Scarlet Bond : Cursed to Love

Episode----- 14

Storm clouds gathered above the council hall, shadows spilling like ink across marble floors.

Areum had stood in these chambers before — as the silent heir, the obedient daughter, the bound bride. But today, something felt different. Today, she wasn't here to answer accusations. She was here to speak.

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Across the hall, Park's gaze locked onto hers, cold and sharp as polished obsidian. He raised a single hand, drawing the room's attention with casual confidence.

"I call," Park announced, voice ringing out, "for a private vote to dissolve the cursed engagement between Han Areum and Seo Junseo — for the council's protection and the family's honor."

Gasps rippled through the room. Even the stone pillars seemed to draw closer, listening.

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Junseo stiffened beside her, muscles coiled tight. She could almost hear the silent roar in him: Fight them. Protect her.

But Areum lifted a hand, halting him. No, her eyes told him. Let me do this.

For the first time, he stepped back, letting her stand alone. Not because he didn't care — but because he did.

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Her heartbeat thundered in her chest as she faced the elders. "You've heard Park," she began, voice low but steady. "Now hear me."

At first, silence met her words. Then a few heads tilted forward, listening.

"All my life," Areum continued, "I was told to keep my mouth shut. To serve the family's will. Even love wasn't mine to choose."

She felt her pulse quicken, shame threatening to pull her voice away. But she forced herself to meet Park's stare.

"And I did stay silent," she admitted. "Because I was afraid. Not of the curse — but of what it would mean to want something for myself."

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She let the words hang in the cold air before she spoke again, softer but stronger.

"I love Junseo," she said, the truth shaking out of her like breath in winter air. "Not because our blood commands it. Not because I was told. But because in the worst moments — when even I doubted myself — he saw me."

A hush fell so deep she could hear her own breathing.

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"And maybe," she whispered, "that's what makes love real. Not the power we're given, but what we give away. I don't want to be free from this bond to protect myself. I want to be free — so I can choose it. Again. And again."

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The words left her trembling, exposed in a way she had never known. She expected Park to sneer, to strike at her vulnerability.

But for a flicker of a second, even Park looked surprised — as if he'd never imagined she had a voice of her own.

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Then Park recovered, lips twisting into cold amusement. "Pretty words," he drawled. "But the curse still stands. And love is easy to claim, harder to prove."

Areum held his gaze. "I don't need you to believe me," she replied quietly. "The curse knows the truth. And so do I."

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An elder rose, robes brushing the floor. "We've heard enough," he announced. "The vote will be cast."

As the elders turned away, Junseo moved beside her, his hand brushing hers, tentative, gentle. "Areum," he breathed, "what you said—"

She turned to him, voice barely a whisper. "I meant every word."

For a moment, the fear between them melted into something softer. Not victory — but understanding.

---

Outside, thunder rolled, shaking dust from the ancient beams. Rain began to fall, each drop drumming the roof like a distant heartbeat.

Areum drew in a shaky breath. "My mother once told me," she murmured, almost to herself, "that surrender isn't defeat. It's letting go of fear."

Junseo's eyes searched hers, dark and unguarded. "Are you ready to let go?"

"I think," she said, a tremor of hope in her voice, "I already have."

---

Just then, Minho approached, rainwater dripping from his hair. "You need to see this," he whispered, pressing a slip of parchment into Areum's hand.

She unfolded it — her mother's handwriting again. Older, shakier.

> "The curse began with fear of loss. Only trust breaks its hold. Speak the words you fear most, and the chains will fall."

Areum's heart slammed painfully in her chest. Speak the words you fear most… Could it be that simple?

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Behind them, the heavy doors creaked open. The council elders stepped forward, robes heavy with rain-soaked air. The head elder's gaze swept across the hall, resting finally on Areum and Junseo.

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"The council has cast its vote," he intoned.

Areum reached for Junseo's hand, her own cold but steady.

"By narrow margin," the elder declared, "the engagement remains. But know this: your bond stands on a knife's edge. Fail to prove its truth — and you will lose everything."

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A single breath, and the chamber erupted in whispers. Relief, dread, and hope knotted tight in Areum's chest.

Junseo's hand tightened around hers. "We have time," he murmured. "And each other."

Outside, the rain fell harder — as if the sky itself mourned and blessed them all at once.

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Teaser for Ep 15:

Park makes his next move — and it strikes at Junseo's deepest guilt.

Areum begins to search for the true heart of the curse.

And a moment so close to a kiss… breaks under a secret neither of them knew.

See you in Episode 15! Stay tuned....