Sia slowly closed her eyes.
Her breathing was uneven… shallow.
Leo… remember this lady thief in your memories, she whispered silently inside her heart.
Because tonight… she might disappear.
Behind her, Eyan stepped closer.
The cold pressure of the sword against her neck deepened.
Then suddenly—
The steel moved.
Instead of striking… he turned the blade, gripping it himself. The hilt came to rest beside her neck.
Sia's eyes snapped open.
His voice was calm… almost indifferent.
"Here. Dig with my sword. Otherwise you'll be at it all night with your hands."
Her mind went blank.
For a moment she could not even understand what he had said.
The hilt tapped lightly against her skin.
"What are you waiting for? Take it."
Her fingers trembled as she reached back and took the sword with both hands.
It felt heavy.
Deadly.
Final.
"Now… begin." he ordered.
She nodded weakly and started digging again.
The sharp blade cut through soil faster, throwing damp earth aside in dark clumps.
Is he planning to bury me here after killing me…
Her thoughts spiraled.
Instinctively she touched her neck… as if to make sure it was still there.
Fear crawled into her bones.
No… why should I die… Her chest tightened. I didn't kill anyone…
Her hands slowed.
She stopped.
From behind, she could feel his gaze like a blade sharper than the one she held.
"Your Majesty…" her voice shook.
"It wasn't me. I didn't kill him."
"That," Eyan replied coldly, "I will decide."
A pause.
"Keep digging."
She lowered her head and resumed.
I might be the first person… digging her own grave, she thought bitterly.
--------------------------------------------------------
After Some Time
Sia stopped again and looked at the deep pit.
"Is this much enough… Your Majesty?"
Eyan stepped closer and looked down into the hole.
"No. Keep going. Dig until it reaches your height."
Her heart sank.
Tears gathered but did not fall.
Silently… she continued.
--------------------------------------------
Later
At last, the pit was deep enough.
"It's done," she whispered.
A faint sound came from behind.
"Hm… good."
A pause.
"Now go inside."
Her breath hitched.
"Why…?"
"Don't ask questions," he said flatly.
"Get inside."
Her throat went dry.
With slow, mechanical movements… she stepped down into the hole.
The earth felt cold against her feet.
Her back remained turned toward him.
She could feel him standing at the edge… examining the depth.
Then suddenly—
His boot slipped.
Loose dirt crumbled down, falling over her shoulders and back.
Panic exploded inside her.
He's Planning to bury me alive…
She spun around and grabbed his boot desperately.
"Your Majesty please… listen to me!" she cried. "It's not me… I didn't kill anyone… please don't bury me alive…"
Her voice broke.
Eyan jerked his foot away sharply.
"Don't touch my foot," he said with disgust. "You thief woman."
She froze.
Her tear-filled eyes lifted to him.
"Thief… woman…?" she whispered.
"Your Majesty… why are you calling me that?"
He gave a faint, humorless scoff.
"Then what should I call you? The woman who goes around kicking men in their manhood?"
Shock flickered across her face.
"You can call me that," she said breathlessly. "But that's not what I mean… You named me a killer woman… because you think I murdered someone."
Eyan was silent for a moment.
"When did I say that?" he asked.
Her lips parted.
"Thron—"
She stopped herself.
In the throne room… you said that…I'm a killer
The words remained trapped inside her.
"When?" he pressed.
She swallowed.
"No… you didn't say that."
"I'm not calling you, killer woman," he said quietly.
"Because I know you didn't kill that noble man."
The words struck harder than any blow.
She stared at him sharply
"What…?"
"Yes," Eyan continued.
"I know you are not the one."
__________________________________
(Flash Back)
(Sia's Old House — Evening, Riverside)
Just then, a man in his fifties pushed his way forward and bowed deeply.
"Captain… if someone provides information about the woman… will there be a reward?"
"Five thousand gold coins for useful information." Captain replied.
The man swallowed hard, then stepped closer.
