Love The Way He Lied

The room was bathed in the soft golden glow of afternoon light. Seated at a long table, Eyan shared tea with Duke Malric Vane and his wife, the Duchess of Ravencourt. Steam curled gently from their porcelain cups as the trio exchanged light conversation, the air filled with polite laughter and tension laced beneath.

Eva stood silently beside the Duchess, her posture stiff, fingers clasped tightly in front of her. Her eyes kept darting toward the man she had hoped never to see again.

"Why is he here..." she thought, her heart hammering against her ribs. "Not him... anyone but him."

The Duke's eyes slowly drifted toward her, scanning her from head to toe with a quiet intensity.

Eva caught his gaze and a chill ran down her spine.

"Did he recognize me? Why is he looking at me like that?"

"Lady Eva," Eyan's voice broke the stillness.

No response.

He tried again. "Lady Eva."

Still nothing. Her mind was spiraling.

"Lady Eva."

"Yes... yes, Your Highness," she finally stammered, jolting out of her thoughts.

"Where are your thoughts wandering?" Eyan asked, a slight crease forming on his brow. "You didn't hear me calling."

Eva's throat felt dry. "Nothing, Your Highness," she replied softly.

"Don't be scared, Eva," she reminded herself. "It's all in the past. He can't recognize you. Even if he does, he can't do anything to you now. You're no longer the girl he once knew—you've grown. You're stronger."

Eyan turned to the Duke and Duchess, smiling gently. "Duchess you must be tired from your long journey. I think it's best you rest for a bit."

He glanced at Eva again. "Lady Eva, would you escort the Duchess to her room?"

"Yes, Your Highness." Eva turned slightly, bowing to the Duchess. "This way, please."

But the moment she stepped forward, her trembling legs betrayed her. Her ankle twisted beneath her, and she nearly lost her balance.

"Lady Eva!" Eyan rose from his seat.

Eva quickly grabbed a nearby chair, steadying herself. "I'm fine, Your Highness," she said, forcing a calm tone. "My leg just felt a little numb."

Concern flashed in Eyan's eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," she replied, her voice firmer this time.

With that, Eva guided the Duchess out of the room, her heart still pounding in her chest.

As the door closed behind them, silence fell between the remaining men.

Eyan sat back down, catching the flicker in the Duke's eyes as he continued to look at the door through which Eva had just left.

"Your Majesty," the Duke said at last, setting his teacup down with a quiet clink. "Who was that young lady?"

"She's training in swordsmanship here," Eyan replied casually. "I asked her to assist the Duchess today."

The Duke raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that so…"

He leaned slightly forward, voice low. "What's the lady's name?"

Eyan didn't think much of it. Perhaps just curiosity.

"Eva Elvaris."

The moment the name left his mouth, something shifted in the Duke's face.

"Elvaris?" he echoed, a glimmer of recognition dancing in his eyes. "Ah… So she's the daughter of Lord Alric Elvaris?"

Eyan gave a slight nod. "Yes."

The Duke's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile.

"Interesting."

The night had settled quietly over the palace, cloaking its halls in a deep, solemn stillness. The moon hung low behind the clouds, casting pale shadows across the floor of Eva's chamber.

She sat curled in a velvet chair by the fireplace, her thoughts scattered and heavy. The Duchess had already retired, but Eva remained awake, her mind replaying the Duke's gaze how it lingered on her, as if reaching into a past she'd buried deep.

Her hands trembled slightly in her lap. She hadn't eaten. Her head ached. But more than that, it was the weight of old memories of fear and unspoken truths that pressed against her chest like iron chains.

Knock. Knock.

The sound startled her. Her breath caught.

"With a trembling voice," she called out, "W-Who's there?"

A voice answered, calm and familiar.

"It's me, Lady Eva. Eyan."

Relief washed over her, warm and immediate. She stood and crossed the room, opening the door to find Eyan standing there, the soft glow of the corridor lantern lighting the concern in his eyes.

"Yes, Eyan?" she asked, her voice quieter now.

"You didn't come to dinner," he said, studying her face. "The servants told me you weren't feeling well."

"I just have a small headache," Eva replied, forcing a smile. "Nothing serious.

"I'll have the palace doctor come see you," he offered gently.

"No," she quickly said, shaking her head. "It's really nothing. I don't need to see a doctor."

He didn't respond immediately, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer, searching.

"You're sure?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"Then at least let me send someone to bring you something for the pain," he said softly. "Would that be alright?"

Eva nodded. "Yes. A medicine will be enough."

Eyan gave a faint nod. "I'll have someone fetch it from the physician right away."

He paused, his expression unreadable in the dim light. Then his voice lowered, gentler. "Good night, Lady Eva. Rest well."

"Good night, Eyan."

He turned and walked away, disappearing into the corridor.

(After some times)

Knock. Knock.

The sound made Eva flinch.

She rose slowly, brushing down her dress.

"Oh… someone must be here with the medicine," she whispered, walking toward the door.

She opened it and her breath caught.

Her legs trembled beneath her.

Standing before her wasn't a servant. It was Duke Malric Vane.

Her fingers tightened on the edge of the door.

"Y-You… Why are you here?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Duke Vane gave her a calm, practiced smile. "Hello, Lady Eva."

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to stand tall. "What brings you here at this hour, Duke?"

"My wife," he replied smoothly.

"She was asking for you. I came to fetch you on her behalf. Could you spare her a few minutes of your time?"

Eva hesitated. "The Duchess? She's asking for me?"

"Yes," he said with a small nod.

"…Alright. Where is she?"

"In our chamber. Just this way."

Eva paused only for a moment before stepping into the corridor.

Something felt off too quiet, too convenient but she pushed the doubt aside and followed him.

He led her down the corridor and opened a carved wooden door.

The room inside was dimly lit, the air heavy with lavender and wine.

On the bed, the Duchess lay still, facing away.

"She's right there," Duke Vane said softly.

Eva stepped closer, concern starting to twist in her chest.

"Duchess?" she called gently. "You asked for me… is something wrong?"

No response.

Eva drew closer. "Duchess?"

She touched the woman's shoulder and gave a light shake. Nothing.

A frown formed on her face. "Duchess, are you feeling unwell?"

Still, silence.

Eva turned to look at the Duke. "She's not responding… why isn't she waking up?"

Behind her, she heard the sound.

Click.

Her eyes widened.

She slowly turned around only to see Duke Malric Vane standing by the door, now locked.

"She won't be waking up until morning, no matter how much you scream" he said, his voice dipped in something darker than before.

Eva's blood turned cold.

"What… what do you mean by that?" she whispered.

Duke Vane stepped away from the door and slowly walked toward her. "Nothing, my lady. I just wanted to make sure… no one interrupts us."

Eva backed away, step by trembling step.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because it's been so long," he said softly. "And tonight, I finally saw you again my little angel."

The word dropped like a blade into her mind.

"Little Angel."

That voice. That name.

The past came crashing down, violent and unbearable. Her eyes widened in horror.

A memory she'd locked away burst free a middle-aged man whispering that same word in a dark room.

Her knees gave out.

She collapsed to the floor, shaking uncontrollably, her fingers gripping the edge of her skirt as if it could keep her from falling deeper into terror.

Duke Vane stood above her, smiling.