(Three days before the hunting competition)
Prince Velco sat alone in his study, the afternoon light slanting across the desk as his eyes moved slowly over the report his spy had delivered. Every line had been read twice, then a third time—measured, dissected, judged.
Lady Eva Elvaris. Married. Her husband was listed plainly, almost insultingly so: Kyel, a commoner. A laborer in the capital. No title. No lineage. No influence. The report was meticulous—too meticulous to be false. Eva and the emperor shared no secret bond, no hidden meetings, no lingering connection beyond a single encounter at the emperor’s birthday celebration. That night, she had gifted him a brooch. Nothing more.
Velco finally lowered the papers onto the table and exhaled, slow and controlled. “So I nearly made a foolish move,” he murmured to himself. “Lady Eva and the Emperor are not connected after all. And that brooch…” His lips curved faintly. “Was just a coincidence.”
He leaned back, fingers steepled. “If she truly were the the Master of the Magic Tower hinted at—if she were someone the emperor was desperate to hide—he would never have worn her gift in public.” Velco scoffed quietly. “Not even once.”
Rising from his chair, he walked toward the tall window overlooking the palace grounds. The world outside looked deceptively calm—trees swaying gently, guards patrolling in quiet order.
“Lady Eva…” he said softly, her name tasting almost indulgent on his tongue.
A smile tugged at his lips, slow and calculating. “Beautiful. Refined. And wasted.” His eyes darkened. “To think someone like her is bound to a nameless commoner.”
He lingered there for a long moment, watching the horizon, before the amusement drained from his expression and something sharper took its place.
“No,” Velco said quietly, turning away from the window. “Lady Eva is meaningless.”
“Forget her,” he muttered. “She is nothing but a distraction.”
His fingers tightened at his side. “The true prize is the woman the Emperor conceals from the world.”
His eyes gleamed with quiet cruelty. “A man only hides what he cannot afford to lose.”
“And once found…”
“She will bring to his knees.”
(Eva and Kyel’s House)
Kyel stood near the doorway, already dressed, glancing toward the stairs for what felt like the tenth time. His foot tapped lightly against the floor.
“Princess, hurry up,” he called out, impatience lacing his voice. “What’s taking you so long? We’ll be late.”
A moment later, Eva came running down the stairs, adjusting her hair as she moved. “I’m done—let’s go,” she said, reaching out to grab Kyel’s arm. He turned to her, brows lifting slightly. “What took you so long?”
Eva offered him a small, forced smile. “I couldn’t decide what to wear. I kept getting confused about the dress.”
Before he could say anything else, she tugged him toward the door. “Now come on. Aranel and Brother Luca are already waiting for us.”
With that, Eva pulled Kyel outside, and together they left for the capital—where Luca and Aranel awaited them.
(At the Restaurant)
By the time Eva and Kyel arrived at the restaurant, Luca and Aranel were already waiting for them, seated at a table near the window. Luca crossed his arms the moment he spotted them.
“What took you two so long?” he said, half-annoyed, half-relieved. “We’ve been waiting for almost three hours.”
Eva lowered her head slightly, guilt flickering across her face. “I’m sorry, Brother. It’s my fault—I couldn’t decide what to wear.”
Luca’s expression softened at once, and a smile spread across his face. “It’s alright, Sister-in-law. Now hurry up.” He gestured eagerly. “We have a birthday to celebrate.”
Eva and Kyel took their seats, and moments later Luca and Aranel returned to the table carrying a large cake adorned with glowing candles.
The cake was magnificent—layered high with soft cream, its surface decorated with delicate sugar flowers and ribbons of chocolate, the edges dusted with a light shimmer that caught the candlelight. It looked almost too beautiful to cut.
Eva’s eyes widened in excitement. “Wow… it’s so big and beautiful. Where did you get this?”
Luca and Aranel exchanged a glance before smiling in unison. “We made it,” Aranel said proudly. “And not just us—your husband helped too.”
Eva turned toward Kyel in surprise. “Really, Kyel?”
He nodded quietly.
Her face lit up with pure happiness. “Thank you so much—for this beautiful cake.”
Luca chuckled and picked up the knife, placing it gently in Eva’s hand. “Enough talking. Now cut the cake, Sister.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Eva leaned forward, took a deep breath, and blew out the candles. Applause filled the air as they began to sing the birthday song. Eva closed her eyes for a brief moment, made a silent wish, and then cut the cake, sharing pieces with everyone at the table. Afterward, they ordered food, laughter and warmth filling the space as they ate together.
(Eva and Kyel's House - Evening)
Eva and Kyel returned home in the evening, the warmth of the day still lingering in their hearts after the celebration.
Eva dropped onto the couch with a soft sigh. “Ahh… I’m so tired. But I had so much fun today. It was my best birthday ever.”
Kyel smiled and sat beside her. “What made this year so special?”
Eva leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder. “Every year I celebrated my birthday with Aranel,” she said softly. Then she looked up at him, her eyes gentle. “But this time, Brother Luca was there too.” She paused, smiling. “And most importantly… you were with me.”
Kyel’s smile deepened as he wrapped an arm around her. “Happy birthday again.”
She hugged him back. “Thank you, honey.”
Pulling away from the embrace, Eva suddenly brightened. “Let’s open the gifts now. I’m really curious about what Brother Luca and Aranel gave me.”
She stood and picked up the first box—Aranel’s gift. Carefully, she opened it.
Her smile froze. Eva quickly shut the box, her cheeks turning bright red. “Oh—she gave me a book. How thoughtful of her,” she said a little too quickly, hiding it behind her back. “I’ll read it in my free time.”
