(Capital of Velmoria — Night)

  (30 minutes ago)

  Eyan stood before the , his face hidden behind a black mask, a dark hoodie shadowing his tall frame. He scanned the street once.

  “…From the front, everything looks normal,” he murmured. “Let’s see what’s inside.”

  The door creaks open and Eyan stepped into the guild. A man approached immediately, wearing a practiced smile. “How can I help you, my lord?”

  “I’m new to this area,” Eyan replied calmly. “I heard about this place, so I thought I’d check it out. What exactly do you offer here?”

  The man chuckled softly.

  “My lord, are you here for food… or for a little fun?”

  Eyan leaned closer, his voice low.

  “What if I say I’m here for both?”

  The man’s smile widened. “Then, my lord, you’ll need to pay a large sum.”

  Without another word, Eyan pulled out a heavy pouch filled with gold coins and tossed it onto the table. “Is this enough?”

  The man’s eyes lit up as he opened it. “Yes, my lord. More than enough. Please wait here,” the man said eagerly. “We’ll prepare a VIP room for you.” He bowed deeply and hurried away.

  Eyan’s gaze moved slowly across the hall, his jaw tightening. “…I think I know where this is going.”

  After ten minutes, the man returned. “My lord, everything is ready. Please come this way.” Eyan gave a faint smile and followed him down a dim corridor.

  They stopped in front of a door. The man gestured grandly.

  “My lord, go inside. Your food is ready and served.”

  Eyan stepped inside and closed the door behind him. On the bed lay an unconscious woman, dressed in exposing clothes. A thin veil hid her face.

  Eyan let out a slow, angry sigh.

  “Those damn bastards…”

  He took a sheet from the bed and gently covered her.

  “So this is what they’ve been doing in the name of serving food.”

  He glanced at her again.

  “She’s unconscious… poor lady.”

  Turning away, Eyan activated the magic communicator.

  “Knights,” he said quietly, “in ten minutes, prepare to attack. Men or women—don’t let anyone escape this place.”

  “As you command, Your Majesty,” came the reply.

  Eyan exhaled deeply and sat down on the couch, his back facing the bed. Waiting for knights to come.

  Behind Eyan, Eva slowly opened her eyes. Her head throbbed violently, pain pulsing with every heartbeat. She groaned softly and lifted a trembling hand to her temple. Her gaze drifted downward—and she stiffened. The unfamiliar, revealing clothes clung to her body. The dimly lit room. The heavy curtains.

  Fragments of memory crashed into her mind all at once—the pamphlet, the wine, the man’s smile. Her fingers curled into the bedsheet. she whispered.

  She tried to sit up. The moment she lifted her head, her body froze.

  Someone was sitting on the couch.

  A . His back faced her, broad and unmoving, as if he were waiting.

  Fear wrapped around her chest, squeezing the air from her lungs.

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  Her eyes darted around the room desperately. The door was too far. Her legs were weak. Then she saw it. A fruit plate on the small table.

  And beside it— a .

  Eva moved slowly, every sound thunderous in her ears. She slid off the bed and reached for the knife, wrapping her fingers tightly around the hilt. Her palm was slick with sweat.

  She stood, her knees shaking, and took one careful step after another toward the man.

  Her hands trembled, fear crawling up her spine. She inhaled sharply—

  and lunged.

  Eyan caught her wrist mid-air without even looking back.

  Eva gasped and yanked her hand free, stumbling backward. Her strength gave out, and she fell hard to the floor.

  Eyan stood in one swift motion. And turned instantly, alarm flashing across his masked face. He rushed to her and dropped to one knee.

  “Lady, are you al—”

  Eva raised the knife toward him, her arms shaking uncontrollably. Tears spilled from her eyes.

  Eyan immediately pulled his hands back. “My lady, you’re safe,” he said quickly, his voice low and steady. “You don’t have to be afraid. Look—my hands are up. I won’t touch you.”

  “Please…” Eva sobbed, her voice breaking. “Please let me go.”

  Eyan froze the moment he heard her voice. That sound—soft, shaking, filled with terror— his heart skipped violently.

