The Abandoned Princess’ Secret Bedroom - Chapter 8: The Brand of Lust

Fortunately, it was still in the “early” stage, where her body was just beginning to warm. Llewellyn let out a sigh of relief.

But if this desire remained unsatisfied, it would grow unbearable, just as before. The burning sensation at the back of her neck made her want to scream in anger. Once should have been enough! Why had the Brand suddenly regained its power?

Wasn’t it supposed to disappear after being addressed once?

Could it be that she was doomed to remain a slave to Asmodeus’s Brand for life? Her heart sank at the thought. Why did it have to be this curse? Llewellyn clenched her teeth in frustration. If she went to the monastery in this state, exile would be the least of her worries—she could face execution.

She had to break the curse!

Llewellyn felt a wave of helplessness wash over her once more. The first time had been tolerable—dare she say, even enjoyable—but who would want to live enslaved to lust? She forced herself to suppress the sickening impulse coursing through her.

The sacred white light poured into Almandite, who opened his eyes as the radiance faded. Ernell smiled gently and spoke.

“Now, the power of God shall be with you.”

At Ernell’s warm, serene voice, the crowd, which had been frozen in awe, began to stir again. They were all captivated by the divine miracle Ernell had displayed. Even the Archbishop of Bridgent, who could only summon a faint holy power to heal minor wounds, had never shown anything on this scale. For most of those present, including Llewellyn, this was a first.

Ernell extended his hand to assist, but Almandite rose to his feet on his own. Instead of accepting the gesture, Almandite offered a mysterious smile.

“I humbly accept the grace of God,” he said.

Then, as if it were a natural part of the ritual, Almandite turned his gaze to Llewellyn. The moment their eyes met, heat flared through her body. Flustered, Llewellyn frowned and quickly averted her gaze.

She could feel the sharp attention of the gathered nobles fixate on her like piercing arrows.

*

“Princess.”

Llewellyn turned at the sound of someone calling her. It was Almandite. She glanced at him briefly, as if to confirm who it was, then continued walking forward.

“Llewellyn.”

He called her name with a tone of earnestness, but she ignored him.

“It’s not good to dismiss me in front of others.”

“……”

Despite her clear intention to avoid him, Almandite persisted. He continued to say whatever was on his mind as he followed her.

“How could you let your reputation fall to such a disgraceful level over these past five years? Almost as if you’ve done it on purpose. Every noble has turned against you.”

There was no point in listening any further. Llewellyn kept walking, her hair, tied with a white ribbon, swishing like a horse’s tail behind her.

“How long do you intend to ignore me like this?”

“……”

“Llewellyn, are you still stuck in the past…?”

At that, Llewellyn abruptly turned around and sighed. Lately, why was everyone acting like this toward her?

“Then why don’t you just turn against me too?”

“…What?”

The arrogant man, whose pride seemed to reach the heavens, always wore a hurt expression in front of her. Why? Llewellyn couldn’t comprehend it.

Almandite, looking at Llewellyn’s impassive expression, spoke again.

“How could I do that?”

“……”

“You know I can’t.”

What nonsense was he spouting now? He had already done so much. In the past, she would have lashed out, brimming with anger, but now she restrained herself. Instead, she glared at him with pure disdain. She had no intention of losing her temper like before.

“Don’t follow me. And don’t try to approach me like this ever again.”

Her voice was cold. Almandite raised the corner of his mouth in a faint smirk.

“Why should I listen to your orders?”

It was a conversation that led nowhere. He seemed determined to keep the interaction going, while she was equally determined to end it. Almandite leaned closer and whispered.

“Go ahead. Command me if you wish.”

“……”

“Hmm?”

Command him? As a mere princess with no actual power over a high-ranking noble? Llewellyn glanced around. The palace was a place where even the walls had ears. Gritting her teeth, she muttered under her breath.

“You’re unbelievable…”

Before she could finish, Almandite grabbed her wrist and leaned in as if to kiss her. Llewellyn flinched, her body betraying her once again. The touch of his hand made her skin burn as though scalded. His mesmerizing turquoise eyes glimmered with a magnetic light, drawing her in.

“Go on, give me an order, my princess.”

