It did not matter if he spent his time with other women elsewhere. They had never been lovers to begin with.

But invading her private bedchamber to carry out such vulgar acts was something she could hardly tolerate.

In this vast imperial palace, it was the only place she had that felt like a refuge. Losing even that made the sense of violation all the more unbearable.

“L-Lady Larinne…”

As expected, Chardi was trembling in the corner.

“Chardi, step outside.”

“But…”

“I’m fine. Please.”

Larinne soothed her first and made sure she left safely before stepping in front of Seidon.

“I do not mind if Your Majesty favors other women. However, I would ask that you refrain from sharing your affections in my room.”

“Did you just call it your room?”

Seidon’s lips curled into a sharp sneer as he strode forward and seized her chin.

An oppressive shadow fell over her face.

“Do not misunderstand, Larinne. There is nothing in this imperial palace that belongs to you.”

“……”

“Even that insignificant body of yours belongs to me. If I tell you to strip, you strip. If I tell you to crawl, you crawl.”

“…That will never happen.”

Larinne glared at Seidon with open hostility.

She did not realize that the very look in her eyes only stirred him further.

It was hard to believe he was a man who had just spent himself moments ago, yet desire flared within him again with alarming speed.

Seidon stepped closer.

His swollen hunger was directed at her without the slightest concealment.

Perhaps it was the lingering heat of what had just happened, but her fiancé’s eyes were half-mad with fever.

“That look… yes, that insolent look. Whenever I see those eyes, I want to etch into every inch of your body who your true master is.”

“……”

His lips drew so close they were almost touching.

Larinne tried to turn her head away, but his grip was unyielding.

“I suppose it would be entertaining to see those same eyes begging and crying.”

Seidon lowered his head toward her pale neck as though he might sink his teeth into it at any moment.

As if sensing the darkness of his intent, the mark of water reacted.

It was the sign that the curse—bound by a sacred taboo—was about to awaken.

A dark blue smoke began to seep from the mark engraved beneath Larinne’s collarbone.

If Seidon crossed the line even slightly further, the curse protected by the blessing of water would activate.

“Do not make a choice you will regret.”

Watching Seidon’s expression twist at her warning, Larinne felt a quiet relief inside.

Fortunately, even though her fiancé was a real beast, he still had the faintest shred of reason.

“Regret?”

“If you are cursed because you could not control a passing impulse, the other nobles will laugh at you.”

“You dare threaten me?”

Despite his harsh tone, Seidon released her without resistance.

So he did fear the curse.

Larinne curled her trembling hands behind her back.

She refused to show even the slightest weakness in front of him.

“Please leave now.”

“The confidence you show because of that blessing of water will soon come to an end, Larinne Ontuevi. When that time comes, what do you think will protect you then?”

She already knew the answer without being reminded.

‘When that day comes, you will try to bend me to your will.’

But that day would never come.

In two weeks, she would escape with Pellet.

“Since I’m watching you, behave yourself properly and stop entertaining foolish thoughts.”

Only after driving that mocking warning deep into Larinne’s chest did he shove her aside like discarded luggage and leave.

‘It’s alright, Larinne.’

‘I’m… alright.’

Left alone in the room, she swallowed her humiliation.

As the tension faded, exhaustion washed over her.

It felt as though the ground beneath her feet was collapsing.

As always, it was a h*ll she had to endure alone.

But she would not cry.

‘Before the coming-of-age ceremony, I will escape this h*ll with everyone.’

That single goal gave Larinne the strength to stand again.

***

Even as midnight approached, the empty chamber in the western palace remained brightly lit.

A man with jet-black hair, reminiscent of a black mamba, stood before a mirror deep in thought.

After watching him hesitate for quite some time, the long-haired young man beside him, Harry, finally spoke.

“I cannot understand what sudden whim has taken hold of you. Is it someone’s scheme? Or does the curse activate in such a way?”

“What has pressed your nagging button this time, Harry?”

“I am simply very curious why my king—who showed no interest in lifting the curse no matter how often I spoke of it—has suddenly become so fixated on divine power treatment.”

The hand removing the heavy iron armor paused at the word king.

“Have all my repeated warnings about watching your mouth been completely forgotten?”

“This room is protected by a soundproof magic circle, so it will be fine.”

“Right. If you weren’t such a capable mage, Harry, you would have been dismissed long ago.”

Harry brushed his long silver hair over his shoulder and pressed his hand against his forehead.

“Your Majesty.”

“Do not use that title when we are alone—for now. Habits can be dangerous.”

“Very well, Your Excellency.”

“That sounds much better.”

“Then allow me to ask something. You clearly know better than this—so why did you impulsively change the negotiation terms? If I remember correctly, what we agreed upon at the state council was not something as trivial as divine power treatment.”

The man who resembled a black serpent frowned as he felt around his body.

Soon he found a small magical device attached to the long golden earring dangling from his ear and removed it.

“…When did you attach a listening device again?”

“It is merely a precaution in case something happens. Please answer my question first.”

“We were going to demand it eventually anyway.”

“But we had not planned to trade one of our better bargaining chips.”

“We do not need it. The Emperor of the Eastern Empire cannot kill me in the first place.”

It sounded arrogant, but it was the truth.

Harry knew the secret well.

Because of the monster’s curse, his lord possessed a body that could not die easily.

That was why Harry had not stopped him when he suddenly declared that he would personally travel into enemy territory disguised as a diplomatic envoy.

Naturally, he had assumed it was for revenge.

