Episode 112

“Once you awaken, you stop growing. That’s a fact even I know.”

Yvonne looked at Yurian as if she didn’t understand his words. Yurian, in turn, gave her a bitter smile.

“That’s why my parents kept me hidden.”

“Ah…”

Only then did Yvonne recall what she knew of his past—how he had lost his parents due to his ability’s side effects and had spent most of his life on the battlefield, earning countless military achievements. The number of days he had spent in the Bricesys Empire after his return could be counted on one hand.

She also remembered what Hildebrandt had said to her the day he first brought Yurian in.

‘That Leonhardt brat must never outshine my daughter.’

That was why he had kidnapped Yurian. She had always known that “outshine” referred to the reputation Yurian had built through his achievements on the battlefield.

“My ability’s side effect is the desire to see blood.”

“I know.”

“That desire will never manifest when I’m around you.”

For a brief moment, Yvonne almost let slip that she knew about the ability pact. She bit back the words—she didn’t want him to know that she was aware of everything. More than that, the idea of growing closer to Yurian scared her.

As her fear deepened, she disliked how the alcohol in her system was starting to wear off. She took another swig from the bottle, letting the strong scent of alcohol burn through her nose and warm her chest.

“Before my full awakening, my body continued to grow.”

“….”

“My first side effect appeared when I was five. It manifested sporadically after that, until I fully awakened at twenty.”

“….”

“And when I was twenty, I lost my parents.”

Yvonne knew what he wasn’t saying. The original novel hadn’t described it in detail, but it had revealed one truth—on the day Yurian fully awakened, he had killed his own parents. Not by his own will, but because of his ability’s side effects.

“If I had known back then that an ability pact like this was possible, things would have been different.”

“Ah…”

“I was a fool not to realize it.”

Yurian felt at peace knowing he would never be a danger to Yvonne. He found relief in the fact that she would never die because of him.

To someone like him, who had lived like a ticking time bomb, Yvonne felt like salvation. As long as she was by his side, he would never again suffer from his ability’s side effects. He would never be the cause of another death.

Perhaps that was why his feelings for her were solidifying so easily. Not only did he cherish her, but he felt at ease entrusting his heart to her.

It was a comforting thought.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

“I think you’re my Guide.”

“I have magic, though.”

Yurian had never intended to tell Yvonne that she was a Guide. But he could no longer keep secrets from her. He didn’t regret saying it.

“I don’t know why, but the scent you give off is unmistakably that of a Guide.”

“Ah…”

Their eyes met.

“I can’t kill you, Yvonne. And if you’re with me, I won’t kill anyone else because of my side effects.”

“…Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I don’t want you to run away from me.”

“Ah.”

For some reason, hearing those words made her feel less inclined to leave. If I really am a Guide…

Then she could suppress the side effects Yurian had feared so much in the original novel.

“But unfortunately, I’m not a Guide.”

“Why do you think that?”

“If I were a Guide… Ah… Come to think of it…”

Yvonne hesitated. Should she tell him? Up until now, she had been pretending not to remember anything, and she had fully intended to leave.

But if she was his Guide…

Then staying by his side might actually help him. His side effects were terrifying, after all. But there was no reason for her to go to such lengths for him.

At least, that’s what she thought.

Yet, looking at the way he smiled at her so desperately—or maybe it was just the alcohol—she found herself wondering if she could allow him just a little more of her presence.

“Kess didn’t feel any side effects.”

“So that night was a lie.”

“…Yes.”

Yvonne told herself it was the alcohol talking. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have admitted something she had tried so hard to keep hidden.

Or maybe… Maybe it was because he had brought up her parents. Maybe that had stirred an unexpected sense of sympathy within her.

“Still, my father always struggled with the side effects.”

“His Majesty did try to drink less.”

“…Did he?”

“Yes.”

Yvonne considered his words.

Was she really a Guide?

“So that’s why you’re drawn to me.”

“At first, yes. But not anymore.”

“Then what is it now?”

“Now, it doesn’t matter if you’re a Guide or not. When I’m with you, I feel alive.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ll never hurt you, and because you treat me comfortably.”

“….”

“You are the only person in my world.”

Yvonne felt an odd sense of relief knowing that he truly meant what he said. He wasn’t someone she needed to fear.

“I told you not to confess.”

“Sorry. It seems I’m drunk.”

“You said you don’t get drunk.”

“I never said I was completely immune.”

“Hah.”

Yvonne turned back to him, dumbfounded by his audacity. Yurian smiled, his face flushed.

“I want to be the person you’re most comfortable with.”

“I said, stop confessing.”

“Is this a confession?”

“I don’t know.”

That’s what she told herself. But somehow, his words sounded different from all his other confessions. It had to be the alcohol.

She glanced at the bottle in her hand. She had definitely drunk a lot.

“Yurian, finish that bottle.”

“Do I have to?”

“If you do, I might kiss you.”

At that, Yurian lifted the bottle to his lips. He tilted his head back and gulped down the liquor in heavy, deep swallows. His thick throat, the way his Adam’s apple bobbed, the sharp lines of his collarbone that became visible with each breath, his broad shoulders.

His powerful chest.

“I finished it.”

“I never said I would. I only said I might.”

“Haha.”

Even though she had tricked him, Yurian didn’t mind. If Yvonne ran away, he would simply catch her. If she pushed him away, he would make her pull him back.

He only hoped he wouldn’t have to use cruel methods. Yurian had been through enough suffering—he didn’t want her to experience the same.

People change when they go through something traumatic. He knew Yvonne’s guarded nature was a result of her wounds.

And yet, he liked the way she was now. He didn’t want her to suffer because of him. He didn’t want to be the reason she broke. He just wanted to be by her side when she was happy, as if his happiness existed within her.

“You’re not even mad?”

“Not at all. Not when I’m looking into these eyes.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“That’s right.”

Yurian set the empty bottle aside and turned his body toward her.

“It’s about to start.”

“How do you know?”

“I can hear them setting up the fireworks.”

“You can hear that?”

“If I focus.”

Yvonne could sense the faint traces of magic in him. At times like this, he really seemed like an ability user. And yet, he claimed she was a Guide.

But there was no reason for Yurian to lie about that.

Besides, he…

He seemed so much softer than he had in the original novel.

“There’s a legend that if you kiss on the night of the festival, you’ll be together forever.”

“Nothing lasts forever.”

Yvonne muttered the words, remembering what Yurian had told her. He grinned, realizing she was recalling his own words.

“You have to work to make things last.”

“Is it even worth it? It’s just a person.”

“Everyone has something they treasure most.”

The faint scent of alcohol on Yurian’s breath made Yvonne feel as if she were getting even more intoxicated.

“What’s the most precious thing to you?”

“The time I spend with you.”

“That’s oddly specific. Why not just say ‘me’ instead of ‘the time with me’?”

She had expected him to say, You, Yvonne. But his answer was different, and it intrigued her.

“I can’t own you.”

“Obviously.”

“And time is tied to life itself. So the fact that you share your time with me means you’re sharing your life with me.”

“Yurian, I think you’re really drunk.”

“And you already own me.”

At that moment, Yurian cupped her cheek and leaned in.

This time, Yvonne didn’t push him away.

She closed her eyes.

 

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