Episode 17
She had made a seed sprout and grow instantly.
From Yuriel’s hand, a beautiful plant had grown, spreading throughout the room. And as if it had a will of its own, it followed her unspoken command and healed Akron’s wounds.
‘This isn’t dragon power.’
The ancestors of the Veiharz family had the powers of light and fire—holy flames that burned evil and purified it.
But the power to create life or heal wounds? That was something else entirely.
Yes, Akron’s body healed faster than most thanks to his dragon blood,
but even he shouldn’t have been able to recover that quickly.
‘…She doesn’t realize.’
Yuriel didn’t seem to remember using any power.
So he didn’t bring it up—it would only confuse her.
Still, it wasn’t something he could ignore.
She had entered the Veiharz family’s hidden dimension.
She had the power to grow life and even regenerate others with mystical energy.
In ancient times, rare individuals were sometimes born with unique powers.
But in this age, nothing like that has been confirmed.
‘I need to find out more. And about that curse…’
Sending the Rayten family to the temple’s underground prison hadn’t just been to punish them.
The curse they bore was a sign—they had broken a sacred promise.
Akron had only read about it in ancient texts. He had never seen anyone affected by it before.
Not knowing the full nature of the curse was dangerous.
What if it spread?
So he had sent them to a place no one could ever return from.
Strange, unexplained things were happening fast.
But one thing was clear—everything was connected to Yuriel.
“…It’s hard.”
He had never found anything in his life so difficult.
No—‘difficult’ didn’t even begin to describe it.
While he waited for her to wake up, he felt as if his very life was slipping away.
He would have rather died himself.
But then, when Yuriel opened her eyes, her clear gaze held only his reflection.
……
A face full of regret.
That was when Akron realized: he could look like this.
It had started with simple curiosity.
A woman who kept entering his domain.
Even when he found out she was carrying his child, the emotion he felt was strange—he had assumed it was just possessiveness.
A man wants to protect the woman carrying his child.
But that wasn’t it.
“Why didn’t you kill them all? Leave no one alive.”]
A low, dark voice whispered inside his head the moment he sighed.
He ignored it.
But it only chuckled mockingly.
“You think she’ll be happy by your side? Don’t be stupid.”]
“Shut up.”
He growled under his breath.
He could tolerate the voice taunting him. But mentioning Yuriel, that he couldn’t forgive.
The voice laughed, as if it had caught him.
[“You’ll go mad in the end.”]
[“Kill them. Kill them all.”]
The voice always whispered to him in moments of weakness.
Akron closed his eyes and forced it away. He had to act like it was never there.
‘I need to go back to her.’
Even with a pounding headache, one thought remained clear—Yuriel.
He had to return to her side as quickly as possible.
＊ ＊ ＊
‘Today’s the day.’
Finally, the day they would leave for the west.
It would take at least a full month to reach the Veiharz estate from the capital—even at full speed on horseback.
But they were traveling with a pregnant woman. The journey would inevitably slow down.
‘He told me not to worry, but…’
Yuriel couldn’t help but feel like a burden to the group.
The long travel might even affect the baby.
Just then, a calm voice came from behind the door.
“Your Grace, everything is ready. Please come outside.”
“…Rovent?”
Yuriel blinked in surprise at the formal title.
‘Your Grace.’
Even now, it felt strange to hear herself called that.
But she had to get used to it. She didn’t want to look unprepared in front of him.
“Alright. I’m coming.”
She cleared her throat and tried to sound composed.
Outside the room, Rovent was waiting. But this time, he wasn’t wearing his usual formal clothes.
Instead, he wore light armor and carried a sword. He looked like a completely different person.
Curious, Yuriel asked,
“Rovent… Can you fight with a sword too?”
“Yes. All Veiharz retainers can use a sword.”
The West was a dangerous place. Rovent said it lightly, but there was truth behind it.
“Besides, I’m one of the Duke’s sworn followers.”
“…I see.”
Yuriel nodded thoughtfully.
Akron had told her that those with dragon blood could appoint up to three sworn retainers.
They served their master without question and could even use traces of dragon power.
So Rovent wasn’t just a doctor—he was his retainer. It made her see him in a new light.
“Let’s go. The Duke is waiting.”
