- 8 hours ago
The Leopard King's Runaway Bride EP
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I was pregnant, but I didn't know who the father was.
00:02It took me months to realize.
00:04The man who claimed my body was the most dangerous man in the entire empire.
00:07A cursed full moon knight, I, Ava, was being hunted by a pack of beastmen.
00:10The pitch black forest loomed like the gaping jaws of a monster.
00:12I ran for my life.
00:13Behind me, a stench of blood pressed against my neck.
00:16Razor-sharp claws sliced through the air.
00:19Rip, my dress tore to shreds.
00:21Just a little closer, one more inch, and they would tear me to pieces.
00:26Desperate, I crashed into a deathly, silent, ancient mansion.
00:30I screamed for help.
00:31Instead of human comfort, dozens of golden magic streaks pierced the darkness.
00:35The charging beast didn't even have time.
00:37And was hurled away.
00:38Instant silence.
00:39I looked up, trembling.
00:40Upper body, muscles rippling under the firelight.
00:42A bloodied sword rested in his hand.
00:44Behind him swayed a long golden beast tail.
00:46He saved me.
00:46But something was desperately wrong.
00:48He was panting, his chest heaving violently, suppressing something inside.
00:51Then, burning golden veins erupted across his neck, rapidly covering his entire body.
00:55His aura turned feral, violent, insane.
00:58He lifted his head, glared at me.
01:00Get out before I lose control and tear you apart.
01:04But I saw it.
01:05If I ran, that raging power would burn his soul to ashes.
01:08He had saved me.
01:09Now it was my turn.
01:10Trembling, I stepped closer.
01:12My fingertips cautiously brushed his cold crown, trying to soothe the brutality.
01:15A violent backlash threw me away.
01:17I slammed hard against the stone wall.
01:19Too weak.
01:19With my power, I could never suppress him.
01:21Unless I gave myself to him completely.
01:24The moment I hesitated, he snapped.
01:25His golden beast eyes snapped open.
01:27Next second, he was right in front of me.
01:29Before I could breathe, he pinned me.
01:31Whelming pressure crashed down.
01:33His scorching breath battered my neck.
01:35Lips brushed my skin, sliding lower and lower.
01:38Every touch sent violent shivers through me.
01:40An indescribable tingling heat heightened.
01:42Like he gripped the bedsheets, my breathing stood whole.
01:45Dangerous, yet impossible to resist.
01:47Golden light wrapped around our bodies.
01:51Our powers began to merge wildly.
01:55When I woke up the next day, I was resting against his chest, still masked.
01:59Only the sharp, cold line of his jaw showed.
02:02Instinctively, I reached out.
02:03I wanted to see his real face.
02:05But a powerful surge of golden magic blasted me away.
02:08I crashed onto the bed, hard.
02:10Sunlight spilled through the curtains, blinding me.
02:13I was doomed.
02:14If father found out I stayed out all night, he would kill me.
02:17Panicked, I got dressed and fled, as if I was escaping a nightmare.
02:21I staggled home and collapsed into a chair.
02:24A wave of nausea suddenly twisted in my stomach.
02:27Every drop of color drained from my face.
02:29I could feel it.
02:30A new life was growing inside me.
02:32I was pregnant, and I didn't even know his name.
02:36Bang, bang!
02:37Urgent knocking shattered my panic.
02:38Father wanted me in the drawing room.
02:40My heart tightened.
02:41Summoned my magic.
02:42I suppressed the life era inside my womb, burying my secret before going out.
02:46Inside the drawing room, the air was suffocating.
02:47His majesty has given his decree.
02:49We must offer our purest daughter to crown Prince Ken.
02:52The moment I heard that name, my entire body froze.
02:54Everyone in the Empire knew.
02:55Ken was a complete killing machine.
02:57Right then, Bella let out a soft, venomless laugh.
02:59She said that on the wedding night, the leopard god contract ritual would be performed.
03:03The ritual would test the bride's purity.
03:05And anyone judged, because I knew I was no longer pure.
03:08If I went up there, I would die.
03:10I dropped to my knees, desperately begging father.
03:13I cried out that Lucas and I were in love, that I couldn't marry Ken.
03:16Let Bella marry Lucas.
03:17Unwilling to give up, I continued pleading.
03:20But father shoved me aside.
03:22He said the wedding was in three days.
03:24The royal palace had even prepared maids to train me for the consummation night.
03:28I had no other choice.
03:29Without a single backward glance, father strode away.
03:32Bella slid over, bending down right against my ear.
03:35I can't wait to see your performance at the wedding.
03:39The day of the ritual.
03:41Warm steam filled the bathing chamber.
03:43Mei leaned against the edge of the pulley, washed my body.
03:45But my mind?
03:46It was trapped in a nightmare.
03:47That full moon growing night.
03:48That mass leopard clan man?
03:49I covered my lower abdomen.
03:51My face growing pale.
03:52What was I supposed to do?
03:53If Ken discovered I was pregnant, I would definitely die.
03:56My mother and Bella walked in.
03:57Bella looked down at me, her lips curling into a mocking smile.
04:00Looks like the maid scrubbed you nice and clean.
04:03What a shame you're about to die anyway.
04:07I know your secret.
04:09You're not a virgin anymore.
04:11And you're pregnant.
04:13Do you know?
04:14Ken has a private garden.
04:17He buries a woman every single day to fertilize the flowers.
04:22Your ending may be worse than theirs.
04:24In that instant, every drop of blood in my body frozen solid.
04:27How did she know?
04:28Unless the full moon night was a trap?
04:31As the thought crossed my mind, I lost control.
04:33Tears streamed down my face.
04:34The overwhelming terror swallowed me whole.
04:37I denied being pregnant.
04:39But Bella only stood there with a mocking smile.
04:41She whispered about that full moon night.
04:45How much I enjoyed it.
04:47And how I had conceived a child because of it.
04:50In that instant, I understood everything.
04:52That night was never an accident.
04:53It was Bella.
04:54She lured me into that forest.
04:56She paid those feral bandspoles to hunt me down.
04:58I stared at her in shock.
04:59All these years, everything she wanted, I gave it to her.
05:02Why did she still want me dead?
05:03Jealousy twisted her face.
05:04Every woman wants Lucas.
05:06And I was nothing more than a lowly cat.
05:07I don't deserve him.
05:08Mother stood nearby, soothing Bella as she spoke.
05:10She said that Lucas was Bella's fiancé now.
05:12There was no reason past the Leopard God contract.
05:15There was no reason past the Leopard God contract.
05:16My rage finally exploded.
05:18Gathering my residual magic, I lunged forward, hurling a strike straight at Bella's throat.
05:23But even stronger force slammed back against me.
05:26I crashed onto the ground.
05:28Blood spilled from the corner of my mouth.
05:30Defiant, I forced my head up, spitting blood.
05:33What if they can discover the truth?
05:34They laughed.
05:35In their eyes, Ken would never protect me.
05:37Because that man, I was the coldest, the cruelest killing machine.
05:40He might even torture me to death.
05:43Despair swallowed me whole.
05:44And then, with a deafening crash, the massive glass wall shattered.
05:49Wild wind mixed with a terrifying golden era swept through the room like a hurricane.
05:54A tall man burst through the broken window.
05:58He pulled me into his arms.
06:00His icy voice echoed throughout the room.
06:04Who said, I wouldn't protect her?
06:09It was Ken.
06:10The bath chamber fell into deathly silence.
06:12Bella and Mother turned pale.
06:13Almost instinctively, they collapsed to their knees.
06:15Ken strode toward me.
06:16Cold, overwhelming pressure.
06:17Ken declared that I was his wife.
06:19From this moment on, anyone defying me was making an enemy of the entire empire.
06:24Bella and Mother panicked.
06:25Stammering.
06:25Begging for mercy.
06:26Claiming it was all just a joke.
06:27Ken didn't even waste a glance.
06:29Boom.
06:29Terrifying golden power erupted violently.
