Love The Way He Lied

Eyan sat still in the dark room, his presence commanding the space like a shadow stalking the light. Behind Eva, his voice broke the silence with a chill that froze her in place.

"Are you looking for me, lady?"

Eva's breath caught in her throat. It's him. It's really him... Her body trembled, but she couldn't speak. Fear held her tongue.

Eyan's voice came again, more direct this time.

"Lady, I asked you something.

Are you looking for me?" He chuckled softly, his tone sharp.

"I saw you peeking at me in the hall, but you didn't approach.

So, I thought maybe you wanted to speak to me alone. Am I right?"

Eva nodded faintly, but her voice was lost, buried beneath the weight of her fear.

"Well, what is it that you want to talk about?" Eyan's voice now held a trace of impatience.

Silence.

Eyan's irritation grew.

Why won't she speak? His thoughts twisted into suspicion.

Is she a spy? She certainly looks suspicious...

Without warning, he called out to his wolf, summoning it to his side.

"Attack."

The wolf sat motionless, unmoving, defying Eyan's order.

"What are you doing?" Eyan's eyes narrowed. "I gave you an order."

But the wolf remained seated, not budging an inch.

Eyan stood up abruptly, drawing his sword in one swift motion. "You dare defy me?" he asked, his voice colder than ever.

The wolf, terrified, darted behind Eva, hiding in the shadow of her form.

Eyan's gaze turned from the wolf to Eva.

His cold eyes bored into her.

Eva gathered her courage, the nerves shaking her voice.

She turned to face him, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "Forgive me for my rudeness, Your Highness.

I should have introduced myself earlier. My name is Eva Elvaris."

Eyan froze, then smiled—genuinely surprised.

"Lady Eva," he said, his voice softening as he stepped back, sheathing his sword behind his back. "I'm sorry for my actions.

I thought you were someone else—someone… suspicious."

"No," Eva quickly replied. "Your Majesty, it's my fault. I followed you, and I didn't mean any harm.

I wanted to speak with you, if you have the time."

Eyan raised an eyebrow. "You wanted to speak to me?"

Eva nodded. "Yes, if you don't mind."

"Of course, feel free to speak."

Eva hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts.

Then, almost shyly, she spoke her request. "Can you teach me how to wield a sword?"

Eyan paused.

His eyes locked onto her, studying her face as if searching for the truth behind her words. "Why do you want to learn to fight?" he asked.

Eva remained silent for a moment, her gaze falling to the floor.

"I can't tell you the reason… but please, Your Highness. I truly wish to learn."

Eyan's expression remained unreadable. "Why me?" His voice held curiosity, tinged with suspicion.

"Why are you choosing me?"

Eva looked up at him, her voice trembling slightly. "Because you are…"

Eyan leaned in, his eyes narrowing. "I'm...?"

Eva flinched. "You are..." She clutched her hands into fists and sighed.

"Forget it. I knew you wouldn't agree.

I should never have asked."

"I Apologies for my rudness your Highness, I should take my leave."

She turned to leave, but Eyan's voice stopped her.

"I never said no."

Eva turned back around, her heart racing. "You will teach me?"

Eyan's eyes glinted with interest, calculating. "Hmm, let's see what I will gain from teaching you."

Eva blinked. "What will you gain?"

Eyan smirked, his voice low. "Yes, what will I get in return for teaching you?"

Eva thought for a moment, then nervously laughed. "You want money?"

Eyan's smile widened. "I'll get money, is that so? How much?"

Eva stuttered, glancing down. "I don't have much, but—"

Eyan waved a hand dismissively. "Lady Eva, as you can see, I already have more money than I can spend. I don't need more."

Eva's heart pounded. "Then… what do you want, Your Highness? I will grant any wish, if it's within my reach."

Eyan's eyes glimmered, his smile almost predatory. "Anything?"

Eva nodded. "Yes, anything."

Eyan leaned closer, his voice low but steady. "I have two wishes. If you can grant them, I will teach you how to use a sword."

Eva's curiosity peaked. "Two wishes? What are they?"

Eyan paused for a moment, watching her closely. "First, I want you to call me by my name."

Eva's eyes widened in disbelief. "Pardon?"

Eyan's smile turned dark. "Call me by my name. Not 'Your Highness."Eyan."

Eva hesitated. "But… Your Highness—"

"Eyan," he corrected, his voice firm yet soft. "Not 'Your Highness.' from this very day you Call me Eyan."

Eva swallowed hard but eventually nodded. "Okay."

Eyan's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. "And my second wish... I don't want anything right now. But I will use it someday, when I see fit."

Eva nodded, understanding. "Okay. I agree."

Eyan stepped closer, his eyes fixed on hers. "Now, say it."

Eva blinked, confused. "Say what?"

Eyan's voice was soft, coaxing. "Say my name."

Eva hesitated, her chest tight with nerves. She stuttered. "E-Eyan..."

Eyan's smile widened, satisfaction clear in his eyes. "Yes. That's better."

Eva smiled awkwardly, her face turning a little red. "Are you happy now?"

Eyan's eyes sparkled. "Very happy."

Eva handed Eyan a small box.

"It's your birthday gift," she said shyly. "It's nothing special, but I hope you like it."

Eyan opened it. "Cookies?"

"I baked them myself," Eva smiled.

He took a bite. "Delicious."

"Really?" she beamed. "Your Highness, I didn't even get to taste one. Can I—?"

She reached for a cookie, but Eyan pulled the box away.

"Sorry, these are mine," he teased.

Eva frowned. "Fine."

Eva looked around, realizing the time. "Oh, look at the time… I should leave. I'm sorry for taking up your time, Eyan."

Eyan raised an eyebrow. "Lady Eva."

Eva turned around. "Yes, Your Highness?"

Eyan's expression softened, "May I have the honor of my first dance with you?"

Eva blinked, a little caught off guard. "Is that your second wish?"

Eyan chuckled softly. "No, it's a request."

Eva hesitated, bowing her head. "If it's a request… then I suppose I can turn you down, can I?"

Eyan smiled, but there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "Yes, you can."

Eva lifted her head, her voice steady but resolute. "Then I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I can't dance with you."

Eyan's eyes narrowed slightly. "May I know the reason?"

Eva paused, her face softening. "I don't like other men touching me. Not except for my husband."

Eyan raised an eyebrow. "Is that loyalty?"

Eva shook her head. "No, Your Highness. my husband probably wouldn't mind if I danced with other men. But… I can't accept your offer."

Eyan stared at her for a long moment. Finally, he sighed. "Fine"

"Then, if you're done, I shall take my leave."

Eva bowed, then turned and left the room.

Eyan stood in the center of the room, his hands running through his hair, a wicked smile curling at the corners of his lips. He replayed her words over and over in his mind.

"Except for my husband..."

A quiet laugh escaped his lips.

"Oh, Princess… Looks like I've fallen for you again today."

Eyan turned and left the room, heading back to the banquet hall, a new determination in his steps.