She's Dangerous

"No. No. No!" Eva whispered frantically, her eyes darting toward the door as Aranel's voice echoed.

She turned to Kyel, flailing her arms. "Kyel, hide—no, I mean run!"

Kyel raised an eyebrow. "What? Why would I run?"

"It's my friend Aranel," Eva hissed, pushing him toward the wardrobe and then immediately pulling him back. "She's here!"

"Oh, your friend?" Kyel tilted his head, amused. "I've never met her. I should at least greet her properly."

Eva's eyes widened in horror. "No! She's dangerous."

Kyel's brows shot up. "If she's dangerous, why would you be friends with her?"

"Not that kind of dangerous!" Eva groaned, fumbling with his collar.

"Kyel!" she said, buttoning his collar up all the way to his neck. "Wait—these marks—hide them!"

He choked. "Princess… I can't breathe—wait—"

"Too late. You're fine." She pushed him toward the door. "Go!"

Kyel composed himself, opened the door, and gave a graceful bow. "Greetings, Lady Aranel. Welcome."

Aranel stood at the doorway, perfectly poised and curious. "And you might be?"

"I'm Kyel," he said smoothly. "Eva's husband."

Aranel blinked, then tilted her head. "Oh… Mr. Kyel. Nice to meet you."

Kyel nodded. "A noble lady like you should not trouble yourself greeting a commoner like me."

Aranel smirked. "Well, you're far too handsome to ignore."

Kyel grinned politely. "Thank you for the compliment."

"I came to see Eva," she added, glancing past him. "Where is she?"

"She's upstairs," Kyel replied. "Please, have a seat, Lady Aranel. I'll bring you some water."

"Oh… how gentlemanly."

Moments later, Eva descended the stairs—fully dressed in long sleeves, a layered gown, and a scarf wrapped tightly around her neck like she was preparing for a snowstorm. She smiled a bit too forcefully.

"Aranel! What brings you here?"

Kyel glanced up at her and nearly choked on his breath.

Aranel gave her a suspicious once-over. "Why are you wearing so many clothes? And you look exhausted."

Eva coughed dramatically. "I'm sick. I have a fever."

Aranel crossed her arms. "That's why I came to check on you. You looked like this yesterday too."

Kyel, who was setting down glasses of water, froze. "Lady Aranel… she looked like this yesterday?"

"Yes, Mr. Kyel. Pale. Shaky. Unwell. At first, I thought it was because of that book…"

Kyel's ears perked. "Book?"

"Yes," Aranel said, confused. "The book she was reading—"

"What a lovely day, isn't it?" Eva interrupted, pulling Aranel to the table.

Kyel, eyes narrowing slightly, asked, "What was the name of that book?"

Aranel smiled. "Oh, it was—"

Before she could finish, Eva clapped a hand over her mouth. "Aranel, I'm fine now! It was the fever!"

"Mmph—Eva—let me speak—"

Kyel raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Eva laughed nervously. "Kyel! Why don't you bring us some breakfast? Aranel, you must be hungry."

Kyel gave her a long look but nodded. "Yes. Lady Aranel, you should eat. I made breakfast this morning."

Aranel blinked. "You made breakfast?"

Kyel nodded again with a small smile.

Aranel turned to Eva and said dramatically, "Eva, your husband is perfect. Handsome, kind, and he cooks?"

Eva placed a proud hand on her hip, chin high. "Yes. I'm very lucky."

---

After breakfast, Aranel stood, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeves.

"Well, I should leave now," she said, smoothing her dress. "Take care of yourself, Eva."

"I will…" Eva replied, still tense.

Aranel turned to Kyel with a sly smile. "Mr. Kyel, would you be kind enough to bid me goodbye… and kiss my hand?"

Kyel looked amused. "Why not?"

He took her hand gently, bowed slightly, and kissed it—just as Aranel slipped a small folded note into his palm.

His eyes flicked down for a second. But he said nothing, quickly hiding the paper behind his back.

"Goodbye, Lady Aranel," Kyel said with perfect composure.

"Goodbye, Mr. Kyel. Goodbye, Eva," she sang, and with a teasing wink, turned on her heel and disappeared through the door.

Eva closed it behind her and let out the breath she was holding.