Movement (4)
“…Did it… happen?”
“…I don’t think so. But still…”
The people around were murmuring. But what surrounded her felt warm and safe.
She heard someone quietly leave, but the place beside her still felt soft and comforting.
She snuggled in a little more, and a low chuckle followed.
Yuriel slowly opened her eyes, savoring that voice.
“You’re awake.”
The first thing she saw was a pair of red eyes, glowing like rubies.
A man with golden hair like the sun was looking down at her.
“…Akron?”
Yuriel’s eyes widened in surprise. Akron’s gaze softened at her reaction.
Just seeing him here was shocking enough—but he was also shirtless and holding her in his arms.
“…Ah!”
“Don’t move.”
As she squirmed in surprise, his arms tightened around her, not letting her go.
Thankfully, she was wearing a thin nightgown, and the blanket was still covering her. That gave her a small sense of relief.
She glanced around carefully.
‘What in the world happened?’
The room had a large bed in the center and was decorated with beautiful sculptures and glass ornaments. She had never seen this place before.
“Where is this…?”
“This is my mansion.”
Akron answered calmly.
Yuriel blinked slowly as she listened.
Memories from just before she fainted began to return.
She had been dragged away by her father and locked in a secret room.
Suddenly, intense pain in her stomach had made it hard even to breathe.
Just before she lost consciousness, Akron had appeared—he had crushed the thick metal door and saved her.
The pain vanished the moment he touched her belly.
That was the last thing she remembered.
Yuriel tried to focus on her body. There was no pain. She felt lighter than usual.
“Why are you… I mean, why is Your Grace here…?”
“Just call me Akron.”
Yuriel hesitated, then carefully called his name.
“…Akron.”
“See? You’ve called me that before. Still shy?”
His eyes narrowed as he whispered, sounding like a sleepy predator.
There was something sensual in his gaze.
Yuriel, caught in the moment, quickly snapped back to herself.
“…Wait. Don’t tell me…”
“You said I’d come for you, remember?”
He smiled like a mischievous boy. Just like in that dream.
“So… it wasn’t a dream?”
“No. Though I admit, it’s cute how you still think it was.”
Yuriel’s voice trembled with disbelief, but Akron answered so casually.
Then his tone deepened.
“Don’t treat me like I’m not real.”
He leaned in and kissed her neck.
His bite carried a strong sense of possession.
Yuriel let out a soft gasp at the hot sensation.
“I thought it was just a dream… so…”
She reached up and touched the jewel hanging around her neck.
She had thought the mysterious gem was just part of the fantasy.
“Do you know what that is?”
“…No. Just that it’s yours.”
She looked down as she spoke.
She had kept it because she hadn’t had the chance to return it.
She’d been afraid of losing it… or having it taken by her sister.
Akron seemed pleased. He gently stroked her hair, then took the jewel from her.
“That’s my blood.”
“Your… blood?”
Yuriel’s eyes grew wide.
She had noticed the red center of the gem, but she’d never imagined it was blood.
“Yes. The blood of our family is… special.”
He added a vague explanation, like something out of a legend.
A special kind of blood… Could it be true?
Akron touched her cheek as if to soothe her confusion.
“But you using it was unexpected. This kind of item can only be used by someone of our bloodline.”
“Then…?”
“Yes. You’re right. The Veiharz family is born with dragon blood.”
Akron smiled at her wide eyes.
He, too, was born with it—more strongly than anyone else.
The ancient wizards were long gone, but a few rare families still inherited magical bloodlines and used magic through their blood.
That’s how he was able to kill monsters so easily.
‘I should’ve realized it when I jumped into his arms that day.’
Akron remembered the moment she had jumped into his arms from the balcony.
He had thought it was cute and let it go.
But when she appeared in his private chamber, even he was surprised.
“She entered my territory and threw herself into my arms. Just like on the balcony.”
She came to him even in his space—not just in dreams, but in real life.
How could he possibly push her away now?
“So… I came to find you myself.”
Akron looked down at her stomach.
“…And you were carrying my child.”
He could feel the life inside her.
The aura was a mix of light and fire—a dragon’s energy.
And it was strong.
The Veiharz bloodline was rare.
Few women could carry such powerful blood.
Most didn’t even realize they were pregnant before miscarrying.
