Scarlet Bond : Cursed to Love

Episode------ 11

The night felt alive with secrets. Outside, wind rattled the ancient windows of the mansion, whispering through the halls as if mocking the fragile truce that had formed between Areum and Junseo.

But peace never lasted long in a house built on curses.

---

Park struck at dawn.

Areum had barely slept, her mind replaying Junseo's confession, the torn page, and the raw vulnerability in his eyes. She had woken early, determined to speak to him again — to ask if love truly could break the chain that bound them.

But before she could find him, the storm came.

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A messenger from the council arrived, pale and trembling, bearing news that froze Areum's blood: Park had handed over the documents. Proof that the Han and Seo families had bound their heirs through ancient blood magic, cursing them to serve the family's ambition.

The council was furious. Whispers filled the marble corridors: cursed bride, tainted blood, betrayal.

Areum's legs almost gave way. Her vision blurred as the weight of centuries-old sins settled on her shoulders.

---

She found Junseo in the grand hall, facing the council elders. His back was straight, his expression carved from stone — but his eyes flickered when he saw her, a flash of regret and something like fear.

"Areum Han," one elder intoned, voice cold as winter. "Do you deny knowledge of these documents?"

"I…" Her voice faltered. Around her, the gazes felt like knives. They think I'm part of this, she realized. That I wanted power. That I wanted to control him.

Junseo spoke, voice low and steady. "She didn't know. If anyone should answer for this, it's me."

His words should have felt comforting. Instead, they pierced deeper than any accusation. You would still protect me, even now?

---

After the elders withdrew to debate, Areum pulled Junseo aside, away from prying eyes.

"Why didn't you burn those papers?" she demanded, her voice shaking. "Or tell me? We could have prepared!"

"I thought hiding them would protect you," he said. "But Park was always watching."

"And now?" she asked, chest heaving with fear and anger. "What do we do now?"

Junseo's gaze held hers, raw and unguarded. "Now you have to decide, Areum: protect your name… or protect me."

---

Her breath caught. "What are you saying?"

"If you distance yourself from me publicly," he said quietly, "the council might spare you. Say you were forced, manipulated. Your reputation could survive."

"And what about you?" Her voice broke.

"I'll be left alone to face them," Junseo replied. "But I've lived my life under their shadow. I can endure it." He paused, pain flickering across his features. "I'd rather be cursed forever than see you fall because of me."

---

The words shattered something inside her. For so long, she had thought of him only as the cold heir who had power over her. But standing before her now was a man willing to lose everything for her.

Could it be real?

Could love really make power powerless?

---

In that charged silence, the wind outside calmed. The hush felt fragile, like glass.

Areum stepped closer, so close she could see the exhaustion beneath his mask. "You once asked if love was enough," she whispered. "Maybe we should find out together."

He looked at her, disbelief softening into a hope so raw it hurt to see. "Areum…"

She lifted a hand, brushed her fingers lightly against his cheek — and for the first time, he didn't flinch.

---

Their lips hovered inches apart, the air between them tight with all the words left unsaid.

And then, slowly, Junseo bent his head until their foreheads touched.

"Don't do this," he whispered, voice ragged. "If you stay, you might lose everything."

"I already lost everything," she murmured back, "when I thought I couldn't love you."

---

The moment teetered between kiss and goodbye.

Then footsteps echoed in the corridor — Park's voice, cold and triumphant. "So this is your answer, Areum? You choose him, even now?"

She turned, meeting Park's gaze with steady defiance. "Yes," she said. "Even now."

Park's smile was a serpent's coil. "Then you'll both burn together."

---

For the first time in years, Junseo's hand closed around hers — not in command, but in choice.

Together, they turned to face the darkness.

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Teaser for Ep 12:

The council delivers its judgment.

Park makes a move that threatens to destroy them both.

And Areum discovers the last page of the journal — the one even Junseo doesn't know about.

See you in Episode 12!