Episode 21
“Yes,”
Yuriel nodded.
It wasn’t good to stay outside in the cold for too long.
So, the two of them stepped back inside.
They walked down the quiet hallway and climbed the spiral staircase without a word. Soon, they were back in their bedroom.
“It’s almost dawn. We should get some sleep—”
Yuriel started to speak, but before she could finish, her body was pulled down, and her head gently landed on the bed.
A shadow loomed over her.
As their eyes met, his low voice sent a shiver down her spine.
“I’m not really in the mood to sleep right now.”
Yuriel trembled—but not from fear.
Instead, her body remembered the pleasure she had felt in the dream.
Ever since she became pregnant, Akron hadn’t touched her intimately.
At first, even just sleeping in his arms made her nervous, but his warmth brought her peace—and helped her sleep deeply.
They’d spent many nights like that. Yuriel had gotten used to falling asleep wrapped in his embrace.
But tonight was different.
It was their first night in the West, and Akron’s masculine scent felt stronger than ever.
His face slowly moved closer.
Yuriel instinctively closed her eyes, ready to accept his kiss—
Bzzzt.
“…?”
They both froze. The moment was shattered as the baby in her belly suddenly kicked.
“Oh no, baby…”
Yuriel looked down, surprised as the baby moved restlessly, as if protesting.
She gently patted her stomach to calm it down, but the baby only kicked harder.
“Looks like we’re being interrupted.”
“Huh?”
Yuriel hadn’t caught what Akron said. She looked up at him.
He was frowning, but soon smirked mischievously.
“You’d better behave.”
He took her hand and moved it off her stomach.
Now his hand was there instead.
Almost immediately, the baby kicked harder, clearly not liking it.
Akron didn’t hesitate—he used his dragon aura, a gentle warmth that flowed into her belly.
Yuriel could feel it—soft and soothing.
Slowly, the baby settled.
Then, finally, the kicking stopped. The baby had fallen asleep.
“He’s asleep now.”
“Yeah… you’re right.”
Yuriel gently touched her calm stomach, still surprised by the sudden fuss.
The interruption had passed.
But now, a quiet tension lingered between them again.
Their eyes met—and this time, their lips connected.
The spark lit a flame that couldn’t be extinguished.
Yuriel forgot all about nightmares or dreams.
She gave in to the warmth of the moment.
She must have fallen asleep in Akron’s arms.
When Yuriel woke up, he was gone.
Sunlight was streaming through the window.
‘Last night was…’
Her face flushed as she remembered everything.
She quickly pulled the blanket up to hide her blushing cheeks.
“My lady, did you call?”
Just then, a careful voice and soft knock came from the door.
Yuriel quickly tried to cool down her face.
It must be her attendants.
She hesitated for a moment, then permitted him to enter.
The door opened quietly, and a group of three young maids entered.
“Did you sleep well, my lady? I’m Asha, your maid. It’s an honor to serve you.”
“I’m Ren! I’ll do my very best!”
“And I’m Roinah, my lady.”
They all bowed deeply as they introduced themselves.
They seemed to be a little younger than Yuriel.
Among them was someone familiar—Roinah, Yuriel’s longtime maid.
Yuriel made eye contact with her and smiled, then greeted the others kindly.
“I look forward to being with you.”
“We’re the lucky ones, my lady. It feels like the whole castle is brighter since you arrived. It’s always been so quiet here…”
Ren, the cheerful one, chatted as she brought in a washbasin.
Her face was lively, with light freckles and a friendly energy.
“Ren.”
Asha gave her a look.
Asha had sharp, composed eyes—she seemed mature for her age.
Though younger than Yuriel, she had the air of someone who had grown up fast.
“Ah—sorry, my lady! I got a bit too excited…”
Ren apologized with wide, round eyes.
Asha didn’t say more and just lowered her gaze.
She hadn’t scolded her out of rudeness—it was her way of trying to understand Yuriel’s temperament.
It was important for maids to gauge their new mistress.
If the lady were kind, they could be more relaxed. If not, they had to be cautious.
Yuriel knew this well.
Her childhood had taught her what it meant to be treated like a maid, a toy, or something in between.
Back then, Fiona—her sister—had been constantly ill.
Yuriel had taken care of her day and night.
If Fiona asked for water, Yuriel had to bring it. If she spilled it, Yuriel had to clean it.
If not, she would be beaten.
Because of that, Yuriel had learned her way around the kitchen and maid passages.
The other maids quickly realized what kind of status Yuriel had in the household and ignored her.
Sometimes they said cruel things right in front of her.
But over time, she learned how they thought and worked.
That’s also when she met Roinah.
Back then, Roinah had been a shy, stuttering girl who’d lost her parents.
Yuriel had protected her when Fiona bullied her, and from then on, Roinah became her maid.
“Fiona, let me take care of her. Give her to me.”
That one sentence was a miracle for Roinah.
“Fine, whatever.”
Fiona had agreed easily, probably amused that her sister would take a stuttering maid around.
Roinah had stayed by Yuriel’s side ever since, eventually overcoming her stutter completely.
Yuriel smiled faintly at the memory.
“I’m fine. And yes, the castle is a little quiet, but it’s peaceful.”
She shook her head to comfort Ren, who had frozen up in worry.
The castle had likely gone a long time without a lady of the house or any guests, so there was no need to decorate or liven it up.
“Let’s help you get ready, my lady.”
Ren placed the washbasin on the side table.
Steam was still rising—it was fresh and warm.
Asha and Ren began gently wiping Yuriel’s hands and feet with warm clothes.
Even though they must have noticed the signs from last night, they didn’t show any reaction.
Yuriel was thankful for their professionalism. She had no reason to feel ashamed in front of them.
“I’m glad to keep serving you, my lady.”
Roinah carefully wiped her face, smiling warmly.
Having someone familiar made Yuriel feel at ease.
With their help, she was soon fully dressed and groomed, presentable enough to go anywhere.
Roinah was adjusting the last part of her outfit when—
“Let go of me!”
“Miss, you can’t go in there!”
Voices shouted outside the door.
Heavy footsteps came closer.
“Oh no!”
Ren looked alarmed.
Asha also looked tense.
Yuriel turned to ask Asha what was going on, but then—
BANG!
The door burst open.
A girl with long red hair down to her waist stormed in.
Her eyes were blue—the opposite of Akron’s.
She looked about half Yuriel’s size, hands on her hips, frowning with defiance.
“Are you the woman who married Akron?”
The maids couldn’t stop her—she came from a noble family.
‘Akron…’
He was the ruler of the West—the King of the Black Lands.
Calling him by name like that… even a noble child could lose her head for it.
Yuriel calmly stood up.
“I don’t know what noble house you come from, but you’re being very rude.”
The girl looked about twelve years old.
Standing up, Yuriel realized the child was even smaller than she thought.
She looked down at her sternly.
The girl’s pretty face twisted in anger.
“Did you just call me a child?”
She scoffed, glaring fiercely.
Yuriel wasn’t sure what part of her words had upset her, but clearly, something had.
“I’m Helia Torhisa. Daughter of Count Torhisa!”
