CHAPTER 62………………………….
It Might Burn for a Lifetime
Inside Malau Castle, Princess Shine’s bedroom was being transformed into a lavish bridal chamber under Yamal’s command.
After returning from a round of horseback riding, Shine frowned deeply at the chaotic sight. Thanks to riding, the restlessness and tangled thoughts of the past few days had just begun to settle, and yet—what was this racket?
“Yamal, what on earth are you doing?”
“I’m preparing the bridal chamber for the Princess and King Mikrok’s wedding night.”
“Ha! Don’t you think this is a bit too blatant?”
The bed had been dressed in pure white sheets and silk blankets, scattered all over with red petals. Sweet oils filled the air with a dizzying fragrance.
“If you set it up like this already, where am I supposed to sleep tonight?”
“Ah! That’s true!”
Caught off guard by her perfectly reasonable point, Yamal flustered.
“It was a royal order to prepare the chamber properly, so I had no choice. I’ll have another room prepared for you tonight.”
Shine couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at her father’s over-eagerness. But then, hadn’t she once recklessly rushed headlong at King Mikrok herself? A man rumored to be stronger than anyone in the world—and when she saw him in person, he had been so dangerously attractive.
It was pride as much as anything that had driven her to lower herself and go to Freetan as an envoy. But now, it wasn’t him she found herself thinking about—not the man who would arrive at Malau Castle tomorrow.
Looking at her maid, Shine ordered:
“Call Julmon. I’m going riding again in the Geupa Forest.”
Her head throbbed from the intoxicating scent lingering in the room. Though it was a fragrance she normally liked, today it only made her scowl.
When she stepped into the corridor, instead of her escort knight Julmon, another knight was waiting.
“What’s this? Where’s Julmon?”
“He’s been on leave since this afternoon, Your Highness. I’ll be attending you today.”
“On whose authority?”
Frowning furiously, Shine shouted. Normally, she wouldn’t have cared—she often accepted substitutes when Julmon was away—but her sudden flare of temper startled the knight.
“Bring Julmon to the entrance of Geupa Forest within 30 minutes. If not—you’re fired.”
Terrified by her murderous tone, the knight sprinted off like the wind.
Exactly thirty minutes later, Shine arrived at the forest gate on her white horse, where Julmon was already waiting.
She quickly dismounted and strode up to him—then slapped his face with all her strength. Her jeweled ring scratched his pale skin, leaving a line of red blood.
“Who told you to take leave?”
“His Majesty granted permission.”
“And you dare talk back?”
In a foul mood, Shine vented her anger unfairly. Julmon only lowered his gaze and stood silently.
“You’re just running away because King Mikrok arrives tomorrow. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”
“What would have made you less angry, Princess? Would you have been less upset if I had spent the night guarding outside your chamber?”
Unlike the furious Shine, Julmon’s voice was calm—yet his sorrowful eyes gave him away. Meeting his gaze, Shine’s rage began to ebb.
Then Julmon pulled a small pouch from his saddle and handed it to her.
“What’s this?”
“Silverberry fruit.”
“Ha!”
Silverberries grew only in a secret cave deep within Geupa Forest. Just three berries could rejuvenate the skin by over a decade. Years ago, many humans had sneaked into the forest to obtain them, until a great disaster forced Malau’s previous chieftain to rope off the cave entrance and forbid entry.
And yet, Julmon had gone there to pick some!
“What if you’d been caught?”
“I had a little help from my grandmother. She’s been guarding the silverberries for twenty years. Do you think she’d scold her grandson for bringing three berries—especially if they’re for you?”
He smiled lightly.
“I thinned them while harvesting, so it won’t be a problem. Take three today, and another three tomorrow.”
“Is Grandma Eva well?”
“Of course. She’s so quick to sense people’s presence that I sometimes forget she’s blind.”
Thinking of the eccentric yet warm-hearted Eva, Shine smiled faintly—then scowled again.
“So, I’m supposed to eat these, pretty up my skin, and win King Mikrok’s favor?”
“To me, you’ve always been a heartbreaking princess. But seeing that stiff-necked man act coldly toward you annoys me. This time, make sure you tame him.”
Julmon’s faint smile was tinged with sorrow. Shine noticed—and felt the urge to shatter his mask.
“Tell me—have you ever slept with the same woman more than once?”
The sudden question caught him off guard.
“Well… never really had to.”
Even in Malau Castle, many women visited his chamber nightly. Since he couldn’t touch the one he truly wanted, Julmon never refused others.
“After all, we demons don’t even have the concept of lifelong mates, do we?”
Shine glared sharply.
“Then when you came to my chamber three nights in a row—that was only because of orders?”
Instead of answering, Julmon quietly reached out and touched her cheek. Shine froze, breath caught.
