THE TALK WITH STEVE

CHAPTER FIVE

I wasn’t comfortable around my husband, but I felt a little lighter with the butler, Steve.

So, while I remained on the bed, still too weak to move, I spoke quietly.

“Steve… can we talk in private?”

My husband must have sensed my unease. A strange wave of guilt and sadness seemed to pass through him, and just like that, he disappeared. He left the room without using the door.

Now, I was alone with Steve.

Slowly, I sat up and rested against the pillow before speaking.

“I didn’t know he would get angry so easily,” I began, my voice trembling. “I was only trying to understand… I was becoming frustrated. I didn’t know I would be punished just for my thoughts. I only just got here…”

My chest tightened as the words kept spilling out.

“As his wife… am I not supposed to be treated with care? Why does he hate me so much when he doesn’t even know me? How am I supposed to survive here? I don’t want to die…”

I didn’t even realize when the tears started falling. Ever since I arrived, my emotions had been completely out of control.

Steve watched me quietly. Seeing that I was beginning to trust him, his expression softened with pity.

“Believe me when I say this,” he said gently, “my master is not a bad person. He has just been through… a lot.”

I looked at him, my vision blurred with tears.

“You are not the first woman to come here,” he continued. “There was someone before you… and she put him through hell. That is why he is so cold. He wants you to fear him.”

“I can’t do that,” I cut in immediately. “I can’t fear someone and love that same person at the same time. It’s either I fear him… or I love him.”

Steve paused, as if he didn’t quite understand me, but then he continued anyway.

“As I said, he is cursed. And it is only true love that can break that curse completely. But it will not be easy. You will face many tribulations to prove your love and loyalty.”

My heart sank deeper with every word.

“I cannot tell you everything,” he went on, “but you must be strong. Very soon, you will have to learn how to fight… how to use a sword… and even how to summon and control power.”

I froze.

“For every trial you pass,” he added, “you will gain a supernatural ability—something that may help you in the future… especially when my master ascends the throne.”

He hesitated slightly before finishing.

“That is… if the power is not taken from him… or if he survives the process.”

Silence filled the room.

I didn’t know what to say.

After a moment, Steve straightened slightly.

“Miss, please get ready and come for breakfast. I will send a maid to assist you. But if you need me, just call my name, and I will be there.”

With that, he left the room.

The moment I was alone, everything he said came crashing down on me.

And then… I broke.

This time, I knew exactly why I was crying.

I never asked for this kind of life. This wasn’t freedom—this was a battlefield. And I had nowhere to go, no choice but to fight and survive.

I was supposed to love a monster… a dog… someone who showed no mercy, no sympathy—someone who didn’t even seem like he wanted to be saved.

Where was I supposed to even begin?

I needed answers… but no one was willing to give me any.

“I wish I had something,” I whispered to myself. “A book… anything that could explain all of this…”

But there was nothing.

Hopelessness slowly wrapped itself around me.

At that moment, I truly felt like I was just waiting for death… because I couldn’t see anything good coming out of my life anymore.

What I didn’t know… what I couldn’t sense…

Was that I wasn’t alone.

My husband was there.

Invisible.

Watching me.

He had hidden his aura so completely that I couldn’t feel him at all. As he stood there, watching me cry, something shifted within him.

Regret.

He hadn’t realized that something as simple as a threat could shatter me this much.

A soft knock pulled me out of my thoughts.

The door opened gently, and a young lady stepped in with a polite smile.

“My name is Dora,” she said in a calm, gentle voice. “I am your maid. I am here whenever you need me.”

She stood quietly, waiting for my command.

I quickly wiped my tears and sat up straight.

“I won’t be needing your help,” I said calmly. “I don’t plan on leaving this room… not now, not ever. I don’t want to cross any lines. I don’t want to be punished.”

I looked away.

“You can leave.”

But she didn’t move.

“Ma’am,” she said softly, “I am here to help. I can even comfort you with kind words… especially when you are not all messed up.”

That caught me off guard.

A small smile slipped through despite everything.

“…Fine,” I muttered. “Prepare warm water for me.”

She nodded and moved quickly.

Twenty minutes later, after taking my bath, I felt… lighter.

Not okay—but better.

At least I wasn’t alone in this place.

Dora returned and gently encouraged me to come to the dining hall for breakfast.

“Will he be there?” I asked immediately.

“The prince?” she replied. “I… don’t think so. But I’m not certain.”

It felt like she just wanted me out of the room.

Still, I followed her.

She led me to a large dining hall. In front of us stood a massive door.

As we stepped inside, I froze.

A long table stretched across the room, surrounded by elegant chairs. Everything about it screamed power… control… royalty.

I looked around in quiet amazement—

And then suddenly…

He appeared.

Silently.

At the far end of the table.

He made sure to hide his aura again… but this time, it didn’t matter.

Because the moment I lifted my eyes—

They locked onto his.