Love The Way He Lied

Eyan slipped into the royal palace through the hidden passage only he knew existed—the same secret route he'd used countless times to come and go unnoticed.

Without sparing a glance around, he made his way straight to his chambers, pushed the door shut, and collapsed face-first onto the bed.

"Finally… peace," he murmured, letting the silence swallow him whole.

-----

Eva sat curled on the couch, a hand pressed gently to her temple. The dull throb in her head refused to fade.

Did I really drink that much last night? she wondered, wincing. Why can't I remember a single thing?

She leaned back with a soft sigh, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment. Everything inside her felt heavy and slow.

I don't want to go to training today… I feel completely drained.

Just then, the sound of wheels crunching against gravel reached her ears. A carriage had arrived outside. Moments later—

Knock, knock.

"Eva!"

She opened the door and blinked in surprise. "Aranel?"

Before she could say anything more, Aranel pulled her into a tight hug.

"I missed you, Eva."

A small smile tugged at Eva's lips as she returned the embrace. "Me too."

When they pulled apart, Eva tilted her head. "What brings you here?"

"I came to take you somewhere," Aranel said, stepping inside with her usual lively energy. "So go and get changed."

Eva blinked, confused. "But at least tell me where we're going. My head is already killing me."

"This headache of yours will vanish once you get there," Aranel replied with a wink. "Now, go get changed. I'm waiting."

Eva sighed, but the curiosity in Aranel's tone piqued her interest. "Alright, alright. Give me a minute."

---

The carriage came to a slow stop.

Eva stepped down, blinking up at the tall, elegant building before her. With its towering glass windows and gold-lettered sign that read Moonveil Archives, it looked more like a temple than anything else.

She frowned. "Aranel, what is this place?"

Aranel grinned, bouncing on her heels. "It's heaven."

"…Heaven?"

"Yes!" she linked her arm with Eva's. "I heard about this place yesterday, and I knew we had to come. Come on, hurry!"

"Wait—Aranel—"

But it was too late. Aranel had already dragged her through the grand double doors.

Inside, Eva was hit by the overwhelming scent of books and scented candles. Shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, but one section stood out: bathed in soft red lighting with a sign that read in sparkling cursive:

"Romance & Fantasy — R18 Restricted"

Eva blinked slowly. "No."

"Yes," Aranel said with deadly seriousness.

There were hundreds of books—no, thousands—each one featuring shirtless men, glowing-eyed beasts, or mysterious kings with suspiciously perfect jawlines. Aranel snatched two thick volumes from a nearby shelf, her eyes alight with mischief.

"Okay—pick one. Taming the Night Wolf Prince—he's half-wolf, half-tragic past—or The Dragon Duke's Forbidden Bride—he kidnaps her, obviously."

Eva stared at her. "You dragged me across town, with a splitting headache, to read horny fairy tales?"

Aranel gasped. "How dare you call them that? These are epic, sweeping tales of passion, betrayal, and questionable life choices!"

Eva rubbed her temples. "This is my punishment for skipping training, isn't it?"

"You're becoming more and more unromantic after marriage," Aranel huffed. "You have a husband, Eva. You should be studying this like holy scripture!"

Eva sighed in defeat. "Fine. You pick."

"Perfect!" Aranel snatched a crimson book from the shelf, its silver embossing gleaming with ominous promise. "This one's a classic—The Shadow King's Velvet Oath. He's cursed, emotionally unavailable, and probably toxic. My favorite."

---

Eva sat back on the velvet couch tucked between the towering bookshelves. The crimson book Aranel had forced into her hands—The Shadow King's Velvet Oath—rested in her lap like it carried some ancient curse. With hesitant fingers, she opened it to the first chapter.

Her eyes skimmed the first few lines, and then—

> "His calloused fingers trailed down her spine, slow and possessive, as he whispered—'Tonight, I'll claim—"

Eva slammed the book shut with a sharp thud, cheeks instantly flushing.

She leaned in toward Aranel, her voice a rushed whisper. "What kind of book is this?! You said it was your favorite!"

Aranel blinked innocently, then snatched the book from Eva's lap. "What, this part?" She opened the same page and began to read—loudly.

"His calloused fingers trailed down her spi—"

Eva's eyes widened in panic. "Shhh—!" She lunged across the couch and slapped a hand over Aranel's mouth.

"Are you insane? Reading that out loud in public?! You're embarrassing me!"

Aranel stared at her above the hand, unbothered. Then, without warning, she pulled back dramatically and shouted, "Why are you embarrassed? What's wrong with the book?! Eva—you're married! And twenty-three! Look at me—I'm single and thriving and I still enjoy it!"

Eva let out a strangled noise and reached forward, grabbing Aranel by the shoulders to cover her mouth again—this time with both hands.

"Stop yelling!" she hissed. "People are staring!"

Aranel struggled beneath her grip, her muffled voice barely understandable. "Lht mhh gho!"

"No!" Eva glared. "You stop shouting, and I'll read it! Just—just give it to me!"

Aranel paused, eyes gleaming in victory. "Deal." She handed the book over with a smug grin. "That's my girl."

Eva sighed, muttering under her breath as she cracked the book open again, "I should've just gone to training…"

---

Eva flipped the book open again, unsure why her hands felt heavier than before. The title gleamed at the top of the page: The Shadow King's Velvet Oath. Aranel was busy browsing nearby, but Eva could still feel her sly glances.

Her eyes dropped to the next line:

> "Touch me… please," she whispered, her breath warm against his neck.

Eva's entire body tensed.

That voice. That plea. She'd heard it before—from herself.

A chill ran down her spine as she turned the page, heart thudding.

> "I think I'm ready…"

She slapped her hand over her mouth, eyes wide in horror. Her pulse quickened. Her cheeks burned.

Slowly, hesitantly, she read on.

> "I want to do it too… more than you could ever imagine."

Her hand began to tremble.

This isn't just the book… This actually happened.

Another line followed, bold and breathless:

> "If you keep this up, I won't be able to hold back."

> "Then don't."

And with that, like a gust of wind breaking through a locked door, the memory came flooding back.

A hazy room, Kyel's deep voice.

"Slap."

"Then take this—bite."