(Royal Palace)
(Emperor's Study)
The soft chime of the magical communicator faded as the call with Aranel ended.
Eyan placed the crystal orb back on the polished wooden table, his expression shadowed with concern.
He turned his gaze to Hans, who stood quietly near the door.
"Hans," Eyan said, voice steady but firm, "go and tell all the maids to gather in the hall."
Hans bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Majesty."
With another respectful bow, Hans turned and left the study.
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(Palace Hall)
The grand hall buzzed with quiet tension as all the palace maids gathered, standing in neat rows.
They waited in silence, exchanging nervous glances. Moments later, Eyan arrived, his presence commanding the room.
Every maid bowed low at once.
Eyan's sharp eyes swept over them.
"I heard from sister Aranel that some days ago, an unknown woman came to meet the Queen," he said, his tone calm yet authoritative. "One of you informed Eva about her arrival. Step forward and tell me who it was."
The maids shifted uneasily, glancing at one another.
After a brief hesitation, one maid stepped out from the line and bowed deeply.
"It was me, Your Majesty," she said, voice trembling slightly.
Eyan studied her for a moment. "Tell me about that woman. Who was she? How long did they talk?"
"Your Majesty, I don't know anything about her name," the maid replied. "But Her Majesty seemed to know her from before. They spoke for around half an hour. After that, the woman left."
Eyan's gaze remained fixed on her. "After the woman left, did you notice anything different in the Eva's behaviour?"
The maid nodded slowly. "Yes, Your Majesty. After the woman departed, Her Majesty dismissed me, saying she wanted to rest. I only saw her again in the evening… and yes, she was behaving differently — quieter, more withdrawn."
Eyan took a slow, deep breath, his mind racing.
So sister Aranel was right, he thought. That woman had something to do with Eva's sudden change.
He looked back at the maid. "That's all for now. You may all leave."
The maids bowed once more and began filing out of the hall one by one, their footsteps soft against the marble floor.
Just as the last few were exiting, the same maid paused at the doorway and turned back.
"Your Majesty… I just remembered something," she said hesitantly.
Eyan's eyes sharpened. "Speak."
"The woman didn't tell me her name, but that day she mentioned to me that she was the woman Her Majesty saved from human traffickers."
Eyan's gaze grew intense. "Eva saved her from human traffickers? That's what she said?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The pieces began to align in his mind.
That woman…The same one who told me about Eva buying those oils…Why would she come to meet Eva now?
He kept his voice level. "You may go now."
The maid bowed deeply and hurried out, leaving the hall empty except for Eyan and Hans.
Eyan stood still for a moment, jaw tight with resolve. "I need to find that woman and ask her exactly what she and Eva talked about. Only then will I get answers."
He turned to Hans. "Hans, I'm going out for a while. Take care of everything here."
Hans bowed respectfully. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Without another word, Eyan strode out of the palace, his cloak swirling behind him as he stepped into the bright morning light.
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Eyan was just about to mount the horse when a sudden thought stopped him cold.
Wait… that shop only allows women inside. I can't enter that place.
He turned sharply to the nearest knight standing guard.
"Where is Leo right now?"
The knight bowed quickly. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is with Master Luca at the training grounds."
Eyan nodded once and changed direction, walking briskly toward the training grounds without another word.
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(Training Grounds)
Eyan stepped onto the wide training field. He spotted Leo and Luca standing near the center.
Both paused when they noticed him approaching.
"Leo. Come here," Eyan called.
Leo and Luca exchanged a quick glance before walking over.
"Yes, Father?" Leo asked, tilting his head curiously.
Eyan looked down at his son. "Can you use your disguise spell on others as well?"
"I can, Father."
"Good. Then use it on me," Eyan said. "Turn me into a woman."
Luca raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Eyan, why exactly do you need a woman's disguise…?"
"There's a place I need to go," Eyan replied curtly, "but only women are allowed inside."
Luca's lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Only women can enter that place? Don't tell me you're planning to go to the Ladies' Bathhouse at the eastern district, Eyan. I didn't know you were such a pervert."
Eyan's eyes blazed with irritation. He smacked the back of Luca's head with a sharp, resounding thwack.
"Shut up, you fool. What nonsense are you spouting?" Eyan growled.
Luca rubbed the back of his head, wincing. "I was just asking…"
"Ask properly next time… idiot," Eyan snapped, still glaring.
