The labor pains came on suddenly and unexpectedly. As the due date neared, my family came to visit me at the Grand Duke's residence in the capital, and I was sitting with them, chatting away.
While we were laughing and telling a funny story, I suddenly felt a surge of distention in my stomach, clutching my stomach and gasping for breath. Of all the terrified people, the one who remained the most calm was my mother.
“Call all the maids! And the son-in-law!”
I was carried in Ruin's arms to the pre-arranged delivery room. As I was carefully laid down on the bed, I gasped for breath.
In an instant, my whole body was drenched in sweat, and my vision was spinning. I closed my eyes and tried to suffer, but someone grabbed my hand tightly. I clung to that hand, clinging to the familiar feeling.
“Jul, Julian. Oh, it hurts. It hurts so much.”
I opened my eyes and looked at Julian, sobbing. He looked at me with a look of overwhelming worry, as if he didn't know what to do. I brought his hand to my chest and sobbed.
Julian placed his hand on my forehead. I must have been drenched in sweat, but he didn't show any sign of hesitation. The warmth and coolness of his hand made me feel better, and my tears stopped for a little while. My lips trembled as I mumbled.
“I had something to say to you, to you...”
“Right now, all I can think about is giving birth safely.”
“Yeah, I will. Ah...!”
The pain didn't gradually increase. It came suddenly, like a giant toad wailing inside me. Julian panicked and tried to hug me, but the midwives and maids fearlessly pushed him away and drew the curtains.
I'd never seen Julian so helpless before, so I couldn't help but laugh, even as I cried in agony. But it was only for a moment. After that, I had no choice but to forget everything—Julian and the curse. There was only pain and me, and I had to fight against it constantly.
After enduring, enduring, and enduring again, I finally felt the ceiling flicker black. I almost thought I was experiencing the side effects of my magic again. But a moment later, I heard the loud cry of a baby, and realized it wasn't.
"Baby..."
I muttered that in a voice that was completely drained of strength. Then Anna came to me, crying and holding the baby.
“Madam, your son is healthy.”
The baby, wrapped in a blanket, was still crying, as if it were so sad. His face was so red and wrinkled, it almost looked ugly, but why was it so beautiful? ... I felt my sane reason and affectionate emotions clashing, and I burst into a wet laugh.
Soon after, Julian, with the midwife's permission, opened the curtain and came inside. I could barely turn my head toward him. I simply didn't have the strength to reach out.
Julian, perhaps aware of my feelings, carefully took my hand. He'd treated me like glass throughout my pregnancy, but he was even more careful. Even if he were holding a feather, it couldn't have been more gentle.
“Julian, it’s a boy.”
“See, I said I would have a son.”
I wondered what he meant, and then I remembered a conversation we had long ago in the East. When I insisted on having a son who resembled Julian, he said, "I'm sure a son will be born who resembles me." A wry smile escaped my lips as I recalled those words.
“Yes, you were right.”
“This is a big deal. He must be the biggest prankster in the world.”
Even as he spoke, Julian's eyes were infinitely warm. It seemed as if nothing in the world could stop his love for his baby.
I looked into those eyes and the thought occurred to me: now is the time. I looked up at Julian, intertwining my fingers with his. Julian still couldn't take his eyes off the baby.
“Julian, I have something to tell you.”
Julian answered my words with a happy smile.
"I'd rather hear you say you have a wish. As I said before, I'll give you my black horse."
It was hard for me to open my mouth to hear words filled with pure joy.
"...great."
This moment must be one of the happiest in Julian's life. But am I allowed to interrupt it?
As I hesitated, Julian kissed my forehead and looked me in the eye.
“I want to listen to my wife, but I would like you to rest for now.”
Then, wouldn't it be okay to delay just a little? Just a little longer for Julian's happiness... As I thought that, fatigue washed over me, and I closed my eyes and lost consciousness.
When I woke up again, my body felt much clearer. I still felt pain all over my body, making it difficult to move, but my mind was clearer, allowing me to organize my thoughts.
“Are you awake?”
I followed the voice and turned my head to see Julian sitting there, holding the baby. The baby was sleeping peacefully in his arms. The redness in his face had faded a bit, but he still looked like a newborn.