06:31Bella and Mohar were instantly blasted away.
06:34I stare blankly at the man before me.
06:35I never could have imagined the killing machine actually come to save me.
06:39Lowering his head, he gently tucked a red rose between my breasts.
06:42Dangerous.
06:42Intimate.
06:43Then his gaze locked onto the cut on my lips.
06:45He said my lips were beautiful.
06:46His fingers brushed against them.
06:48Almost instantly, the power inside my body spiraled out of control.
06:51Soft cat ears sprang from my head.
06:52Countless pink flower petals drifted down.
06:54Pink spiritual energy wrapped around us.
06:56Exactly like that night.
06:58Chased through the forest.
06:59Breathing shattered.
07:00A tingling weakness spread through my body.
07:02And as Ken watched me lose control, his gaze grew even more dangerous.
07:04Just touching your ears, he murmured.
07:08And you've gave every reaction?
07:15Now I'm starting to worry.
07:18When the consummation night comes, will you turn directly into a needy little kitten in heat instead?
07:33Blushing.
07:34I looked at Ken.
07:34Quietly asked if the ritual had to happen tonight.
07:36Ken looked down.
07:37Told me it was the law of the empire.
07:39My heart instantly sank.
07:40Because only I knew once the ritual began, my secrets would be exposed.
07:44Maid's voice outside.
07:45Ceremony about to begin.
07:46Ken glided behind me, changing my gown.
07:48His long fingers smoothed down the heavy velvet.
07:50Yet every movement felt dangerously intimate.
07:53His palm traced upward along my-
07:54Just want to remind you how I'll strip this dress off you tonight.
07:57Raw magic unleashed.
07:59Forcing my cat ears and tail back beneath skin.
08:01Dangerous possessiveness in his eyes.
08:03He solemnly told me that no one else was allowed to see me like this.
08:06He lifted me effortlessly into his arms.
08:08Massive golden beast swooped down outside.
08:10Ken stepped onto the royal mount, flying towards the palace.
08:12Wild winds swept through my long hair.
08:14Below us, countless nobles and knights following closely.
08:17The entire vanguard bowed their heads in respect.
08:18And at the very front of them was Lucas.
08:20Instantly a suffocating lethal era crashed down on me.
08:22Ken had tracked my eyes.
08:23I told you don't look at other men.
08:25You belong only to me now.
08:27His lips smashed down onto mine.
08:29The kiss was raw, violent, and dripping with punishment.
08:31He bit my lip on purpose.
08:32Taste of blood.
08:33The flying beast racing through the sky.
08:35Jolt, violent, bump.
08:36I can trembled.
08:37And my soft cattail slipped out untrollably.
08:39So, this is all it takes to get you excited?
08:41In that case, I wouldn't mind taking you right here in the sky.
08:45The massive golden flying beast descended in front of the royal capital.
08:51Ken stepped down first.
08:55Took my hand.
08:57Leading me step by step into the castle.
09:00The entire palace was so luxurious it felt impressive.
09:03Flames and magical crystals illuminated the grand hall.
09:05Nobles and ministers lined up on both sides.
09:07My parents and Bella standing among the crowd.
09:09Very top of the hall, seated upon the imperial throne.
09:12The most powerful woman in the empire.
09:14The empress, Elizabeth.
09:15Ken and I stopped together and bowed before her.
09:17Begin the ritual.
09:18At her command, a minister in white robes stepped forward.
09:21He raised both hands and powerful magic gathered in the air.
09:24An ancient black and gold magic book appeared, before everyone.
09:26Its pages flipped automatically.
09:28Stopping in front became Ken and me.
09:30Then the minister spoke in a deep voice.
09:31Princess Ava, place your hand upon the book.
09:34Swear before the empress.
09:36Remain forever loyal to Prince Ken.
09:38And preserve the purest bloodline for the royal family.
09:42If there is any falsehood, the magic book shall release the power of darkness.
09:45Will be devoured by beasts.
09:47My face instantly turned pale.
09:49Because I knew, not only had I lost my purity, I was even carrying a child.
09:55And just then, Bella suddenly stepped forward.
09:58She deliberately looked at me and smiled.
10:01Why does my dear sister look so pale?
10:04Could it be that you're hiding something?
10:10Ava, what are you hesitating for?
10:15The next second, empress raised her seppler.
10:18A terrifying pressure crashed toward me.
10:20I could barely breathe.
10:22An even stronger surge of golden power blocked it.
10:25It was Ken.
10:26He protected me.
10:28Don't be afraid.
10:29I'm here.
10:30No one can touch you.
10:31I finally made my decision.
10:32Because I couldn't die.
10:34Not just for myself, but for the child growing inside me.
10:37Panicking, I gathered every drop of my magic,
10:39airing the abnormal aura of my pregnancy.
10:41And I raised my hand and placed it on the leopard god's book.
10:44And I began my vow.
10:45I, Ava, will remain forever loyal to Ken.
10:49I will protect the purity of the royal bloodline.
10:52If I speak any falsehood, I willingly accept the judgment of the beasts.
10:56The instant the oath ended, the book suddenly erupted with dazzling golden light.
11:00There was no darkness.
11:01No punishment.
11:02I was accepted.
11:03The empress nodded.
11:04And the minister announced the establishment.
11:07I froze in shock.
11:08Did I deceive the book?
11:09Or was the bastard growing inside my womb?
11:12Actually a royal heir?
11:13I induced labor.
11:15I had no time to think further.
11:17The consummation ritual began.
11:19Ken swept me into his arms and carried me toward the royal bedchamber.
11:23Thud placing me gently onto the bed.
11:25Leaning down over me.
11:27Staring into my eyes.
11:28Speaking in a low voice.
11:29Are you ready to let your husband take what belongs to him?
11:36This ritual was not meant for only Ken and me alone.
11:43Beyond the layers of silk curtains, royal ministers and priests stood waiting.
11:48They would witness the whole process.
11:50I lay on the bed, breathing trembling from nerves, instinctively trying to retreat backward.
11:55Next second, Ken grabbed my ankle, pulling me back.
11:58Then a sharp smack landed heavily against my hip.
12:00A burning sensation instantly spread through my body.
12:03Where do you think you're running?
12:05My face flushed crimson as I struggled to escape.
12:07But Ken leaned down, forcefully tugging at my sleeve.
12:09The fabric slid a hip, teasingly hooked beneath the edge of my sleeve.
12:12Gliding upward along the curve of my arm.
12:13Every swipe of his hand dripped with unadulted aggression.
12:16Pure tension.
12:17His cold breath drew closer.
12:18Air suffocatingly thick.
12:19Danger and raw tension.
12:21Just then, a minute...
12:22Ritual time was almost upon them.
12:24Before the moon goddess descended, the process had to be completed.
12:28The moment I heard those words, my body stiffened even more.
12:31Meanwhile, Ken lowered his gaze back to me.
12:33Leaning close against my ear.
12:35Dangerously hussy whisper.
12:38They'll all be waiting outside.
12:40Tonight, every single scream I tear out of you will be heard.
12:44Inside the silk curtains, air heavy.
12:46Almost suffocating.
12:48I lay on the bed.
12:49Tears falling uncontrollably.
12:52With reddened eyes, I looked at him.
12:54I told him they raised his hand.
12:56I only wanted to give myself to someone I tears.
12:59I don't give love.
13:00I fuck.
13:01Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the curtains.
13:04Nobles and unusually priests inquieted inside the consummation ritual.
13:08Bella was the first to stir trouble.
13:09Raising her voice, saying it was far too quiet.
13:11Questioning if the ritual had even begun.
13:13Even the empress losing patience.
13:15She ordered that if the ritual did not continue immediately, the curtains would be pulled open by force.
13:19The moment I heard that, panic instantly overwhelmed me.
13:22Ken finally stopped waiting.
13:24The man rose to his feet.
13:25One by one, he removed his clothes.
13:28Broad shoulders.
13:29Powerful muscles.
