KAY

There was a strange feeling settling into his chest when he first stumbled across the organisation. Something about it had put him on edge, but he was willing to hear it out anyway. For people like him there was no such thing as community, but it was exactly what the organisation offered. For people like them, there was nothing like a safe haven, but they prided themselves on being exactly that.

Nearly convinced to join himself, he turned around at the last moment and walked away. He lived with the consequences of that action to this day.

He'd always had an inkling that nothing was what it seemed, but up until that moment, their intentions had merely been a speculation. Up until the message was transcripted, he was in the dark, comfortable and unknowing.

When he looked around, his confidants were silent. He could hear a pin drop. There was something etched into their faces that he hadn't seen before, not even when they arrived into his care.

Airu had the guts to speak up first on many occasions, but even they remained silent. Slumped in their seat, hand covering their chin and a part of their mouth, their eyes stared into nothingness.

"This is the first time they mention the 'One,'" Daphne cut through. Her eyes were like a clear crystal, shining in the light but almost unnoticable in the dark. "They preach it to us—" She interrupted herself with a tight smile. "them, but never to the outside."

His arms were crossed as he stared at the message. His mind was racing with possibilities but they flashed by him before he could process it, traded for the next like they were cancelling each other out.

"They're set on finding this person, then," Minsu concluded. "They're talking about someone that will arrive, not someone who has already joined."

The pressure on his chest lifted a little with one possibility eliminated.

His eyes darted to Airu, but they were still in their own head.

"If you look at it that way," Daphne spoke again. "I can't remember what they said about The One other than someone who will liberate us, and now we know that they're looking for a woman." When he looked at her, she had straightened her stance. "With the resources they have, they can get to her in no time."

"Which is why we need to be faster."

All eyes landed on him.

He looked at Minsu and shot a small smile. "I think I don't have to tell you what the next course of action is."

Minsu nodded and got up. "I'll get on it right away."

When he came back that following morning, he'd gotten his hands on a portrait. It was clear that it was all they had and on a continent as big as Talon, she could be anywhere. Minsu theorised that the possibility of her being in Qorath was slim, considering that there was little ground to cover for them here.

Chances of them ever reaching the Veiled Kingdom would mean that the collapse of Talon would follow quickly after. Nytheria was the thorn in everyone's eye, how he'd heard it being described. He'd never visited, but their history gave them all the right to act that way.

"I think I need to be in Thornmere," he finally said.

Minsu bobbed his head slowly. "Could be, but you're losing precious time if you're wrong."

"I'm actually pretty sure I need to be there." He nudged the younger. "I'll make up for lost time in the blink of an eye."

Minsu rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Go. There's no time to lose."

With the portrait in mind, he landed in the middle of a small town. The centre was swarming with people and there were overlapping yells coming from the distance. He stretched his neck as he moved along with the crowd, finding himself on a market.

All around him were vendors talking to the customers that were at their stands. He brushed past them, keeping his eyes on everything but the products. He'd spent hours wandering around the market, trying to find the person from the portrait that he memorised. The pressure in his chest was suffocting, but something told him that he came to the right place.

He left the market, following the road that brought him to the edge of town. There were a couple of houses, but the distance between them grew bigger with every house he passed. Kicking a pebble in the road, he felt his steps getting heavier.

Maybe he was just hoping too hard that he was right. That by sheer luck, he was in the right place at the right time and he could at least save the woman that they prophesized to be their saviour, compared to the many that were lost to the organisation.

He halted in his tracks when the door of the last house opened.

A woman walked out, her back faced towards him. A burgundy flowy dress hugged her plump figure, a corset accentuating her waist.

He looked the other way when she turned around and walked down the road. His eyes darted back up as she passed him and he offered a small smile. His heart stopped and he looked over his shoulder, but she picked up her pace.

He came to the right place after all.

“You cannot write this off as an accident, for it was a very deliberate move to make love to her.” You shook your head abruptly. "I will not involve myself in removing a human life, but if what your princess seeks is shelter..."

Vernon stared at you for a good second before his face flushed a furious state of red. “No. No! I have not–” His cheeks tinted a shade as red as your dress. “Gods, lady. What do you take me for? I am no animal!”

Blackspire's crown princess cleared her throat and you looked her way. Her cheeks were a light pink. "Vernon did not… um, insert himself. We are merely here for…" She paused and looked his way.

“A disguise,” Vernon added. “Your magic is strong enough to provide her with one.”

You arched an eyebrow and scoffed. “The princess didn’t even know your plan. I could be a spy for all she’d know, and believe me when I say that there are plenty.”

“This is important,” he insisted, your name rolling off his lips as a desperate plea. He was about to drop to his knees and beg at your feet if you didn’t know any better. “Will you help us or not?”

You eyes darted to the princess before landing on Vernon again. “You owe me. Again.” As you grabbed a book, you wandered to the kitchen. You had proved yourself on many occasions that your non-healing potions could be unreliable, but you weren't going to tell them that. Instead, you told them you were still improving.

It wasn't a complete lie, though.

As you rummaged through your cabinets for the right ingredients, their eyes burned into you. You swallowed and pushed the pressing feeling in your chest away.

Vernon came to you for a reason. It was dangerous and he knew the consequences of being seen with you, but no matter how much you tried to push him away, he always came back to you. You were almost tempted to call him a friend.

With a shaky breath, you closed your eyes and muttered the spell. The content of the pot glowed white and you sighed softly. As you poured it into a pot, you locked eyes with Vernon, who was watching you closely.

“This potion will wear off when you speak your real name out loud," you explained and gave the bottle to the princess. "Nobody will see your true form, except for Vernon. I made sure that he can see you at all times.”

She took it from you and glanced at Vernon. “If she tries to poison me, it’s on you.”

“I will take the fall, princess.” He bowed.

The look in her eyes made your chest sting.

You breathed a sigh of relief when the princess made way for a small, platinum blonde woman, eyes like the ocean peeking at you.

She smiled. "Thank you so much. I owe you."

You walked to your closet and reached for the back, pulling out a blue, purple and pink dress. You put them in a bag and gave it to her. "I don't wear them anymore, maybe it can help you."

The princess took it with a smile and nodded. "I won't forget your kindness."

You pressed your lips together and closed the door behind them.

Vernon was an idiot for seeking you out. He put the princess at risk — you didn't even want to know how or why the Blackspirian crown princess made it to Thornmere instead of sitting on the throne — and he risked his own life by associating himself with you.

You were not to be trusted. He knew that.

Over the following days, you stayed inside tending to your herbs. Your garden looked over the town's square, even though it was far away enough for people to keep their distance. Since they acted like you were a pest anyway, you didn't even bother to mingle with them. The only thing that kept you occupied was the market, where you bought vegetables, fruit and herbs every week.

When the day of the market came, you finally showed yourself.

You ripped your burgundy dress from the washing rack and covered it with a black corset. With your bag over your shoulder, you pulled the front door shut.

As you turned on your heel, a man was coming your way. Your heart stopped, but you pushed through the uncanny feeling crawling up your back. You walked in his direction, right past him like he didn't even exist to you. With calm strides, you made your way to the market.

You always lingered longer than needed, stopping by the stands that you had nothing to do with. You didn't do anything with wooden charms, but you admired the craftmanship that went into it.

Even though the vendors could not care for your opinion much, you still stopped to observe their goods.

As you made your way back, the man was gone. You breathed a sigh of relief and went back into the house, disappearing into the nothingness again.

You couldn't remember when everything shifted. When you were younger, you were surrounded by life. Your mother was the life of the party, your father a silent admirer of her spirit. Both had known the powers that you'd inherited and they taught you to embrace them, but they'd never prepared you for how the town would respond.

When they started to manifest, the people around you grew increasingly scared of what you'd be able to do one day. What your parents described as a blessing throughout your entire life had become your biggest burden.

And unfortunately, you couldn't stop them.

As you put the last of your vegetables on the fire, there was a knock on the door.

Your heart hammered in your chest as you hoisted yourself up. You tiptoed to the door and took a deep breath. Your hand trembled when you put it on the handle, pushing the handle down and peeking your head around the corner.

The man smiled at you, his black hair framing his face in silk curtains. His arms were crossed behind his back and his voice was soft and welcoming when he spoke.

"Am I interrupting anything?"

You swallowed and slowly shook your head.

His smile grew. "Glad to hear. My name's Joshua and I come here with a very urgent request."

"Whatever you heard, I can't help you," you said tightly and pushed against the door. "Good day."

"Your life's in danger." When your eyes fell on Joshua, his smile had faded. "I need you to come with me."

As you arched an eyebrow, you leaned against the door.

"I know you possess great powers," he continued and uncrossed his arms. "There's people out there that want to use them to their advantage, which is why I've come here to—"

You slammed the door shut and walked back to the kitchen. You stomped on the floor, boots clicking against the woodboard.

Joshua pounded on the door, but you ignored it, stirring the vegetables around in the pot. You added some water and let it sit, seating yourself in the chair with your spellbook.

Something that made creepy strangers go away, or turn them into hideous bugs perhaps.

When you were eating your homemade soup, there was another knock on the door. You didn't care how long he would stand there, he could wait for years and you wouldn't pay him any mind. It made you shiver that he knew about you.

The next day as you carefully peeked around the corner, he wasn't there anymore. You kept checking for every day after that until you were sure that he was gone. You tended to your garden, practiced your magic and reogarnised your cupboards.

You couldn't imagine what scared people off. Your magic was nature based, specifically focused on healing and using the earth to do so. Your parents called it elemental magic, and there were only a few people that were strong enough to wield all four elements; earth, water, fire and air. Your mother was one of them, loud and proud and fearless like she'd always been.

Your father was forced to bind his powers when they came after him. A pit formed in your stomach just thinking about it. You hadn't seen him using his magic since you were eleven.

Your parents were thoroughly convinced that you could do it too. The powers had never truly manifested with you and you were left with earth as your element. Grounding, stable and nourishing, that was your destiny in life.

Nothing more and nothing less.

You'd hoped that your parents were right. The elements, the world around you, it had always rumbled a fascination that you could not shake. You felt yourself drawn to the rain pouring out of the sky, to the fire crackling in your hearth, even by the way the wind blew through your hair. Whenever you flicked your fingers, it seemed to dance along with you, but you never followed through with trying again.

Instead, you found great satisfaction in helping others. Healing was something that had always come naturally to you, in any shape or form in fact. When your mother was upset over something, your remedy never failed to work. You credited your importance in her life, but she'd always told you it was something more.

A tear escaped your eye as you sat in the garden, the warm breeze dancing on your skin. Leaving your parents had left a gaping wound that would never mend. You didn't want to. Gods, it was the last thing that you wanted, but your parents needed to know you were safe.

You hadn't heard from them since your mother's last letter before winter came. Countless letters had gone unanswered since then, so you assumed the worst.

The next morning, you decided that the market would do you good. You never went so early in the morning, but you needed to clear your head. With the new stranger in town that seemed to have it out for you, you doubt you could.

There was no harm in trying, you assumed as you opened the door.

Joshua smiled up at you when you stepped outside.

You yelped and clutched your chest. "What—"

"Good morning," he greeted you and got up, brushing his pants off that was clinging to his slender legs loosely. "My apologies for startling you a couple of days ago, but I really need to talk to you."

You scoffed and clutched your bag, stepping on the gravel path. "No, thank you."

"I'm afraid this does not leave much room for choice."

You started walking down the road. There were crunching steps behind you that made your ribcage burn. With a deep breath and a roll of your eyes, you pretended he did not exist. Maybe by closing your eyes and making your wish, you would discover a new power that would make him fuck right off.

"Listen, I know you don't want to hear me out," he started.

With a scoff, you turned onto the market.

He called your name and from the corner of your eye, you saw him reaching for you. You turned around and held your hand out, but he already retreated his arm.

Joshua pushed his brows together before his face relaxed again. He shook his head with a small smile. "I didn't know you could do that."

"I did nothing," you said tightly and grabbed a bag of herbs. You slammed the coins on the table before he could insist otherwise and walked to the next stand.

"I know this must be scary, but at least hear me out," he spoke again, following you on foot. "I have everything to lose and nothing to gain by doing this, I can assure you that."

You shrugged before you turned to him with a smile. "Maybe you risked everything for nothing, then. I'm not interested in whatever you have to say."

Before Joshua could try to change your mind, you walked off. A vendor talked about you, but you tuned it out. Joshua tried once more when you ran into him at the vegetable stand and that was where you left him.

Something inside of you clawed at you when you did. Maybe Joshua was acting out of the best intentions and there you were, writing him off like you'd done with everyone else. He seemed genuine, he kept trying and he looked like he was incapable of losing his temper, unlike what you had almost done.

There was a pit forming in your stomach nonetheless. He might be preaching how he could save your life, but maybe his soft eyes, pretty smile and honey voice would lure you right into the danger he was trying to warn you about.

You pushed the feeling away and barricaded yourself into your home. You watched the clock while biting your fingernails until it stung. The wind blew a fresh breeze through your garden, but with every hour passing it seemed to grow stronger. The hearth was nearly in flames by the time you got to dinner, as if it was too strong to contain itself.

When you looked out of the window, it was pouring. The ground underneath you rumbled, buzzing through your body.

The knock on the door made you jump. A strike of thunder followed, then a muffled voice, but it drowned out by the rain tapping against your window.

You opened the door and your breath caught.

Water dripped from Joshua's hair and nose, his clothes stuck to his body. "They predicted nice weather today," he teased lightly.

"They had it wrong, then." You were about to close the door, but he grabbed it. With a sharp inhale you turned away, your heart hammering on the beat of every step you took inside.

Joshua followed you, but when you turned around, he froze in his tracks. His neck twitched and the smile on his face seemed to cost him more effort than usual.

You arched your eyebrow. "Well?"

He opened his mouth, but it was nothing more than a breathless whisper.

You scoffed and turned away from him.

"Please…" he said hoarsely, almost inaudibly. "let… me… go…"

You froze, flinching when there was a loud thud behind you. You let out a shaky breath and closed your eyes. Tears stung behind them, desperately clawing their way out as you tried to collect yourself.

Joshua coughed loudly, and when you turned around he was crawling up from the floor.

You hurried over to him and helped him up, putting him down on your couch. You avoided his curious looks and swallowed. "Let me make you some tea."

Without room for Joshua to protest, you put the kettle on the fire. You mixed chamomille with tumeric and muttered to the cup, watching it light up. You walked back with the cup of tea and gave it to him. "Drink up. It'll help with soreness."

He offered you a warm smile and wrapped his hands around it. "Thank you."

You brushed the folds of your dress and sat down next to him.

"You have elemental magic, don't you?"

You looked up at him curiously.

He set the cup in the palm of his hand and within seconds, it started floating. The tea stayed in the cup perfectly and when it came back down, he took a sip.

You watched in awe. "You're…"

Joshua smiled again. "I recognise your struggles, and it pains me to see how isolated you are. Not only do I want to get you to safety, but I want to give you the chance to be among your own people."

You swallowed. "What's the danger?"

"Have you ever heard of the Coven of the Silver Star?"

The name sounded familiar, you just couldn't place the feeling settling in your chest. You shook your head and shifted in your seat.

"They're based in Qorath, and they're under protection of the Royal Family," Joshua started and took a sip of tea. "As the name suggests, it's a group of witches just like us. They promote themselves as the place for us, to teach and guide us through our powers, to give us a sense of community."

His brows knitted together, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"You…" You cleared you throat. "…don't look like you're going to say something nice about them."

"I have reason to believe that they're not a coven at all, and when we received a message through one of our spies, I knew that I was right all those years, and that all the efforts I've been making haven't been in vain."

"What do you think they are, if not a coven?"

Joshua put the empty cup down.

You awaited an answer that didn't seem to come. You pressed him again, but he wouldn't budge.

"They believe in the legend of 'The One', their saviour and their salvation," he continued, leaning back in his seat. "Before I came here, we found out who that person is."

Your stomach turned.

Joshua offered you an apologetic smile. "I would never dare to disrupt your life as it is, but for your own safety…"

"You are very kind to say that, but I think you and I both know that coming with you is better than the life I'm leading right now," you replied tightly. You chuckled bitterly. "Everything's better than this, even if that Silver Star club would get a hold of me."

"That's exactly what they pry on, which is why we wasted no time to get to you first." Joshua got up and looked at you. "You can pack some belongings, if you'd like. Travels are not long so you have time to process all of this."

You cocked an eyebrow, but all he did was smile. You bobbed your head and walked to your bedroom, hoarding all the dresses and corsets that you could find. You packed your herbs and potions. Your fingers trembled as they laced in between the fabric of your mother's scarf, stuffing it in your bag.

When you looked at your garden, you could feel yourself shattering.

"There's a chance to grow some where we are," Joshua sounded behind you. "We can use them."

You nodded and hung your bag over your shoulder.

He held his arm out and you took it. "Ready?"

"Yeah, let's just go before I change my mind."

It didn't last more than a second before your living room switched out for an office.

Joshua let go of you and leaned against the desk, a wood so dark it was almost black. It was completely smooth, unlike the furniture in your house. You looked around and through the big windows, you looked out over a forest, trees perfectly aligned.

A pit formed in your stomach. Even if you wanted to, there was no turning back anymore.

Joshua had let you settle in for the week, assigning you to a room where you could stay for the night. Because you couldn't sleep, you'd taken yourself out for a tour and the next moment you had with Joshua, you trailed after him bobbing your head along to his explanation.

He showed you the personal quarters — you could pinpoint the hallway where you got lost on multiple occasions — introduced you to some of the residents and made sure you knew where the living quarters were. It was complete with a kitchen and a space to lay down and unwind, as if you'd stepped into a big inn instead.

Joshua took you to the gardens, where someone was bowed over the herbs and plants. He turned to you. "If you need anything, you can just grab it from here. We all share this space, despite having little healers amongst us."

You nodded and folded your hands over each other.

He motioned his head to the door and smiled. "Let me introduce you to some more members of our network."

Despite the eerie feeling settling in your chest, you followed him. Back through the hallways, but you took a left instead, back to the office you arrived in the day before.

Instead, Joshua opened another door. When he stepped in, three people turned around.

Your eyes immediately fell on a woman with eyes as blue as the Thornmere sky, her dark auburn hair in a thick braid down her back. She offered you a warm smile before she turned to Joshua.

"You managed to locate her," she spoke so soothingly, you feel your worries drifting away. "Well done, Joshua."

"Without your help, I wouldn't have been able to." Joshua's eyes darted to the man next to her. He bowed his head, which the man returned.

His gaze landed on you, but he looked away when you locked eyes.

"Welcome to the hideout," the last one spoke. When you turned to them, they wore a bright grin, strands of red and black hair falling in front of their face. "We'll take good care of you, don't you worry."

"Daphne, Minsu and Airu are my closest confidants," Joshua explained. He puffed his chest out a bit and there was a twinkle in his eyes you couldn't place. "Without them, I couldn't have done any of this."

"What exactly is 'this?'" You asked.

From the corner of your eye, Daphne shot him a glare.

"I couldn't exactly tell her that out in the open," Joshua said calmly. "You don't know what ears were listening."

Airu waved their hand. "Before you start arguing like divorced parents again," they cut in and turned to you, "we're spies. And witches. Spy witches. Spit—"

"We run an underground network that is set to dismantle the Silver Star," Minsu interrupted them and offered you a small smile. "And what Airu said is correct. We're all witches." He patted their shoulder. "Fire magic. You'll notice that it's very fitting for their personality."

"I'm a water witch," Daphne spoke up. "I recently found out I can heal with it."

You smiled and nodded.

She returned it warmly and glanced at her friends.

Airu slapped Minsu's back, who shot them glance. "Necromancer."

"So you can…" You made a kill motion.

Minsu chuckled softly. "My magic involves the usage of the death, through corpses and spirits."

You turned to Joshua, who was smiling.

"I hope you'll feel at home here." He pushed himself up and waved his hand. "We'll leave you to it. Let me know if you find something."

Airu saluted him, but Minsu pulled them back into work. They winked at you, to which you chuckled.

You followed Joshua to his office and stood in front of his window. You felt yourself drawn back to the forest, observing how the tree tops blew in the wind, how the leaves clung unto their branches as if it was nothing. You watched how all of them moved in the same rhythm like it was rehearsed.

You looked at your own hands before tucking them underneath your arms.

"A little too perfect, aren't they?" Joshua stood next to you. "Qorath has never been so keen of mistakes, and its scenery reflects that sentiment."

You hummed. "There is no way in which all those trees can be so perfectly aligned. And the way they're moving, it's unnatural and so…synced? Like they're just a replica of each other."

"You'll come to find that Qorath is unusually perfect." He pointed at the end of the forest, where the trees started thinning out. Right at the top was a tree that moved along with the wind. Not just the tip, not the leaves trying to stick to the branches, it moved with its entire being, unafraid to make the leaves dance in the breezes. "You just have to look for weak points."

You peeled away from the window and cleared your throat.

Joshua turned around to sit in the windowstill. "I want to formally apologise to you, about how I came to your doorstep unannounced."

"And for not leaving me alone," you added.

He rubbed his neck, his cheeks flushing a light pink. "And that, yes. It was very improper of me."

"A bit, yeah." You balanced on the back of your feet. "So, what will happen now that I'm here? You seem to run a very oiled machine in here."

Joshua chewed his lip. "You're at risk if we put you out there. I'm afraid the best I can do for you right now is giving you shelter and protection."

You swallowed the lump in your throat. With a tight smile, you excused yourself and stepped away from him. "I'll be in my quarters if you need me."

"Maybe you can join us for dinner tonight," Joshua suggested. "I'm sure they won't mind."

"I'll think about it." You offered a nod and turned on your heel. "Thank you for the invite, nonetheless."

"Always."

You made your way to the quarters and closed the door behind you. It was small, but it had everything you need: a bed, a desk, even a small closet to store your belongings.

On the desk was a small pile of papers and a quill, but the time when you touched it, you couldn't bring yourself to put the words onto the paper.

You kept looking at it, until the nagging feeling suffocated you. You turned away from it and laid down on the bed, swallowing the tears that had traveled with you since you left your own home.

If it could even be called home.

Your real home was like stepping into a comforting hug. You could remember your parents gushing over the powers you would possess when you were four years of age, but despite the burdens they placed on themselves, you could only feel the warmth spread through your chest. They never failed to make you feel heard and seen, even if your powers would never manifest at all.

They did when you were seven, right around the time most of the powers would completely manifest. In one of the coldest winters you remembered, without much thought, you had made the flowers in your garden bloom. It'd become evident to you and your parents that you had inherited your mother's powers.

Your real home was in the north of Thornmere, right at the border with Nytheria. You'd always been able to look over the mountains in the safety of your cabin, wondering how they got so high. You imagined yourself being on top of the mountain when you closed your eyes at night. One day, you would be so high up, too.

Childlike wonder, your mother had called it. In truth, that fascination had never left you after all those years. You often thought of that mountain and everything that went on behind it, even though you'd never seen it before. One day, you hoped you would.

When you walked into the kitchen, the four had already gathered around the table.

Daphne was the first to notice you and offered you a warm smile. "Please, join us. Dinner's just ready."

You inhaled the scent of a broth and hummed. "It smells nice."

"Joshua's specialty."

You glanced at the man, who'd replaced his black suit with the white collar with a loose blouse and a wide linen pants. His hair was fluffy, as if he'd just washed it, compared to how composed he normally wore it. Nothing about Joshua in that moment screamed that he was planning on getting back to work anytime soon.

"I'm glad you're joining," he said with a smile. He waved his hand before pouring another bowl. "I made enough for all of us."

"Such a mum," Airu teased.

You sat down next to them and their bowl was in front of your nose.

Their smile was small, but genuine. "Rookies first."

You nodded and pulled it towards you, letting the smell engulf you. Dinner was silent on your part. The most you'd done was answer questions that they fired your way, but most of their conversations were about their days, about things they heard and saw.

Work was off the table.

Daphne excused herself when she was done and dusted her flowy dress off. "I have to get some medicine to the children's wing. There's a bad flu again."

You wiped your hands on the napkin and got up. "Let me take care of it."

She offered you a small smile. "There's no need, love. Make sure you're settled in first." She turned on her heel and walked towards the door.

"I'm a healer."

Daphne's hand was on the doorhandle, but it stayed there. She looked over her shoulder and nodded. "Alright then. Follow me."

You excused yourself with a bow and followed her out. "Let us stop by my quarters first. I brought some potions and herbs."

"You possess powers of the earth," she concluded, to which you nodded. She smiled. "It suits you."

You nodded at her and grabbed your bag. As you fell into step with her, you spotted a tattoo of a star in her neck. As you opened your mouth, you were interrupted by a loud scream.

Daphne ran towards the wing and you had no choice but to follow her. She pushed through the doors and froze.

A handful of children, you guessed them no older than ten, were gathered around a bed. You could easily look over them to see a boy, lips almost as blue as ice. His forehead was covered in sweat.

You glanced at Daphne, whose eyes glimmered. As you put a hand on her shoulder, they shot to you like a deer in headlights. "Get the kids away from the bed, okay? I'll see what I can do."

She nodded and walked over to them, putting on a smile and leading them away to a couple of beds away.

You put your bag down by your feet and sat on the edge. When you felt his forehead, he was burning up. Your fingers pressed against the pulse in his neck, but it was barely there.

"Hey," you called out softly. "I'm here to help you."

The boy opened his eyes slowly.

You rummaged in your bag and grabbed a small bottle of light brown liquid. Your trembling hands wrapped around it and the bottle lit up. "I need you to take this for me, okay?" You helped the boy up and took the cork off. "Can you open your mouth for me?"

His jaw unclenched and you poured it in gently, pushing his jaw back shut. He winced, but you told him to swallow. He retched.

"I know, it's very bitter, but you will feel a lot better in the morning." You put the empty bottle back in the bag and caressed his cheek. "Get some sleep. Daphne and I will make sure the other kids know you're okay."

"Thank you," he croaked, his voice a bare whisper. Within seconds, he'd drifted off to sleep.

You looked at Daphne, who had a small boy in her lap. "He'll be okay."

She smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

You walked over to her and the kids and sat down next to her. "He had a very bad flu, but he will feel much better in the morning."

"The kids are still a little shaken," Daphne told you. "We should stay here until they're calmed down."

Your heart jumped when your hand suddenly touched a soft skin. You looked down and a girl traced the folds of your dress. You guessed her around six years old, long black hair in a high ponytail. Her big eyes — still wet from tears — twinkled when they locked with yours.

"You have a pretty dress," she said softly.

"Thank you." You offered her a smile. "I like yours, too."

She returned it shyly and let go of you, sniffling softly.

"Would you like a hug, love?"

She nodded and laid her head in your lap. You picked her up instead and let her press up against you, nuzzling her face in the crook of your neck. You rocked her from left to right gently and hummed. "Don't say no to the sad feelings, dear. They'll only come back stronger."

"I was very scared," she muttered.

"And you have all the right to be sad about that. It was very scary to see." You wiped her tears away as she looked at you. "How are you feeling right now?"

"Better." She smiled weakly. "I'm Yui, what's your name?"

You told her your name and she pressed herself against you again, muttering it back to you.

