Scarlet Bond : Cursed to Love

Episode----- 19

The glass shards still glittered on the council hall's cold stone, dark liquid seeping into ancient cracks. Areum's breaths came shallow, each one burning her chest like fire. But she was alive — bruised, trembling, alive.

Junseo held her close, his heartbeat pounding against hers. "Easy," he whispered, voice rough. "I've got you."

But in Park's eyes, there was only the black shimmer of desperation — a man whose last weapon had failed, and who was ready to burn everything to ashes.

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"You think this is over?" Park's voice sliced through the chamber, shaking with rage. "You think love can save you? You know nothing of love!"

His hand shot out, knocking aside an elder who tried to stop him. Fingers dipped into his coat, pulling free another relic: a slender dagger, its blade etched with characters so old they almost looked like cracks.

"This blade," Park hissed, "was forged in the blood of the first cursed bride. With it, I can end your line — and the curse forever."

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Elders cried out, robes whispering like dying leaves as they backed away. Junseo stepped in front of Areum, shielding her. "Don't," he snarled, voice like iron drawn and ready. "Touch her, and I'll kill you."

Park's laugh was sharp, bitter. "Still so sure she truly loves you? Even now, bound by blood and your family's sin?"

"She's not bound," Junseo spat. "She chose."

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Areum pushed herself up, limbs heavy as lead, and stepped from behind Junseo. "And I still choose," she rasped, voice raw. "Not because you command me. Not because I'm afraid. Because I love him."

Park's face twitched, fury warring with something darker — sorrow, old and twisted. "Then you're a fool," he breathed. "Because love always destroys what it loves most."

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The blade in Park's hand gleamed dully under the flickering torchlight. Areum's gaze locked on it — the tip shaking ever so slightly. He's desperate, she realized. And desperate men make mistakes.

She took a slow step forward. "You hate love because you never had it," she whispered. "But don't make my mother's sin your weapon."

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Park flinched, mask cracking wider. "Your mother destroyed everything to keep you," he spat. "She cursed you rather than let you be free!"

"She made a mistake," Areum whispered, tears rising. "But love was still there, twisted though it was."

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Park's hand trembled. "Then take this blade," he rasped, voice breaking. "End the curse yourself. Kill me, kill him — do something! But don't stand there and call it love!"

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Junseo moved to her side, hand brushing hers. His voice was soft but steady, the calm eye of the storm. "You don't have to do anything he asks," he murmured. "You've already broken the curse where it mattered most."

Areum swallowed, throat burning. "I know."

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Park stepped closer, dagger raised. "If love won't save you," he hissed, "then fear will finish what love began."

The blade arced downward, gleaming like lightning.

Junseo moved, faster than breath — his arm catching Park's wrist. Steel clashed against bone; pain flared in Park's eyes. The dagger tumbled from his grasp, skittering across stone.

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Areum lunged, kicking it away, glass shards biting into her skin.

Park staggered, chest heaving, eyes wild. "Do you really think this ends here?" he rasped.

Junseo's voice shook, low and deadly. "Yes. Because love isn't fear, Park. It's standing here, even when you're terrified."

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Park's shoulders sagged, old hatred burning itself out. "Then curse you both," he whispered. "Live. Love. And watch it destroy you from inside."

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Elders rushed forward, seizing Park's arms. His eyes never left Areum's as he was dragged from the hall — hatred and something sadder flickering in the dying torchlight.

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The door slammed shut behind him, leaving only the hush of falling ash and the echo of breath.

Areum sagged against Junseo, shaking. His arms wrapped around her, anchoring her to the moment. "It's over," he whispered, voice rough. "He can't hurt you anymore."

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Her tears fell silently, soaking into his coat. "I was so afraid," she breathed. "Not of dying — of losing what we have."

"And you didn't," he murmured, pressing his forehead to hers. "Because you never stopped choosing it."

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For a moment, the weight of the curse felt like a memory — heavy, but no longer alive.

Junseo's voice came soft in her ear, an oath born of blood and choice. "I vow," he whispered, "never again to use power to keep you. Only love. Only what you give freely."

Areum's breath caught, heart twisting painfully. "Then I vow to stay," she whispered, "not because I'm bound. Because I want to."

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In the cold, broken hall, their voices felt louder than magic, stronger than fear.

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Teaser for Ep 20:

Areum discovers what her mother truly sacrificed to make the curse.

Junseo faces the truth about his family's guilt.

And in the silence after danger, love becomes something softer… and real.