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Eva Elvaris thought she had escaped the dangers of the palace when she married Kyel—a quiet, hard-working man with no title, no demands, and no past to haunt him. Their life together is distant yet strangely comforting, a fragile peace she clings to in a world built on secrets and power.

But Kyel is not what he appears to be. As unrest stirs across the empire and whispers of war creep closer, Eva begins to sense the truth hidden beneath his silence—a truth that could rewrite everything she believes about love, loyalty, and herself.

Drawn into a fate she never chose, Eva must navigate a kingdom of masks, betrayal, and forbidden magic—where even the man she sleeps beside may not be who he claims to be.

Love the Way He Lied is a slow-burn romantic fantasy about trust, identity, and the lies we tell to protect the ones we love.

Love The Way He Lied

Eva gave him a faint smile, brushing back a strand of her hair.

"Yes, I'm okay," she said softly. "You should go now, or you'll be late for work."

Kyel hesitated, his eyes lingering on her face a moment longer. Then he reached out and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

"I won't be able to come tonight," he murmured. "Take care of yourself, princess."

And just like that, he turned and left.

Palace — Emperor's Office

The sun had long risen, but the Emperor of Velmoria sat in shadow, his gaze fixed on the high ceiling above. Light filtered through the tall arched windows, illuminating the polished surface of the desk he hadn't touched in hours.

"Your Majesty, when did you return?" Hans asked, surprised. The Emperor had slipped back in unnoticed, as always.

Hans stepped closer, noting the heavy silence clinging to the room like smoke. "Your Majesty... what's wrong? What are you thinking about?"

Eyan's voice finally broke through the stillness.

Hans narrowed his eyes. "Decided what?"

"I'm going to tell her the truth," Eyan said, almost in a whisper.

Eyan nodded slowly, his jaw tightening.

"Yes. I've decided—I don't want to lie to her anymore. She trusts me... too much."

Hans' eyes widened slightly. "Then... you'll make her Empress?"

Eyan's response came sharp and quick. "No."

He stood from his chair, walking toward the tall windows, his voice distant. "She can't be Empress. She can't stay near me. It's not safe for her."

"Then what are you planning to do?"

Eyan's fingers curled against the window frame.

"I'll tell her everything... and then I'll tell her I want to spend my whole life with her—as Kyel."

Hans was silent for a long moment. Then, cautiously:

"Why Kyel, Your Highness? Why not as Eyan?"

The Emperor's lips curved into a bitter smile. "Because being with Eyan means dragging her into a world of blood and fire. I can't let her drown in that."

He turned toward Hans, his expression grave. "Kyel is the only version of me that can hold her hand without putting a target on her back."

Hans hesitated. "Then... why agree to her request for sword training? You could've said no."

A flicker of vulnerability passed across Eyan's face.

"In that moment... I became greedy. I wanted her to see the real me. Just a little. Just enough."

He drew in a breath, heavy with regret.

"But there's a difference, Hans. The way she looks at Kyel... and the way she looks at me—Eyan. There's a difference in her eyes. I see it very clear."

Hans watched his emperor, his voice low.

Eyan turned back toward the window.

"After the sword tournament. I'll be busy until then... but once it ends, I'll tell her everything."

And in the silence that followed, the Emperor of Velmoria looked out over his kingdom, wondering if his truth would shatter the only fragile happiness he had ever known.

I'll Tell Her The Truth