Episode 18
A man with silver-blond hair stepped out from behind a statue and approached Yuriel.
His clear blue eyes and mischievous smile gave him the look of a fox from the snowy plains.
“So this is how we meet.”
He smiled charmingly as he greeted her.
He was a stranger to her, but everyone present recognized him.
“…Prince Faix Rehu Spera, the fourth prince?”
Yuriel murmured.
Prince Faix’s eyes curved in delight at her recognition.
“It’s an honor that Your Grace knows of me.”
He gave her a deep bow, genuinely pleased.
Prince Faix wasn’t involved in politics, but he was famous for his beauty.
Rumor had it he lived a carefree life, far removed from power and duty.
Yuriel never expected to meet someone like him here.
“Of course I know you… I’m Yuriel Lei—no, Yuriel Veiharz. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She accidentally used her old surname first and quickly corrected herself, flustered as she bowed.
Faix’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. But she didn’t have time to study his expression for long.
“Do you have some business here?”
Akron pulled Yuriel close and asked coldly, clearly not bothering to hide his irritation.
But even when faced with the Grand Duke’s blunt attitude, Faix didn’t drop his smile.
“I’ve come to greet you on behalf of His Majesty.”
The Imperial family and the Veiharz family shared deep secrets and strong ties.
As royalty, Faix would naturally know about this mysterious sanctuary.
Still, it was suspicious that he was the one sent to deliver the Emperor’s greetings.
“Thanks to that, I got to speak with the Grand Duchess. I’ve fulfilled one of my wishes today.”
Faix had attended the wedding party, but this was his first time speaking directly with Yuriel.
“I see. Since greetings have been exchanged, we’ll be on our way now.”
“What a shame. People like you are rare to come across.”
Faix sounded genuinely regretful, but Akron answered him flatly:
“My wife is delicate. We must hurry back to the estate so she can rest.”
It was a clear warning: Stop talking. Leave us alone.
Akron had good instincts—sharp as an animal’s.
Even among many royals, he always sensed something unpleasant about them.
And right now, Faix was… annoying in a different way.
“It seems I’m in your way. Please, go ahead.”
Surprisingly, Faix backed off without protest. He stepped aside, even gesturing toward the glowing flame.
“Let’s go.”
Akron didn’t hesitate.
Yuriel also politely bowed to Faix and walked with Akron.
“Well then… We’ll be off.”
“I look forward to seeing you again—soon.”
His voice was oddly suggestive.
Was it just the royal farewell? Or did the title “Grand Duchess” still feel strange to her?
Either way, Yuriel couldn’t shake the strange feeling in her chest.
“This way.”
Akron’s calm voice grounded her again.
Yuriel took his hand gently and stood in front of the blue flame.
“We’ll arrive in the blink of an eye.”
Akron reassured her.
The flame did look scary—it was like stepping into a living fire.
But Yuriel didn’t hesitate.
“…Let’s go.”
She gripped his hand tightly. That small gesture softened Akron’s expression.
But she didn’t notice the change on his face.
When Akron reached forward, the flame responded as if alive.
If someone without permission touched it, the fire would burn them to ash without mercy.
Fwoooosh!
The flame roared to life, granting them passage.
It swallowed all four of them whole.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Ah…”
Yuriel blinked, and just like that, it was over.
A cool breeze brushed against her face.
Under the wide blue sky, the four of them stood on a tall cliff.
Below, rows of knights in silver armor stood in perfect formation.
On their shoulders gleamed the dragon crest of the legendary Veiharz knights.
They were known as the strongest military force in the Empire, obeying only the head of the Veiharz family.
Akron stepped forward and looked down.
With a strong, commanding voice, he spoke:
“All of you—show respect to the Grand Duchess!”
Yuriel blinked in surprise.
She didn’t expect him to formally introduce her like that.
“Greetings, Your Grace!”
At once, the knights unsheathed their swords in perfect sync.
Thousands of silver blades glinted in the sunlight.
When they slammed their swords into the ground and bowed, the earth seemed to tremble.
‘Ah…’
Yuriel was overwhelmed. Her chest felt tight with emotion.
She had never seen anything like this before—it was majestic, awe-inspiring.
“How is it? This is the place you’ll call home.”
Akron turned to her with a soft smile.
Yuriel placed a hand over her heart, voice barely a whisper:
“It’s… amazing.”
This would be her home—if only for a while.
She had arrived in the West.
The carriage, guarded by the knights, slowly made its way to the towering fortress walls.
The walls were enormous—tall enough to block out the sky.
They protected the Veiharz estate from monsters.
“The Duke and Grand Duchess have arrived. Open the gates!”
“Open the gates!”
The knight commander gave the order, and the gatekeepers turned the huge pulleys with a shout.
Crrreeeak!
With a thunderous groan, the massive gates opened.
“Wooooaaaahhh!!”
Suddenly, a deafening cheer erupted from inside.
Even Yuriel flinched at the sound.
“What…?”
“Sorry for the shock,” Akron said with a gentle laugh. “It seems the townspeople came to greet you.”
The people of the estate trusted Akron deeply.
He wasn’t just a powerful ruler—he was a wise one, too.
And now, the people were welcoming his chosen partner with open arms.
‘They all look… happy.’
Though many called this land barren, the people here looked lovelier than those in the capital.
Seeing them gave Yuriel hope that she could be happy here.
It was a beautiful new feeling.
The carriage finally stopped.
“You can come out now.”
The door opened.
Before she could react, Akron gently lifted her and placed her on the ground like she weighed nothing.
Sunlight bathed the beautiful castle and the surrounding forest in golden light.
The forest didn’t look manicured—it had grown naturally, thick and wild.
‘This land inside the walls… It’s clean.’
Unlike the outside, the inner estate had normal soil.
It was pure luck.
Most of the west was covered in black earth—once it turned that way, nothing could grow again.
【…It’s coming.】
Just then, Yuriel heard a strange sound.
She looked around quickly.
It was brief, but the voice was clear and refreshing.
‘What…?’
A soft blue glow shimmered around her.
Red flowers, green leaves… Beautiful plants appeared near her.
It was breathtaking. The fresh scent filled her senses.
“You don’t need to rush. Everything in this estate belongs to you, too, you know.”
Akron smiled at her.
Yuriel looked up and around, but the glowing plants were gone.
“…Ah. Okay, let’s go.”
Maybe she imagined it.
She nodded and followed him.
‘Get it together.’
She couldn’t afford to lose focus in this new place.
One mistake could ruin everything.
She took a few careful steps forward—
“My lord!”
A loud voice rang out.
Yuriel turned and saw a huge man running toward them.
Behind him, a smaller man was shaking his head in disbelief.
