<Episode 84>

Eveline, despite her hazy consciousness, managed to make out the letters on the white paper in Elkais’s hand.

Under normal circumstances, she might have struggled to comprehend its meaning, but her current state left no room for deep thought. Her body was trembling uncontrollably, her temperature had plummeted to 30°C, and every nerve felt like it was being assaulted by icy blades.

She was cold—desperately cold. Her head throbbed, her body felt weak, and hunger gnawed at her from within.

“Haa…”

A faint sigh escaped her lips, visible as a thin mist, barely noticeable due to her dangerously low body temperature.

“Elkais…”

She reached out, her trembling arms wrapping around his body as he prepared to light the fire. Her eyes flickered over the note in his hand.

 

[Current body temperature of Eveline Wilden: 31.1°C.
Repeated actions will not be recognized.]

 

“I’m so cold, Elkais,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Elkais, startled, quickly struck the wood together to ignite the fire. Then, as she clung to him, her cold hands gripping his waist, he carefully pried her arms away and pulled her fully into his embrace.

“You’re freezing…” Eveline’s trembling voice broke into a sob as she wrapped her arms around his neck, seeking his warmth. But even in his arms, her temperature didn’t rise.

Elkais frowned, loosening her arms slightly before holding her tighter, pressing her closer to share his body heat. Yet the touch of his own half-frozen clothes made her shiver more violently.

“It’s too cold… so cold…” she whimpered, her tears soaking into his shoulder.

Letting out a sigh, Elkais tried to pull her away again, but she only clung tighter.

“I’ll need to remove my clothes to warm you properly,” he muttered, his voice low.

Eveline didn’t respond, her body trembling too much for words. Elkais swiftly moved her to the side and began shedding his wet garments.

Eveline’s glassy, tear-filled eyes watched as he removed his clothes, her thoughts too sluggish to process what was happening.

Seeing her cry like that, Elkais felt something stir in his chest. It wasn’t just guilt—it was something deeper, more unexplainable.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “If I hadn’t chased after you, none of this would have happened.”

Even as he apologized, a part of him couldn’t shake his confusion. Where had her clothes gone? He had searched for them near the water, expecting them to float up, but there had been no trace.

It made no sense. Her boots had disappeared as well, which defied reason. But more baffling was her dress. Even if the water had torn away the skirt, the upper half, which required her arms to slip through, should have remained intact. Yet she lay completely bare.

Elkais exhaled deeply, brushing aside his thoughts.

“Ugh…” Eveline whimpered as she instinctively leaned into him again, her frail body seeking warmth.

Elkais’s gaze shifted toward the flames. To his shock, the fire seemed to form words as white smoke rose into the air:

[Current body temperature of Eveline Wilden: 31.1°C.
Repeated actions will not be recognized.]

 

“Still so cold…”

Eveline murmured, burrowing herself deeper into his arms. Her icy skin pressed against his, and Elkais hugged her tighter, rubbing her arms to generate more heat.

That was when he noticed the blood trickling from the wound hidden beneath her hair.

“Eveline…”

The sight of her crimson blood staining his skin made his chest tighten with a mix of guilt and frustration.

“Hold me… tighter…” she whispered weakly, her voice shaking.

Obliging her request, he pulled her closer, but her temperature remained the same. As if out of desperation, Eveline pushed against his chest, pressing her lips to his.

“…!”

Elkais froze, his eyes wide as her soft lips trembled against his. Fury and confusion swirled within him.

How could she do this? Even as she shivered in pain, her pheromones were potent, clouding his thoughts. Was this island, their predicament—was it all her doing?

How had she even become an Omega?

And if she was trying to seduce Ferite, why bring him along? Why drag him into this mess and leave him feeling so utterly undone?

“Stop.”

He turned his head, breaking the kiss. The cool wetness of her tear-streaked cheek reminded him of her fragility.

“I’m not the Crown Prince,” he said sharply.

“Open your eyes, Eveline. Look at me.”

“Elkais… Elkais…”

Hhe sobbed, his name escaping her lips like a plea. Her misery was palpable, and yet, her anger toward him was evident too.

Why did he have to lose his memories now, of all times? Why had he chased her and caused her to lose her clothes? And why did he still look at her with such familiar, tender eyes, even as he spoke so cruelly?