“The baby’s cheeks are so soft.”
Julian spoke the obvious as if it were a miracle. It must have been a thrill for him that his curse hadn't spread to his baby. I, too, was overjoyed that my child was born healthy.
“Julian, I have something to tell you.”
“Yeah. It seems like you have something you really want to tell me.”
Julian touched my cheek with the hand he'd been caressing the baby's. Then he handed the baby to the nanny. Julian nodded to Anna, and she dismissed the nanny and all the other maids.
Julian and I were the only ones left in the bedroom. As I tried to get up, Julian came into bed and sat behind me. I leaned back against his chest, feeling comfortable as he pulled me closer.
A quiet silence followed, but Julian showed no sign of frustration. He seemed ready to listen to whatever I had to say. I took a slow, steady breath and then opened my mouth.
"First, I apologize for bringing this up now, as I should have told you this sooner. But I didn't want to create any discord before the baby was born. Not for my sake... I wanted the baby to be born in pure bliss."
I felt uneasy with Julian behind me. I wanted to face him. But Julian was holding me so tightly that I couldn't even turn around. That's why I had to keep talking.
"At least after the baby is born, I wanted a chance to confess to you and be forgiven. So what I'm trying to say is..."
I swallowed hard and grabbed Julian's arm, hoping that only then would I have the courage to speak. Still, my mouth wouldn't open. My entire body, starting with my fingertips, began to tremble.
“Are you trying to tell me that you cursed me in your past life?”
But Julian spoke first, the words that should have come out of my mouth. And he spoke so easily, in a casual tone, as if nothing had happened.
Startled, I tightened my grip on his arm. Julian turned me over and sat me down on his lap like a child. I looked at him diagonally, dumbfounded.
“Did you know?”
Julian nodded. His answer was unwavering.
“How? No, since when? To whom?”
As I was pouring out questions, a sudden realization struck me. I grabbed his shoulder and said.
“That day in the dungeon... You were listening to what Abigail and I were talking about?”
“Yes. I pretended not to know because it seemed like you wanted to say it yourself, but I can’t just sit still when you’re having such a hard time saying it.”
“...Before that?”
“Before that?”
I couldn't understand this situation. I had promised myself that even if he didn't forgive me, I would beg and beg and beg until he did. But I couldn't read any hatred or resentment in Julian's face.
"Were you planning on never asking if I didn't tell you? How could you have never let it slip?"
“I don’t know what to say.”
I slammed my fist into his chest, but it didn't work. Instead, tears welled up in my eyes. Julian, surprised by my face, wiped my eyes with his thumb.
"Don't cry."
“It’s a curse that has tormented you for your entire life. I said I put it on you in my past life.”
“There must be a reason. I must have tormented you.”
“It wasn’t you! It wasn’t you, it was someone else...”
“Stop it, Layla.”
Julian kissed me gently. I tried to pull away, but then quietly accepted his kiss. Julian kept our lips close and whispered in a low voice.
“I forgive you for whatever reason.”
"What if you already forgive me? I was determined. I was going to ask for forgiveness..."
Julian turned his head away from me and asked sternly.
“You didn’t dare think of leaving me?”
I quickly shook my head. Leaving Julian? That couldn't happen. The mere thought of living without him was suffocating.
“Absolutely not. I was going to lie down and beg forever until you forgive me.”
“It was good that I forgave you so quickly. You almost got hurt.”
Julian pulled my head to his shoulder. I felt like a child, a little embarrassed, but I didn't think it was all that bad. I rested my head on his shoulder and asked.
“Can you really forgive me?”
“It’s the opposite. I don’t know how to not forgive at all.”
Every time Julian spoke, my chest vibrated, producing a pleasant sound like that of a musical instrument. It was a ticklish sensation, like being submerged in a tub with your toes swaying.
Next came my ankles, then my calves... My entire body felt warm and comfortable. I felt the dark energy within me dissipate. The world seemed a little brighter, and my body felt much lighter.
At this very moment, I realized that another curse had been lifted from my grasp. The dark magic I'd acquired when Belina was abandoned was crumbling like a sandcastle before the waves. Now completely loved by Julian, only a clear magic remained within me.
