(Next Morning — Eva And Eyan's House)
Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the dining hall.
Eva walked in glowing. Not just glowing. Radiating. Her cheeks were flushed, her steps lighter, her smile suspiciously satisfied.
Eyan was already at the table, sipping water, trying to look composed.
Trying.
He glanced up at her—and nearly forgot how to breathe.
She looked… smug.
“Good morning Honey,” she said sweetly.
“Good Morning,” he replied cautiously.
They began eating. Silence stretched.
He kept stealing glances at her.
Finally, he frowned slightly. “Why are you glowing?”
She tilted her head innocently. “Am I?”
“Yes. You look… different.”
She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret.
“Maybe it’s because I 'rode' you last night.”
—
Eyan Choked. Water sprayed across the table as he coughed violently.
“EVA!” he hissed, face turning bright red.
Eva blinked at him. “What? You asked.”
“You can’t just say that while I’m drinking water!”
She calmly took a bite of bread.
After regaining some dignity, he muttered, “Where did you even learn to… do that?”
“Oh.” She brightened. “The physician mentioned pregnancy-safe angles.”
His eye twitched. “She… what?”
“She said certain positions are safer. At first I didn’t understand when she said I could be on top. I was wondering what exactly she meant by that.”
He closed his eyes in suffering.
“And then?” he asked weakly.
“Then Aranel gave me a book.”
His head snapped up. “A book?!”
“Yes. Very informative. I studied properly.”
“You studied?” he repeated, horrified.
“Of course. I like doing things correctly.”
He looked ready to disappear under the table.
Then she added cheerfully, “From now on, we’ll do it that way.”
His fork clattered loudly.
“No.”
She blinked. “No?”
“No,” he repeated firmly, though his ears were still red. “Last night was the last time.”
Her smile faded slightly. “Why?”
“Because I was terrified the entire time,” he admitted. “Even if it’s safe. Even if the child is healthy. If something happens… I would never forgive myself.”
His tone shifted from embarrassed to protective. “I won’t touch you like that during the pregnancy. And after that too, until you are completely recovered.”
She studied him, her teasing softening into affection.
“You panic too much,” she murmured.
“Yes,” he said immediately. “And I will continue to.”
She laughed. Then she leaned back in her chair slowly, crossing her arms.
“You know honey,” she said thoughtfully, “you’re glowing too.”
He froze. “I am not.”
“Oh, you are.” She leaned forward again, voice dropping. “Last night I finally understood why you never let me cover my mouth.”
His brain stopped working. “W-what?”
“You always say you want to hear me,” she continued sweetly. “But when you were the one making sounds—It was very satisfying.”
“Eva,” he warned weakly.
She rested her chin on her hand, eyes sparkling mischievously.
“You enjoyed it, didn’t you, honey?” she whispered. “Hearing yourself like that.”
Eyan’s soul left his body. He grabbed his cup in panic— And nearly choked again.
“I—You—That—” he stammered uselessly, face flushed beyond repair.
She smiled triumphantly.
Then she stood slowly from her chair. Eyan immediately became alert.
She walked around the table with deliberate grace, each step making him more nervous than the last.
“Eva…” he warned cautiously.
She stopped in front of him, looking down at his still-flushed face.
“Don’t make that face, honey,” she said softly.
“What face?”
“That embarrassed, panicking, completely flustered face.” She leaned closer. “It makes me want to ride you again.”
He nearly stopped breathing.
“Eva!” he hissed, glancing around instinctively—even though the house was empty.
She smiled wickedly. Before he could react, she gently pushed him back in the chair and settled herself on his lap. His hands shot up in pure panic, hovering awkwardly in the air.
“Eva—what are you doing?!”
“Relax,” she said casually, adjusting herself comfortably. “You said we’re not doing it again... I’m just sitting.”
“You are not ‘just sitting’,” he whispered urgently.
She looped her arms around his shoulders and leaned closer, her lips brushing his ear.
“You’re panicking again,” she murmured.
His entire body stiffened.
Her fingers traced lightly along his collar. “Your heart is racing.”
“Because you’re behaving dangerously!”
She laughed softly and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
He froze.
She kissed him again—slower this time. He made a small, helpless sound in his throat. That was it.
She pulled back with a grin. “See? That sound.”
He went completely red.
