Ch. 34 A Shattered Bond
(Next Day)
(Royal Palace of Velmoria)
Eva stood before the towering palace gates, their gilded iron bars gleaming beneath the morning light. The sight of them made her heart pound painfully against her ribs.
A guard stepped forward, lowering his spear slightly.
“My lady, how may I assist you?”
Eva drew in a steadying breath. “I’ve come to meet His Majesty. Is the Emperor in the palace?”
The guard studied her politely. “Do you have an appointment with His Majesty?”
She shook her head. “No. I came without one. But… I have something important to ask him.”
The guard hesitated. “I apologize, my lady, but I cannot allow entry without permission.”
After a pause, he added, “I will inform His Majesty and seek his decision.”
Eva nodded. “Thank you.”
She waited in silence, her hands clasped tightly before her, every second stretching longer than the last.
Fifteen minutes later, the guard returned.
“My lady,” he said respectfully, “His Majesty has granted permission. You may enter.”
Eva exhaled softly and nodded. Without another word, she passed through the gates and into the palace.
The corridors felt endless.
When she finally stopped before the heavy doors of the Emperor’s study, her steps faltered. Her heart raced violently as she raised her hand to knock—then froze.
She squeezed her eyes shut, drew a deep breath, and knocked.
The door opened.
Hans stood there, his familiar smile warm and gentle. “Welcome, Lady Eva.”
She forced a small smile in return. “Mr. Hans… is His Majesty inside?”
“Yes,” he replied, stepping aside. “Please, come in.”
Eva entered the study.
The room smelled faintly of ink and parchment. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, illuminating the desk where Eyan sat, surrounded by documents. He looked every bit the Emperor—composed, distant, untouchable.
Eva bowed deeply. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Eyan looked up then he smiled. “Lady Eva,” he said calmly. “Greetings. What brings you here today?”
Eva lowered her head, her fingers twisting nervously into the fabric of her dress. The words she had practiced refused to come.
Eyan’s gaze shifted toward the door. “Hans,” he said quietly, “leave us. Do not allow anyone to enter.”
Hans bowed at once. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
The door closed behind him with a soft, final click.
Silence filled the room.
Eyan lifted his gaze from the desk and looked at her steadily.
“Lady Eva,” he said coolly. “Now tell me why you are here.”
Eva stood frozen, her lips parting—but no sound came out. The words crowded her throat, heavy and uncooperative.
His eyes darkened. “How long do you intend to stand there in silence?” he snapped. “Speak.”
Eva flinched. “I—I…”
Eyan pushed his chair back and stood, the scrape of wood against stone cutting sharply through the room. He walked toward her, each step deliberate.
“Lady Eva,” he said impatiently, stopping in front of her, “I am a busy man. I do not have time to waste. So say what you came to sa—”
“Kyel.”
The name slipped out before she could stop it.
Eyan halted.
Eva lifted her head and met his eyes, her hands trembling at her sides.
“Eyan,” she whispered, voice breaking, “are you Kyel?”
For a heartbeat, the room was utterly still.
Then Eyan smiled. “So you found out,” he said lightly.
He let out a quiet breath, almost amused. “Good. That means I don’t have to continue this tiresome charade.”
Eva stared at him, confusion flooding her face. “What… what are you saying?”
He stepped closer, invading her space, his presence overwhelming. “That right....I am Kyel,” he said calmly.
Her head shook violently. “No… no, you’re lying. You’re not Kyel. You’re not my husband.”
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Eyan’s smile thinned. “I’m not Kyel?” he echoed.
His voice turned cruel. “Then tell me—how do I know about the small mole beneath your right shoulder?”
His eyes locked onto hers. “The one only your husband would ever see.”
Eva froze. The world tilted.
Her breath hitched as tears welled in her eyes. “Why…?” she whispered. “Why did you lie to me, Eyan?”
“Your Majesty.” he snapped.
Eva flinched. “What…?”
“You are not permitted to call me by my name,” Eyan said coldly. “Remember your place. Call me what I am—Your Majesty.”
Tears spilled down Eva’s cheeks. “Kyel,” she cried softly, “why are you talking to me like this?”
She shook her head desperately. “I’m not angry. I know you must have had a reason. Please—just tell me why. If there’s a reason, I—”
“There was no reason.”
Her breath caught. “What…?”
“I lied because I wanted to,” Eyan said flatly. “And i own you no explanation.”
Eva’s knees felt weak. “But… I’m your wife…”
He laughed—short, mocking. “You are not my wife,” he said. “You are merely a woman I slept with.”
The words struck harder than any slap.
Tears streamed down her face. “You said you loved me…”
His eyes were ice. “It was all a lie. I, Eyan Lucien Therald, have loved you. Not even once.”
She sobbed openly now. “Not even once…?” she whispered. “Then why did you marry me?”
Eyan studied her face for a long moment, his eyes empty of warmth.
“Why I married you?” he repeated.
He stepped closer, close enough that she could feel his presence crowding her, trapping her breath in her chest.
His voice lowered, deliberate and cruel. “Because I wanted you.”
Eva froze.
“That’s all,” he continued calmly. “I wanted your body. I wanted you in my bed.”
Her sobs grew louder.
“It was never love,” Eyan said, his words cutting deeper with each breath.
“It was desire. Possession. The simple urge to have you beneath me.”
Eva’s sobs echoed softly through the study.
Eyan spoke without looking at her. “It was amusing,” he said indifferently. “Playing husband and wife with you.”
He turned slightly, his voice bored. “But I’m tired of it now. You no longer interest me.”
Eva’s breath hitched. “W-what about our child…?”
The words stopped him. For a brief moment, Eyan froze.
