“Where does it feel strange?”

“U-uh, I’m not quite sure myself… Haa.”

His voice trembled painfully. Just in case, I looked around the floor where I had stepped—and noticed a broken branch beneath my feet.

Wrapped tightly around the branch was a piece of paper. I carefully unwrapped it and read what was written.

[When the sun sets, for just one night. The one you love will desire you. May this fateful magic fulfill your heart’s longing.]

“Julietta, w-what does it say?”

Yezar’s words faltered. It was clear he was struggling to maintain composure. I quickly crumpled the paper and hid it inside my sleeve.

“I’ve messed up completely! How on earth can I explain this to Yezar?”

There was no way I could tell him the cursed magic had activated because *I* loved him.

Restlessly rolling my eyes, I hurriedly spoke to him.

“I’m so sorry, Yezar! I accidentally stepped on a magical item, and it seems to have triggered a spell that makes you desire me.”

“Haa… somehow… I’ve been feeling feverish, hot… Are you, are you alright, M-madam?”

“It seems the magic affects others nearby, so I’m fine.”

“I see… That’s truly a relief.”

His voice grew even more strained. I could clearly see Yezar’s condition worsening.

“Yezar, is there any way to undo this magic?”

He stepped back from me, clenching his fists tightly as he answered.

“There might be a way… But if it has a time limit, the spell won’t lift until that time expires…”

It was a hopeless situation. The note had clearly stated it would last one night—meaning the spell wouldn’t end until morning.

“It did say it would disappear by dawn.”

“Then… I’ll endure until then.”

He smiled at me, but blood was seeping from his tightly clenched fists.

“Y-Yezar! You’re bleeding!”

He ignored my reaction and spoke.

“Could you please go outside immediately and call only the male servants? It’s harder to endure with you standing before me.”

I wanted to reach out to him, seeing him suffer so—but I knew that would only cause him greater pain. I quickly left the room and called the servants.

Of all nights, this had to happen on our anniversary… A sigh laced with despair escaped me. If I’d known, I would’ve never entered that room.

His bleeding hand kept flashing in my mind.

***

Anxiously pacing the corridor, I stopped a servant coming out of Yezar’s room and asked about his condition.

“Is the Duke alright?”

“He’s resting in his room for now. But he didn’t look well—seemed to be in great pain. I’m not sure if he’ll make it through the night.”

Hearing that, I cursed my own feet for stepping on the cursed item. And though Yezar said the magic affected him toward the opposite sex, this spell had activated solely because of *me*.

“The Duke asked me to tell you he’s sorry… He says he can’t share the room with you tonight, on your anniversary.”

Sorry? What did he have to be sorry for? It was all my fault he was suffering. For a moment, my feelings for him felt like a curse.

“Then I’ll go now and instruct the guards not to let any maids come near.”

After the servant left, I carefully unfolded the crumpled paper again. I remembered rushing earlier and not reading the final lines.

And as I read the rest of the message, my eyes narrowed in horror.

[Do not worry even if the one you love resists. The more they resist, the more intense the pain will become.]

That damn cursed magic! I nearly cursed out loud. As a pained groan echoed from inside Yezar’s room, I didn’t hesitate—I opened his door.

“M-Madam?”

The windows were fully open, as if he’d tried to cool his fever, making the room cold. Yet his body was soaked in sweat, breathing heavily in a posture that looked ready to collapse.

His face was twisted in agony. I hated myself so much I couldn’t bear it.

With each step I took toward him, he shrank back.

“D-don’t come closer! If you approach, I might do something unforgivable…!”

He was afraid—afraid he might reach out to me. When in truth, this magic had activated because *I* desired him. And here he was, worried about harming me, not knowing the truth.

My husband was truly a fool.

“It’s alright. I came in because I want to take responsibility for what I’ve done.”

“What?”

“It’s my fault the magic was triggered. Even though Yezar warned me. I’ve caused you so much pain.”

“I’m not in the slightest pain…”

“Then why are you frowning like that? The night wind is cold, yet you’re drenched in sweat—your whole body’s a mess.”

“That’s just…”

“I’m sorry, Yezar. After the magic wears off tomorrow, you can hate me all you want. But I can’t bear seeing you suffer like this anymore.”

Step by step, I approached him. Like enchanted, Yezar’s eyes locked onto me. His usually clear, bright eyes now shimmered with thick, raw desire.

At this moment, I couldn’t understand why my heart fluttered at the thought that he desired me. He was suffering because of me. So why did I feel such joy at the thought of being with him?

Hesitating at first, Yezar slowly reached out his hand toward me, his eyelids fluttering shut.

“How could I ever hate you? Come here, Madam. My beloved wife…”

He called to me like a temptation, cheeks flushed as if he truly longed for me.

The moment our hands touched, he pulled me close and we tumbled onto the bed. My heart pounded wildly.

I tried to resist delusion. This couldn’t be his true feelings. I refused to interpret everything in the way I wanted.

But his next words shattered my resolve.

“I love you, Julietta.”

Then warmth touched my lips. As if unable to contain his affection, his lips brushed over my face again and again.

He said those words because of the magic. His tender gaze, the way he kissed me—all because of this damned spell. I mustn’t deceive myself.

The kiss was sweet. Our racing heartbeats entwined as we rolled across the bed.

“Ahh… It feels like a dream. To finally be with you, Madam.”

Clothes slipping softly away felt like a mirage in the desert. His body was burning hot, yet the cool wind blowing in eased the heat.

It felt like our wedding night—like finally consummating our marriage. But a heavy stone weighed on my heart, and I whispered to him accusingly.

“Snap out of it, Yezar.”

You don’t love me. Even your usual kindness toward me… Even if it was just a contract, you treated me well because you’re a naturally gentle person, not because of love.

I keep craving you, even though these touches are just for appearances. What should I do?

I love this moment of becoming one with you so much that I feel like I’m going mad.

“I’m sorry I’m so clumsy… But I’m happy, Julietta. Ah, you’re so precious to me. I love you.”

Like someone desperate to love, he whispered affection into my ear. Even though I tried to let his uncontrollable words pass through me, my own reply nearly burst out.

“Love…”

I almost said it—*I love you too*—but caught myself just in time.

‘If I had any dignity, I wouldn’t say those words to Yezar. I mustn’t.’

The fact that I felt relief because this magic allowed me to possess him made me feel like his curse.

It was as if *I* were the curse placed upon him. Endless tears streamed down my face. And he swallowed every one.

“Julietta, my wife. Why are you crying? Don’t cry.”

Like waves, he enveloped me, soothing me. The initial pain had melted away like snow, leaving only ecstasy to consume my body.

Yet my heart felt like it was shattering into pieces. This wasn’t his true feelings. Because of my selfish desire, because of my endless longing for him, I had taken his purity.

So it was time to end it. Though every sensation crashing over me like heavy rain was intoxicating, its aftertaste was unbearably bitter and frightening.

Like a foolish soul who ate forbidden fruit and was cast out of paradise… This was forbidden fruit. I could no longer remain in paradise.

Tightly embracing his body as it reached me, I silently repeated the words I couldn’t say aloud.

‘Yezar, I love you. I love you deeply, from the bottom of my heart.’

That’s why I’ll end it. I’ll keep every part of you within me, tie it with a ribbon, and package it as a beautiful memory.

I hadn’t even completed two years of our contract. In truth, breaking it was no different than violating our agreement. Yes, this was a surrender. The white flag of a cowardly woman who could no longer hide her heart before you.