Scarlet Bond : Cursed to Love

Episode----- 17

The rain had stopped, leaving the air heavy, smelling of wet stone and secrets. Candlelight flickered in the council hall, painting shadows like scars across the walls.

Park stood at the center, face calm, voice ready. In his hand gleamed something new: a thin black book, edges charred.

"This," he began, eyes cold as winter, "is the original record of the curse — written by Areum's ancestor, Han Soyeon herself."

Gasps rippled through the room. Even the elders leaned closer.

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Areum's pulse stumbled. My mother?

Junseo stiffened beside her, his hand brushing hers, silent comfort.

Park opened the book, pages crackling. "In her own words: 'The curse is my gift to my child — so she may never be left. Bound by blood, tied by fear. If she ever loves freely, the curse will die. But if love turns to hate, it will live forever.'"

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The words struck like iron across Areum's ribs. My mother made the curse — to keep me from being abandoned?

Pain twisted through her chest, raw and deep. She wanted to protect me… and damned me instead.

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Junseo spoke, voice shaking with rage. "Even if that's true — she left a way out. Love. Not fear."

Park's eyes narrowed. "And yet you have always ruled her by command, haven't you, Junseo? Fear, not love."

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The truth burned. Areum remembered every moment his voice had bound her, every time she'd stayed because she had no choice. Even now, the chains trembled, half-broken, half-alive.

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The elder's voice boomed. "Areum Han. The curse was born of fear. If you want it gone, you must speak the words your ancestor feared most."

Areum swallowed, throat burning. "And what words are those?" she whispered.

Minho's voice came, low: "That you choose love… even if it means losing him."

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The words felt like knives. I love him so much I would rather set him free… than keep him cursed.

Areum's eyes met Junseo's — dark, afraid, but waiting. Does he understand?

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Her voice broke as she spoke: "I love him. And if the curse needs me to let him go… I will. Even if it breaks me."

Junseo flinched as if struck. His lips parted, breath catching. "Areum…"

"But I don't want to," she whispered, tears burning. "I want to stay. By choice."

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The silence that followed felt like a wound. The curse trembled around them, felt but unseen — as if waiting for truth.

Junseo's hand closed around hers, firm. "Then stay," he rasped. "Not because you're bound. Because you choose to."

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For the first time, the air felt lighter — as if a door had opened somewhere deep and hidden.

Park's expression shifted, mask cracking. "You would risk everything for words?"

"Yes," Areum said, voice hoarse. "Because words born of love are stronger than any curse."

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Behind them, the elders murmured, some faces softening.

But Park wasn't finished. "Then let us test your words," he hissed. "Junseo, command her to leave."

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Junseo's face paled, horror breaking across it. "No."

"Command her," Park snarled, "and we'll see if love is stronger than fear."

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Junseo turned to Areum, voice breaking. "Areum… go."

The curse coiled like ice in her chest, cold and ancient. But her feet stayed still.

"I won't," she whispered, tears falling. "Because I choose you."

The curse shivered, then cracked — unseen chains falling away.

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For the first time, Areum felt weight lift from her heart. Her mother's curse had been born of fear — and broken by love freely chosen.

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Junseo pulled her close, voice raw. "I'm sorry," he breathed. "For every command, every silence."

"And I forgive you," she whispered, forehead resting against his. "Because now… you're not asking. You're hoping."

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Park's gaze burned with hate — but for once, he looked powerless.

In the candlelit dark, their promise felt stronger than any curse.

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Teaser for Ep 18:

Park's last card threatens not just their love — but Areum's life.

Junseo faces a choice that could cost him everything.

And Areum discovers what her mother really meant to protect.