(Imperial Observation Pavilion)
The sound of galloping hooves echoed as Eyan, Eva, and Aranel arrived at the Imperial Observation Pavilion. Servants rushed forward, but Eyan was already dismounting.
He turned at once and reached out, steadying Eva as she stepped down from the horse. His grip lingered only a moment—firm, careful—before he straightened and looked toward Aranel.
“Lady Aranel,” Eyan said firmly, “take Lady Eva inside. There are physicians waiting. They will treat her.”
Aranel nodded without question. Gently supporting Eva, she guided her toward the pavilion doors, disappearing inside.
Eyan exhaled sharply and turned to Hans.
“Hans,” he said, his voice low but commanding, “report. What is the situation now?”
Hans swallowed, panic clear on his face. “Your Majesty… it’s bad. The knights are trying to restrain the animals, but nothing is working. They’re attacking anyone in sight.” His hands trembled. “At this rate, we have no choice but to kill them.”
He hesitated, then bowed his head. “Your Majesty, please give your orders.”
Eyan stood still, eyes fixed on the distant forest where chaos continued to unfold. Killing them was the fastest solution—but something about this felt wrong. The animals weren’t acting on instinct. They were being controlled.
Before he could speak, the air beside them distorted. A glowing teleportation circle flared open, its light cutting through the tension.
A familiar figure leaned out of it, smiling as though he had arrived at a casual gathering.
“Hello, Your Majesty,” Luca said lightly. “How’s everything going?”
Eyan’s eyes widened—then relief washed over his face. “Luca. You arrived at the perfect time.”
Luca stepped fully through the circle, the magic fading beneath his boots. “I had a feeling something was off. What happened?”
“The hunting competition was cancelled,” Eyan replied. “The animals are attacking people.” His gaze sharpened. “Can you stop them?”
Luca’s smile widened, confidence radiating from him. “Of course.” He rolled his shoulders once. “Leave it to me.”
Raising his hand, Luca murmured a spell. The air around him shifted violently, pressure building until the wind itself seemed to bend. Then—
A powerful ray of light shot across the forest, slicing through the chaos like dawn breaking through darkness.
In an instant, the red glow in the animals’ eyes vanished.
One by one, they stilled. The raging beasts collapsed to their knees or fled into the trees, their movements suddenly calm, natural—normal.
Silence fell over the forest.
Luca turned to Eyan, a relaxed smile still on his face.
“There,” he said lightly. “Your problem is solved.”
Hans immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Master Luca. Your assistance was invaluable. If more time had passed, it would have been disastrous for His Majesty.”
Luca tilted his head. “How many were injured?”
Hans hesitated before answering. “Fifty were injured… and three lost their lives.”
Luca’s expression barely changed. “That’s not much,” he said nonchalantly. “It could have been far worse.”
The casual tone made the air feel heavier rather than lighter.
Luca’s gaze shifted back to Eyan, his smile fading just slightly. “Whoever cast that spell has a personal grudge against you, Eyan.”
Eyan stiffened. “A spell?” His voice was sharp.
“Yes,” Luca replied calmly. “Someone used a magic circle to activate it. The animals didn’t lose control on their own—they were forced to. That’s why they attacked indiscriminately.”
Eyan’s hands curled into fists, anger darkening his eyes. “Whoever it is…” he said coldly, “…I will make them pay.”
He turned sharply toward Hans. “Hans. Examine the magic crystal. Find out who activated that magic circle.”
Hans bowed at once. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Without another word, he hurried away.
Luca turned away, already beginning to walk off. “I came here to see who won the competition,” he said casually.
“But since it’s been cancelled, I don’t really have a reason to stay.” He lifted a hand in farewell. “Goodbye, Eyan.”
“Luca.”
Eyan’s voice stopped him.
Luca paused but didn’t turn around.
“You’re not even going to ask if Eva is all right?” Eyan asked quietly.
Luca finally looked back, a faint smile curving his lips. “Why would I?” he replied calmly. “I already know she’s fine. My protection spell is with her. No one can harm her.”
Eyan’s eyes narrowed. “Protection spell?”
Luca stepped closer, lowering his voice as he leaned in. “Yes. The one I gave her as a gift on her birthday. It was a protection spell.”
Eyan’s expression darkened. “That spell didn’t work.”
Luca straightened at once. “What?”
“The moment Eva placed her hand on it, the spell activated—and then faded,” Eyan said coldly. “There was something wrong with it.”
“That’s impossible,” Luca said sharply. “Eyan, are you doubting me? I felt it when the spell activated.”
“Then explain this,” Eyan shot back. “Why didn’t your protection spell protect her when she was about to be attacked by a wild boar?”
Luca’s confidence cracked. “She was attacked?”