“You did it again,” she teased. “Last night you tried so hard to stay quiet. But when I moved—”
“Eva! please stop talking about Last night” he begged.
She giggled. Without another word, she leaned in again. This time the kiss wasn’t playful. It was slow. Intentional.
Eyan hesitated for only half a second before his arms wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her closer. She melted into him instantly, fingers sliding into his hair as she deepened the kiss.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
For a moment—
They forgot everything. They were just husband and wife, lost in each other.
His hand tightened slightly at her waist as she shifted in his lap, and a quiet sound escaped him before he could stop it.
She smiled against his lips.
Then—
A teleportation circle shimmered suddenly on the floor behind Eyan.
A faint glow. A soft hum.
Eva’s eyes snapped open mid-kiss. She saw it first.
“Oh no—”
She jumped off his lap so fast that Eyan barely had time to blink. Before he could even ask what was wrong, she began smacking his chest repeatedly.
“Honey! Are you okay?!” she exclaimed dramatically.
Eyan stared at her, utterly confused. “What happene—”
“Mother? Father?”
Eyan froze.
He slowly turned his head. Leo stood there, just stepping out of the fading teleportation circle.
Eva continued hitting Eyan’s chest with exaggerated urgency. “I told you to eat slowly!”
Leo rushed forward. “Mother, what happened?”
“Leo!” Eva said brightly. “Your father choked on food.”
Eyan caught on instantly and began coughing in the most dramatic way possible.
“Yes—the food—” he wheezed between fake coughs.
Leo hurried to his side, genuinely worried. “Father, are you alright?”
“Yes,” Eyan croaked, grabbing a glass of water and taking an urgent sip to make the act believable.
Eva rubbed his back with theatrical concern. “See? I always tell him not to eat like he’s fighting a war.”
Leo frowned slightly. “Father, you must be careful.”
“I will,” Eyan said seriously, trying not to look at Eva.
Eva turned sweetly to Leo. “What brings you here, sweetheart? Is something wrong?”
Leo hesitated. “I came to check if you were still angry with Father……but I guess you already forgave him.”
Eva smiled.
“Yes,” she said warmly.
Leo tilted his head. “Mother, what made you forgive Father so easily?”
Eva glanced sideways at Eyan—Then she smiled innocently.
“I forgave him because your father took me on a ride.”
Eyan—
Choked.
Violently.
Water sprayed across the table as he coughed like his soul was leaving his body.
“EYAN!” Eva gasped dramatically, patting his back. “Are you alright, honey?”
He glared at her while coughing, eyes wide in disbelief.
Leo blinked. “A ride?”
Eva nodded innocently. “Yes. A very… intense ride.”
Eyan inhaled sharply —and started coughing again.
Leo looked even more confused. “What kind of ride?”
Eva tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Well…”
Eyan’s survival instincts activated instantly.
“HORSE!” he blurted out, half-standing from his chair. “A horse ride! I took your mother horseback riding!”
Leo turned to him. “Horseback riding?”
“Yes!” Eyan nodded too fast. “Very normal. Very safe. Just horses. Running. Outside. In the open air.”
Eva folded her arms slowly, trying not to laugh.
“Yes,” she agreed calmly. “He was very… energetic.”
Eyan nearly combusted.
Leo’s brows furrowed. “Energetic?”
“The horse,” Eyan snapped quickly. “The horse was energetic.”
Leo smiled faintly, relief softening his small features. “I’m glad you two made up.”
His eyes shifted to Eva.
“Mother… can you sit down? I want to check something.”
Eva didn’t question him. She simply nodded and returned to her chair. Leo walked toward her, small steps quiet against the floor. When he reached her, he gently placed his tiny hand over her stomach.
He closed his eyes. The room fell silent.
Eyan moved closer without thinking and knelt beside them, watching carefully. His gaze never left Leo’s face.
A soft glow flickered beneath the child’s palm—subtle, warm, barely visible. After a few seconds, Leo opened his eyes and smiled.
“Mother, everything is fine.”
Eva exhaled softly, relief washing over her features. “I’m glad.”
But as Leo lowered his hand, a shadow passed over his face — brief, almost unnoticeable.
Almost.
Eyan saw it.
A slight tightening of the jaw. A flicker of something unspoken.
Concern?
