Chapter 28
Tristan barely managed to pry Kendrick off and entered the castle with Maya.
“Alex, right now I want you to inform everyone in the castle that I’m not Tristan, but Tristan’s younger brother ‘Arthur.’”
Most of the people staying in the castle had been with the House of Beiadon for many years and had seen Tristan since childhood.
Naturally, they would know how the curse affected him.
“You’ll say it yourself. If the sorcerer Kendrick finds out my true identity, I won’t let it slide.”
If Alex had made the mess, Alex should be the one to clean it up.
“After that, wait for me in the drawing room. Seems like I still have more to say to you.”
After coldly brushing Alex off, Tristan turned his head toward Maya.
“Maya, it would be better for you to go to my bedroom.”
Gently supporting her, Tristan headed for his room. Alex, wearing a dazed expression, stared after his retreating figure.
But… that monster…
It was so huge, it was hard to believe it could even be brought here—its size was almost on par with the castle itself.
She took care of that?
Alex reflected on just how much he had underestimated Maya Pendragon.
Rushing outside, the first thing he did was order everyone nearby to keep their mouths shut. Then he sidled up to Kendrick and examined the monster’s corpse.
If I’d run into it, I wouldn’t have even had my bones left.
Even just looking at it, the sheer power it radiated was overwhelming.
A shiver ran down Alex’s spine.
At the same time, he felt genuine reverence toward Maya.
Perhaps the name of the Pendragon line had actually obscured the fact that she was an outstanding knight in her own right.
That thought struck him suddenly.
Tristan’s bedroom was the very embodiment of neatness.
Contrary to what one might expect—that it would be all in muted colors—it was filled with warm tones.
The beige furnishings, which seemed to reflect a gentle heart, suited Tristan well.
“Please, sit.”
He seated Maya on the sofa in front of the bed and took the seat opposite her.
The urge to start healing her immediately was tempered by the fact that her face was still flushed with excitement.
“You saw it, Tristan, right?”
She must have been waiting to say that ever since the moment she returned from the mist. He could say with certainty.
“I saw it. How was the serpent monster?”
“It was manageable—once I awakened.”
Her candid reply made Tristan hold her gaze in silence.
It really hit him again how remarkable she was.
She had kept her word: returned within three days, slain the serpent, and even awakened her power.
Has my life ever gone this well before?
After being cursed, he hadn’t been able to go outside freely.
Until he recognized Maya’s presence and came to trust her, his life had been an endless night.
When she returned, the relief and joy he felt had been overwhelming.
“Thank you for not betraying my trust.”
He was glad he had believed in her.
“I told you I’d come back, didn’t I?”
Maya’s wide grin blazed brighter than the sun—radiating warmth and a vivid presence.
Thump.
Tristan’s heart pounded.
Perhaps from the very first meeting, he had sensed this moment would come.
Her sincerity, that smile—both had burned themselves into his mind and refused to fade.
His chest ached with emotion.
The meaning of his racing heart was obvious.
All he could do was accept the truth before him.
I’m in love with you.
For the first time in his life, Tristan Beiadon had fallen in love.
And the object of his feelings… was his own wife.
“Maya, I can now break your curse!”
Meanwhile, Maya tilted her head at the way Tristan just stared at her blankly.
Did he get hurt while waiting for me?
Perhaps he’d even run into another monster while she was gone.
“Um, Tristan?”
“Ah, yes. Yes, Maya.”
She had no idea why, but as soon as she spoke, Tristan hastily replied and covered his face with his hands.
The way he hung his head seemed unusual.
“Uh… I think you should be treated first. I’ll just leave so you can rest—”
“No!”
The moment she suggested leaving the room, Tristan jerked his head up.
“I’m fine. Let’s start the healing.”
“For someone who says that, your face is awfully red.”
Maya was genuinely concerned for him.
“…It’s just that the room is warm.”
“You think this is warm? As expected of someone from the North.”
The air was pleasantly cool to her, but apparently felt hot to him. Truly a Northerner through and through.
Tristan didn’t respond to her amazed comment—just rose to his feet.
“I’ll sit beside you to heal you.”
“All right.”
From the moment he became aware of his feelings, her presence loomed vividly in his mind.
Tristan was grateful for Maya’s obliviousness as he took her hand.
“This is…”
He blinked, looking at her wrist.
“Oh, that’s a sigil to summon Whitey.”
“I told you not to call me that!”
At her explanation, the Pendragon spirit burst out indignantly.
“Is it true that descendants of House Pendragon can speak with Lord Pendragon once they awaken?”
“Yes, he’s talking to me right now.”
Tristan flinched at her answer.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Lord Pendragon.”
“See? This is how a normal person reacts.”
“I told you ‘Whitey’ sounds friendlier.”
Maya was steadfast. Sooner or later, the nickname would stick—might as well use it from the start.
Still, seeing Tristan’s fascination with Pendragon made her curious.
Tristan began the healing, finding it surprisingly easy—perhaps because Maya had trained for several days before returning.
Feels like my power’s gotten stronger, too.
The novelty of simply holding her hand vanished quickly as he examined her condition. His expression hardened.
Broken bones and torn muscles in several places. High fever. Her body was battered to the point of ruin.
How does she even endure this?
He mustn’t scold her.
It wasn’t her fault—if she’d lived this way for years, they could change it little by little.
It’s not my place to lecture her about that.
Biting his lip, Tristan focused his energy.
Even knowing she was strong, she still seemed fragile to him.
Meanwhile, unaware of his turmoil, Maya pondered something.
How is the Beiadon awakening different?
She had recently learned that Beiadon and Pendragon shared similar sight, hearing, and strength, which only made her more curious.
“How do people of House Beiadon awaken?”
“Mm, there’s no such thing as ‘awakening’ for us. From birth, the Beiadon line is endowed with healing power.”
It was as simple as that.
Unlike Maya, Beiadons were born with their ability.
Healing power.
Could that really be considered an awakened power?
Perhaps it was like her own natural talent for swordsmanship—present from birth.
“Maybe because of the curse, you just haven’t awakened yet?”
“You could think of it that way, but… House Beiadon has no passed-down tales about awakening, aside from warnings about the curse. I think we’re simply born in an already awakened state.”
Beside them, Whitey nodded.
“I left a fragment of myself behind because I enjoyed speaking to my descendants, but Beiadon was always quiet—so it makes sense.”
“Lord Beiadon was quiet?”
“Yes, so quiet I used to complain about it constantly.”
Pendragon rarely spoke except to chime in at just the right moment, but always managed to satisfy curiosity when he did.
If there was a term for someone who grumbled outwardly yet was kind underneath, Maya would use it for him.
“Are you talking about Lord Beiadon?” Tristan asked.
“All he said was that he was quiet.”
Maya relayed Pendragon’s words exactly.
“I’m just a fragment of Pendragon’s self, so I don’t remember much.”
Pendragon chattered away.
Tristan looked disappointed.
“There are very few surviving records about Lord Beiadon in our house. I’d hoped to hear more—it’s a shame.”
Understandable.
“And Tristan, we still have the most important matter left.”
Her words made Tristan, deep in concentration, blink.
“What is it?”
“Since you’ll be my contract partner now, I should work hard to break your curse.”
Maya clasped his hand, intertwining their fingers.
“First, let’s start with holding hands…”
Her eyes sparkled.
“Shall we try hugging next?”
👀😏🫢