I was no longer a witch.
As always, Julian was my one and only savior.
While we were laughing and telling a funny story, I suddenly felt a surge of distention in my stomach, clutching my stomach and gasping for breath. Of all the terrified people, the one who remained the most calm was my mother.
“Call all the maids! And the son-in-law!”
I was carried in Ruin's arms to the pre-arranged delivery room. As I was carefully laid down on the bed, I gasped for breath.
In an instant, my whole body was drenched in sweat, and my vision was spinning. I closed my eyes and tried to suffer, but someone grabbed my hand tightly. I clung to that hand, clinging to the familiar feeling.
“Jul, Julian. Oh, it hurts. It hurts so much.”
I opened my eyes and looked at Julian, sobbing. He looked at me with a look of overwhelming worry, as if he didn't know what to do. I brought his hand to my chest and sobbed.
Julian placed his hand on my forehead. I must have been drenched in sweat, but he didn't show any sign of hesitation. The warmth and coolness of his hand made me feel better, and my tears stopped for a little while. My lips trembled as I mumbled.
“I had something to say to you, to you...”
“Right now, all I can think about is giving birth safely.”
“Yeah, I will. Ah...!”
The pain didn't gradually increase. It came suddenly, like a giant toad wailing inside me. Julian panicked and tried to hug me, but the midwives and maids fearlessly pushed him away and drew the curtains.
I'd never seen Julian so helpless before, so I couldn't help but laugh, even as I cried in agony. But it was only for a moment. After that, I had no choice but to forget everything—Julian and the curse. There was only pain and me, and I had to fight against it constantly.
After enduring, enduring, and enduring again, I finally felt the ceiling flicker black. I almost thought I was experiencing the side effects of my magic again. But a moment later, I heard the loud cry of a baby, and realized it wasn't.
"Baby..."
I muttered that in a voice that was completely drained of strength. Then Anna came to me, crying and holding the baby.
“Madam, your son is healthy.”
The baby, wrapped in a blanket, was still crying, as if it were so sad. His face was so red and wrinkled, it almost looked ugly, but why was it so beautiful? ... I felt my sane reason and affectionate emotions clashing, and I burst into a wet laugh.
Soon after, Julian, with the midwife's permission, opened the curtain and came inside. I could barely turn my head toward him. I simply didn't have the strength to reach out.
Julian, perhaps aware of my feelings, carefully took my hand. He'd treated me like glass throughout my pregnancy, but he was even more careful. Even if he were holding a feather, it couldn't have been more gentle.
“Julian, it’s a boy.”
“See, I said I would have a son.”
I wondered what he meant, and then I remembered a conversation we had long ago in the East. When I insisted on having a son who resembled Julian, he said, "I'm sure a son will be born who resembles me." A wry smile escaped my lips as I recalled those words.
“Yes, you were right.”
“This is a big deal. He must be the biggest prankster in the world.”
Even as he spoke, Julian's eyes were infinitely warm. It seemed as if nothing in the world could stop his love for his baby.
I looked into those eyes and the thought occurred to me: now is the time. I looked up at Julian, intertwining my fingers with his. Julian still couldn't take his eyes off the baby.
“Julian, I have something to tell you.”
Julian answered my words with a happy smile.
"I'd rather hear you say you have a wish. As I said before, I'll give you my black horse."
It was hard for me to open my mouth to hear words filled with pure joy.
"...great."
This moment must be one of the happiest in Julian's life. But am I allowed to interrupt it?
As I hesitated, Julian kissed my forehead and looked me in the eye.
“I want to listen to my wife, but I would like you to rest for now.”
Then, wouldn't it be okay to delay just a little? Just a little longer for Julian's happiness... As I thought that, fatigue washed over me, and I closed my eyes and lost consciousness.
***
When I woke up again, my body felt much clearer. I still felt pain all over my body, making it difficult to move, but my mind was clearer, allowing me to organize my thoughts.
“Are you awake?”
I followed the voice and turned my head to see Julian sitting there, holding the baby. The baby was sleeping peacefully in his arms. The redness in his face had faded a bit, but he still looked like a newborn.
“The baby’s cheeks are so soft.”
