Holding You Close is a heartwarming romance webtoon about a snowy kingdom where magic, duty, and love are intertwined. Holding You Close Chapter 17-21 deals with Theo and Yuna going through emotional tension, misunderstandings, and sacred secrets. From visiting a divine temple to awkward confessions and hilarious miscommunication (including a comparison to pets!), these chapters reveal just how much Theo is changing, and how deeply Yuna is beginning to care. Through sweetness, snark, and magic, this arc brings them closer together and points out the fact that there are more mysteries surrounding the true identity of Yuna.
Holding You Close Chapter 17: A Temple Trip, Tension, and Trouble
Holding You Close Chapter 17 begins with Theo and Yuna nervously sipping tea together, each unsure how to break the silence. In a classic “I-have-a-request-but-I am-scared-to-ask” moment, Yuna mentions a mysterious temple in the north that Asarim wants Yuna to visit. Theo, who is not a fan of Asarim’s ideas, initially frowns–but then suddenly agrees to go. Suspiciously quick, but okay, Theo.
The following day, everybody is all dolled up to visit the temple. Theo, the prince who always blushes, is totally drawn towards Yuna’s look. He gives her a cloak to warm herself in, in a charming (and perhaps possessive) act. Asarim throws some serious shade at Ruhean, commenting on how tiny Yuna’s room is compared to Theo’s. But Yuna’s loyalty shines through. She says she finds it very comfortable and even stands up for Theo. They arrive at the Temple of the Phoenix, where the high priest Lambros visibly shakes at the sight of Theo (it is clear, the guy has a reputation). Theo provides Yuna with a beautiful veil before she enters the sacred space.
But the actual drama is taking place outside. Asarim pokes Theo, smugly suggesting Yuna would have been happier with him. Theo, done with the fake smiles, grabs him by the collar and gets all dark-eyed and intimidating. It is a moment dripping with tension–and then bang! Yuna walks out, notices the fight about to happen, and yells their names, obviously tired of the male ego parade. Holding You Close Chapter 17 ends with a temple visit turned showdown, and Yuna stuck in the middle of her two leading men.
Holding You Close Chapter 18: Sorry, Salves, and a Sacred Shock
Holding You Close Chapter 18 begins with Yuna storming into the scene, demanding that Theo let go of Asarim. She runs to check on Asarim. And poor Theo, already steaming, looks like a broken-hearted man as he walks off, fists clenched and mad. However, Yuna is not fooled- she accuses Asarim of lying, and explains that she overheard the entire conversation. She coldly shuts it down by saying she would never have married him at all. (Uff Burn.)
Outside, Theo is wall-punching levels of frustrated when Yuna finds him and scolds him for being reckless with his injured hand. Classic caretaking moment follows. She insists he see a doctor. He agrees (because… well, Yuna), blushing like a shy schoolboy.
In a calmer chamber, she later soothes his hand with ointment. The tension eases when she apologizes for Asarim’s behavior, saying that she had heard the entire fight. Just when things start getting cute, Asarim barges in uninvited. Again!!! Now completely fed up with his shenanigans, Yuna gives him a piece of his mind. She orders, with complete confidence, to apologize to her husband in a proper way. Cue Theo adorably blushing at her referring to him as her husband.
Asarim, for once, listens and apologizes… awkwardly but sincerely. But the moment is short-lived. Yulis runs in, panic-stricken, and declares that the holy water, which was to be their last hope, has somehow mysteriously dried up, ending Holding You Close Chapter 18.
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Holding You Close Chapter 19: A Toast to Secrets & Goodbyes
Holding You Close Chapter 19 begins with a divine mystery unraveling. Yuna and Theo learn from Lambros that all five Temples of Daphne, which are supposed to receive sacred water from the main temple, are dry. Like bone-dry. This is unheard of, since the holy water is said never to dry up. But Lambros confesses that it dried out three months ago, and they pretended that it exists so that people do not panic.