“A child of Veiharz is more honored than royalty.”
“…I know.”
To carry such noble blood without permission was a grave offense.
In this case, the child’s fate was completely up to Akron.
Even if she gave birth, she would have no rights.
Yuriel lowered her head when he gently brought up the subject.
She already knew.
The way she protectively held her belly made her look so vulnerable.
He was still drawn to her.
“So… you’ll have to come with me. To the western estate.”
Akron smiled sweetly.
The little butterfly in his arms trembled.
So fragile… so lovely.
“Then… I don’t have to… get rid of it?”
“I won’t force you to do that. But you must stay by my side while you’re carrying it.”
He placed his hand on her belly.
As his energy flowed into her, the baby inside calmed and became still.
The stronger the bloodline, the more it needed the support of another with dragon blood.
Also, a woman carrying a dragon child would feel intense pain from the overwhelming energy.
Yuriel seemed to sense something strange in her body and looked puzzled.
“I just gave you some of my power. You’ll need it regularly. Without it, your body will suffer.”
In dreams, he couldn’t fully give her that energy.
That’s why she had to come with him.
The Veiharz descendants couldn’t stay away from the western estate for long.
Protecting the West from monsters was their duty.
“In two months, we’ll return to the estate. I’ll wait for your answer then.”
He kissed her forehead and whispered,
“Rest now. I’ll come back later.”
His touch was more intense than anything she had felt in her dreams.
When he finally left the room, Yuriel slumped in relief, her shoulders stiff from tension.
“…What is all this?”
Even leaning back against the headboard, her heart wouldn’t calm down.
She rubbed her belly absentmindedly.
She was relieved he didn’t ask her to end the pregnancy.
But the truth she now faced was even more overwhelming.
The legends… were real.
Dragons had existed, and so had their descendants.
Impossible things were unfolding all around her.
But she couldn’t deny it.
The child in her womb was proof.
What should I do?
Soon, her belly would begin to show.
What would she tell her family?
They would never just let this go.
If I go with him…?
If she followed Akron to the western estate, she could have the baby safely.
He would protect them.
But after that… nothing was guaranteed.
In the worst case, she might not even be allowed to see her child.
There was still time, but the thought alone made her chest ache.
“Baby…”
She gently rubbed her belly and awkwardly called to the child.
But there was no response.
Still, she kept her hand there and whispered,
“I want to have you.”
The child in her womb had dragon blood.
That was scary—but knowing it was his child made her feel at ease.
Such a precious life.
She was happy… but couldn’t ignore the sadness as well.
“What… does he think of me?”
The time they had shared was sweet… but that was all.
She didn’t know his heart.
Does he just need the child?
If not, why take her with him at all?
If only it were a dream—maybe then it wouldn’t hurt this much.
Reality felt like a beautiful knife hidden in silk.
＊ ＊ ＊
“My lady, it’s Rovent. May I come in?”
“Yes, please.”
Yuriel turned away from the window at the voice beyond the door.
A man with neatly tied brown hair entered, carrying a medical bag.
His glasses suited his kind, gentle face.
This was Rovent Hylde, the personal doctor of the Veiharz family.
He was the one who had examined her when she first arrived, unconscious.
“Your pulse is stable. But your body is still weak, so please continue taking your medicine.”
“…I see.”
Yuriel nodded with a faint smile.
It looked like she wouldn’t be able to escape that bitter medicine today, either.
Her body felt fine, but the constant care felt like overprotection.
Still, she understood—it was for the baby.
It’s already been a week.
Even after all this time, she still hadn’t made up her mind.
She lowered her eyes and instinctively touched her belly again.
The place was comfortable.
The doctor and maids were all kind. She lacked nothing.
But her heart was not at ease. She let out a quiet sigh.
“…Are you worried about something?”
“…I was just… thinking about my family.”
She answered honestly, though not fully.
She had never been away from her family this long.
And the fact that she had escaped with Akron’s help made her imagine her father’s anger.
“Is the reason you haven’t given your answer… because of them?”
“….”
She couldn’t answer right away.
Going with him would be best for the baby.
But what could she possibly say to her family?
She was the one managing the family’s finances.
By now, work must have piled up.
As she hesitated—
Suddenly, loud shouting came from outside.
“…Let her out!”