13:30The next second, Ken lowered himself closer to me.
13:33His scorching breath drew nearer, little by little.
13:36I had to protect the child inside me.
13:38The moment Ken leaned close enough, I made my decision.
13:41Then I suddenly thrust it toward him.
13:43Slash.
13:44The sharp tip pierced directly into his chest.
13:46Blood instantly spilled out.
13:48Ken froze, looking at the wound, lifting his gaze back to me.
13:51For the first time, disbelief appeared in those golden beast eyes.
13:55My breathing stopped instantly.
13:57Footsteps outside, growing closer and closer.
14:00Open the cup.
14:01Empress started to speak.
14:03My heart nearly leaped into my throat.
14:05But just one second before everyone burst inside,
14:08Ken suddenly reversed the dagger in his hand and slashed deeply across his own palm.
14:12Blood instantly poured out, grabbing a cloth stained with blood,
14:15violently throwing it beyond the curtains.
14:19Blood stained cloth thrown beyond the curtains.
14:22My body still trembling.
14:24I had almost believed I was going to die.
14:26But Ken merely lowered his gaze to me,
14:29not angry, nor punishing me for stabbing him.
14:32He leaned closer, using his blood-stained fingers to brush across my lips.
14:38I'd never force a woman in bed.
14:41I'd wait until you beg me to love you.
14:47Whole body shothered, breathing instantly uneven.
14:51Ken thoroughly pleased.
14:53Fingertips deliberately lingering.
14:56Stroping my lips.
14:57My body hotter and hotter.
14:58Just then, an urgent report suddenly came from outside the curtains.
15:01It was Lucas,
15:03reporting other beast clans had invaded the Empire's borderlands.
15:05Next second,
15:06he changed into black and gold battle armor.
15:09Atop his head,
15:09the golden beast ears appeared,
15:11symbolizing royal power.
15:13Ken truly looked like the terrifying war machine.
15:15He didn't even turn back.
15:16He simply coldly ordered the Night Legion to assemble.
15:20Lucas immediately obey,
15:21leaping onto their massive flying beast mounts.
15:24Countless knights rapidly gathered behind them.
15:26Golden light illuminated the night sky.
15:29Soon, the vast army disappeared beyond the royal capital.
15:35Meanwhile, the maids escorted me away,
15:37but I never could have imagined what would happen next.
15:39Bella rushed into the Grand Hall,
15:40shouting that I had deceived the entire royal family.
15:43She claimed I was not pure at all,
15:44that I was even carrying the child of a lowborn beast man.
15:47The mother hall stepped forward as well,
15:48claiming she could slay in to find this.
15:50Empress darkened completely.
15:52She raised her scepter.
15:54Purple magic gathering wildly around her.
15:57Terrifying pressure instantly descended upon me.
16:05Examine her immediately.
16:07And if every word is true,
16:11feed her alive to the Imperial beast.
16:17The Empress slammed her fist,
16:19summoning the doctor.
16:20An antlered female doctor approached,
16:22holding a glowing green crystal.
16:25Panic hit me almost instantly,
16:27because I knew
16:27the secret inside my womb was about to be exposed.
16:31She pressed it against my belly.
16:33Buzz green light spread.
16:35Dead silence.
16:36Everyone stared.
16:38The doctor's face fell.
16:39Finally,
16:40finally she lowered her head and announced,
16:46Ava Adrian is carrying a child.
16:48And she conceived the child before the leopard god contract.
16:52The entire hall exploded.
16:54Bella laughed out loud.
16:55First of everyone.
16:57Uncontrollable excitement.
16:59Waiting for this exact moment.
17:00She shouted my crime.
17:02Deceiving the royals.
17:04Deceiving the contract.
17:05Now the only fate awaiting me was to be torn apart.
17:09Mother stepped forward as well,
17:11begging the Empress for my immediate death.
17:13Nobles and ministers quickly joined in.
17:16Countless voices filled with disgust,
17:18contempt and cruelty crashed down upon me.
17:20I stood frozen,
17:21completely condemned.
17:26The Empress lost her temper.
17:28She violently raised her scepter.
17:30Purple magic swept the hall.
17:32Then she gave her icy command.
17:34Take her to the arena.
17:35Prepare the beasts.
17:36And notify Ken at once.
17:38My heart sank.
17:38Because I knew the so-called arena was never a trial.
17:42Guards bound me.
17:44Enormous crucifix.
17:45Center of the arena.
17:47Cold iron chains tightly locked around my wrists.
17:49Wild wind whipped through my hair.
17:51The surrounding stands were packed with nobles and beast plans alike.
17:54Everyone was waiting to watch me die.
17:56In despair,
17:57I lowered my head.
17:58Not far away,
17:59Bella and Mother stood among the crowd.
18:01The smiles on their faces were impossible to hide.
18:03Waiting for this exact moment.
18:05In despair,
18:06the moment of my death.
18:07High above,
18:07the Empress rose.
18:08Two words.
18:10Execute her.
18:11Boom.
18:11The next second,
18:11the gates burst over.
18:12Countless savage beasts came roaring out.
18:14Dust instantly swept across the entire arena.
18:16Sharp bangs.
18:17Blood red eyes.
18:18Frenzied killing intent.
18:19Bound tightly.
18:19I have nowhere left to run.
18:20I closed my eyes.
18:21But as they were about to pounce,
18:23something really changed.
18:24Boom.
18:24A brilliant golden light exploded from my lower abdomen.
18:26Boom.
18:27A terrifying force swept across the arena.
18:28Every charging beast was blasted backward.
18:30Everyone shot to their feet.
18:31In shock,
18:32even I froze in disbelief.
18:33A faint golden leopard marking suddenly appeared across my lower abdomen.
18:36Seeing it,
18:36Anker's expressions changed instantly.
18:38She stared fixedly at the mark on my stomach.
18:39Then,
18:40as though she had finally realized something,
18:41she whispered in disbelief.
18:42Why?
18:42Does Ava bear the royal recover leopard cub?
18:45My child saved my life.
18:47Blinding golden power spreading,
18:48forming a massive barrier protecting her.
18:50Though savage stood frozen,
18:51Bella staring at the mark,
18:52eyes filled with jealousy and hatred.
18:53In a loud voice,
18:54she reminded the empress that the child's power was far too dangerous.
18:57So,
18:58she should be killed immediately.
18:59The empress fell silent,
19:00then found the child's power flying at Silva.
19:02Boom.
19:03The golden barrier cracked.
19:04Little by little.
19:05Backslash struck my body,
19:06blood spilling from my lips.
19:07Bella became hysterically excited,
19:09pointing at me.
19:09You filthy cat blood!
19:10Die already!
19:11Silva advanced toward me once more.
19:14I tightly protected my stomach.
19:16No,
19:16I could die,
19:17but my child could not.
19:19No way left.
19:20I could only burn my own soul.
19:22Her spiritual power...
19:23Has she gone insane?
19:24She's burning her own soul?
19:26Once a beastman ignites their soul,
19:28it means complete destruction.
19:29Her spirit will disintegrate.
19:31She'll power will shatter.
19:32Her unable to ever take human form again!
19:35Suddenly,
19:36a massive crack split open across the sky.
19:38Blinding golden light
19:39instantly pierced through the earth.
19:41Irina!
19:41Everyone looked up.
19:43And from within that light,
19:44a man emerged.
19:45It was Ken,
19:46sword in hand,
19:47battle robes whipping in the wind.
19:49Those golden beast eyes
19:50were cold enough to suffocate the world.
19:53Then,
19:53he spoke.
19:54I'd like to see...
19:56who dares touch my princess.
20:00When I woke up again,
20:01several days had passed.
20:03Sunlight filtering through curtains,
20:05a body keeping his lave breath
20:06as I opened my eyes.
20:08From her,
20:08I learned the truth.
20:09The man who had saved me in the forest cabin.
20:12It was Bring Me Ben.
20:13I froze.
20:14Soul damage was irreversible.