Leo looked back and forth between the two men, blinking in confusion.
"Father… should I cast the spell now?" he asked cautiously.
Eyan turned to his son and nodded. "Cast it."
Leo raised his small hand. A surge of magic flared around his palm, his eyes glowing a bright crimson. The spell enveloped Eyan's body in swirling light.
Slowly, Eyan's tall, broad frame began to shrink and soften. His sharp jawline rounded, his shoulders narrowed, and long, silky silver hair cascaded down his back. His chest curved gently, and his features transformed into those of a strikingly beautiful woman — elegant cheekbones, full lips, and piercing eyes that still carried a hint of his original intensity.
The magic faded with a soft shimmer.
Now standing before them was a graceful, lovely woman dressed in slightly oversized male clothing.
Leo beamed proudly. "Father, it's done!"
Eyan tested his voice and grabbed his throat lightly. "My voice changed too…"
Luca smirked, looking him up and down with open appreciation. "Of course it changed. You're a woman now, Eyan." He gave a low whistle. "Not bad at all. No one will recognize you like this. You can go."
Eyan gave a small nod.
Without wasting another moment, He turned and began to walk away.
Eyan had taken only a few steps when Luca burst into loud, uncontrollable laughter behind him.
"Pfft—! Hahaha! Oh gods, Eyan! Stop walking right now!"
Eyan paused mid-step and turned, still moving with his usual wide, masculine stride. — hips swinging too forcefully, shoulders rolling like he was marching across a battlefield.
Luca was doubled over, clutching his stomach, laughing so hard tears formed in his eyes. "You're walking like a soldier in a skirt! Those hips are moving like you're charging at an enemy!"
Leo tried hard not to giggle beside him.
Eyan shot him an irritated look, his now-soft feminine voice making the glare less intimidating. "Shut up, Luca. It's not that bad."
"Not that bad?" Luca wiped his eyes, still grinning. "You're going to draw every eye for all the wrong reasons."
"Here, watch let me show you how a real woman walks."
Luca straightened and demonstrated with smooth, graceful steps — hips swaying gently and naturally, shoulders relaxed, every movement light and confident.
"Now you try," Luca said. "Smaller steps. Let your hips sway softly, not like you're stomping through mud."
Eyan took a deep breath and attempted it.
He shortened his stride, but his new body didn't cooperate. His walk became jerky, and his chest moved in the wrong way with each awkward sway, making the motion look even more unnatural and eye-catching.
Luca's laughter faded quickly. He stepped forward and grabbed Eyan's arm to stop him.
"Stop, stop," Luca whispered urgently near his ear, voice low and teasing. "Eyan… if you walk like that, you're going to attract every man's attention in the worst way."
Eyan blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Luca pointed meaningfully at Eyan's chest.
Eyan looked down, realization hitting him fast. His face burned with embarrassment. He quickly straightened his posture, trying to hide his discomfort.
Luca chuckled softly, eyes sparkling with mischief. "That's better. But before you go anywhere like this… that dress is too revealing around the neck and shoulders. Go change into something that covers your neck area properly. Otherwise, you'll cause more trouble than you want."
Eyan glared at him, cheeks still flushed. Without saying another word, he turned and walked away from the training grounds — this time trying harder to control his steps. The long skirt of the dress swayed around his legs as he headed back toward the palace to change.
Luca's amused laughter followed him until he disappeared from view.
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(Royal Palace — Eva's Chamber)
The corridor was quiet.
Eyan moved swiftly, his steps far more controlled now, his posture carefully restrained as he approached a door he knew too well.
Eva's chamber.
For a brief moment, he paused. His hand hovered over the door—Then pushed it open.
The room greeted him with stillness. Familiar. Yet empty.
A faint trace of her presence lingered in the air, subtle but unmistakable.
Eyan stepped inside, his gaze sweeping across the chamber before settling on the wardrobe.
Without hesitation, he walked toward it and pulled it open.
Rows of elegant dresses came into view—silks, soft fabrics, delicate embroidery, each one reflecting Eva's refined taste.
Eyan studied them quietly.
"…This should work."
He reached out and selected one—simple enough not to draw attention, yet fitting enough to maintain appearance.
Moments later—
He changed.
The fabric settled naturally against his now-transformed figure, the fit precise, the design modest yet graceful. He adjusted the sleeves, then the neckline, ensuring everything sat properly.
