Chapter 48
“It has to be perfect. If something like this happens again, you know what that means without me having to say it.”
“I will keep that in mind, Master.”
Afraid that the sleeping Vivian might awaken from the effects of the medicine, Aslan whispered his warning in a low voice before returning to his own bedroom.
He laid her gently on the bed, tucked her in, and turned off all the lights in the room.
As darkness settled around them, the moonlight that passed through the large window shimmered faintly.
“Every time you’re in pain, I’m reminded of how powerless I am.”
Whenever he looked into Vivian’s blue eyes, a flood of emotions passed through him in just a moment.
‘Her feet are really swollen.’
‘Ah!’
‘Did that hurt?’
‘No, it’s just…’
As he massaged her legs, she flinched, ticklish, like a delicate baby bird.
Her flushed cheeks were endearing, and even her gentle breaths felt too precious to disturb.
He didn’t want to let go of her, but afraid she might fear the desire blazing within him, he fought to restrain the heat boiling up from his core.
‘What kind of ridiculous rumors will they spread at the coming coming-of-age ceremony? What sort of petty criticisms will I have to endure? I’m scared…’
‘There won’t be any. No one will dare.’
Vivian trembled slightly in his arms. Her murmuring voice was weak, soaked in fear.
He was overwhelmed with fury—at himself.
Even after getting engaged to Vivian, he had ignored her for so long.
If only he had realized his feelings sooner, he could have protected her from getting hurt. Instead, he had turned his back on her pain and even pushed for a breakup, leaving scars.
He had even mocked her tears as crocodile tears.
“I hate myself for this.”
He knew he had no right to desire Vivian. Yet he continued to ignore his original sin.
Just a single smile from her, that gentle kindness, made his heart tremble and his greed flare up like wildfire.
“Even so… I can’t let go. You can never run from me.”
At her bedside, Aslan carefully reached out and brushed her cheek.
Her skin was a bit warm—was she running a slight fever?
Then, suddenly, Vivian flinched.
“Mm… it’s cold…”
Aslan froze, then reached beneath the blanket and held her hand. Unlike her warm forehead, her hand was ice cold.
That helplessness surged up once again.
Aslan slowly lowered his gaze.
Was this impulse truly for her sake? Or just a selfish excuse to fulfill his own desires?
“It’s… cold…”
Biting his lip, he finally lifted the blanket and slipped in beside her.
He slid his arm beneath her neck, threading his fingers between her pale ones so their hands locked together as one.
Sensing the warmth even in sleep, Vivian shifted toward him.
He gently pulled her closer into his embrace and closed his eyes.
Moonlight bathed the room in silver silence.
✧ ✧ ✧
The day of Vivian’s coming-of-age ceremony arrived.
Although the banquet wouldn’t officially begin until after sunset, some guests had started arriving from midday.
While Aslan welcomed the visitors on the first floor, Vivian began her preparations in her bedroom, surrounded by her maids.
“The day is finally here! Happy eighteenth birthday, Vivian!”
“This ceremony is bound to be a success. I mean, just look at our radiant star!”
Celia and Iris chattered excitedly around her, beaming.
Vivian stared at her reflection in the mirror.
She wore an innocent white dress, embroidered with silver thread and dotted with tiny diamonds. The skirt shimmered like the Milky Way with every move.
Iris chimed in again.
“I can’t wait for nightfall. The dress you’re wearing now is gorgeous, but the highlight of today is definitely the magic gown!”
“You said you’ll change into it once the sun sets, right? Has it not arrived yet?”
“It’ll be here soon. Madam’s working on the final touches.”
As Vivian adjusted her hairpiece, a knock came at the door.
“Oh my!”
“Your Highness, you look absolutely dashing today.”
Aslan, dressed in a splendid formal outfit adorned with gold and jewels, entered and immediately stopped in his tracks.
His gaze fixed entirely on Vivian seated at the vanity. He didn’t even blink, watching every tiny motion of her hands as if mesmerized.
Celia covered her proud smile with a fan and whispered in Iris’s ear.
“We should leave them alone for a bit.”
“They’re so cute together, aren’t they?”
The two made a graceful exit, saying they’d go check on the hall. With a subtle hand gesture, they dismissed the other maids as well.