"Let's get you to bed," Daphne announced. "We'll come to check on you in the morning."

Yui climbed off your lap and shot you one last smile, and a sense of familiarity settled in your chest.

You returned the smile. "Goodnight, Yui."

She ran back to her own bed while you grabbed your bag from the floor, following Daphne out of the wing.

"I didn't know you housed so many children," you said.

"They're mostly saved from parents in Silver Star, or here with older siblings," Daphne explained. "It's not ideal and my heart breaks for them, but Gods know where else they would end up if we didn't take them in."

You hummed and crossed your arms.

"Let's join the others for a drink." She pushed through the doors of the living quarters. "I'm sure we can both use it."

You followed her regardless of your appetite. The room was dimly lit, but you recognised the silhouette of Joshua sitting by the window, a glass in his hand. When you shut the door, he whipped his head around.

"The kids are okay," Daphne told him. She tilted her head slightly. "Are you?"

"I'm fine, Daphne. Thank you." A small smile decorated his face and he put the glass down. "Did something happen? You look… troubled."

She opened her mouth, her eyes darting to you.

"One of the kids laid in bed with cold sweat and blue lips," you answered and folded your hands. "They were a little shaken up by it, but they're okay now. Back to sleep, I assume."

Joshua nodded. "Did you give him anything?"

"One of my potions." You waved your hand. "I use it against the flu all the time and it works like a miracle," you added quickly.

"And the kids love her already," Daphne said. When you looked her way, she grinned.

His smile grew. "Don't be afraid to help them more often, if they need you."

You nodded and motioned to his drink. "What are you having?"

"Homemade elderflower liquor."

"I'll have that, too."

Joshua nodded and got up from the chair. He told Daphne to sit down and poured two glasses. He held them out to both of you and grabbed his own. "Here's to a new chapter for Vault Nine."

You all raised your glasses and as you took a sip, you enjoyed the alcohol burning your throat. You couldn't remember when you dipped out, just that you wanted to look presentable the next morning. Your head pounded lightly as you hoisted yourself in a white blouse and black pants. You accentuated your waist with a black corset and did your hair the usual way.

And a potion or good measure.

As you were on your way to the children's wing, you heard footsteps behind you. You looked over your shoulder and smiled. "Good morning."

Joshua fell into step with you, his attire back to its usual black suit with the white collar. "Good morning, how are you feeling?"

You held up a potion bottle. "Good."

"So that means you were feeling bad before." He nudged you with a grin. "Isn't that considered bending the rules?"

"If I'm able to, why wouldn't I?"

Joshua chuckled. "Very good point." He opened the doors to the children's wing, pressing himself against the door. "After you."

You smiled and walked in, looking around the dormitory. The kids were already up, running around and laughing or they were on the beds talking to each other. Your eyes fell on the sick boy, who halted in his tracks when he saw you.

He offered you a bright smile before one of the other boys tapped him. He shouted and turned around to chase him.

Your name was called and you whipped your head.

Yui skipped over to you, her cheeks flushed red and her chest rising and falling heavily. "You made Vince better!"

You smiled. "I did."

Before she could open her mouth, Vince jogged up to her. His eyes fell on you and darted to Joshua before he looked back at you.

"You look like Yin and Yang," he pointed out.

Yui gasped. "Oh! She's Yin!" She pointed at Joshua frantically. "And Shua's Yang!"

You looked back at Joshua, who was smiling.

"I guess we do," he said and ruffled the boy's hair. "I'm glad to see you out of bed."

"The potion was gross, but it worked." Vince turned to you and smiled. "Thank you."

You returned it with a nod and watched how he walked off with Yui on his trail.

"So, Yin,"

You deadpanned Joshua, but the smile on your face was undeniable. "Yes, Yang?"

He chuckled and gave you a playful push. "I think Daphne was right when she said the kids love you."

"I think love is a strong word for someone they met last night," you countered and walked out of the dormitory. "They take a liking, that is all."

"All of us do."

You froze, and when you looked over your shoulder, he didn't even seem remotely remorseful. With a hard swallow, you walked out of the children's wing but his words stayed with you, no matter how hard you tried to shake them off.

After Daphne had practically disappeared for the day, you assumed she was busy. When she didn't show up for dinner and the frown etched into Airu and Minsu's faces, you took matters into your own hands.

You went into the garden for fresh herbs and took them back with you, combining them with the herbs from your own collection. As you knocked on Daphne's door, you heard shuffling on the other side of the door.

When you called out to her, it stopped.

Daphne opened the door and it was like a burden lifted off her shoulders. She smiled weakly and stepped aside. "Is there something you need?"

"I was hoping for the other way around, actually," you admitted with a small smile. "I haven't seen you today, so I came to see if you were alright."

She swallowed and shut the door. "Yeah, I'm fine." Upon the silence, she shuffled around.

"Can I interest you in herbal therapy?" You held the branches up. "It'll calm the mind, relieve your worries a little."

Daphne observed them closely before nodding slowly.

You sat down on the ground and patted the soft carpet. You muttered to yourself and a bowl appeared in your hand, which you put the herbs in. Your fingers brushed them gently when you let them go. Before you could even ask for a lighter, there was a flame.

You exchanged a glance with the older woman.

"You don't have to tell my anything, but you can if you wish to," you said instead. "All you have to do for me is close your eyes and focus on yourself. Let the scents guide you."

Daphne winced. "Gods, they are strong."

You chuckled. "You'll get used to it."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Would you like to talk about what's on your mind?"

"I feel guilty for freezing up on you last night," she answered softly. "I just… I don't know what came over me, but something transported me back to…" She paused and you could hear her breath catch. "I escaped the Silver Star about a year ago, and it still haunts me. The scared looks on their faces, the way they were are circled around Vince, it was like I was there again."

You rested your hands in your laps. "Did it resemble something you experienced in Silver Star?"

"It was like a ritual, something they do when they let go of members they do not deem worthy anymore." Daphne rolled her shoulders back and shuffled in her seat. "Everyone's there to watch, like it's a warning to everybody what happens if you step out of line, or if you don't follow the rules."

"And the way the kids stood around Vince…"

"Gods… I could only think about what I saw in there."

You told her to take a deep breath. "You're doing well, Daphne. Would you like to continue?"

She opened her eyes and a tear escaped. "They're dangerous, love. If Joshua tells you to stay low, follow his advice. We have no idea what they want to do with you."

You swallowed and nodded. "Okay, I will."

Daphne sniffled and smiled at you. "You're a good one. It would be a shame if someone like you got wrapped up in such a twisted environment."

"What exactly drew you in?" You asked.

"Where I lived, magic was a curse." She shrugged lightly. "I was not welcome in my village, and at one point my parents wanted to bind my powers. At least I could live a normal life, but I chose to ignore their wishes. I didn't want to be hidden… or… or be ashamed of who I was."

Daphne smiled through her tears. "Wouldn't you have done the same? If they came at your doorstep, telling you that your own people were waiting for you to join them?"

You swallowed, looking the other way.

"We can't blame the people for believing it. They pry on the vulnerable and lonely like that."

"If you weren't first…" You sighed and rested your chin on your knee, your eyes darting at the older woman.

She nodded in understanding before scooting over to you. "Thank you for the herbs. I feel better."

"You can ask if you need it another time." You dimmed the flame and got up. "Take your rest, alright? We'll see each other in the morning."

Daphne had returned to her usual duties after breakfast. It had been just you, her and Airu, Joshua too busy to join and Minsu nowhere in sight.

You joined Airu in their office and closed the door. "You wanted to speak to me."

"I need you to understand the gravity of your presence," they said, their voice rid of its usual playfulness. "If they can't find you, and they won't, they know that someone is working against them. They already have their suspicions of the local government, but we're completely independent from them."

You nodded. "I see."

Airu leaned over the desk. "The Silver Star is not just a simple villain in this chapter of our lands," they continued, their sharp eyes gazing at you like a hunter and its prey. "Their goal is much bigger than us witches. If anything, we're simply pawns in their game. You, however," their finger nearly poked your chest, "are their Queen. That was how it was prophesized. And if you're familiar with that branch of magic, you know the dangers of relying on divination."

"It's merely a fraction of the future," you said. "Whatever prophecy they might have seen, it will be only a moment that can still move in a thousand different directions."

They flashed a grin at you. "You know your magic, rookie."

"My father used divination until he bound his powers," you said. "He taught me everything I needed to know."

There was a sliver of recognition in Airu's eyes. "The Silver Star won't rest until their prophecy will be fulfilled."

You stood straight with a single nod. "So tell me what I should know about them."

"They're based here, in Qorath." They waved their hand to the map on the wall. "They reside where the Royal Family does, although we have reason to assume that it's actually the Silver Star. We just lack the evidence."

You observed the map, where the spot was marked with a star. "So they're pulling some strings to appear separate from the royals."

"Probably, yeah." Airu stood next to you and pointed at the castle. "Our theory is that they're puppeteering a fake King and Queen. The real Royal Family has been wiped out when Silver Star seized power and since then, they pretend that the land is ruled by a King and Queen while in reality, it's them."

You bobbed your head and looked at them. "Are you from here?"

"Born and raised." They nodded. "I've seen it all. They are too…"

"Perfect."

Airu looked at you in surprise. "Yeah, actually. It has always rubbed me the wrong way."

You hummed and stepped away from the map. "Do you have any information on what goes on inside?"

"Aside from the royals, they have a council," they told you. "Five high ranking members of Silver Star, each powerful witches. A lot of them are in the dark arts, but there's also an elemental witch. We're still trying to figure out what she can do."

Airu sat down at their desk. "They are like the leaders, but they all take advicd from who they call 'The One'. It's like an entirely new religion was created, apart from the Gods we already answer to."

"And that is me." You shuddered when they nodded. "I don't even know what they see in me, but the thought that I'm that worshipped irks me."

"Us all." They trapped you under their gaze, as if you were going to be killed for moving even a muscle. "They're launching an attack on Blackspire soon, when 'The One' has finally joined their side. The moment that happens according to them is three weeks from now."

"The attack?"

Airu nodded. "That means they're actively searching for you. We have to be wary."

"If it's not a coven," you wondered out loud, your eyes darting at them, "what is the Silver Star?"

"A cult." Their fist was clenched to the point their knuckles were white. "They take everything they can touch and rip it apart, families and lives alike. If I don't live to watch them burn, then this was all for nothing."

The conversation with Airu had stuck with you all the way through dinner. Minsu was still absent and by the way Daphne, Airu or Joshua didn't even remotely bat an eye, it was a common occurrence.

You were already seated when Daphne put the meat on the table. The other witches had joined, but everyone had split off into their own little groups.

Joshua was munching on a piece of meat when you turned to him.

"Where is Minsu?"

"Spying," he answered.

You raised your eyebrows. "He's inside?"

"How else do you think we get our information?" Airu grinned at you. "We can't call ourselves a spy network if we don't spy on them."

"And you all keep preaching to me how dangerous they are," you mumbled and stirred the vegetables.

The table fell silent, but you ignored it and ate your plate clean. All of them had looked at you funny at least once without reciprocation.

You opted for some time alone after dinner and sat behind your desk. The quill felt familiar in your hand, the branch smooth and comfortable to hold. You dipped it in the ink and put it to the paper.

Wherever you are, no matter the distance between us, I think of you every day. If you are able to, please give me a sign that you are safe. It has been a while since I heard from you.

Much love,

Your beloved daughter.

You put the quill down and stared at the words on the paper, drying up right in front of you. You grabbed the scarf from your bag and inhaled the scent, which was merely an afterthought since the last time your mother wore it.

You tore the paper, folded the letter together and placed it on the scarf. There was such a pressure heaving on your chest that it was easy to bleed your sorrows onto the paper. You wanted to tell your parents everything; from Joshua who stood on your doorstep to the network that was working against a cult.

The thought made the adrenaline pump through your veins and sent chills down your spine all at once. If your parents were that sought-after — there was no other reason why your father would take such drastic measures — there was no doubt in your mind that they knew as well.

You opened the letter and grabbed the quill again before you folded it back together. As you muttered the words, the letter lit up and before it disappeared with the blink of an eye, like it was sucked into a completely different dimension.

The herbs in your closet were rearranged as you went over everything you learned so far. It was a cult, based in Argentum. They resided with the Royal Family, or were the Royal Family, if you were to believe Airu. There was a council of five witches, but they all answered to a deity called 'The One'. But the deity was real. In fact, it was going to be you, according to their prophecy.

You slammed your closet shut and made your way to Joshua's office. No answer came when you knocked on the door and the door was locked. His quarters were your next stop, but he wasn't there either. When you arrived at the living quarters, the silence was welcoming and comforting. It was later in the evening, most of them would be asleep or in their own quarters.

Joshua was in his chair with the homemade liquor, the glass against his lips when you walked in. He downed the content in one go.

Watching him swallow, the way he was slouched in his seat with his legs spread and his sleeves rolled up, it made your breath catch.

You waved your hand. "Do you…"

He shot up and shook his head. "No, not at all."

You sat down across from him and placed your hands in your lap. You tilted your head and scanned every inch of his face, the way his lips were pressed together and his eyebrows hung low over his eyes. They were sunken, and drained.

The dim light that hit his face made him light up nonetheless.

"Are you alright?" You asked.

Joshua smiled softly. "You don't need to worry about me. I'm okay."

Against your instincts, you let the conversation dry out and looked out of the window. Even in the darkness, the trees danced in their perfect rhythm. You hummed. "Are you from Qorath?"

"Blackspire," Joshua answered. "I came here for the same organisation I'm now trying to dismantle."

You turned your head.

"Something didn't sit right with me so I backed out, and I quickly learned that it was the right decision." He pulled the cork out of the bottle and poured himself another glass. He held the bottle out to you, but you shook your head.

"How long have you been doing this?"

"Seven years now, I think." He stirred the glass. "It didn't start out this way, but I'm happy to be doing this for other people as well."

"A lot of our decisions don't end up how we made them."

Joshua leaned back in his seat, his fingers gripping the top of his glass as his arm hung over the edge.

You shuffled in your seat and cleared your throat. "I don't mean to pry…"

A small smile tugged at his lips and he closed his eyes. "I can assure you that I feel fine," he raised his head, "but if you have something on your mind?"

You shrugged and leaned on your thighs.

Joshua nodded and looked out of the window.

"Can you remember what your life was like before all of this?"

He turned his head back to you, his eyes scanning you curiously.

"Before I moved into that small cabin where you found me, I had a completely different life." Your gaze flicked to him and you saw him swallow. "It starts fading away from me the more time I spend away from it."

He nodded slowly, almost like he was afraid to say something else. He took a huge swig and let the glass rest in his hand.

You moved closer until your fingers brushed the back of his hand. "I have been here for a week, almost two, and I have learned nothing about you other than that you're the boss and you like to drink elderflower liquor late at night on your own." You offered him a small smile. "I know we started on the wrong foot and my behaviour has been hostile towards you, but I promise, I want to know more about you. You brought me here to safety after all."

You nudged him. "And I just learned you're from Blackspire."

Joshua looked away from you and chewed his lip. "I just…" He shook his head. "I don't really like to talk about it. It hasn't been serving me any good since I came here, reminiscing on the past."

"Yet, something has been troubling you about it."

"You're very good at this."

"I have my experience."

He stared ahead of him and rubbed his chin. "I was born in Blackspire, but nothing special. Just a witch disguised as a merchant, traveling around the lands to sell his goods at the markets, which were homegrown vegetables and fruit. The money was scarce, but we had enough for our necessities."

"Was it just you and your parents?" You asked. You watched how he exhaled shakily, followed by a weak shake of his head.

"An older brother."

You offered a weak smile.

"Our powers were different," Joshua continued, but his voice trembled. "I inherited mine from my mother, but my brother… he's just like you. Nature was his biggest source of inner peace, while I went out and about, often landing myself in situations that he would get me out of."

He chuckled softly. "One time, I got myself to the other side of the lands and just by the vibrations of the earth, he managed to locate me and got me back."

You tilted your head. "Is that how you were able to find me so quickly?" You stifled a laugh. "We got back here like time hadn't even passed."

"It barely had." Joshua inhaled sharply. "But I don't like to use it anymore. Not when I don't have to."

"Thank you for using it for me."

"I couldn't put an innocent life on the line." He shrugged and down the last bit of his drink. "I hope you got what you hoped for."

Before you could even utter a word, he got up and snatched his glass from the table. You got up as well, but Joshua left the living quarters without looking back.

His eyes widened in surprise when you stood in his office the following morning. He quickly closed the file on his desk and got up. "Good morning."

You had your arms crossed, trapping him under your gaze.

Joshua stepped away from his desk. "Before you say anything—"

"I'm not here to lash out at you," you interrupted him and leaned against the doorframe. "It was somewhat improper to leave without another word, but you must have your reasons for leaving so urgently that — despite my curious nature — I will not ask for."

Joshua bowed his head. "That is much appreciated, thank you."

"I am here, however," you stepped in, "to talk business."

He waved his hand.

"I can be of value to your cause."

"I'm very sure of that as well, which is why I won't put you right into the crossfire," he explained, the gentleness of his words crawling into your head like a soothing lullaby. "You have to understand that they have eyes and ears everywhere, and they know more about you than they let on. We have to be careful."

You pressed your lips in a tight smile. "Joshua, I am well aware that I'm at risk, but I'm still well in my right to decide to which extent I want my involvement to go and I'm telling you right now," you stepped up to him and looked him right in the eyes, "you're wasting resources by trying to shield me."

Joshua swallowed, his breath catching. "I don't want anything to happen to you while you're under my care."

"I can still care for myself, thank you."

His eyes clouded over, your name rolling off his lips in a way that sent chills down your spine. "I've spent the past seven years trying to dismantle them and you cannot begin to imagine how many people I've watched losing themselves to their message, or who got discovered and never returned. I cannot forgive myself if the same would happen to you."

You stepped closer until there was no distance left. "I will not let my abilities go to waste because you are too scared. I don't care if you send me out into the field or you'll give me something here. You will give me a task to fulfill so the Silver Star will burn. Once and for all."

Joshua stared at you. It was impossible to make out whether he was going to wrap his hands around your throat and squeeze or he was remarkably impressed by your sudden lack of care. One way or the other, the way his eyes burned into you, made you shudder.

He crinkled his nose and stepped back. "Alright, then. You'll work under me."

You deadpanned him. "Seriously?"

"You want to see them burn, I'm giving you the opportunity to do so." He held his hand out, and your eyes locked in a challenge. "Do we have an arrangement?"

You wanted action, you wanted to be in the crossfire. They were looking for you, after all. Why didn't they use you as bait? Or did they send you in, pretending that you had arrived for them? They worshipped you with every breath you took, wouldn't that make you the perfect person to spy on them?

The job Joshua had made up for you on the spot — or he was going to burden you with the stuff he had no time for — was unideal at best, but you feared it wasn't going to get any better than that.

With one simple handshake, your fate had been sealed.

There was a tension in the air when you first worked with him. Neither of you seemed entirely satisfied with the conditions you'd created for yourself; if anything, Joshua wanted you completely shielded from the things they were doing.

He found out that you already knew about the Silver Star's intentions, that you could only define it as a cult — even despite Airu's confirmations that it was, you didn't tell him that — and that the practices inside were dangerous, to say the least.

It was hard to pinpoint what led Joshua to such protective measures, as if he was going to lose you if he let you out of his sight. You had no doubt that it was why he let you work under him, whatever that would entail.

And from the bits and pieces he'd already told you before he shut his mouth completely, you had a feeling that his brother was involved.

Joshua kept himself occupied with decoding messages from the inside. Minsu was not the only one that had infiltrated the organisation. With him were three others that sent back messages, varying from simple daily routines to more details about their top.

At first, you just hung around in his office. Joshua appeared to be unsure of the tasks he wanted to assign, but if he did, he didn't show any desire to act accordingly.

You excused the first day as a day to settle in.

The next morning, Joshua wasn't even in his office. After turning the entire network inside out, you found him in the garden gathering herbs. You marched up to him, but halted in your tracks.

Instead, you left him alone and lend the second day to a sudden grief about his brother. You took the day to think about your parents as well.

From there on, every day that passed would be without excuses. Joshua was back on track, but all you did was watch him do his job. Once again, he seemed unsure — scared, even — of what he could let you do and you knew the words 'rearrange my office' were on his mind.

He knew better than to treat you as his maid.

You helped him decode a couple of messages by writing down its meaning when Joshua was too busy pondering over its meaning, but that was about it.

After a week of enduring your impatience, you still weren't doing anything meaningful.

The air grew thicker until you felt something snap.

"When you told me we had an arrangement, I best hope that didn't entail playing pretend with me," you told him tightly.

Joshua didn't respond, working through the code that he got from Minsu.

Your fingers were burning up when you stretched them. "If you really didn't want me to do anything, you would've fought harder but you didn't."

"We'll discuss this tonight after dinner."

You clenched your fists.

Joshua looked down and his eyes widened.

"What?"

He nodded his head at your hands.

The flames danced when you lifted them. "I…"

"I guess you were right when you said that resources are going to waste." Joshua pointed at you. "You're letting them go to waste, too."

You closed your hands and took a deep breath, the heat around your hands disappearing. "Are we even now?"

Joshua smiled weakly. "I'm not exactly used to working with someone."

"You're just a wuss."

He blinked a couple of times, to which you smiled. He clicked his tongue and stepped aside. "Alright, so Minsu sent a message about the Divine Priestess."

"Divine Priestess?" You asked. "Is that their leader?"

"We think so," Joshua answered as he scribbled the message down. "It has always been unclear what their top looks like, it seems to change every so often, but this is a name that keeps coming back."

"Would it be reasonable to assume that this Divine Priestess is leading everything, and the Royal Family, the Council, they're all a distraction from her?"

His head turned to your way. He narrowed his eyes and straightened his posture. "Elaborate."

"If we were to assume your theory about the King and Queen is correct," you started and pointed at the name, "who is to say that the Council is real? For all we know, the Divine Priestess could be orchestrating everything."

"It's plausible," he said with a hum and scribbled it down. "Thank you for your input. I think we can ask Minsu to find out more about it."

You nudged him. "You do know how to collaborate."

Joshua rolled his eyes playfully and closed his book. "I'll make sure to get the message back to Minsu. He'll be gone tonight."

"I'm going to check on the kids." You patted his shoulder and slipped out of his office towards the wing. You opened the doors and walked right into Airu sitting on a bed.

They looked up and waved at you. As they got up, a girl's voice told them to sit down. Yui popped up from behind them and shot them a glare.

"For a small girl, you have a loud voice."

"Not funny, Ru. I was braiding your hair."

You chuckled and sat down with them. "Yeah, Airu. You should sit still."

Yui shot them a gummy smile. "See? Yin gets me."

They waved her off and Yui continued on their hair. "How's working with Joshua?"

"Better. I cussed him out." You hummed. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to check if Yui wasn't terrorising the other kids."

"Mean," the little girl called from behind them, to which they grinned.

You looked from the oldest to the youngest and suddenly it dawned on you why Yui looked so familiar before.

Airu shrugged. "Sometimes you have to give your siblings some tough love, Yui. You'll understand when you're older."

Yui scoffed playfully, making you chuckle.

They turned to you, but she snapped their head back to the front. "I'm looking out for her, have been since our parents got wrapped up in the cult."

"Gods, Airu. I'm—"

"There's no need to say you're sorry," they interrupted you. "I'm not looking for pity."

You offered a small smile and placed your hands in your lap. "I know you're not. I just wanted you to know that I admire your courage and determination, by being here and making sure your sister is okay."

Airu's frown disappeared. They lowered their eyes and cleared their throat. "I don't see it as anything else than my responsibility."

"Done!" Yui popped into view with a bright smile. "Do you like it?"

They smiled. "I love it, thank you."

She deadpanned her older sibling. "You didn't even look."

"I don't need to. I know I love it."

That brought a smile to Yui's face. She pressed their cheeks together before pressing a big kiss to it. She slid off the bed and ran through the doors to the garden. Through the window, you watched her join the other kids in playing tag.

Airu looked on as well and hummed. "She can barely remember them. I have to keep their memory alive."

"Sometimes that's all we can do," you replied, to which they sighed.

"Ain't that the truth, rookie."

You offered them a warm smile and pulled the younger against you.

The doors opened and Joshua walked in. He halted in his tracks when he saw the two of you and shot you a small smile. "I… Forgot you were here."

"Rookie mistake," Airu told him with a grin. They got up and dusted their pants off. "Well, I'm going to make sure the kids won't kill each other. Some have discovered they can use magic and they are testing the limits."

They shot you a grateful smile and rubbed your shoulder before turning on their heel.

"I'm here for you, actually."

You looked from Airu to Joshua.

Joshua rubbed his neck. "I don't want to put you on the spot here…"

"She can hear it." They crinkled their nose. "What is it?"

"Minsu was able to locate your parents. Alive." He swallowed and offered a small smile. "I hope you have trained for this. It won't be easy."

They nodded and shuffled in their spot. It didn't take more than a second before they ran up to Joshua and flew around his neck.

He melted into the embrace and held them close. When he locked eyes with you, his brows were pushed together.

Your father told you to not climb the tree in your backyard when you were a child. It was dangerous because you would fall out and end up with a broken leg. You climbed the it anyway, wanting to see how high you could reach. To see what the world above had to offer you. Nothing had happened, until a branch broke on your way down and you fell. You landed on your feet and although it stung, your leg was okay.

A couple of weeks later, you woke up screaming in pain. After careful observation from your mother, she concluded that you had a fractured bone from the impact of your landing.

Minsu had tried. He'd tried until he was practically on his knees begging them not to go. He'd narrowly escaped discovery after locating Airu's parents, only the Gods knew what would happen to Airu themself.

Airu was determined — unsurprisingly — and went to the location that they were spotted at, disguised with help of your potion. As the hours passed and dinnertime came around, Minsu had nearly grabbed his bags when they suddenly stood in the living quarters. Their cheeks had been wet with tears, their eyes so bloodshot that you wondered what else they'd been doing.

Even for someone as unfazed as them, the Silver Star had a way of getting under their skin. Their parents had taken them through everything, they'd even forced their hand and made them stay for a ceremony.

You could only think of Daphne when Airu described the scene and with the recent information of the Priestess, you'd taken a mental note to dive into Joshua's notes.

With a bowl of herbs and a portion of good luck from Daphne and Minsu, you stood in front of Airu's quarters that night.

You knocked on the door softly and called out to them.

It took a while before Airu opened the door, their cheeks stained with tears. "I'm fine, thank you."

"I might have something that can help you take your mind off today."

"I love you and I know Joshua will string me on a tight rope for saying this, but I'm not interest in guru practices."

You set a foot in the doorway before they could close it. "I want to help, Airu. You're obviously plagued by today."

Airu observed you from head to toe before swinging the door open. They plopped down on their bed and watched you settle on their floor. "So, what are you going to do? Bless my room?"

You concentrated on your hands, but nothing was coming out. You tightened your muscles until they trembled, but all it produced was a small sparkle.

"Shit," they slid on the floor with you, "you can wield fire?"

