Though Kian explained simply, Veronia was not convinced about the appropriate punishment he mentioned.

“So even if the seal can be avoided, the punishment cannot be escaped.”

“That is correct.”

“A fitting punishment to appease the Grand Temple’s wrath… that won’t be easy.”

“I am, of course, aware of that. But protecting Father leaves me no other option.”

Yura wanted so badly to tightly embrace Kian, who had somehow managed to save Sikar, just as she used to—but with Veronia and Valije present, she had no choice but to restrain herself. She merely wiped her tear-reddened eyes with a handkerchief.

Kian gently wiped Yura’s tears with a sorrowful gaze.

“Please don’t cry, Mother.”

“I had no idea you cared so deeply for the Duke, Your Majesty.”

“Father risked his life for me and even saved my dad. That’s nothing compared to what he’s done.”

Yura was profoundly grateful for Kian’s sentiment. But suddenly, she worried—if Sikar found out about this, wouldn’t he disappear again?

So Yura begged everyone to keep it secret.

“I beg you. If the Duke finds out, he will surely change his mind. Please, keep this secret for just a little while longer.”

Veronia seemed to understand why Yura was making such a request.

“You’re afraid the Duke will run away again?”

Yura nodded in reply.

“Yes… I’m afraid I might try to forcibly break the curse again… He’ll run… He’ll vanish before my eyes once more…”

Kian, who had been silently listening, couldn’t comprehend the meaning of those words.

“Why would Father run away to break the curse meant for Mother? Your Majesty, you seem to know something—please tell me. What am I missing?”

Yura soothingly stroked Kian’s hand.

“I’ll explain everything to you later. For now, please keep this secret from the Duke. Can you do that?”

Kian nodded regretfully.

“I understand, Mother.”

“Thank you so much, Your Majesty.”

Of course, Sikar would eventually find out—but until then, Yura intended to buy time.

She believed that if she broke his curse without direct contact, he might pass over it unknowingly.

Fortunately, Sikar returned only after the conversation had ended and the atmosphere had settled.

Sikar brought over some milk tea and placed it before Valije as if inviting him to try it.

“It took me quite a while to find the palace’s special black tea since I haven’t been here in so long. My apologies for keeping you waiting, Son-in-law.”

Valije accepted the milk tea Sikar offered, his eyes curious.

“No need to apologize.”

Sikar then quickly brought milk tea to Veronia and Kian as well.

“You’ve probably never tasted anything like this. My wife enjoys drinking it—please enjoy it with good spirits.”

After sipping his milk tea, Valije smiled at his cup as if experiencing this flavor for the first time.

“This is truly delicious. Next time, I’ll make you some chicken soup.”

Sikar, who himself knew and made chicken soup very well, smiled and nodded.

“I’ll come whenever you call.”

Valije set down his milk tea and looked at Sikar, signaling it was time to speak.

“We plan to return to the Snow Mountains tomorrow.”

Yura stared at Veronia as if her earlier request had completely dissolved into nothing.

“Your Highness, are you truly set on this?”

“Yes. I’ve already given this place to you. Isn’t it ridiculous to suddenly come back now and claim this spot? We only stayed briefly because we felt our family should gather and share at least one meal together.”

Our family…

No one said it aloud, but Veronia’s words struck their hearts like a sudden thump.

Still, Sikar had wished Veronia to stay by Kian’s side in his absence, and Yura had hoped the couple would remain by Kian’s side while she was away.

Thus, though their intentions differed, neither could simply let Veronia return to the Snow Mountains.

“Please reconsider, Your Highness.”

But even with Yura’s earnest plea, Veronia remained cold.

“I’ve already made up my mind.”

Sikar also felt they couldn’t let her leave like this, so he added his voice.

“If you, Son-in-law, value my service, please remain by the King’s side.”

Of course, Valije also wished to stay near Kian. But since Veronia was being stubborn, he felt powerless.

Instead of replying, Valije sighed and looked toward Veronia, awaiting her response.

But Veronia’s expression remained unchanged. She had no desire to reclaim the palace just because Valije had returned, and she was grateful enough that Sikar had found Valije for her.

Veronia spoke bluntly.

“We’ll leave as soon as dawn breaks tomorrow—consider it settled. And I’ll say it again: don’t even think about trying to change my mind.”

Since Veronia had spoken so firmly, Sikar and Yura had no choice but to give up without further persuasion.

Though neither voiced it aloud, both believed that if either of them became alone, the Princess would surely return to Kian’s side.

