Episode 19
“You’ve brought the Grand Duchess with you—ack!”
“Please, show some respect, Kalton. Greet our lord and the Grand Duchess properly.”
The large man called Kalton was smacked on the head by the man behind him.
Unbothered by Kalton groaning and holding his head, the other man bowed deeply.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Grand Duchess. I am Cheron, one of our lord’s retainers.”
“…Nice to meet you, Cheron.”
Yuriel blinked in surprise at their dramatic appearance but replied kindly.
Kalton, now ruffling his bright red hair, stepped closer. His face looked like he had been wronged, but his eyes were full of joy.
“Grand Duchess, I’ve wanted to meet you! I’m Kalton. I was so overwhelmed when I heard you were our lord’s partner. I was so jealous of that doctor, Lovent, who got to see you first—”
“Enough.”
Akron sharply cut him off.
Kalton was loyal, but once he started talking, he wouldn’t stop—like an untamed horse.
“My wife has just arrived. Don’t overwhelm her.”
“…Apologies.”
Even Kalton, full of energy, bowed his head like a scalded pup.
Cheron, watching all this, clicked his tongue and shook his head.
But Yuriel didn’t look uncomfortable at all.
“I don’t mind. You both seem full of life.”
She had expected Akron’s retainers to be more formal, but they felt surprisingly warm.
It was clear—they were the ones Akron trusted most.
Meeting them like this made her genuinely happy.
Coming to a new place wasn’t easy. Saying she wasn’t nervous would be a lie.
But with such a warm welcome, how could she not feel joy?
Yuriel smiled brightly, like sunlight.
“…Let’s go inside and rest.”
Akron stared at her glowing smile, as if enchanted.
But it lasted only a second—no one noticed his gaze.
Just as they were about to enter, Cheron spoke up with a regretful tone.
“My lord, I’m sorry. I have something to report.”
“Wait. I’ll hear it after I escort my wife.”
Akron said firmly and led Yuriel into the castle.
Inside, the ceiling was arched and high, with a grand white staircase splitting in the center.
Elegant carvings lined the walls—it wasn’t flashy, but majestic.
“Welcome, my lady.”
The servants, clearly prepared, bowed in perfect unison to greet her.
“Ah, wait—”
“… What—kyah!”
Yuriel let out a startled squeal.
Akron had suddenly lifted her into his arms again.
He had prioritized her over the report, but she didn’t expect to be carried in front of everyone like this.
“It’s a tradition in the Veiharz family. The Grand Duchess doesn’t set foot on the ground her first time entering the castle.”
“…Really?”
Was that true?
Yuriel, embarrassed, buried her face in his shoulder.
She couldn’t bring herself to look at the servants.
But her worries were unnecessary.
None of the staff dared look at the couple or even glance their way.
The act only seemed to please Akron.
“This is where you’ll be staying.”
She didn’t take a single step on her own, and they arrived.
He gently set her down, right on top of a large bed.
Yuriel finally lifted her head to look around.
‘This place…’
The bed had four wooden posts stretching to the ceiling.
The room was at least four times bigger than her old one.
Elegant furniture and detailed sculptures gave it a grand and classic feel.
“And I’ll be staying here too.”
Akron added casually, watching her inspect the room.
In other words, it was their shared bedroom.
She had expected this, but the way Akron smiled made her flustered.
“If you don’t like the arrangement, we can change it. If you need anything, just ask.”
“N-no, it’s a beautiful room. Really!”
She quickly replied. It was honestly more than she could have hoped for.
“Rest for now. I’ll handle some business.”
“Alright. Please take your time.”
While Yuriel could rest, Akron surely had work waiting after returning to the estate.
But he didn’t leave. Instead, he stared at her quietly.
Then he spoke:
“Do you know…?”
“Know what?”
Yuriel tilted her head, genuinely curious.
Akron leaned down and whispered into her ear:
“That tonight… is our wedding night.”
“……!”
His voice was low and suggestive.
Yuriel’s face turned bright red.
