Episode 49
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Regios stirred up a swirl of emotions in her. At first, it was love, then resentment, hatred, even loathing. But fear—real fear—was something new.
“Don’t.”
“Why?”
Regios had often forced her before. Right now, the reason she couldn’t escape the palace and was trapped here was that he had exploited her weakness and held her down. But this… being physically pinned like this was a first.
She couldn’t believe it. He desired her?
She told herself it wasn’t love. If that was true, then what he felt for her now was mere lust. Even though she thought there was nothing left to hurt her, the long-suppressed pain she had buried deep inside was surfacing once more.
She wanted to run, but he pressed down on her stomach, and there was no way out behind her.
A finger that had been brushing her lips slid inside her mouth.
“I told you not to.”
Epelia warned him quietly, but the warning was too feeble to be threatening. In fact, when she moved her lips, the soft sensation seemed to excite her body instead—she could feel her muscles tense. The sensation of her teeth brushing against something hard and small sent shivers down her spine.
“What will you do if I do?”
His voice carried a hint of laughter, yet it was strangely tight, almost like a beast growling from deep within. Epelia glared at him and bit her finger.
“Then you’ll regret it. Bite me until it bleeds.”
As if impervious to pain, he moved closer. Trapped in his violet eyes, she could see herself reflected back more clearly than ever. The tension rose, and she unconsciously clenched her jaw harder—but Regios’ expression remained unchanged.
Epelia didn’t look away. She glared until finally, she exhaled sharply and pulled back. The finger that had been exploring her mouth withdrew.
“I’m going back.”
Blinking, Epelia looked at a completely different man than moments before. The frightening, unfamiliar presence was gone. The Regios she knew now stood before her, expression cold and composed.
“Rest.”
What had just happened? She couldn’t get out of bed even after he left. Was it a dream? She didn’t think Regios could do such a thing—but the vividness of his breath, the aching pressure on her wrist, all confirmed it hadn’t been a dream.
Thirst.
Her throat felt parched, and she sat up to ring for Gina.
“Princess, are you all right?”
“Yes. I’m fine. Why?”
“Nothing…”
If anything, Gina looked even more uneasy. Strange, since she had no idea what had occurred inside.
“Could you bring me some water?”
“Yes, Princess.”
Epelia drank the water Gina brought and, signaling she wanted more, extended the cup.
Clink, clink.
The bottle and cup rattled, trembling violently. Water spilled over the edges.
“What’s wrong? You’re spilling the water.”
Looking at Gina strangely, Epelia realized only then that it wasn’t Gina trembling—it was her own body.
“Why… why am I like this?”
—
Suddenly, he wanted to see her and headed to the Emerald Palace. Actually, it wasn’t sudden at all. He had wanted to see her all along. Not for a single moment since Epelia had fallen from that cliff had he stopped wanting to see her.
Someone he thought he would never see again had returned alive. Naturally, he wanted her.
“Your Highness, the princess?”
“She is resting in her room. Shall I inform her you’re here?”
The maid returned shortly after with a hesitant voice.
“The princess is asleep.”
Could she be pretending? Given Epelia’s attitude of avoiding him, it was entirely possible.
“Then I’ll go in.”
“But…”
The maid hesitated, but Regios didn’t care. He briefly frowned—not out of anger, but at the audacity of the maid questioning her master.
“Do you think I’d harm Epelia?”
Bow deeply, the maid backed away. Regios entered the bedroom.
She lay buried in white sheets, eyes closed. Steady breathing—it was clear she was truly asleep. She wasn’t pretending. She couldn’t hide her feelings for him, love or hatred.
No. Thinking back to the first time they had met in that tiny village, when she had completely deceived him… it was maddening.
Regios sat beside the bed, looking down at her. Her hair, white as snow, contrasted against the pale sheets, and she seemed almost too fragile to even breathe.
It had been a long time since he had been able to look at her face this way; she usually kept her head lowered. In fact, watching her sleep brought him a strange sense of relief. Those sweet eyes that once looked at him made his heart ache somewhere deep inside.
But that gaze no longer shone dreamily—it had grown dark, clouded whenever she looked at him.
Regios reached out. His hand, careful as if it might touch only her fine hair, soon drifted over her soft skin.
Had she been awake, she would have frowned immediately or pulled away. In that moment, he was thankful she was asleep.
White strands framed her forehead, brows neatly arranged, nose gently curved, lips exhaling soft breaths, cheeks pale and tender. His hands roamed freely.
Epelia’s sleeping brow furrowed slightly, and it struck him as adorable. He brushed her eyelashes; the tickle of her lashes against his fingers felt strange yet intimate.
Her small lips twitched. Eventually, her tightly closed eyes slowly opened.
“Oh… I didn’t mean to wake you.”
He realized then how thoughtlessly he had touched her face. Epelia seemed dazed for a moment, then stiffened, her expression hardening. She asked sharply, clearly uncomfortable, what he was doing.
“Why… shouldn’t I come?”
“Why are you angry?”
Epelia asked as if she couldn’t understand. He felt his own frustration twist. He knew she was avoiding him, but that didn’t make it any easier. Even if he tried to explain, she wouldn’t believe him.
Then Epelia said something that made him flinch, as if struck by a sword.
“You never come without a reason.”
Of course. He always had some reason for seeking her. Coming without one would make it seem as if his heart was truly in love—something he could not allow. Her words hit him sharply. He frantically searched for an excuse. The only thing he could think of was the second celebratory banquet opening.
“I’d like you to leave once you’re done.”
At first, her averted gaze had made him angry. Regios grabbed her cheek to force her to meet his eyes. He didn’t know why he first felt such desire—perhaps it had never truly been the first time. Every time he looked at her, he felt something stirring inside. All the repression built up in a single, explosive moment.
He pressed her down, finger on her lips. The softness burned from the tip of his finger, spreading like fire through his body. Sliding his finger between her small lips felt like melting.
Epelia’s genuine anger and refusal stimulated him strangely. Yet he wasn’t angry. Even her biting down with all her strength felt like a thrill.
Rationality returned only when he saw her trembling violently. Or rather, it didn’t really return. He still wanted to touch her, to reach her—but the fear in her gaze gnawed at him.
He felt it clearly—she was afraid of him. It was like being struck in the head. It would have been better if she hated him, loathed him. Seeing her this scared was unbearable.
Regios bolted from the bedroom—as if running away. And he was. Running—from her? Or from his own desire? He couldn’t tell.
Blood boiling, tension coiling, yet a strange satisfaction brewing. His body stiffened from the mere presence of her breath.
He had never felt desire for anyone before. Or perhaps he had—but never for Epelia. Even if it weren’t love, she was a sacred boundary he could never cross.
Yet he had dared… and it was Epelia.
Bang.
Regios slammed his fist against the wall. What disturbed him most wasn’t the violence, but the heat within him that refused to subside.
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