With trembling hands, Eva placed her palm over her belly. “What about your child,” she whispered, voice breaking, “growing inside me?”
Tears streamed down her face. “Don’t tell me… don’t tell me you don’t care about the child.”
Eyan turned back to her.
His eyes were cold. “No,” he said plainly. “I don’t care.”
Eva let out a broken sound. “You… don’t care?”
“You were the one who wanted a child,” Eyan continued calmly. “I never said I wanted one.”
He paused. “I gave you what you asked for. Isn’t that enough?”
Her lips trembled. “But it’s yours…”
“That changes nothing,” he cut in. “I gave you what you asked for. That is where my responsibility ends.”
Eva shook her head violently, clutching her stomach. “You can’t mean that… it’s your blood—”
“I don’t want it,” Eyan said without hesitation. The words were final. Absolute.
“The child is yours,” he continued, voice emotionless.
“Raise it. Abandon it. Do whatever you like.” His gaze hardened.“That child means nothing to me.”
Eva let out a broken cry, collapsing inward as if something vital had been torn from her chest.
Eyan turned away from her. “It’s a good thing you found out now,” he said coldly. “Let’s end this here.”
Eva’s breath trembled. “End this…?”
Eyan walked back to his desk. He opened a drawer, withdrew several papers, and without looking at her, tossed them onto the floor at her feet.
“Sign this.” he said coldly.
Eva bent down slowly, her hands shaking as she picked them up. “What… what is this?”
“Divorce papers,” Eyan replied flatly.
“I’ve already signed. Once you do, we are finished.”
“After that,” he said without emotion, “you will leave Velmoria with your child. You will never return.”
Eva shook her head violently. “No… I won’t sign it.”
Eyan let out a short laugh. “Ah. I forgot what kind of woman you are.”
He opened another drawer and pulled out several heavy pouches. One by one, he tossed them onto the floor. The sound of gold hitting stone rang loudly in the study.
“Take it,” he said. “With that much gold, you and the child won’t suffer.”
Eva looked at the coins, then at him, tears burning in her eyes. “Do I look like a beggar to you?”
Eyan stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You misunderstand.”
His gaze was sharp, merciless. “You’re not a beggar.”
He leaned in just enough for his words to destroy her. “This is —for the nights you warmed my bed.”
A pause.
“Like a mistress.”
.
.
The sound echoed violently through the room.
Eyan’s head turned to the side. His jaw tightened as blood split his lip.
Eva’s hand trembled uncontrollably, fury and pain crashing over her.
“I—I’m sorry,” she cried immediately, panic replacing anger. “I didn’t mean to—”
She reached for him instinctively.
Eyan caught her wrist. “How you hit me ,” he said coldly. “Do you know who I am?”
He shoved her hand away. “I could have you thrown into the dungeon for this.”
Eva stiffened in terror.
“If you don’t want that,” Eyan continued icily, “sign the papers. Now.”
She shook her head weakly. “No…”
Eyan grabbed a quill and forced it into her hand, gripping her wrist to drag it toward the paper. Eva cried out and threw the quill away.
“No—stop it! Please, stop!”
A sharp metallic sound filled the room—
Eyan drew his sword. He placed the blade against her neck. Eva froze completely, her breath trapped in her chest.
“One more refusal,” he said quietly, “and you die.”
“I will kill you here. Now sign it.”
Tears streamed down Eva’s face as she picked up the quill with shaking fingers. She tried to sign—but her hand stopped midway, her vision drowning in tears.
The blade pressed closer. “Move your hand.”
Sobbing, Eva finished signing.
Eyan withdrew the sword.
He picked up the papers and looked at the signatures. For a moment, something twisted painfully in his chest—but his face remained empty.
“Good,” he said at last.
“Now take the gold." He pushed the gold toward her with his foot.. "And In one day, you will leave Velmoria.”
His voice hardened. “Never show me your face again.”
He turned back to her. “And one more thing.”
Eva flinched.
“Make sure no one ever learns that the child is mine,” Eyan said coldly. “I won’t have my reputation ruined. Is that clear?”
Eva nodded weakly through her tears.
“Now get out.” he said turning his back.
Eva broke. She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him from behind, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Please,” she sobbed. “Don’t abandon me… don’t abandon our child.”
Eyan’s chest tightened violently.
He pried her hands off him. “Let go.”
She clung harder, desperate. “No… please, Kyel. I love you. I can’t live without you. Please don’t do this—”
Eyan shut his eyes for a fraction of a second.
Then—
“GUARDS.”
The doors opened immediately. “Your Majesty,” the guards said in unison.
“Remove this woman right now,” Eyan ordered coldly. “Throw her out of the palace. Make sure she never sets foot here again.”
The guards seized Eva by both arms. She struggled, choking on her sobs. “Eyan, please—don’t do this to me—please—”
They dragged her across the floor. “Eyan!” she screamed, her voice breaking. “Eyan—!”
The doors slammed shut behind her.
Silence returned to the study.
Eyan remained standing long after the doors closed.
Then his strength failed him.
His knees gave out, and he collapsed to the floor, the sound dull and hollow in the empty study. The sword slipped from his grasp, clattering beside him. His breath broke.
Tears spilled freely as his chest heaved. “Eva…” he whispered, voice shattered.
His hands curled against the cold floor as if he could still reach her. “I’m sorry,” he sobbed. “I’m so sorry… my child…”
His shoulders shook violently. “Don’t leave me,” he begged the empty room.
“Please… don’t go…” His voice cracked completely. “Eva…”
Only silence answered.
And for the first time, the Emperor of Velmoria was nothing more than a man kneeling in the ruins of his own choice.