20:16Yet Ken had gone that far.
20:18For me.
20:18Just as my thoughts spiraled,
20:20the bedroom door suddenly opened.
20:22Ken walked in.
20:23His face was paler than before.
20:25In a low voice,
20:26he said that if I hadn't woken up soon,
20:29he would kill whoever hurt me.
20:30Well,
20:31the hearts trembled violently.
20:32Next moment,
20:33Ken lifted me into his arms,
20:35taking me to bathe east.
20:36Warm steam filled the bathing chamber.
20:38Ken lowered me into the heated water,
20:40hand moving toward my robe ties,
20:42ear tops turning bright red,
20:44cat ears popping out uncontrollably.
20:45Flustered,
20:46I pretended to wash my hair,
20:47not daring to look at him at all.
20:49I told him I could undress myself.
20:51Next second,
20:51Ken pulled me back into his arms,
20:53his breath brushing against my face.
20:55Ask why my hands were shaking?
20:57I was brave enough to touch his tail that night.
20:59He took a small jar of scented balm.
21:01His lips almost touching me,
21:04warm fingertips tracing down my spine.
21:07I just didn't want to watch you die.
21:15Don't you want to be closer to me?
21:19I'm pregnant!
21:20We can't do that right now!
21:23I promised you,
21:25I'll wait until the day you truly fall in love with me.
21:28Right now.
21:30I just want to help you practice a few things.
21:34Now,
21:35hold here tightly,
21:36and start practicing.
21:39The next morning,
21:41I woke up on a soft,
21:43luxurious bed.
21:45My right hand sore and weak.
21:48Ken was already gone.
21:52Just then,
21:53a maid walked in,
21:55informing me Ken went to train the royal guards.
21:58He specifically instructed her to show me around the palace.
22:03A strange warmth spread through my chest.
22:06After changing,
22:07I followed her out.
22:08The palace was quiet and magnificent,
22:10but passing a long corridor,
22:11I stopped.
22:12Far end of the hallway,
22:13a garden sealed behind enormous iron gates,
22:16bearing a royal crest,
22:17marked with a prohibition against entry.
22:19Curious,
22:20I asked the maid what lay beyond.
22:22The maid's expression instantly changed.
22:24In a lowered voice,
22:25she told me that was a forbidden area sealed by Prince Ken.
22:27No one was allowed to enter.
22:28Anyone who disobeyed the order would be executed immediately.
22:31Those words triggered a toxic memory.
22:33The mocking words my mother spit when I was trapped in the bath.
22:38Do you know,
22:39Ken has a private garden.
22:42He buries a woman every single day
22:44to fertilize the flowers.
22:47Your ending may be worse than theirs.
22:51A chill crept down my spine.
22:54And yet,
22:55deep down,
22:56I still felt Ken wasn't that kind of person.
22:59I couldn't stop myself,
23:01walking toward the iron gate.
23:03I pushed open the heavy doors.
23:05The next second,
23:06I froze completely.
23:08Inside the garden,
23:09the ground was covered in countless white bones,
23:11and the faint smell of blood lingered in the air.
23:14All blood in my body frozen solid.
23:17Could it be,
23:17every rumor about Ken was true?
23:19He's a merciless,
23:20psychopathic butcher?
23:23Suppressing fear,
23:25I walked deeper into the garden.
23:28Next second,
23:29I stepped on a loose stone.
23:31I lost my balance.
23:33Wave of weightlessness,
23:35falling downward.
23:36Opening my eyes,
23:38a hidden passage concealed beneath.
23:40Ancient beast clan runes carved across walls.
23:42At the end of the tunnel sat a massive black chest.
23:45My first thought corpses.
23:47Walking towards step by step,
23:49opening the chest.
23:51I was stunned.
23:52No bodies.
23:53Only stacks of yellowed secret journals.
23:55My trembling.
23:56Fingers open the first page.
23:58Heart pounding harder.
24:00Documenting the missing cat.
24:01Clan girls from past years.
24:03Or,
24:03conceived bloodlines forbidden to exist.
24:05The rumors about women used as fertilizer.
24:08Had all been lies.
24:11Ken was never the monster.
24:13Instead,
24:13he had been secretly investigating their deaths all along.
24:17I finally understood,
24:18why Ken hated the royal laws.
24:20And why he was so desperate to protect me and my child.
24:23Thinking of that,
24:25my eyes burned red.
24:26And just then,
24:27a familiar venomous voice behind me.
24:31Who said,
24:33you can enter the forbidden garden?
24:35Who allowed you to pry into royal secrets?
24:40The Empress has already given the order.
24:44Kill Ava.
24:46And bury her here as well.
24:49I glared at Bella,
24:51demanding to know her plan.
24:53She lifted a hand.
24:54An attendant stepped forward,
24:55holding a barbed whip.
24:56Seeing those barbs,
24:57my stomach dropped.
24:58But before I could react,
24:59struck,
25:00crack!
25:00The first nizing pain instantly tore through viciously.
25:03I collapsed onto the ground.
25:04Bella smiled wider.
25:05She'd been waiting for this moment all along.
25:08She ordered the attendant to hit harder.
25:10Soon,
25:10the second lash.
25:11The pain was so intense.
25:13Then the third.
25:14My breathing began trembling,
25:16but Bella only sneered at me,
25:18reminding me this was the forbidden garden,
25:21violating royal commands.
25:23I deserved to die.
25:24She was merely carrying out the Empress orders.
25:27She coldly ordered the attendant again.
25:29Keep going.
25:31Crack!
25:32The whip lashed down once more,
25:33pain draining my last strength.
25:34I collapsed helplessly onto the floor.
25:36Blood trickled down my arm.
25:37Only one thought remained in my mind.
25:38If Ken saw me like this,
25:39he would be heartbroken.
25:40My eyes sting,
25:41but Bella merely smiled,
25:43cold smile sending chills down my spine.
25:45She lifted a hand.
25:46My stomach dropped.
25:47An attendant stepped forward,
25:48holding a barbed whip.
25:49Agonizing pain instantly tore through my skin.
25:52I collapsed onto the ground.
25:53Bella smiled wider.
25:54She'd been waiting for this moment all along.
25:56She ordered the attendant to hit harder.
25:57Soon,
25:58the second lash.
25:59Then the third.
25:59Blood scrappy spread.
26:00The pain was so intense.
26:01My breathing began trembling.
26:03I bit my lip hard
26:04and struggled to raise my head.
26:05But Bella only sneered at me,
26:07reminding me this was the forbidden garden,
26:08violating royal commands.
26:09I deserved to die.
26:11Keep going.
26:12She was merely carrying out the Empress orders.
26:14She coldly ordered the attendant to get me.
26:16Braining my last strength,
26:17I collapsed helplessly onto the floor.
26:19Blood trickled down my arm.
26:20Only one thought remained in my mind.
26:22If Ken saw me like this,
26:24he would be heartbroken.
26:25My eyes sting.
26:26Then next instant,
26:27the bracelet around my wrist burned hot.
26:29The gemstone turned bright crimson.
26:31No one knew how much time had passed.
26:33Brutal whipping finally stopped.
26:35I lay on the ground covered in blood,
26:37every breath laced with pain,
26:38and yet arms still cleaning journal against my chest.
26:40Because I knew,
26:41it wasn't noticed the stories
26:42of those rats and dead girls.
26:43It was everything Ken had spent years
26:44in his hiding and protecting.
26:46She asked what exactly was it?
26:47Something so important
26:48I'd protect it with my life.
26:49Even in this pathetic state,
26:50I forced my head up.
26:51Then word by word,
26:52I told her,
26:52someone as rotten as her
26:53would never understand.
26:54Bella's expression turned icy.
26:56She walked straight towards me,
26:57trying to snatch it away.
26:58Boom!
26:58A blast of magic slammed violently into my body.
27:00Agonizing pain exploded
27:01through my every single nerve.
27:02A muffled cry escaped.