His breath, soft and gentle, carried a sweetness that felt like it was teasing her ears. Her heart pounded, and heat spread through her body.

“Hah….”

Without realizing it, Llewellyn let out a breathless gasp. It was faint, but the sweetness of her small sigh was impossible for him to miss. Surprised by the sound, Almandite pulled back slightly and stared at her.

For a moment, the man leaning toward her and the woman unknowingly reacting to his voice locked eyes.

“Are you two having a lovers’ quarrel?”

A clear voice suddenly interrupted them, snapping them both back to their senses. When they turned, Ernell stood in the hallway, his violet eyes narrowing as he smiled.

“Ernell!”

Llewellyn jumped back from Almandite, startled. Her flustered expression betrayed her nervousness. What would Ernell think if he saw her like this with Almandite? It might even jeopardize her plans to enter the monastery.

“Romance isn’t a bad thing. I actually think it’s quite nice,” Ernell said, his smile unfaltering.

For some reason, seeing that smile made Llewellyn’s heart race again.

Almandite, his expression turning indifferent, asked curtly, “Are you feeling well? I thought you had gone to rest after blessing me.”

“Yes, I’m fine,” Ernell replied calmly.

It was common for priests who performed blessings to be unable to move for some time afterward. Yet, here Ernell was, walking around as if nothing had happened. It was a testament to the extraordinary extent of his power.

“I deeply apologize for interrupting your lovers’ quarrel, but I wanted to see the Princess today,” Ernell said with an amiable smile.

“Patron, I am not in a relationship with that man. A lovers’ quarrel, really?” Llewellyn quickly corrected his misunderstanding. She could feel Almandite’s piercing gaze on her, sharp and unrelenting. Ernell, seeing this, responded with a cheerful grin.

“I know.”

“……”

“You just seemed to be in a difficult situation.”

“Patron,” Almandite called out his name in a low, warning tone. Everyone present could sense the underlying displeasure in his voice. However, Ernell blithely ignored it, as though the notion of maintaining good relations with the Holy Kingdom didn’t concern him in the slightest. Instead, he turned his warm smile back to Llewellyn.

“So, would you join me for tea? I brought some excellent tea leaves.”

*

Ernell invited Llewellyn to his private chambers, dismissing all the attendants and priests who might have served them. Once everyone left, an uncomfortable silence settled over the room. Breaking it, Ernell smiled gently and said, “Please, have a seat.”

Though his tone was kind, there was something strangely shadowy in his beautiful violet eyes. The slight movements of his gaze, the faint curve of his red lips—under the bright light of day, he might have seemed like a pure and devout priest. But in the dim lighting of the evening, he felt strangely different.

Why was she getting this impression from a priest?

‘Ugh…’

Her body, already flushed with heat, seemed to respond to him inappropriately, as if even a servant of God could provoke her desires. Determined to end the encounter quickly, Llewellyn asked, “What do you need from me?”

“I simply wanted to speak with you privately,” he replied.

“With me, Priest?”

“After all, you’re someone who will soon join the monastery, aren’t you?”

Ernell spoke with an easygoing charm. “Please, just call me Ernell,” he said, smiling brightly, his face seeming to radiate light. Llewellyn nodded hesitantly. There was no harm in maintaining a friendly relationship with him, she reasoned.

As she deliberated on how to end the conversation swiftly, she added, “I was deeply impressed by the blessing you bestowed earlier today.”

“Impressed?”

“Yes. I’ve never seen such a pure, radiant light before. It truly felt like witnessing a miracle from God.”

Ernell chuckled softly. Sensing the opportunity to build rapport, Llewellyn uncharacteristically continued. “Your divine power is remarkable, Ernell. Such strength must be the result of your unwavering faith. Meeting someone like you is truly an honor.”

“You’re overestimating me, Princess,” he said with a modest smile.

“I mean it—your blessing was extraordinary.”

Her sincerity shone through as she smiled at him, and Ernell looked at her thoughtfully before speaking.

“Shall I bestow a blessing upon you as well?”

“What?!” Llewellyn’s eyes widened. A blessing—for her? Such a precious thing?

