The air around the training ground felt heavy—charged with curiosity and disbelief. The Queen of Velmoria herself was standing in the middle of the ring, a wooden sword gripped tightly in her hand. Across from her stood the King—calm, composed, and quietly amused.
Luca, Aranel, and Leo stood at the edge of the ground, watching in anticipation.
"You can do it, sister-in-law!" Luca cheered with a bright grin.
"Good luck, Your Grace!" Leo followed, waving both hands high.
"Win, Your Grace!" Aranel added.
Eyan glanced toward them with a soft sigh. "Looks like nobody is on my side."
Eva smiled, lowering her sword slightly. "Don't worry," she said gently. "I'm on your side."
Their eyes met—his steady and hers daringly bright.
Eyan raised his wooden sword, one hand behind his back. "I'm ready."
Eva lifted her sword high. "Then prepare yourself, Your Majesty."
The first strike came fast—swift and sharp—but Eyan sidestepped effortlessly.
Again she struck, and again, he dodged with ease, never raising his sword to retaliate.
From the side, Luca let out a long sigh. "I wish I could help Sister-in-law. She's not going to win at this rate."
"Master Luca," Aranel chided, "don't say that—the match just began."
"Lady Aranel, are you blind or something?" he whispered harshly. "Can't you see Eyan isn't even trying? She'll definitely lose."
Leo crossed his arms confidently. "No. She's going to win."
Luca turned toward him. "Are you certain, boy?"
Leo smiled knowingly. "Yes, I'm certain."
Meanwhile, in the ring, Eva's breathing was growing uneven. Sweat dripped down her temple as she swung again, only to hit the empty air.
"Your Majesty," she said breathlessly, "you need to strike too. All you're doing is dodging!"
Eyan smiled faintly. "I can't strike my wife."
Eva frowned. "What if you get hurt?" he teased lightly.
"I'm not that weak," she replied, her eyes flashing. "I can take one or two strikes."
"I know you can," he said softly. "But I don't want to hurt you. In any way."
Her lips curved in a stubborn smile. "Then you're going to lose."
"We'll see about that."
Minutes passed. The Queen kept attacking, her determination burning through exhaustion. Ten minutes later, she was gasping for breath.
Eyan's expression softened. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she lied between heavy breaths.
Damn it, I'm not fine, she thought. she thought. Ten attacks and I'm already breathless. And all he's doing is dodging. I need to win.
From the sidelines, Luca frowned. "What is he doing? He's not letting her win either."
Leo smiled faintly. "He will but not easily. If he lets her win like that, Her Grace won't accept it. That's why he's dragging this duel."
Luca blinked. "You say that as if you know what Eyan's thinking."
Leo shrugged. "I think I do. Because if I were him… I'd do the same."
Back in the ring, Eyan tilted his head. "Eva, is there something you want from me?"
Her eyes flickered in surprise. "How did you know, Your Majesty?"
He chuckled softly. "Isn't it obvious? You only asked for a winning prize because you wanted something."
She smiled, breathless but still proud. "That's right. I do want something. So I'll do anything to win."
Eyan's smile deepened. "Then again—strike me with all you've got."
Eva steadied herself. "Here I come."
She lunged forward with all her remaining strength. Eyan lifted his sword—and then, suddenly, threw it aside.
Eva froze mid-swing, eyes widening. "What are you doing—"
Before she could finish, he stepped forward, slipped his left hand from behind his back, and caught her by the waist. With one smooth motion, he pulled her against him and pressed a soft kiss against her cheek.
Her entire face flamed red. "Your Majest—?"
Eyan smiled with infuriating calm. "You win."
From the sidelines, the voice of the announcer rang out.
"The Queen wins the match!"
Luca threw his hands in the air. "Yes!"
Leo grinned. "Told you she'd win."
(There's no way Father would let her lose, he thought silently.)
Eva was still blushing, covering her cheek. "Your Majesty… that was a cheap trick! Why didn't you fight and let me win properly?"
"That wasn't a cheap trick," Eyan said, leaning close. "What you were doing was."
Her brows furrowed. "What did I do?"
He leaned toward her ear, his breath warm. "You were dueling with me while looking this beautiful. You think I could concentrate?"
Her breath caught, her blush deepening.
He straightened with a smirk. "One way or another—a win is a win. Now tell me, what do you want from me?"
Eva averted her gaze. "Not now. I'll tell you when we're alone."
