(Palace Training Ground — Afternoon)
The training ground buzzed faintly with tension.
Eyan stood between two knights who still gripped his arms firmly, though their faces betrayed fear rather than strength.
Luca paced impatiently nearby, his brows twitching.
"Eyan, just how long do I have to wait?"
Eyan didn't even look at him.
"Seriously," Luca went on, "who are we waiting for?"
"Luca," Eyan sighed, "have some patience, will you?"
"Patience? We've been standing here for thirty minutes! How long do I have to wait more?"
Eyan finally turned toward him, irritation flashing in his eyes. "Luca, just shut your mouth and stand in your place."
He pointed at Leo, who stood silently beside them. "Look at Leo—he's a kid, yet he's been standing quietly without saying a word. And here you are, complaining like an old man."
Then he turned to the knights. "You two—tighten your grip a little, will you? She'll be here any moment."
The knights hesitated, then awkwardly tightened their hold on his arms.
Luca groaned. "Eyan… five more minutes. If nothing happens, I'm leaving."
"Fine," Eyan muttered, glancing at the sun, "you can go after five minu—"
A soft voice interrupted him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Your Majesty."
Eyan froze. Slowly, he turned.
His breath caught.
Eva was walking toward them, her steps confident and light. Her training gear fit perfectly, her hair tied high in a sleek ponytail that swayed with every movement. The sunlight kissed the edges of her form, making her look like she'd stepped straight out of a dream.
Everyone present bowed immediately. "Your Grace."
Eva stopped a few paces away and smiled. "Sorry for the delay," she said lightly. "I was dressing up in my gear."
Leo's eyes sparkled. "Your Grace, you look good!"
Eva chuckled. "Thank you, Leo."
Luca crossed his arms, half smiling. "So, it's you we've been waiting for, sister-in-law?"
"Sorry to keep you waiting, brother," Eva replied with a polite smile.
"It's fine." Luca grinned. "Though I must say—this training gear suits you. You look good in it."
"Thank you, brother," she said warmly before turning toward Eyan.
He was still staring at her—utterly dazed.
Eva raised a brow. "Your Majesty," she teased softly, "aren't you going to compliment me?"
Eyan blinked, realizing everyone's eyes were on him. "What?"
Eva smiled, tilting her head. "Your Majesty, how do I look?"
She stepped closer, showing herself with playful confidence.
Eyan's gaze swept over her from head to toe before he smiled faintly. "You always look beautiful," he said, his voice lower than usual. "But with your hair tied up… you look extra beautiful today."
Her cheeks curved in a gentle smile. "Really?"
"Really."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Then Eva turned to the knights. "You two did a great job," she said kindly. "You stood by your orders and brought His Majesty here. Well done."
The knights bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Grace."
"You can release His Majesty now," Eva added.
The knights quickly let go of Eyan's arms.
"And you may go."
They bowed once more and hurried away, clearly relieved to still be alive.
Eyan brushed his sleeves and gave a small chuckle. "My queen, can you tell me now—why exactly I was dragged here by your knights?"
Eva's eyes sparkled mischievously. "For no reason."
Eyan frowned. "For no reason?"
"Yes," she said with a light laugh.
"You mean to tell me you ordered them to drag me here… for nothing?"
Eva crossed her arms playfully. "Not for nothing. I was testing whether the knights you assigned me truly follow my orders or not."
Eyan stared for a moment, then laughed softly. "So? Are you satisfied now?"
"Very much," Eva said with a proud smile.
Eyan chuckled softly. "Eva, why are you wearing training gear?"
Eva glanced down at herself, then lifted her chin. "Oh, this? I wore it for a duel."
Eyan blinked. "A duel?"
Luca's head snapped toward her. "Sister, you're a queen. Who are you dueling with? Did someone offend you?"
Eva crossed her arms and said coolly, "Yes. Someone did offend me."
Luca's eyes flared with anger. "Tell me their name. I'll handle them myself!"
Eva smiled faintly. "No, brother. I can handle myself."
Eyan raised an eyebrow. "Eva… who is this person you're so offended by that you decided to duel them?"