27:03Finally unable to hold on,
27:04the journal slipped from my hands.
27:06Bella immediately picked it up,
27:07looking as though she had finally
27:08gotten what she wanted.
27:08She flipped through a few pages.
27:10Then suddenly,
27:10an idea occurred.
27:11She smiled.
27:12She said she could give me a chance
27:13to take the journal back.
27:14Raising her hand,
27:15terrifying fire magic
27:16instantly spread across the ground.
27:17The cold stone floor
27:18turned directly into
27:19thermal molten lava.
27:20Scorching heat rushed toward me.
27:21Bella stood across from me,
27:22looking down at me from above.
27:24Deliberately,
27:24she waved the journal lightly in her hand.
27:26Then she spoke with vicious delight.
27:27If you crawl across the lava like a dog,
27:30I'll give the journal back to you.
27:32Otherwise,
27:32I'll burn it right now.
27:35I froze completely
27:35because if those journals were destroyed,
27:37everything Ken spent years investigating
27:39disappear.
27:40I clenched my teeth
27:41and nodded,
27:44dragging my broken,
27:45blood-soaked body forward.
27:47I began clamming little by little
27:49towards the molten lava.
27:52Step by step,
27:53I walked across the burning stones
27:54of molten lava.
27:55Every step like red hot blades.
27:57I didn't know how much time had passed,
27:58dragging my battered body,
27:59finally crawling to the other side.
28:00Blood continuously streamed down my legs.
28:02First thing I did,
28:03reaching my hand toward Bella,
28:04begging her to return the journal.
28:05But Bella suddenly smiled.
28:07Right in front of me,
28:08she simply went away.
28:09The journal instantly fell into the net.
28:10No,
28:11I lost all control.
28:12Lunging my entire body
28:13over the scorching edge.
28:14Ignoring the unbearable heat,
28:16I reached the molten lava to gravity.
28:18Agony with burning skin.
28:19Body trembling violently.
28:21Too late.
28:21By the time I pulled the journal,
28:22it had been burned beyond recognition.
28:24Everything destroyed.
28:25Tears streamed down my face.
28:27Yet Bella won't let me go.
28:29She raised her hand.
28:31Cold water magic gathering wildly.
28:34Terrifying killing
28:35and Ted popped onto me.
28:36Then she screamed viciously at me.
28:38Bella screamed viciously at me.
28:40Go to hell!
28:41A fatal blast of magic
28:43had already played.
28:44No time to dodge.
28:44But just as the attack
28:45was about to pierce through,
28:46boom.
28:47An even more terrifying surge
28:48of golden power
28:49suddenly exploded from behind.
28:51Bella's magic was instantly
28:52shattered completely.
28:53The entire forbidden garden
28:54trembled violently.
28:56Then a familiar figure
28:56stepped in front of her.
28:58It was Ken.
28:59Terrifying golden Ken intent.
29:02Surging like a scamp.
29:03And Bella,
29:04who had been so arrogant,
29:05instantly turned
29:06to deathly pale
29:07the moment she saw her.
29:08Then with a thud,
29:09she dropped to her nose.
29:13Ken rushed to my side,
29:15carefully helping me up,
29:16whole body trembling,
29:17blood seeping from wounds.
29:18In a low voice,
29:19he whispered,
29:19I'm sorry.
29:20I came too late.
29:22Suppressed emotions
29:22nearly shattered.
29:23Then Ken lifted his head
29:24and looked toward Bella.
29:25He asked her
29:26if these horrific wounds
29:27were her doing.
29:28Bella tried to defend herself,
29:29claiming I trespassed,
29:30merely punishing me
29:31according to royal law.
29:32Next second,
29:33Ken coldly laughed.
29:34With a single glance,
29:35he exposed her eyes.
29:36The magic was
29:37much-in-ordinary punishment.
29:39It was a forbidden,
29:40dark curse
29:40for devouring souls.
29:42This wasn't an execution
29:43under royal law.
29:44She wanted to completely
29:45erase my soul from existence,
29:47tearing my spirit to crush.
29:49The spell laid bare.
29:50The guards found it.
29:52They all dropped
29:53their reasonable prophecy.
29:54They claimed that
29:56everything people
29:57would have had happened.
29:58She even lied about
29:58having Ken's creation.
30:00Ken's expression
30:00jokingly made.
30:01He immediately summoned
30:03them in a cold voice
30:04he gave me order.
30:06Strip Bella
30:06of her noble status.
30:08And as for every
30:09guard participated
30:10in torturing me today,
30:11cut off their flaws,
30:13punch my nose.
30:14Everyone's faces
30:15deathly made.
30:16Bella completely broke out,
30:17screamed and cried
30:18desperately for mercy.
30:20But Ken didn't
30:20spare another glimpse,
30:22simply pulling me
30:22back into his arms.
30:24Then,
30:25without looking back,
30:25he carried me out
30:26of the forbidden garden.
30:27Behind us echoed
30:28Bella's desperate screams
30:29as she was dragged away.
30:33Ken carried me
30:34the entire way
30:35back to the royal chambers,
30:36hands staying tightly
30:37around me,
30:38afraid I might disappear.
30:39Very soon,
30:40the royal deer healer
30:41was urgently summoned.
30:42A green healing array
30:43unfolded throughout the room.
30:45After examining me,
30:46the healer finally
30:47let out a relieved breath.
30:48She said my injuries
30:49were mostly superficial wounds.
30:50Then she raised her hand.
30:51Soft green magic
30:52covered my body,
30:53burning pain fading
30:54little by little,
30:55warmth enveloping me,
30:56body relaxing into his chest.
30:58In what felt like forever,
31:00pain completely disappeared,
31:01gathering courage
31:02to look at Ken.
31:03Quietly I asked him
31:04whether he was angry
31:04that I entered
31:05the forbidden garden.
31:06Ken didn't answer.
31:07Instead his gaze fell
31:08to the bracelet on my wrist.
31:09Then he asked softly
31:10if I knew why it had turned red.
31:11I shook my head.
31:12Ken took hold of my
31:13hand.
31:14He told me that the bracelet
31:15was tethered to our souls.
31:16Only when the other
31:17truly accepted,
31:18trusted,
31:19or loved him,
31:19would it light up.
31:20So the moment the
31:21bracelet turned red,
31:23he would trust me unconditionally.
31:24Hearing that,
31:25my heart suddenly trembled hard.
31:27I couldn't help asking him
31:28if true.
31:28Why did everyone call
31:29him a cold-blooded monster?
31:31Ken fell silent.
31:32Then he suddenly asked me
31:33whether I had read the journals.
31:35I nodded.
31:35I told him I had read
31:36every single word inside them.
31:38Ken looked away.
31:39Awkwardly.
31:40Even the tips of his ears
31:41turned faintly red,
31:42muttering they were
31:43merely childish things
31:44from when he was younger.
31:45Seeing him like that,
31:46I suddenly couldn't
31:47stop myself from smiling.
31:48Ken was nothing
31:49like the war monster.
31:50If anything,
31:51he was almost cute.
31:52Thinking about the
31:53catclaim girls
31:53he had secretly protected.
31:55Thinking about everything
31:56he had endured alone
31:57all these years.
31:58My chest suddenly ached.
31:59So I sat up
32:00and wrapped my arms
32:00around him.
32:01Then softly told him
32:02that I truly felt
32:03heartbroken for the child
32:04he used to be.
32:05Hearing those words,
32:06Ken visibly froze.
32:07Then he gently held my waist
32:08and pressed me back
32:09onto the bed.
32:10His movements were a tender.
32:11And then a slow,
32:12restrained kiss
32:13softly fell against my lips.
32:16The air grew hotter.
32:17The soft bed dipped.
32:19Completely trapped
32:19within Ken's.
32:20Embrace.
32:21His breath brushed
32:21against my ear.
32:22My fingertips go numb.
32:24Meanwhile that
32:24dangerous leopard tail
32:26coiled around my ankle.