“Right now,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Ernell, are you sure? Is your body all right?” she asked, recalling her studies. She knew that even the strongest Patron would be unable to wield holy power again for some time after performing a blessing. Yet here he was, offering to do it again immediately.

“Haha, I’m perfectly fine. But Princess, keep in mind, this blessing won’t carry the official favor of the Holy Kingdom since it’s not a formal ceremony.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s a secret, but I am the most powerful Patron when it comes to divine strength.”

Llewellyn quickly accepted this explanation. It made sense—if everyone had access to such power, the Holy Kingdom would already have become an invincible divine empire.

The sound of a chair sliding across the floor startled her as Ernell approached. Llewellyn, who had been sitting still, gasped when she saw him standing in front of her, leaning over her with his hand on the backrest of her chair.

“I have nothing to offer you in return,” she said cautiously.

“I know. I’m offering this simply because I feel drawn to you.”

For the first time, Llewellyn noticed that Ernell’s seemingly slender frame actually concealed broad shoulders. Even this slight gesture of leaning closer made her feel as though she were being enveloped by him. She thought she felt his breath, warm and suggestive, brush the nape of her neck.

Drawn to her? What kind of interest was he implying? Normally, she would have sharpened her defenses to uncover his true intentions. But she neither bristled nor rejected his attention. Perhaps it was the influence of Asmodeus’s brand, but even those light words made her heart race.

“Very well, I’ll bless you,” Ernell said.

“This close?” she asked, startled.

“I need to place my hand on your forehead, and I can’t exactly make a princess kneel, can I?”

Ernell reached out carefully, his pale hand brushing against her forehead. A radiant white light began to form around his fingers, bright enough that Llewellyn instinctively squeezed her eyes shut. The warmth from the light wrapped around her forehead and slowly spread to her face.

Could she truly accept such a blessing? The gentle warmth flowed down her neck, spreading through her body.

“Ah!”

Pain flared in her neck—right where the brand was. Llewellyn clutched her neck with her hands, springing to her feet. It felt as though the brand was lashing out in defiance, burning fiercely as if it were alive.

She looked at Ernell with wide eyes, panic gripping her.

“Are you all right?” Ernell asked calmly, his tone steady.

Llewellyn felt as though she were about to collapse. Her entire body burned, her temperature spiking just as it had that night when the brand had first taken hold.

“A-ah… ugh,” she gasped.

A soft, sweet moan escaped Llewellyn’s lips as she gazed at Ernell with tears welling in her eyes.

“Someone has played an unacceptable trick on you,” he said, his tone cold—shockingly different from his usual gentle and tender voice.

Did she hear him correctly? Llewellyn stared blankly up at Ernell. His violet eyes burned with icy anger, yet his gaze was filled with an inexplicable concern for her condition, as if he were carefully observing every nuance of her suffering.

Her throat felt like it was on fire, and her mind was a chaotic mess of white-hot heat. What should I do? She clenched her legs together instinctively, her body trembling with desperation as it yearned for his touch, craving relief from this unbearable ache.

“E-Ernell…” Llewellyn forced herself to speak his name through trembling lips, her voice strained and weak. She reached out a hand toward him, and he clasped it gently.

“Do you understand what this is?” he asked, his calm voice laced with an unsettling edge. “This is the Brand of a Demon God. Specifically, a high-level dark magic brand imbued with the power of Asmodeus. Judging by your reactions, the curse is true to its nature—it’s the ‘Curse of Lust.’”

“…Ah…” Llewellyn whimpered softly, tears spilling down her cheeks.

“It’s a brand that can only be removed through union with a man,” Ernell explained matter-of-factly, his tone unwavering.

But she didn’t care about explanations anymore. All she wanted—all she needed—was for someone to hold her, to strip away her clothes, caress her bare skin, and fill the aching void inside her. The rational part of her mind clung desperately to reason, trying not to succumb in front of the Patron, but everything else in her felt as if it had already shattered.

“Shall I help you?”

The low, seductive murmur brushed against her ears like a sinful caress.

When Llewellyn lifted her head, she was met with those mesmerizing violet eyes—an ethereal, almost intoxicating beauty that seemed to pull her in, leaving her breathless.