“Yes,” Eyan replied. “She could have been seriously injured but My wolves reached her in time and saved her.”
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
His jaw tightened. “Though the way they dealt with that boar… it terrified her.”
Luca’s brows drew together. “Why did you send your wolves instead of going yourself?” he demanded. “They’re beasts, Eyan. All they know is how to kill.”
“I didn’t send them,” Eyan snapped. “They slipped out of my shadow and ran to her on their own. I tried to stop them—but they didn’t listen.”
Luca fell silent.
“That’s strange,” he said slowly. “They’ve never disobeyed your orders before.”
Eyan’s voice lowered, controlled but heavy.
“I don’t understand why they behaved like that either,” he said. “But I have to teach them a lesson—so they never repeat this mistake again.”
An angry voice suddenly rang out from inside the pavilion.
“What do you mean your magic isn’t working?” Aranel snapped. “You serve the royal family—are you even a healer?”
Eyan and Luca both turned sharply toward the voice.
“That sounds like Lady Aranel,” Luca said. “Why is she so angry?”
Eyan didn’t answer. He was already striding toward the pavilion.
Luca pulled his hood over his face and followed.
Inside, Aranel was standing rigidly before the healer, her hands clenched in fury.
Eyan looked between them. “Lady Aranel,” he asked calmly, “what is the problem?”
Aranel turned at once and bowed. “Your Majesty, Eva is injured. I ordered him to heal her wounds, but he keeps making excuses.”
Eyan’s gaze snapped to the healer.
“Explain yourself,” he said coldly. “Are you refusing to treat her?”
The healer dropped to his knees. “N-No, Your Majesty. I tried—but my healing magic does not work on her.”
Eyan stiffened. “Your magic… doesn’t work?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Aranel exploded. “That’s a lie! You healed that man just moments ago! And now suddenly your magic fails only for Eva?” Her eyes blazed. “Do you think I’m a fool?”
“I swear I’m not lying—” the healer pleaded.
Luca raised a hand, his face half-covered by his hood.
“Stop,” he said calmly. “Don’t argue. I’ll heal her.”
Aranel turned sharply toward him. “And who might you be?” she demanded. “I don’t want another amateur here. Your Majesty, summon an expert—someone who truly knows magic.”
The healer stiffened. “Lady, lower your voice,” he said firmly. “Do you even know who you’re speaking to? That man is the Master of the Magic Tower.”
Aranel froze. “The… Master of the Magic Tower?”
Her face drained of color. She immediately bowed. “I apologize for my rude behavior.”
She rushed forward and grabbed Luca’s hand. “Please—help my friend.”
Luca flushed. “L-Lady, what are you doing? Let go of my hand.”
“Please,” Aranel pleaded.
“I will help,” Luca said quickly. “Now let go.”
She released him at once.
Luca moved into the inner chamber.
Eva sat on the bed, pale and clearly unwell.
Luca knelt in front of her. “My lady, are you all right? You don’t look well.”
Eva swallowed. “I don’t feel good… every smell makes me sick. I feel like vomiting all the time.”
“And your injuries?” Luca asked gently.
“They’re not serious,” Eva replied. “Just scratches—on my knees, elbow, and palm.”
“I see,” Luca said. “Don’t worry. Stay just like this.”
He lifted his hand.
A ray of light enveloped Eva—warm, bright—then faded.
Her wounds remained.
Luca’s eyes widened. “What…?”
“Is something wrong?” Eva asked nervously.
“Show me your palm,” Luca said quickly.
She held it out.
The scratches were still there.
“My magic…” Luca whispered. “It’s not working either.”
Eva’s voice trembled. “Your magic isn’t working too? Is something wrong with me?”
“No,” Luca said immediately. “No—let me try again.”
He raised his hand once more.
The magic glowed—then vanished.
Nothing happened.
Luca clenched his fist, irritation flickering across his face. “Why isn’t it working…?”
, he thought.
He stared at Eva, confusion clouding his expression.
And then—
Realization struck.
All the scattered pieces aligned at once.
The protection spell he had gifted her that never truly activated.
The wolves breaking free of Eyan’s control.
The healing magic refusing to touch her.
Luca slowly lifted his gaze to Eva.
Eva shrank back slightly, fear in her eyes. “Mister… what’s wrong? Am I really sick?”
Luca shook his head immediately. “No. No—you’re perfectly fine.”
He paused, choosing his words carefully. “My lady, instead of being healed by magic, you should have your wounds treated by a physician.”
Eva nodded weakly. “Okay.”
Luca rose to his feet and left the room.
Outside, Eyan and Aranel were waiting.
“Lady,” Luca said firmly, “take your friend to a physician. She needs to go now.”