Kyel tilted his head, amused. “Eva, let me see it too. What kind of book did she give you?”
“N-No,” Eva said in a rush. “Not now. I’ll read it first… then you can.”
Kyel chuckled lightly. “Alright.”
Taking a deep breath, Eva moved on to Luca’s gift. She opened the box—and frowned in confusion. “What is this?”
Inside lay a sheet of paper, a complex magic circle drawn carefully across it.
Kyel leaned closer, his expression turning serious. “It’s a magic circle.”
Eva’s eyes widened. “A magic circle? But for what?”
Kyel reached into the box and pulled out a folded note, handing it to her. Eva unfolded it and began to read.
>
Eva’s face lit up with excitement. Slowly, she lifted her hand above the paper, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. “I wonder what kind of spell this is…”
The magic circle flared to life beneath her palm, glowing softly—then, just as suddenly, the light faded away.
Eva and Kyel looked at each other in confusion.
“What happened?” Eva asked. “It didn’t work.”
“Try again,” Kyel said gently. “One more time.”
Eva placed her right hand on the circle again. Once more, it activated—only to fade moments later.
Her brows knitted together. “It’s not working…” She picked up the paper, examining the lines of the circle closely. “Did I do something wrong?”
Kyel shook his head. “Don’t worry too much. There must be something wrong with the spell itself.”
Eva hesitated, then nodded, setting the paper aside.
A moment later, she turned to Kyel with a bright smile. “Now give me your gift.”
Kyel smiled back and reached into his pocket, taking out a small box and placing it gently in her hand.
Eva opened it—and gasped. “Wow… it’s a beautiful ring.”
“You like it?” Kyel asked softly.
“Yes, it’s so beautiful,” she said, eyes fixed on the gem. Then she looked up at him, concerned. “But it looks expensive. Honey, how much did you spend on this?”
Kyel chuckled lightly. “You don’t have to worry about that. It’s your birthday gift. And it’s not that expensive.”
“Okay…” Eva replied, though doubt flickered in her eyes.
she thought.
Kyel tilted his head, studying her expression. “Princess, what are you thinking about?”
She smiled quickly. “Nothing.”
After a brief pause, Eva held the box out to him. “Honey, can you put the ring on my finger?”
Kyel’s smile softened. He took the ring from her hand and gently slid it onto her ring finger. Then he leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to her hand.
The green gemstone caught the light, shining brightly—quietly waiting to be noticed.
(Royal Palace of Velmoria)
(Prince Velco’s Chamber)
Prince Velco returned to his chamber long after night had fallen, his patience worn thin and his temper stretched to its limit. An entire day spent searching—and not a single trace of the woman. Not even a shadow.
With a sharp breath, he grabbed the wineglass from the table and hurled it at the mirror.
Glass shattered across the floor, fragments glittering like broken stars.
“Just where in the hell is that damned Emperor hiding her?” Velco snarled.
He shut his eyes, pressing his fingers to his temple, forcing his racing thoughts to slow—
The sharp, mechanical sound cut through the silence.
Velco’s eyes flew open.
“What—?”
He spun toward the table and rushed forward, snatching up the locator. A small light pulsed faintly at its center, glowing alive.
His lips slowly curved into a dangerous smile.
“The ring…” he murmured. “The ring I gave to the Emperor.”
His eyes gleamed. “Someone is wearing it.”
A low laugh escaped him, dark and triumphant. “I found her. I finally found her.”
He tapped the locator, waiting for the coordinates to appear.
Nothing.
The glow flickered—but no location surfaced.
Velco’s smile vanished. “What’s happening?” His grip tightened. “Why isn’t it showing her location?”
Irritation flared into fury. With a sharp motion, he pulled out a magic crystal and activated it. Light surged across its surface, forming a glowing image.
A magician appeared—robes marked with the sigil of the Dravareth Empire. He bowed deeply.
“Greetings, Your Highness. How may I assist you?”
Velco didn’t bother with courtesy. “You’re the one who placed the spell on ” he snapped. “You told me that the moment someone wore it, the tracker would activate and reveal its location.”
“That is correct, Your Highness,” the magician replied calmly. “That is precisely how the spell works.”
Velco thrust the locator toward the crystal. “Then explain this. Why the hell isn’t it showing the location? What’s wrong with it?”
The magician studied the device closely, his expression slowly tightening. After a pause, he spoke carefully. “Your Highness… there is nothing wrong with the spell. It is functioning perfectly.”
Velco’s eyes narrowed.
“However,” the magician continued, “something is blocking it. A powerful interference. That is why the location cannot be revealed.”
Velco’s jaw clenched. “Something is blocking it? What kind of thing?”
“I do not know,” the magician admitted. “But whatever it is… it is extremely powerful.”
Velco slammed his fist against the table. “Damn it!” he roared. “I was this close—this close—to finding her!”
His breath slowed, anger settling into something colder, sharper. He straightened, eyes dark with certainty.
“But this confirms one thing,” Velco said quietly. “There a woman the Emperor is hiding.”
His lips curled into a cruel smile.
“And she most definitely… his weakness.”
As shattered glass glittered across the chamber floor, Prince Velco stood still, the faint glow of the locator reflecting in his eyes. The spell had been blocked, the path hidden by a power he had not foreseen—but that alone confirmed the truth. Somewhere within Velmoria, lived the woman the Emperor had chosen to protect at all costs. Velco’s lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. Secrets never stayed buried forever—and when hers was revealed, the Emperor would lose what he most.
