Morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting golden lines across the quiet bedroom. The sheets rustled as Kyel stirred, reaching out instinctively—but his hand met only the cool folds of the empty bed.
His brows drew together faintly.
Then he heard it—a soft clatter from downstairs. The faint sound of something stirring, perhaps laughter muffled behind the clinking of dishes.
Kyel sat up, brushing his fingers through his dark hair, and padded quietly down the wooden stairs.
"Princess…" he called gently.
The scent of flour and something faintly burnt met him as he stepped into the kitchen.
Eva turned around at the sound of his voice. "Oh, honey—you're awake!" she said brightly.
He froze in place, lips tugging upward at the sight before him.
She stood in the middle of the kitchen, cheeks smudged with flour, a dusting of white on her apron and even in her hair. She looked completely flustered and utterly adorable.
Kyel chuckled, walking over to her. With one hand, he gently brushed the flour from her cheek.
"Princess, what are you doing this early in the morning?" he asked, laughing softly. "You're completely covered in flour."
"I'm making something for you," she said, eyes gleaming with excitement. "It's almost done. See?"
Eva turned to the counter and picked up a tray with a cupcake—blackened around the edges and just a little too crispy. Her expression dropped.
"Oh no… it's all burned. I have to throw it away."
She sighed and turned to discard it, but Kyel took the cupcake from her hands before she could move.
He bit into it.
"Kyel! Don't eat it—" Eva rushed toward him, but her sentence trailed off as she watched him chew calmly.
He swallowed and looked at her, smiling. "It's delicious, Princess."
She frowned, unconvinced. "Stop lying."
"I'm not lying," he said with a grin. "It's delicious."
Eva's lips quivered before breaking into a shy smile. "Then… let me make more for you."
But Kyel gently took her hand and guided her toward the chair. "No, you sit here. I'll make some for you."
She blinked at him. "You can cook?"
"I've lived alone," he replied with a shrug. "I know how to make a few things."
He rolled up his sleeves and got to work. Eva sat quietly, watching him with her chin resting in her hands. The sight of him like this—soft morning light in his hair, his voice humming low under his breath—felt like something out of a dream she never thought she'd live.
Not long after, Kyel returned with a new tray of cupcakes, this time perfectly baked.
"Here. It's done. Eat it, Princess."
Eva's eyes lit up. "Wow… it looks tasty."
She picked up one and took a bite.
"It's delicious!" she beamed. "You should eat one too."
Picking up another cupcake, she held it toward him. "Here, eat it."
But Kyel didn't take it. Instead, he reached forward and gently wiped a bit of cream from her lips with his finger—then brought it to his mouth and licked it clean.
"Mmm… it's delicious," he said with a wink.
Eva turned bright red.
Kyel laughed and leaned in closer. "I love it when you get flustered."
"Kyel… stop it," she mumbled, hiding her face.
"Princess," he said softly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "we're married now. You should get used to my affection."
She nodded shyly, her lips curving into a faint smile.
Kyel straightened. "I have something to do. I'll leave after taking a bath. You finish all the cupcakes."
Eva looked up, her voice hesitant. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to look for a new job," he said, disappearing into the hallway. "One that pays better."
She stood from the chair, her brows furrowing. "You don't need to work so hard. I'm working too at the flower shop—we can manage."
Kyel paused, then turned around.
"Quit your job," he said simply. "You don't have to work anymore. You've been living alone and working all this time."
His voice softened. "Now let me take care of you."
Eva looked down. "But then… I'll be bored alone."
Kyel chuckled and walked back toward her.
"Then go out with your friends if you feel bored," he said gently. "Enjoy yourself. You've done enough, Princess. Let me carry the weight now."
"…Okay," she whispered.
"Good," he said, placing a kiss on her forehead before disappearing toward the bath.
A little while later, Kyel reappeared, dressed and ready. His hair was still damp, sleeves neatly folded at the cuffs.
"Princess, I'm leaving."
Eva stood quickly. "Kyel, wait!"
He stopped. "Do you need something?"
Eva stepped closer. "Kyel… bend down a little."
He tilted his head, curious, and leaned forward.
Eva rose on her toes and kissed his cheek.
"Take care of yourself," she whispered.
Kyel paused, looking at her for a long moment. Then he leaned in and kissed her cheek in return.
"You too, Princess. Take care."
He lowered his voice, brushing against her ear.
"I love you."
Eva's cheeks turned pink again, but this time she didn't look away.
"Love you too."
He smiled.
"Bye…"
"Bye…" she whispered.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Eva stood in the quiet, still holding a half-eaten cupcake, the scent of sugar and flour still in the air.
She closed her eyes and smiled.
"So this is what it feels like to be married…"
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