"Alone?" he echoed, amused.
"Yes," she replied firmly.
She dropped her wooden sword to the ground, exhaling deeply. "I'm tired."
Aranel hurried to her side, offering a handkerchief. Eva took it gratefully, wiping her sweat. But Eyan came over, took the handkerchief from her hand, and began to gently wipe her face himself.
"Are you tired?" he asked softly.
"Yes," she admitted.
"Bring some water for the Queen," he commanded over his shoulder.
Without warning, he scooped her into his arms.
"Your Majesty!" she gasped, cheeks burning. "Everyone's watching—put me down!"
He chuckled. "Why? What's wrong with holding my wife?"
Her blush only deepened.
He carried her to a shaded bench, setting her down gently. The servant arrived with water, and Eyan took the glass himself.
"Here," he said, handing it to her. "Drink some."
Eva sipped—but suddenly pressed a hand to her stomach. Her face went pale. She covered her mouth.
"Eva?" Eyan's voice rose, filled with alarm.
She bolted up and ran off, hand still covering her lips.
"Eva!" Eyan shouted, running after her.
Behind them, Luca frowned. "What happened?"
Leo smiled faintly. "It's time."
"What time?" Luca asked, confused.
"You'll know soon enough," Leo said under his breath.
Moments later, Eva was bent over, vomiting again and again.
Eyan rushed to her, kneeling beside her, his hand on her back. "Eva… breathe. It's okay. I'm here."
She looked pale and drained. He helped her sit down, his voice trembling with worry.
"I told you to rest… why did you come out in this heat?"
Eva's breaths came short. "I—I'm fine," she managed.
"Bring water!" Eyan ordered sharply.
A servant ran up, handing him a glass. He gave it to her. "Here. Drink slowly."
She drank, but her face twisted again. She turned aside and vomited once more.
Eyan's panic deepened. "What's going on? Eva—talk to me!"
Eva pushed herself up, her hand trembling slightly as she steadied her breath.
"I'm fine," she said softly, though her voice sounded weak even to herself.
She took a step forward, and the world tilted. Her vision blurred, the ground beneath her feet swayed, and she stumbled.
"Eva!" Eyan darted forward, catching her before she could fall. His arm wrapped tightly around her waist, holding her close. "What's wrong?"
"I… I feel dizzy," she murmured, blinking rapidly.
Eyan's face twisted with worry. "That's it, we're going to the physician."
"No," she protested faintly. "Don't worry, I'm fine…"
He frowned, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sur—" Her sentence cut off. Her eyes rolled back, her body went limp.
"Eva!"
Eyan caught her before she hit the ground, cradling her in his arms. Panic flashed in his eyes as he lowered her gently, his hands trembling.
"Eva… hey, open your eyes," he whispered desperately, shaking her shoulder. "Eva, can you hear me?"
No response.
"Eva!" His voice broke.
Luca and Aranel came running, alarm written across their faces.
Luca dropped to his knees beside them. "What happened to Sister-in-law?"
"I—I don't know!" Eyan's voice trembled. "She just fainted—she was vomiting, and then she—" He broke off, unable to finish.
"Your Grace, please wake up!" Aranel pressed Eva's cold hand, panic flooding her voice.
Eyan turned to Luca, eyes wide and pleading. "Luca—do something! Make her wake up!"
"Alright, move aside!" Luca pressed his palm above Eva's chest and closed his eyes, focusing his magic. A soft light glimmered briefly—then faded. Nothing happened.
Luca frowned, confusion flickering in his eyes. He tried again, forcing more energy through the spell. Still nothing.
"What happened?" Eyan's voice cracked.
"My magic…" Luca's brows drew together. "It isn't working on her."
Eyan's heart pounded. "Try again!"
"I did!" Luca snapped, panic creeping into his tone. "It's not working!" He tried once more, but the light sputtered out completely this time. "What—what is going on…?"
Then, suddenly, realization hit him—like a flash of lightning in his mind. He froze, remembering what Eva had told him before—her faint his magic failure, her nausea, her sudden fatigue.
Luca looked from Eva's pale face to Eyan's terrified eyes.
"Eyan," he said sharply, "take her to the physician. Right now. Hurry!"
Eyan didn't hesitate. He scooped Eva into his arms again, his expression fierce with fear. Her head rested limply against his shoulder as he turned and ran down the corridor, his voice echoing through the palace halls—
"Call the royal physician! Now!"
---++