(Eva and Kyel’s House)
Kyel unlocked the door and stepped inside first. Silence greeted them—soft, heavy, untouched.
Luca followed him in, glancing around the dim room. “Where’s sister-in-law?” he asked, brows knitting. “I don’t see her anywhere.”
Kyel set the key aside. “Looks like she’s not back yet.”
“She went out alone?” Luca frowned. “It’s almost night. You should go look for her.”
“There’s no need,” Kyel replied calmly. “She’s not alone. She’s with her friend.”
He gestured toward the couch. “Sit. She’ll be back in no time.”
Luca shrugged and dropped onto the couch, stretching his legs. Kyel moved toward the kitchen.
“Do you want anything?” Kyel asked. “Water? Tea?”
Luca burst out laughing.
Kyel turned, confused. “Why are you laughing?”
“I just never thought I’d see this day,” Luca said between chuckles. “The mighty Emperor of Velmoria offering tea and doing house chores. In the palace, servants surround you every second—but here, you do everything yourself. Must be hard.”
Kyel smiled, unbothered. “It’s not. And I don’t do everything alone. Eva does her share too—cleaning, laundry, dishes.”
Luca stared at him, then smirked. “Look at you. Smiling like that… praising your wife. Do you really love her that much?”
Kyel’s smile softened, turning quiet and sincere. “I do.”
Luca let out a long sigh. “I’m jealous. I wish I could find someone too. But I’m always stuck in the magic tower—no time to go out, no time for love.”
Another sigh escaped him. “At this rate, I’ll die single.”
“You’ll find someone,” Kyel said firmly. “Just like I found Eva. It’s all about fate.”
“I hope so.” Luca replied.
Luca stood up and stretched his arms. “Enough talking. Show me around the house. I didn’t get to see it properly last time.”
“Alright. Come on.”
Kyel led him through the modest rooms, explaining little details—then they reached the bedroom.
“This is the last room,” Kyel said, opening the door.
Luca stepped inside, slowly scanning the space. “It’s nice,” he said. “Not too big. Modest.”
He walked to the window and pushed it open. Cool air drifted in. “What about the neighbors? Are they decent?”
“They are,” Kyel replied. “Eva gets along well with them. Mostly elderly people. They’re kind to her.”
“Good.”
Kyel turned toward the door. “If you’re done, let’s go downstairs.”
Luca turned to leave the room, but suddenly stopped. Something beneath the mattress caught his eye— a faint glow, soft yet unmistakable.
He stepped closer and lifted the edge of the mattress. A small stone lay hidden beneath, shining brightly.
“What’s this?” Luca muttered taking the stone in his palm. He examined it for a moment before realization dawned on him. His brows lifted.
“Eyan… isn’t this the magical voice recorder I gave you for your birthday last time?” He looked genuinely surprised. “I can’t believe you still have it.”
Kyel stiffened.
Luca smiled, curiosity sparking in his eyes. “That means the message I recorded for you should still be inside.” He raised his finger. “Let me hear it.”
His finger hovered over the stone.
In a flash, Kyel rushed forward and snatched the recorder from Luca’s hand, hiding it behind his back.
“Don’t play it,” Kyel said, breathless.
Luca stared at him. “What’s wrong with you?” His eyes narrowed. “I just want to hear my recording. You’re acting like I’m about to hear something I shouldn’t.”
Kyel’s grip tightened around the stone. A thin sheen of sweat formed on his temple.
Luca noticed—and grinned wickedly. “You recorded something, didn’t you?” he said slowly. “That’s why you panicked.”
“N-no,” Kyel stammered. “It’s empty. There’s nothing in it. I deleted your recording.”
Luca studied him for a long moment, then straightened. His tone turned calm. “Oh… okay.” He shrugged. “Then let’s go downstairs.”
He began to walk away.
Kyel finally released the breath he had been holding, his shoulders relaxing as his guard dropped.
Suddenly—
Luca spun around and snatched the stone from Kyel’s hand.
“You think you can fool me?” Luca said sharply. “I know there’s something in here. Let me hear it too.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Don’t play it—!” Kyel shouted.
Too late.
Luca pressed the rune.
The room fell silent.
Then a soft, familiar voice filled the air—
The recording ended.
Kyel stood frozen, ears burning red with embarrassment.
For a second, there was silence.
Then Luca burst out laughing.
He doubled over, one hand clutching his stomach while the other slapped the bed repeatedly.
“You—” he laughed breathlessly, “you recorded your wife’s voice saying ‘
Kyel turned away, mortified. “Are you done? Now give it back.”
“No,” Luca said between laughs. “Play it again.” He grinned. “I want to see your embarrassed face one more time.”
Kyel snapped. “Give it back, you fool!”
They tumbled onto the bed, wrestling over the glowing stone—
Luca laughing endlessly, and Kyel desperately trying to take the stone from him.
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(Outside the House)
A carriage came to a halt in front of the house. Eva and Aranel stepped down, both of them balancing several bags in their arms.
“It’s already late,” Eva said softly. “I’m glad we bought dinner.”
“Yes,” Aranel agreed. “Let’s go inside. I’m starving.”
They walked toward the house together.
“Eva.” a voice called from behind.
Eva stopped mid-step and turned.
An elderly woman stood near the neighboring house, leaning on her cane, her sharp eyes already fixed on them. “Eva, you’re back from the market.”
“Yes, Grandma,” Eva replied warmly. “We just returned.”
“Good evening, Grandma,” Aranel added politely.
“Good evening, Aranel,” the woman said with a nod. “How have you been?”
