Episode 15. Chapter 2. Change (9)
“…Hngh!”
Yuriel gasped as Fiona’s nails dug into her shoulders. She had no choice but to be shaken like a doll in Fiona’s grip.
“Because of you, I had to suffer this humiliation!”
Fiona hissed into Yuriel’s ear, her face twisted in rage.
Her parents had never scolded her, not even once.
But now, people she believed were always on her side pointed fingers at her.
And to make things worse, rumors had spread all the way through high society. The honor she’d built for years had been crushed in an instant.
“Even this child! They could’ve had a happy life if you just kept your mouth shut!”
Fiona shook Yuriel violently like she’d gone mad.
Even if the child had been born out of wedlock, no one had to know.
If problems came up later, she could just have another child with Evan, a legitimate one.
But now, none of that mattered.
“Filthy commoner! You disgusting wretch! How dare you sleep with the Grand Duke!”
The damage was already beyond repair.
Even her beloved parents had looked at her with disgust.
And yet this low-born woman, the one who ruined everything, was still basking in happiness?
Unforgivable.
Fiona shoved Yuriel away, but that wasn’t enough. She looked around the room and grabbed a flower vase, smashing it on the floor.
“…Ah…”
Yuriel’s lips dried with desperation.
She tried to summon every ounce of strength—but not even a finger would move.
Her body wouldn’t listen, and it was driving her insane.
She didn’t even feel Fiona’s previous injuries anymore.
All she could think about was the child in her womb.
“Hahaha… Right. Something was strange. There’s no way the Grand Duke would take in someone like you so suddenly.”
Fiona muttered as if she had realized something, tilting her head at an eerie angle as she approached.
In one hand, she held a shard of broken glass—sharp and gleaming.
‘Please…!’
Her gaze locked directly onto Yuriel’s belly. The glass sparkled menacingly, ready to stab at any moment.
Then—thump.
A faint movement from inside her womb.
Yuriel’s fingers, stiff until now, twitched slightly. Something was changing.
‘I have to protect the baby.’
The glass—now glowing with a cold blue light—came plunging toward her belly.
“You and that child need to die!”
Fiona shrieked, her voice full of madness.
Yuriel should have been terrified. But at that moment, she didn’t feel fear.
All she could think about was saving her baby. That desperate, powerful will make her body move.
Whoosh!
“…Ugh!”
The glass slashed through the air—
but instead of Yuriel, it stabbed deep into the sofa.
She had twisted her body just enough to avoid it.
But even then, her body was still stiff, like a puppet held together with glue.
“…What the hell?
Weren’t you supposed to be knocked out for hours?”
Fiona tilted her head, puzzled.
Even with her hand bleeding from gripping the glass shard, she seemed unfazed, her eyes glowing with madness.
Yuriel used that moment to slide herself under the sofa.
Every movement was painfully slow, like being beaten with every inch she crawled.
She couldn’t speak—no strength left to call for help.
Sheff.
Behind her, she heard Fiona pulling the glass shard out of the sofa.
Yuriel broke out in a cold sweat. Her stiff body and heavy stomach made even crawling nearly impossible.
“Actually… I was going to slice your face first.”
“But you’re pregnant. And you ruined my baby’s life. Isn’t that unfair?”
Fiona clutched her belly as she staggered forward.
Even though her steps were slow, she was still faster than Yuriel.
“First, let’s take out the Grand Duke’s baby. Then I’ll switch it with mine.”
Her voice was cold and twisted like metal scraping stone.
Then Fiona grabbed Yuriel’s hair, yanking her over and flipping her onto her back.
“Right? You’ll do that for me, won’t you, big sister?”
Fiona smiled wide—too wide—as she raised the glass shard high in both hands.
‘…No!’
Yuriel curled up instinctively, shielding her belly.
“You’ve always given me everything, haven’t you, sis?!”
Fiona screamed, ready to stab down.
“Yuriel!!”
Crash!!
A deafening shout echoed as the thick door burst open. Wood splinters flew everywhere.
A figure rushed into the dust-filled room.
It was Akron.
“…Yuriel, please.”
His voice was low, filled with desperation.
Yuriel blinked through her hazy vision and looked at him.
“A…kron…”
She barely moved her lips, trying to call his name. Her voice wouldn’t come out.
But she felt it—he had scooped her up in one arm.
‘…Ah, blood…’
She saw red dripping beside her.
It was his blood.
In his free hand, Akron had grabbed the glass shard—bare-handed.
“…Da…”
‘Did you get hurt?’
She wanted to ask, but couldn’t say the words.
Blood kept flowing from his hand.
She didn’t want him hurt—not for her.
She reached out to stop him… but her hand dropped weakly. No strength left.
“……Ah.”
Thud.
Her arm fell before it could reach him.
Whoosh—!
“…?”
Suddenly, a bright blue light surrounded Yuriel.
Leaves sprouted along her arm, blooming like spring.
Stems shot out from her body, rapidly filling the room and surrounding the two of them.
Then, pink petals gently wrapped around Akron’s injured hand, glowing with a radiant light.
Yuriel stared at the surreal scene—
—and lost consciousness.
＊ ＊ ＊
“…Ugh…”
She let out a faint groan.
Her head throbbed with mixed-up memories like someone had stirred everything inside.
‘It felt like a nightmare…’
She feared falling back into it.
Yuriel opened her eyes slowly, trembling.
And the first thing she saw—
was him.
Not the ceiling. Not the sheets. But Akron.
“…….”
He was holding her hand, their fingers intertwined.
His face looked agonized as if he was the one suffering.
Yuriel called his name carefully.
“…Akron?”
Thankfully, her voice came out.
But he didn’t respond right away.
The silence stretched.
In that stillness, Yuriel slowly pieced her memories back together.
And then—she remembered the most important thing.
Her face went pale.
“…The baby. Is the baby okay?”
“Yes. Don’t worry—the baby is safe.”
Akron rushed to hold her close, trying to calm her.
To prove it, he gently placed his hand on her belly and poured his dragon power into it.
Woom—
A soft reaction came from within.
The baby moved—calm and comforting.
“Ah…”
It was a familiar feeling. She’d felt it before, many times.
But today—it brought tears to her eyes.
“See? Perfectly healthy.”
Yuriel placed her hands over her belly and held it tight.
“Thank goodness… Truly… thank goodness…”
The relief flooded through her, draining all her strength.
More than her own life, the baby’s safety meant everything.
Pale and trembling, sweat dripping down her chin, her hands shook.
Akron gently wrapped her hands in his.
Without a word—
