THDR 10

THDR

Posted by Bela, Released on October 9, 2025

Chapter 10

Yubellin couldn’t hide the joy in her voice as she looked at Zervant, who still couldn’t bring himself to answer.

“You’re angry because I came too late, aren’t you?”

“……”

“Actually, I just got back from an engagement trip with Terrence. You couldn’t come to the ceremony, remember?”

Zervant’s jaw tightened sharply. Only then did Yubellin realize her mistake and covered her lips, murmuring an apology.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.”

Without even trying to gauge his mood, she quickly changed the subject.

“Anyway, I’ve had such a rough time lately. You’ll listen, won’t you?”

Zervant said nothing, but Yubellin went on talking as if it didn’t matter. He was always quiet like that, so there was no reason to stop.

She kept chatting lightly, as if she felt nothing at all seeing him trapped in this darkness.

“Even though Terrence and I went on an engagement trip, we didn’t get to enjoy it much. Everywhere we went, people called him a hero. We ended up staying inside the mansion the whole time. Isn’t it polite to pretend not to notice at least in those situations? People can be so inconsiderate, don’t you think?”

Zervant lowered his head as she rambled on about whether she was bragging or complaining. All he could see between his lashes was the dark floor below him—cold and empty, like his own future.

“Terrence has been so busy. As soon as we came back, he went straight back to work. He told me to say hello to you since he hasn’t had time to visit.”

Every word about their happy life together seemed to choke Zervant. He clenched his teeth to keep the sound of a groan from escaping.

An unbearable mix of self-loathing and jealousy burned in him—ugly thoughts whispering, why them, and not me?

Was I always this pathetic?
Have I sunk this low—blaming others who’ve done nothing wrong?

He felt wretched and ashamed of himself. The two of them were only worried for him, yet he was consumed with envy toward them—toward their happiness, their freedom.

Seeing Yubellin looking so well, he felt both relieved and devastated. His self-esteem shattered completely at the sight of how much he’d changed.

The Yubellin who used to blush shyly and couldn’t tear her eyes away from him—she no longer existed.

And he could tell that the look in her eyes now carried a faint trace of pity, even contempt.

Damn it.
Pathetic bastard.

He clenched his fists tightly. Then, like snow melting in spring, a warm hand suddenly covered his.

Zervant’s head snapped up in surprise. Yubellin was smiling softly, her eyes curved like crescent moons.

“It’s okay, Zerv. Maybe one day the curse will lift. Until then, I’ll keep watching over you.”

“……”

That empty promise—hope she didn’t even believe herself—only made him hate her.

Even the Saint’s power couldn’t lift this curse. It was said to be too strong, even for her.

‘I’ll keep watching over you,’ huh…?

She hadn’t answered a single letter, hadn’t shown her face once—and now she says that?

Stop making promises you’ll never keep.

The words hovered at his lips, but in the end, he swallowed them back down.

He despised himself for not being able to say a single word to her anymore—not even to complain, or resent, or ask why.

He’d been made that way. Especially after she once told him—

“Zerv, I’m not your emotional trash bin.”

Ever since hearing that, the thought of speaking in front of her—or Terrence—terrified him. The old him would’ve argued back, maybe even walked away completely.

But since being trapped here, he’d shrunk into himself, timid and hollow.

Like an idiot.

“If anything’s hard for you, you can tell me. Anything at all.”

As if she’d actually listen.

“At the very least, I can listen.”

Even though she never really did.

He wanted to shut her mouth—to silence that cruelly kind tone that sounded so much like mockery.

And yet, Zervant couldn’t bring himself to resent her fully. His broken pride wouldn’t let him.

For two years, he’d grown weary and isolated, a hollow remnant of the man he once was—utterly defeated, unable even to envy without shame.

“My poor Zerv…”

Just when he wanted to block his ears to erase that sweet, cloying voice—

Knock, knock.

The door burst open, and something whooshed into the room.

The first thing Zervant saw were a pair of playful, sea-blue eyes gleaming with mischief.

Then came the bright red bicycle the owner was riding. Bold and brash amid the gloom, Titia pedaled straight into the room and made a full circle around it as if showing off.

Both Zervant and Yubellin froze in bewilderment, watching her.

After completing her proud lap, Titia stopped in front of Zervant and spoke with a slightly smug expression.

“This room is ridiculously big and totally wasted. Do you know how unproductive it is to just sit here doing nothing? Even Mr. Veilt was worried you’d lose muscle mass! So I figured… maybe you could get some exercise—by riding a bike indoors!”

But before she could finish her chatter, her eyes locked directly with the Saint’s.

Like someone burned, Titia flinched, quickly jumped off the bicycle, and bowed deeply.

“S-Saint Yubellin! I thought you’d gone back to the temple! I’m so sorry…”

The tense thread stretched between Yubellin and Zervant snapped in an instant—quietly, almost pitifully.

What the heck! You said the Saint had left!

That was why she’d abandoned her dessert and wheeled the bicycle straight in.

Since the Boss had been holed up doing nothing but sulking, she’d decided they could do something active together. She’d even prepared the bicycle with grand ambition.

But now—she’d barged in and interrupted the Saint’s visit. He was going to kill her for sure.

She could already imagine the bicycle wheels flying at her face.

Eek! I don’t wanna die!

“You…”

Just as she was picturing her tragic future, his voice made her shoulders jump.

Seizing the chance, she began to explain herself frantically—with exaggerated gestures and the most innocent expression she could muster.

“It’s true, Boss! I really thought you were alone! Mr. Veilt said it was fine to come see you now—”

“I never said the Saint had left,” Veilt replied coolly from behind.

Oh, so now he’s pretending innocence?

Titia shot him a sharp glare.

“Your tone implied it, Mr. Veilt.”

“Veilt never implies.”

Ugh. Stop being smug, it’s annoying.

Was he trying to get her fired now? That must be it. There’s no other reason he’d set her up like this.

But first, she needed to survive this moment.

With both hands politely clasped, she bowed with all the pitiful sincerity she could summon.

“I’m so sorry for interrupting you two. I’ll accept any punishment later. For now, I’ll just… step outside…”

She put one foot on the pedal to make a quick escape—but the bicycle wouldn’t move.

When she turned around, Zervant was standing right behind her.

Why’s he stopping me? Is he going to punish me right now?

“Why, Boss? Are you mad at me? I swear I didn’t mean to!”

He said nothing. His head was bowed.

…Something’s off.

Noticing the strange tension lingering between him and the Saint, she hesitated—then offered awkwardly,

“Boss, want to ride in the back? I’m actually a really good cyclist.”

To her surprise, he climbed on without hesitation.

She hadn’t meant it seriously, but—maybe he was just trying to get away from the Saint?

Guess he’d rather escape than talk to her, huh.

Titia pedaled hard, and the bike began to roll forward.

“Zer—!”

Before the Saint could call out his name, Veilt smoothly cut in.

“Saint Yubellin, perhaps it’s time you returned? This is usually the Boss’s recreation hour with our delightful Miss Tea Time. They have such fun together.”

He looked positively thrilled that the Boss seemed to reject her presence.