For a second, he glanced at his reflection.
A stranger looked back at him...Yet his eyes remained the same.
Focused...Determined.
"…This will do."
Closing the wardrobe, Eyan turned and walked toward the door.
Without another glance back—He stepped out of Eva's chamber.
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(Velmoria Market)
(Roseveil Remedies)
Eyan stood before the elegant wooden storefront, staring at the delicate rose-carved sign that read Roseveil Remedies. He took a steadying breath.
"This is the shop… let's go inside," he muttered under his breath.
With a light push, he entered, the bell above the door giving a soft chime.
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(Inside the Shop)
The moment Eyan stepped in, the two women attending the front bowed politely, their smiles warm and professional.
"Welcome to our shop, my lady," one of them said cheerfully. "How may I assist you today?"
Eyan's eyes scanned the interior, moving quickly over the rows of colorful bottles, herbs, and neatly arranged shelves. He searched every face, but the woman he was looking for was nowhere to be seen.
That woman… I don't see her here, he thought.
The attendant noticed his searching gaze and tilted her head curiously. "My lady, are you looking for someone?"
"Yes," Eyan replied, trying to keep his newly soft voice steady. "I came to meet a woman who works here. She visited my… wife recently."
The two women exchanged a quick glance.
Eyan realized his slip instantly and corrected himself. "Not my wife — I misspoke. It's my friend who knows her."
The first woman smiled understandingly. "Then you must be speaking of our manager, Miss Oliviya."
Eyan's eyes sharpened. "Are you sure it's her?"
"Yes, my lady. It must be Miss Oliviya… but unfortunately, she is out of town for some business. She won't be returning for at least a week."
Eyan closed his eyes briefly, disappointment settling in. "I see… Then I'll take my leave."
"Wait, my lady," the woman called, stopping him gently. "Since you're already here, why not buy something before you go? It would be our honor."
"I don't need anything," Eyan said.
"Please, my lady," the second woman added, her eyes pleading. "You are our first customer today. If you leave without buying even one item, our shop's luck will be bad for the rest of the day."
Both women looked at him with such hopeful, pitiful eyes that Eyan felt the pressure.
"Fine," he sighed. "I'll buy something."
"Thank you, my lady!" they chorused happily.
Eyan began walking along the long shelves, eyes roaming over dozens of different tonics and vials.
Now what do I even buy? he thought. They sell women's products… I know nothing about any of this.
His gaze moved lazily—until it stopped.
A familiar bottle...Deep red.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
That…I've seen this before.
A memory surfaced—Eva holding a similar bottle… making him drink it.
Right… this is the one.
I'll take it and leave.
He pointed at the bottle. "This one. I want the red tonic."
The woman quickly took out two similar-looking bottles filled with deep red liquid and placed them on the counter.
"My lady, which one would you like?" she asked.
Eyan frowned. "The red one…"
The woman smiled politely. "They both appear similar, my lady—but they serve different purposes. Could you specify?"
Eyan's patience thinned. "I don't know. I just remember it was a deep red tonic."
The woman tilted her head. "Have you purchased it before? For your husband, perhaps?"
Eyan answered without thinking, "Yes."
"Then perhaps you remember the taste? Did your husband mention it?"
Eyan nodded slightly. "It was bitter."
The woman's face brightened. "Ah, then this is the correct one."
She handed him a bottle.
Eyan took it, relieved.
Finally…
But then—
He noticed something...Both women were looking at him differently now. Their expressions had softened… filled with something like sympathy.
Eyan's brows furrowed slightly.
Why are they looking at me like that…?
One of them spoke gently. "My lady… how long have you been married?"
Eyan answered plainly. "Six years. Why?"
The woman covered her mouth lightly, her eyes filled with pity.
"I understand… it must have been very difficult for you…"
Eyan stilled. "…What?"
"Don't worry," she continued softly. "Once your husband drinks this tonic, you will conceive a child in no time. Soon you will have your own little one too."
Eyan's eyes sharpened dangerously. "What did you just say? I don't want another child. I already have a son."
The two women exchanged a confused look.
The attendant tilted her head. "My lady… if you already have a son and don't want another child, then why are you buying a tonic that helps women conceive?"
Eyan's eyes widened in complete shock.
"WHAT…?"
.
.
To be continued—