"Then… I have something to tell you."
A few steps away, Eyan's eyes sharpened.
"Speak."
The man bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty… one night I saw a woman leaving this house." He pointed toward the worn riverside dwelling. "She went toward the south side. She looked suspicious… so I followed her."
He licked his dry lips.
"It was very dark… I was a little late because I couldn't see properly. But then I saw her… she was digging a hole in the forest."
Eyan's voice came, quiet but edged with steel.
"She must have been digging a grave."
"I thought so too, Your Majesty," the man hurried to agree. "So I tried to catch her… but she was fast. She bit my hand… then she slapped me… and then she kicked me in my manhood and ran away."
A faint shift passed through the knights.
Eyan did not react immediately.
"Then? What did you do after that"
The man winced slightly at the memory.
"Your Majesty… after that kick I couldn't move at all. But… Your Majesty won't understand that pain."
Eyan replied knowingly,
"No. I understand it very well."
Several knights glanced at him in surprise.
"Did you see her again after that?" Eyan asked.
"No, Your Majesty."
A short silence followed.
"That is enough," Eyan said at last.
He turned toward his men.
"We are moving to the southern forest. Let's go."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
They began to walk.
But then the Captain spoke carefully,
"Forgive me, Your Majesty… but that woman also bit you, slapped you… and kicked you in the market that day. She deserves punishment for that."
Eyan kept walking.
"No. There is no need."
A pause.
"It was my fault. I was the one who touched her ch—"
Eyan stopped walking.
Every Knights froze as well.
Slowly… Eyan turned back. His gaze landed on the man who had given the information.
"Come here." Eyan called.
The man approached nervously.
Eyan's voice was suddenly colder.
"When you tried to catch that woman… where did you touch her?"
The man stiffened.
"ANSWER ME." Eyan Shouted.
The man began to tremble.
"I… I touched her… chest… and… butt."
Something dark flashed across Eyan's face.
"So," he said quietly, dangerously,
"You saw a lone woman walking at night… followed her… and attacked her in the dark."
The man dropped to his knees.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty! I got carried away… she was beautiful… I couldn't control myself…"
Eyan raised a hand.
Two knights immediately grabbed the man and forced him upright.
The man looked at him desperately.
"Your Majesty… how did you find out?"
Eyan's lips curved in a humorless smile.
"When a man touches a woman in such places… she bites his hand… slaps him… and then kicks him where it hurts the most so she can escape."
His voice hardened.
"That is how women survive pieces of filth like you."
The man stammered,
"But Your Majesty… she is a killer… why are you taking her side?"
Eyan's eyes turned colder than the coming night.
"That is not the point."
A quiet breath left him.
"I hate her the most, she took a life."
A pause.
"But she is still a woman. Men are suppose to protect women… not hunt them."
He turned to the knights.
"Throw him in prison. Let him rot there until he learns to keep himself inside his pants."
The man screamed protests as he was dragged away.
Dust rose around struggling feet.
Eyan's face remained rigid — but his jaw was clenched tight.
A knight beside him spoke cautiously,
"Your Majesty… you seem angry."
Eyan stared toward the darkening southern forest.
"I despise men who force themselves on women," he said quietly. "They should die all at once."
He fell silent after that. Because somewhere deep inside… he remembered. What men had done to Eva. How they had broken her.
He inhaled slowly… forcing the past back into its cage.
"Let's go," he ordered. "We still have to catch that killer woman."
They began moving again.
Then the Captain stepped closer.
"Your Majesty… there is something important I must report to you."
Eyan did not turn.
"Speak."
The Captain lowered his voice.
"From what you just said… about how women escape from men… I believe the noble who was killed may also have been forcing himself on a woman."
That made Eyan look at him.
For a brief second… something sharp flickered in his eyes.
"Where is the corpse?"
"In the royal guard outpost near the eastern gate, Your Majesty. We moved it there for examination."