Leo stepped back.
“Mother, I should take my leave.”
Eva’s smile faded instantly. “You’re going already? Stay with me a little longer.”
There was a softness in her voice — a quiet plea.
Leo’s expression gentled. “I can’t, Mother. I’m going back to my world.”
Her fingers immediately reached for his hands, gripping them lightly.
“You’re going back? Why?” she asked anxiously. “You said you would stay with me.”
Leo squeezed her hands reassuringly.
“I will be back by night. There are things I need to take care of in my world.” He paused, then added with a small smile, “I’m not leaving forever.”
The tension in Eva’s shoulders eased.
“Alright,” she whispered. “Then take care of yourself.”
“I will.”
He stepped back and bowed his head respectfully to both of them.
“Goodbye, Mother. Goodbye, Father.”
Eyan placed a steady hand on Leo’s shoulder. “Be careful.”
Leo nodded.
A teleportation circle shimmered beneath his feet, glowing softly.
Eva swallowed the lingering worry in her chest.
The light brightened— And in the next breath, Leo vanished. The circle faded. Silence settled in the room once more.
Eva remained standing there for a moment, staring at the empty space where he had been.
Eyan stepped closer to her, his hand resting lightly against her back. But his gaze remained fixed on the floor where the circle had appeared. He had seen that expression on Leo’s face. And it troubled him more than he was willing to admit.
__________________________________
(Royal Palace – Velmoria)
(Leo’s World)
The teleportation circle shimmered open in the center of the vast marble hall. Light fractured across the obsidian floor as Leo stepped out of it. The moment his boots touched the ground—
Knights dropped to one knee. Servants bowed deeply.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Their voices echoed beneath the high vaulted ceilings.
Leo stood straight, calm and composed — no longer just a child from moments ago, but the Emperor of velmoria.
His gaze swept across the hall briefly before settling on a servant nearest to him.
“Where is Aunt Aranel?”
The servant kept his head lowered. “Her Grace is in her chambers, Your Majesty. She was… worried when you disappeared without a word.”
A faint guilt flickered in Leo’s eyes. “I will speak to her.”
Without another word, he turned and walked down the long corridor, black cloak trailing behind him.
__________________________________
(Aranel’s Chambers)
The door opened swiftly. A maid bowed deeply. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“Where is Aunt Aranel?”
“Her Grace is inside, Your Majesty.”
Leo gave a small nod. “You may leave.”
The maid bowed again and withdrew silently. Leo stepped inside. Aranel was seated near the tall window, sunlight catching in her pale hair as she stared into the distance.
“Aunty.”
She turned at the sound of his voice— And in the next second she was on her feet.
“Leo!”
She rushed to him and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
“Where have you been?!” Her voice trembled despite her attempt to sound composed. “I was so worried about you.”
Leo gently returned the hug. “Aunty… I did it.”
She pulled back slightly, confused.
“I crossed the timeline.”
Her eyes widened. “That means—”
He smiled — “Yes. I met them. Everyone is alive there.”
Her breath caught.
“Father… Mother… Uncle Luca… Grandfather…” His voice softened. “And in some time… I will be born there too.”
Aranel’s composure shattered. Tears filled her eyes. “I’m glad…” she whispered, pressing a hand to her lips. “I’m so glad…”
For years she had carried grief alone. For years she had watched him grow in a world built from ashes.
And now—
There was a world where none of it had happened.
Leo’s expression grew serious again.
“Aunty, I cannot stay. I came back to ask you something.”
She wiped her tears quickly. “What is it?”
His voice lowered. “When I was inside Mother’s womb… what was her condition?”
Aranel blinked in confusion.
“Was she tired? Weak? Constantly exhausted?”
Her brows furrowed. “No. Nothing like that happened. Eva was energetic. Healthy. Strong as always.”
A shadow crossed Leo’s face.
Aranel noticed immediately.
“Why are you asking?” she said sharply. “Is everything alright? Is Eva sick in that world?”
Leo hesitated.
“Today, when I checked Mother…” His jaw tightened. “I discovered that Zeradros is growing faster than expected.”
Aranel stiffened. “Growing faster? Why?”
“I don’t know,” Leo admitted quietly. “But it feels like he is anxious. As if he wants to be born as soon as possible.”
