Episode 25
‘Is that Roinah?’
At first, Yuriel thought one of the maids had come back to check on her out of worry.
It made sense—pregnant women were supposed to be cautious and always have someone nearby to help.
But Yuriel was different.
Though others worried for her, she didn’t feel uncomfortable.
Except for the early nausea, she had started eating more and even felt stronger lately.
‘Honestly… I am okay.’
Right now, she just wanted to be alone and enjoy the moment.
“I’m fine. I’ll call for you later, so you can go…”
“That’s cold of you. I’m hurt.”
A deep, familiar voice made Yuriel jump.
Water splashed lightly as his laughter echoed in the quiet bath.
“Akron…”
She murmured his name, and he stepped forward from the doorway toward the tub.
Only when he got closer did she realize—she wasn’t wearing anything.
She quickly crossed her arms to cover herself, but the water only rippled, not hiding much.
“You’re always shy, aren’t you?”
With a teasing smile, Akron began to remove his clothes one by one.
The expensive garments hit the wet floor, but he didn’t care.
His strong, sculpted body—built through training and battle—was soon revealed.
Yuriel looked away and muttered,
“I thought you were going back to work…”
“You looked sad. So I changed my mind.”
He had never really left—he had been watching her.
Finally, he removed the last of his clothing.
“Hard to concentrate when I’m thinking of you.”
He stepped into the tub and sat behind her.
Even warmer than the water was the heat of his body against her back.
Yuriel’s body, relaxed and softened from the bath, fit comfortably in his embrace.
Akron buried his face into the nape of her neck.
The rippling water and his breath tickled her skin.
Though she felt nervous, the way he gently placed his hand over her growing belly was… comforting.
“Are you adjusting well?”
Yuriel turned to look at him.
It was a question he hadn’t asked during dinner, yet it carried such meaning now.
She wasn’t fearless.
She’d always preferred the familiar and disliked change. But still—
“I’m okay.”
He had once offered his hand.
Yuriel had taken it, and now she wanted to walk forward on her own, too.
“Then let’s see how okay you are.”
“…Ah.”
Akron kissed the back of her neck.
Her sensitive skin grew warm at once. Her lips parted without thinking.
His soft chuckle made her heart flutter.
She felt closer to him—more than ever.
‘Can this work?’
Two people from different worlds, connected by a dream.
How close could they truly become?
A deep, tender kiss silenced her thoughts.
Wrapped in his arms, with only a large towel around her, Yuriel returned to the couple’s bedroom after the bath.
Her body, flushed with warmth, melted into his until morning came.
＊ ＊ ＊
Yuriel woke up in the afternoon.
She wasn’t in pain, but her body felt heavy and tired.
There were two reasons she might’ve still been in bed:
- The maid didn’t wake her.
- She was woken up but couldn’t get out of bed.
It was probably the second.
She didn’t know Akron had told them not to disturb her.
Yuriel had planned to speak with the butler again today, but now she was running late.
‘I don’t want them to think I’m a lazy lady…’
She pulled a string near the bed to call the maid.
Asha entered and helped her dress.
She also mentioned that Ren was helping Roinah memorize the paths around the castle.
‘I’m glad…’
Yuriel felt relieved that Roinah was adjusting well.
With Asha’s help, she stepped outside.
Yuriel tried to find Aubrey’s office by memory, but… ended up lost.
Eventually, she had to ask Asha for help again.
“It’s okay to take your time,” Asha said calmly.
Even though Asha’s face remained expressionless, Yuriel could sense the kindness in her tone.
Suddenly—
“HEY!”
Yuriel flinched at the loud shout and turned her head.
It was Helia, standing nearby with her face flushed red with anger.
“You told me about Akron, didn’t you?!”
She stormed toward Yuriel, trembling with rage.
Yuriel had talked with Akron yesterday, yes—but she hadn’t said anything bad about Helia.
“I didn’t tell him anything.”
“Liar!”
Helia didn’t believe her and looked like she was about to attack.
The nearby maids panicked and rushed over. But Helia moved first.
“You! You…!”
“Lady Helia! Please stop!”
Suddenly, Yuriel felt the ground tremble faintly. The walls began to shake.
‘Those curses gain rare powers…’
She remembered that saying.
Then—
“JUST DISAPPEAR!”
Helia screamed, and the windows shattered with a loud crack.
“My Lady!”
Shards of glass flew straight at Yuriel.
Everything slowed. The panicked shouts of the maids. Rushing footsteps. Her hand rose to protect her face.
But the glass was faster.
“Yuriel!”
A thunderous voice.
A pair of strong arms wrapped around her, pushing her against the wall.
Suddenly, Yuriel’s lungs filled with a thick, almost intoxicating scent of a predator.
“Kyaa!”
The maids screamed.
Yuriel’s cheek stung. She touched it—her hand came away slightly bloody.
Blinking in a daze, she saw Akron’s face.
“…Ah.”
Her head hurt.
As she furrowed her brows, Akron’s face turned pale.
“Call the physician! Now!”
“Yes, sir!”
Asha ran off at his command.
Yuriel touched her cheek. It was just a scratch—surely this didn’t need a physician.
“I’m fine…”
But Akron didn’t seem to hear her.
He stood like a statue. Not blinking. Not even breathing.
Suddenly, he heard voices only he could hear:
[That girl tried to kill your child.]
[Kill her. Kill her. You must kill to protect.]
[Tear her apart. Rip out her heart.]
The voices wouldn’t stop. They consumed his mind.
“Helia Torhisa.”
His voice was low, cold, as if it came from the depths of hell.
Yuriel forgot her pain. She stared at him.
His eyes…
They glowed red. Inside them, a purgatory flame flickered.
Golden scales appeared around his cheekbones.
His pupils began to narrow vertically, like a predator.
“How dare you?”
His growl echoed across the room.
He stared straight at Helia.
Helia stood frozen, not understanding what she had triggered.
“I-I…”
Her voice trembled, hands shaking.
“Ugh…”
Unable to bear his gaze, she collapsed on the spot.
But it didn’t end there.
“…Akron?”
The arm holding Yuriel loosened.
He rose to his feet.
The scales reached down his neck. A red aura flowed behind him.
“KYAAA!”
His hands had changed—claws had grown long and sharp, pointed straight at Helia.
Her face turned deathly white. She tried to crawl away, but it was too slow.
‘No…!’
Yuriel’s instincts moved faster than her mind.
She stood up and grabbed Akron’s arm.
“Akron? Akron!”
He stopped mid-step.
Could he hear her?
Yuriel gripped his arm tightly.
“I’m okay.”
She spoke clearly and firmly.
His face tilted toward her.
Yuriel reached out and touched his cheek.
He flinched. His eyes widened.
She didn’t stop.
“Are you okay?”
His red gaze slowly scanned her.
The voices in his head began to fade, washed away by the sound of her calm, clear voice.
