(Ten Days Later)
The following ten days passed in a blur of exhaustion and steady progress.
Every morning and every evening, Kyel trained Eva and Aranel without mercy. He taught them how to hold a sword properly, how to balance their weight, how to draw a bow without trembling hands. He corrected their stances, forced them to repeat movements until their arms shook, and pushed them to ride their horses faster than they ever had before.
And somehow—miraculously—they improved.
By the end of the tenth day, Eva could nock an arrow without fumbling, her sword no longer felt foreign in her grip, and her fear while riding at full speed had slowly faded into confidence.
(After Training — The Market Road)
The sun was already dipping low when Eva and Kyel walked back through the busy market toward home.
Eva let out a long, tired sigh, rolling her shoulders.
“I’m exhausted,” she complained softly. “My back hurts so much today…”
Kyel didn’t answer.
Before she could say another word, he suddenly bent down and scooped her up into his arms.
Eva gasped, her eyes widening as heat rushed to her face.
“Kyel—! What are you doing? Put me down!”
“But you said you’re tired,” he replied calmly, adjusting his hold. “I’ll take you home.”
Laughter and whispers followed them instantly. “Look at them, showing affection in the middle of the market…”
“I’m jealous.”
“How shameless—and sweet.”
Eva buried her face against his shoulder, mortified. “Kyel, people are laughing at us! Put me down this instant!”
He glanced around once, utterly unbothered. “Let them laugh.”
She began swinging her legs in protest. “Kyel! Put me down!”
“Hey—stop moving,” he warned, tightening his grip slightly. “You’ll fall.”
With a resigned sigh, he finally set her back on her feet.
He looked down at her. “Are you happy now?”
Eva quickly smoothed her dress, cheeks still warm. “Yes. Now let’s go.”
“SOMEBODY HELP MY CHILD!”
The scream tore through the air. Eva and Kyel froze, instantly turning toward the voice.
A woman stood by the riverbank, crying hysterically. “Please—somebody help! My child is drowning—he can’t swim!”
Eva’s heart lurched. “Kyel—!”
Before she could finish, Kyel was already running.
He leapt into the river without hesitation, water splashing violently as he swam toward the struggling child. Small hands flailed above the surface, panic written into every frantic movement.
Eva grabbed the sobbing woman’s shoulders, holding her firmly. “Please don’t worry,” Eva said, forcing calm into her voice. “He’ll be fine.”
Moments later, Kyel reached the child and pulled him close. The boy clung to him instantly, arms wrapping around Kyel’s neck as if afraid to let go.
Kyel swam back to the shore, lifting the boy safely into his arms.
“It’s okay,” Kyel murmured gently, holding him close. “You’re safe now.”
The mother rushed forward, tears streaming. “Thank you—thank you so much for saving my son… Falco, come here. Come to Mother.”
But the boy only tightened his grip on Kyel.
Kyel glanced down, understanding softening his expression. “He’s scared,” he said quietly.
Kyel adjusted the boy in his arms, holding him securely against his chest.
“Hey,” he said gently, brushing wet hair away from the child’s forehead. “Your name is Falco, right? You don’t have to be afraid anymore. Go to your mother—she’s very worried about you.”
Falco shook his head stubbornly, arms tightening around Kyel’s neck. “No. I want to stay with you, Uncle… please don’t go.”
A small smile curved Kyel’s lips.
“Alright,” he said softly. “I’m not going anywhere.”
The woman watched them with misty eyes, her hands clasped together. “Please forgive him,” she said apologetically. “He’s a very stubborn child.”
Eva smiled warmly. “It’s alright,” she replied. “Let him stay like this for a while.”
Relief washed over the woman’s face. After a moment, she hesitated, then spoke again.
“If you don’t mind… please come to my house for tea. It’s the least I can do to thank you for saving my child.”
"There is no need—" Eva said.
"Please don't refuse" The woman said with hopeful eyes.
Eva and Kyel exchanged a glance.
“Fine,” Eva said gently. “But we can’t stay long.”
The woman’s face brightened.
“My house is very close. Please, come.”
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Her home was modest but clean, filled with a quiet warmth. She brought Kyel dry clothes and changed Falco into fresh ones.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Soon, laughter echoed from the front of the house.
