Episode 7, Part 2: Change (1)
Yuriel had moved to a mansion just outside the capital.
This house also belonged to Akron—he seemed to own residences all across the Empire.
The move was for her safety. The capital was buzzing with rumors about the Archduke’s sudden engagement.
“The capital’s already flooded with gossip,”
Rovent said as he stepped into the room.
It was 3 PM—time for Yuriel’s daily check-up.
“Is that so? But we haven’t even signed the oath yet,”
Yuriel replied with an awkward smile.
Akron had announced the engagement as soon as he accepted her proposal.
He even submitted the papers to the imperial court.
But they weren’t officially recognized as married yet—Yuriel’s family, the Count’s House, was fiercely opposing it.
In this Empire, noble marriages required both family consent and imperial approval.
The Emperor supported Akron, but the Count remained immovable.
“Don’t worry too much. His Grace is handling it personally,”
Rovent said reassuringly.
Akron had told her the same—urging her not to worry.
But how could she not?
“Still…”
Yuriel’s expression darkened.
Seeing this, Rovent gave a wry smile and walked toward the window.
He pulled open the curtains, letting warm sunlight flood the room.
“How’s the morning sickness?”
“Ah, well…”
Yuriel grew serious at the mention of the child.
She paused to reflect on how she’d been feeling.
She was now just over two months pregnant—a fact they learned after a proper diagnosis.
The nausea had started right after they moved to the new estate.
She used to enjoy fish and vegetables, but now they made her sick.
Instead, she craved meats and dairy—foods she never liked before.
“It comes and goes. But when he’s around, I feel better.”
She felt a little embarrassed to admit it.
But it was true—whenever Akron was by her side, the nausea almost disappeared.
Her body even felt lighter, more at ease.
Rovent smiled kindly at her.
“That’s expected. His Grace’s aura must be helping both of you—Lady Yuriel and the baby.”
Akron had said something similar.
His power was so strong that it could even make her body healthier than before pregnancy.
“He’ll explain more in detail later, but this child is not like an ordinary human child. That’s why I’m here—to monitor things closely.”
Yuriel nodded, accepting the warning.
She had felt the baby’s movement even before the nausea began. This was not a normal pregnancy.
At first, she was terrified—but once she chose to keep the child, she had no more doubts.
“…Um, Rovent?”
“Yes, my Lady?”
“Is there… any chance I’ll lay an egg?”
COUGH!
Rovent choked in surprise, his face turning red as he struggled not to laugh.
Yuriel’s face flushed with embarrassment.
“…Ahem, the child will look like a normal human baby. You don’t need to worry.”
“…Okay.”
She’d promised herself not to be shocked by anything, but still—that thought had crept into her mind.
Especially considering Akron, the child’s father, looked human enough.
Her worries were absurd… but real.
“Any more questions?”
“If so, ask me instead.”
A deep voice echoed through the room.
“Akron…”
Yuriel and Rovent both turned their heads.
There, leaning against the doorframe, stood Akron.
“Is the check-up done?”
He approached and gently stroked Yuriel’s cheek.
His touch was cool, like the breeze he must have brought in from outside.
“Yes. But I don’t think we need to do this every day.”
Yuriel nuzzled against his hand.
His touch always eased her pain.
“The exams are for you, not just the child,”
Akron said, kissing her cheek.
He looked toward Rovent and gave a subtle signal.
Understanding instantly, Rovent bowed and quietly left the room.
“Now that the third wheel is gone, let’s enjoy our honeymoon.”
“Wh-what are you saying?”
They weren’t even officially married, but Akron’s teasing made her face burn.
“Where’s that bold woman who proposed to me?”
He laughed playfully, shrugging off his upper garments.
His sculpted, muscular chest was fully revealed.
“Come here.”
“…Okay.”
Yuriel took his outstretched hand and let him lead her onto the bed.
He leaned against the bed’s headboard, and she sat in front of him, resting against his chest.
Even through her thin clothes, she could feel the warmth of his skin, the beat of his heart.
“I’ll never get used to this.”
She knew this was part of the treatment—transferring energy by touch.
But her heart still fluttered every time.
Ever since her nausea started, Akron had begun transferring his power not through his hand but through their whole bodies in contact.
It was more stable, he said.
“Does it hurt?”
“No, I’m fine.”
It felt warmer, and more soothing than just holding hands.
His hand moved slowly along her body—not soft, but gentle.
His touch reminded her of drifting through warm water.
Yuriel closed her eyes and accepted his energy.
Moments like these made her feel like they were one.
“I didn’t know you were worried about that.”
“About what?”
Her sleepy eyes fluttered open.
“The egg,”
He whispered with a teasing smile.
“…You heard that?”
Yuriel’s face turned crimson.
She hadn’t realized he’d been there long enough to hear that.
“The baby will be born healthy. And it will be my only heir,”
he said as he kissed the back of her neck, the tenderness erasing her embarrassment.
“…But…”
Even in his embrace, her heart weighed heavy.
“My family still hasn’t agreed.”
Becoming Archduchess meant cutting all family ties and living permanently in the dark lands—an old imperial tradition.
It brought no benefit to her family.
“It’s ridiculous,”
she thought.
She had done everything to honor them.
And yet all they returned were insults and humiliation.
When she finally tried to cut ties, they clung even tighter.
“Don’t worry. They’ll agree soon.”
Akron spoke calmly, and confidently.
What Yuriel didn’t know was that he was already cutting off her family’s financial resources—one by one.
Soon, the Count would have no choice but to come begging.
“But…”
Yuriel still looked troubled.
It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in Akron. He could achieve anything.
But she didn’t want this resolved through force.
“This started with me. I should finish it.”
She chose to keep the baby. She proposed to Akron.
She had to settle things with her family, too.
Her father could never defeat Akron.
Eventually, he’d have to give in.
But it would leave a grudge. She didn’t want that.
“Akron. I want to handle my family myself.”
Akron’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
He narrowed his eyes and studied her.
But Yuriel didn’t waver.
Her amethyst eyes were full of determination.
“As you wish, my lady.”
He kissed the back of her hand as if swearing loyalty to a queen.
Yuriel took in his graceful gesture.
“…Then, I have one more favor to ask.”
Her lips parted softly.
Akron answered with another kiss—this time, on her lips.
Meanwhile…
The front of Count’s mansion was in chaos.
Carriages bearing the dragon crest surrounded the estate, along with heavily armored knights.
This wasn’t an escort. It was a show of force.
“W-what is the meaning of this?!”
The Count stormed out, followed by his wife, youngest daughter, and her fiancé.
None of them understood what was happening.
The dragon crest—it belonged to House Veiharz.
Were they being threatened for refusing the marriage?
Then, the largest, most ornate carriage opened.
Yuriel stepped out, escorted by none other than the Archduke himself.
“…Yuriel…?”
Her entire family stared at her, stunned.
This wasn’t the plain girl they once knew.
Yuriel’s silver-violet hair was half-pinned with a diamond clip, revealing her elegant neckline.
Her pearl-colored gown hugged her waist and flared in elegant layers.
The lace hem shimmered with gold thread, adorned with fine rubies and diamonds like stars.
Around her neck was a legendary ruby—The Heart of the Sun—worth more than an entire castle.
Standing beside Akron, Yuriel was more dazzling than a rose in full bloom—graceful as dew-kissed hydrangeas.
“I see everyone’s gathered,”
she said, smiling brightly.
“It’s been a while. Mother. Father. My dear sister. And even… my former fiancé.”
