She had thought... that he might actually feel something for her.

Idir’s fingers pressed harder into his palm. "Yes," he answered in a low voice.

Blood seeped from his grip, but he didn’t seem to notice.

The pain in his hand was nothing—nothing compared to the ache in his heart.

Nina fell silent for a moment. "...Then we’ll do as you say."

It seemed she had overthought everything. If that was what he wanted, then she would respect his choice.

"Mmhm." Idir forced himself to suppress the overwhelming urge to take it back. "Nina, I’ll take you back to the Barbarian City first. When we return... you can punish me however you wish."

After he accepted her punishment... It would be time for him to leave.

The curse had already flared once. Though it was suppressed for now, there was no telling when it would erupt again. He couldn’t stay by her side any longer.

"Nina... do you want to wait here, or should I take you directly to your mates?" he asked.

If he carried her there, it would be faster.

"Let’s just wait here. They’ll be here soon," Nina replied.

"Then go rest inside the cave. I’ll keep watch at the entrance."

"No need. I’ll wait out here."

She took out two small chairs, handed one to him, and sat down at the cave entrance to wait for Odian and the others.

Idir accepted the chair and sat beside her.

Silence stretched between them.

He wanted to say something, but didn’t know where to begin.

Not long after, Odian and the others arrived.

"Nina!" They rushed toward her, relief flooding their faces. "Nina, are you hurt?"

Her mates surrounded her at once, anxiously checking her over. Only when they confirmed she was unharmed did the tension in their chests finally ease.

But then, they noticed the marks left on her.

Their eyes turned red instantly. The scent clinging to her made it unmistakable.

That damned serpent... How dare he?

A surge of fury erupted.

They turned on Idir, killing intent blazing in their eyes.

"You bastard—I’ll kill you!" Sal was the first to snap, charging forward with a roar.

Even if it cost him his life, he would kill the one who had wronged Nina.

All the others, except Odian, who stayed by Nina’s side, rushed forward in a storm of rage.

Individually, they might not match him.

But together? They still had a chance.

Today, they would end him.

Odian’s fists clenched tightly. He wanted to join them, but someone had to stay and protect Nina.

Idir hesitated for a brief moment.

Then he didn’t dodge.

He took Sal’s strike head-on.

Nina’s eyes widened. She rushed forward, stopping the others. "Stop! Don’t act rashly—it’s not what you think. He didn’t force me."

"Nina... he really didn’t?" Sal asked, struggling to believe it.

She had rejected Idir before—was last night really her choice?

He glanced at Idir, confusion flickering. Why hadn’t he dodged?

The others were just as skeptical.

To them, Nina was simply too kind—perhaps even defending him because he was the father of her child.

Nina sighed softly. "He really didn’t. Last night... I agreed to it myself."

"Nina, are you sure?" Aviel pressed. "You’re not just saying that to protect him?"

She shook her head. "No. He didn’t force me."

At most... he had tempted her. But if she had truly refused, she knew he wouldn’t have crossed that line.

She glanced at Idir.

...Alright. Maybe she had been a little swayed.

Seeing that he was injured, she hurried to his side. "Are you okay?"

She channeled her ability, helping to heal him.

Idir shook his head. "I’m fine. I deserved that."

That blow was nothing less than what he owed.

Still... her concern warmed something deep inside him.

Even after everything—after what he had done, after the words he had just said—she still cared.

His eyes filled with emotion. How could she be so kind?

If only... if only he weren’t cursed. He didn’t want to leave her.

Nina sighed quietly, finishing what healing she could before helping him to his feet.

Then she turned to the others. "Let’s leave it at that. We should head back."

"Nina... has he recovered?" Odian asked.

He had noticed the curse markings were gone—likely hidden now that Idir was conscious.

"I think so," Nina nodded. "He’s recovered."

"When?" Odian pressed.

She thought for a moment. "Probably... this morning?"

Odian looked at Idir, frowning.

"This morning," he confirmed.

His gaze deepened. Was it the array that had finally worked... or something else?

Or was it because of Nina?

He couldn’t tell.

But he would find out.

He had to find a way to control the curse. If Idir remained by Nina’s side like this, the danger hadn’t truly passed.

If Nina wouldn’t allow them to kill him... Then suppression was the only option.

Otherwise, ending him while he was still lucid would be the cleanest solution.

Sal and the others remained deeply dissatisfied.

Recovered or not, nothing erased what he had done.

Even if Nina said she had agreed, they couldn’t believe it had truly been her wish. More likely, the serpent had pushed and persisted until she gave in.

"Enough," Nina said. "We’ll talk about this later. Let’s go."

"...Alright."

Odian lifted her into his arms and took to the air, heading back toward the Barbarian City.

The others followed immediately.

Idir walked behind them, head lowered.

They returned to the city at full speed.

The moment Nina appeared, the children ran into her arms, delighted.

"Mother, you’re back!"

They had thought she had simply gone out again with their fathers.

Mino and Dian stepped forward, taking her hands, concern evident. "Nina... are you alright?"

But as soon as they caught the scent lingering on her, their expressions shifted sharply.

That serpent... What had he done?

Still, seeing that Odian and the others weren’t reacting openly, they held back their questions—for now.

They would ask later.

Lex finally relaxed upon seeing her return.

He had wanted to go out searching last night as well—but he had stayed behind for the sake of the youngest.

If she hadn’t come back... he would have gone himself.

Elsewhere, Aron and the lion tribe males immediately moved to inform Yanai and Setan.

"I’m fine," Nina said with a small smile.

"Nina, you must be exhausted. Go rest—I’ll prepare something for you," Mino said gently.

Her mates carried her back to her room.

Idir returned silently to his own.

Once Nina was settled, the others gathered outside his door, their expressions cold.

"Come out."

Their tone was far from friendly.

Nina may have let it go.

But they hadn’t.