Kyel was crouched on the ground, playing with Falco, letting the boy climb onto his back as if he were a horse. Falco’s laughter rang freely, bright and carefree.
Eva stood on the balcony, watching them. She didn’t realize she was smiling until her cheeks began to ache.
The woman returned with tea and sat beside her, following Eva’s gaze. “You have a wonderful husband,” she said warmly. “He even knows how to play with children.”
Eva’s smile softened. “Yes… I didn’t know either. This is my first time seeing him like this.”
The woman sighed softly, watching the yard. “At least you won’t have any trouble raising your own child in the future,” she said with a faint laugh. “With a husband like yours. Not like mine—he’s always out working. Completely useless at home.”
Eva couldn’t help it—she laughed.
The woman smiled, then turned to her again. “Tell me, Eva… when are you planning to have a child?”
Eva froze. “A… child?”
“Yes,” the woman said casually. “You’ve been married for quite a long time now. It’s natural to think about having one.”
Eva’s cheeks warmed. She glanced toward Kyel, who was crouched on the ground, letting Falco climb all over him.
“I don’t know,” Eva said softly. “I’m not sure… if my husband wants a child.”
The woman followed her gaze and chuckled. “Oh, trust me—your husband likes children. Just look at him. He’s playing with a child he met only a short while ago. A man like that will become a very good father.”
Eva didn’t answer. She simply watched Kyel, the way he laughed so freely, the way his hands steadied Falco without even thinking.
“Still…” Eva murmured, “I’m not completely sure.”
The woman tilted her head, studying her. “Eva, don’t you want a child? A family of your own?”
Eva’s answer came immediately, without hesitation. “I do. Of course I do,” she said, her voice sincere. “I want a child too.”
The woman smiled knowingly.
“Then have one. Tell your husband what you want.”
Eva’s face flushed even deeper. She lowered her eyes, then glanced back at Kyel once more. “…I can try,” she said shyly. “If he agrees.”
Her lips curved into a small, hopeful smile as she watched Kyel lift Falco into his arms, laughter filling the quiet evening air.
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(Eva and Kyel’s House — Night)
They returned home after bidding farewell to Falco and his mother, the quiet of the night settling gently around them.
Kyel headed straight for the bathroom, loosening his collar as he walked.
“I’ll take a bath,” he said. “Princess, you should go next.”
Eva nodded, already moving to the kitchen.
“I’ll prepare the ingredients. You can cook.”
“Alright,” Kyel replied easily.
A short while later, Kyel emerged from the bathroom, his hair still damp. Eva passed him on the way in, offering a small smile before closing the door behind her.
(Inside the bathroom)
Eva sat quietly in the bathtub, warm water reaching her waist, steam curling lazily around her skin. The room was silent, yet her mind was anything but. Her thoughts kept circling back—to Falco’s mother, to her words, to the image she couldn’t shake.
“I want one…” Eva whispered to herself. “…but.”
Her breath slipped out slowly. Not because it was impossible—no, that wasn’t the problem. The ache came from something far more personal.
Kyel and she hadn’t shared another night together since day.
Eva flicked water into the air, watching the droplets fall.
“One night doesn’t mean anything,” she murmured. “And Kyel… he never reaches for me first.”
Her cheeks warmed as embarrassment crept in. “Do I really have to be the one again?” she muttered. “Do I have to step forward every time?”
She counted softly on her fingers.
“I confessed first.”
“I kissed first.”
“I asked for him first.”
“I pulled him close first…”
Her voice cracked. “And he never stopped me,” she said quietly. “But he never started it either.”
Frustration surged. She slapped the water, droplets splashing against the tub’s edge.
“Why doesn’t he pull me close on his own?” she whispered.
“Why doesn’t he look at me like he can’t help himself?”
Her gaze lifted to the mirror. She studied her reflection—wet hair clinging to her shoulders, flushed skin, uncertain eyes.
“I don’t lack anything,” she said softly, almost defensively.
“So why he doesn’t desire me the way I desire him.”
The thought stung more than she expected. Another sigh slipped from her lips, heavier this time.
“Eva… it looks like you’ll have to do it again.”
Her hands flew to her face, mortification burning through her. “No. What am I even thinking?” she muttered. “I have pride too.”