  Before he could stop himself, he moved.

  In one swift motion, he reached out and snatched the veil from her face, needing to see—needing to be sure of what he was hearing.

  The sudden movement terrified her. Eva’s breath hitched, her fear exploding into panic.

  Acting purely on instinct, she thrust the knife forward with all the strength she had left. The blade drove into Eyan’s shoulder.

  Eyan grabbed his shoulder as pain tore through him.

  ngh—hh—!

  Blood seeped between his fingers, dripping onto the floor.

  Eva backed away, tears streaming down her face, the knife shaking in her hand. “D-don’t come closer!”

  Eyan lowered himself slowly, still clutching his wounded shoulder.

  “Lady… please, calm down,” he said through clenched teeth. Despite the pain, he carefully lifted one hand and reached toward her—not to touch, but to steady her.

  Eva screamed, sobbing, her voice cracking. “Don’t touch me!”

  Eyan froze instantly. He pulled his hand back. “I understand you’re afraid,” he said softly. “But don’t worry… I won’t hurt you.”

  Slowly, he reached up and pulled his hood down. Then he removed the black mask, letting it fall to the floor.

  “Look,” he said quietly. “I’m not someone suspicious.”

  The moment Eva saw his face—

  the silver hair, the crimson eyes—

  her world shattered.

  Her vision blurred as another image overlapped his face: a cold throne room, a sword flashing, her neck burning as it was cut down.

  Her knees trembled. “Y-Your Majesty…”

  “Yes,” Eyan replied. “It’s me. So don’t be afraid, lady.”

  Eva’s gaze dropped to the knife in her hand. Then to the blood dripping steadily from his shoulder.

  Her heart pounded wildly.

  The door burst open.

  “Your Majesty!” a knight exclaimed. “Are you alright?”

  His eyes immediately went to the wound— then to the knife in Eva’s hand. The knight drew his sword in fury.

  “Lady! How dare you harm our king—!”

  “Stop,” Eyan said sharply. “It’s not her fault, lower your sword this instant.”

  He turned his gaze back to Eva.

  “My lady… come with me.”

  Eva’s fear only deepened.

  Suddenly, she pushed herself up and ran toward the door.

  “Don’t run!” Eyan shouted. “It’s dangerous out there!”

  He forced himself to his feet, blood staining his clothes.

  “Stop her!” he yelled.

  One knight misunderstood. He drew his bow and released the arrow. The arrow struck Eva’s shoulder. She cried out and stumbled.

  “You fool!” Eyan roared. “What have you done?!”

  Eva clenched her wounded shoulder, forcing her legs to move despite the pain. She ran again, barefoot, her vision blurring.

  Eyan pressed his hand to his shoulder. “Come out, boys.”

  From the shadows, three black wolves emerged—Talon, Fen, and Mara.

  “Fen, Mara,” Eyan commanded, “go after her.”

  “And Talon—heal my wound.”

  Fen and Mara sprinted after Eva, vanishing into the darkness.

  Talon stepped closer and licked Eyan’s shoulder. In an instant, the wound closed, the bleeding stopping completely.

  Eyan didn’t waste a second. He turned and ran.

  Eva staggered through the dark streets, clutching her shoulder, blood soaking her clothes. Her vision blurred, the world spinning—

  and then everything went black. She collapsed to the ground.

  Fen and Mara stopped beside her. Mara lifted his head and turned back just as Eyan arrived.

  “Where is she?” Eyan demanded.

  Mara pointed with his paw. Eyan ran and saw her.

  Eva lay motionless on the ground, blood staining the stone beneath her. He dropped to his knees and gathered her into his arms.

  “Princess… open your eyes,” he whispered, fear flooding his voice.

  His fingers trembled as he brushed her cheek.

  His gaze fell to her shoulder. “She’s lost too much blood,” he muttered desperately. “The wound is too deep…” His jaw clenched. “I have to take her to the palace.”

  Carefully, Eyan lifted her into his arms and turned toward the palace, carrying her through the night.

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