“Because, like now—you didn’t push me away.”
As his gaze deepened, Shine decided to gamble. She laid her hand over his, still pressed to her cheek.
“I never understood humans’ marriage system. Sleeping with only one person for life? Sounds boring. But…”
Closing her eyes, she savored the warmth of his palm.
“Strange, isn’t it? The more I’m with you, the thirstier I get.”
“That’s only because it’s been three days. After a month, or half a year at most, you’ll be bored.”
“True. But… it might burn for a lifetime. No one knows until they try.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
Julmon’s face twisted in anguish, his words bursting like restrained fury:
“Are you trying to kill me with false hope?”
At last, his mask shattered—revealing his raw heart. Shine smiled gently, then kissed the palm pressed to her cheek.
“Remember what I said? I wanted to compare—being the second to a great man, or the first to an ordinary one.”
“And you stabbed my heart with that.”
He whispered, eyes contorted in pain. Shine rested her hand on his shoulder.
“After our first night, I thought—being the first of an ‘ordinary’ man wasn’t so bad.”
She pulled his shoulder closer and kissed his cheek—then slowly licked the scratch her ring had left. Julmon stood frozen, rooted to the spot, as Shine whispered:
“After the second night, I realized—you’re no ordinary man. I was already the first of a great one.”
Her confession left him stunned, unable to believe his ears.
“What… what do you intend to do?”
“Who knows? Honestly, I haven’t thought that far.”
“King Mikrok arrives tomorrow. It’s too late—”
“Idiot. Is this really the time to fuss about that?”
At her rebuke, Julmon instinctively pulled her into his arms.
Tomorrow, Princess Shine might become King Mikrok’s concubine—and then he would never be able to hold her again. The urgency consumed him.
Their lips tangled in a burning kiss. The silverberries slipped from Shine’s hand, fell to the ground, and were crushed underfoot by their frantic passion.
***
“Your Highness the Queen, the carriage from Freetan Castle has arrived.”
As Mik and I rested before reaching Malau Castle, the supply carriage finally caught up. Four knights escorted it, and out stepped Millie.
“Your Majesty the Queen, was it inconvenient without me?”
“Of course not. I’ve been serving the Queen so attentively.”
Before I could answer, Mik jumped in. He meant nothing special, but I knew all too well how attentively he had kissed me inside the carriage. My face flushed red.
To hide my embarrassment, I looked over the large carriage Millie had brought.
“This carriage is much bigger than I expected. Did you bring that much?”
“Of course. Twelve trunks of dresses alone, plus six of jewelry and shoes.”
“Heavens—you raided the entire royal wardrobe?”
“I wanted to!”
Millie admitted she had ransacked the closets with Adel and Sophie as soon as they reached the castle.
“I picked only the finest gowns so Princess Malau won’t dare scoff. I even begged Madam Russo, the royal designer, to send three new dresses.”
Her enthusiasm was so intense it was almost scary. Then I noticed her own simple outfit.
“Hm… never mind my clothes—we need to get you proper dresses.”
“Me? I’m fine like this.”
“You’ll be attending Sir William often. You’ll need some gowns. Don’t refuse—it’s my gift.”
At the mere mention of William’s name, Millie’s cheeks flushed. I hugged her tightly, unable to resist. Behind me came Mik’s disgruntled voice.
“Leah, even if it’s Millie, you can’t hug her so passionately.”
And he wasn’t the only one displeased.
“Your Majesty the Queen, I haven’t even hugged Millie yet. Please let me have my turn.”
The two men glared, their eyes full of tension. Grinning mischievously, I pulled Millie closer, and she too tightened her arms around my waist.
“You two wait your turn.”
Laughing, I led Millie into the carriage to check the supplies, both of us stifling giggles at how furious they must be outside.
***
“King Mikrok still hasn’t arrived?”
“He’s passed through Geupa Forest, Your Majesty. He should arrive at the castle gates any moment now. Please be patient.”
Trying to calm the restless King of Malau long before the expected time made Chancellor Yamal feel ten years older.
“And Shine—what is Shine doing?”
“She’s busy preparing herself. Thanks to Julmon bringing her silverberries, she’s more radiant and beautiful than ever.”
“Silverberries?”
At the mention of the forbidden fruit, the king’s brow furrowed. His father, the former chieftain, had strictly forbidden them.
Sensing his displeasure, Yamal added quickly:
“The prohibition was to keep greedy humans away. Please don’t worry too much.”
“Even so, Julmon must be warned.”
“Yes, I’ll speak to him firmly.”
Just then, the steward rushed in.
“Your Majesty, King Mikrok will arrive at the castle gates shortly.”
At last, the long-awaited Mikrok had come. Beaming, the King of Malau leapt to his feet.