Silence fell heavily between them.
“If he continues like this…” Leo continued, voice steady but strained, “it is not good for mother.”
Aranel’s fingers curled tightly at her sides.
“But…” Leo frowned slightly, confusion evident now, “even after taking so much energy from her… she appears perfectly fine. Healthy. Radiant.....That’s what confuses me.”
Aranel’s expression turned thoughtful. Then determined. “Leo. Speak to the royal physician who attended Eva during your birth.”
Leo looked at her.
“He would know the details of her condition. If something was unusual, he would have noticed.”
Leo nodded slowly. “Alright.”
__________________________________
The royal physician was summoned at once.
Within minutes, the doors to Aranel’s chamber opened and an elderly man in deep blue robes stepped inside. His silver hair was neatly tied back, his posture still dignified despite his age.
He bowed deeply. “Your Majesty. You asked for me.”
Leo stood near the window, hands clasped behind his back.
“Albert,” he said calmly. “You attended my mother during her pregnancy.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. From the first month until your birth.”
Leo turned slowly to face him. “When I was growing rapidly inside her… what was her condition?”
Albert did not hesitate. “Her Majesty was healthy. Energetic. Radiant, even.”
Leo’s brows drew together. “There was nothing unusual?”
“Nothing that caused concern,” Albert replied. “It is true that Your Majesty grew faster than any ordinary child. Your development exceeded natural pace.”
“But,” Albert continued, “you never harmed her. Her strength never declined. Her pulse remained steady. Her vitality stable.”
Leo’s gaze sharpened. “That makes no sense.”
The physician remained calm.
“If I was consuming her energy and accelerating my growth, she should have weakened. She should have shown exhaustion, instability… something.”
Albert inclined his head respectfully. “What Your Majesty says is correct — but.”
Leo’s voice lowered. “But...?.”
“But,” Albert continued, “you were not merely taking.”
Leo’s gaze sharpened. “What do you mean?”
“When Your Majesty drew vitality from the Queen,” Albert said carefully, “you instinctively returned a portion of your own power. Even within the womb, you possessed magic — faint, unrefined, but protective.”
“You shielded her,” Albert went on. “Your energy wrapped around her life force. The system between mother and child became… balanced.”
Leo’s voice lowered. “So I consumed her strength to grow faster…but I also protected her.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
A faint crease formed between Leo’s brows. “Then why,” he asked quietly, “did Mother fall so sick after giving birth to me?”
The question lingered heavily in the air.
Albert exhaled slowly. “Because the connection ended.”
“While you were inside her womb,” Albert explained, “the flow was continuous. You drew from her, and you returned protection in equal measure. Her body adapted because your power compensated for what you consumed.”
Aranel’s expression turned grave.
“But the moment you were born,” Albert continued, “that connection severed instantly.”
Leo felt something tighten in his chest.
“The protective exchange stopped,” Albert said softly. “And all the exhaustion that had been suppressed… all the weakness held back by your magic… returned to her at once.”
Aranel closed her eyes briefly, remembering.
“She collapsed during birth,” Albert said quietly. “Her pulse faded. Her breathing faltered. For a moment… we believed we had lost her.”
“Because once you were no longer within her, there was nothing counterbalancing what had been taken.”
Silence stretched between them.
Leo’s mind was racing.
He could not speak of another timeline. He could not speak of a child growing faster than he ever had.
So he chose his words carefully.
“If,” Leo began slowly, his tone deceptively calm, “I had consumed more energy…”
Albert looked up. “More, Your Majesty?”
“Double.”
The word dropped like a stone.
“If I had taken double the amount of Mother’s vitality while inside her… what would have happened when I was born?”
Albert’s face went pale. He did not answer immediately.
Finally, he said in a low, unshaken voice: “If Your Majesty had drawn double the energy… then the moment the connection broke after childbirth…” A pause. “Her Majesty would have died.”
“There would have been no recovery. No second chance. The shock to her system would have been fatal.”
The words struck Leo harder than any blade..
He straightened. “That will be all, Albert.”
The physician hesitated. “Your Majesty—”
“You may leave.”
Albert bowed deeply and withdrew from the chamber.
The doors shut with a heavy thud. Silence swallowed the room whole. Leo stood alone with the weight of what he had learned.
.
.
.
To be continued—