"And air, I accidentally slam doors around here all the time." You shook your hands. "I just… I can't do it actively. The fire happened when I was angry at Joshua and hasn't come back since then."

"Emotionally driven magic is dangerous," Airu told you and opened their palm. A small flame danced in their hand. "You need to feel it inside of you to be able to channel it. Let your soul drive the magic, not your emotions."

You swallowed and opened your palm. "What if I set your room on fire?"

"We'll ask Daphne to put it out." They placed their hand on their chest. "Focus on what's in there."

You closed your eyes. Your mind wandered to your old backyard, to the big tree that you used to climb as a child. To the herbs blowing in the wind.

"Cute stone, but think of the other element."

You thought of the fire crackling in the hearth, the hours you spent in front of it watching it dance specially for you, the way you moved your hands and it would move along with you.

Your palm heated up and when you opened your eyes, the stone was replaced by a flame.

Airu's eyes were widened in surprise. "You turned the stone into a flame! Do you know how awesome that looked?"

"I had my eyes closed, so unfortunately not." You held the hand by the herbs until the flame was carried over. Your eyes flicked up at them. "Now it's your turn to close your eyes."

They did as they were told and hummed. "The scent is… nice, actually."

"Lavender, chamomile and passionflower." You crossed your legs and placed your hands in your lap. "You just focus on the herbs, you don't have to tell me about anything that burdens you, but I know from experience that it can help."

"All I can think about was how weird it was to be there with them," they started, their brows knitted together. "They… they just treated me like they would with anyone else but they were so different from how I remembered them."

"How do you remember them?"

"People who fought for their lives for our freedom and existence," they answered. "They thought, by joining the Silver Star, they would see a better life for me and my sister, but for all of the other witches as well. They weren't vulnerable as much as they were blinded."

You saw their fist clench from the corner of your eye. "Are you angry at them?"

"I was barely eighteen." Their eyes open and to you, spitting almost literal fire. "They told us to pack our bags and go with them, but I refused. I knew something sinister was going on, but my parents were already in too deep. They wanted to take Yui with them, but I told them I would burn the house down with us in it if they tried. Yui was merely a year old and I… I couldn't do that to her."

They chuckled bitterly, their eyes glimmered when the light fell on them. "I don't even know why I bother to let them live in Yui's memory. They don't deserve it."

"Why do you want to go in there?"

"So I can convince them to escape, for Yui. I don't care what lengths I have to go to. They have to be saved before they take part in the ceremony."

You offered a weak smile and nodded. "As long as you come back for your sister, you are well in your right to try."

"I will." They nodded and grabbed the bowl from the ground. "Do you mind if I keep them here?"

"Not at all." You got up. "Thank you for trusting me, Airu. I really appreciate it."

"You just make it so easy to do so." They bumped your hip. "Good night, Rookie."

Your father often showed you what his abilities could lead to, and as a child it was the most beautiful thing you'd ever seen. All you could do now was watch, knowing that the trajectory of fate wasn't something to tamper with.

And sometimes, it was better to do nothing after all.

Since you joined Vault Nine, you'd grown fond of the living quarters. So much so that you felt the walls closing in on you if you spent any longer than two hours in your personal quarters.

You were in the kitchen, bowed over a pot. The herbs were boiling in a brown liquid and a bitter scent penetrated your nostrils until you nearly gagged.

Lavender would do the trick, before nobody would drink it at all. You watched it dissolve before you muttered to it. The content of the pot lit up in a bright white before it returned back to its usual state.

You divided it over the empty bottles and dissolved the rest. As you were grinding the calendula, the door opened.

Joshua smiled and stepped in. "I thought I smelled something coming from here."

Your cheeks flushed and you pointed at the pot. "This is the last thing, I promise."

"You can take your time. I'll wait."

Your heart jumped, racing in your chest like it had somewhere to be. You watched how Joshua walked over to you, joining you behind the counter.

"What are you making?"

"Healing potions," you answered and poured the bowl of calendula in the boiling water. "These are for injuries, calming as well as anti inflammatory."

Joshua bowed over the pot, so close that you could smell the strawberry, white flowers and oud on him. Sweet, fresh and captivating, unable to pull away from. His eyes flicked to you and your breath caught, your cheeks flushing even hotter.

"We are lucky to have you here," he said softly, a warm smile tugging at his lips. His hand was on the small of your back as he reached over for a bottle. "Let me take one of those to our spies. One has a fever."

The heat pooled in your stomach as you nodded. "Of course."

His lips brushed against the shell of your ear and you shuddered. "Come to my office after you're done," he whispered. "I need your help."

You watched him peel away from you, clutching the small bottle in his hand. He tugged on his jacket, revealing parts of his bare chest. You swallowed and nodded. "I will be there as soon as I wrap up here."

Joshua nodded and grabbed the door handle. He looked over his shoulder before he left.

You didn't know how fast you needed to get out of there. If you didn't know any better, you would've left the potions for what it was. You were clueless to your sudden desires, but you credited it to your curiosity. He carried himself a kind of way when he came in, an uncharacteristic way that was. It was not more than natural to want to find out what he was up to.

You delivered the potions to the spies, telling them you'd be back to check on them before they went to sleep. Daphne offered you a thankful smile, but you were out of the wing before she could hold you up.

You fixed you corset and brushed the folds of your dress before you walked into his office.

Joshua was hovered over his book, his brows knitted together as he wrote. Strands of black hair fell in front of his face and you imagined yourself tucking them behind his ear, smiling at him when he looked up at you.

He would wrap his arm around your waist, pull you into his lap and his hands…

You cleared your throat, making him look up.

You couldn't help but notice the white blouse instead of the black jacket. You were sure it was a one time thing. Joshua and his jacket were inseperable, apart from his night attire you hadn't seen him in anything else.

He smiled. "Thank you for being here so quickly," he said and waved his hand. "As my right hand, I need your help making sense of these codes."

You tilted your head with a hum, a knot forming in your stomach. "I… Of course."

"Please, take a seat."

You did and he shoved the messages your way. They laid in your hand while your eyes flicked at him. The air had shifted again. That or you had imagined the way he behaved in the kitchen earlier. Nonetheless, something about Joshua had changed from when he found you in your cabin.

No longer was he the mysterious man trying to shield you from a force that you were unaware of, and no longer were you a damsel in distress to him. You wondered if that was how he'd viewed you in the first place, or that was just what you assumed wrong about him.

The ceremony has succeeded and the Divine Priestess has regained her strength.

"Airu has seen one of these up close," you said. "It's like a sacrificing ritual, something that happens willingly, but Daphne described it as something they do when they don't deem you worthy anymore."

Joshua's head came up. "You talked to Daphne about this?"

"She confided in me, yes, after what happened to Vince and the kids." You hummed. "Maybe they gather members they deem as unworthy — or too powerful, or even dangerous, perhaps — and convince them to give their life to the Priestess."

Joshua ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. "It's very upsetting to have to say it, but I think you're right."

"If she actually rules everything, and the Council and royal family are a pretense, she has to have a source of magic to turn to."

Joshua stayed silent, but his eyes flickered in a way you hadn't seen on him before.

"You and I both know that energy drains if you keep using so much magic at once, so if she has to keep looking for resources…"

"It has to run out eventually." Joshua blew his cheeks. "Gods, this is becoming more sinister by the day. I just fail to understand how we couldn't have found out this information before."

"These are unstable times," you said. "They're using it to their advantage and get as many people on their side as they can, especially now that the Blackspirian Crown princess has disappeared and the land will be under attack."

Joshua placed his hand over his heart. "Let us hope they will live to see another day."

You hummed. "We have a week until they attack and I fear their search for me won't stop anytime soon, since they can't find me anywhere."

"They're growing more and more suspicious of our spies," he told you. "They don't say it out loud but we have all the reason to assume that they're linking them up to their inability to find you. Minsu has even reported that they visited your cabin to find you're not there."

You opened your mouth, but Joshua shot you a look. You deadpanned him. "Maybe I can convince them not to attack, you just have to send me out there."

"No." Joshua took the messages back. "We have to find a way to dry out the Priestess' source of power."

"We have to get them out of there, then," you said and grabbed a piece of paper. "The spies are going back tonight. Give them the task to smuggle them out." You got up. "We can ask Daphne for people. I'm sure she knows a couple of names they can convince to come to us, start from there to thin out the organisation from the inside."

When Joshua stayed silent, you looked at him. There was that same twinkle in his eyes you saw in your first days, the smile on his face reaching his eyes.

You cleared your throat as the heat flushed to your cheeks. "My apologies, I got a little carried away."

"I'll get the message out."

Your head snapped up.

"There's a conviction in your words that I've never seen before, at least not when we first met." Joshua reached over and placed his hand on yours. "I believe you have found a new source of power inside of yourself. It makes you shine brighter than before."

"Are you flirting with me?" You teased.

He shrugged, a small grin tugging at his lips. He took the paper back and grabbed his quill. "Let me write the message. Thank you for your help."

You observed him. Any sign would do; flushed cheeks, avoiding eye contact, even a minor twitch of his lips, but it was like you weren't even there anymore.

As you got up, he lifted his head. His eyes scanned every inch of you until there was nothing left to look at anymore. "Where are you going?"

"I'm not of any help here anymore, so I will stock the potions in the children's wing," you announced and brushed the folds of your dress.

Joshua opened his mouth, but closed it. He smiled and nodded. "Let us meet at dinner tonight, then."

Even Daphne had raised her eyebrows when he walked in without his jacket, but she hadn't said anything. Neither would you.

Something hung in the air then, and that something bled into everything you and Joshua did together. Even a simple conversation made your knees buckle, your eyes wandering wherever he went to.

You walked into the children's wing and the eerie silence that fell over the dormitory made your heart drop. There was a loud scream and your head whipped to the window, a burden lifting off your chest.

In the middle of a crowd of children was Joshua. Still wearing his white blouse and a bright smile, still being his usual gentle and friendly self, but something was different once again.

With small steps, you made your way outside and hovered in the doorframe.

"There's only one rule in this game," you heard him tell the children. As soon as the last word rolled off his lips, he was gone.

The children were silent for a while. Heads turned to each other and soft mutters filled the front part of the garden.

A loud whistle silenced them.

You looked around curiously, your eyes landing on a figure tucked between the branches of a tree. Even from far away, you could see the grin on his face. You blinked and he was gone again.

Joshua appeared in front of the children again. "Catch me if you can."

The children erupted into roars as he made a run for it. At least a dozen footsteps bouldered after him, but Joshua disappeared again, popping up at the edge of the vegetable garden.

"We should split up!" Vince yelled. "He can teleport!"

The group broke off into four little clans, all running into a different direction. Vince ran straight towards the vegetables, but Joshua disappeared again.

You walked into the garden and sat on the porch by the window.

He sat on the roof of the playhouse, his legs dangling off the sides.

"That's unfair!" You heard Yui yelling at him. "Some of us are small!" She groaned when he disappeared again and trailed after the older girls.

Joshua popped up in every inch of the garden; between the herbs, in the playhouse, he even teleported himself up the roof. He was in the greenhouse, near the back entrance, everywhere and nowhere at once.

You watched with a smile, warmth spreading through your entire body.

Joshua appeared in the tree again, higher than he was before. He stayed there when all the children were gathered at the bottom. "What are you going to do now?" His voice echoed through the garden.

Yui flew into the air.

You shot up from the bench. You looked up at Joshua, but he just sat there watching. Your eyes scanned every one of the kids until you saw Vince, holding his hand up with his palm out. The higher he raised it, the closer Yui got to Joshua.

Yelps turned into giggles and soon, she sat in Joshua's lap.

Vince lowered his hand with a nod.

Joshua disappeared out of the tree, rejoining the children while Yui held his hand.

"Can we go again?!" Yui shouted and the children cheered.

He chuckled. "Let's do it another time, before my energy runs out. I need to get back to work anyway."

"Or are you going to Yin?" She batted her eyelashes at him with a sweet smile.

Joshua tapped her nose with a smile. "Yin is probably busy. She's taking very good care of all of us and that takes a lot of time."

"You should take care of her." She nodded determinedly.

"I will, dear." He stroked her hair and excused himself.

The children resumed to their playtime while Joshua came your way.

You waited for him, arms crossed and grinning. "You hear that? You should take care of me."

Joshua shot up, his cheeks flushing a shade as red as your dress. "Were you watching the whole time?"

"I'm happy to see you had fun with them." You bumped his hip before following him inside. "They have the power to let us be carefree again, don't they?"

"Yeah," he offered you a smile, "they do."

You halted him and placed your hand on his arm. "I was serious."

Joshua tilted his head.

"I am happy to see you like this. Less…"

"Stuck up?"

"Guarded."

He swallowed and dragged his foot back and forth.

You squeezed his arm lightly and smiled. "When I came here, I didn't know what to expect and to be surrounded by such… love, and care, it's the greatest gift of all. I have you to thank for that."

He wrapped his arms around you and you melted into his chest. And slowly, the pieces started to fall into place for you and him.

The network had been overridden by fear when one of the spies came back barely clinging onto their life. There was no doubt in your mind that the Silver Star was catching on and it could only mean how dangerously close to the truth you were getting.

You and Daphne spent the entire night doing everything you could to save her. She would be out for a couple of days, but she was alive. It was Minsu's example to Airu what could happen to them, but he proved himself incapable of changing his mind. Vault Nine had never been so close to the dismantling of the Silver Star, they made sure to leave their mark.

Daphne stayed with Minsu for the rest of the night, while you visited the children. The news had reached them as well and one of the members struggled to keep them calm. He sent you and Joshua on your way.

Yui clung onto you immediately alongside three other children.

Your heart shattered, but you kept yourself together for them. You kneeled down in front of them. "She will be okay. Daphne and I have taken good care of her, but she will need rest."

"We're scared…" Yui whispered. A tear rolled down her cheek. "Will they get us, too…?"

"We will protect you with everything we have," you told her. "And if they will get here anyway, you will hide like we talked about yes? Daphne will come and get you when it's safe."

You got up and brushed your dress off. "Alright, who wants to hear a fun story?"

The kids strolled your way, their eyes peeking at you curiously. They sat down in a half circle. Yui was at the front, holding one of the girls' hands.

"Once upon a time, there was a witch," you started and waved your hand.

The children gasped.

You looked next to you and a small figure had formed right where you hand was, shining a bright blue. Your eyes darted to Joshua, who was at the back of the room.

"She lived in a cabin near the woods, with a big tree in her backyard that she loved to climb." You waved your hand carefully and the figure was replaced by a tree, where she was hanging from one of the branches.

The children giggled.

"She had powers of the earth, and over the years she learned that she could do more than that," you continued. "She had the gift of healing. Healing wounds, healing plants, and healing people."

You glanced at Joshua, but looked away again. "But people were scared of her, scared of the things she could do, so she hid."

You created another figure, making the two meet with a wave of your hand. "One day, she met another witch, who saw more in her than she ever did. He made her see that she'd always been destined for more, to do and be more. She was surrounded by people like her, who made her feel pride instead of shame."

The figures disappeared and you closed your eyes. You thought of the crackling hearth, of the warm breeze, of the rain tapping against the window and the tree in your backyard. When you opened your eyes, the elements danced in your hand. When you looked at Joshua again, you smiled.

"She realised that she always had it in her."

The dread settled deeper into your bones with every second that passed. The urgency that Daphne rushed into your quarters with, the fear that flickered behind her eyes, you hadn't been able to shake it.

You had watched how she fell into Minsu's arms, who held onto her like she would disappear as well. They'd looked at you with such desperation and hope that all of your worries had disappeared in an instant. You couldn't afford yourself to crumble, not when they were already doing so.

Joshua showed little, if anything at all. His eyes flicked to you and he nodded. The words that left his mouth were as much a plea as they were an order. Four simple words that snapped you right back into focus.

'Do everything you can'.

You closed your eyes and hovered your hands above their body. They burned the closer you came to their abdomen and you swallowed. You placed your hands on their lower belly and beams of white seeped into their skin.

A faint breath of relief rolled off their lips.

When you felt again, your hands still burned. Their chest rose and fell in such weak motions that every one could be the last, every muscle in their body gradually relaxing.

You straightened up and it didn't take more than a simple look for them to understand.

Daphne collapsed to the floor in loud sobs.

Your eyes flicked to Minsu, who had one fist balled while his other hand stroked Daphne's hair. He gazed at you before looking at them. He peeled away from the older woman and walked up to the table.

You placed a hand on his chest and looked up at him.

Minsu scoffed and pushed your hand away, holding his own above the body.

"Think about what you're going to do now," you told him. When he didn't respond, you bowed your head. "Who is going to take their place? You?"

"If that brings them back, yes."

"You know it's not what—"

"You don't know what Airu would've wanted!" Minsu yelled. His eyes glimmered as his lip quivered. "How could you have known?! You've been here the shortest out of all of us and suddenly you know everything?!"

Joshua stepped forward, but you shook your head.

When you looked at the necromancer, his hands were glowing. "You know the rules, Minsu. The balance of nature is not something to tamper with."

"It'll find a way to repay me," he said tightly and closed his eyes.

"Airu never had plans to come back."

You snapped in Daphne's direction.

She wiped her tears and sniffled, scrambling up from the ground. She trailed over to Minsu, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. "Airu never wanted to come back from this, you know that as well as I do. If they couldn't get their parents back, they would die trying."

Soft sobs escaped Minsu's lips. "I can't leave Yui all on her own… Airu needs to come back… For her…"

Daphne wrapped her arms around him and placed her head against his arm. "Bringing them back would only result in worse, dear… Leave them be…"

Minsu's pleading eyes locked with yours.

You offered him a weak smile and shook your head.

He ripped himself out of Daphne's arms and stormed out of the room. When she wanted to go after him, Joshua stopped her.

"Let's get the news to Yui before she hears it from someone else."

Daphne nodded and shot you a small smile before leaving the room.

You looked at Airu and crossed your arms over your body. "I didn't have the heart to tell them that there was nothing I could do apart from easing the pain."

Joshua slid a hand on your shoulder. "In that moment, it was everything."

You turned around and nuzzled your head in his chest, letting yourself be engulfed by him.

His fingers brushed through your hair. "Minsu tried to change their mind on many occasions, you know," he told you. "We all knew this day was coming, and inevitably, I think Yui knew this as well. She's a smart girl, and we will all take good care of her."

Your eyes welled with tears. "Gods, this is not how I wanted to spend my day."

"I think that makes all of us." He lifted your chin and cupped your cheeks. "Thank you, truly. Even if it was just to ease the suffering, I know that Airu would've appreciated your efforts."

You looked at Airu again. "We should fare them a proper goodbye."

"Airu wanted us to celebrate them."

"Then that's what we'll do." You peeled away from Joshua and walked up to their body. "We can bury them, but as a Fire witch, I can imagine that they would prefer to leave this land the traditional way."

Joshua pushed his brows together, to which you smiled.

"You'll see tonight."

In the garden, the network had gathered around a wooden construction you made with some of the kids, Airu on top of it. You stood in front, Joshua next to you with Yui holding his hand. The kids sat at the front, the adults standing behind them watching in an odd mixture of curiosity and grief. Only in the eyes of other Fire witches, you saw the recognition and most of all, appreciation.

"Thank you everyone for gathering here on such short notice," Joshua started. "This is not the occasion we would like to meet under usually. And in all honesty, it's still so early to truly grasp what has happened for all of us, I can imagine."

He glanced at you before his eyes flicked to the rest of the group. "I still want to take a moment with all of you to say goodbye to Airu." He looked down at Yui and smiled at her. "Would you like to tell us anything fun about your big sibling?"

Yui nodded. She let go of Joshua's hand and took a small step forward. "Airu is very funny," she started. It didn't take more than hearing her small voice for some to break out into tears. "Sometimes they think they're the funniest person on Earth, but I don't think that's true."

You chuckled weakly, along with the crowd.

"They visit every day and play with us. Sometimes, they stay so long that Minsu has to come get them because they forgot to work." Yui looked up at Joshua, who nodded at her. "Airu is also very sweet, and they do everything to protect me. And they make delicious cookies!"

He ruffled her hair. "Good job, dear." His eyes locked with yours and he nodded, taking Yui to the side with him.

You looked around the crowd. "The sight of what's behind me is probably a bit confusing to most of you," you said. "I didn't know Airu as you did, but I could see how proud they were of their heritage, of their powers and of their identity. When I just came here, I remember how Minsu told me that it would make sense and he was right."

Your eyes flicked to Minsu, who stared at the ground. "Airu embodied what being a Fire witch is all about: passion, adventure and determination. Albeit a bit stubborn, as well."

The crowd murmured and chuckled softly, followed by a choir of sniffles.

"And I've been here only a short time, but long enough to recognise how beloved they were in this network, and how great the impact of their passing will be on all of us."

You glanced at Joshua holding Yui in his arms.

He offered you a nod.

"To honour their memory and their legacy, we're going to do something that is traditional in the community of Fire witches." You locked eyes with some of them and smiled. "It would be my greatest pleasure if they could join me in doing this, for Airu."

Three came forward, one of which you recognised as one of the spies.

She nodded at you and stood in front of the altar.

You stepped aside with a smile, but they beckoned you. You laced your fingers together and stood in a half circle around the wooden altar. You closed your eyes and chanted along with them, the sensation burning in your chest as you watched the altar go up in flames.

The crowd was completely silent, watching the fire engulf Airu. The fire burned for the rest of the night as you lifted everyone's spirits by music, dancing and keeping the passion of Airu's legacy alive. And amidst all the celebration that they would've wanted, two new people had found their way to you by following the flames, as if the community had felt the loss of one of their own.

And when you finally had a chance to greet them, the resemblance had been uncanny.

You hadn't seen Minsu in such a frantic state before, not the way he was when the new people showed up. He had been yelling at Joshua all morning and you heard it all the way from the garden, where you were gathering the ash.

You put everything in an urn that you'd made.

"Thank you."

You jumped up, clutching your chest with a chuckle. "Gods, you scared me." Your face fell upon seeing the two people and you cleared your throat. "My sincere condolences for your loss once again. This must have been a strange sight to walk into."

"We held hope that they would've held out," the woman spoke. Her eyes were sunken in the back of their head, hair tied into a bun that nearly fell apart. Her body loosely hugged by a white dress with silver embroidery. Her breath was shaky when she exhaled. "Goddess, what have we done…?"

Her husband placed a hand on her shoulder as he looked at you. "We cannot do anything to erase or change the past, but we can redeem ourselves at Her mercy by doing what's right."

Your stomach turned upside down.

He held his hand out to the urn, but you held it against your chest. He smiled weakly. "I understand. Our redemption has yet to come."

You watched as they left the garden, the woman's cries fading into the hallway.

You made a mental note to speak to Joshua when you had the chance.

After a week, there was no news of the attack.

Minsu had gone back inside the Silver Star and you soon discovered that — once again — they found themselves in troubled waters with the Divine Priestess.

"That makes the time to strike right now," you said to Joshua. "She's weak. We can take her."

Joshua arched his eyebrow. "And who is 'we' exactly?"

"Me, anyone who wants to join. Who else?"

"I've told you before—"

You waved your hand. "I won't hear it anymore. I've waited long enough in hopes you would change your mind, but we can't just sit here and wait, Joshua. Sending Airu back barely clinging onto life was a message, and there's no doubt in my mind that their parents are our next."

Joshua run a hand through his hair and clenched his jaw.

You hated the way the heat pooled in your stomach.

"I have spoken with them on many occasions," he said gently, "they seem distraught, and most of all, lost. That's what we're here for."

"Then you know that they keep clinging onto their beliefs a little too hard. They're looking for redemption now, at my hands."

He shook his head quickly. "We're drifting away from our point, and mine stands."

"Mine, too." You turned on your heel. "I will leave tonight, and we will end this once and for all."

Before you were out of the office, Joshua's hand wrapped around your wrist. "I will not hear your pleas anymore. You have waited long enough now and we can't afford to wait any longer."

"I can't let you go so easily, not anymore."

Your breath caught, but you avoided his lingering gaze. "You have to," you whispered.

Joshua tightened his grip. "It would destroy me if something would happen to you. Their hold on everyone is so strong and I would never forgive myself if you suffered the same fate." He chuckled. "Gods… in all honesty? I don't know what I would do without you here, or who I would be. Change is already around us, and it's because of you."

He let go of your wrist, his hand moving to caress your cheek. "I have laid awake many nights, but since you have joined our forces I can't remember the last time that my mind was plagued with every little mistake I have made in my life. It's like you reside there, cradling me to sleep without a worry in my mind. Everything is you, and frankly, you are everything."

You felt yourself sinking when you looked up, the world that resided in his eyes swallowing you whole. There were no words that would ever describe the way you pressed your lips to his, ratio making way for desire and desperation. You had never realised the gravity of your statement until you melted into Joshua's touch the way you were meant to.

You clutched onto his white blouse, gripping it so tightly that your knuckles turned the same colour. As if he could come any closer, you pressed yourself against him. His hands traveled over your bare shoulders, brushing your hair to the side, leaving a trail of heat against the cold air.

He pulled away from you and kissed your neck instead, tongue swirling against your pulse. Your fingers laced in his hair and you tugged it softly, electricity shooting all the way to your core.

You lifted his chin and kissed him until your lips bruised. You felt your feet lift, light as a feather, as if the ground beneath your feet disappeared. You held onto his collar as you looked around.

Everything floated in the air, including you.

Joshua's chest rose and fell heavily as his eyes widened. "I…" He set you back on the ground and sat in his chair, pulling you on top of him.

"Let's hope I don't bury us underground," you said and kissed him again. You straddled his lap, your heart spiking when he moaned in your ear.

His fingers tugged at the cord of your corset until it came loose. His blouse followed and your nails trailed his bare chest, his muscles tensing underneath your touch. His hand traveled downwards while the other rested on your back, all the way up your inner thigh.

You lifted your hips, your eyes locked with his. His fingers slid inside of you, his thumb rubbing your clit. A wave of pleasure crashed over as you lowered on his fingers, your grip on his shoulders tightening. Your lips parted in a soft moan when you moved up and down.

"Fuck, you look so good like this," he said breathless. His lips found your neck again and your skin caught on fire.

The knot in your stomach tightened, making you throw your head back.

"Do I make you feel good?"

You responded with a moan, your climax crashing over you like a tidal wave. Your legs trembled when he pulled his fingers out.

"And that was just my fingers," he whispered against your lips. "I imagine what a mess you'll be after my cock and I get off on it."

You tugged on his pants, to which he chuckled.

"Eager?"

"Impatient," you shot back.

Joshua lifted his hips. His cock sprung free and the tip already leaked. He brought his hand down, but you pushed it away.

You stroke the length, twitching under your touch while you trapped him under your gaze. "You didn't need much to get so hard like this."

His breath caught, but he composed himself. The flicker in his eyes was desperate, nonetheless. "It was enough to see riding my fingers until you came."

You let the tip tease your entrance and bit your lip. "And that just your fingers," you whispered and sank onto his cock, feeling your core flutter.

Joshua's hands gripped your hips in a last attempt to keep himself composed. His hair stuck to his forehead, his chest rose and fell in heavy motions and his eyes pierced through you. He closed them when you brushed your hands through his hair.