After Veronia and Valije entered their room, Sikar wanted to go rest in his own room with Yura.

But if he held Yura’s hand, he would learn that Kian had made an agreement with the Grand Temple—so Yura couldn’t allow any contact.

“I have a bit more to discuss with His Majesty. I’ll come back shortly.”

“Really? Then I’ll go with you.”

“No. I’ll go alone. You can just look through my memories if you’re curious anyway.”

At that moment, Sikar nodded without suspicion.

“Alright. Go ahead.”

As Yura gave Sikar a faint smile and turned to leave, Sikar reached out toward her.

“I’ve been sick lately—I’m love-starved. Hug me before you go.”

Normally, Yura would have hugged him—but not today. Instead, she pulled her body back as if avoiding him, keeping distance.

“Sorry. I’m busy. I’ll hug you when I come back.”

Yura hurriedly left, and her behavior only deepened Sikar’s suspicions.

He suspected Yura was hiding something from him. Otherwise, she wouldn’t avoid contact with him like that.

Vika would certainly have heard and known something.

So Sikar went to find Vika to read her memories—but for some reason, Vika was nowhere to be found.

“Durion! Where is Vika?”

Durion, who had been napping with a full belly after dinner, startled awake at Sikar’s sudden visit and drew his sword.

“What’s wrong, Duke! Has something happened?!”

“Vika is missing. Find Vika.”

“What? Vika? Surely Vika must be somewhere? Since your pact hasn’t been broken, they couldn’t have run off anywhere, right?”

Thus, Sikar had no choice but to seek out Valije.

Because Sikar had arrived suddenly before bedtime, Valije appeared in his pajamas.

“What brings you here at this hour, Duke?”

Sikar, unsure what to say, hesitated—then abruptly grabbed Valije’s hand, mimicking what Valije had done earlier that day.

“Son-in-law. I’ve come shamelessly tonight to beg you once more to persuade Her Highness.”

In truth, this was an excuse. Sikar was focusing on Valije to read his memories.

But Valije had no idea Sikar was holding his hand for that purpose—he instead clasped Sikar’s hands tightly with both of his own, trying to comfort him.

“I’ll try my best, but don’t get your hopes up, Duke… Still, I will never forget how deeply you care for us. You are my benefactor, and my family’s benefactor, and—”

Fortunately, Valije’s long speech gave Sikar ample time to read his memories. Feeling he’d seen enough, Sikar gripped Valije’s hand once more, firmly.

“Then I sincerely beg you, Son-in-law.”

“How worried you must be to come to me at this hour. Considering your feelings—”

But Valije’s speech was too lengthy. So Sikar emphasized his request several more times, then hurriedly excused himself from the room.

Now knowing the Grand Temple would no longer track him, Sikar’s mind raced.

If Yura learned of this—and was currently meeting with Kian—she would surely be scheming to break his curse.

Sikar began rapidly turning his brilliant mind.

After deeply pondering the method Yura would choose to break the curse upon him, Sikar reached one conclusion.

She would enlist Vika’s help while he was asleep, making Kian break the curse.

When Sikar was awake, Vika’s summoned spirits couldn’t put him to sleep—but while he slept, they could somewhat delay his awakening.

Even if Yura didn’t know this, Vika certainly would.

If Sikar’s curse was broken, he could dissolve his pact with Vika—so Vika would side with Yura and help her.

Given the current situation, this was likely the limit of what Yura could conceive.

To turn this plan into nothing, Sikar pretended to sleep, slumping over his desk.

“Master Vika. If Sikar’s curse is broken, it would benefit you as well. So, could you put Sikar to sleep?”

“If I could do that, I would have done it long ago and rendered him completely immobile. As you know, the Duke belongs to a race that commands spirits. So your request is impossible.”

“Then is there no other way to incapacitate Sikar?”

“Hmm… If the Duke is already asleep, summoning the spirit of slumber might slightly delay his awakening.”

“Then please do that much, at least.”

As Sikar had guessed, Yura planned to break the curse through Kian while Sikar slept.

Kian, unaware of the full context, could only feel frustrated.

“Why exactly does Father refuse to break the curse, Mother?”

“He doesn’t want to burden His Majesty.”

“Is there truly no other reason besides that?”

“Of course not. So please, break the Duke’s curse as soon as possible, Your Majesty.”

Since Yura never imagined she herself might vanish, Kian followed his trusted mother’s words without doubt.

“I understand, Mother. Let’s go.”

Thus, the three walked into the room where they believed Sikar was sleeping—completely unaware he was only pretending.