Only after everyone had left did Vivian raise her eyes from the mirror.
“Aslan, what brings you here?”
He wasn’t usually one to be concerned with appearances, but today, Aslan looked striking.
Instead of his usual black uniform, he wore ceremonial attire glittering with gold and gemstones.
With his towering height, broad shoulders, the graceful muscles of his waist, and firm thighs—he could have stolen any woman’s heart.
Yet here he was, utterly captivated by Vivian alone.
“Aslan?”
“…”
Vivian tilted her head. Since he wasn’t saying anything, it seemed he had just come to check on her.
‘Even on a day like this, he’s serious about surveillance.’
It made sense, considering all the guests coming and going. The demon’s curse was a secret Aslan had to protect at all costs.
“It’s been so long since I last danced… I’m not sure I’ll do well.”
Vivian chose a topic to ease the atmosphere.
Truthfully, it was her first time dancing since inhabiting this body.
As the star of the ceremony, she would have to perform the first dance in front of everyone, and she was pretty sure she’d end up stomping on her partner’s foot.
“I should apologize in advance—ask my partner to pretend it didn’t happen if I step on them.”
“I would, of course—”
“Not that I know who my partner will be. Do you think Dylan would agree?”
In her diary, Vivian had written that Aslan never once asked her to dance. Even when she asked first, he always refused coldly.
From their very first meeting as betrothed, up to the final banquet where he announced their broken engagement.
‘There’s no way Aslan doesn’t know how to dance. He just couldn’t stand the idea of dancing with Vivian.’
In contrast, in the original story, he attended parties with the heroine and danced with her many times.
‘But Dylan is my loyal lackey. He’ll do just fine.’
Maybe the original Vivian couldn’t pull it off, but she wasn’t about to embarrass herself in front of everyone.
Dylan was the safest bet. Alex was a good option too, but then Iris wouldn’t have a partner.
“You’re planning to dance with Dylan?”
Aslan’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“Why?”
“Well, you won’t—”
Dance with me.
She couldn’t say that aloud, so she trailed off. But Aslan suddenly ran a hand through his hair, as if he had figured something out.
“I see… because I’ve hurt you all this time…”
He muttered, like chewing on guilt, though Vivian didn’t quite catch the words.
‘What’s with him now?’
As she tilted her head in confusion, Aslan slowly opened his eyes and stepped forward, extending his hand.
“If you’re worried, how about we practice?”
“You’ve got someone in mind already?”
“Of course.”
His large hand wrapped around her slim waist, lifting her smoothly from the chair before the mirror.
Facing her, Aslan once again held out his hand.
“Will you grant me the honor of dancing with the most beautiful lady in the room?”
“Aslan…”
From the wide-open window, music floated in on the breeze. The gentle tune filled the silence between them.
‘Ah… it’s because the coming-of-age ceremony is political in nature.’
Perhaps, just this once, he was willing to be her partner—whether he liked it or not.
It made sense to practice in advance to avoid making a fool of herself in public.
Accepting this explanation, Vivian placed her hand over his.
“Alright.”
With her agreement, Aslan drew her closer by the waist. As their bodies aligned, he began to move in step with the music.
“You’re truly beautiful tonight, Vivian.”
“Thank you.”
Perhaps because she was nearly pressed against him, dancing—even for the first time—felt surprisingly natural, like breathing.
It seemed Vivian hadn’t only inherited swordsmanship from the original.
Aslan, recognizing her skill, muttered with a mix of awe and amusement.
“I was ready to let you step on my feet if needed…”
“Then you’d be the one getting hurt. Do you know how high these heels are?”
“If it means keeping you from getting hurt, it’s nothing.”
“Hurt? I’m fine, really.”
She had pushed herself a bit preparing for the ceremony and had spiked a mild fever, but nothing serious. She felt pretty good today, especially since she’d been preparing for this day for so long.
Still, the more she insisted she was fine, the more guilt seemed to flood Aslan’s expression.
Unaware of this, Vivian glanced out the window from within his embrace.
“The weather’s really nice.”
“Yes, it is.”
“I hope everything goes well. I’ve looked forward to this day for a long time.”
A perfect, peaceful afternoon—down to the last detail.
The calm before the storm.
