Episode 45
His lips brushed against my neck—barely a touch, yet enough to send warmth rushing through me.
I gripped his clothes, trying to steady my breathing.
“Ah…”
His kisses moved slowly from my neck to my collarbone, lingering as if memorizing me. Every gentle touch made my heartbeat quicken.
Fabric slipped from my shoulders, and my dress fell to the floor. Only a thin layer of cloth separated us now, making me painfully aware of how close we were.
“Rian…”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, needing his warmth—needing him. His embrace tightened as our bodies pressed together, soft and hesitant, like he was afraid of hurting me.
He paused, his forehead resting against mine.
“If you’re uncomfortable… tell me now.”
His voice was low and strained, full of restraint. He wasn’t rushing—he was waiting for me.
I placed a light kiss on his hand.
“No… I just—everything feels overwhelming.”
Maybe it was because of whatever Pamiel made me take… or maybe it was because I’d been waiting for this moment for too long.
“Don’t stop. I’ve wanted this… for a long time.”
He exhaled shakily and pulled me into his arms. I melted against him, letting myself fall into his warmth.
Time blurred.
He held me like I was something precious—checking my expression, brushing hair away from my face, whispering my name so softly it almost hurt.
“Rehel,” he murmured.
I swallowed hard. My voice trembled as I corrected him.
“…Huiwon. Call me by my real name.”
For a moment he went still.
Then, gently—almost reverently—he whispered,
“Huiwon.”
Hearing my real name from him made something inside me ache. I didn’t expect anyone to call me that again… not after everything.
“…Rian, I like you.”
My voice was shaky, breath uneven, but honest. Every time I whispered his name, he would quietly whisper mine in return.
“Huiwon.”
We stayed like that—holding each other, sharing warmth, sharing breath—as if the world outside didn’t exist. I wasn’t scared. I just wanted to stay in his arms forever.
Morning sunlight brushed my eyelids. I slowly woke up to find myself resting in Rian’s embrace.
We had shared a bed once before, but this time… everything was different. Last night stayed bright and vivid in my memory.
Carefully, I sat up, brushing his hair from his forehead.
…I wasn’t myself last night. I didn’t mean to cling to him like that.
“Sorry,” I whispered to no one.
I thought I could wait.
But the moment I felt him slipping away, the fear swallowed me whole.
Rian had only been trying to help. What happened between us had no obligations, no promises. I told myself that, but…
His voice calling my real name still wouldn’t leave my ears.
—Huiwon.
It had been so long since anyone said it.
He never questioned me.
He simply accepted it.
Accepted me.
“…Rian.”
He woke and gently took my hand.
“How do you feel?”
“I’m fine. Sorry for… last night.”
He let out a soft sigh—relieved. The tenderness in his gaze made my chest tighten.
“You looked like you might cry,” he murmured.
“I wasn’t crying.”
Because I shouldn’t.
“I thought… maybe you’d regret being with me.”
“Why would I think that?” he asked quietly.
“…So you don’t?”
His only answer was to pull me into his arms again, holding me as if he wouldn’t let go.
“If I hadn’t wanted this,” he said softly, “I would have stopped you from the beginning.”
His arms were firm around me—steady, warm. That was enough of an answer.
Relief washed over me so suddenly my eyes burned. I buried my face against him, holding on tight.
…Thank god.
Even though I had just woken up, drowsiness crept in again. I nodded off in his arms—until suddenly, he shifted and leaned over me.
“Where were you last night? Dressed like that?”
I froze.
“…I just stepped outside for a moment.”
“You were drinking. And you asked for help.”
His voice was calm, but something simmered beneath it.
“If it wasn’t me… were you planning to ask someone else?”
The jealousy in his eyes was unmistakable.
“…No.”
I lowered my gaze.
“If it wasn’t you… I would’ve tried to endure it alone.”
No one else existed in my mind. Not after I ate whatever Pamiel gave me.
From then on, I thought only of Rian.
He didn’t say anything. The silence stretched, heavy.
“…Rian?”
I sensed it—his desire, his restraint, his struggle to stay composed.
His eyes darkened, filled with emotion he desperately tried to hide.
I hadn’t done anything…
But he wanted me anyway.
Later—much later—I left the room. The castle was in chaos.
Young demons were searching everywhere, calling out anxiously.
“What happened?” I asked.
Terrio bowed his head.
“A young demon has gone missing. We believe it left the mountain range—there’s no trace inside the barrier.”
“That’s impossible…”
Before I could finish, black feathers drifted down from the sky.
One brushed my palm, leaving behind a trail of dark shimmering dust.
The dust formed letters in the air.
Come to me.
I’ll be waiting.
Pamiel’s laughter echoed faintly in my ears.
…She still thinks I won’t fight back.
Unbelievable.