You moved your hips up and down in a fatal rhythm, skins clashing against each other and your moans increasingly louder and needier. The deeper you felt him inside of you, the deeper you drowned in him.

When your lips connected in a last kiss, everything else around you died out. Your orgasm thundered over you until you saw stars. A broken moan escaped both of your lips and you crashed into his chest.

Joshua caressed your back and gently lifted your hips. Your thighs squeezed together when he pulled out, the heat pooling in your stomach. Your feet hit the floor, silky smooth under your touch. You looked down and tilted your head.

You plucked a flower from the ground and watched it fade in your hand. The rest of flowers disappeared like they had never even existed at all. When you looked at Joshua, your cheeks flushed. "Oops."

"Good to know that this happens."

"For future reference."

He chuckled and tucked a lock behind your ear.

You looked at him while he did. "Joshua, I—"

There was a knock on the office door.

Joshua hummed. He reached to the side and stretched his arm for his blouse. "Give us one moment," he called out and hoisted his arms through the sleeves.

You came off his lap and fixed your dress, tightening your corset around your waist.

He pressed a kiss to your lips and opened his book, his hand resting on the small of your back as he hovered over it.

You followed his example and kept your eyes on the letters dancing in your sight.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," you heard Minsu. Your cheeks flushed.

"What can I do for you?"

"We have to strike now if we want to stop them, Joshua." The pleading in his words struck a chord with you, making you look up. He held a letter in his hand. "I was able to intercept this message from the Council to the government of Qorath. They're going to launch an attack before dawn tomorrow."

You clenched your jaw and looked at Joshua, dread seeping into your bones.

He kept his eyes straight ahead, rubbing his chin absentmindedly.

"Joshua."

His eyes darted to Minsu.

"Now is our chance," he said urgently. "We have to do something."

"We don't have the forces."

You balled your fists, the crackling fire pulsing in your ears.

"Then I will gather them," Minsu told him determinedly. "Our window of opportunity is slim, and taking them by surprise is no option anymore."

Joshua shook his head. "I can't let you do this, Minsu."

"Then close your eyes and ears, because I will not let Airu's passing be in vain." Minsu turned on his heel and a blue light reflected in his face. He halted in his tracks and turned back, but his eyes were on you, blown wide open.

You gazed at him, the fire burning your hands.

"On the day that fire burns blue, The One brings forth everything true," Minsu muttered. His face hardened and he pointed at you. "You are going to destroy the Silver Star. It was prophesised and I'm not one to shy away from fulfilling prophecies."

Joshua grabbed your wrist when you wanted to walk out. He didn't say anything for a while, taking you in like you were the only thing in the world. He kissed your lips delicately and cupped your cheeks. "When you're done with them, search for a man with a golden ring around his neck," he whispered to you. "Tell him his little brother said hi."

The castle was on a suffocatingly high mountain, untouchable above the rest of the city.

From the large window, you looked out over Argentum in all its perfect glory. You refrained yourself from biting your nail, keeping up the appearance that you held yourself together while your heart was about to explode out of your chest. You were completely in white, a flowy dress that reached the floor.

Minsu was by your side, wearing a white cloak with silver embroidery. He held his head high, but his finger tapped against his palm in an unsteady rhythm. When the door opened, he whispered to play along and bowed.

You remained standing, staring right in the eyes of five similarly dressed witches. They all halted in their tracks.

"Council," Minsu greeted them stoically. "I have found her at last."

You looked from one to the other, but nothing seemed to indicate what you had learned before. They looked normal, sounded normal, there was no sign that anything was fabricated, or rehearsed in the slightest.

When you looked at the witch at the very end, his eye twitched. You turned your attention to him and took a step forward. "Good evening."

He immediately bowed.

You turned back around. "I was disturbed for this. Whatever do you need me for, if all people can do is bow at me?"

"Our apologies, Your Divinity," the tallest man said quickly. "We have prayed for your arrival for months, and as you can see we did our best to make your welcome unforgettable."

You lifted your nose in the air and waved your hands. The council came in motion and you followed them through the castle. You passed the Royal Chambers, but they were empty. They showed you the gathering spot for members, where they prayed and made offers to you.

You stomach turned when a statue of your own face stared back at you. They introduced you to members, who fell at your feet like you were their salvation.

When you looked over your shoulder at Minsu, he gave you a small nod.

"I have seen enough," you declared and brushed the folds of your dress. "Bring me back to the meeting room."

The Council formed a shield around you as you made your way back to the south end of the castle. The smaller of the men trailed next to you.

His eye twitched again.

You trapped him against the wall, the vines circling around his arms and neck. As the plants squeezed, he didn't move a muscle, dissolving into thin air.

When you looked behind you, the rest had disappeared as well.

"It can't be long until the Divine Priestess expects us," Minsu told you and grabbed your hand. He ran to the cellars and knocked a rhythm on the door.

From the other side, Daphne appeared.

You wrapped your arms around her neck and she returned the favour. "I'm happy to have you by my side."

"I can't pass up the opportunity to watch this place burn," she spoke and smiled at you. "And your water magic still sucks."

You bumped her hip and followed the two through the dark hallways. As your eyes adjusted, you saw Minsu reaching in his pockets. Something shimmered against the faint light in the distance, followed by a rattling sound. A door opened and Minsu hurried you in. He closed it behind him and pushed you through the hallways until you ended up in front of a big door.

All three of you looked at it.

"This is it, then," Daphne said, her hand squeezing yours. She looked at you with a small smile. "We're right behind you, okay? Nothing can happen to you."

Your heart pulsed in your ears. This was the moment you'd been longing for since you came, but your feet were unable to move. You weren't sure whether the adrenaline that pumped through your veins was excitement or fear, maybe a disastrous mixture of both. You were waiting for the moment that somebody suggested to turn back and leave all of this behind.

You remembered the way Airu laid on that table, how you watched their body go up in flames merely a week before. You remembered Minsu coming apart at the seams, the way he nearly sacrificed himself so that Airu could come back.

There was a burning sensation behind your ribcage when you thought of all the children that were in their dormitory, anxiously awaiting the moment that the Silver Star would dismantle your operation instead. The fear in their eyes as you came to comfort them, until there was no story left to tell them anymore.

You thought of Joshua's endless efforts, of the way he was scared to see anyone go in and not return, just like his brother had done. His brother, if he was even alive at that point.

You stretched your fingers and rolled your shoulders back. You observed the door one more time before you waved your hands. It exploded out of its lock, falling forward with a loud bang.

High upon a throne, tucked near the back of the room, was a figure. A white dress fell over the throne almost ethereally, a big star dangling in the setting sun. It got up at your entrance, long and slender. The swaying of her hips with every step, her bare feet clashing against the stone stairs, you had trouble to look away.

She stopped right in front of you and lifted your chin. Her cheeks were sharp, a pair of doe eyes trapping you where you were standing. Her slender fingers traced your cheeks as a smile decorated her soft face.

She stepped back and bowed until her head nearly touched the floor. "I have prayed for your arrival since the day it was prophesised," she spoke. Her words held a beat of excitement to them that made your stomach turn. "All the sacrifices I have made were all in your name, and now you are standing before me and I can't help but feel I haven't done enough."

You looked down at her and lifted your index and middle finger simultaneously.

The woman rose to her feet, but kept her head bowed.

"Have you ruled this community in my name?" You asked.

She nodded. "With so much love and gratitude."

You nodded and observed her one more time. You stepped back and waved your hand.

Daphne waved her arms and the particles in the air formed a big ball of water around the Divine Priestess. She pushed her hands forward and the water hardened up into ice, trapping her there.

The Priestess chuckled bitterly. "And that after everything I've done for you, sweetheart. I have built an Empire in your name, a solace for all of the witches that are scrutinised, and made out to be vile, and cruel when they're not. Are you really going to let them all down?"

"I am part of a haven as well, and we certainly do not feel as if we should take over an entire continent to prove we are worthy of existing." You walked up to the woman. "And maybe you shouldn't rely so much on prophecies the next time," you whispered to her. "You will be blinded by your own mind."

Amidst the ice, something red started glowing, but the more Daphne pushed back the fainter it became.

"We killed the Council." You shrugged. "We have counted on your weakening powers so the job is much easier for us." Behind you, the vines started to crawl up the block of ice. "Silver Star is going down once and for all."

"I can't hold her much longer," Daphne said to you. When you looked behind you, the blue glow around her hands was fading. "Be ready, sweetheart. It's going to be messy."

You shot Minsu a look. "Take her out of here and save as many people as you can. I'll handle this."

The ice fell down in big waves, nearly sweeping you off your feet. The Priestess took that opportunity to send a flame your way, but you thought of being taken away by the breezes of the wind, floating on the clouds and you flew in the air.

The Priestess followed you and used her fire to create a whip, but you countered with a rock shield, pushing it her way. She was too late to dodge it and clattered back to the ground. A sharp pain shot through your ankle when you landed, but you scrambled up before she did. You wiped a stream of blood from your nose and rolled your shoulders back.

"I've waited for this moment," you limped up to her, "since I was recruited. And still, I feel somewhat merciful despite everything you've done."

She spit some blood on the ground and got up slowly. "Maybe that is the wrong feeling going into this fight." She trapped you the same way Daphne had done to her before. "I have built all of this for you, so you could lead us to greatness and now look at you, corrupted by the wrong side."

You wriggled back and forth, but it only tightened around you. You clenched your fists as you glared at her. "You have never done this for me. There is no doubt in my mind that you hated the prophecy and did everything to delay my arrival. You've never searched for me until you had to, before you would lose your own followers over the promises you made for them."

"You have quite the mouth for someone who has hidden away for so long." The Divine Priestess walked up to you. "Just like the rest of them, you are a nobody. It is why your parents told you to leave and why the village never liked you. You are something they're scared of, such unexplained powers you possess."

Images of the blue hearth flashed, a burning sensation around your hands that was unbearable. You tried to wriggle yourself out one last time, but to no avail.

"You should've stayed in that cabin, where you were safe. And alone. All of this… mingling, has done you nobody any good."

The ice around you evaporated. A sea of blue flames shot from your hands until they engulfed the entire room. Everything around you went up in flames and the screams of the Priestess echoed through every cell of your body. The last thing you remembered was seeing her burning body clattering to the ground before the world around you went black.

A sharp pain shot through your head when you sat up. The mattress formed a dent where your body laid, and the faint scent of lemongrass entered your nose. You got up from your bed and tiptoed out of the room. You stood by the door of the garden, and through the window you could see how your herbs had turned brown. Your vegetables had rotten or been completely eaten away by whatever animal had found them.

You turned on your heel and walked to the living room. The crackling fire made your heart drop and you held your hands in front of you, taking careful steps forwards. Your head pounded and spun all at once, turning your stomach upside down.

In the kitchen was a man, his back turned towards you. His hair was gray at the roots and thinning out at the back, his stump posture covered by a brown jacket and similar pants. He turned around and a pair of deeply brown eyes twinkled in the late afternoon sun.

Your eyes welled with tears as you ran up to him. You fell into his embrace. "Papa…"

"My sweet bug," he muttered in your hair and pressed a kiss to it. "We are so relieved to see you are awake. When we got your letter, we were so worried. We came to your cabin immediately, to find you were not there."

"I'm so sorry," you sobbed. "I'm so, so sorry."

"You saved our community, my darling. I would never ask you to apologise for any of that." He lifted your chin and smiled. "I heard you took after your mother after all."

When you opened your mouth, the door to your cabin opened as well.

Your mother dropped the basket and ran up to you, muttering your name as she cried in your arms. "Oh, my sweet child. I'm so happy to see you."

You eased into her tight embrace and laid your head on her shoulder. Your eyes flicked to the last person, lingering in the doorframe.

Joshua offered you a smile and closed the door behind him.

"We tried to take care of your home as much as we could, but as you can see…" Your mother's eyes wandered to your garden, making you chuckle.

"You never had green fingers, it's forgiven."

She smiled at you and wiped your tears away, pressing a long kiss to your forehead. "I am so proud of you, bug. Our people can live to see another day."

You looked at Joshua. "What about the people inside?"

"Most of them got out," he answered. "The most loyal ones died in the fire alongside the Priestess. The castle went up in flames."

You nodded and stepped away from your mother.

"Let us tend to your garden," your father took the basket from her with a smile, "we'll be there if you need us."

You watched how they walked into the garden and the warmth spread through your chest. When you looked at Joshua, the feeling died out. "I'm sorry I couldn't get to your brother in time."

"You have done everything you could to stop the Priestess," he told you and cupped your cheeks. "We were lucky to pull you from the flames. Daphne nearly killed me over going in, but it was worth it."

Your eyes flicked to his arms. The skin was raw, burning a hot pink. "Joshua—"

"I may not have found my brother, but I couldn't sit and watch you go as well." He offered you a small smile. "I love you. I love you so much that I couldn't bear the thought of doing nothing. Even if it was a mere attempt, I could learn to live with myself."

"I love you, too," you whispered through your tears. You chuckled and your voice got louder. "Gods, Joshua, I love you in spite all of the chaos and suffering we have been through since we met. I don't know if I can ever love someone else."

"I hope you won't," were the words that Joshua kissed you with. His lips moved against yours deeply passionate, but tender all the same. He held you like you would shatter completely, but his grip was firm like he didn't want you to leave.

You held onto his blouse and let yourself drown in him.

"We all sought shelter over the lands," Joshua muttered against your lips. "I hope I can stay with you because your mother already gave her blessing."

"Let me sleep on that."

He smiled and gave you a last kiss before peeling away. "The kids are safe with other members. Minsu has taken Yui with him and once everything has settled down, we will reunite to celebrate."

You placed your hands on his shoulders and rubbed them. "For now, we can lead normal lives again."

"I can't wait." Joshua smiled and tucked a lock behind your ear. "How do I do that, again?"

You chuckled and slapped his chest. "First, you make yourself likable for my parents so you'll be a part of the family. Otherwise I have no choice but to kick you out of there."

"I'm already eligible to marry you in your mother's eyes. I think I have nothing to worry about." Joshua squeezed your shoulders. "Let's join them in the garden. The weather is nice outside."

You were happy to be a family again, but the greatest joy was giving Joshua one to be a part of. And you hoped that, now you lived to see another day, he would find his own one back.

🏷️: @livmarauder ; @huiimoon ; @mochisdayone ; @frayaatiny

room 001 — the wedding play by @izzyy-stuff

・❥・You wouldn’t say lying comes easy to you. Especially not when you’re surrounded by people you care so deeply about. But when you’re forced into a corner, there is nothing left for you to do but to lie your way out, dragging an innocent server down with you. Luckily for you, Soobin, the ever so helpful server, is more than willing to make your time here enjoyable. So what if he has to attend a wedding for people he’s never met before? As lon as he’s by your side, he doesn’t mind anything you throw his way.

pairing → server!Soobin x fem!reader genre → romcom, fake dating, strangers to friends to lovers

teaser | full fic

room 002 — Mr. incompetent by @nanilis

・❥・The chairman’s son. Corporate’s golden boy. Future executive. Your newest shadow. You’d call Choi Yeonjun many things. Unfortunately… “Completely useless” turns out not to be one of them.

pairing → hotel owner’s son!yeonjun x events manager!f reader genre → workplace romance, enemies (kind of) to lovers, slow burn

teaser | full fic

room 003 — obessica by @gyuzies

・❥・beomgyu who happens to be your best friend and the bartender at the hotel you work at together, and the guy who rearranges your gut when nobody is looking. I mean its just sex — you're looking out for him, so when his 'situationship' comes into the bar and you 'accidentally' spill a drink on her, beomgyu has absolutely no choice but to deal with you the only way he knows how — fuck the attitude out of ya!

pairing → bartender!beomgyu x server!reader genre → fwb to lovers, jealousy, coworkers to lovers

teaser | full fic

room 004 — driftwood by @filmsbyun

・❥・"I'm giving you all of me so I can hold you better." His lips brushed over yours as the barest touch. "Please don't hurt me." You had always been good at hiding. Good enough that people eventually stopped asking where you had gone. When your friend convinced you to trade your penthouse and your solitude for a fortnight at his family's resort, you reluctantly agreed with little expectation beyond filling empty days. That was before you met Kang Taehyun, who was not looking for love any more than you were. Two people with no intention of being found placed inside the same snow globe. That, as it turns out, is not the same as not being found.

pairing → lounge singer!Kang Taehyun x afab!reader genre → slow burn, hurt/comfort, strangers to lovers

teaser | full fic

room 005 — a mater of taste by @orbitondgtl

・❥・As a chef in a resort and the reigns completely in your hands, you were exactly where you needed to be. Food was the central point of your life. It was your way of expressing yourself, but like a language that people never truly got. That was until a receptionist and his lunch request unlocked undiscovered feelings. And they were like nothing you'd ever tasted before.

pairing → receptionist!kai x chef!fem!reader genre → coworkers to lovers, feel-good, culinary romance

teaser | full fic

Chan was – how your father called him once – exuberant. When you wanted to sit down because you were growing tired, he kept you on your feet with his excitement alone. You seemed to forget you were tired the second your hands laced together. He always kept your energy levels high and no moment with him was boring. 

Chan was – how you heard the king and Queen say to your father – perfectly obedient and easy to deal with. You had never asked what they meant with that, but you knew that he never said no. Frankly, you grew bored of that by the second time you played with him and told him that you liked to have friends who knew what game they wanted to play.  

You thought of Chan as a good friend. Someone that was always in a good mood and was much more interesting than the friends your mother made you have. She hadn’t been happy that your father immersed you into his world, but one day she magically stopped complaining about it. She was happy to bring you to the castle so you could search for him there. 

Not that you weren’t happy she stopped nagging you about embroidery, but her switch-up was weird. Your brother had looked at her weird as well when he left with your father. 

You’d given up your search when you entered castle grounds, instead drawing to Chan who was playing outside with a ball. His older brother Seokmin was there as well, standing in between two poles, one above his head. A net was attached to the upper one, slammed into the ground with two wooden pins. 

Chan called out your name and waved. The ball was under his arm, reflecting in the sun. 

You greeted them both with a bow. “Good afternoon, your Royal Highnesses. What are you playing?” 

“Kickball!” Chan answered with a smile. 

You tilted your head with a frown. 

“Look!” He put the ball down and took a couple of steps back. “Are you ready, Seokmin?”

Seokmin clasped his hands together in response.

You watched how Chan ran towards the ball and kicked it. It flew through the air with incredible speed and force, right over Seokmin’s head into the net. 

“That seems unfair, sir,” you commented as the oldest kicked the ball back to Chan. “Prince Seokmin could barely reach it.”

“You should really stop calling me ‘sir’. We’re friends, remember?” Chan beamed at you. “And that’s the point! The poles form a goal and if the ball hits the net, I score a point. This is my second goal out of five tries.” 

“And how many tries do you have left?”

“Three.”

You snickered. 

Chan pointed at the ball. “Would you like to try?”

“Okay.” You stood behind the ball when he stepped away and looked at it. You looked back at Seokmin, who had his arms spread out sideways. You took a couple of big strides backwards, ran towards the ball and kicked with the toe of your shoe. A sharp pain stung through your foot. You muttered underneath your breath and grabbed your foot, hopping around on the other. 

Behind you, Chan ran up to you. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, but kicking hurts.” 

He chuckled. “You should kick with the instep.” He slapped the top of his foot. “Right there.”

“Thanks for the heads up,” you grumbled and put your foot back down, stepping aside. “I’ll leave the kicking to you, sir.” 

“Stop that.” 

You shrugged. “I need to call you that. My parents say that it’s protocol.” 

“I’m eight. I’m no sir.” Chan pointed at Seokmin. “He is ten. Is he a sir?”

“No, thank you!” Seokmin called out, to which you giggled. 

The youngest turned to you and put a hand on your shoulder, your name rolling off his lips. “Point is, we are friends. I don’t want you to call me sir. It feels weird.” He shuddered. “Enough people in this palace call me that. I don’t get why Jihoon likes it.” 

Seokmin jogged up to you. “Speaking of.” 

You peeled away from the princes and watched the king coming up to you, Jihoon on his right side and your father on his left. You tilted your head with a hum before you bowed. “Your Majesty,” you muttered to the king, who smiled in approval and greeted you back. You bowed again before you addressed Jihoon. “Your Royal Highness.” 

Jihoon’s eyes were completely empty as they scanned you up and down. He paid you no further mind, his gaze drifting away into the distance. 

You locked eyes with your father, who gave you a reassuring nod. “I’m not in trouble am I?” 

From the king came a warm chuckle. “Of course not, child.” 

At least he was able to smile and laugh. Jihoon couldn’t. Ever. 

“I have just informed your father that I require your future services,” he spoke. 

You stared at him. 

“Your father won’t be Prince Chan’s guard forever and I am delighted to see that you keep him such good company,” the king clarified and crossed his hands behind the back of his green jacket, a cloak hanging off one shoulder. “You’re going to be his guard when you’re both grown up and your father will assume another position in this Court.” 

Your eyebrows raised. “Really? Me?” 

“Your father and I think it much more suitable for you to become a guard instead of a maid, or a lady-in-waiting.” He placed a hand on your father’s shoulder. “Your family has been a longtime friend of ours, after all, and we hope to be able to continue that through your generation.”

You bowed. “That is my greatest honour, your Majesty. I thank you.” You looked at him. “May I ask, why me and not my brother?”

“Elian will assume another position in our Court,” the king spoke, nodding at Jihoon. “A personal advisor to our future heir.” He excused himself – in his words – ‘to attend to other business’, and walked away with Jihoon following on his trail. 

Your father bowed to you. “And you’re a better fighter, but don’t tell your brother,” he whispered. He winked at you before he stepped back, bowing his head at Chan. “You may resume your playtime, your Royal Highness. I will be here when you need my assistance.”

“Thank you, Clement!” Chan beamed at him before he waved his older brother back into the goal. You’d played the afternoon away and on personal invitation from the Royal Family, stayed for supper. 

You joined your father and brother at the large table, seated right across from Chan. Elian sat next to Jihoon in silence, his eyes not leaving his plate. Your father was on his other end, in deep conversation with the king at the head of the table. If you were to believe him, they’d been friends since they were children, just like you and Chan, and your grandfathers before that. Like the king said before, the friendship was lifelong and it dated back a long time. 

Too long for you to comprehend. 

“Mother?” Chan’s soft tones rang in your ears. 

You looked up and glanced aside at the Queen, her expression almost as empty as Jihoon’s. You had no trouble believing she was a good mother, she just wasn’t like yours. Your mother’s warmth wrapped around you the second you stepped foot inside the house, she didn’t even need to be in the room for that. She wasn’t the Queen, whose eyes reflected the feeling of having the world on her shoulders. 

That was what you heard your mother say to your father once, when you were supposed to be in bed. 

“Yes, dear?” She smiled at him, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. 

“Can we play outside for a little longer? The weather’s very nice today.” 

She stroked his hair and pressed a kiss to it. “You’ll stay in this garden so we don’t have to retrieve you from the other side of the palace again, yes?” 

Chan nodded and smiled at her. “Okay.” 

“Then you can play outside after supper.” 

He locked eyes with you and his smile grew. “Are you staying after supper?”

You looked over at your father before turning back to him. “I think so. Father doesn’t seem to be finished anytime soon.” 

“We have prepared a chamber for you,” the Queen told you. “Your father has a long day, and we wouldn’t want to inconvenience your mother or scare her by sending a royal carriage her way.” 

You bowed your head at her with a smile. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I appreciate your hospitality.”

She chuckled, although it sounded emptier than the king’s. “Where have you been learning such words, dear?”

“Father.”

“Of course, where else?” 

You offered her a smile as you thanked the staff for dessert. It felt wrong to leave your plate on the table instead of bringing it to the kitchen when you were finished – you didn’t even know where the kitchen was – but you had no time to dwell on it as Chan dragged you outside. He picked up a wooden sword and gave you the other with a bow. “M’lady.” 

“Flatterer,” you teased and took it from him with a bow. You gripped the handle and held it in front of you. 

Your father told you the first time he gave you a wooden sword that it was rather a dance than a fight. When your opponent took a step forward, you took one backwards. Stepping sideways and you mirrored that. It was quick and reactionary, unlike a waltz.

Chan held his sword close, putting the weight on his heels as if he was going to back off. 

When your opponent defended, you striked. 

You shot forward, the wood clashing together in a familiar rhythm. There was a fun game in letting him believe that he was leading, going wherever he went. He fell for it every time and you really assumed that he knew better that time around. 

You brought him off balance and held the sword to his neck with a smile. “Gotcha.” 

Chan pouted. “Man, I was doing so well.” 

You retreated your sword and bowed. “Let’s go again. As a revanche.” 

Something fell in the grass with a thud. You snapped up and watched Chan looking past you. His eyes were blown wide, his hands trying to clutch the folds of his brown pants. He took a couple of steps backwards and his eyes darted to you. “I need to go.” 

“Are you okay?”

“I… I didn’t realise it was getting so late already.” He visibly swallowed and squeezed his eyes shut. “I need to go.” 

You didn’t have a chance to react, watching how he ran back inside. Your sword dangled by your side as you swallowed the tears. Chan never ran away like that. Was he upset with you? Maybe you should’ve let him win, but maybe that would make him even more upset. 

Someone called your name and you looked at the doorway. 

The Queen smiled. “Let’s play a board game with Elian and Seokmin. How does that sound?” 

You nodded and picked the other sword up from the grass, strolling inside. You wanted to ask about Chan, but you bit your tongue. You doubted you wanted to know the answer anyway. 

You were glad your mother had given up on the delicate, ladylike appearance she wanted you to make. She would have a heart attack if she saw you in the gardens with Chan, your hair so messy it could be a bird’s nest and the bottom of your dress completely covered in dirt. So were your boots. Which were recently polished. 

You ditched your swords for a wrestling match, but every time you nearly had him to his knees, Chan found a way to bring you down first. After the fifth round – you lost all five – your lungs burned and your hands ached when you stretched your fingers. 

Chan grinned at you and blew a lock out of his face. “You don’t like giving up, don’t you?”

His voice had dropped even lower since the last time you saw him. You teased him whenever his voice cracked because it sounded funny. The same happened to Elian when he was fourteen so you expected it to happen to every boy. 

“Giving up is not in my nature, no,” you said and rolled your shoulders back. “Again. It can’t be that you beat me so easily.” 

His grin grew and he took his stance, waving his hands. “Come on,” he said, calling your name in a challenging tone. 

You charged at him, but he grabbed your arm before you could stop. With a flip right over his shoulder, you slammed into the ground. A sharp pain shot through your back, a groan rolling off your lips. 

“Gods,” you heard Chan muttering before he popped in your sight, hovering over you. “Are you alright?” 

“You body slammed me into the grass, but other than that I’m fine.” You looked up at him and narrowed your eyes. “How are you so strong, though?”

He rubbed his neck. “I don’t know I had it in me.” 

You arched an eyebrow, but left the subject to rest. You stared up at the sky, watching the clouds pass you by while the pain in your back ebbed away. 

Looking back up at Chan, you spoke again. “I thought a prince like you had more manners than leaving a lady on the ground after injuring her.” 