“But you said you could treat her—” Aranel protested.
“My lady,” Luca interrupted calmly, “don’t ask questions. Just do as I say. Take her to a physician.”
Aranel hesitated, clearly confused—but she nodded and hurried inside to help Eva.
Eyan turned to Luca, his brows drawn together.
“What’s going on?” he asked. “You didn’t treat her. And why send her elsewhere? We have royal physicians here they can treat her.”
Luca’s expression hardened.
“No,” he said quietly. “She can’t be treated by royal physician.”
Eyan’s eyes darkened. “Why?”
Luca met his gaze, urgency sharp in his voice. “Your majesty don't argue with me she needs to leave Right now.”
Eyan didn’t press for further answers.
Trusting Luca, he gave the orders without hesitation. Hans was instructed to arrange a carriage for Eva and Aranel at once, and within minutes, they left the hunting grounds.
__________________________________
(Evening)
Every injured guest was treated and safely sent back to their homes. Later that night, Eyan released an official statement, offering a public apology for the incident that had occurred under his watch and promising proper compensation to all affected.
__________________________________
(Royal Palace)
Exhaustion weighed heavily on him.
Eyan released a long breath and sank onto the couch. Luca sat beside him, uncharacteristically quiet.
“Luca,” Eyan said after a moment, “now that we’re alone…”
He turned to face him. “Tell me why you didn’t want Eva treated by the royal physicians.”
Silence.
Eyan’s jaw tightened. “Answer me.”
Still nothing.
His patience snapped. “Open that damn mouth of yours.”
Luca remained quiet.
Eyan sighed sharply and grabbed him by the collar. “Stop testing my patien—”
Luca suddenly smiled.
“Eyan,” he said softly, “I’m really happy for you.”
Eyan froze.
“Happy?” he snapped. “Today was a disaster. Everything went wrong. Eva got sick—and you’re telling me you’re happy?”
Luca reached out and gripped Eyan’s shoulders firmly.
“You should go to sister-in-law,” he said. “She needs you.”
Eyan’s anger faltered. “I want to… but I still have responsibilities here. I can’t just leave everything unfinished.”
“Don’t worry about the palace,” Luca replied easily. “I’ll take care of everything here.”
Eyan searched his face. “You will?”
Luca smiled—genuine, reassuring. “Yes. So go. Now.”
Eyan stood slowly.
For the first time that day, his chest felt a little lighter.
And without knowing why, Luca watched him leave—
certain that once Eyan reached Eva, nothing would ever be the same again.
__________________________________
(Eva and Kyel’s House)
Eva lay curled on the couch, one hand resting over her stomach, her body heavy with exhaustion as she waited for Kyel to return.
The quiet was broken by a knock at the door.
She pushed herself up slowly, steadying her breath, and opened it.
Kyel stood there, a familiar smile already forming. “Princess, I’m bac—”
The words died in his throat.
Eva stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his chest as sobs shook her shoulders.
Kyel froze for a heartbeat—then held her tightly.
“Eva,” he murmured, worry threading his voice. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
She pulled back just enough to look at him, tears spilling down her cheeks.
And then she smiled.
“Honey…” she breathed, her voice shaking with emotion. “I’m pregnant.”
Kyel’s heart seemed to stop.
He stared at her, eyes wide, lips parted, as if the words needed time to reach his soul.
Slowly, he cupped her face, his hands trembling. “Say that again,” he whispered. “Please… say it again.”
Eva laughed through tears. “Kyel, you’re going to be a father.”
His breath hitched.
Then—joy broke through him like sunlight after a storm.
A laugh escaped his lips as he pulled Eva into his arms and lifted her off the ground, spinning her as happiness burst out of him.
“I’m going to be a father,” he laughed, his voice cracking. “We’re having a baby—Eva, we’re really having a baby!”
Eva laughed softly. “Kyel—my head is spinning. Stop.”
He set her down at once, panic flickering across his face. “I’m sorry, I got carried away. Are you all right? Are you dizzy?”
“I’m fine,” she said gently. “Just a little tired.”
Kyel sank to his knees before her, his hands trembling as he rested them over her stomach.
“There’s really…a little life here?” he whispered, tears finally filling his eyes. “A little life… made from you and me.”
“Yes,” Eva whispered.
Kyel bowed his head and pressed a gentle kiss to her belly, then wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her as if he were afraid to let go.
“Thank you,” he murmured, emotion thick in his voice. “Thank you for this beautiful gift. I’m so happy… so grateful.”
Eva bent down and cradled his head against her, her own tears falling into his hair.
In that quiet room, wrapped in tears and laughter, they weren’t just husband and wife anymore—
they were becoming a mother and a father, their hearts already reshaped by a life they had yet to meet.
__________________________________
