2026-02-28 23:58:27
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Karpeta’s eyes widened, horrified.“My… family?” she whispered, fear creeping into her voice.Ethan, standing silently beside Norka, met Malikar’s glare evenly. His expression calm, controlled, but unmistakably firm.The tension in the chamber thickened to a tangible weight, everyone waiting to see if Norka would bend—or if Malikar’s fury would meet the immovable force of her authority.Malikar’s eyes kept burning as he stared at the two of them standing so close together.Too close.Far too close.To him, the sight was unbearable.His jaw trembled with rage.“So this is it?” he said bitterly, his voice echoing across the room. “You dismiss us… lock yourself away with this stranger… and then emerge as if nothing happened?”No one answered.Karpeta looked from her aunt to Ethan, confusion clouding her face.“Aunty… what is going on?” she asked softly.Norka did not respond to her.Her gaze remained fixed on Malikar.Cold.Unimpressed.Malikar noticed the way Ethan stood beside her—calm
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Outside the chamber, the atmosphere had grown increasingly tense.More than fifteen minutes had passed.Malikar was pacing like a caged beast.His fists were clenched so tightly the veins in his arms bulged.“This is ridiculous!” he snapped for what felt like the tenth time.“They have been in there for far too long!”One of the alchemists sighed.“Perhaps she is questioning him.”“Questioning him?” Malikar scoffed angrily. “Behind closed doors? Alone?”Another alchemist muttered,“This entire situation is humiliating.”“We were dismissed like servants.”“Yes,” another agreed bitterly. “By a stranger.”Malikar’s jealousy had long since boiled over.His eyes burned with frustration.That rat…That insignificant outsider…He clenched his teeth.It should be me in there.“I swear,” Malikar growled, “when she comes out, I will demand an explanation.”He pointed toward the door angrily.“This man has disrespected the entire alchemical order!”Another demon guard nodded.“And insulted the a
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If I refuse… He could expose her. Her life would be over. Her family disgraced. The child killed. But if she accepted… I would be helping a human infiltrate the demon realm. That was treason. Absolute treason. Yet another thought crept in. The child… Her hand slowly touched her stomach. My child… Fear twisted inside her chest. But alongside it… something softer lingered. Something she had tried to ignore since discovering the pregnancy. Could I really abandon it? Her mind replayed Ethan’s words. I can help you give birth safely. I will take the child to the human world. Norka closed her eyes briefly. Harry… A faint bitterness filled her chest. You vanished… and left this behind. She slowly turned back toward Ethan. Her expression was complicated now. Still cautious. Still suspicious. But no longer completely hostile. “You are asking for a great deal,” she said quietly. Ethan nodded. “I know.” “And you expect me to trust you?” He met her gaze calmly. “
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The silence between them stretched again.Ethan watched her quietly.Inside, however, his thoughts were anything but calm.Norka Verash Parveja.Sharp. Perceptive. Dangerous.He had to admit it—he admired her intelligence.Very few people could observe so much from so little. She had nearly guessed the truth simply from his demeanor.She’s not foolish…If I try to manipulate her blindly, she’ll notice.Ethan lowered his gaze slightly, thinking.But perhaps… manipulation is not necessary.A new idea slowly formed in his mind.In the human world, there were many humans who willingly served demons. Traitors who sold their loyalty for power, protection, or survival.If humans can become the lackeys of demons…His eyes darkened slightly.Why can’t a demon family become loyal to humanity?The thought lingered.The Parveja family.A noble house.Influential.Powerful.If he could control such a force within the demon realm…That would be far more valuable than simply saving one secret.His g
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She paused. The memory was still fresh. The moment her power slipped. The sudden weakness. “…I couldn’t anymore.” Ethan understood immediately. “That’s why you fainted.” “Yes.” Her shoulders lowered slightly. “The suppression began to fail. My body… could no longer hold it back.” She glanced toward the door leading back to the main chamber. “That is why they think I am ill.” Ethan studied her quietly for a moment. “So the pregnancy is progressing again.” “Yes.” “And the child…” She closed her eyes briefly. Inside, conflicting emotions twisted together. Fear. Regret. And something she had tried very hard not to acknowledge. “…is starting to grow.” Silence filled the room again. Then Norka opened her eyes and looked straight at him. “Now you understand the situation,” she said. Her voice was steady—but the weight behind it was unmistakable. “So tell me, boy.” “How exactly do you plan to deal with this?” Ethan remained silent for a l
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Ethan forced a faint, controlled breath and shook his head.“It’s nothing, really.”Her gaze hardened.“That was not the reaction of someone hearing a random name.”“I said it’s nothing.”For a long second, the tension stretched between them.Norka clearly did not believe him.“…You’re hiding something,” she said quietly.Ethan met her eyes calmly.“And so are you.”That made her pause.The silence lingered for a few moments more.Finally, Norka exhaled slowly and looked away.“…Fine,” she said. “I won’t press you. For now.”Ethan nodded slightly, grateful for the shift.Then his expression turned serious again.“After he told you his name,” Ethan asked, “what happened?”Norka’s face darkened.For a moment, memories stirred whether she wanted them to or not.That night…The sound of his voice.The fain
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