Chan scrambled himself together and helped you back to your feet. His eyes scanned you curiously. “Are you really alright, though?” 

“I’m fine,” you answered with a smile. “My back will probably be sore tomorrow, but I’m more concerned about mother’s reaction when she sees my dress.” You looked down before looking back up at him. 

“Maybe you should stop wearing dresses, then.” He extended a hand with a grin. “Let us find your mother. She can’t be far.” 

Because you and Elian were going to assume positions in the future, your mother was given one as well and you all moved into the palace. She worked in the kitchen and you were delighted that the Royal Family enjoyed her cuisine as much as you did when you still lived at home. 

Since it was midday, your mother was in the kitchen preparing afternoon bites, taking a fresh tray off the fire when you came in. Chan followed and the personnel bowed when he stood in the kitchen, including your mother. He greeted everyone cheerfully.

Your mother’s smile faded when her eyes landed on your dress. 

“Our wrestling match got a little out of hand,” you explained and shot her a sweet smile. “I’ll wash it myself, I promise.” 

“And I expect you to freshen up.” She waved her hand at your hair. “You can’t present yourself at supper like this tonight.”

Behind you, Chan snorted. 

“This is the last time you’ll go outside in a dress, before you don’t have any left,” your mother continued and waved you away. “Out of the way, pumpkin. These pastries need to be on the garden table in half an hour and I’m nowhere near done.”

“Apologies for the interruption, miss,” Chan apologised with a bow. “That would be my fault.” 

“No need for apologies, Your Highness.” 

You dragged him out of the kitchen and made your way towards the hallway. 

“I’ll be waiting for you in the drawing room.” 

“Which of the five?” You lifted the bottom of your dress up and started walking. 

He chuckled. “The one in this wing. Or shall I hide in one of them so you can come look for me?” 

You looked over your shoulder, where he flashed you a grin. “You’re a funny one, aren’t you?” 

Chan bowed, watching as you disappeared into the staff’s wing. 

You passed your father, who bellowed a laugh. “What happened to you?”

“Chan beat me in a wrestling match,” you answered and dropped your dress. “Six times.”

His eyes held a glimmer of amusement. “I see. Your mother must have been delighted to see you like this.”

“I need to freshen up, and wash my dress.” You brushed the folds with a hum. “Father, have you noticed that Chan is particularly… strong? For his age?”

His leg twitched, eying you with a small smile. “What are you implying?”

“Nothing,” you answered. “I just think it’s odd that he can throw me over his shoulder by my arm. With ease.”

“I see.” He scanned you up and down. 

“I’m fine,” you assured him and excused yourself. If there was someone who knew more, it would be your father. Maybe you were actually reading more into it than there was and Chan was just incredibly strong.

He didn’t quite look the part, but you digressed. 

That wasn’t the only instance you caught him acting weird. You hadn’t forgotten about the night he ran off six years prior, nor had you forgotten all the times after that. Since you lived in the castle, you noticed it was a regular occurrence, but only periodically. You hadn’t figured out the exact time frame, but you’d waited until he would magically disappear again, running off with a half-assed excuse. 

So you counted the days, which turned into weeks. 

Four weeks, accounting to about twenty-nine days. When you found out the first time, you waited for the next period to begin, just to see if it would differ. The second time around was the same so the third time couldn’t be a coincidence anymore. 

What was even stranger was that your father would return to his chambers only the following morning. You were sure it should not be happening, but you pretended that you did not see him there. 

When you were outside in the garden with Chan, enjoying the late summer sun setting behind the castle, he scrambled up. He suddenly remembered he was supposed to help his mother with preparations for the annual ball and ran off. 

You got up and returned to your chambers, waiting out the time it took for your father to emerge. You knew he would be in there after supper every twenty-nine days, probably resting up for the night ahead. 

And just before your bedtime, he passed by your room. He peeked inside and smiled at you. “Good night, pumpkin.” 

“Good night.”  

When he resumed his walk, you slipped out and went after him. He walked down the stairs without skipping any steps, but with a sense of urgency that made it hard to keep up. He navigated through the palace, all the way to the north wing where the Royal Family resided. 

Suddenly, he pushed the door open that brought him to the basement. 

Your throat narrowed. You never liked the basement, based on the stories that your father told you. You were sure that he wanted to scare you off and it worked. You bit through the dread seeping into your bones and followed him down. 

As quietly as you could, you tiptoed down the stairs. Your father’s voice neared when you walked through the dark corridor. When your eyes adjusted, you saw his torch in the distance and sped up. 

You heard the echoes of Chan’s screams clear as day, but there was an overlay. Growling, almost… unhuman.

As your heart pulsed in your ears, you took small steps forward. 

“I don’t know if these chains will hold anymore, Clement,” you heard the king. There was a thick layer of concern over his voice, one he usually managed to suppress. “He’s getting stronger.”

“We have to try, Jiu,” your father replied calmly. “And otherwise, we have to lock him up for the night.”

Your stomach twisted. Chains, locking him up. You couldn’t imagine anything more sickening than that. 

As your eyes were truly adjusted, you realised that you were standing in the old cell block. Your father and the king were right outside one of the cells, and you had no trouble imagining that Chan was inside. 

The overlay got worse, blending with his voice like there was no distinction anymore. The chains rattled so loudly that you covered your ears. It sent a shiver down your spine, but you committed. You had to find out what all of this was about. 

Both the king and your father stepped inside so you moved closer. You were pressed against the stone wall, the cold travelling up your back. You were one peek away from discovering the truth. After months of silently tracking their movements, you knew why Chan had been acting strange. Why none of his lies were ever adding up. 

You took a deep breath and placed your hands on the edge of the wall. Your heart throbbed as if it had sharp edges slicing into your ribcage, lynching you from the inside out. You stuck your head around the corner and the sight made your breath hitch. 

Chan was chained to the wall by his hand and feet, his eyes glowing a faint white. He was baring his teeth at his father and yours. He wriggled on the chains and you saw paste crumbling down from the walls. 

The two men walked out of the cells and froze in their tracks when they saw you. 

Chan was in full view. The blood vessels in his face had turned black and the sweat built on his forehead, his chest rising and falling in big motions. He looked at you with a growl. An actual, spine-chillingly unhuman growl.  

You gulped and stepped back. The next thing you knew was the blood that landed on your face and night gown. It was all over the walls of the cell, as if he painted them with it. 

In Chan’s spot was a beast, slender and rising far above you. He’d broken free from the chains and howled when his white eyes locked with yours, baring his teeth again. 

Someone dragged you by the arm and threw the door of the cell shut. A key twisted into the lock while you were taken away. Footsteps sounded behind you, combined with the growling and howling of a beast that made it clear you were going against the laws of nature. 

As if it should roam free. 

“Let’s clean you up, my child,” the warm tones of the king sounded in the distance. “You’re covered in blood.” 

A sour taste hit the back of your throat and the saliva built up in your mouth. “I feel sick,” you heard yourself say. In the bucket that the king gave you, you emptied your stomach to the point of tears. 

Without asking, he took you to the drawing room and sat you down. “Let me retrieve someone for a new nightgown.” 

“I don’t care about a new nightgown,” you croaked. “What is going on with Chan?”

The king looked at you painfully. 

“I am to be his guard one day, Your Majesty. I ought to know, don’t you think?” 

“I’ll handle it, Jiu.” 

You both snapped up at your father, standing in the doorway with a cloth and a new nightgown. The king nodded his head and left. 

You scoffed and looked the other way. “You’re the last person I want to hear this from right now.” 

“Dear–”

“You chained Chan to a prison wall, father,” you snarled. “And then he… he just exploded right in front of my eyes!” Hearing yourself saying it out loud made it sink in. The bizarre sight was something you’d never be able to forget and it made you sick again. 

“Is he dead?” You asked softly. 

Your father sat down next to you with a big exhale. “No, pumpkin. He’s the werewolf you just saw. He has been ever since he can remember.” 

You had no idea what a werewolf was, but you knew what a wolf looked like. That was not a wolf. 

Your father brought the cloth up to your face and started on your cheeks. The damp warmth seeped into your skin and you hummed in satisfaction. 

“Is that why you’re his guard and not an advisor to the king? He trusts you with his life to protect Chan.” 

He smiled at you. “You have your mother’s cleverness.” 

You averted your eyes from him, staring off into the distance. The castle grounds looked peaceful under the moonlight, despite what was being held in the cells. Or rather, who was there. You could never think of Chan as a mere beast. 

“I’ve never heard of a werewolf,” you said eventually. 

“I had always assumed that they were mere stories,” he answered and put the cloth away, your nightgown resting in his lap. “Creatures of the night that change form every full moon, overtaken by their uncontrollable nature to hunt.” He caressed your cheek. “You shouldn’t worry, pumpkin. Chan is back to himself in the morning.”

Your fingertips prickled. “You know as well as I do that it’s not the full story, father. I am not planning to wait when I take over from you, unprepared to help my dearest friend.” 

It seemed to shift something for him, in the way his eyebrows fell and eyes lowered. “When the king was still a prince, he crossed paths with a witch. The witch gained some sort of hold on him, which was almost impossible to break until he met a girl whom he fell in love with.”

You arched an eyebrow, making your father halt in his tracks. “I refuse to believe the witch was that upset over a boy.” 

“This is what the king told me when we were young, and I was ordered to never bring it up again.” 

You had no choice but to take that answer. 

“The witch was now powerless against him and swore that she wouldn’t rest until he was brought to his knees, but the king himself had proved untouchable. He’d broken her hold before.” He shot you a painful smile. “So he turned to his wife and their children. She would come back to curse every child they would ever have, which led to them to keep their existence hidden for as long as they could.” 

You tilted your head. “Are you saying that she did something to all of them?” 

“Yes, but I am only allowed to discuss Chan’s story with you so this reaches as few ears as we can.” He took your hands in his and squeezed them gently. “You have to promise to never tell this to anyone.” Your name rolled off his lips in a plea that made you shiver. 

You nodded quickly. “Yes, father. I won’t.” 

He released your hands and gave you your nightgown. “Now, I want you to be in bed and I will retrieve you at dawn, so you can see Chan.” 

You bowed your head at him and took the gown, making your way back to your chamber without another word. 

Every time you closed your eyes, you saw the explosion of Chan’s skin, the way the walls were covered in blood. You saw the beast that was ready to devour you, but you woke up right before he could. 

Every time. 

Chan had been a mess the morning after, covered in blood from head to toe. He’d started crying when he saw you, apologising over and over again. 

You’d learnt that he couldn’t remember what happened, as if he went into a deep slumber and someone else took over him. After he cleaned himself up, you stayed with him but he was in his own head for the entire day. 

You’d avoided each other over the weeks that followed, until the next cycle when it became inevitable that you’d crash into each other again. Not because Chan had any desire to look you in the eyes after you saw him in that form, but because your father wanted you there to see. 

When Chan was chained up again, trying to wriggle himself free while his other form clawed his way out, you stayed in the cell. Behind you was your father, calling out to you to leave. 

You’d never left him once since then, not even when his responsibilities started to become more serious in the years that followed. Seventeen years old and already talking about the prospect of marriage. You hated to be in his shoes. 

“I know that she’ll be a guard one day, but can’t she really just wear a dress?” You heard your mother outside your door. At the lack of reaction from your father, she scoffed lightheartedly. “Clement, it’s a ball. Let the girl have fun.” 

“She’s on duty tonight, my love. And besides, all her good dresses have mud stains on them.”

You rolled your eyes and hoisted yourself into a pair of brown pants and boots, tucking the bottom of the pants in. The light green jacket that was tailored for you covered the white blouse underneath. You took the medal from your dresser and clipped it on the left side of your chest.

Right above your heart. 

Your hair sat in its usual comfortable way, although that wouldn’t last long when your mother would bust through the door. 

You brushed your jacket off and turned towards the door, clearing your throat. “I’m–” 

The door flew open before you even finished your sentence. 

Your mother clasped her hands together with a gasp. “Look at you!”

“And you wanted me to wear a dress,” you teased and waved your hand to your desk. “Shall I sit down for my hair?” 

Her eyes scanned you up and down before she nodded. “I think a simple updo will be more than enough, dear. Sit down.” 

You closed your eyes when your mother went to work on your hair, smiling as her fingers brushed through your locks. When you opened them, your hair was in a low bun, two strands of hair framing your face. 

Your mother smiled. “Stand up, dear.”

You did and turned to your parents, clutching your medal. “I don’t know if I put this on well, it doesn’t feel stable.” 

“Let me help you, pumpkin,” your father said and walked up to you. He took the medal off and readjusted it. He stepped back, his lips curving into a smile that reached his eyes. “You’re all grown up now.” 

“Don’t get sentimental now, father.” 

Your mother grabbed his bicep with a chuckle. “You know how he can be. He was the same with Elian when it was his first time wearing the uniform.”

“You cried, Lillian,” your father retorted. 

“As I am allowed to do.” She let go of him and waved her hands. “Now, move along you two. Off to work you go.” 

You trailed next to your father as you descended the stairs, joining with the rest of the guards in the ballroom. The Royal Family’s absence was palpable through an anticipating buzz. The first ball of the year was always hosted by the palace, and it was only the most prosperous of families who were invited to attend. Dukes and duchesses, baron and baronesses and all titles alike. 

You stood next to your father, right next to the throne that the king would sit in when the first dance had concluded. The horns would play their entrance music and the princes would be announced first. Everyone in the room would bow their heads, their eyes on the ground. The next announcement would be the King and Queen and everyone in attendance would bow and curtsy until they were nearly touching the ground. 

When you made eye contact with Chan as his parents entered, he winced. You pressed your lips together and looked away, keeping your eyes on the ground. They flicked up when your father nudged you and you bowed along with him. 

The king offered you a smile. “What a pleasant sight to see you here, child. I am honoured that you’re in attendance.” 

You bowed your head in response. 

The queen shot you a look, but nothing else and just sat down, watching the princes blending amidst the crowd on the dancefloor. Even Jihoon. 

You bowed backwards to look at the other side of the table, where Elian was standing. His sharp eyes were fixated on Jihoon, but darted around as if he felt someone keeping an eye on him. His head turned towards you and he mouthed. 

“Rare sight, hm?” 

You nodded. 

He pointed to himself with a proud smile, to which you silently chuckled. His eyes flicked back to the heir while you looked at Chan, waltzing around the room with a girl. When the dance concluded, they bowed to each other and he moved on. 

That was their job for the night, dancing with half the people in the room and mingling with the rest of society. The upper layer, that was. 

Your attention drifted off to a conversation that your father was having with one of the guards, but it wasn’t the same as when he entertained the king. From your father’s distanced, short-formed answers, you could tell the relationship he fostered was nothing more than collegial. 

When Chan popped up again, he was dancing with a girl, entertaining her more than he did with the others. She was around your age, long brown hair flowing around with her movements. Her round face lit up whenever he said something to her and you could imagine the sound of her soft chuckles. 

“Aren’t they a sight for sore eyes?” You heard the Queen stating excitedly. “Miss Beaumont will be a perfect match for Chan.” 

Your jaw clenched, your eyes still on the dance floor. 

“A perfect match indeed, your Majesty,” your father echoed. There was a sliver of restraint in his words that only you could identify. To someone as ignorant as the Queen, his statement just seemed to further amplify what a divine human being she was.

She was likable once. Every time you crossed paths, you wondered what happened to her. 

“I have to formally speak to Lord Beaumont still,” she continued. “I imagine he will be delighted to hear that his daughter is chosen for our Chan.”

Your stomach turned. You were sure that you heard the same thing happening with your father. 

Chosen. Poor Miss Beaumont was chosen. To a duke, that was the most exciting news he could receive in his life, despite the surging rumours that he was going to break off from the palace. 

You joined Chan in the gardens after the festivities, both relieved of your respective duties. Your mind circled back to Miss Beaumont, but you weren’t sure whether that was out of pity or something else entirely. 

Chan wore a jacket similar to yours, but dark green and embroidered in gold at the seams. His dark brown hair was groomed into place, ridding it of its usual fluffy appearance with strands falling in front of his eyes. In moments like these he was really a prince, someone that would always be above you no matter how much he tried to treat you as an equal. 

“I wish this was the last ball,” he sighed out. “The festivities have only just started.” 

You hummed and crossed your legs, letting them dangle above the ground. “Father wants me to attend.” 

He cocked an eyebrow. “All of them?” 

“All of them.” 

He blew his cheeks, making you chuckle. 

You nudged him with a grin. “I saw you were a proper entertainer for Miss Beaumont tonight.”

“How do you know her name?” Chan questioned with a frown. 

You leaned in with a whisper. “I eavesdropped on your mother.” 

He let out a bitter chuckle. “She wants me to marry her one day, has been nagging me about it since last year.” 

You looked at him, at the way his jaw clenched and his fists balled. 

“I would like to inform you that this was the first time I’ve seen Miss Beaumont and no matter how pleasant her company, or how beautiful her appearance, I do not want to marry her.” 

“What’s the harm in telling your mother?” You countered with a hum. “She must have your best interests at heart, to want you to marry for love.” 

“Because the Queen wants me to marry for political gain, so I’ll have to marry for that reason.” Chan looked at you. “My wishes fall on deaf ears, so I find it more suitable to not wish for anything at all.” 

You felt your heart crumbling in your chest, but any sign of pity would only drive him away. “You must have some wishes, ones you can fulfill without the interference of your mother, or the Queen.” 

“Thinking of my marriage prospects, I can only think of how unprepared I will be to be a good husband to her. I don’t know anything.” He tilted his head. “Have you ever enjoyed the affections of a man?” 

“Nor a boy,” you answered with a shrug. “Wherever would I find the time?” 

“Valid point.” He looked ahead of him and hummed. “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to kiss someone.” 

You nodded in agreement. 

Chan turned back to you and for a second, you saw the idea flashing behind his eyes. The corners of his mouth curled up. 

“You’re a prince,” you argued and got off the bench, dusting off your attire. 

“I can’t recall a moment where you ever cared about that.” 

You turned on your heel, looking him straight in the eye. “Was that a challenge, Your Highness?” 

A grin spread on his face. “Well, I would certainly take it.” 

“This will be disastrous.” You pointed your finger between yourself and him. “For both of us.”

“No one will have to know.” He shrugged as if it was the most logical thing in the world. 

You couldn’t argue against it and now the words hung in the air between you, the desire to know had only grown. There was no harm in one kiss. Chan was your friend, the one that you shared a lot of things with throughout your life. 

You strode towards him and looked up at him, your eyes flicking to his lips. “Alright then, I suppose there’s no intention behind it other than curiosity.” 

“Fully agreed.” 

You swallowed with a nod and leaned in, inhaling the scent of musk with a fresh touch of jasmine. Your lips connected in a tender peck and that was all it was. When you pulled back, you nodded. “Well, that wasn’t so exciting, wasn’t it?”

“Not really, no.” Chan suppressed a smile before a chuckle rolled off his lips. “I suppose I have nothing to worry about.”

“You don’t.” You patted his shoulder and crossed your hands behind your back. “Have a good night, Chan. I will see you in the morning.”

Chan’s eyes burned in your back during the king’s speech. It became increasingly harder to ignore, to a point where you barely registered what he was saying about you. Your heart ached in your ribcage. 

It ached for him. You hated the way it ached for him. 

Chan stepped up to you and you bowed. He took the medal from one of the servants, the one that had just been removed from your father’s jacket. The string was a deep shade of green, while the medal itself was a shiny gold with Thornmer’s crest, the body of the deer bending into a ‘C’ shape. 

When you locked eyes, you sucked in your breath. His teenage features had sharpened and his face was so perfectly defined, you struggled to peel your eyes away from him. You breathed a soft sigh of relief when he was the one to look away. His hands clutched the medal before he pinned it on your jacket, next to the medal you were already wearing. 

He stepped back, blending in with the rest of his family again. 

You bowed to all of them, one knee hitting the hard surface underneath you. You glanced at your father, watching over you with a smile. You had to get used to seeing him in a dark green coat standing next to the king instead of behind him. 

It suited him. 

You were told to rise and applause echoed through the palace. Glancing into the crowd, you saw your mother in front and you swore a tear escaped her eye. 

There was no fancy banquet for your anointment, nor was there any celebration. As Chan stepped out of the room to resume his duties, so did you. 

“I have to get used to my shadow not being over six feet tall,” Chan teased and looked over his shoulder. “I would prefer you walking next to me, however. Especially you.”

You fell into step with him. “As you wish–”

“Don’t.” 

You kept your eyes straight ahead, the grin creeping up your face. “Your Highness.” 

Chan nudged you before he resumed the walk outside, opting for an afternoon stroll through the blooming gardens. 

There was a string of doubts that had washed over you before the ceremony. Your new position within the palace had the possibility of changing your dynamic with Chan, a lifelong friend. The one person that you’d always trusted with your life, was now going to have to trust his life with you. 

Your doubts ebbed away over the months that you eased into your new role. You attended meetings with him, travelled throughout the land with him, you even got to attend the balls that he dreaded so much. 

You couldn’t help but translate it to yourself, feeling it settle deeply into your bones. You had no reason to feel that way and told yourself you shared his sentiment: he should be at that ball to look for love, not to strengthen political bonds with allies. 

Even more frequent than before, Chan sought you out. You were never truly off duty after the day concluded, always at the ready for when he needed you, but he wasn’t there as your prince and you knew. He stayed in your chambers until you fell asleep, sometimes he was still there when you woke up. There was no true reason for him to be there other than just… wanting to be there. 

You told yourself you were too tired to protest against him. 

For lack of a better idea, he followed you down to the cells without questions when you had to deal with full moons. You watched him explode out of his own skin every cycle, sitting outside his cell while he howled and growled and tried to claw the place to pieces. You stayed outside of his room when he was too tired to come out after the full moon. 

That was the rhythm you’d fallen into. You told yourself it was for the best that you kept some sort of distance that wouldn’t raise his suspicions. 

The morning after your sixth full moon as his guard, you’d brought him up to his chambers as usual. As you were about to take your stance, he lingered by the door. His hand was already on the knob when he turned around. “Can you stay with me?” 

“I’m always with you,” you answered with a nod. “Take all the time you need.”

“I meant with me. Inside of my chambers.” 

You froze. 

“I just…” He shrugged weakly. “I need you a little closer today.” 

Your heart shouldn’t beat the way it did. Not for him. 

You cleared your throat and brushed your jacket. “If that is what you desire, I shall.” 

“I don’t want the guard,” Chan declared, his hooded eyes scanning every inch of your face. “I want my friend.” 

You swallowed and shot him a small smile. “I will be there.”

He pushed through the door and left it for you to close. The high ceilings were decorated with old paintings, ones you’d seen plenty of times when you were a child. You weren’t supposed to be in his room, ever. 

You stood by the door, watching as Chan trudged towards his bed. His toned down attire and clean appearance almost made you forget what he had to endure every full moon. It was something you were used to by then, but for Chan it still carried a weight he didn’t want. 

His white blouse hugged him loosely, dark brown pants similar to yours hugging his thighs, but of the finer materials specially reserved for royals. He looked over his shoulder. “You don’t have to keep standing there.”

You stepped away from the door. 

He turned around fully and crossed his arms. “Speak.” 

“I don’t–”

“I’m asking this as your friend, not as your prince. Speak.” 

You arched an eyebrow. “You sound an awful lot like the prince.” 

“The line is very thin.” He shrugged. “Something is troubling you and has been for a while.” 

“Today is not about me, but about your recovery,” you answered and walked up to him. “I do not wish to deflect the subject in any way, but I don’t want to place any more burdens on your shoulders.”

“You sound an awful lot like the guard,” Chan bit back, making you chuckle. A small smile appeared on his face as his fingers tucked a lock behind your ear. 

Your eyes widened, your heart hammering in your chest. 

He pulled his hand back. His cheeks flushed a hot pink as he stepped back. “I… I do not know what came over me. I just…”

You placed a hand on his cheek, flaming hot under your touch. Your heart skipped a beat when he leaned into it. 

“I wish this was easier,” he mumbled and closed his eyes. He started leaning in. “I just…” 

“We shouldn’t do this,” you whispered. “Someone of your status–”

“You keep finding new ways to phrase it, however my point remains the same.” His eyes fluttered open. “I can’t ever recall a moment where that mattered to you.”

You took a step away from him, but too small to mirror your words. 

Chan closed the distance, his hands cupping your cheeks. “Let this be our secret. Nobody shall find out.” 

Your lips connected in a kiss, your heart desperately clawing at your ribcage. It was the only way you could give it what it desired. 

You held onto his shirt, clutching it between your fists tightly as if he could evaporate under your touch. As if, when you’d open your eyes, you’d shatter at the reality of your situation. Reality was outside of his chambers, where it couldn’t hurt you. 

He rested his forehead against yours with a small sigh, but you didn’t want to hear it and kissed him again. And again. 

And again. 

The spark became undeniable as the months progressed, but you slipped on a mask when you started appearing out of his room more often than you were allowed to, your skin still tingling from his gentle, tender touches. Full moons didn’t have anything to do with it anymore; he just wanted you close at any moment of the day, even when you were still on duty. 

Sometimes, duty consisted of laying on his bed together, wrapped up in each other’s arms and forgetting the world around you. No matter how difficult you found that to be. 

“I have to go,” you whispered to him and pressed a kiss to his nose. You hoisted yourself up, to the dismay of the prince. You looked over at your shoulder with a chuckle. “I can’t stay here forever, Chan. We both know that I’m still on duty.”

“Then I want you to come back when you’re off duty.”

“Which is never.”

“Exactly, so what does it matter?” Chan shrugged. When he saw you didn’t budge, he pouted. “Please?” 

You put your jacket back on and bowed your head. “When you need me, I will be right outside your door.” 

“I wish to attend the meeting with my father and mother, discussing Lord Beaumont’s possible conspiracy and…” He swallowed as he came up. “The other thing.” 

The other thing, something that had been hanging in the air between you for longer than you allowed yourself to admit. 

You nodded, ignoring the stinging of your chest and handed his dark green, sleeveless overcoat. “Very well, then.” 

You could’ve warned Chan in advance that he would not like what was going to be discussed. Swallowing down a big pile of I told you so’s and the anger that rumbled in your chest, you watched Chan accept his fate in defeat. 

It was his mother who was especially insistent and even the slightest scoff or sigh would’ve sent him to his grave. 

So you saw Chan swallow as well. It was all you could do. 

You glanced at your father, who kept the same neutral expression he’d mastered over the years. Suppressing a defeated sigh, you started thinking about what to pack while the royals finalised your stay, sending out a letter to Lord Beaumont to notify him of your visit. 

“At least his marriage has a chance of success,” Elian told you when you were back in your quarters. “Have you heard the latest news?” 

“They are just rumours, sprout,” your mother commented and handed your comb, which you stuffed in your bag. 

He shook his head firmly. “Jihoon had it confirmed this morning, which is why he wasn’t at the meeting about Lord Beaumont. He was… well, somewhere else.” 

You arched an eyebrow. “What is confirmed?” 

“The Blackspirian crown princess has disappeared, you knew that,” he started and turned your body to you. “Her coronation was supposed to be a month or two ago and the rumours of a coup turned out to be true. They’re going to attack Blackspire and the royal family there has been forced into hiding.” 