----------------------------------------------------------
(Royal Guard Outpost — Later)
The torches burned low inside the stone chamber.
The smell of blood and damp cloth lingered in the air.
Eyan stepped forward and pulled the rough sheet away from the corpse.
His gaze became cold… analytical.
The noble's throat was deeply bruised — strangulation marks clear even in dim light.
His ear was torn… flesh brutally bitten.
Dark bite marks covered both forearms… some deep enough to draw blood through torn skin.
It had not been a clean kill.
It had been desperate.
Violent.
Survival.
Eyan slowly removed his glove.
The old bite mark still visible on his own hand — the one Sia had left.
He leaned closer… comparing.
A long silence followed.
"It's different," he said finally.
"That thief woman didn't kill him."
He straightened and rubbed his temple.
If she didn't do it, then who killed him…
He turned sharply. "Bring the knights who saw the killer and followed her."
Moments later, two knights were pushed forward.
Eyan's voice was controlled.
"You told me the killer was about five and a half feet tall… slim… not physically strong… but ran very fast. And the cloak you showed me was found beside the body."
"Yes, Your Majesty. That is what we saw."
Eyan's fingers began tapping slowly against his thigh.
"But that cloak belongs to the thief woman," he murmured. "How did it end up there… and why does the description match both of them…"
Then suddenly—
"There was a missing woman case from House Altas." Eyan Said.
The Captain nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty. A lady of twenty-nine was abducted. Her description matches — five and a half feet, slim build, not strong… and known to run fast."
Eyan's eyes darkened with realization.
"That's it. She is the one who killed him."
"We received a report," the Captain added carefully, "That the woman returned home safely."
Eyan turned toward the door. "Then let's go meet her."
----------------------------------------------------------
(House Altas — Night)
The noble estate stood silent under torchlight.
Inside, Eyan sat on a velvet couch, one leg crossed over the other.
His boot tapped slowly against the polished floor.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
The sound echoed like a ticking clock.
At last, the doors opened.
A woman was escorted inside.
She bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Eyan studied her face.
They both look the same…
the thought crossed his mind.
The woman sat opposite him, hands trembling visibly in her lap.
Her eyes never rose fully to meet his.
Eyan then looked around at the knights… servants… guards… everyone gathered in the chamber.
"Leave," he ordered.
"I want to speak with her alone."
They all bowed and withdrew.
The heavy doors closed with a dull thud.
Silence settled in the room like a thick veil.
Eyan leaned back slightly on the couch, his sharp gaze fixed on the trembling woman before him.
His boot had stopped tapping.
Now only stillness remained.
He spoke directly.
"What is your name, Lady?"
The woman swallowed.
"R–Rose… Your Majesty."
Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
Eyan nodded once.
"Lady Rose… now tell me the truth. You were abducted some days ago. How did you return home?"
Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress.
For a long moment she could not speak.
Then the words came out broken.
"That man… he… freed me on his own…"
She lowered her eyes, shame flooding her face.
"When he was… full."
The last word nearly died in her throat.
Her shoulders shook.
Eyan watched her quietly.
There was no disgust in his eyes.
Only understanding.
"You did well," he said.
Rose looked up in shock.
"What…?"
"Killing him was the right decision," Eyan continued calmly. "You did what you had to do."
Her lips trembled. Tears filled her eyes and spilled over. Suddenly she fell to her knees before him.
"Your Majesty… I was so afraid… that's why i—" she cried.
Eyan's expression softened.
"I know," he said quietly. "You were afraid. So don't cry."
He gestured toward her. "Get up from the floor."
Rose slowly rose, wiping her tears with shaking hands.
Her breathing was still uneven.
Eyan leaned forward a little.
"Now… tell me everything."
The torches flickered.
And the truth, long buried in fear… was finally ready to be spoken.
__________________________________
(Back to Present)
(Deep Forest, New Moon Night)
The darkness pressed close around them.
Sia was still standing inside the pit she had dug… her fingers stained with earth… her breath uneven.