But now that he thought about it, revenge alone did not seem to be the reason his lord had come all this way, risking danger.

“Of course not. Until divine power purifies that curse completely, you are essentially invincible. Still, I am merely concerned about the safety of my very ordinary self.”

“It loses some sincerity when it comes from someone praised as a genius mage. Stop worrying about pointless things. I will take responsibility and make sure you live a long and comfortable life, so focus on the mission you were given.”

“That is truly a moving promise.”

“Why not wipe your eyes first before saying that?”

At least it seemed he had not forgotten the true objective.

Harry released a small sigh of relief.

“For now, please change into Eastern Empire clothing before you go. The traditional attire of the Lemen people… invites misunderstandings.”

Harry pointed at his clothing.

The Lemen traditional outfit, loosely draped in cloth, was perfectly suited to highlighting the strengths of his physique.

‘Every movement reveals flawless muscles…’

Judging by his expression, however, he seemed completely unaware of the issue.

“Is that not the outfit meant for someone’s rather perverse eavesdropping hobby?”

“It pains me to see the sincere devotion of a loyal subject viewed through such a distorted lens.”

“If you remain this loyal two more times, you might even appear in my dreams.”

“What a dreadful thing to say.”

Harry shuddered in genuine disgust.

“Please do not joke about such things. My dream is to marry a fairy-like woman and raise children as cute as rabbits.”

“Anyone hearing that would think I wished to dream about you.”

“Allow me to apologize in advance. If you happen to call my name in your sleep, I humbly request permission to massage your cheeks—even if it may be considered disrespectful.”

“I have noticed this before, but you have a remarkable talent for speaking treason in a very elegant manner.”

“I gratefully accept the compliment. Now please wear this at least.”

Harry stubbornly held out an Eastern Empire-style outer shawl.

“I offer this advice only because the women of the Eastern Empire might faint if they see you otherwise.”

“There you go nagging again.”

Winterd looked displeased, yet when he finally left the empty chamber, the long shawl was casually draped over his shoulders.

“Honestly… who in the world will ever take that reckless tyrant off my hands?”

Harry shook his head as he watched him leave.

***

With long, swift strides, Libehi Winterd arrived at Larinne’s bedchamber in no time.

He checked his watch.

It was exactly the time they had agreed upon.

‘Right on time.’

Just then, the bells announcing midnight began to ring through the palace.

After checking his attire one last time, he lightly knocked on the bedchamber door.

Contrary to his expectations, the person who peeked out through the crack in the door was a maid.

The moment she saw Libehi in Lemen traditional clothing, she jumped in surprise.

“A-Are you part of the delegation from the Kingdom of Lirmen?”

“I have come to see Lady Larinne, as promised with the Emperor of the Eastern Empire.”

“P-Please wait! Um, well… that is…”

Normally, a maid would announce a visitor to the person she served.

Instead, she stood blocking the doorway, stumbling over her words.

Libehi Winterd instinctively realized that she was trying to hide something.

With her small frame, she seemed to be trying to shield whatever was happening inside.

But it was a futile effort against someone far taller than the average grown man.

Over her shoulder, he caught a glimpse of the dark room beyond.

‘I heard she suffers from insomnia.’

It seemed his informant had brought him incorrect information.

“So dressing up carefully was pointless after all.”

When he roughly pulled off the shawl he had bothered to wear, the firm muscles of his chest were revealed.

Startled, Chardi quickly turned her head away.

“Y-You should return today.”

“There is no need to wake her. I will simply sit for a moment and then leave.”

“But…”

Chardi stubbornly continued to block the doorway.

Entering a sleeping lady’s room—even with the emperor’s permission—felt difficult to allow.

‘And today she endured that humiliation again.’

Chardi remembered Larinne’s face, the way she had still tried to comfort her maid even while trembling before the emperor.

She was a truly kind person.

Tonight, Chardi did not want to place yet another burden on the lady she served.

“Please… come back tomorrow.”

“……”

But Libehi Winterd did not step back.

Her loyalty to the one she served was admirable, but he too had his own circumstances. He pulled aside the cloth covering his shoulder and revealed the mark of the curse hidden beneath.

“You need not worry about improper intentions. As you can see, my life is hanging by a thread. I hardly have the luxury for such thoughts.”

“Ah!”

The grotesque sight made Chardi cry out before she could stop herself.

Realizing too late, she quickly covered her mouth.

“I-I’m sorry! I was just startled.”

“It is fine. Now, would you kindly step aside?”

The gentle curve of his lips made it feel as though he were politely pointing out her rudeness.

Blushing with embarrassment, Chardi hurried away as if fleeing.

At last, the obstacle was gone.

The dark figure crossed the threshold leisurely and slipped into the dark room.

Moonlight pouring in from the window stretched his shadow across the floor—long like the tail of a snake slithering toward its prey.

The predator soon discovered Larinne asleep beneath the window, crouched where she sat.

‘Is the bed merely decoration?’

Stepping over the damp garments scattered across the floor, he soon realized why.

The bitter scent lingering from the bed revealed clear traces of someone’s recent passion.

“Ah… I thought I was good at restraining myself.”

The faint smile lingering on the man’s face vanished.

“…Perhaps I should just kill him.”

The words were chilling, yet he spoke them with eerie calm.

Was she dreaming?

His gaze fell upon her slender shoulders, which occasionally trembled in her sleep.

Silver hair, like fragments of moonlit waves traveling through the night, reflected in his crimson eyes.

“So defenseless like this…”

“It almost makes me want to swallow you whole.”