Then—
Falco’s mother’s words echoed clearly in her mind.
Eva’s hands slowly lowered. “I do,” she said, her voice quieter now, but surer.
“I want a family. I want a child…” Her lips trembled into a faint, tender smile. “…a child who looks like him.”
Eva stood, water sliding down her skin, her heart pounding with a decision she could no longer avoid.
“If I don’t say it out loud,” she told herself, “he’ll never know.”
She swallowed hard. “Forget pride.”
Her reflection stared back—nervous, vulnerable, aching. “I’ll tell him,” Eva said, her voice barely above a breath.
“I’ll tell him I want him… and the future I want with him.”
Her hands clenched at her sides. “…Okay.”
And with longing heavy in her chest and courage stitched together by love, Eva stepped out of the bath—ready to face Kyel, even if her heart trembled while doing so.
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Eva returned from the bath wrapped in her nightgown, the thin fabric brushing her skin as damp strands of hair clung to her neck.
Her eyes found Kyel in the kitchen.
He stood by the stove, sleeves rolled up, focused as he stirred the pot before him. Steam curled around his face, and for a moment, Eva simply watched him—so calm, so domestic, so unaware of the storm she was carrying inside.
She walked closer, her steps soft.
“Honey,” she asked gently, a small smile touching her lips, “is dinner ready?”
Kyel didn’t turn right away. “Almost,” he replied, stirring the soup once more. “Princess, can you stir it for a moment? I need to wash my hands.”
Eva nodded, stepping into his place. Her fingers wrapped around the spoon, and she began stirring slowly, the rhythmic motion giving her something to focus on.
she told herself.
, her heart whispered back.
Kyel returned after washing his hands and stopped when he noticed Eva standing there, absentmindedly stirring the soup, her movements slow and unfocused.
Without a word, he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her from behind. His chin rested gently on her shoulder, his presence warm and familiar.
“Princess,” he murmured softly, his breath brushing her ear, “you look lost in thought. What’s on your mind?”
Eva didn’t stop stirring. Her voice came quieter than usual.
“Kyel…”
“Hm?”
She hesitated, then asked, “Do you like children?”
“I saw you playing with Falco today.”
Kyel let out a small laugh against her hair, relaxed and genuine.
“That?” he said lightly. “Yes. I do. Children are simple… honest. Being around them feels easy.”
He tilted his head slightly. “Why do you ask?”
Eva’s fingers tightened around the spoon.
For a moment, she said nothing—then took a slow breath, as if bracing herself.
“Honey,” she said, barely above a whisper, “I want a child.”
Kyel stilled.
The casual warmth in his posture vanished as he straightened slightly, his attention fully on her.
“I—”
“Please,” Eva interrupted quickly, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay calm. “Let me finish.”
She swallowed, her cheeks flushing deep red.
“I want a child,” she repeated, more firmly this time. “But… one night isn’t enough for that.”
Her grip on the spoon loosened, then tightened again.
“And after that night,” she continued softly, “you never reached for me again. You never… made the first move.”
The words clearly cost her courage.
“So,” she said, almost breathless now, “if we want a baby… can we try again?”
As soon as the words left her lips, Eva closed her eyes, embarrassment washing over her.
Kyel didn’t say anything at first. He simply buried his head in the soft curve of her shoulder, inhaling her scent like a man starved.
“You have no idea,” he murmured hoarsely, “how hard it is for me to pretend I don’t want you.”
Eva’s hand trembled around the spoon. “Kyel…?”
He spun her sharply to face him, hands framing her face, and crushed his mouth to hers.
The kiss was fierce, deep, hungry—days of pent-up longing unleashed in a single breath. Eva gasped into him, fingers clutching his shirt as he devoured her with raw passion.
Finally, he tore away, chest heaving, eyes dark and wild with desire. His forehead rested against hers as he fought for control.
His thumb traced her swollen lips, voice low and trembling. “You want a child.”
Eva nodded, still breathless, her own need mirroring his. “Yes.”
His hands slid to her waist, holding her firmly, possessively. He met her eyes, desire and certainty burning unmistakably in his gaze.
“Then come,” he said softly, desperately.
“Let’s make a baby tonight.”