Eyan's voice cut through the silence.
"Lady Rose told me that man abducted her… kept her for two days… and did filthy things to her."
Sia's body went rigid.
"…for two days…" she whispered.
"He only released her when he learned Royal knights were searching for her," Eyan continued.
"He got scared. So he brought her into this forest… to kill her."
Sia's eyes widened in horror.
"Kill her…?"
"Yes."
Eyan pointed down.
"To this very place."
His gaze rested on the hole she stood in.
"She told me that while he was dragging her… they both fell into a pit. This pit."
Sia felt the ground beneath her shift — not physically… but inside her mind.
"There… her hand caught something. A piece of cloth. It was too dark for her to see what it was."
He exhaled slowly.
"Then he began digging a deeper hole… so he could bury her body after killing her."
Sia's fingers trembled.
"And when he started strangling her… she used that cloth to strangle him instead."
A long pause.
"That is how She survived."
Sia's hand flew to her mouth.
Tears spilled freely now.
Eyan continued in the same steady tone.
"After killing him, she panicked. She buried the body here… and ran."
"But… the dead body was found somewhere else," Sia said weakly.
"Yes."
"When Lady Rose returned home… she told her family everything. They were the ones who moved the body. And without her knowing… they left your cloak beside it."
Sia froze.
Her mind reeled.
"But… why did she come back to that place again…? If she hadn't… she wouldn't have been caught…"
Eyan's gaze darkened slightly.
"That's what I asked her too."
--------------------------------------------------
(Flashback — House Altas, Private Chamber)
Rose's shoulders shook as she cried.
Eyan watched her silently.
"Why did you return to the place of were the body was found.?" he asked.
Her tear-filled eyes lifted.
"to take the cloak back?"
"Take it back but why?" Eyan asked confused.
"Because… if I didn't… the person it belongs to could have been caught instead," she whispered.
Her voice broke.
"That cloak… saved my life."
A trembling breath.
"So Your Majesty… punish me for the murder… not that person. They did nothing wrong."
__________________________________
(Back to Present)
(Southern Forest, New Moon Night)
Sia's tears streamed silently down her cheeks.
"She… did it to save me…" she whispered, her voice breaking in the vast darkness.
Eyan's answer came calm… almost distant.
"Yes."
A pause.
"…It was me who told the knights that cloak belonged to you. That is how you were dragged into this murder case."
The words fell like cold rain.
"So don't worry," he continued. "I am not going to kill you. You are innocent."
Sia closed her eyes.
Relief should have come. But another fear rose instead.
"Your Majesty… and what about Lady Rose…?"
Silence.
Long.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
Then—
"She will get what she deserves," Eyan said simply.
Sia's heart slammed violently against her ribs.
Her mind began racing.
He told me to dig a hole of my height… Lady Rose is the same height… That means… he is here for evidence… He wants to punish her…
Without another word, Sia bent down inside the pit.
Her bare feet began searching through the loose soil… mud sticking to her skin… toes brushing against stones… roots… insects.
Eyan frowned from above.
"What are you doing?"
No reply.
Only the soft sound of frantic digging… and shallow breathing.
Then suddenly—
Her foot caught something.
She froze.
Slowly… carefully… she lifted it using her toes… then grabbed it in her trembling fingers.
She raised her hand toward him.
"Your Majesty… are you looking for this…?"
A faint metallic glint caught the weak moonlight.
Eyan tilted his head… a faint amused breath leaving him.
"Oh… you are smart. No wonder you never get caught stealing."
He sat down at the edge of the pit and extended his gloved hand toward her.
"Give it to me. I need this."
Sia stepped closer.
Her hand moved slowly… hovering just above his palm.
Then—
She stopped.
And in one swift motion—
She shoved the ring into her mouth.
(It's dark Eyan can't see anything clearly)
Eyan blinked.
He was still holding his hand out… waiting.
Sia gulped.
Swallowed.
