LOGINIris stood in front of the mirror for several seconds without moving. Her breathing was uneven, and her chest rose and fell rapidly as though she had just finished a marathon. The image before her was clearer than she could bear: traces of tension on her face, a faint blush on her cheeks, and a look she could not explain even to herself.She was not used to these kinds of feelings. What had happened a few moments ago was not something that could be placed into a single category. It was a mixture of confusion, disappointment in herself, and something else she did not want to name.She slowly touched her neck with her fingertips. A faint sensation still lingered there, as if the trace of someone's presence refused to disappear. She quickly pulled her hand away, then looked at herself again as if trying to regain her balance."What happened to me?" she whispered quietly.The silence inside the bathroom was heavy. Nothing interrupted her thoughts except the sound of her own breathing.Out
Alarm bells rang inside Iris's head. She knew he would never hurt her, but she was certain that whatever he was about to do next would make her wish he actually had.She tried to protest and said,"Gab, look, I'm really sorry—""Shh... Iris. I already promised you, didn't I? So I'll be a man who keeps his promises." His deep voice echoed in her ears. "Since I already said I needed to punish you, I have to do it. Otherwise, you'll call me a man who only talks and never acts."Oh God... why was her heart beating so hard at this moment, as if she felt excitement instead of fear? Was it because of the way he was speaking to her now?Her face flushed in embarrassment when she realized how humiliating her situation was. She struggled against his hold, but his strong arm continued to keep her in place. A second later, he delivered a firm smack to her backside, causing her to jump and let out a loud cry."Stay still, sweetheart..." he whispered as he kissed the top of her head.Then he contin
iris's pov:"Oh my God, what have I done?" I said to myself after Gab left with poor Leo, who had become the victim of Katrina's evil plan."Oh, it seems we may have gone a little too far," she said, resting her chin on her hand."A little?!!" I truly wanted to strangle her this time.How could I have followed what she said so easily? I didn't know things would end up like this. I thought it would just... just...Haaah, none of that would help me now."Not a little... we went way too far this time," she said with a dramatic sigh over the disaster she had dragged me into."What am I supposed to do now? What did he mean by, 'We'll continue this conversation later'?" I said, remembering the fierce look that had been on his face.Before she could even answer, I suddenly felt my body lifted off the ground."Kyaaah?!!!"Wait a second!! Didn't he say "later"?!!This is way too soon!Gab carried me over his muscular shoulder, then removed his jacket and covered the lower half of my body with
iris's pov:After Katrina finally left the room, I remained sitting on the bed, staring at the closed door as if I could still hear her voice."The jealousy plan."I still couldn't believe she had said that with complete seriousness.I buried my face in my hands and let out a tired sigh.That girl is going to kill me before the illness does.A few minutes passed before I heard a soft knock on the door.I immediately raised my head.And for some reason... I knew it was him."Come in."The door opened quietly, and Gabriel entered the room.As usual, his presence alone changed the entire atmosphere.I glanced at him quickly, then immediately looked away as if I had actually committed a crime.He stopped near the door for a moment before asking,"Why do you look nervous?"I froze."Me? Nervous? No.""Iris."I cursed Katrina internally.He stepped closer until he sat on the opposite edge of the bed."What did she tell you?""Who?""Katrina."I answered much too quickly,"Nothing."He raise
POV: IrisI remained standing beside him for a long time after those final words.The cold air coming through the window gently moved my hair, while Gabriel remained silent as usual, as if three hundred thousand years were simply an ordinary number that could be spoken without any weight.As for me...My heart felt heavier than usual.But strangely, the feeling wasn't entirely painful.It wasn't that the age difference bothered me. No...It's just...I don't know. I feel sad when I think about how much he must have gone through during that incredibly long life.But honestly, there is something fascinating about being with someone like him.I turned my face away slightly and suddenly said,"You ruined my mood.""Me?""Yes. Who casually says they're three hundred thousand years old?"A very faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips."You asked.""You could have lied.""I don't like lying to you."I paused at those words.Then I quickly looked away before he noticed my embarrassment
iris's povI froze in place for a second.I didn't know how to respond, so I quickly changed the subject before this feeling became any stranger."How old are you?"The question came out randomly and very suddenly.I looked at him expectantly. This time, I felt that the question might have been strange, but I couldn't take it back.He didn't answer immediately. He simply looked at me calmly, as if he were thinking about why I had asked.Then he said, "Why are you asking?""Just curious..." I answered quickly.He moved a little closer and leaned against the window beside me, as if he saw nothing wrong with the question."Age isn't important to me.""But it matters to me!!"He didn't respond right away.Then he moved closer until he was standing beside me, leaning against the same windowsill."Age isn't important."I looked at him quickly."You don't want to answer, hmmph. That means you're very old, doesn't it?""Older than for this question to be a simple one."I raised an eyebrow sli
Alex's POVI was walking quietly through the palace's back garden, trying to escape the suffocating atmosphere inside the main hall.Katrina's presence alone was enough to make the place feel like an expensive funeral.But while I was walking...I spotted silver hair moving near the clotheslines.I
Gabriel's POVIris's eyes widened in shock as she looked back and forth between Alex and me, as if she were watching a disaster unfold right in front of her.As for that idiot...He actually laughed.Laughed!"What's with that terrifying look?"Alex said it while raising his hands in mock surrender
POV: GabrielIris stayed in my arms for several long seconds.Quiet.Warm.When she becomes obedient like this, my mind starts digging through the records of its darker thoughts.I felt her light breathing near my chest while she tried to hide her obvious embarrassment.And the problem…I no longer
POV: GabrielI tightened my arm around Iris's waist without realizing it while Katrina smiled with that calm, irritating expression.But I had seen that look.The look she had directed at Iris moments ago.Cold.Venomous.And so...My patience finally ran out."Katrina."Her name left my mouth as a