You curled your upper lip. “That’s unfortunate. So what’s the news that Jihoon has gotten?” 

“Word came from Nytheria with a proposal.” Elian’s eyes darted between you and your mother. “I know the chances of being allowed to share this information, but if I won’t share it, father would’ve because that’s simply how he is.” He rolled his shoulders back. “He will be betrothed to the Nytherian crown princess to unite our lands.”

“Who is ‘they’?” You asked your brother, but that was where his story ended. That was the thing he was not allowed to say. 

He probably didn’t know, neither did the king nor Jihoon. 

You closed your bag and got up. “Thank you for the help and the company, but I must go. Chan must be waiting for me.” 

Your mother kissed your cheek. “Safe travels, pumpkin. We’ll see you soon.”

“Keep him alive!” Elian called out after you. 

You were silently hoping for the other way around. 

Lord and Miss Beaumont were welcoming and accommodating, even to you. You weren’t stuffed away in a chamber as big as the broom closet, nor were you treated like you were just someone to order around. They respected you and your position and even made conversation with you, especially the duke himself. 

Miss Beaumont was left alone with Chan while you waited outside the room with her father. You felt your chest sting, but you ignored it in favour of conversing with Lord Beaumont, who was enlightening you on his interest in the arts. He was a painter in his free time, and a botanist you learned. His hands had been calloused and rough when he shook your hand. 

Lord Beaumont was a man who did not care as much for status and reputation as much as the other noblemen. That made you feel even more guilty that you were about to destroy his basement. 

You shushed Chan as he started growling. “I know you have little control over this, but please try to silence yourself.” 

He’d gotten better at trying to control himself over the two years that you were his guard. There were even full moons that he did not shift at all, but the agonising state that left him in was probably a hundred times worse than that. 

You were barely able to stomach the sight of him and the toll it was taking on him to fight back. You kneeled down with him and cupped his cheeks. “Just a couple of hours left, okay? I’ll be with you.” 

Chan’s eyes were glimmering in the dim light, crystal white. His grip on your arms was firm, almost bone-crushing, but you bit through it. 

“You’re doing well,” you continued in a whisper and shot him a faint smile. “This is just very unfortunate timing. You’d think that your parents would think twice about sending us here during a full moon.” 

“We’ve all grown too accustomed to it.” Chan groaned and squeezed his eyes shut. “I don’t know if I can hold it any longer–” 

You looked him straight in the eyes and tightened your grip. “I’m afraid we’ll have to.” 

A tear rolled down his cheek as he nodded quickly, his chest rising and falling in big motions.

“It’s a shame the Beaumont’s are nice people, isn’t it?” You commented, your lips curving into a smile when you heard him chuckle. 

“How unfortunate that there are kind nobles.” He looked at you with glistering eyes. “I can’t even begin to describe the pain that is befalling me. It’s unbearable.” 

You chewed your lip and nodded. You got up and walked around the basement, your eyes scanning the area. “We have to do something about this.” 

“Break this forsaken curse.” 

You froze in your tracks.

“I want to break the curse,” Chan said with a trembling voice. “For all of us. My brothers and I have lived with this for long enough, have had to endure all of this because a witch was too fed up with my father for whatever reason.”

You turned around to him. 

He gestured at himself frantically. “Look at what this curse is doing to me! I’m a beast, locked away every full moon and as of now, I’m in the basement of my future wife – if my mother will have her way – who doesn’t even know about all of this!” 

You couldn’t allow yourself to shatter, if you were to be seen caring more for Chan than as his guard… 

“When we return,” Chan spoke determinedly. “I will have a talk with my parents and I cannot begin to care what royal duties they try to bestow upon me instead.” 

You felt your lips curving into a smile. With a satisfied nod, you crossed your arms. “I see that you are biting back, Your Highness.”

“There’s no one else that has the same desires for me and I was counting on their active efforts, so I will do it myself.” He threw his head back and cursed underneath his breath. “After this excruciating pain has passed, that is.” 

You sat down next to him with a nod. “I will be by your side.” 

“As my guard or my…” Chan swallowed. “...you know.” 

You laced your fingers together, his skin soft like silk under your touch. Your heart was playing a symphony for him, one that only he could understand. 

Chan’s breathing was stabilising as you shuffled closer. He looked at your hand, rough and calloused, and kissed it. “Mín Máni,” he muttered. 

Your breath hitched, your heart about to claw its way out of your chest. “Chan, I…” 

“You don’t have to say anything,” he whispered and squeezed your hand. 

In all truth, you opened your mouth but the words were stuck in your throat. Your mind was a clutter of thoughts running rampant. You just let Chan declare you his, even though your realities were worlds apart. You’d been prepared to serve the Crown since you were little, that very day when your father and the king came up to you when you were eight years old. Your fate was set in stone; you were a servant and were never destined for something more.

Chan had been born into royalty, had always been treated like he was on top of the world and had a multitude of people that stood at his ready when he needed them. He didn’t have to worry about whether his bow was deep enough, or if he addressed someone by the correct title. Hell, if he even addressed them in the correct order. He was the one on the receiving end. 

Chan was a prince, never destined for something less, and the ease in which he showed his affections rekindled a sliver of hope that maybe, it would be in the cards.

Something you could not afford, no matter how desperately your heart desired it. No matter that, in its own twisted way, something about your affections grounded him. 

“It is unfair to sit here, with Miss Beaumont upstairs so painfully unaware of my situation,” Chan spoke softly. His signs of struggle had seemed to calm down, the only hint that it could still go downhill being the glowing of his eyes. 

“Do you want to do this for Miss Beaumont?” You asked without a second thought. 

He released his hand from yours with a huff, making you arch your eyebrow. “There’s no need to give me such a look. You know that’s not why I want to do this.”

“Do I?” You shot him a slight smile and turned a quarter to face him. “Chan, you should try and find a solution for you, not to please a possible future wife, or your mother for that matter, or because you assume that is all people see you as.”

He stared ahead of him, the words between you unspoken but piercing your chest nonetheless. 

You decided to leave it at that and sat against the wall, right next to him. Your destined place in the world in the worst possible way. 

The rest of the night passed in small conversations which made it more than clear that Chan hadn’t liked your suggestion. He wasn’t losing control over it, fortunately, but his mood was a lot worse than usual. 

You joined Chan, standing right behind his seat as he ate with Lord and Miss Beaumont. You felt your eyelids getting heavy and you struggled to fight against the exhaustion washing over you. 

Miss Beaumont, who was facing you, seemed to recognise the same in Chan and put her cutlery down. “Your Highness, are you well?” Her warm, cheerful voice cut through the silence.

You had no trouble imagining the struggle to compose himself and all you were looking at was the back of his head. 

“I’m perfectly fine,” he answered. “Sometimes, there are certain… disagreements that linger far more than they should and it has kept me up for a considerable portion of the night.” 

You struggled to not roll your eyes, or kick his chair. Maybe it was acceptable to yank his head back and pretend like you hadn’t done anything at all afterwards. 

“Oh, how awful,” Miss Beaumont commented gracefully. She nodded her head once with that sweet smile of hers. “Please, take your time to rest today and we will resume our pleasantries after you feel better.” 

Chan opted to finish his breakfast first, declaring it improper to walk away in the middle of it. From the back of his head, you knew he was studying her response carefully. 

You looked at Miss Beaumont as well and watched how her lips curved into a smile again. It didn’t quite reach her eyes and her nod was rehearsed, quick in reflex. She didn’t accompany her actions with words, except for the usual agreement out of politeness. Expectations, even. 

Chan didn’t want you to, but you trailed behind him to his chambers anyway. He stopped in front of the door and turned around. “Are you seriously unaware of my motives?” 

You arched an eyebrow. “You’ve spent all morning moping around, wallowing in your anger and discontent and now you ask me that question?”

“I’m given little choice in what I do,” he answered. “Not only because my parents are hypocrites for using me as a political bargaining tool when their marriage was out of a place of love, but also because every full moon, I turn into something so terrifying and dangerous that I am forced to hide it away from everyone.” He shrugged weakly, offering a small smile. “It is no way to live and you know that as well as I do. That is why I’m doing this.”

He stepped up to you. “Or is it wrong from me to want something for once in my life? To take the reins and steer it where I want it to go?”

You swallowed when you looked at him, your heart galloping in your chest. You slowly shook your head. 

Chan nodded contently and took a step back. “I shall rest now.”

You bowed your head. “And I shall be outside your door. Whenever you need me, you just need to call for me.” 

His fingers brushed your shoulders when he slipped past you, leaving a trail of heat. His eyes twinkled when you locked eyes and he twisted the doorknob. “When we’re going to find a cure,” he said. “It’s just going to be you and me and we can do whatever we want.”

You forced a smile and nodded. 

Chan returned it and went inside, closing the door behind him. 

You should feel like the luckiest woman in the world. You should feel like you’re floating on a cloud, untouchable and secure. All you could feel instead was the words swallowing you whole until there was nothing left of you. 

Chan’s determination lifted your spirits at least a little on your way back home. The worries that you had before faded with every turn of the carriage’s wheels. You’d almost felt free, being alone with him apart from the footman. 

Until you were back at the palace and reality shackled you again. 

You stood behind him during the requested audience with his parents. You were in the drawing room, your attire blending into the walls. It was almost as if you weren’t there at all. 

It especially applied to the queen. 

“We will not risk losing you to such dangers,” she said resolutely. “You are staying here for your duties and when you’re married, you have all the freedom in the world to break the curse.” 

Chan shook his head. “No, I’m not waiting. This is getting too out of hand.” 

You felt your throat dry out when the queen looked at you, her eyes so cold that you wondered if she was made of ice. 

“She has nothing to do with this, mother. This was all my idea,” he said calmly. “I want to break my curse, not her.” 

“Perhaps you did not hear me correctly, Chan.” She stepped up to him. “You are staying here for your duties. When you are wed, you can seek a cure for your situation.” 

Chan lowered his eyes and your heart dropped when you saw him nodding. “Yes, mother,” he mumbled and bowed when she stormed out of the room. 

You did the same. When you looked up, you saw the king still in the room. 

“I apologise for your mother, son,” he spoke gently. “I fail to understand what has come over her in recent years. She was never like this when you were a child.” 

“It doesn’t matter, father,” Chan replied. “She has said to stay here. I have no choice but to follow her orders. She’s my queen as much as she is my mother.” 

“Only because I am the king.” 

You tilted your head. 

The king offered Chan to sit as he sat back down as well. His eyes locked with yours and he smiled. “Sit down, child.” 

You scrambled up and bowed before you sat down next to Chan. You felt his hand brushing the side of your leg before he put it on his lap. The tips of your ears burned up and you averted your eyes. 

“Let me start by saying that I understand your mother’s concerns,” the king started. “There’s no saying what the witch will do when you stand in front of her, but that is no reason to let you or any of your brothers suffer.” 

You pushed your brows together. As you started digging in your memory, you could only recall Jihoon. There was no way you would ever forget him. 

The king looked at you and smiled painfully. “Ah.” 

An eerie feeling settled in your bones. 

Chan glanced aside, but when you locked eyes, he lowered his eyes. 

“The witch you need to seek out lives in the woods, up north. They split our land and Nytheria’s, but she lives on our territory. Confined, that is, in woods so dark you can’t see.” 

You still refused to believe that she would’ve been so angry over a man that she cursed his entire future. There was no way to prove otherwise yet, so you had to believe your father and the king’s word over it. 

“Once again, there is no saying what she will do when you present yourself to her. She might be willing to help, but she also might just… you know.” 

“Murder me brutally, yes.” Chan slapped his thighs with a smile. “At least I’m not the heir, right? Or the spare.” 

The king’s face fell. “That doesn’t make you any less than your brothers, son. I care a great deal about your well-being and I am devastated to witness how much you’re suffering.” He glanced at you with an almost unnoticeable smile. “You have the perfect help by your side, but that doesn’t mean that this should be what you need to live with forever.”

Chan was as surprised as you were, but he kept his thoughts to himself. 

“Your Majesty,” you spoke up and bowed your head. “May I ask you a question?”

“Of course, my child.”

You shuffled in your seat and cleared your throat. “I was just wondering what makes this moment so different from all the others that Chan has been in such distress over his situation.” 

Any other king would’ve sent you straight to the executioner, put you on trial for stepping above your station. You were a guard. You had no right to speak up. 

King Jiu chuckled warmly, welcoming your thoughts and opinions like you weren’t just a guard to him. 

“You remind me of Clement, dear, both so eager to help the ones that need it.” His eyes held the warmth of your own father when he looked at you. “Your father tried when you and Chan were very young. We almost lost him trying to locate the witch who bestowed this upon us. I sent a variety of soldiers her way over the years and none returned with the news we desired. We were in luck if they returned at all.”

You glanced at Chan. 

“So we decided,” he continued. “if Chan ever expressed the desire to rid himself of this curse, I would provide him all the information he needs. Maybe it is not our decision to make after all, especially because she has a personal vendetta against me.” 

You swallowed the sour taste in the back of your throat and nodded. You bowed your head once again and sat back in your seat. 

“Thank you, father,” Chan spoke softly. 

The king shuffled closer to him. “You can always decide whether you’d like to seek her out, but I wanted you to know either way.” 

Chan flew forward and wrapped his arms around his father, the man happily returning his affection. 

He locked eyes with you once again and offered you a nod. All you could do was return it. 

With a bow, both you and Chan left the room. The words hung between you as you followed Chan to the gardens, all the way to the back where barely any royal threaded. He took you there often when he wanted to be alone, where there were no eyes on you. 

You reached out to him, your heart racing in your chest. With trembling fingers, your hand touched his arm as you moved to stand next to him. You looked up at him with a small smile before you retreated your hand. 

Chan pulled you into his side instead, his hand resting on the small of your back. 

The voice in your head screaming that this was all wrong was overpowered by an overwhelming desire to stay. The world you were moving in ceased to exist and you weren’t standing in palace gardens, or burdened by duty. You weren’t crossing a line with a prince that would never be yours. You were you and Chan was Chan, even in his gold embroidered, dark green overcoat and the emblem dangling from his side. 

“I do not know whether I am convincing myself of something non-existent, or whether I truly believe my mother is right.” 

You snapped up at him. 

“Maybe,” Chan continued. “I should marry before I can settle this.”

You released yourself. 

“Wait, that is not at all what I intended–”

“You should make up your mind, Chan,” you said tautly. “You can not whisper these… these sweet nothings to me, calling me your moon for that matter, kiss and touch me to then turn around and give in to your mother’s demands.” 

He opened his mouth, but you jumped in. 

“You know that it is not what you want, so why don’t you stay true to your values?” 

“Because it’s hard to go against the person who both raised and rules over you. And she’s becoming increasingly meddlesome and… harsh.” Chan stepped up to you. “I don’t expect you to understand the position I find myself in, but all I want is peace in my family. The curses are doing enough to rip us apart.” 

You crossed your arms over your chest when he reached out to you. “I don’t want to be tossed aside for something you do not desire, not when I…” You paused and looked at him. “I don’t want to lose you and become just your guard, that’s all.” 

He grabbed your hands and a buzz shot all the way to your belly. His sharp eyes were soft every time they looked at you and you struggled to stay afloat. “You will not lose me. I care too much about you to allow it.” 

“Promise me that you will think about this,” you said softly. “You should not push your own wishes aside to please your mother’s.” You shook your hands as you looked in his eyes. “This curse will be broken one way or the other. You can count on that.” 

You woke up at night after hearing a thud in your sleep. You almost wanted to rule it as that until Chan’s silhouette in the doorframe gave you the heartache of the century. 

He shushed you before you could scream the entire wing awake and hurried up to you. 

“It’s the middle of the night,” you hissed and covered yourself with the blanket. 

“Yes, but father has his greatest ideas at this hour and it appears, so do I!” As your eyes adjusted to the dark, you could see him beaming at you. “I’ve spoken to him before coming here and he sends a carriage out at dawn. Don’t wear your official attire, though.” 

You cocked an eyebrow. “What…” 

“We’re going to the north.” 

“Splendid idea. Can I go back to sleep now? Dawn is about three hours away. Two, if you count me having to pack.” 

“Oh! Yes, of course.” He stepped back, looking at you in anticipation. 

You let out a deep sigh and beckoned him. “One kiss and then you need to go back to your own chambers.” 

Chan’s lips connected with yours and you felt him smile against your touch. He hovered in front of your face when he pulled back. “I’ll see you at dawn.”

When he tiptoed out of your chambers, you couldn’t help but smile. His exuberant nature was still there, although buried under a thick layer of responsibility and expectations. 

You slipped out of your room and towards the entrance of the palace, where Chan was already waiting for you. 

He leaned against the carriage and perked up, jogging up to you with a bright smile. “You’re here! I was hoping your half-asleep self hadn’t forgotten.” 

“How could I, after the near heart failure you gave me standing in my chambers in the night?” You brushed down the folds of your red dress and held your arm out. “Is this unofficial enough?” 

Chan scanned you up and down, his cheeks flushing a light pink. “Yeah. That, um… Perfect.” 

You observed his black blouse and pants, covered by a cloak that matched your dress. You offered a satisfied nod and brushed some dust off his cloak. When you looked up, his eyes had softened and his lips curved into a smile. 

“Thank you for doing this with me,” he said. “I owe you.” 

“You can make it up to me when we’re on the road.” You pressed a kiss to his cheek and brushed past him to the carriage. 

Chan’s eyes widened before he scrambled after you. “I… I mean, if you’d like–” 

You looked over your shoulder with a nonchalant shrug and stepped onto the stairs. “Fill that in however you like, Your Highness.” 

He chewed his lip before plopping them. “I don’t know how I feel about it when you put so much emphasis on it.” 

You leaned in with a soft whisper, holding on to the side of the carriage. “You love it.” 

Chan’s eyes twinkled mischievously, making you flutter. He whisked you inside with a smile, but you had little chance to do so. 

Her bellows cut through the peaceful morning and made your blood run cold. You turned your head and she stormed towards you in her robe, two maids running after her as elegantly as they could. She pointed her finger at you, her eyes piercing through you directly. 

“You,” She spat. “What is the meaning of this?!” 

“Mother–” Chan was silenced by a deadly glare and lowered his eyes. 

You looked at her and curtsied. “Good morning, Your Majesty. My apologies for the concern–” 

“Apologies?!” She hollered. “I am no fool, little girl!”

You arched an eyebrow. “Little girl? My sincerest pardon, but I am a woman, Your Majesty. A woman with the full right to accompany my friend and prince on his journey.” 

The queen stormed up to you, the fire crackling behind her eyes almost literally. “You are very brave for speaking in the manner you do,” she said lowly. “I suggest you step down–”

“I suggest leaving her alone.” 

Both of your heads whipped to Chan. His eyes pierced through his mother when he spoke. “This was my choice and I stand behind it. She’s only here to accompany me as my guard. You know, doing her job as is expected of her.” He tilted his head to the side with narrowed eyes. “Would you have liked me venturing on my own while she was here at the palace? Or is this a personal issue with her?” 

The queen scoffed and pointed her finger at him. “You’re going to regret this, Chan. I really hope you do.” 

You watched her storm back inside and couldn’t help but feel a shiver travelling down your spine. When you were little, she’d never been like this. Maybe when her sons needed discipline – they were boys, after all – but she was never this… hostile. And controlling. 

Looking back at Chan, you started wondering if he and his brother weren’t the only ones that were cursed. Maybe she had suffered too and she did so in silence. To protect her already crumbling family from more hurt. 

And this was the result. 

Before anyone else could express their discontent, you left palace grounds and went on your way. For once, you were travelling inside the carriage and not on top next to the footman. Watching the outlines of your city disappear into the distance, you sank deeper into your thoughts. 

The story had to be missing something. A witch had gotten a hold over a prince, but he fell in love with a girl and the spell was broken. The witch grew resentful and swore to take everything away that he loved, bringing him down to his knees until there was nothing left to destroy. She cursed their children and presumably, the queen as well. 

And you still refused to believe that a witch went that low for a boy, nonetheless.

You looked at Chan. “Do you know anything about your mother?” 

His eyes darted to you and scanned you curiously. 

“Is she cursed as well?” 

“I’ve had my suspicions, yes.” He leaned his head back against the interior with a sigh. “I think today confirmed them. I refuse to believe that mother is like this. She was always so…” 

“Caring, and sweet.” 

Chan looked out of the window again. 

You reached for his hand and placed yours on top. “If there’s a way to break her curse as well, if she has one, we will do so.” 

“I’m doing this for everyone,” he said determinedly. “For my parents, Jihoon and… and Seokmin.” 

You pushed your brows together, but Chan didn’t seem too eager to elaborate. You sat back in your seat and looked out of the window, the exhilaration you’d experienced before nothing more than a dying flame. 

“Well,” Chan clicked his tongue upon the sight and looked at you. “it’s better than sleeping outside, or in the carriage.” 

You crossed your arms with a frown. “We can easily travel through the night and find a tavern or something. No need to stay in a house whose roof can collapse any moment.”

Chan looked up at the sky and then at you. “It’s quite dark. I don’t want anything happening to you.” 

“I can fight.” 

He chuckled. “That I’m sure of, my dearest.” 

Your cheeks flushed a shade as red as your dress and you peeled away from him. You cleared your throat and brushed the folds of your skirt. “Your call. I follow.”

Chan marched inside. 

You looked over your shoulder at the footman, who slumped in his seat. “I wish he was easier to convince.”

“I will celebrate the day that ever occurs, miss.” 

Shooting him an apologetic smile, you followed the prince inside. 

Chan was already trying to start a fire and you froze in your tracks. The sight of him trying to light the branches in the hearth made you both laugh and want to pull your hair out, so you relieved him of his duties. He looked at you curiously and it took everything in you to not give into your desires. 

“You’ll be sitting here until we’re leaving in the morning,” you clarified and lit a small piece of wood before throwing it on the fire. 

His mouth formed an ‘O’ shape, his cheeks flushing a light pink. 

“You learn something new every day.” You smiled and pressed a kiss to his cheek. 

He returned the favour with a kiss to your lips, his hand cupping your cheek. He pulled back before you could melt into it, his eyes closed. “I still have to make something up to you,” he whispered and caressed your cheek with his thumb. 

A buzz shot all the way to your lower body when his hand travelled down your curves, his lips connecting with your neck. You fluttered when he nipped on your pulse. “Chan,” you gasped and looked through the window. “The footman–”

“He will swear to secrecy,” he mumbled in between kisses. “Or are you able to keep quiet?” 

You scoffed playfully. “I can, thank you very much.” 

“That’s unfortunate.” 

You turned your head, making him look up. “You grew some audacity since we left the palace grounds.” 

Chan snickered and brushed your hair to the side. “I won’t do anything you don’t desire, my love.” 

The truth was that your desires knew no limit, but that was the problem. You weren’t allowed to and you knew. Chan knew as well, but his consequences were a lot less severe than yours and he could allow himself to care less. 

You shuffled away and rested your head on his shoulder. “This is all I want right now,” you whispered. 

Chan wrapped his arm around you with a hum, the crackling flames reflecting in his eyes. When you locked eyes, he smiled. 

“What if this turns into something…” 

“Real?”

You nodded and looked away from him. “I guess.”

Chan’s grip tightened. “I… I fear I do not have an answer for that. My family’s lineage has always consisted of nobles marrying each other. People with titles, and wealth.” He tucked a lock behind your ear. “Mother was the daughter of a duke before she married father and their match – unlike many others – was a genuine love match. Although I have no trouble believing that there was a political motive behind it.” 

“My family carries no titles, yet they are among the most trusted people for yours.” You looked up. “Do you carry the same sentiment? That you need to keep your lineage… noble?” 

He shook his head. “But the people that decide for me…”

“I understand.” 

Your words came out harsher than you intended to. You weren’t hostile – in fact, it had been all you knew since you lived in the palace – but something inside of you crumbled every time Chan laid the subject to rest so easily. As if he had no plans to fight for his own agency. 

To fight for you. 

You peeled away from him and got up. “I’m going to get some rest. We have long days ahead of us tomorrow.”

He called out to you, but you shook your head and walked to the chambers. 

Chan grabbed your wrist and turned you around. “I promise I will fight,” he said determinedly. 

You had to make due with it and nodded. “I hope you will,” were the words you left him outside of the door  with. 

You’d gotten up at the crack of dawn to prepare your departure alongside the footman. You felt guilty enough about having left him alone and you hoped that he invited himself in at least. 

When you entered the living room with your bag, the fire was still crackling. A silhouette was in front of the couch, his back facing you. You immediately recognised the mop of dark brown hair and your heart made a jump. 

Without saying much, you greeted him and headed outside to see the footman loading the carriage. You gave him the bag and wanted to check the rest of the carriage, but he stopped you. 

“His Royal Highness has already lended me some help, miss,” he told you. “If you are ready, we can depart.”

Your mouth formed an ‘O’ shape before you clicked your tongue. You bobbed your head and turned on your heel to go back inside. 

Chan had come up and stood by the couch, his smile lighting up the room. His hands were balled into fists and he lingered where he was standing, the restraint clear as day. 

You cleared your throat and brushed the folds of your dress. “Alright, I am ready. We’ll search for something to eat once we’re up north.”

He nodded and followed you outside. He waited until you were in the carriage before he got in and took his seat across from you. 

You stretched your fingers and looked out of the window, feeling your heart sinking in your chest. You’d hoped that he would at least sit next to you. 

The ride was so silent that you could combust out of your skin, even though you didn’t know what to say to him. Or maybe you did, but it was so overwhelmingly much that you were best off not saying anything at all. 

A line of trees appeared on the horizon when the sun was setting. Chan had repeatedly started conversations that you cut short with half-assed answers and gave up halfway through the day. 

You took a deep breath when you pushed out of the carriage, the pressing feeling on your chest ebbing away. Chan took you to a tavern in town, where you finally got some food and proper shelter. 

Shelter that included one room because that was the only room they had available. You were sure that the universe was planning something. 

“I’ll sleep in the chair, if that makes you more comfortable,” Chan said and removed his shoes. 

“No, it’s fine,” you heard yourself say. When you turned to him, he looked as surprised as you. You shrugged weakly. “I mean, we’ve been in the same bed before, right? What’s so different about this time?”

The question was unnecessary, stupid, even. You both stared the inevitable truth in the face, but both of you looked away before it consumed you. 

You slid in bed and Chan did the same. You just laid there, staring at the cracks in the ceiling without a word. From the corner of your eye, you saw Chan rolling on his side. 

“Hey.”

You glanced at him shortly before peeling away. 

“The last thing I want to do is upset you,” he said softly. “I’m just… I’m torn, but you shouldn’t suffer under that.”

“We’ll see when the time comes,” you replied and turned on your side, facing away from him. “I’m going to get some proper rest. We have quite the journey ahead of us, still.”

“Okay,” he whispered in defeat. 

Something inside of you crumbled until there was nothing left. 

–

Chan grew increasingly restless the closer you got to the witch. He hadn’t said much to you since you went on your way again and neither had you tried to initiate anything. 

He knocked on the roof of the carriage and it grinded to a halt. You’d continue the rest of the journey on foot. 