Eyan frowned, irritation creeping into his voice.
"How long are you going to take? Just give it—"
Sia suddenly began coughing.
Violently.
Her body jerked forward as the ring scraped down her throat..
She slammed her fist against her chest… gagging… forcing it down with sheer desperation.
Then she straightened… eyes watery… voice hoarse.
"I apologise, Your Majesty… but I can't give it to you."
His eyes darkened.
"Don't play with me. Just give it. It's important."
"Even if it's important… I won't."
Anger flared sharp and sudden.
"I TOLD YOU TO GIVE IT TO ME!" he snapped. "It's important for Lady Rose. It's her late husband's ring. I have to return it to her."
Sia froze.
"…What?"
"It's the only memory she has of him," Eyan continued impatiently. "She lost it here when she buried that man."
Her lips parted slowly.
"You… weren't looking for evidence…?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"You said she will get what she deserves… I thought… you were going to punish her for murder…"
"Punish?" he scoffed. "Why would I punish her? It wasn't murder. It was self-defence."
A hollow breath escaped Sia.
"Oh…"
Eyan's patience snapped completely.
"Now if you're done with questions— give me the ring."
"I can't."
"Don't play with m—"
"I ate it."
He froze.
"…What?"
"I thought His Majesty was searching for evidence… so you could punish her… that's why I swallowed it…"
"You ate it…? Really?"
"Yes…"
For a moment… he simply stared at her.
Then suddenly—
He moved.
In one swift motion he grabbed her arm, lifted her out of the pit as if she weighed nothing, and threw her onto the ground.
"YOU FOOLISH WOMAN!" he snapped.
His voice echoed sharply through the silent forest.
"VOMIT. NOW. I don't care how — just get that ring out!"
Sia nodded frantically.
She pushed herself onto her knees… fingers digging into the soil.
Then she forced her throat to contract.
"Urrgh—… ghk—… khhh…!"
Wet gagging sounds tore through the still night.
"Ghh—… khk—… ughh—!"
Her body trembled violently as she tried to bring it back up.
Eyan stood a few steps away… jaw tight… watching.
Something rose in her throat.
She retched harder.
"IS IT OUT?" he demanded.
She shook her head weakly.
Tried again.
"Khk—… urrgh—… ahh—!"
Then suddenly—
Her eyes widened.
Something was stuck.
Her coughing turned harsh… broken… desperate.
Air refused to enter her lungs.
Her face began turning pale… then faintly bluish in the dim light.
Her breaths came in thin, whistling gasps.
Realisation struck Eyan like lightning.
He rushed forward, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her upright.
Her body sagged against him… hands clawing weakly at her throat.
Without hesitation he stepped behind her and wrapped one arm tightly around her waist.
His other hand formed a firm fist and pressed just above her navel.
He jerked sharply inward and upward.
Once.
Nothing.
Her choking worsened.
Again
Her body jolted violently.
A strangled cry escaped her.
"Breathe," he ordered through clenched teeth. "Don't you dare faint now."
Her eyes watered uncontrollably… vision blurring… ears ringing.
Eyan leaned closer, his voice low but fierce near her ear.
"You swallowed it like a fool… now spit it out like one."
Another sharp thrust.
Her feet almost left the ground.
"URRGH—!"
Something shifted inside her throat.
Pain flared.
Hope flickered.
"Again…" he growled more to himself than to her.
He pulled her back against him and forced another powerful upward motion.
"KHAA—!"
Suddenly—
A small metallic object shot out from her mouth and fell onto the damp soil with a faint cling…
Both of them froze.
Sia collapsed forward onto her hands, coughing violently.
Air rushed back into her lungs in greedy, painful gasps.
"Haa—… haa…!"
Her chest heaved as she tried to steady herself.
Eyan released Sia abruptly and stepped back.
His face was hard… eyes blazing with anger.
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?" he snapped. "Do you want to die? Why did you eat it?"
