The garden was quiet except for the soft rustle of wind through the leaves.
Seo Yunhan walked slowly along the stone path, carrying Aran in his arms. The morning breeze was cool and refreshing, carrying the faint scent of water from the lake. After the heavy meal, her stomach felt pleasantly full, and the gentle swaying motion was strangely soothing.
But something else was happening to her body.
It had started faintly during breakfast. Now, pressed against Seo Yunhan’s chest, the sensation was growing clearer. Her body, which had felt heavy and blocked since the curse, was beginning to relax. The constant ache in her muscles eased. A steady stream of warm, pure energy was flowing into her.
As a general who had trained in martial arts for decades, Baek Muhyeok was extremely sensitive to the flow of ki within the body. She could feel it clearly — vast, warm, and extraordinarily pure energy was pouring into her from the man holding her. Pathways that had been sealed shut were beginning to loosen. The heavy exhaustion in her bones was melting away.
‘…Is this coming from that damn peony scholar?’
She slowly lifted her head and looked up at his face.
Seo Yunhan, who had been quietly looking ahead at the lake, noticed her gaze and glanced down. His dark brown eyes widened slightly in surprise.
“Hm?” He tilted his head, looking at her with gentle curiosity. “Is something wrong? Are you uncomfortable?”
Aran stared at him for a long moment.
She was a strategist. She assessed situations quickly.
This man’s body contained an enormous amount of powerful energy. The closer the physical contact, the stronger the effect on her blocked meridians.
If just being held felt like this…
Her gaze dropped to his lips.
What if we kissed?
She didn’t hesitate.
Leaning up, she pressed her lips firmly against his.
For two full seconds, nothing happened.
Then Seo Yunhan froze completely.
His entire body went rigid. His eyes were wide open, unblinking. The color rapidly flooded his face — from pale to deep crimson all the way to the tips of his ears. His heart was hammering so hard she could feel it against her chest.
Aran pulled back slightly and studied his reaction.
Interesting.
The surge of energy she felt the moment their lips touched was unmistakable. A powerful, warm current had rushed through her meridians like a dam breaking.
More.
She leaned in again.
This time, Seo Yunhan jerked backward in panic, nearly losing his balance.
“——!”
No words came out. He simply stared at her, completely stunned.
Aran tried once more, stretching toward him.
“Nu… uoo?”
The sound came out slurred and clumsy — but it was an actual word.
She froze in shock.
Did I just… speak?
Seo Yunhan didn’t seem to notice. He was already moving.
One moment she was reaching for him — the next, his hand came up to cradle the back of her head, and his mouth descended on hers with desperate, overwhelming intensity.
It wasn’t a skilled kiss. But what it lacked in technique, it made up for in raw, sincere hunger.
Aran’s eyes widened for a second.
Then she closed them.
Yes. This is it.
She grabbed the front of his robe tightly.
More. Give me more.
As the kiss deepened, a powerful wave of pure energy flooded into her body. The blocked pathways opened wider. Strength returned to her limbs. The heavy fog in her mind began to clear.
She kissed him back — fiercely, deliberately.
Come on. Keep going. If I can speak again… if I can walk again… then give me everything you have.
Outside, birds sang in the trees. The lake shimmered peacefully.
Neither of them noticed.