“Yes, let’s not make him wait. Come on, Roinah.”
Roinah, standing nearby, nodded.
Yuriel had insisted that Roinah come along. After everything her sister had done, Roinah had developed a fear of being alone.
The three of them walked down the stairs and stepped outside.
“Ah…”
Yuriel let out a soft gasp.
Standing by the carriage, Akron was dressed head to toe in a black formal uniform.
He looked powerful, like a fierce beast.
“Are you ready to leave?”
“Yes.”
Yuriel quickly looked down, her cheeks flushing.
Had he noticed her staring?
She took his outstretched hand and looked around.
A grand carriage and a few knights on horseback.
‘Wait…’
She noticed something strange.
There weren’t many people or much luggage for such a long journey.
“Are we heading west today?”
“Of course,” Akron replied playfully.
When she tilted her head, confused, he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
“A-Akron?!”
She hadn’t expected such a public kiss!
Yuriel covered her face, her cheeks burning red.
“Do you think anyone would dare criticize me for kissing my wife?”
“…It’s not that…”
In moments like this, Akron could be unexpectedly sly.
“Then shall we continue inside?”
He grinned and led her toward the large carriage.
It was solid on the outside, but soft and luxurious on the inside.
Prepared for her comfort.
Yuriel sat down in the plush seat beside him.
Her blush faded, replaced with curiosity.
“…Are we stopping somewhere before reaching the estate?”
“Yes. We’re going to the Imperial Palace.”
They had submitted the marriage documents, but hadn’t formally presented themselves.
Since Veiharz had close ties to the imperial family, it made sense.
‘Before the Emperor?!’
Yuriel tensed at the thought.
“Don’t be nervous. You’re the Grand Duchess now. Your status is above most royals.”
“But still…”
He gently stroked her hair to comfort her.
“Besides, we’re not going to meet the Emperor.”
“…Then who?”
Yuriel looked puzzled.
Akron lowered his voice.
“I didn’t want to make you travel too far in your condition. So… we’re taking a shortcut.”
“A shortcut…?”
Before she could finish, the carriage came to a stop.
Out the window, she saw the golden gates of the palace.
After clearing the checkpoint, the carriage rolled into a quiet area.
“You’ll see. I think you’ll like it.”
She didn’t get an answer, but had no choice but to follow.
“Excuse me, the maid must drink this.”
Rovent stopped Roinah and handed her a blue potion.
Before Yuriel could ask what it was, Roinah took it.
“I’ll drink it.”
Her devotion was clear—she would do anything to stay by Yuriel’s side.
“Roinah?”
“Oh, this is kind of sweet—”
But before she could finish, she stumbled and collapsed.
Rovent caught her gently.
“It’s a sleeping potion. She’ll wake up tomorrow. Don’t worry.”
“Still…”
Why go this far?
Yuriel didn’t know, but she had no choice but to trust them.
“She’ll be fine,” Akron reassured her.
Worried but obedient, Yuriel nodded.
They continued walking through an unfamiliar part of the palace—
a hidden, maze-like corridor.
Yuriel had visited the palace before, but never in this area.
“We’re here.”
They stopped in front of two massive stone doors. Ancient symbols were carved into the marble.
The doors opened slowly with a heavy rumble.
“……!”
Yuriel’s eyes widened in awe.
The space inside was bright and vast.
Statues of dragons and gods lined the walls, and a blue flame glowed at the center, lighting the room with soft magic.
Yuriel couldn’t speak.
Akron smiled at her amazed expression.
“It’s an ancient relic. Some call it the Sanctuary. That blue flame will take us straight to Veiharz.”
Only those with permission—and dragon blood—could open this path.
The flame had been left by an ancient dragon, connecting the palace to their distant land.
“…It feels like magic.”
Yuriel couldn’t take her eyes off it.
From the night they met on that balcony to now… everything felt like a dream.
“It is magic, in a way.”
“…?!”
A new voice echoed in the chamber.
Yuriel froze.
She had thought it was just the three of them.
Akron and Rovent quickly stepped in front of her, protective.
“Apologies if I startled you, Your Grace. Duke.”
The calm voice rang through the ancient sanctuary with mystery still hanging in the air.