Sia was still bent slightly forward… one hand pressed to her chest… trying to steady her breathing.
Her throat burned.
Her eyes still watered.
But she lifted her head and answered anyway.
"To save Lady Rose."
Eyan stared at her.
"To save her?" he repeated in disbelief. "You have never met her. You don't even know her name until tonight… and yet you were willing to risk your life for a stranger?"
Sia nodded faintly.
"Yes… she risked her life to save me too."
Silence fell between them.
For a long moment Eyan simply looked at her — as if seeing something he had never seen before.
Then suddenly—
He laughed.
A deep, loud laugh that broke the stillness of the forest.
Sia frowned, offended despite her exhaustion.
"I know I am a foolish woman… but don't laugh at me."
"You are a foolish woman," he said bluntly. "That is certain. But I am not laughing because of that."
"Then what?"
His laughter faded.
"That is because—"
------------------------------------------------------
(Flashback — House Altas, Night)
"That cloak belongs to a thief woman," Eyan said, his tone calm. "I was searching for her as a murder suspect… and then I found out about you."
Lady Rose blinked, confusion and disbelief flickering across her tear-stained face.
"Thief…?" she repeated softly.
"Yes." His voice remained composed. "She will be punished. Not for murder… but for stealing."
Rose lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening over the fabric of her dress.
Eyan continued.
"You need not worry about anything. You will receive no punishment. Instead… you shall be rewarded. One hundred thousand gold coins for your bravery."
Her eyes widened.
Shock. Fear. Relief.
All emotions clashed silently within her.
"And that man's corpse will be displayed publicly,"
Eyan added coldly. "It will be hung for the people of Velmoria to witness… and afterward fed to the beasts. Not even a single bone shall remain."
A faint, smile touched his lips —
"Now… I shall take my leave. I will personally search for your late husband's ring. You have my word — I will return it to you."
He turned.
Boots striking softly against the polished floor.
"Your Majesty…"
He stopped.
"How many things has that thief woman stolen so far?" Rose asked, her voice trembling yet steady with strange resolve.
Eyan answered after a brief pause.
"I have seen the reports. Only food… bread… tea… fruits… milk. Nothing else."
Silence.
Then—
Rose lifted her head, determination shining through her swollen eyes. "With the reward you are granting me… I will repay every vendor she has stolen from, so let her go"
Eyan finally turned to face her.
A faint crease appeared between his brows.
"Lady Rose… that is not how justice works. She is still a criminal."
Rose shook her head gently.
"She did not steal gold… or jewels… she did not hurt anyone… she only stole food."
Her voice softened. "That means she was hungry… trying to survive."
Eyan's gaze hardened slightly.
"She could have sought employment and earned money."
"She must have had her reasons," Rose replied, meeting his eyes despite her fear.
"We never truly know what someone is going through… do we, Your Majesty?"
A long breath escaped him.
His hand came up to rub the bridge of his nose — a rare crack in his composed royal facade.
Rose clasped her hands together.
"I know I am asking too much… but she is my saviour."
Her voice broke.
"If you fear what she might do in the future… then allow me to meet her. I will speak with her myself. If she needs work… I will give her work. If she needs a home… I will give her one."
Eyan closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Weighing duty against something far more human.
"…Very well," he said at last.
Rose's face lit with fragile relief as she bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"But understand this," he added firmly.
"For you to meet her… I must first meet her first. She has not stolen anything for some time now. If I encounter her… I shall inform her of your offer."
Rose nodded, a small hopeful smile finally appearing through her tears.
__________________________________
(Back To present)
(Southern Forest — Midnight Deepening)
Sia's eyes stung as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
Her voice trembled. "That means…"
Eyan looked at her — this time not as a suspect… not as theif… but as someone standing at the edge of a new life.
"That means," he said evenly, "you are not a criminal anymore."
A pause.
"But if you steal even a single thing after tonight… I will personally throw you into prison."
His tone carried no threat — only certainty.
