“...Let’s just kidnap her.”

“Then you’ll turn the entire kingdom against us. Trackers will hunt us down, and you’ll earn the eternal hatred of the elves.”

“Who cares? My life’s already a mess anyway.”

“Besides, if she doesn’t agree to it, it’s meaningless. Even if you drag her away, she’ll escape eventually.”

“That’s your problem. Try using that parasite-like face of yours to charm her.”

“And most importantly, witches don’t get kidnapped, Seha .”

“...”

“If she’s the Witch of Curses, even more so.”

Faced with a sharp truth, Seha  fell silent. But before long, she grumbled in a low voice, expressing her dissatisfaction.

“Yeah, you’re right. Who could kidnap that crazy witch unless they brought an army with them?”

“Exactly. So—”

“Still, this is such a pain. Kidnapping would’ve been easier, damn it.”

With a suppressed groan, she leapt powerfully toward the higher bricks on the wall. Below her, I clung to the lower bricks and scanned our surroundings again. Thankfully, there was no sign of the palace guards. Our disguise worked well, but more than that, no one would have imagined someone scaling the palace walls at a time like this.

“For someone who claims to be okay with anything, you sure have weird requests. And you could’ve climbed this wall on your own.”

“Because it’s not just any wall. I don’t know exactly what kind, but there are various spells around her room. Without elven instincts, it’d be hard to avoid them.”

“Then why not just try to talk her into meeting later?”

“She won’t meet anyone one-on-one. She said so herself.”

“Such a prickly woman. Wait, then won’t she just kick us out again once we’re inside?”

“That’s why I need someone to catch me when I get pushed out the window.”

“God, you’re meticulous to a fault...”

Despite her endless grumbling, Seha’s  hands reached upward with precision. The faint blue moonlight hanging in the empty sky helped guide our illicit climb without a hitch.

Before long, the Queen’s chamber window came into view—a secluded room built with black bricks that stood out from the rest of the palace walls. Staring at it, Seha  murmured thoughtfully in a low voice.

“Hm. A bizarre wall like this at the very top of the palace... It looks like it’s cursed or something.”

“Honestly, part of the reason I asked for your help was to figure out what it is. Feel anything?”

“You probably can’t see it, but thorny vines are slithering through the gaps like snakes. And the foul energy emanating from those black bricks gives me the creeps.”

“Can you get through it?”

“Hah. Have you ever seen an elf fall victim to a curse?”

With a scoff at my question, Seha  reached for the black bricks without hesitation. Instantly, the thorny vines sensed the intruder and coiled fiercely around her arm.

But the moment they touched her skin, they crumbled like dust, dissipating into the air.

Her smirk followed.

“Oh, mighty elf! Neither the towering palace walls nor the cunning Queen’s sorcery can bring down the greatness of Seha .”

“You’re amazing, Seha . I can’t tell you how glad I am to have you on my side.”

“Yeah, yeah. That’s the proper attitude for an inferior species. If the Queen dumps you, come to the elf village—I’ll adopt you with open arms.”

“We’ll need to go in as quietly as possible. Can you manage that?”

“Already done.”

When I looked up, the window was wide open. Even though I’d been watching her closely, I hadn’t noticed her touching the frame. Her skills were uncanny as always.

As I quietly marveled, Seha  caught on and grinned smugly.

“This is where you’re supposed to shower me with more praise. Struggling to come up with fresh compliments?”

“I was just thinking about how to properly thank you.”

“A thank-you without compensation is just a pretty lie, my friend. When you become King, hand over that golden crown of yours. I’ll accept it graciously.”

“Haha...”

“Now, go on. I’m getting sleepy.”

After some playful banter, Seha  waved me off and tossed out a final quip.

“If you change your mind and decide to kidnap her, just toss her out the window. I’ll catch her when she falls.”

“That’s not happening.”

“I’m joking, you idiot. Anyway, enjoy your time with her.”

“...”

I wasn’t sure “enjoy” was in the cards. Swallowing my unease, I focused on the task ahead. Grateful for my companion’s help, I pushed myself through the forbidden window.

Inside, a still silence filled the room. I lingered near the window, relying on the faint moonlight to scan the interior. Soon, I spotted a figure standing near the bed—a woman.

“...”

“Mirian...”

The moment I saw her, I called her name. She noticed me immediately and raised her hand in my direction. At the same time, thorny vines shot out from the ceiling, wrapping tightly around my neck. The crushing weight felt heavier than a noose, and my vision began to blur.

“Urgh...”

The crescent moon hung at the edge of my sight. Its pale light mixed with the tears welling up, turning my view into a hazy wave. Perhaps this visit was too reckless. As regret crept in, a calm yet reproachful voice echoed through the room.

“Didn’t that wise man ever teach you? You shouldn’t barge into a lady’s room uninvited.”

“Gah…”

“Did the abstinent nature of your kind leave you completely ignorant about women?”

“Urgh…”

“I’m curious. What excuse your tongue will spit out this time.”

With Mirian’s  gentle yet mocking tone, the vines around my neck loosened just enough. Finally able to speak, I forced out a strained reply.

“...Good evening, Mirian .”

“How brazen of you to greet me in a situation like this.”

“I thought it might be polite, even if belated.”

“I’ll commend your attempt at courtesy. But why such a rude intrusion?”

“I couldn’t sleep. Because of you.”

It wasn’t a joke—just the plain truth. Mirian  tilted her head slightly, unperturbed.

“I couldn’t sleep either. I was pondering which kind of noose would suit your neck best.”

“So… you were thinking about me all night.”

