"You Need The Power"

Eva opened her eyes, dazed.

Eva murmured, "Am I back in time? Or… am I still in that place?"

The light was soft, golden—dreamlike.

A gentle voice called out behind her,

"Mommy, you're back. But right now... you're sleeping. This is just a dream."

Eva turned, her breath catching.

"Leo…"

She ran to him, dropping to her knees as she wrapped him in a desperate embrace. Her tears spilled freely.

"Leo…"

Leo, hugging her back, asked softly, "Why are you crying, Mommy?"

Eva trembled.

"That day... you were building the sandcastles of Velmoria. You said you'd rule this kingdom one day..."

"Yes, Mommy," Leo nodded proudly. "I said that."

Her voice cracked.

"You are him… aren't you? You're that child. You're… my child."

Leo nodded again.

Eva pulled him close, holding him as if afraid he'd disappear.

"Forgive me… please forgive me… I couldn't protect you."

Leo began to cry too.

"Don't cry, Mommy."

"Leo… Leo…"

"Nothing happened to me, Mommy, see?"

He stepped back, showing her his small body.

"I'm okay."

Eva's hands trembled as she reached out.

"You knew, didn't you? You knew everything. That's why you told me about the wish… and the sacrifice."

"Yes, Mommy."

Leo smiled through his tears.

"But all I did was guide you. You're the one who walked that path."

"And now... you can fix everything. You can save Father, yourself… and me."

Eva wiped her tears, nodding.

"Yes… I'll do whatever it takes. I'll protect my family this time."

Leo's smile widened.

She looked at him deeply, her brows furrowing.

"Leo, you once told me you looked like your father... but this isn't how you truly look, is it?"

"Let me see the real you."

Leo tilted his head and smiled.

"Okay, Mommy."

With a shimmer of magic, Leo's black hair turned silver, and his blue eyes slowly shifted to a piercing red.

"Here, Mommy… this is the real me."

Eva cupped his cheeks gently, awed.

"Eyan… Leo… you really do look like him."

"I told you I wasn't lying."

He giggled.

Eva pinched his cheek lightly.

"That hurts, Mommy!"

"Let me, I want to touch you more…" she laughed softly.

"I've missed you so much."

"Okay… but don't squeeze too hard," he pouted.

Eva laughed—a sound she hadn't made in so long.

Leo chuckled.

"It's been a long time since I saw you smile like that, Mommy."

But the laughter faded into silence.

"Everything went wrong, Leo… how can I smile?"

Leo looked into her eyes gently.

"Mommy, you're not angry with Father, are you? For what he said to you?"

"He lied… he said those hurtful things only to protect you."

Eva nodded slowly, her voice low.

"I'm not angry anymore. I understand now… I know why he did everything."

Leo took her hand.

"Then, Mommy, what are you planning to do now?"

Eva looked away, unsure.

"I don't know, Leo… Where should I start?"

"Do you remember what Prince Velcon said to you?"

Suddenly, the world around her shifted into a memory—

Velcon's voice echoed:

"It's all because of you. I'll kill you."

Then, with cruel amusement—

"Lady Eva, I'm afraid you don't have the power to do that."

The memory dissolved.

Eva clenched her fists.

"He said I don't have power… That I'm helpless."

Leo nodded.

"So, the first thing you must do is gain that power."

"But how?"

"You have to become the Empress, Mommy."

Eva blinked in disbelief.

"Empress? But your father… he'd never marry me. He'd rather leave me than put me in danger. He won't make me Empress."

"I know it won't be easy," Leo said gently.

"But you have to do whatever it takes to make him marry you. Only as Empress will you have the power to protect everyone."

Eva opened her mouth to respond—

But Leo interrupted, his voice fading.

"It's time, Mommy. I have to go now."

Eva clutched his hand.

"Leo… Leo, please don't go."

"Take care of yourself, Mommy."

"You'll meet me again, I promise."

"Leo!"

But he was already fading with the golden light.

Eva jolted awake, gasping. Tears streamed down her face.

Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach, her heart aching.

"Leo…"

And for the first time in a long while—Eva remembered what hope felt like.