"Go and meet Lady Rose. She is willing to help you."
Sia began crying harder. Years of fear… hunger… loneliness… all breaking at once.
Eyan exhaled in mild irritation.
"Stop crying now."
She bit her lip and forced herself to stop.
Her breathing steadied.
"Your Majesty… may I ask for something?"
"Speak."
"…Apologise to me."
Eyan stared at her.
For a brief second… confusion crossed his face. Then realisation struck.
"…I apologise," he said after a moment. "That day in the market… I touched you inappropriately. I did not know you were a woman. Had I known… I would not have done that."
Sia nodded simply. "I forgive you."
He folded his arms.
"Now it is your turn. Apologise to me."
She lowered her head.
"I apologise for hitting you—"
"Stop. Not for that."
"For slapping you—"
"Not that one either."
She swallowed nervously.
"…For kicking you there…"
"No. Not for that too."
Now Sia looked genuinely confused.
"Your Majesty… what exactly am I supposed to apologise for?"
"You called me a pervert," he said flatly. "Apologise for that."
Understanding dawned.
"Oh…"
She bowed slightly.
"I apologise for calling you that. You are not a pervert. You are… gentleman. A man who respects women."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"I feel good now, i forgive you too."
"You were offended by that?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied quietly. "Very much. I despise being placed among those men. That is a far greater insult to me than any slap… or kick."
Sia let out a small laugh.
"Does His Majesty truly despise such men?"
"From my soul," he answered. "I despise them."
"Me too," she said softly. "I have met too many of them… I even met one today."
His eyes sharpened.
"Today? Where? What did he do?"
"Near the southern market. He grabbed my hand… and asked for a kiss."
Eyan's expression darkened.
"What did you do? Did you call for help? Knights patrol that area."
"No," she replied calmly. "I gave him the kiss."
He blinked.
"…What?"
"With my foot… and my hand."
A short chuckle escaped him.
"I see. Then he must be the one who needed help afterward."
"Yes."
His face turned serious again.
"The man who attacked you here in the forest… he is already in prison. I will ensure he pays for what he did."
Sia smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
For a moment… they simply stood there in the quiet.
Then Eyan spoke again.
"Now that everything is settled… you should leave. It is almost midnight. I must return as well."
A softer note entered his voice.
"My son must be waiting for me."
Sia's heart jolted.
Leo…
Her inner voice filled with sudden urgency.
I forgot about him… my poor guardian angel… he must be suffering because of me… I need to hurry.
She stood up quickly.
Then noticed the ring lying on the ground.
She picked it up… wiped the dirt carefully with the edge of her dress… and held it out.
"Here, Your Majesty."
He took it.
She turned to leave.
"Wait." he called.
She paused.
"Take this."
He pulled out a small artifact — faintly glowing even in the dark — and extended it toward her.
"What is this?" she asked.
"Activate it. It will give you light. The forest is dark." he said simply.
"I don't need it," she said honestly. "I can see well in darkness."
"Just take it, don't argue with me" he said firmly
She hesitated… then accepted.
"Thank you."
She bowed lightly and began walking away through the trees.
Her hood came up, covering her face till her nose.
After a few steps she activated the artifact.
Soft pale light bloomed around her.
His Majesty is not that bad… she thought. He is kind… gentleman… no wonder Leo took after him…
Suddenly—
A strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind.
Her body froze instantly.
Warm breath touched the back of her neck.
Eyan.
His hold was tight… almost desperate.
His arms were trembling.
He lowered his face slightly… inhaling her scent as if grounding himself in something real.
Sia's heart began pounding wildly.
"Your Majesty… what are you—"
He turned her around sharply.
Before she could react — his hands came up, cupping her face.
And then—
He kissed her.
Hard.
Demanding.
Shocking.
Her eyes flew open in disbelief.
The artifact slipped from her fingers and hit the ground with a dull sound.
The fragile light vanished.
Darkness swallowed them whole.
To be continued—