You pulled your sword out of the luggage and turned to Chan, who arched an eyebrow. “Precautionary measures.”

“Right.” He clicked his tongue and started walking. “Coming?”

You fell into step with him, the sword resting in your hand. You had no idea what you were about to encounter and even if you came as Chan’s… friend, you were still his protector. The queen was already coming after you, but if he was harmed in your care. You’d cease to exist, to put it mildly. 

The woods had nearly overgrown, almost like a protection barrier between her and the rest of the world. When the king talked about living in confinement, he was not overstating his case in the slightest. 

It felt like a trap and an invite all at once, as if the witch was luring you in with a false promise and today would be the last day you’d see the outer world. Forever chained in her prison of doom, or revenge. 

Your father had threaded here as well years ago and nearly gave his life for Chan. If the dangers he encountered back then still roamed now, you followed in his footsteps closely. Your chest filled with warmth. This was what you were destined to do. If you had to die, then you did it with pride. 

The world around you went dark. 

You whipped out your sword and circled around, your back pressed against Chan’s. Your eyes struggled to adjust, the woods so thick that it blocked the light from coming through. 

“I see the path,” Chan whispered and looked over his shoulder. “Stay close to me.”

“Legally required to.” You clenched the handle of the sword in your fist as you stuck to his side. “Wait, how do you see where we’re going?”

“No matter how much I hate it, being a werewolf comes with perks.” 

Your head snapped his way. “Night vision.”

Chan stayed silent, but you could see the silhouette of his head going up and down. “I need you to stay really close to me. You still have no idea where we’re headed.”

“My eyes can’t seem to adjust well.” You hummed. “Would this be deliberate? So it’s only you who will seek her out?” 

His hand found the small of your back and your stomach fluttered. “I’m still taking you with me.” 

Your cheeks flushed with heat and you looked away. Even in the darkest woods of the entire region, you still felt watched and uneasy. The further you threaded into the woods, the worse you started to feel. 

Chan halted in his tracks.

You held your sword out in front of you, in a whole of nothingness. 

“The path stopped here,” he whispered and pulled you close. “It’s just… gone.” 

The air punched out of your lungs.

“I’m so sorry. We’ll turn back–” 

You swallowed harshly. “Don’t tell me the path disappeared.”

“The path disappeared.”

You muttered to yourself and wiped your forehead. “Gods… Okay. So we’re in the middle of the woods without a clue how to go forward or turn back.” You turned to Chan’s silhouette. “Do you see what I’m getting at?”

“A trap?”

Hearing it out loud choked the last bit of air out of your lungs. “I know someone in my position shouldn’t panic, but forgive me if I do. I’ve never found myself in black woods with a disappearing path.”

“We’re going to continue.” 

You snapped at him. 

“It’s a trap, but she’s testing me,” Chan said determinedly. “She’s testing what I’ll do now. And I say we continue straight onwards, where the woods grow even thicker.”

You had no time to protest as he pulled your arm. 

“If she’s living in confinement, she has to be where the woods are almost impenetrable.” Chan’s hand rested on your back again. “She refuses to be found.”

“Except by you.” 

“Because it’s my curse to break. And I want it broken.” 

A bright light danced around you.

You held your sword out while covering your eyes, Chan’s grip on you tightening. It was as if you were sucked out of this world, but before the feeling could settle it was gone. 

The deafening silence was replaced by the crackling of a hearth. 

Your heart burned in your ribcage when you looked up, but there was no one there. You pushed Chan behind you and checked every nook and cranny of the room. 

“You don’t need that here.”

You and Chan yelped. You snapped towards the sound and looked right in the eyes of a slender woman, black hair flowing around her graciously. 

She bowed her head. “Your Royal Highness. I’ve been expecting you for a while.”

He swallowed and squeezed your waist. “Is that so?” 

Her hand waved to the chairs. “Sit down, please. We have a lot to talk about.” Her smile was comforting and you hated that you started warming up to her already. It was exactly what she wanted. 

The witch held the kettle up. “Tea?”

“If you don’t mind, we skip the tea party,” you cut in. “I would like to believe you’re a very kind woman, but we have reason to assume otherwise.”

“Of course you do. That’s why you’re here, aren’t you?” She smiled at you. “You look just like your father, sweetheart. He should be very proud to have raised such a strong yet graceful young woman.” 

Chan snorted.

You shot him a glare. 

“What? She called you graceful. Should we tell her about all of the dresses you ruined during sword practice, or your first time in heels?” 

The witch chuckled. “You go way back, don’t you? You seem to be very well acquainted.” 

You cleared your throat and shuffled away from him. 

“I see.” She folded her hands together and smiled. “Tell me, Your Royal Highness, what can I do for you?”

“Gee, let me think.” Chan rubbed his chin. “I am cursed, causing me to turn into a werewolf every full moon. Tea, perhaps?” 

“You have your mother’s wits.” She sat down and crossed one leg over the other. 

You scanned her face, but she didn’t move a muscle. You swung the sword over your shoulder and leaned on one hip, lingering behind Chan. 

“What you can do for me is tell me how to break the curse,” Chan said with crossed arms. “I don’t know what else you expected.” 

The witch leaned back in her chair. “Why is it you crossed the land for this, Chan?”

He scoffed. “Because this curse is undeserved, why else?” 

She leaned on her hand and bobbed her head. 

“I don’t know what vendetta you have against my father, but what did I do to you?” 

“It’s his punishment, nothing personal against you.” 

You glanced at Chan, whose eyes hardened. You held the sword by your side, squeezing the handle. 

She turned to you with a smile. “You can put the sword down, dear. I’m not here to kidnap, kill nor trap you, whatever the king has promised you I’d do.” 

“We’ll see.”

The witch leaned forward. “When you break a deal, Chan,” her eyes pierced right through him. “there’s certain consequences that befall upon you.” She leaned back in her seat again and waved her hand as if the subject was laid to rest. “Ask your parents. I’m sure they’re no strangers to it.”

He opened his mouth. 

“The details of my encounter with the king serve you no purpose. Why are you here?”

Chan balled his fists. “Because this curse controls every aspect of my life, and everything I do is carefully curated around a full moon. That is no way to live now, is it?” 

She narrowed her eyes. “Why are you really here, Chan?” 

You glanced aside, your heart pulsing in your ears. 

He swallowed harshly and looked away. 

The witch inhaled sharply and got up. “Well, if that’s something you do not wish to share, then there’s no use of me helping you.”

“Wait.” You walked up to her. “You’re just giving up on him?” 

“He’s giving up on himself, if anything.” She smiled at you. “You did the right thing by coming here anyway, sweetheart. You have no idea what change you two are bringing forth.”

You looked back at Chan, whose eyes were lowered. As you walked up to him, you tossed the sword to your side. You cupped his cheeks, making him look up. “Listen, whatever choice you’re about to make now, I support it okay? But you’ve already put in so much work, so please, for yourself, don’t throw it all away now.” 

He looked at you with a faint smile, tears glimmering behind his eyes. “I finally felt like I was making my own choice by coming here. By taking control of my life instead of living the life that I thought I needed to live to be happy.” A tear escaped his eye. “I can’t be happy like this and for the first time in my life, I prioritise my needs above someone else’s. I want this curse to be broken, for myself and for my family.” 

You smiled and wiped his tear away. “And we are going to make sure this curse breaks. You’ll never have to do this alone.” 

“You just fulfilled the first step.” 

Chan looked past you and peeled away from you. “What do you mean?” 

You turned around to the witch as well and eyed her curiously. 

“You took the reigns of life in your own hands without crawling back,” she told him. “Only we ourselves can control our own fates. What others do, is up to them.” 

“Do you mean…” 

She gave him a faint smile. “You can only break your own curse, Chan. Your family has to seek me out themselves, or find the solution on their own, to break theirs.” 

“How do I do it?” Chan waved his hand. “Break my curse.” 

“By doing just that.” She smiled. “And you have the right person by your side, that is all you’ll need.” 

The room fell silent, apart from the crackling fire. You glanced at Chan and then at the witch, but you refrained from saying anything. 

Chan thanked her with a weak smile and told her you’d be on your away again. “It’s a long way back to the castle,” he said. “We better make haste.”

“I’ll help you on your way.” 

And before you knew it, you were back at the carriage. 

You’d doubted – even in his childhood – that Chan had ever had a lecture of that capacity. 

His mother went off on him, telling him that he could’ve died. She yelled about how it was inconsiderate of him, that he was in no position to step out of line. Whenever the king wanted to intervene, her screams shut him right up. There was almost a literal fire spitting behind her eyes that made even Jihoon shiver. 

Jihoon, who was staring his younger brother down without a thought behind his eyes. When he looked at you, you had trouble believing that he was even real. 

The king tried once again, but his wife almost literally gagged him. 

She moved on to how he deserved the failed attempt. That was what he got for going against her wishes, against his family. You bit your tongue harshly when she ripped into him about his curse. That he must deserve to live with it because it clearly hadn’t worked. She’d never even believed it would.

You balled your fist and looked away, the anger burning in your ribcage.  

And Chan? He was just taking it all in. He was completely fine with his mother talking to him like that. 

“Darling–”

“Don’t get me started on you, Jiu,” The queen continued, her voice rumbling in her throat. “If it wasn’t for your recklessness, your blindness to the dangers around you, Chan would’ve never even gone up there to try and break the curse.” She pointed at him. “If anything, it’s your fault that we’re all here. You should’ve never crossed that witch in the first place.”

The king glanced at you before his eyes lowered. “I know that I made a terrible mistake when I was young, but I’m trying everything in my might to fix it, Nari. Can’t you see that?”

“We’re all suffering because of you!” She screamed, a bitter chuckle leaving her lips. “Gods, Jiu! Look at what is happening to our family! You can’t close your eyes to it forever! You can’t declare yourself innocent the moment you told Chan where to find her! It’s still you why we’re here!”

“Mother–”

“Not another word!” She bellowed.

Chan flinched, his eyes blown wide open. 

Something inside of you snapped. 

“I won’t understand the concern you’re experiencing as a mother right now, but I will not just stand here and watch you obliterate your own son,” you said tightly. When her head snapped your way, you gulped. 

You shook your head. “No. You can’t intimidate me. Blame me all you want, but it’s getting you nowhere. All Chan wants is to be free from his curse. I will support him every step of the way.”

“But that’s the problem now, isn’t it?” She took a step towards you. “Every time I see him, you’re there. Every step he takes is yours, his breath is yours.” Another step forward. “Is it not enough for you to just be here? To have this position bestowed upon you? Why must you steal his affections away from actual, eligible young ladies?” 

You clenched your jaw. “That is very bold to say to someone who’s kept your son alive the past couple of years, who kept him from transforming.”

“And that is all you should do.” She lifted her chin. “You’re a guard in this palace, sweetheart. That is all you’ll ever be so I suggest you stay in your station.” 

You swallowed and looked away. 

“That is enough!” Chan’s voice hollered through the air. “Have you any respect for her?! After everything she’s done for me?!” 

You fought the tears behind your eyes and crossed your arms over your body. 

“Lee Chan–”  

“No!” He yelled again. “You are disrespecting the only person who’s stuck by my side, who’s been there through every high and every low and I’ve had quite some lows!” 

You looked at him, his eyes spat fire just like hers, but something else sparked the flame. It wasn’t anger, or revenge that he was looking for. 

“I’m sick of your meddling, and you trying to tell me how to live my life! Can it not be enough that I am happy, all the while serving under your iron fist?!” 

The queen marched up to him, but Chan didn’t move a muscle. 

“I should’ve done this sooner, way sooner, but you can’t tell me what to do anymore, mother,” he spoke fiercely. “And you know what? Those eligible young ladies you mentioned earlier? They can never be fulfilling to me, no matter how beautiful or kind, or perfect for that matter.” 

You held your breath when he looked his mother right in the eyes. “I’ve already found that in someone else. And she’s standing in this room with us.”

Your heart shouldn’t beat how it did in that moment, not with the looming threat of the queen’s rule hanging above your head. “Chan, I–”

Chan turned around with a smile. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything.”

You wanted to say everything, but the words got stuck in your throat, choking on them until you were in tears. 

“The truth is,” he continued and took a step towards you. “I’ve enjoyed her company more than I was allowed to, and it was when she was appointed my guard that I really found myself falling for her. The proximity in which our time was spent is both a blessing and a curse.  The last thing I want is to put her position or her future in jeopardy, but I crave to be with her, and I pulled every excuse I could think of to make her stay a little longer, even if all I was just… admiring her.”

Chan’s cheeks were a deep shade of red that matched your dress, but his eyes twinkled, his smile lighting up the grim room. “I don’t know if I’ve always felt this way about you, but I’m very certain how I’m feeling right now.” He looked at his mother again, his chin lifted in the air. “I love her. I love her with everything I have.”

Your legs felt heavy when you put a step forward, your world spinning until you felt your stomach turning upside down. 

He smiled at you. “I love you.” And he spoke your name with such certainty that every weight that shackled you evaporated. “I want you to know that, no matter if you return those feelings. And I’ll always love you whatever happens between us going forward.”

You gave him a smile through your tears. “You’re a fool if you think I don’t love you back.”

He chuckled weakly.

“I have loved you since the day I became your guard and there’s nothing in this world that will stop me from loving you. They can put us lands apart, put me deep underground, and I will always hold space in my being for you.”

Chan leapt forward and your lips came together in a kiss. It wasn’t a careful peck, or one that made the air grow thick, that left more questions hanging between you. For the first time, the kiss was the answer, sealing the union between you and him openly and loudly. Without leaving you ashamed, or regretful. 

This was what you truly wanted and finally, you could say it aloud. 

A wave rushed over you like a strong wind. 

You pulled back from Chan and snapped around. The white wave faded out in the back of the room and was gone before you could open your mouth. When you looked back at Chan, he didn’t look any wiser. 

“Chan.”

His head turned into the direction of his father. 

Jiu smiled at him. “How do you feel?”

Chan opened his mouth before he clenched his jaws. He tilted his head, his brows knitted together. “I’m fine, why?”

He nodded his head to the window and you both looked. 

The setting sun was making way for the full moon. 

You froze. 

Chan’s eyes darted around the room as he rubbed his fingers together, waiting for what had been coming ever since he could remember. 

Nothing was happening. 

You glanced at the queen, who had an eyebrow arched. “May I speak up or is that above my station as well?”

She huffed and looked out of the window. 

“Speak, child,” the king invited you gently. “That is never above your station.”

“Jiu–”

“If the King says it’s not above one’s station, it’s not,” he told his wife. “Are we understood?”

She lowered her eyes. 

The king smiled at you. “What is it you want to say?”

“I have reason to believe that Chan’s curse has broken just now,” you said casually, but the edge of happiness couldn’t help but come through. “Perhaps a reason for celebration?”

He laughed warmly, a sound you hadn’t heard from him in years. “One of many, child.” He turned to Chan with a smile. 

Chan returned it faintly. “I know this is not the path you might have wanted for me…”

“All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy and find someone you love.” His eyes darted to Jihoon, who’d been a silent onlooker of the situation. “For all of you.” 

“Yes, father,” Jihoon answered stoically. 

You looked at Chan and a smile etched into your face. “Mission accomplished.”

He chuckled and slid an arm around you, his hand finding the small of your back. “Accomplished, indeed.”

The next evening, the king hosted a dinner in celebration of Chan. Both of your families had united and the table had been more lively than you could ever remember. Even Jihoon had let a smile escape his lips before he quickly composed himself. 

You’d eaten more than you could handle and you blew your cheeks when the staff offered a glass of champagne. When you tried to decline, they insisted it was the king’s orders so you took it. 

The king stood at the head of the table, the queen by his side. She wore a smile, one that reached her eyes. Her eyes twinkled as she locked into her husband’s side. 

Something happened overnight, as if she’d suddenly snapped out of her ways. You had no trouble believing that after Chan’s curse broke, it set something in motion for the rest of his family. 

“We have shared a close bond over the past decades,” the king started. “I have asked a tremendous amount of you, but you’ve proved to me, time and time again, that my trust was well put.” 

He turned to your father and his smile grew. “Clement, I have a lot to discuss with you. From friend to friend and father to father.”

Your father cocked an eyebrow. 

“Not only do Nari and I want to share the good news of Chan’s broken curse tonight.” He looked at the queen, who broke out into a wide smile once again. 

“Jiu and I also hosted this dinner party in celebration of our children,” the queen spoke, a beat of excitement had returned to her voice. Just like you remembered her, but better. Improved, even. 

You glanced at your mother, who was studying her with a careful expression. 

Your name was called and Chan’s followed. You stood up when Chan did as well, his hand slipping to the small of your back. 

The queen nodded her head at both of you. “We want to give you our official blessing.” 

In an immediate reflex, you curtsied and laughter met you. 

“Come here, you.” 

You walked over to the couple with Chan and watched how the queen wrapped her arms around you. You melted into her touch, inhaling the sweet strawberry scent. 

“I can’t begin to express my gratitude for what you did for my family,” she whispered. “You’ve done so much more than sticking by Chan’s side and helping him break his curse.”

You looked at her. 

She nodded at you with a knowing smile and stroked your hair. “Welcome to the family, darling. We’re glad to have you.”

It had started out as a kiss, a gentle peck as you got ready for bed. 

Chan clung to you, begging for one more until you found yourself pressed into the sheets. His tongue swirled over yours while his hand started travelling downwards. He cupped your breast and traced over your stomach until he slipped a hand under your nightgown. 

You fluttered and felt yourself clench the closer his hand got. A gasp released into his mouth when his thumb rubbed your clit. Your leg twitched, making him chuckle. 

He pulled back, hovering in front of your lips. “You’re eager, aren’t you?”

The thoughts slipped away from your mind while you tried to answer. You bit your lip harshly and tugged on his blouse. 

“So eager.”

“You’re talking too much,” you breathed out and pushed him down. “There’s the action.” 

Chan grinned at you and pushed your nightgown up. He bit his lip and his eyes darted up to you one last time before he sank into you. His fingers graced you in all the right places, moving with a delicacy that made the heat pool in your core, your legs clenching around his head. His tongue swirled over your clit, making you whimper. He sped up and you got lightheaded. You moaned out his name as your climax crashed over you, riding out your high on his fingers. 

Your legs trembled when he came back up, your mouths clashing together as he unbuttoned his pants. You rubbed the bulge and felt it twitch under your touch, making your core flutter again. 

He removed his blouse and sank back on the bed. The tip was already leaking, teasing your entrance when he hovered over you. You pulled him towards you by his shoulders and spread your legs a little wider. “Don’t hold back.” 

Chan thrusted inside, but he couldn’t let out a sound before you kissed him again. Your mouth filled with groans and moans, making your head spin. He pulled back, his chest rising and falling heavily while his thrusts went deeper. When he hit your spot, you moaned. 

“Chan, I–”

“Almost,” he said underneath his breath. “I’m–” He interrupted himself with a moan, speeding up until your skins clashed together.

Your orgasm hit you like a tidal wave, clenching around him and arching your back. It was the final straw for Chan and he released inside of you. He thrusted through your climaxes with careful precision, as if he didn’t want to shatter you more than he was already doing.

You smiled at him and cupped his cheeks, panting as you spoke. “I love you, baby.” 

He kissed you. “I love you, too, mín Mani.” 

Chan cleaned you up before he collapsed next to you. His arms were wrapped around you, your head resting on his chest. His eyes stared off into the distance and your conclusion was quick. 

You propped yourself up and traced his stomach with your finger. “What’s on your mind?” 

“I’ve never had a chance to admire the moon,” he said. His lips curved into a smile, all while his eyes were still in the distance. “I now come to realise how beautiful it actually is.” 

You looked out of the window with a smile yourself. “It’s gorgeous, especially when the night sky is clear and the stars dance around it.” 

“It’s almost more beautiful than you.”

You slapped his chest, to which he grinned. 

“Kidding, of course.” 

You let out a yawn and rested your head on his chest again. Your eyelids grew heavy and a blanket was pulled over you gently before you drifted off to sleep, hearing Chan whispering to you in the background. 

As the morning light cracked through the windows, you woke up from a tingling in your neck. You hummed softly and opened your eyes. 

Chan kissed your pulse, sending a buzz all the way to your belly. His eyes flicked up to you and he smiled. “Good morning.”

You chuckled. “If every morning’s like this, good is understated.”

His smile was replaced by a bright grin and he sank down, until he was between your legs. 

“Oh.” 

Chan’s eyes were twinkling. “By now, you should know better than to make remarks like these.” 

You rolled your eyes while your cheeks burned up. “As if you will. There are people right outside this door.”

“Then you should keep quiet.” He dove underneath the covers. 

“Chan–” You gasped when his tongue swirled over your clit. Your legs clenched together, but he pushed them wide open. He pushed two fingers inside and the peat pooled deeply in your stomach. You chewed your bottom lip in a desperate attempt to keep quiet, but soft whimpers escaped your lips. 

You cursed underneath your breath and arched your back when his fingers pushed against your spot. Chan’s hand laid flat on your stomach and pushed you back down. Your head spun as a tight knot formed in your lower belly. Your voice cracked when you called his name, but your orgasm hit you like a tidal wave. You throbbed against his mouth, but before you’d ridden out your high, something teased your entrance. 

Lifting your head, you saw Chan stroking his length. “Speaking of eager.”

His eyes flicked to you as he chewed your bottom lip. “You have no idea how badly I need you right now, like this.”

You threw the covers to the side and rose from the bed. “I have a much better idea.” 

Chan’s big eyes scanned you curiously while you made your way over to him. 

You pushed him into the covers and sat down right above his cock, pushing your ass against it. The heat pooled into your stomach when you felt it twitch, looking at the prince with a grin. “So eager.” 

He bit his lip as his cheeks tinted a hot pink. “Please?”

You didn’t break eye contact and moved down, letting him sink into you. You slowly started moving, your nails tracing over his stomach. 

Chan desperately tried to keep quiet, but soft moans escaped his lips. He squeezed his eyes shut and gripped your hips. His nails dug into your skin as his hips twitched underneath you. You placed your palm on his stomach as you picked up the pace, the room filling with his moans. 

In retaliation, Chan’s thumb rubbed your clit and you cried out his name. At the very last moment, right before you reached your climax, he turned you around and thrusted into you. As desperately as he fought to keep himself quiet, he fought to keep the upper hand that you were taking from him.

Your lips melted in a messy kiss as your orgasm crashed over you. Your nails dug into his back as your legs wrapped around his waist. 

“You’re amazing,” Chan panted against your lips. “Fuck, you’re so amazing.”

You chuckled and brushed his hair back. “And you’re a mess, Your Highness.” 

His cheeks flushed a furious shade of red. He cleaned you up, taking you in his arms and nuzzling his face in your neck. “I could go for another round.” 

As you were about to dive underneath the covers, the door opened. 

The maid bowed at you both and looked at the discarded gown on the floor. Her cheeks tinted a light pink as she cleared her throat. “Good morning, Your Highness. My Lady. I thought it best to retrieve you from your chambers, as you have missed breakfast.”

You and Chan looked at each other, a smile etching into your faces. 

“There’s half an hour left until you’re both expected in the Great Hall,” she continued and opened the curtains. “Would you like to get dressed?”

“I would love a little more time alone,” Chan spoke with an amused smile. “Is that according to schedule?” 

“Considering that we need to do her hair…” She shook her head quickly. “But if His Highness insists–”

“His Highness does kind of insist.” 

The maid opened her mouth, but you pushed Chan’s shoulder. 

“Don’t bully the poor girl.” You swung your legs over the edge and got up. “I will make sure that I am dressed in five minutes. Is twenty-five minutes for the style you have in mind?”

“Perfect!” She smiled at you and curtsied before leaving the room. 

You looked over your shoulder to a pouting Chan and shook your head. “You’re insufferable, you know that.” 

“And you love me.”

“Unfortunately, I do.” You moved to the dresser, where the maid had left you a dress to wear the night before. It was dark green, matching Chan’s jacket. On the dresser itself was a golden necklace and the Thornmer crest to wear around your waist.

You put on the underdress and the corset before you stepped into your dress. Twirling around, you saw Chan observing you. His smile was soft, but it reached his eyes nonetheless. 

“You look heavensent,” he said. “I hope they always choose dark green for you.” 

Your cheeks heated up and you called for the maid, who walked in with two others behind her. They all stopped in their tracks and their eyes lit up. The two whisked you into the chair and started doing your hair. All their vocabulary consisted of compliments and satisfied sighs when your strand of hair fell just perfectly. 

“I know, right?” Chan called from the bed. 

You looked at him through the mirror, his arms underneath his head and lounging under the covers. “Hey, Lazy. Get yourself ready before Jihoon will strangle you.” 

“I have time,” he said with a smile. “I’ll watch you first.” 

You glanced at the maid, who nodded. She walked over to the bed and grabbed one of his arms. As she started pulling on it, you looked away with a grin and focused on the maids doing your hair. 

“Shall I pull on your legs instead, then?” 

“Okay, okay!” Chan gave in and from the corner of your eye, you saw him getting out of bed. “I didn’t know we would resort to such tactics all of a sudden.”

“My Lady insisted,” she answered. 

You smiled proudly and thanked the maids. Your hair was pulled back into a low bun, two strands framing your face. Your ears were decorated with emerald earrings and the crest was wrapped around your waist with a golden chain. One of the maids had applied a light blush to your cheeks as well. 

Chan was hoisting himself into his pair of pants when he halted in his tracks. He balanced on one leg as he scanned you up and down. “Wow.” 

You bowed with a chuckle. “Thank you. I look quite good, if I do say so myself.”

“Your Highness,” your maid cut in and waved her hands towards the pants. “Before you injure yourself.” 

You looked away with your lips pressed together. 

He grumbled something about people loving to band against him as he finally got into his pair of pants. He pushed his arms through the sleeves of his jacket and slid into his boots. 

The doors pushed open and his secretary barged in. “Your Highness,” he turned to you and bowed. “My Lady, my apologies for interrupting, but you were expected downstairs ten minutes ago.” 

“Well, I guess the groom will have my head regardless.” He held his arm out to you and smiled. “Shall we?” 

You grabbed his bicep with a smile. “We shall.” 

The ceremony had been beautiful, despite the restraint that Jihoon was still showing. He was letting loose on the dance floor a little, swirling his new wife around with a small smile. Although she seemed uneasy about the situation she was in, she laughed anyway. 

You were still clueless what went on with Jihoon, or the guy lurking in the corner of the room who bore a remarkable resemblance to him and Chan. Soon, you’d become part of the family and maybe you would find out, but for now you were happy to stand by Chan’s side, celebrating that his brother married. 

Soon, it was your turn but this day belonged to Jihoon and his new wife, the very people that could very well determine the future of your lands. And you were very sure that your services would not limit itself to being Chan’s wife. 

🏷️: @livmarauder ; @frayaatiny ; @cherrypickedxo ; @yandere-stories ; @huiimoon

Your parents finally made your wish come true when they took you on state visits to the neighbouring Kingdoms. Nytheria had garnered the most interest in you, a land shielded by the mountains that you could see from your room, like it was a veil. Just like Blackspire, it laid by the water – it even held a group of small islands in their territory – but the most noteworthy to you had been what flew over your head when you were travelling towards the castle. 