Akron smirked at her reaction and turned away.
“Just teasing. But your face is so red. I’ll come back and give you energy. So you won’t get sick.”
Click.
The door closed behind him.
Yuriel collapsed onto the bed and curled into herself.
Rumble.
Her stomach vibrates like a protest.
“Oh, baby…”
Yuriel chuckled and gently patted her belly, forgetting her embarrassment.
The baby calmed as she stroked her stomach, and soon, she felt peaceful enough to rest.
‘…My body feels oddly comfortable.’
This place should feel foreign… but it was almost like coming home.
‘And what was that earlier?’
That vision she saw—it was too vivid to be a hallucination.
As she pondered, Yuriel slowly drifted into a deep sleep.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Begin the report.”
At Akron’s command, his three retainers knelt on one knee.
Cheron spoke first.
“We’ve driven all nearby monsters out to the outer edges. Five knights were injured—nothing serious—and no one was killed.”
“Good. That’s a relief.”
Akron rubbed his chin.
While Yuriel was arriving, Cheron and Kalton had been out with knights, pushing monsters away.
They had to make sure nothing got close to the Grand Duchess.
Even Lovent, the doctor, had joined the effort as soon as he arrived.
“Those monsters are uncanny. The moment you left, they started gathering again.”
Kalton clenched his teeth.
It always happens. When Akron left, monster activity surged.
That was because of his Dragon Blood—his very presence suppressed them.
He couldn’t leave the western lands unattended for long.
‘Their numbers don’t drop.’
Even after killing many before leaving, more monsters had gathered again by the time he returned.
They had no will, but incredibly strong instincts to kill the living.
Thankfully, his retainers had done well.
He never wanted Yuriel to witness such horrors.
“Stay alert. Double the watch.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The monsters would never be allowed near her.
＊ ＊ ＊
‘Where am I…?’
Yuriel slowly opened her eyes and looked around.
She could hear flowing water. The air smelled fresh.
Tall trees and unknown flowers filled her view.
It was just a forest… but it felt magical. Like a spirit might appear any second.
‘It’s just like earlier…’
It was the same vision she’d seen before entering the castle.
【Come here.】
The voice was distant, like an echo—but strangely familiar.
So familiar it made her eyes tear up.
‘Someone… is calling me.’
She couldn’t stop listening. The magical forest before her eyes vanished from view.
Yuriel started walking, without realizing it.
Even though she was alone in a strange place, she wasn’t scared.
The voice… made her feel safe.
‘…A deer?’
After walking for a while, she spotted it.
A large stag with white fur and huge antlers was approaching her.
Glowing particles sparkled from its body.
It walked up to her, rubbed its face against her hand sweetly, and then turned as if to say, “Follow me.”
Was it the one calling me?
She followed it deeper into the forest.
“Ah…”
Yuriel gasped without meaning to.
At the forest’s center was a glowing lake, and in the middle of it stood a massive tree with roots deep in the earth.
Its shining leaves were so bright they almost hurt to look at.
The tree was unlike anything she’d seen. Thick, ancient limbs stretched wide like a sacred monument.
‘I… know this tree…’
But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t recall it.
Tears welled in her eyes.
She didn’t even know why—her heart just ached.
The deer looked at her gently, as if comforting her.
【…Because you’re here.】
But this time, its voice was faint—no longer clear like before.
‘What are you trying to say?’
Yuriel asked through tears.
Not even the divine beauty or comforting voice could calm her now.
【……】
The deer didn’t answer.
‘…?’
As she took a step, the glowing particles that fell from the deer gathered in one place—
Then suddenly, from within the light, a man appeared.
Not a deer anymore.
【…I’m glad… we are still connected. My—】
He had shining black eyes like the night sky and long, snowy-white hair that reached his waist.
He was beautiful, almost fragile.
He gently took Yuriel’s hand and kissed the back of it.
‘Who… are you?’
The touch of his lips was unfamiliar, but not unpleasant.
Yuriel didn’t resist. She simply stared down at the man, silently watching him.
