Love The Way He Lied

The room was dim, filled with the bitter scent of medicine. Eva sat quietly on the edge of a large bed, her body wrapped in clean linens, but her soul still drowning in the torment of hours past. The food on the side table had gone cold long ago. She hadn't touched a bite.

She stared blankly out the tall window, her eyes hollow, unmoving. The sky beyond was overcast, and yet the room felt darker than night.

Outside the chamber, the two knights exchanged troubled glances before one of them stepped forward.

"She hasn't eaten a thing," he murmured to the approaching figure. "Nor slept. She hasn't even closed her eyes since the physician left."

Eyan stood frozen at the news, his jaw tightening, fists clenching at his sides.

"She won't even let me touch her," he muttered under his breath, pain flashing in his eyes. "She flinches... every time I try. I can't stay by her side like this... not like this."

A moment passed in silence.

Then Eyan suddenly raised his hand. With a flick of his fingers, a shimmer of golden light surrounded him, and in seconds, the emperor's face dissolved replaced by the kind, familiar features of Kyel.

His voice was resolute but heavy. "What she needs right now… is someone she trusts with her whole heart."

Hans, who stood near the door, stepped forward hesitantly. "But, Your Highness… if you go to her like that, how will you ever explain why Kyel is suddenly in the palace? How will you tell her the truth?"

Eyan's eyes didn't waver. "I'll worry about that later. Right now, she is all that matters."

Without waiting for another word, Kyel turned and disappeared down the hall.

Inside Eva's Room

She hadn't moved. Not when the wind rattled the windows. Not when the healer touched her wounds. Not even when the servants cleaned the bloodstained sheets. Her legs were bruised, her feet bandaged, but it wasn't the physical pain that hollowed her it was what her heart had endured.

Then

The door creaked open.

A soft, steady voice broke through the silence.

"Princess…"

Her head snapped toward the door, lips trembling. For a moment, her mind played tricks on her. But no… there he was. Her husband. Kyel.

He stood at the threshold, face shadowed by concern, chest rising and falling with uneven breaths.

Her body moved before thought could catch up. She stumbled forward with unsteady feet, and when she reached him, she collapsed into his arms with a broken cry.

"Kyel…!" Her voice cracked, raw with grief.

He caught her instantly, wrapping her in his arms as tightly as he could, his throat closing up with emotion. "Shh… It's okay," he whispered shakily. "I'm here now. I've got you."

She wept uncontrollably into his chest, her whole body trembling. He held her as if she might fall apart if he let go.

"You're safe, Eva. No one can hurt you anymore."

"I'm sorry…" she choked out between sobs. "I'm so, so sorry…"

His brows furrowed in confusion. "What are you apologizing for?"

"For everything," she sobbed. "For not telling you… For not being pure… For showing you this ruined version of me."

Kyel pulled back slightly to look at her. "No," he said firmly, shaking his head. "Don't say that. Don't ever say that."

Tears clung to her lashes as she looked at him with shame in her eyes. "I never wanted you to see my scars… to see this broken side of me.

I wanted to be someone beautiful in your eyes."

"You are beautiful," he said softly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Scars don't make you less—they make you braver. Stronger. You didn't tell me because you couldn't… because I hadn't earned all of your trust. And that's my failure, not yours."

"You don't hate me?" she whispered.

He cupped her face gently. "Hate you? Eva, I love you. I love you more than words could ever explain. I could never hate the woman who endured hell and still stood tall."

She broke down again, her body shaking. "I tried to fight… I really tried…"

"And you did," Kyel said, his voice thick with emotion. "You fought with everything you had. And now… now you don't have to fight alone anymore."

He looked down at her bandaged feet, wincing.

"Come," he said gently, lifting her into his arms. "Let me take care of you now."

He carried her back to the bed and sat down beside her, cradling her close. Reaching for the untouched plate of food, he scooped a small bite.

"You'll eat for me, won't you?" he asked softly.

Eva nodded slowly.

He began feeding her, tenderly, patiently each bite a silent promise that she wasn't alone anymore. After a while, her eyelids began to flutter.

Kyel shifted, letting her head rest against his chest. Her breath calmed, her tears faded, and sleep finally claimed her.

He didn't move, afraid the slightest shift would break the fragile peace she'd found.

Eventually, he lay back slowly, placing her head on his arm. His other hand reached up to touch her face red from a slap, His thumb brushed her swollen lip.

A tear slipped from his eye.

"I won't let anyone hurt you ever again," he whispered brokenly. "Not even the wind."

He pulled her closer, her fragile frame fitting perfectly against his.

"You fought so well, my love… And now, I'll fight for you."

He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and closed his eyes.

There, in the stillness of the night, a wounded girl finally found comfort.