He moved quietly towards the bathroom, where the warm water awaited him. He closed the door behind him softly and turned on the tap, releasing a faint steam that filled the air. Immersing himself in the warm water, his body quickly relaxed from the tension of the pain he had endured. But the relief was superficial, as the destructive magic that Isolda had cast on him was sinking deep into his being.

After finishing his bath, he returned to the room. He stood slowly in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection. He observed his image with focus, as if the mirror might restore something he had lost. He dispelled the magic that had concealed his current appearance, revealing his pale face, the graying hair that had crept in, and the fine lines that were beginning to form on his forehead.

The image before him was shattered, carrying with it memories of pain and exhaustion. He touched his face with trembling hands, tears of sorrow welling up in his eyes, murmuring softly and filled with anguish, "Damn you, Isolda."

The magic Isolda had cast was different from any other. It wasn’t just an ordinary spell; it was a type of forbidden magic from the kingdom of Nyrgard, a deep and invasive magic that gnawed at his body and drained him invisibly. Every moment felt like a piece of his strength was being torn away, leaving him to rise slowly, feeling lethargic and weak, enduring an unusual fatigue. Even the simplest efforts left him exhausted, as if his heart was eroding each time he faced any strong emotions, whether deep sadness or sudden anger.

The memories of wielding a sword or using his wings to fly seemed like distant recollections, as if they belonged to another life. He found himself engulfed in a sea of worries, oblivious to the powers he once possessed, while he stood here, contemplating the marks left by Isolda’s magic.

---

Everning heard a faint sound from the bed. He quickly realized that his wife would wake up soon, so he moved skillfully to perform his magic. With great effort, he used his remaining strength to conceal the lines etched on his face and the gray hair that had marred it. The magic required immense concentration, as his power was limited. He wished he could also hide the pallor of his face, which revealed all the signs of exhaustion and suffering he had endured.

Everning approached the bed to find Yursina already awake, but still suffering from morning drowsiness. He said with a warm smile, “Good morning, my love.”

Yursina rubbed her eyes sleepily and asked curiously, “Why did you wake up so early?”

Everning observed her childlike appearance, her tousled hair, and her eyes red from sleep, finding her beautiful in every detail. He gently patted her hair and sat on the edge of the bed, leaning towards her.

She asked with concern, “Are you okay?”

He didn’t answer but continued to examine her with passion, as if trying to memorize what had happened the night before.

“Evi, why are you looking at me like that?” Yursina asked nervously.

Everning laughed mischievously and planted a tender, lingering kiss on her lips. Yursina was surprised and enjoyed it, but then remembered what had happened the night before and gently pushed Everning away.

“Why?” Everning asked with a hint of annoyance.

“Evi, you fool, what happened to you suddenly? Have you forgotten what happened to you yesterday?” 

Everning responded with concern, “Ah, damn my weak heart, what do I do now? I can’t resist your magic.”

He hugged her tenderly, his heart beating so fast that Yursina could hear it.

“Evi, you’ve been good for years, why are you like this now?” 

He hugged her tighter and inhaled her beautiful scent. “Maybe it’s because you discovered my secret, and I finally felt relief as if a barrier between us had been removed. But my dear, I’m not the only one to blame here; you’re also crafty.”

She pushed him away and asked angrily, “What do you mean by that?”

He tapped her nose and laughed mischievously. “Yuri, my dear, as far as I remember, you were the one who initiated the kiss while I was asleep, so it was your fault from the start because you awakened the sleeping beast within me.”

Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she turned to avoid Everning’s gaze. He smiled as he noticed her discomfort. He tried to get closer again, but she pushed him away.

“Evi, please, I don’t want you to suffer again.”

Yursina was silent for a moment, the words caught in her throat as she tried to control her emotions. She looked at Everning with concern and her heart racing. Everning tried to ease the tension with a small smile, but he felt deeply the weight of the magic eating away at his body.

“Evi, I can’t stand seeing your pain, even if you hide it from me. If you’re suffering, I’m here for you,” she said weakly but with determination.

He gently reached out to wipe away the tears that had started to gather in her eyes and held her hands tenderly. “I don’t want to see you in pain, Yuri. I don’t want this to be the price we pay for our love.”

Yursina took a deep breath and tried to smile, though she felt sadness and worry. “I’m here, and I will stay here. We will find a way to deal with everything together.”

Everning also took a deep breath and then embraced her in a warm hug, as if trying to make up for all the pain they had felt. “Thank you, Yuri. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

She held him tightly, trying to give him the strength he needed, while he drew from her love and care. In that moment, despite all the pain and dark secrets, they felt a glimmer of hope amid the surrounding darkness.

After a moment, they separated slightly, and Everning smiled warmly with hope. “We won’t let anything stand in our way. We will face every challenge, and we will find a way to overcome this damned magic together.”

Yursina replied with a faint smile, knowing that despite everything, their strength and love would always be a source of hope and strength for them in facing whatever lay ahead.