Love The Way He Lied

"How did you know where I lived?" Eva's voice was calm, but her eyes searched Eyan's face intently.

Eyan froze.

A pause.

Then he answered, his voice laced with nervous hesitation. "The wolves… yes. I told the wolves to find your house by your Saint aura. That's what happened."

Eva blinked in surprise. "Oh… I didn't know they could do that." 

She glanced at him again, a little softer this time. "Thank you again, Your Highness… for saving me."

She turned and went inside.

Eyan remained standing outside, letting out a long sigh of relief. That was close… How many more lies must I spin just to keep one truth buried? he thought grimly.

Inside, Eva collapsed on the couch, her body heavy with exhaustion. Her thoughts ran wild, trying to process the chaos of the day.

But then—

"Princess!"

The voice. It jolted her up.

She rushed to the door and flung it open—Kyel stood there, breathless, eyes wide with worry.

Before he could utter another word, Eva threw her arms around him, her body trembling, tears falling without restraint.

"Princess… what happened?" Kyel asked, already knowing.

His heart ached as he held her, brushing a hand through her damp hair.

Eva clung to him tightly, sobbing against his chest, letting it all pour out—the fear, the danger, the relief.

After what felt like hours, her tears began to slow.

Her swollen eyes blinked up at him.

Kyel cupped her cheek and gave her a crooked smile. "Are you done crying, or should I prepare for round two?"

She sniffled. "I'm done."

"Look at you," Kyel chuckled softly. "Your beautiful eyes are all puffed up.

Your face is a mess. Go take a shower. I'll make dinner."

"There's nothing to make…" Eva mumbled. "I went to the market, but… because of that son of a— I lost all the groceries."

Kyel sighed. "Then I'll go and buy the ingredients. You go clean up."

With that, he turned and left for the market.

Steam filled the small bathroom as Eva sank into the bathtub, her mind drifting back to Leo.

"Learn the sword," he'd told her. 

Was this why?

If I had known how to wield a sword… I could've saved myself without the Emperor's help.

Then came another memory—the sharp, terrifying sound of a blade cutting through flesh.

Eyan had slaughtered nearly fifty men without breaking a sweat.

That image haunted her… but another voice echoed in her head—Leo's voice.

"Someone close to you will teach you."

Eva jolted upright, water dripping from her skin. "It's him," she whispered. "Leo was talking about him…"

But immediately her thoughts spiraled. 

No… No. That's insane. I shouldn't get involved with him.

He's the one I should avoid the most. The one who killed me in my first life. 

Yet another voice argued back: 

He's not the same. He saved you. Twice. And he was gentle.

She groaned in frustration, clutching her head. Her heart was torn in two.

Meanwhile, Kyel returned, balancing bags of vegetables in his arms. "Princess, I'm back!"

No reply.

He called again—still no answer. Panic rising, he rushed to the bedroom and burst through the door.

"Eva—!"

He froze.

Eva stood there, in nothing but her undergarments, staring at him wide-eyed.

"Turn around!" she screamed, her voice three pitches higher.

Kyel snapped out of it and immediately shut his eyes, spinning around.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't see anything!" he stammered.

"You always knock before coming in! Why didn't you today?!"

"I called you! Twice! You didn't answer, so I thought…" He trailed off.

Eva sighed, her anger slowly ebbing. "Fine. Just get out."

Kyel, eyes still closed, shuffled out quickly, and she slammed the door behind him, her face blazing red.

He saw me… in this shape?! she groaned internally. And after eating so much during recovery… I've definitely gained weight! He probably thinks I'm—

Kyel collapsed on the couch downstairs, his face burning as he covered his mouth with his hand.

He had lied.

He did see.

And he couldn't forget it.

"Princess…" he whispered, heart thumping. "You… you have a beautiful body…"

Dinner passed in awkward silence.

Eva tried to act natural, complimenting the soup. "It's delicious, honey."

Kyel nodded stiffly without lifting his eyes.

That night, he fell asleep early—his back turned toward her.

Eva lay awake, confused. This is the first time he's slept with his back to me… Maybe… maybe he didn't like what he saw…

She rolled over, her chest tightening, and soon fell into uneasy sleep.

Kyel lay wide awake, staring at the ceiling. The image of Eva flashed behind his eyes every time he blinked.

I need to sleep somewhere else…

Gently slipping from the bed, he made his way downstairs and tried to sleep on the couch. But rest evaded him.

The next morning, Eva woke to an empty bed and a note on the table:

"I have some urgent work. I'm heading out early. —Kyel"

(Royal Palace – Early Morning)

Eyan sat in his office, slumped over his desk, dark circles under his eyes.

Hans entered, surprised. "Your Majesty… you're here early.

And… you don't look well."

Eyan rubbed his face. "Didn't sleep."

"Nightmare?"

Eyan scoffed. "Worse."

Hans tilted his head. "What did you see?"

"It's none of your business. Shut up and bring me the banquet file."

Hans cleared his throat awkwardly. "Yes, Your Majesty. Also—the invitations have been sent out."

Eyan nodded. "Good. The banquet is in two weeks. Make sure everything is prepared."

"Yes, Your Majesty."