Every second felt agonizing.

“Elkais…”

When she began to cry harder, Elkais felt his resolve waver. The name she called wasn’t Ferite’s—it was his.

And then, her lips sought his again, pressing against him as if seeking solace.

Elkais’s breath hitched. Her lips were freezing, her tongue brushing against him like ice. It sent shivers down his spine, and not just from the cold. Her touch ignited something primal within him.

Was it her pheromones? Or was it something else entirely?

His thoughts faltered as he found himself admiring her. Her scarlet hair clung to her face, her teary blue eyes shining like the surface of a glacier. Every curve of her body was flawless, captivating in its vulnerability.

And yet, it wasn’t just her beauty that drew him in—it was her resilience, her fire, even now as she trembled in his arms.

No matter how beautiful or alluring Eveline’s body appeared, it was ultimately just flesh—a vessel. Elkais couldn’t understand why she was acting this way toward him.

Physical intimacy wasn’t what he truly desired. What he yearned for was her curiosity about him, her laughter directed at him. He wanted to listen to her thoughts and dreams, not be locked in this desperate exchange of warmth.

“I’m truly mad.”

He muttered to himself. Her trembling lips brushing against his felt so intoxicating that tears unknowingly welled up in his eyes.

Elkais hated her for this.

She shattered the walls he had so carefully built around himself as if they were nothing. And yet, he knew she would never truly love him.

“Elkais… please…” Eveline murmured, her lips seeking his again.

Unable to restrain himself any longer, he responded.

His lips met hers, his movements far more fervent than hers, as if he were asserting dominance, binding her closer to him. He pressed firmly, sharing his body heat with her, while his hands gripped her trembling shoulders tightly.

“Haa…” Eveline gasped, her eyes fluttering open to look at him. His gaze met hers, cloudy and desperate.

“Don’t do this to me,” he whispered hoarsely.

“I’m so cold,” she replied, her voice a soft plea.

“Your temperature will return soon. Just hold on a little longer.”

But she could feel her body warming slightly with every touch.

“If you don’t want this, push me away,” she murmured.

“Elkais…”

Once more, her lips sought his, and this time, he did not pull away. Instead, he matched her movements with equal intensity.

Her fingers traced the line of his shoulders, and she gently released his grip, allowing her arms to wrap around him.

When their lips finally parted, she brushed her tongue across her own lips as though savoring the sensation. Elkais watched, captivated, before pulling her into another heated kiss.

“Ah… Elkais…”

Eveline whimpered, guiding his hand to her chest as she interlocked their fingers. She felt the heat of his palm against her freezing skin and placed it over her heart.

“Eveline…”

He murmured against her lips, each word brushing against her like a spell. She could feel his voice echoing through her chest, stirring her heartbeat.

“Say it again, Elkais.”

“Eveline… Eveline…”

Her name fell from his lips like a prayer, each utterance laced with yearning. His warm hand seemed to melt the coldness that had consumed her as he held her firmly.

“Ah…”

Eveline shivered under his touch, her body responding involuntarily. Elkais let out a shaky breath, running his hand over her cheek tenderly.

“I hate you.”

He said, his voice laced with conflicted emotion. He wanted to hurt her with his words, hoping she would feel the same tumultuous confusion he did. Perhaps she, too, harbored similar feelings.

“Yes.”

She replied, unaffected, as though his words meant little. It seemed all she wanted was the Royal Alpha’s body, nothing more.

“I really hate you, Eveline.”

“Yes.”

She repeated, her clear gaze meeting his. Her crimson eyes sparkled, glistening with unshed tears, their brilliance reminiscent of polished rubies.

“Elkais…”

Eveline pressed her hands against his chest, pushing him gently. He leaned back, his body giving way as his back rested against the wall.

Taking advantage of his lowered posture, Eveline straddled his thighs and caressed his cheek, her touch soft and deliberate.

“Help me,” she whispered.

Her plea unraveled him completely. Elkais allowed himself to collapse under her, pulling her onto the wet cloak beneath them.

“If you want me to stop, bite me,” he said, his voice low and rough.

“If not, I’ll hold you.”

Eveline didn’t answer with words. Instead, she silenced him, pressing her lips firmly against his.

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