32:27Then gradually moved upward.
32:29He.
32:29He was tormenting me.
32:31Every touch made me tremble.
32:32Ken looked at my flushed face.
32:34Possessiveness impossible
32:35to suppress.
32:36My body went weak.
32:37Even my breathing
32:38had fallen into chaos.
32:40All I could do
32:40was tremble
32:41and softly beg him
32:42not to continue.
32:43Because I was pregnant.
32:44If this kept going,
32:45I would completely
32:46lose control.
32:47Hearing that,
32:48Ken finally paused
32:49for a moment.
32:50Eyes carrying long
32:50restrained desire.
32:52Obviously it wasn't just me.
32:53Even he had not
32:54been satisfied.
32:54The room fell silent
32:55for several seconds.
32:57Then Ken suddenly
32:58let out a low laugh.
32:59Saying although they
33:00couldn't go all the way
33:01he still had other ways
33:01to make me feel good.
33:02His tail
33:03wrapped around me again.
33:05From my calf,
33:05it gradually slid higher
33:06toward my thigh.
33:08That faint,
33:08teasing contact
33:09was even more torturous
33:10than actual touch.
33:11My body
33:12instantly tensed.
33:13My breathing rose
33:14and fell uncontrollably,
33:15little by little,
33:16pushing me
33:16toward the edge
33:17of losing control.
33:18And throughout it all,
33:20Ken kept his eyes
33:20fixed on me.
33:22As if admiring
33:23every reaction
33:23I could no longer suppress.
33:27And then whoosh!
33:28Sharp sound slicing the air,
33:29shattering the atmosphere.
33:30Next second,
33:31an arrow shot.
33:31Straight toward Ken.
33:32The intimate tension
33:33in the room
33:33was instantly destroyed.
33:34But Ken's reaction
33:35was unbelievably fast.
33:36He didn't even turn his head.
33:37He simply raised a hand
33:37and caught the arrow
33:38firmly amid air.
33:39The arrow had stopped
33:39less than an inch
33:40from his eye.
33:40The room fell silent.
33:41Then Ken lowered his gaze
33:42toward the arrow.
33:43In his hand,
33:43suffocating desire
33:44completely shattering,
33:45warping into absolute
33:45freezing bloodlust.
33:47In a low voice,
33:47he said,
33:48The day has finally come.
33:50Ken thrust his hand out,
33:51catching the arrow mid-air.
33:52Warmth and desire
33:53vanished instantly.
33:54It felt as though
33:54the room had frozen over.
33:55For the first time,
33:56I saw that expression
33:57on his face.
33:58Suppressed, dangerous,
33:59laced with cold murder.
34:00Anticipated for a very long time,
34:02etched onto the tail
34:02an ice-blue crest
34:03unique to the mortal territory.
34:04Ken stared at the arrow
34:05for a very long time.
34:06So long that the silence
34:07in the room became terrifying.
34:09Then, in a low voice,
34:10he finally said,
34:10So, they finally found out.
34:12That night,
34:12Ken did not return
34:13until very late.
34:14Unies kept gnawing
34:15at me the entire time.
34:16Deep in the middle of the night,
34:17I had a terrible nightmare.
34:20In the dream,
34:21I was clutching my stomach,
34:22desperately running alone,
34:23through a forest.
34:24But the child inside me
34:25kept struggling in pain.
34:27I could even hear its
34:27cry clearly.
34:29That sound nearly drove me insane.
34:31Just when I was about to
34:32collapse,
34:33a figure suddenly appeared.
34:34A man stood deep
34:34within the forest.
34:35I couldn't,
34:36to see his face.
34:37But his eyes remained
34:38fixed on me the entire time.
34:39His voice echoed,
34:40through the darkness.
34:42If you want to protect
34:43your child,
34:44then leave Ken.
34:47After that dream,
34:48I became increasingly restless.
34:50And just as my anxiety
34:51kept growing,
34:52Bella suddenly came to see me.
34:54She still looked at me
34:55with the same disgust
34:57as before.
34:58There was no warmth
34:59in her eyes at all.
35:00The very first thing
35:01she said was,
35:02Ava,
35:02you are a disaster.
35:04Then she told me
35:04the Northern Territory
35:05had discovered our leopard.
35:06God contract
35:07had been completed.
35:08The child born from our union,
35:10possessing power,
35:11far beyond ordinary
35:12beast clan.
35:14If such a child were born,
35:15no other nation would
35:17allow it to live,
35:18especially the North.
35:19They had already begun
35:20gathering their armies.
35:21They were even preparing
35:21to launch a war ahead of time.
35:23Bella looked at me coldly,
35:24saying the Empire fell into
35:25unrest because of me.
35:26And once the North truly marched
35:27to war,
35:28more and more people would die.
35:29As for Ken,
35:30he would absolutely go to
35:31to the battlefield
35:31just to protect me.
35:33Hearing that,
35:33my heart trembled violently
35:34because
35:35I knew he truly would do it.
35:37That man had once said it himself.
35:38Even if the entire
35:39the world stood against him,
35:40he would still protect me.
35:41My fear grew as I realized that,
35:43the more afraid I became.
35:44Bella continued,
35:45if you really love him,
35:46then leave.
35:47It is
35:47the best choice.
35:49Those words pierced
35:50straight through my heart
35:50like a blade.
35:52That
35:53night I sat quietly
35:54at the bedside,
35:55watching the sleeping Ken
35:56for a very long time.
35:57And in the end,
35:58I still gently let go of his hand,
36:00then left the palace alone.
36:06That very night,
36:07I still chose to leave.
36:08No goodbye.
36:09No message left.
36:11Behind.
36:12Because I knew if he wake up,
36:13he would never allow me to go.
36:15The snowstorm raged
36:16endlessly around me.
36:18Alone,
36:19I left the royal city behind.
36:21The child inside my womb
36:23was becoming unstable.
36:24Along the journey,
36:25whenever wild beasts approached,
36:27golden power would
36:28automatically erupt from my body.
36:29I couldn't even control it myself.
36:31And the more it happened,
36:32the more terrified I became.
36:34Because the child's power
36:35had already surpassed
36:36anything I could have imagined.
36:37I desperately fled
36:38toward the Northern Territory.
36:40Because I knew
36:41the farther I stayed from the
36:42Empire,
36:43the less likely war
36:44would break out.
36:45until finally,
36:46deep into the night,
36:48Blizzard completely
36:48swallowed the road ahead.
36:50At last,
36:51I could no longer hold on.
36:52My body collapsed
36:53into the snow.
36:54And then I suddenly
36:55noticed something.
36:56In the distant snowfield.
36:59A massive trail
37:00of footprints had appeared.
37:01The next second,
37:03dozens of Northern soldiers
37:04emerged from the storm.
37:08I turned and ran.
37:09But those Northern soldiers
37:11were clearly happy.
37:12They even knew
37:14I was pregnant.
37:15Their voices echoed
37:16relentlessly
37:17through the blizzard.
37:19Don't let that child
37:20be dead.
37:21Kill that.
37:22I desperately tried
37:23to use my magic.
37:25My body had grown weaker
37:26during the pregnancy.
37:28Before long,
37:29I was cornered
37:30at the edge of a cliff.
37:31And just as they were
37:33about to strike,
37:34the child inside my womb
37:35suddenly began
37:36thrashing violently.
37:38The next second,
37:39a terrifying surge
37:40of golden power
37:42erupted instantly.
37:43Every soldier nearby
37:45was blasted away.
37:47Even the entire snowfield
37:49began to crack apart.
37:50Everyone froze in shock.
37:52Because that child
37:54was actually protecting me.
37:56But after the power exploded,
37:58my body completely
37:59lost control as well.
38:02Agonizing pain
38:03instantly swept
38:04through every part of me.
38:06I collapsed to my knees
38:07in the snow.
38:08Blood stained the white
38:09ground beneath me.
38:10And in that moment,
38:12I realized the baby
38:13was about to be born.