Julian spoke the obvious as if it were a miracle. It must have been a thrill for him that his curse hadn't spread to his baby. I, too, was overjoyed that my child was born healthy.
“Julian, I have something to tell you.”
“Yeah. It seems like you have something you really want to tell me.”
Julian touched my cheek with the hand he'd been caressing the baby's. Then he handed the baby to the nanny. Julian nodded to Anna, and she dismissed the nanny and all the other maids.
Julian and I were the only ones left in the bedroom. As I tried to get up, Julian came into bed and sat behind me. I leaned back against his chest, feeling comfortable as he pulled me closer.
A quiet silence followed, but Julian showed no sign of frustration. He seemed ready to listen to whatever I had to say. I took a slow, steady breath and then opened my mouth.
"First, I apologize for bringing this up now, as I should have told you this sooner. But I didn't want to create any discord before the baby was born. Not for my sake... I wanted the baby to be born in pure bliss."
I felt uneasy with Julian behind me. I wanted to face him. But Julian was holding me so tightly that I couldn't even turn around. That's why I had to keep talking.
"At least after the baby is born, I wanted a chance to confess to you and be forgiven. So what I'm trying to say is..."
I swallowed hard and grabbed Julian's arm, hoping that only then would I have the courage to speak. Still, my mouth wouldn't open. My entire body, starting with my fingertips, began to tremble.
“Are you trying to tell me that you cursed me in your past life?”
But Julian spoke first, the words that should have come out of my mouth. And he spoke so easily, in a casual tone, as if nothing had happened.
Startled, I tightened my grip on his arm. Julian turned me over and sat me down on his lap like a child. I looked at him diagonally, dumbfounded.
“Did you know?”
Julian nodded. His answer was unwavering.
“How? No, since when? To whom?”
As I was pouring out questions, a sudden realization struck me. I grabbed his shoulder and said.
“That day in the dungeon... You were listening to what Abigail and I were talking about?”
“Yes. I pretended not to know because it seemed like you wanted to say it yourself, but I can’t just sit still when you’re having such a hard time saying it.”
“...Before that?”
“Before that?”
I couldn't understand this situation. I had promised myself that even if he didn't forgive me, I would beg and beg and beg until he did. But I couldn't read any hatred or resentment in Julian's face.
"Were you planning on never asking if I didn't tell you? How could you have never let it slip?"
“I don’t know what to say.”
I slammed my fist into his chest, but it didn't work. Instead, tears welled up in my eyes. Julian, surprised by my face, wiped my eyes with his thumb.
"Don't cry."
“It’s a curse that has tormented you for your entire life. I said I put it on you in my past life.”
“There must be a reason. I must have tormented you.”
“It wasn’t you! It wasn’t you, it was someone else...”
“Stop it, Layla.”
Julian kissed me gently. I tried to pull away, but then quietly accepted his kiss. Julian kept our lips close and whispered in a low voice.
“I forgive you for whatever reason.”
"What if you already forgive me? I was determined. I was going to ask for forgiveness..."
Julian turned his head away from me and asked sternly.
“You didn’t dare think of leaving me?”
I quickly shook my head. Leaving Julian? That couldn't happen. The mere thought of living without him was suffocating.
“Absolutely not. I was going to lie down and beg forever until you forgive me.”
“It was good that I forgave you so quickly. You almost got hurt.”
Julian pulled my head to his shoulder. I felt like a child, a little embarrassed, but I didn't think it was all that bad. I rested my head on his shoulder and asked.
“Can you really forgive me?”
“It’s the opposite. I don’t know how to not forgive at all.”
Every time Julian spoke, my chest vibrated, producing a pleasant sound like that of a musical instrument. It was a ticklish sensation, like being submerged in a tub with your toes swaying.
Next came my ankles, then my calves... My entire body felt warm and comfortable. I felt the dark energy within me dissipate. The world seemed a little brighter, and my body felt much lighter.
At this very moment, I realized that another curse had been lifted from my grasp. The dark magic I'd acquired when Belina was abandoned was crumbling like a sandcastle before the waves. Now completely loved by Julian, only a clear magic remained within me.
I was no longer a witch.
As always, Julian was my one and only savior.
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