Eva hesitated for a heartbeat before replying, "It's you, Your Majesty."
Eyan froze. "Me?"
Luca blinked in confusion. "Eyan?"
Eva nodded. "Yes."
Eyan tilted his head slightly. "Eva, I don't remember offending you."
"Oh, you did, Your Majesty," Eva replied evenly. "You just don't remember it."
Eyan frowned. "Can you tell me how I offended you, then?"
Eva's tone turned serious. "Last night, you broke into my room through the window. Did you forget?"
Eyan's expression faltered. "You're offended because of that? I only did it because I was worried about you."
Eva shook her head. "It's not just that. You said so many things that hurt me deeply."
Eyan's brows knitted. "Did I?"
Eva nodded.
He sighed softly. "Then tell me how my words hurt you, Eva. I'll make it right."
She stepped forward, her gaze unwavering. "If you want to make it right, then please—accept my challenge."
Eva pulled off one of her gloves and threw it toward him.
Eyan caught it midair, stunned.
"I, Eva Eyan Lucian Therald, Queen of Velmoria, challenge His Majesty Eyan Lucien Therald to a duel."
The training ground fell utterly silent.
Luca's eyes went wide. "Sister! You can't do that—you can't challenge Eyan! You'll never beat him!"
Eva smiled gently. "Don't worry, brother."
Then her gaze met Eyan's, calm and fearless. "Your Majesty, what is your answer?"
Eyan exhaled slowly. "I decline."
"What?" Eva asked, almost incredulous.
"Yes," he said firmly. "I can't accept your challenge. You're still recovering; you should rest. Forget about this duel."
He softened his tone. "If I hurt you in any way, I'll apologize for it."
Eva sighed, her expression almost amused. "I knew you'd say that."
Turning to Lady Aranel, she said, "Didn't I tell you? His Majesty thinks I'm weak and can't handle him."
Luca's eyes narrowed. "Eyan, you said that to sister in law?"
Eyan blinked, confused. "I don't remember saying that."
"Oh, Your Majesty, you did say it," Eva murmured, stepping close enough that only he could hear her next words.
Her breath brushed his ear as she whispered,
> "You said—'If your body couldn't handle me, why didn't you tell me to stop?'"
Eyan's face flushed crimson. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at her.
Eva smiled sweetly. "Do you remember now, Your Majesty?"
Eyan cleared his throat awkwardly. "You're offended because of… that?"
"Yes," Eva said softly, her tone deceptively calm. "Very much."
He rubbed the back of his neck, utterly flustered. "D-don't take it to heart."
Eva's gaze sharpened. "How can I not? That's the last thing a wife wants to hear from her husband."
Eyan turned red to his ears. "I—I'm sorry for saying it."
"I don't want your apology," Eva said firmly.
Eyan blinked. "Then what do you want?"
She took a step back and pointed at the open ground. "I want you to accept my challenge. You're a royal—everyone here is watching. You can't refuse like that."
Luca crossed his arms. "She's right, Eyan. If you refuse, everyone will think you believe the Queen of Velmoria is too weak to face her husband."
Eyan looked between them, torn. "But Eva, you don't even know how to use a sword. You've never held one in your life—how can I accept this?"
Eva smiled confidently. "You don't have to worry about that, Your Majesty. I had sword lessons as a child. I know how to use one."
That's a lie, of course, she thought to herself. But I've fought him once before—this won't be impossible.
Eyan sighed in defeat. "Fine. I'll accept your challenge—but on one condition."
Eva's eyes lit up. "What condition?"
"I'll only use one hand. If you can make me use my other hand, you win."
Eva's lips curved in satisfaction. "I accept."
Eyan smirked slightly. "Good."
"But one more thing, Your Majesty," Eva added.
He raised a brow. "What now?"
"No duel is complete without a prize. If I win, you'll grant me one wish. And if you win, I'll grant you one."
Eyan chuckled. "Sounds fair."
"Then it's settled," Eva said, stepping back.
Eyan smiled as he rolled up his sleeves. "Very well, my queen. Let's begin."
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