38:17The snowstorm grew heavier.
38:19Knelling alone
38:19on frozen wasteland.
38:21Body completely
38:21drained of strength.
38:23Ruthless northern soldiers
38:24marching forward.
38:25Closing in,
38:26step by step.
38:26They knew as long
38:27as they killed me,
38:28that dangerous child
38:28would never be born.
38:29The leader had already
38:30raised his weapon.
38:31Just as they were about
38:32to charge forward,
38:33the child inside my womb
38:33suddenly began
38:34struggling violently.
38:35A blinding burst
38:36of golden light
38:37exploded from my body.
38:38Boom.
38:38Terrifying power
38:39instantly swept
38:39across the plane.
38:40The raging blizzard
38:41itself was blown away.
38:42The ground began
38:43cracking apart
38:44wildly beneath us.
38:45Northern soldiers
38:46thrown flying
38:46before reaching me.
38:47Some coughed blood
38:48on the spot.
38:49Others were swallowed
38:50directly by collapsing snow.
38:52Everyone was
38:53completely horrified
38:54by what they saw.
38:55Because that child
38:56had not even been born yet
38:57and already possessed
38:58such terrifying power.
38:59And at last,
39:00I could no longer endure it.
39:02Pain consumed
39:02my entire body.
39:03Then,
39:04in the next second,
39:05accompanied by the cry
39:05of a newborn baby
39:06my child was born.
39:07Cradled in my shaking arms,
39:09the little girl
39:09opened her eyes.
39:10Those golden beast-like eyes
39:12were exactly the same
39:12as Ken's.
39:15And finally,
39:16I completely collapsed.
39:17Holding my baby tightly,
39:18I fell into the endless storm.
39:19Blood spread across
39:20the white snow beneath me.
39:21Then suddenly,
39:22I felt something.
39:23The red bracelet around my wrist
39:24was beginning to grow warm.
39:25I lowered my head
39:26to look at it.
39:26The once brilliant
39:27crimson glow was starting to fade.
39:29That bracelet was
39:29the leopard god contract
39:30between Ken and me.
39:31And now,
39:32as the distance between us
39:33grew farther and farther,
39:34its light was gradually
39:35disappearing too.
39:35I clenched the bracelet
39:36tightly in my hand.
39:37Tears finally spilled
39:38uncontrollably down my face.
39:40This time,
39:40after leaving,
39:41would Ken and I
39:41never see each other again?
39:44Six years passed quickly,
39:46hiding in a small town
39:47near the Northern Territory edge
39:49with my daughter.
39:50I named her Alice.
39:51She was smart,
39:52beautiful,
39:53but terrifyingly dangerous.
39:56Since she was little,
39:57she possessed power
39:58far beyond ordinary bees.
39:59Sometimes,
40:00when her emotions
40:01slipped out of control,
40:02everything around her
40:03would explode instantly,
40:04even wild beasts
40:05instinctively avoided her.
40:06So,
40:07over the years,
40:08I had done everything possible
40:09to hide her identity,
40:10who her father was.
40:12Meanwhile,
40:13six years later,
40:14Ken had officially
40:15inherited the throne.
40:16He became the Empire's new king,
40:17and now,
40:17he was even colder
40:18and more ruthless than before.
40:19According to the rumors,
40:20no one dared disobey his commands,
40:21and no one dared mention
40:22my name anymore.
40:23It was as if I had never
40:24existed at all.
40:26Until that day,
40:27Alice secretly ran out
40:27of town on her own.
40:28Realizing it,
40:29she was already gone.
40:30Instant panic consumed me.
40:31Northern forest filled
40:31with deadly beasts.
40:32I rushed into the forest
40:33like I had lost my mind,
40:34calling Alice's name
40:34over and over and over again.
40:35But when we found her,
40:36I suddenly stopped dead
40:37in my tracks.
40:39Because not far away,
40:40standing in the snow,
40:40Alice was with a man.
40:41And that man
40:42was Ken.
40:44Six years,
40:44his body carried
40:45an overwhelming pressure,
40:46making others afraid
40:47to approach.
40:48At his feet lay
40:49a gigantic beast,
40:50sliced cleanly in half
40:51by a single strike.
40:52Blood had nearly stained
40:54the entire snowfield red.
40:55Yet Alice was not
40:56afraid of him at all.
40:57She even walked toward him,
40:58then reached out
40:59her tiny hand,
41:00and gently touched
41:01the leopard tail behind him.
41:02Exactly the same movement
41:03as my first full moon night
41:05six years ago.
41:05The next second,
41:07Alice suddenly lifted her head.
41:08Those golden beast-like eyes
41:09stared directly at Ken.
41:11Then,
41:11in her soft childish voice,
41:13she asked,
41:14Why are your eyes
41:16the same as mine?
41:19We returned
41:19to the cabin together.
41:21The entire room
41:22fell completely silent.
41:23Step by step,
41:24Ken walked toward me.
41:25After six years apart,
41:27the pressure radiating
41:28even even more dangerous,
41:29especially those golden
41:30beast-like eyes.
41:31As though he had finally
41:32recovered,
41:32he had prayed he once lost.
41:33I had barely opened my mouth
41:34when he grabbed my wrist.
41:35The next second,
41:36he pinned me against the door.
41:37Where else are you
41:38planning to run?
41:40Because over these six years,
41:42imagined countless versions
41:43of reuniting.
41:44But never once like this,
41:46as though he truly wanted
41:48to swallow me whole.
41:49The next second,
41:49Ken wrapped an arm
41:50around my waist,
41:51lifting me onto the bed,
41:52lowering his head
41:53to kiss me.
41:54Fiercely,
41:54my legs nearly gave out
41:55instantly.
41:56That familiar scent
41:58completely invaded
41:59my breathing.
42:00Ken's hand sliding
42:01upward along my waist,
42:02burning palm brushing
42:03my body.
42:05Numbness is spreading
42:06through me.
42:07Six years.
42:08But Ken seemed
42:09finally satisfied by it,
42:11brushing higher and
42:12still extensive.
42:13Calloused fingers,
42:14unlicing my gown,
42:15tracing a line
42:16across my chest,
42:17fabric parting,
42:18bare skin exposed,
42:20shivering.
42:21Ken.
42:22Do you know
42:23what I wanted most
42:24during these six years?
42:26His lips brushed
42:28against my colophon,
42:29my breathing
42:30growing more uneven.
42:31Ava,
42:32do you know,
42:32for the past six years,
42:34all I could think about
42:36was hunting you down,
42:38dragging you back
42:39to this bed
42:40and breaking you.
42:41He completely lost
42:43control,
42:43claiming my body
42:44and driving himself
42:45deeply into me.
42:47Alice remained
42:47curled up on the bed,
42:49hugging her tiny blanket,
42:51sleeping soundly,
42:52completely unaware
42:53that her parents
42:54were tangled together
42:55once again
42:56after six long years apart.
42:59The next day,
43:00Ken brought both me
43:01and Alice back,
43:02returning here again
43:03after six years
43:04I felt so suffocated
43:05I could barely breathe,
43:06because I knew
43:07this place had never
43:08truly welcomed me.
43:09And now,
43:10I had returned
43:11with a child
43:11who possessed
43:12terrifying power.
43:13Along the way,
43:14everyone secretly
43:15stared at Alice,
43:16especially when her
43:17golden beast-like eyes
43:18appeared.
43:19Some of the maids
43:20were so frightened,
43:21they didn't even
43:21dare approach her,
43:22but Alice didn't
43:23understand any of that.
43:24It was her first time
43:25seeing such a huge palace,
43:27she ran around
43:27excitedly everywhere.
43:29She even kept
43:30clinging to Ken non-stop.
43:31And although Ken
43:32still looked cold
43:33on the surface,
43:34he never pushed her
43:35away even once.
43:36For the first time
43:37in my life,
43:37I saw the man
43:38feared by the entire
43:39empire patiently
43:40accompanying a child.
