The sun poured into the imperial office in soft golden stripes, warming the marble floor and the crisp edge of every paper stacked on the Emperor's desk. Eyan sat upright, his expression carved in stone, barely blinking as his gaze swept across lines of ink. Everything was in its place—just how he preferred it.
The door creaked open gently.
"Good morning, Your Highness," said a familiar voice.
Hans, his secretary, stepped in with practiced grace, offering a polite bow. "I hope you've been doing well. And… how is Her Highness, the princess?"
Eyan lifted his head, eyes unreadable.
"She's fine," he said simply.
There was a pause, as if something more might be said—but none came.
Then, unexpectedly, Eyan closed the file before him. "Bring me the royal chef."
Hans raised a brow ever so slightly, but only nodded. "As you wish, Your Highness."
---
Ten minutes later, the royal chef was ushered in, trembling slightly as he stepped into the Emperor's presence. He bowed so low his forehead nearly touched the polished floor.
"Y-Your Majesty," the chef stammered, "you summoned me?"
Eyan leaned back in his chair and folded his hands.
"Yes," he said coolly. "Teach me how to make pancakes."
The chef blinked. His mouth opened, then closed again like a fish trying to breathe air.
"I—I beg your pardon, Your Majesty?" he asked, horrified. "You want to learn… what?"
---
Far from the palace, tucked in the quiet curve of a village nestled by the forest, Eva sat at the window of her cottage, staring into the grey morning. The sky had been gloomy for days, and her tea had gone cold in her hands.
It had been three days since Kyel left.
No word. No message. Not even a trace of his presence remained in the air, and the house had never felt so quiet.
I hope he's doing fine, she thought, though the ache in her chest said otherwise. Her gaze lingered on the empty path beyond the garden. Where are you, Kyel?
---
Back in the palace, Hans returned to Eyan's office with another stack of documents tucked beneath his arm.
Eyan tapped his fingers on the desk, his mind already shifting back to politics.
"What's been happening in the empire in my absence?" he asked.
Without a word, Hans stepped forward and dropped a towering stack of files with a loud thump onto the Emperor's desk. The sound echoed off the stone walls.
Hans gave a faint smirk. "Nothing much… as you can see."
Eyan's eyes narrowed at the sight.