.
Before dawn, the plan was already in motion.
Meals were prepared.
Carefully.
Lovingly.
Deceptively.
Morning arrived crisp and clear.
Keyla and Eris met at the front palace, already dressed for training.
They mounted their horses—
"Wait!"
They turned.
Their parents approached.
Meals in hand.
Keyla blinked.
Eris frowned slightly.
But when the food was handed over… something softened in both of them.
Warmth.
Trust.
The Emperor spoke casually.
"You'll be busy fighting. You won't remember to eat together."
A pause.
"It's late spring. The rains come in the evening. Return early."
They nodded.
"Thank you."
And rode off.
Behind them—
The elders smiled.
Not kindly.
Training Grounds
The day unfolded in intensity.
Keyla moved through her formations like a force of nature—fluid, precise, untouchable.
Eris… struggled.
The sword formation was merciless.
Threads snapped.
Blades struck.
Pain followed.
Again.
And again.
He persisted.
Until he couldn't.
By midday, his body was marked with cuts.
Keyla laughed at him.
He tried again.
Failed again.
And finally gave up.
The Shed
They sat together.
Side by side.
The small wooden shed offered quiet shelter from the sun.
They opened their meals.
Began to eat.
Silence settled.
Then—
Something shifted.
Subtle.
Unfamiliar.
Eris found his gaze drifting.
Keyla felt heat bloom beneath her skin.
Confusion flickered through her.
Neither understood.
Neither stopped.
The moment stretched.
Tightened.
And then—
It broke.
Time blurred.
Thoughts scattered.
Control slipped.
And when clarity returned—
It returned all at once.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Unbearable.
They dressed.
Cleaned.
Avoided each other completely.
Eris left first.
Violently throwing himself back into training, as though pain could erase what had happened.
It didn't.
Keyla remained.
Still.
Quiet.
Rain began to fall as they returned.
Soft at first.
Then relentless.
At the dinner table—
Silence.
"Are you both okay?"
"We're fine."
Unison.
Empty.
Then—
A tear fell.
Then another.
Keyla's shoulders trembled.
And suddenly—
She broke.
She ran.
Into the rain.
Eris followed.
Stopped before her.
Words failed him.
Completely.
Behind them—
The others watched.
Frozen.
Because whatever had happened—
Had changed everything.