43:42But at that exact
43:43moment something
43:43unexpected happened.
43:45Alice had only been
43:45playing with a small
43:46beast pet.
43:47But when she became
43:48too excited,
43:49boom,
43:49a terrifying burst
43:50of golden power
43:51exploded instantly,
43:52the entire hall
43:53shattered apart,
43:54every crystal
43:55chandelier around us
43:56burst into pieces.
43:57Even the floor
43:58began collapsing,
43:59the nobles screamed
43:59in terror,
44:00some were directly
44:01thrown backward
44:02by the shockwave,
44:03and Alice herself
44:03became frightened too.
44:04She stood frozen
44:06in place,
44:07staring helplessly
44:07at her own hands.
44:09Everyone looked
44:09at Alice in horror,
44:10because at that moment,
44:12they finally realized
44:13the child's power
44:14had already become
44:15dangerously uncontrollable.
44:18That very night,
44:19I had just managed
44:20to coax Alice to sleep.
44:22The doors shoved
44:23open violently.
44:24I turned around sharply.
44:25Bella had actually
44:26entered together
44:26with the Empress,
44:27and behind them
44:28stood a large group
44:29of royal guards.
44:30I instinctively realized
44:31I stepped in front of Alice,
44:32but Bella only looked
44:34at me with a cold sneer.
44:36Ava!
44:37Just look at the monster
44:39you raised!
44:40When you ran away
44:40for six years,
44:41you nearly dragged
44:42the entire Empire
44:43into war,
44:44and now you still
44:45have the nerve
44:45to remain in the palace?
44:47Blood immediately
44:48spread across
44:49the corner of my mouth,
44:50but I couldn't care
44:51less about the pain,
44:52because Bella
44:53suddenly grabbed Alice.
44:55Alice was startled
44:56awake instantly,
44:57crying.
44:57She reached her arms
44:58toward me.
44:59I lunged toward her
45:00like I had gone mad,
45:01but the guards forced
45:03me violently
45:03onto the floor.
45:05Meanwhile,
45:05the Empress simply
45:06looked one at me
45:07coldly.
45:08From this day forward,
45:10Alice will be raised
45:11by the royal family.
45:12As for me,
45:13I no longer have
45:14the right to remain
45:15by her side.
45:17I desperately tried
45:18to take Alice back,
45:19but the guards
45:20pinned me down tightly,
45:21face pressed to
45:21freezing floor.
45:22I couldn't even stand up,
45:24and Alice was still crying,
45:26reaching toward me
45:26over and over.
45:27At that moment,
45:28it felt as though
45:29my heart was being
45:30torn apart alive,
45:30yet the Empress
45:31merely watched,
45:32everything coldly.
45:33Then she spoke.
45:35Take the child
45:36to the temple.
45:37Without my permission,
45:38Ava is forbidden
45:38from going anywhere
45:39near Alice.
45:40I completely lost control.
45:41I struggled
45:42with everything I had,
45:43fingernails scraping
45:44until tearing open,
45:45bleeding.
45:45Then, in the next second,
45:46Bella suddenly stepped down
45:47hard onto my back,
45:48heel viciously grinding.
45:50Against wounds,
45:50pain shot through
45:51my entire body instantly.
45:52I trembled uncontrollably,
45:53but Bella only bent down
45:55beside me,
45:55laughing softly
45:56near my ear.
45:57Ava,
45:58do you really think
45:58you can still be queen?
46:00The Empress only cares
46:01about one thing,
46:02that child.
46:03After saying that,
46:04she suddenly grabbed
46:05my hair harshly,
46:06forcing me to watch
46:07as Alice was dragged away.
46:08Alice cried so hard,
46:10her voice became,
46:10hoarse.
46:11And she even began
46:12losing control
46:13of her power again.
46:14Golden magic violently
46:15shook the entire
46:16palace hall,
46:17but in the next instant,
46:18the Empress struck
46:18her staff against the floor.
46:20Boom,
46:21a purple seal
46:21instantly descended
46:22onto Alice's body.
46:23Alice immediately
46:24collapsed to the ground
46:25in pain.
46:25Her tiny body
46:26trembled non-stop.
46:27The moment I saw that,
46:28I completely broke down.
46:30Like a mad woman,
46:31I tore myself
46:32free from the guards
46:33and threw myself
46:35desperately toward her.
46:37After Alice was taken away,
46:39I almost completely
46:40lost my mind.
46:41Bella looked like
46:42getting revenge along.
46:43The surveillance
46:43immediately locked
46:44cold chains
46:45around my wrists,
46:46metal digging deep
46:47into skin,
46:47hands going numb
46:48from pain.
46:49Bella sat on elevated seat,
46:50watching me like a performance.
46:52My skin split open
46:53and crack!
46:55But Bella only laughed.
46:57Continue.
46:58Beat her and-
46:59Then came the second lash.
47:01The third.
47:02Blood streaming down my back.
47:03Alice was crying out for me.
47:05I began to regret everything.
47:07Regret coming back.
47:08If it weren't for me,
47:09Alice would be safe
47:10and never have been taken away.
47:14I didn't know how much time had passed.
47:16My body collapsed heavily
47:17onto the floor.
47:17And just before I
47:18completely lost consciousness,
47:20Boom!
47:22Boom!
47:26Ken,
47:27it's not what it looks like.
47:33The doors kicked open.
47:34The room fell silent.
47:35I lay on the floor
47:36covered in blood.
47:37My consciousness
47:37was already fading.
47:38But even so,
47:39I recognized that figure instantly.
47:41It was-
47:41Punishment?
47:42Bella completely panicked.
47:44She frantically-
47:45desperately tried to explain.
47:46She said it was all
47:47the Queen's order.
47:48When you use
47:48the Soul Devouring Whip,
47:50did you ever think
47:50about how you were
47:51going to die?
48:09Throw Bella into the pit of death.
48:11She is never to come out again.
48:13Bella completely broke down
48:14because everyone in the Empire
48:15knew what the pit of death was.
48:16A prison filled
48:17with the most terrifying
48:18monsters alive,
48:19crawling to grab his clothes.
48:21But Ken,
48:21Chasen never looked at her again.
48:23He only tightened
48:23his arms around me.
48:25His voice had become
48:26unbearably hoarse.
48:28I failed to protect you.
48:31For the next several days,
48:33Ken barely left my side.
48:35The dear healer
48:36came every day
48:37to treat my wounds.
48:41And Alice was finally
48:43brought back to me.
48:44That day,
48:44the little girl saw me,
48:47bursting into tears,
48:48throwing herself
48:49into my arms.
48:50She kept,
48:50crying and calling for me
48:52over and over.
48:53And at last,
48:54I couldn't hold back anymore.
48:55I hugged her tightly
48:56and broke down crying too.
48:58Ken simply stood nearby,
49:00quietly,
49:01watching us.
49:03And in that moment,
49:05I felt like every bit of pain
49:06I had endured
49:07was worth it.
49:09Later,
49:10Ken prepared another wedding for me.
49:11But this time,
49:12there was no trial,
49:13no contract,
49:14and no one forcing me
49:15into anything.
49:16The entire palace was
49:17covered in a sea
49:18of golden flowers.
49:18I wore a wedding dress
49:20that truly belonged to me.
49:21Day of the ceremony,
49:22watching me,
49:23those eyes that were
49:24always cold and intimidating
49:26for the first time.
49:27They were impossibly gentle.
49:28He walked toward me
49:30step by step.
49:31Then,
49:32in front of the entire empire,
49:34he gently kissed
49:35the back of my hand.
49:37This time,
49:38he said softly,
49:39no one will ever
49:40take you away from me again.
49:42And Alice happily
49:43threw herself
49:43into our arms.
49:45golden flower petals
49:46drifted down from the sky.
49:49And finally,
49:50I understood something.
49:52True happiness
49:53was never about
49:54running away.
49:54It was about
49:55having someone
49:56willing to protect you
49:56with everything they had.
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