“Indeed, I was. I wanted to hang you so badly that I eventually settled on thorny vines. Do you like them?”

“They’re cold… like your hands.”

“Perfect. That way, you’ll remember me with regret before you die.”

“That won’t do. There’s something else I’d rather see before I die.”

“Given a chance to speak, and all you do is spout nonsense.”

Her bitter sneer was followed by the vines tightening around my neck once more, cutting off any movement. Then, in a cold, commanding tone, she spoke again.

“So, what is your purpose? That’s all I want to know.”

“Urgh…”

“Speak.”

“Cough… I…”

“Will you not answer?”

“I… I…”

Barely squeezing my voice through the constricting vines, I saw Mirian  lean closer, her ear tilted to catch my words.

“I’m listening. So, talk.”

“Last… time…”

“Go on.”

“Last… time, I…”

“Yes?”

“…There’s something I didn’t get last time.”

At that moment, I yanked myself free of the loosened vines and pressed my lips against hers. Her breath intermingled with mine, filling the gap left by the words I hadn’t yet spoken.

This wasn’t a mere kiss—it was something deeper, sweeter, and undeniably intimate.

“...”

“Mmm…”

Caught off guard, Mirian  stumbled backward, clutching my sleeve for balance. Taking advantage of her momentary disorientation, I pulled her into my arms and collapsed onto the bed behind us.

The two of us sank into the plush bedding, her body settling against mine.

“Hah… Mm…”

“...”

“Hah… Ah…”

Persistent but tender, fervent but gentle, I explored her lips without restraint, my breath growing heavier with each passing moment. Her warmth seeped into me, and as I caressed her damp cheeks, her body began to respond ever so slightly to my advance.

Though it might’ve been my imagination, I wished to stretch this fleeting moment into eternity. But time, as ever, was unkind to mortals. Our lips parted, leaving behind the damp evidence of our shared intensity on the sheets.

“The bed feels cold,” I murmured.

“I often sleep with the window open,” she replied.

“Am I the first to lie here beside you?”

“Who knows?”

At my gentle probing, she answered only with silence, her expression devoid of emotion as her gaze met mine.

“I don’t recall owing you so much as to allow this kind of impudence.”

“You took my blood. I’m simply claiming what I’m owed.”

“Your blood, you say.”

“Don’t tell me you don’t remember. That would be disappointing.”

With a faint smile, I raised my wrist to show her the faint scar. Mirian  glanced at it briefly before turning her head with a sardonic chuckle. Her movement exposed the faint mark on her neck.

Gently touching the spot, I whispered, “This is why I couldn’t sleep, Mirian .”

“Is that so?”

“So, why didn’t you erase it?”

“Who knows?”

“...”

“Perhaps the mirror was too fogged to see it.”

Her gaze naturally shifted toward the dressing table, where a mirror stood in pristine condition, polished to reflect even the faintest details.

“I see.”

Offering no further response, I leaned in once more, aiming for her lips. Mirian  flinched slightly, then closed her eyes. Taking it as permission, I pressed my breath into hers again.

“Mmm…”

“Ngh…”

The sound of wet lips filled the space, and her warmth enveloped me. Time became a thick, intoxicating haze of touch and sensation. Driven by desire, I slid my arms around her waist, pulling her closer as I began to softly caress her.

“Hah…”

“Mm…”

Careful, deliberate strokes traced her form, mapping her presence in the darkness. Her initial resistance ebbed, replaced by soft murmurs of surrender. Moving down to her collarbone, I left a trail of kisses, each a quiet claim on her being.

But just as my lips ventured lower, her quiet voice broke through the spell.

“Stop.”

“...”

“Alpheus.”

Hearing my name brought me back to reality. Lifting my head, I met Mirian’s  gaze as her hand pushed gently against my chin.

“Don’t you think you’ve gone too far?”

“A little… too far, yes.”

“No, much too far.”

Her chastisement carried the weight of a queen. Yet, despite her words, her face glistened with sweat, her eyes still clouded with lingering passion.

Her voice, now calmer, interrupted my thoughts.

“I’m tired.”

“It’s late.”

“I think the bed is warm enough now.”

As always, her veiled excuses signaled the end of our encounter. With a sigh, I untangled myself and stood. Though reluctant, I knew it was time to leave.

Heading toward the window, I prepared to slip away, but her voice stopped me.

“Use the door. There’s a bird nesting near the window, and I don’t want you disturbing it.”

“Does that mean I’ve earned the right to come and go?”

“You’ve earned nothing, Hero.”

“But I’ve already received from you twice.”

“Because there was always a price.”

Mirian , now composed, gazed at me with her usual regal air. Yet, her voice still carried the faint tremor of our earlier closeness.

“That’s all it was—a debt I owed you.”

“Then can I return if I make you owe me again?”

“All I want is for you to make the princess happy.”

“And nothing else?”

“Who knows?”

Behind me, the door creaked open, letting in a cold draft.

“You can figure that out yourself.”

“I…”

“Leave.”

Her cold dismissal silenced any lingering words. Before I could react, I felt myself pushed backward into the hallway.

The door shut firmly behind me, leaving me in the empty corridor. A cloud of dust rose from the impact, making me cough softly.

“Cough… Cough…”

“...”

“Sigh…”

Letting out a long breath, I felt the remnants of the encounter echo through me. As my heartbeat slowed, I instinctively turned to the empty night sky for solace.

But something in the shadows caught my attention—a sound.

“...”

“…?”

I peered into the darkness, my gaze drawn by an inexplicable pull. It might have been my imagination, but it sounded like footsteps. If so, whose were they?