Theo, putting two and two together, asks out loud whether there is something in common. And whether Yuna is, maybe, the Saintess prophesied. Lambros is quick to deny that possibility, and Theo tells him he must tell them when any message comes out of the Temple of Vyos.
Back at the palace, dinner is gloomy. When Theo asks Asarim about his obsession with the sacred water, the latter is visibly flustered, stammers, and declares that he will leave the next day. Yuna is quietly sad. Theo is not-so-quietly thrilled. He even opens champagne with Yulis to celebrate.
Yulis later gives Theo a letter about a magical stone festival in the South, where an elder priest and a man named Delan will be. Theo has a hunch about the holy water lead, and–alas–remembers that Lady Camilla may be there as well. Yep, it is the same woman who slapped him.
Asarim bids farewell the following day. Yuna also gives him letters for her father, while Theo gives him some spare magic stones. After a hug from Yuna, Asarim boards the carriage, plotting a secret detour to Vyos and saving the letters for later, ending Holding You Close Chapter 19.
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Holding You Close Chapter 20: Of Chestnuts, Kittens, and a Strange Voice
Holding You Close Chapter 20 begins with Yuna feeling a bit guilty. Was she too cold to Asarim when he went away? She admits to Theo that she is worried, and the latter turns all adorably flustered. In order to make her laugh, he gives her a chestnut dessert (her favorite!) and he proudly watches her devour it.
Some time later, Theo tells her that he is going to the South. Yuna, concealing her worry, smiles and says to take care. Cut to Theo in the doctor’s office–but he is not discussing injuries. Nope, he is concerned about…a squirrel. Yes, a cute little squirrel that has been showing up lately. The doctor and Yulis look wearily at each other, and it is obvious that they are wondering whether they made the right choice in life, but the doctor has a serious point of view. Theo, to his surprise, is taking notes as though he is going to some political summit.
Later that night, Yuna talks to Maylene about Theo. Maylene, as usual, observes how Theo has changed so much- obviously smitten and trying. Yuna changes her heart and makes up her mind that she wants to accomplish something useful in his absence.
The following day, she goes to the garden, prepared to pull out all the weeds there, when a group of maids discovers a lost kitten. Yuna comes along and feeds the small creature as she adorably giggles. All is peaceful and sweet. Until she suddenly hears a voice. A voice that feels… too familiar. Holding You Close Chapter 20 ends with a purr, a whisper, and a rising sense of curiosity.
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Holding You Close Chapter 21: Not a Pet, Not a Bear–Just Yours
Holding You Close Chapter 21 begins with Yuna puzzled by a mysterious voice in the garden, but brushing it aside for now, she decides she wants to adopt the stray kitten. Of course, she goes to Theo first to seek his approval. He agrees(with that signature soft head-pat). He even gives her candy as a proud parent. But that is exactly when the trigger flips.
Yuna’s eyes widen. Did he just treat her like the maids treat those kittens?! She then exclaims, “Why do you treat me like a pet?!” and storms off, leaving Theo shocked, confused, and in a downward spiral. He dashes back to the doctor again, wanting an explanation–obviously angry that his squirrel notes did not work. The physician, shocked, blurts out, suddenly everything is making sense, “Wait, this was about the Archduchess, not a squirrel?!”
Fights and More Distance
That night, a gloomy Yuna lies in bed when there is a knock. Theo, it is. He offers her candy once more. She refuses. He grunts that he will give it to Ray as he is going away. Realizing he will leave the next day, her anger instantly turns into deep sadness. She ends up blurting out that he treats her like a cat. He is like, “Wait, what?” Then, in a twist, she calls him a bear! He tells her that she is not a pet and tenderly admits, “You are so beautiful…” Cue the double blush explosion. Flustered, Yuna shuts the door in his face. Theo? (Emotionally damaged pro-level.)
Theo does not want to screw up again and calls his best shadow guard, Khan. His mission? Protect Yuna—because, in Theo’s words, “I no longer have a wife who shows me affection.” Cue our favorite, Yulis: utterly terrified once again. Holding You Close Chapter 21 ends with heartbreak, candy, and a new mission from a very lovesick archduke.
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