“I’m doing well.”
The old woman leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Eva… Kyel is back. I saw him earlier.”
Eva blinked in surprise. “Oh, he’s back already?” She turned to Aranel. “Then let’s go inside.”
The elderly woman suddenly reached out and caught Eva’s hand, pulling her closer. She whispered urgently, “Eva… Kyel didn’t come alone. He brought someone with him.”
Eva frowned slightly. “Someone?”
“A woman,” the old woman whispered. “And I hear loud noises coming from your house. You should go and see.”
“See what?” Eva asked, confused.
The woman leaned in further, her voice hushed but sharp. “Eva, you’re too trusting. A man brings another woman home when his wife isn’t there—what if he’s cheating? You can’t trust men so easily.”
Eva gently pulled her hand back, her expression calm but firm.
“Grandma, that’s nonsense. Kyel isn’t like that. I trust him.”
She smiled faintly. “If there’s a woman, she must be a friend—or someone he brought to meet me.”
Eva turned to Aranel. “Let’s go inside.”
Aranel leaned closer and whispered, “Don’t listen to her. She’s just spreading rumors.”
“I know,” Eva replied with a soft smile. “I trust my husband.”
With that, Eva and Aranel walked toward the house—unaware of the chaos waiting for them inside.
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(Inside the House)
The bed creaked violently.
Kyel had Luca pinned beneath him, his knee pressed hard into the mattress. One of his hands was wrapped tightly around Luca’s throat, forcing out shallow, muffled breaths, while his other hand crushed both of Luca’s wrists above his head with brutal strength.
Luca’s cheeks puffed slightly—something solid lodged in his mouth.
Kyel’s eyes burned with fury.
“You idiot,” he growled. “Why did you the stone?” His grip tightened. “Spit it out, or I swear I’ll break both your hands—then your neck.”
Luca struggled beneath him, eyes watering, shaking his head stubbornly while refusing to give in.
Kyel leaned closer, voice darkening.
“I said spit it ou—”
BANG!
The bedroom door burst open with a loud crash.
Kyel and Luca froze mid-struggle.
Silence swallowed the room.
At the doorway stood Eva and Aranel, bags forgotten at their feet, eyes widened in shock at the sight before them.
On the bed—
Kyel was hovering over what appeared to be a woman, their bodies tangled together. His hands were gripping her tightly, her hair disheveled, her clothes rumpled, the bed sheets twisted beneath them.
For one horrifying heartbeat, that was all Eva could see.
Kyel lifted his head and met her eyes. A familiar, instinctive smile curved his lips. “Princess, you’re back.”
Eva’s fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms. Her entire body trembled as rage surged through her veins, burning hot and uncontrollable.
Kyel’s gaze dropped—to Luca beneath him, to his own position—and in that instant, realization struck him like lightning. She misunderstood. Panic seized him.
He sprang to his feet so abruptly the bed shook. “Eva—!” Kyel rushed toward her, voice breaking. “It’s not what you think. Please, let me expla—”
SLAP!
The sound cracked through the room. Kyel’s head snapped to the side, pain exploding across his cheek. The echo rang inside his mind, drowning out every other sound. Luca froze on the bed.
Eva’s eyes burned with fury.
“You cheater,” she hissed. “How dare you bring another woman into my house and do something so filthy here!”
Kyel turned slowly back to her, still stunned, his cheek throbbing, his chest tight as if he’d forgotten how to breathe.
Eva grabbed him by the collar and yanked him close. “I shouldn’t have married a man like you.”
Her eyes locked onto his, sharp and merciless. “I you.”
The words shattered something deep inside Kyel’s chest. His hands trembled, but no sound came from his lips.
Eva shoved him away. “I’ll deal with you later.”
She spun around, rage blazing, and stormed toward Luca. “And you,” she shouted, “have you no shame? Having an affair with a married man!”
Her fingers curled violently into Luca’s hair. “I’m going to kill you!”
She dragged Luca forward by force.
Eva turned her head sharply. “Aranel—come here. Let’s teach her a lesson.”
Aranel didn’t hesitate. She rushed over, climbed onto the bed, and straddled Luca’s waist, both hands clamping tightly around Luca’s throat. “How dare you ruin my friend’s life!” Aranel yelled, squeezing.
Luca struggled violently beneath them—the stone still stuck in his mouth, Eva pulling his hair, Aranel choking him.
Luca thought in panic.
His vision blurred as his eyes darted desperately toward Kyel.
Kyel was still standing there—frozen, pale, unmoving.
Luca thought bitterly.
Pressure closed in. Air became scarce.
With what little freedom he had, Luca snapped his fingers. Magic flared. A soft glow burst around his body—and in the blink of an eye, the woman beneath them vanished. In her place lay a man.
Eva’s hand slipped from Luca’s hair as she stumbled back, eyes wide with shock. Her breath hitched.
She covered her mouth with both hands, disbelief crashing over her. “…You’re a man.”
Luca spat the stone out onto the floor and sucked in a deep, grateful breath. Still lying on the bed, he looked up at her and smiled faintly.
“Good evening, Sister-in-law,” he said lightly. “Nice to finally meet you.”
Eva stared at him, stunned. “Sister-in-law…?”
Luca shifted his gaze. Aranel was still sitting on his waist, frozen in place. He smiled politely.
“My lady,” he said gently, “how long are you planning to sit on me? If you don’t mind… please move.”
Aranel blinked, looked down—and then jumped up at once. “I—I’m sorry!”
The room fell into heavy silence.
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