“Back Where It Began”

Eva opened her eyes—wet with tears. The sheets were cold beside her. Empty. She shot up from the bed and bolted down the stairs barefoot, her breath trembling.

She was home.

She could still feel his presence in the walls. She could still smell his scent in the air—faint traces of him, as if time hadn't moved on.

Looking down at her hand, she brought her fingers to her lips and kissed the wedding ring gently.

"I'm back," she whispered, voice cracking.

"I want to see his face..."

"I don't have much time. I need to get to work."

She took a quick bath, wore the simplest dress she owned, and left without breakfast.

She had only one place to go—one person who could help her now.

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(Aranel's Resistance)

"Lady Aranel," a maid knocked gently, "your friend, Lady Eva, is here to see you."

Aranel sat upright in surprise. "Eva…? Bring her in. Now."

The door opened and Eva stepped in, her posture too composed to hide the trembling in her eyes.

"You may leave us," Aranel said to her maid.

"Yes, my lady." The door closed quietly behind them.

"What brings you here, Eva—"

Before Aranel could finish, Eva threw her arms around her and buried her face into her shoulder, her body shaking with soft, broken sobs.

Aranel froze. "Eva? What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"Let me hug you… Just for a moment…" Eva whispered.

"Okay, okay," Aranel wrapped her arms around her gently. "But please, tell me—what happened?"

And Eva told her everything.

By the end, Aranel had dropped into a chair like her knees had given out beneath her. Her face went pale, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Eva…" she whispered. "You… you went through all of that…?"

Eva nodded.

"I'm so sorry." Aranel stood and pulled her into another embrace—this one tighter, trembling with emotion. "I'm sorry, Eva. I should've been there—"

"I'm fine now," Eva said softly, wiping Aranel's tears. "Look at me—see? I'm alive."

She placed Aranel's hands gently on her cheeks.

"I'm here. I survived."

Aranel sniffled hard. "Even so… you endured so much."

"Stop crying, Aranel. Please…"

They cried together, for hours. Eventually, Aranel calmed, though her eyes were red and swollen.

Eva smiled faintly. "I didn't know you'd cry this much. Your eyes look like puffed apples."

Aranel sniffled and scowled. "If I ever see that bastard, Prince Velcon—I swear, I'm going to kill him."

Eva chuckled.

"Don't laugh," Aranel snapped. "I'm serious."

"Okay, okay," Eva giggled softly. "I won't laugh."

"Good." Aranel stood, crossing her arms. "Now. What do you need from me?"

Eva straightened, her voice quiet but firm. "I need your help, Aranel. Only you can help me."

Aranel raised a brow. "You want to become Empress."

Eva nodded. "Yes. Please… help me."

Aranel tilted her head. "And your husband? The Emperor? He'd never marry you?"

"No. Eyan would never willingly make me Empress."

Without another word, Aranel grabbed her hand. "Then come with me."

They marched down the hall, Aranel leading her with determined strides. She flung open a heavy wooden door.

"Here, Eva. This is your answer."

Eva blinked. Shelves upon shelves of thick, ornate romance novels filled the room.

"Books?" Eva asked. "What do these have to do with me becoming Empress?"

"They have everything to do with it." Aranel turned, smug. "These books hold centuries of womanly wisdom. A hundred ways to get a man to marry you."

"…Seriously?"

"Dead serious."

She stepped closer, locking eyes with Eva.

"All you have to do is…" She paused, dramatically.

"…Sleep with him."

Eva's jaw dropped. "What—?! Are you insane?!"

"I'm not insane," Aranel said without missing a beat. "Sleep with him. Spend the night with him. He won't be able to push you away after that. He'll have no choice but to marry you."

You think it's that simple?" Eva scoffed. "Eyan won't even let me touch him. Forget about sharing a bed—he'd probably throw me out."

"Then seduce him."

"You don't understand. His resistance—it's unnatural."

Aranel narrowed her eyes. "Why are you hesitating? It's not like this would be the first time you two share a bed."

Eva looked away.

Aranel gasped. "Don't tell me… you didn't have your wedding night?"

"I did," Eva muttered. "But… he didn't. Technically."

"Eva!" Aranel groaned. "He's impossible. How has he controlled himself for this long?"

"I told you," Eva said helplessly, his resistance—it's like stone. He wouldn't even blink."

"Then break the stone," Aranel declared. "Get him drunk. Wine. Something strong enough to make him lose control."

"That's… immoral."

"It's marriage strategy," Aranel winked. "Don't worry. I'll help you."

Eva hesitated. "Do you think this will really work?"

"Absolutely." Aranel put a hand on her shoulder. "You have my word."

They looked at each other—and after a pause, both broke into soft smiles.

"Just thinking about it makes my heart flutter," Aranel whispered.

Eva blushed. "Don't say that…"

"Why are you embarrassed? He's your husband. You're not seducing someone else."

"Still… Aranel, don't you feel any shame?"

"None. I'm completely shameless," she said proudly. "Now—today's his birthday, right? Did you prepare a gift?"

Eva looked down, sheepish. "No…"

"Don't tell me you're going empty-handed."

"I gave him cookies last time. He liked them."

"Then give him cookies again," Aranel said. "Let's go buy the ingredients. And—oh! You need something good to wear."

Before Eva could argue, Aranel had grabbed her by the hand and dragged her toward the door.

"Let's go—we have so much to do!"

"Slow down!" Eva laughed as she stumbled behind her.

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