Nytheria was the only land that had nourished dragons. If you were to believe the stories of your mother, dragons had inhabited all of your Kingdoms a long time ago, but most of them chose to use them for their own selfish means. She’d even told you about special armies of Nytherian knights that would save dragons from the other Kingdoms and bring them to safety behind the mountains. 

The islands were their haven and it was a well known fact, but they inhabited the northern territory of the mainland as well. 

The Royal Family even had dragons of their own that they took care of. It was common knowledge that they were protected in the Veiled Kingdom. 

You’d never seen a dragon in the flesh until the prince and princess showed you theirs. You made a vow to yourself that you’d come back one day, when you were Queen. The princess – also the heir to the throne – made you swear. 

‘I’ll keep you to it,’ she’d said with a wink. 

You were off to Thornmere next, but it was a lot less exciting. The entire land seemed coated in the most valuable gemstones one could harvest and the sight made you wince. If the average Thornmer was like that, you felt no pleasure finding out how the Royal Family would behave. 

Humble and grounded weren’t the values they grew up with. Not like you did. 

You were introduced to the princes, but only one of them was actually likable. He was genuinely interested in you and you felt like you made a longtime friend. Talking to his brother, the heir, was like talking to your castle walls. The absolute kicker of it all? He was going to be your husband when you were both on the throne. 

‘This is necessary to secure our future, Dottie,’ your father had told you. To make matters worse, he had to emphasise his point by using that stupid nickname of his. Dottie. What were you, a mere child? 

You swore there was another one among the princes, but it had been such a long time ago. He probably faded to the back of your mind, his impression unremarkable. 

Once back home, you were thrown back into preparations. The trip was merely a part of it, you were reminded. Your parents gave you more public duties to fulfill, to get to know your people but also so the people could get to know you. You enjoyed being among them and took every opportunity that you got to get away from those castle walls. 

You’d visited the mine workers, the merchants, the blacksmiths, the tailors and the poor. All reserved a special place in your heart and mind, and you made the promise to be good for them once you sat on that throne. 

Now, five years later, your parents had finally deemed you ready for it. They were preparing themselves to step down while you were thrown into the next step of your life. 

The coronation was a big event. So big that the entirety of Blackspire gathered in front of the palace gates to see you with a crown on your head for the first time. For the first time in five years, dread started to settle in your bones and your stomach twisted in a tight knot. You barely slept at night. The only thing that you were occupied with was the burdens you would carry and the crown on your head was the embodiment of it. 

The night before you were going to be crowned, you got sick of it. Swinging your legs over the edge, you hoisted yourself out of bed and slipped into the corridor. You tiptoed to the end and took a right into the office that would officially belong to you from tomorrow on. 

Your parents had been organising their documents for you, your work practically cut out for you. You lit the candle by the door and the one on the desk. Your hand brushed something wooden and when your eyes adjusted, a box sat next to the candle. You grabbed it and tried opening it, but it didn’t budge. 

A lock. 

You pushed your brows together. A lock, so there must be a key somewhere. You rummaged through the desk, pulling on every drawer and searching through every bookshelf. Hell, you nearly picked apart every book, but you couldn’t find anything. You dropped back into the chair with a sigh. 

Where would you put a key when you didn’t want someone to find it? 

Dropping to your knees, you put your palm up and let it brush over the bottom of the desk. You shuffled more to the left to the very corner when something felt cold against your skin. You pulled on it gently, but it didn’t come loose. You pulled again, but nothing happened. 

You grabbed the candle from the desk and crawled underneath, your fingers wrapped around the ear of the candle holder. It was glued stuck and when you looked closer, you saw streaks of white paste. 

Glue. Or wax. Something that made the key one with the desk. . 

You put the flame to it carefully, making sure you didn’t accidentally set the desk on fire.. Your arm grew sore and a pain stung through your lower back, but it finally came loose when you tugged on it. As you put the candle back on the desk, your fingers brushed the key. The front was silky – smooth even. It had hardened up over however long it had been sitting there. The back of the key was dripping in liquid so you brushed it clean on your nightgown. You put it in the box and twisted the key, the lock clicking. 

Your heart raced in your chest when you opened the box. A letter, multiple letters, official documents signed by your parents and…

You shut the box with a loud thud. 

The creaking of the floorboard made your breath hitch in your throat. You quickly took the content of the box with you before closing it up and tossing the key aside. With a small puff, you blew the candles out and tiptoed back to your room. 

Your maid stuck her head around the corner and told you to get some sleep for your big day. Although you weren’t sure how much it was yours anymore. 

You’d pondered over the documents the next hours, making sure every once in a while that what you’d read was true. If it was true, you shouldn’t be crowned Queen. If it was true, someone out there was living a life they weren’t meant to live. 

You closed your eyes, the pressure stinging in your chest. It had to be true. Your father’s handwriting was right there, under every document. He wrote up the name on the birth certificate, his seal was there. There was no denying that this was true. 

You already had no desire to take the crown in the first place and this confirmed the feeling that you’d been carrying with you all this time. You’d never been meant for it, your body knew before you caught up to the truth, aching for something that the void left behind even though you’d never known the person on the certificate. You came later than them, three winters to be exact. It didn’t make sense for you to feel that way, but you did anyway. 

You stuffed the documents into your bag and rid yourself of your nightgown, switching it out for your pitch black hunting attire. You threw your spare cloak around your shoulders and opened your window. Your side of the castle had the laxest guards, barely even qualified for the very simple task at hand: protect the northern part of the palace. When you’d be back with the actual heir, you doubted they were faces you’d see again. 

Descending down the vines that hugged the castle walls, you landed with the softest thud you could produce. Your head turned their way, but they were too occupied with whatever conversation they were engaged in. The road to the stables became the least of your concerns, it was leaving with a horse completely unnoticed that presented the biggest challenge. 

The guards were uncaring, not stupid. 

You closed the door behind you and let your eyes adjust to the dark. Your horse, Rune, was in the far back and her eyes opened when your footsteps neared. You shushed her and brushed her nose. 

“We’re going on a little adventure,” you whispered to her. 

Rune blew her nose and you smiled, peeling away from her. You stuck your head around the corner of the saddle room, scanning the area with your eyes. The stable boy was off duty tonight or he was doing his rounds in the other stables. Either way, you needed to be fast. 

With your heart drumming in your ears, you retrieved Rune’s equipment and saddled her up as quickly as you could. By the reins, you guided her outside. 

“We have to be quiet,” you whispered and Rune obeyed. You tiptoed to the back entrance of the castle – you stumbled across it by pure accident and knew that you weren’t supposed to know it existed – and opened the iron gate. 

It squeaked. Of course the wretched thing did. 

You mounted Rune and rode off in the night, the castle long behind you when dawn came around. 

Medicinal herbs weren't the shipment that most merchants were allowed to transport. There were few in Talon that carried the licenses required of them to be able to deliver ‘exceptional goods’. Said goods were only demanded from people high up or with special abilities. Medicinal herbs were magical in most cases. Magic was what you could only describe as the biggest blessing and curse of Talon. 

You were watching the ship from a distance, a merchant checking the crates as the workers carried them aboard, your arm clutching the bag with documents. If there was one type of travel that would keep you out of watchful eyes, it was the ship full of exceptional goods. They were rarely inspected. 

The big sails were hoisted, meaning that he was about to take off as soon as those goods were aboard his ship. Your window of opportunity was so incredibly slim that you might as well turn back around and give up already. 

The merchant checked the last load of herbs before he signed the form. He gave the paper and quill back to his trading partner and nodded his head once. “Thank you,” you could read from his lips.  

His partner did the same gesture before disappearing off the docks, the workers helping the merchant load the remainders of the crates onto his ship. When they left, you knew that it was your only chance. You had no time to look back. 

You pulled the hood of your cloak over your head and brushed past the people that left the docks. You halted in your tracks, lingered behind one of the workers that had stayed behind with the merchant. 

“I could turn back around halfway,” he said to the merchant, whose probing eyes were in sharp contrast with the way he sucked in the conversation. Relaxed, almost like the worker’s story was going right past him. “The royal family hasn’t released an official speech yet, but word is going around that the princess disappeared. No excuse for our folks to get drunk off our backs.” 

Your heart stopped beating in sync with how the world around stopped spinning. You started taking small steps back, the wooden boards under your feet creaking when you leaned on your heel too hard. 

The merchant’s eyes snapped your way, probing you in the same way that they did to the worker. 

With a hard swallow, you shot him a sweet smile. “My apologies for startling you, sir.”

“That is quite alright,” his deep tones assured you, wrapping around you like the warmth of your hearth back home.  

Home.

You shook the feeling off and opened your mouth, but the merchant was ahead of you. 

“I will see you on my next travels here,” he said to the worker, who nodded once. 

You held your breath as you watched him brush past you, frozen in place. All he did was offer you a small smile and a nod before he left the docks. You turned your head to watch him disappear into the tavern before your attention was back to the merchant. 

His eyes were still fixated on you and for the first time, you didn’t mind the attention. 

“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation,” you said slowly. 

“Then you paid more attention than I did,” the merchant replied. 

You wanted to laugh until you saw the blank expression on his face. He was serious. Thank the Gods that he was serious. 

“Then I won’t bore you with my observations,” you told him and wiped your hands on your cloak. “I have a small favour to ask of you.” 

There was nothing about him that protested against your presence, yet you couldn’t help but gulp at his silence. If he would catch on – no matter how little the conversation stuck with him – then you would be toast. You had to play your cards as well as you could. 

Your heart exploded out of your chest when you laid eyes on him, seeing a crest dangling at his side. You recognised the deer from anywhere. 

“I was about to board a ship to Thornmere, but I got terribly held up on my way here,” you started and scanned his face. Nothing. From the minutes you spent in his vicinity, that was a good sign. “I am fully aware that you are a merchant so your priority is the goods you carry, but you could save my journey if you were as kind as to take me aboard and bring me to Thornmere.” 

You expected many questions from him; who you were, what business you had making such demands from a merchant. 

“How do you know I reside in Thornsmere?” 

Except for that one. 

You pointed at the medallion at his side, hanging out of the pocket of his sleeveless cloak.  If his medallion wasn’t a dead giveaway of his origins, then his attire was. A light green blouse with puffy sleeves, the earthy brown sleeveless cloak with layers flowing around him, fabrics of green woven into it and his waist accentuated with a multitude of belts. A brown pair of pants tucked into a pair of brown boots. 

He looked down and his mouth formed an ‘O’ shape. “Right, this. I could have reached that conclusion myself.” He shook his head before offering you a weak, but sincere smile. “You’re in luck, m’lady. I was just about to set sail to Thornmere.” 

Your smile reached your eyes. “I cannot thank you enough…” 

“Vernon,” the merchant told you and extended his hand. 

You took it and it took all the willpower in you to not bow. “Call me Dottie.” 

“Well, Dottie,” in one fell swoop, he turned you towards the walking board by the hand. “Hop aboard.” 

With a chuckle, you let go of his hand and boarded the ship. You let yourself drop aboard before you turned around. 

Vernon was still on the docks, observing you. His eyes flickered between confusion and wonder before it disappeared. He walked the plank and jumped aboard, the remaining workers on the docks untying the ropes and throwing them towards him. He took the spot at the helm and gripped the wheel. 

He did all of it like it was breathing, a second nature. 

You watched with wide eyes, nearly tumbling over when the ship took a sharp right out of the docks. You gripped the sides to stabilise yourself and slowly, Blackspire disappeared in the distance, your home sticking out above the skies merely a dot on the horizon. 

Once you were out at sea, you were able to walk up to Vernon even though the floor underneath your feet was rocking you back and forth. You removed the hood from your head, completely sure that no one else was able to see you. 

“You’re wearing official Royal colours,” you pointed out. When Vernon gave you a questioning look, you pointed at his attire. “It doesn’t take the smartest individual in the lands to know that green and brown are worn by the Thornmere’s Court.” 

“I’m under their protection,” Vernon clarified, his eyes on the oceans ahead of him. “That is all the ties I have with them.”

“So…” You tilted your head and let your eyes scan him from head to toe. “This is a ‘hurt me, pay with your life ’kind of attire.” 

“It’s convenient from time to time.” He turned to you, leaning on the wheel with one arm. “And you’re wearing… black.” 

“Well spotted,” you remarked. 

Vernon tilted his head. “Are you from Blackspire?” 

You nodded. There was no lie in that. What else you were going to tell him, you hadn’t thought about yet. You hoped that Vernon wouldn’t ask too many questions. 

He bobbed his head. “Okay. You don’t look the part, but I believe you.” 

There were two things going on inside of your mind. On the one hand you could jump up and down and kiss Vernon right on the mouth for not knowing who you were. The other side of the coin was that you felt your chest sting because he had in fact, no idea who you were. It was way too suspicious, as if he was luring you right into a trap and tomorrow, you’d be right back at the castle. 

Maybe this was why your parents never let you leave Blackspire. 

Vernon grinded the ship to a halt, releasing the anchor somewhere in the middle of the sea. As far as you could see, there was nothing else but water. He motioned his head and walked down a wooden set of stairs. 

You followed him down and stood in his cabin. 

“I’ll make us something to eat,” he declared and told you to sit down. 

You did, on a wooden chair, at a wooden table, in a wooden cabin. Your butt was already hurting by the time Vernon came back and you were sure that thirty minutes hadn’t even passed. Fifteen would be gracious. 

You shifted in your seat and thanked him for the meal, which looked like it had been eaten more than once. 

“It’s not much, but it has everything you need.” Vernon put a cup in front of you, pouring you red wine. He sat down across from you and dove in.

You did the same. More hesitantly than he did, but you ate it nonetheless. The texture was gloopy in your mouth, but it definitely tasted better than it looked. You swallowed it with a sip of the wine. 

“You seem very… accustomed. To this type of work,” you said and stirred your meal. “Have you been doing this for long? You seem fairly young.” 

“It wasn’t my original path,” Vernon told you and took a large sip. “I took over from my uncle.” 

Your eyes were back on your plate. “How so?” 

“He suddenly fell ill a summer ago. My uncle bore no children and his wife had sadly died that spring, so I stepped in because no one else could do it. The other option was selling it and with a trade so valuable…” 

The words hung in the air. You could sense them, but you let them be. You knew what Vernon meant. 

Your stomach turned after your fifth bite so you put the wooden spoon down, leaning on your hands as you tried to keep your meal down. 

“I only travel between Nytheria, Blackspire, Qorath and my homeland, Thornmere,” he continued. “That is my assigned region, the one I am licensed to do business with.”

You kept your burp under your breath, the pressure on your chest increasing. “Are there many of you?” 

“My trade is rare s–” Vernon pushed his brows together when his eyes landed on you. “Are you alright?” 

You waved your hand in dismissal, even though dinner was travelling upwards and you were about to hurl all over the cabin. You blew your cheeks with a small chuckle, swallowing the saliva that drenched your mouth. 

He put his spoon down and sprinted out of the cabin, returning with a metal bucket in hand. 

Your stomach clenched into a hard, cold fist, forcing a dry, painful heave from your chest. When you looked up, you shot Vernon a sheepish smile. 

“Never travelled by ship before?”

“Not really,” you croaked. You did your best to ignore the sour taste in your mouth, but it made you retch again. You nearly folded in half and your eyes stung with tears. “Gods…” 

“You’ll get used to it,” he assured you and took the bucket from you. “Go lay down. I’ll take care of this.” 

You had no desire to find out what he was going to do with the contents and did as you were told, the waves clashing against the ship rocking you into a restless sleep. 

Vernon was right when he said you’d get used to it. By day three – and you had a good two weeks left – you barely noticed it anymore and your sickness ebbed away with every wave the ship rode. 

He did ask about your intentions about halfway, but you brushed it off, saying you were merely visiting a dying relative. He left it at that, just like you didn’t ask about the crates that were travelling with you. Just like your affairs weren’t his business, his work wasn't yours. That understanding had grown between you over the two weeks that you spent at sea with him. 

At night, you had your own quarters. A small, spare cabin. You could barely turn around and there was your bed, but it was better than sleeping outside, where everyone could just pick you right up and bring you back to the palace. 

Your parents must be worried sick and for a moment, even though you were holding the documents, you swallowed the tears. You had to do this. When you came back and you explained everything, they would understand. Your parents had always understood you. Although, the fact that you were aboard a ship with a merchant that you’d never seen in your life would be a little beyond their understanding. 

‘Gods, Dottie. A ship?’ your father would’ve said with an amused grin.

The stupid nickname had become your cover merely because it was the only name you could think of in such haste. The many times you grumbled to your father about you hated it, he would laugh right in your face. 

Vernon had no idea of the documents that you carried with you, that you thoroughly studied over and over again once you closed the door behind you. He only remarked how much you seemed to love your bag and you chuckled at it. 

You nearly kissed the solid ground underneath your feet when you reached Thornmere, hearing Vernon snorting behind you. The air was a lot less salty and fishy, switched out for something buttery with a hint of floral. 

Your eyes scanned the area. The docks were filled with stands and vendors yelled over each other, nearly shoving their produce in the hands of passerbys. There was faint music in the background and the docks were filled with joy and laughter. 

“Welcome to Divites,” Vernon’s deep, calming voice sounded behind you. “You’re going to hate it.” 

You looked over your shoulder, where he shot you a lazy grin. You pulled the hood over your head and waited by the ship, watching how Vernon and some workers moved the crates to the docks. They were loaded onto big carriages, about to be transported to Gods knew where. You observed the horses that were harnessed to the carriages and thought back of Rune. 

You sent her back to the palace when you were outside of the city of Hazken, where you resided. Rune disappeared on the horizon and suddenly, you regretted your decision. You could’ve reached any destination if you just rode long enough. You could reach Nytheria, or go ride all the way to the west and reach Thornmere by yourself. 

Going to Hazken’s docks by foot was even more dangerous, even at the brink of dawn. Again, you regretted your decision and you weren’t even entirely sure why that seemed like a good idea in the first place. It took you half a day to even reach it and the other half to camp out and watch for incoming ships. 

Rune would’ve been long back by now, and your parents knew that you had left your homeland. The very thing you were told not to. 

Vernon oversaw the safe departure of the carriages before you left the docks, strolling towards the stands. “Are you in need of more assistance? Where are you off to?” 

You opened your mouth, but closed it again when your own portrait stared right back at you from the bulletin board, accompanied by a big word above your head. 

MISSING.

Your heart thumped in your chest, your head started spinning. The poster clearly stated who you were and when you disappeared. There was no way that Vernon would miss that. 

From the corner of your eye, you saw him looking at the same poster. His brows were pushed together and his eyes narrowed. 

You could still swim somewhere. Maybe Vernon was as kind as to give you a headstart before he would try to kill you. 

You clicked your tongue. “So… I don’t really have a clear destination in mind–”

“Oh, gods.” 

“But I can take it from here,” you assured him. “You are such a dear for giving me a ride and your company was very appreciated.” You pointed your thumb in the other direction and turned on your heel. 

“You’re the crown princess,” Vernon said slowly, as if his brain was still trying to catch up with him. Once it finally did, he went on a rampage. “I… I accidentally kidnapped the crown princess. I didn’t even know you were her. They will have my head if they find out!”

You couldn’t find it in your heart to leave him in this weird state of confusion, so you turned back around. “Vernon,” you called out to him. “You did nothing wrong here, okay? But please, just forget this happened. We won’t ever meet again because I’m going on my own quest and you can move on with your work–”

“You can’t just leave me behind after I sailed you across half the bloody continent!” He snarled. “What the fuck is wrong with you?!” 

As you shushed him, you took him to a more remote spot. The alleyway was dark and it made you shiver, but it was better than having him declaring such things out in the open. “I don’t have time for much chitchat, alright? I need to move quickly, before they find me.” 

“Nope. You are not going to do… whatever you set your mind to. I’m taking you back to Hazken. Right now.” He was about to leave the alleyway when you pulled him back in. “Dottie, you don’t belong here and your parents – the King and Queen, nonetheless – must be worried sick. They will kill me if they find out what I did, but that’s not the point right now.” 

Shaking his head, he grabbed your shoulders. “Your place is on the throne, not here in some shithole city like Divites, or Thornmere for that matter.”

You weren’t going to tell him about your future betrothal before he delivered you on their doorstep instead. 

“I don’t,” you told him calmly, but Vernon was already dragging you out of the alley. “Vernon, please.” 

He wasn’t listening, his grip on your arm firm. 

“You have to listen to me,” you tried again. “I have to do this. I can’t go back yet, not without him.” 

Still nothing. 

“My coronation is a lie,” you blurted out. 

Vernon came to a halt. He didn’t let you go, but his eyes – still spitting fire – demanded you to speak. 

“I found some documents the night before I was supposed to be crowned,” you said softly, patting your bag. “I found a birth certificate among them and official documents stating the child would no longer be a member of my family.” You paused and exhaled through your nose, the pressure on your chest almost unbearable. “A brother, born three winters before me. I don’t know why he was removed from the lineage, or where he is. I refuse to believe that my parents wanted me to discover this, but someone did. All I know is that this person desperately wanted me to find the documents.” 

You felt a tear rolling down your cheek. The confusion, the hurt, the betrayal, all fused into one single drop. “I need to find him, wherever he might be. Please.” 

Vernon stared at you. He started bobbing his head slowly and let go of you. “Alright, but if this is a lie again–” 

“I promise you, it isn’t.” You lowered your eyes with a sigh. “Okay, I just… I need a place to lay low, before they find me.” 

“Come with me.” 

Your head shot up. “Are you serious?” 

Vernon started walking without spilling another word, so you followed him. His lips were pressed in a thin line, his eyebrows lowered like dark thunder clouds. 

You had really ticked him off. 

You walked away from the docks, right into the vibrant city. Vernon navigated through the streets, greeting every other person while you kept your head down, trailing a couple of steps behind him with your only sight being the stone roads. If they stopped you in the street, Vernon could still lie and say he was being followed. That he had no idea who you were. 

You left the city centre and reached the outskirts. It was only then that you raised your head and looked behind you to see what you missed. 

More stone. So nothing. 

“It’s not that special,” Vernon told you. He picked up the pace and you quickly followed him, your cloak floating around you. If he was deliberately walking fast so you couldn’t keep up or he genuinely didn’t notice, you couldn’t make up your mind about it. All you knew was that it made you agitated. 

You had no reason to be agitated with him, to be completely honest with yourself. You used an innocent merchant who was just going back to Thornmere, hanging up a bold faced lie about having to visit a dying relative. You took advantage of his empathy so he could take you as far away from Blackspire as you could. 

“So what if your brother is in Blackspire?” Vernon asked out of the blue. His face was stale, his eyes staring straight ahead. At least he acknowledged you. 

You’d never stopped to wonder about his whereabouts and suddenly it dawned on you. 

“You have no plan going into this, do you?” 

With a small shake of your head, you caught up to him. You nearly bumped into his back when he suddenly grinded to a halt. 

“Let me get this straight.” 

You arched your eyebrow at him. “Or you just stop asking questions and bring me to whatever you have in mind.” 

Vernon crossed his arms and he smirked. “You really have no idea what to do, do you? You came to Thornmere on a whim.” 

Before you got a chance to intervene, he continued. 

“If I would’ve gone to Nytheria, you would’ve come with me.” A laugh rolled off his lips and despite the sheer anger that prickled under your skin, the sound was pleasant. Way too pleasant for your liking. “Oh, princess.” 

“You’re not going to call me that,” you bit back, although there was no true warning behind your words. 

“You don’t know where your brother is. Hell, you don’t even know if you came to the right place at all.”

You rolled your eyes and raised your upper lip. “Well… I just…” You snapped your finger and pointed at him. “Why would they keep a secret child in the land? That is stupid.”

“Or genius, if you observe it from another angle.” 

You scoffed and looked away from him. Again, there was no true warning behind it. You just hated that he was right. 

Vernon kicked in your direction, but he missed. The smirk on his face grew. “Well, princess. I was about to stay mad at you for using me but seeing how you have absolutely no clue where to go from this, I can’t help but to feel a bit better about the situation.” 

You rolled your eyes with a shake of your head and a half smile. You continued straight ahead, following the path. 

“We have to take a left!” He called out to you. 

You turned on your heel and took the other road, the merchant falling into step with you, watching endless meadows pass you by. Some were completely empty, some were home to horses. You stretched your neck to see, but there wasn’t a farm in sight. 

Compared to Blackspire, Thornmere was quite a flat land. You weren’t used to anything else than hills. In fact, your home was tucked away on one and you could look over the entirety of Hazken. Even a little beyond the city. The palace stood above all of it, tall and proudly. 

Dread settled in your chest and you swallowed the lump in your throat. 

“Maybe you’re right,” you spoke up. “Maybe I should go back to Blackspire and search from there.” 

“They’re looking for you,” Vernon countered with a shrug. “When I was panicking, it sounded like a perfect idea, though. Now? Not so much.” 

You kicked a pebble in front of your path. “But what would I do here? I merely have a name. I do not know anything and I fear going around like this will get me caught. They will recognise me immediately.”

“That’s what we’re going to take care of right now.” 

You arched your eyebrow at the merchant, eying him curiously, but no answer was provided for you. You just had to trust him, trust that he wouldn’t lead you into a trap, knock you out and you’d be right back at the castle when you opened your eyes. 

But then you started to ask yourself. What would a merchant in exceptional goods from Thornmere, who claimed to have no ties to the royal family, have to do with a plot to get you back at the castle? Unless that plot did in fact involve the royal family – you didn’t believe your parents wanted much to do with them – then you were inclined to believe your own theory. 

Vernon still had the right intentions.

“Vernon–”

“You can apologise later.” He pulled the hood over your head when you entered the rural area and picked up the pace. 

You had no choice but to follow suit and kept your head down as you trailed after him, nearly running to keep in step. 

Vernon stopped by a small house and knocked on the door, taking a step back with his arms crossed behind his back. 

You lingered behind him and watched how a woman peeked her head around the corner before she opened the door fully. You immediately noticed her off the shoulder burgundy dress, her waist hugged by a black corset. 

“Vernon.” Her tone held a recognition that made you doubt whether she was happy to see him or she wanted him out of her sight as quickly as she could. 

“My sincere apologies for stopping by so suddenly, but my…” He paused and looked aside at you and swallowed. “...friend, needs your help.” 

The woman – who seemed even more reluctant to your company – glanced at you. 

“We go way back,” Vernon continued carefully. “I trust you with my life to keep this on the downlow.”

“I have no intention of gossiping about what you did to the princess,” she spoke and stepped aside. “Please, do come in.” 

Walking past her, a shiver rolled down your spine. You couldn’t explain what caused the sudden uneasiness, but she seemed eager to help and Vernon trusted her. 

“It was an accident,” he told his friend, who looked over her shoulder. 

“Those incidents do not happen by accident,” she remarked, to which he nodded. “Vernon, have you any idea how ludicrous you sound? You cannot write this off as an accident, for it was a very deliberate move to make love to her. I will not involve myself in removing a human life, but if your princess seeks shelter, then I will provide.”

Oh. 

Vernon’s eyes widened to a point they could’ve fallen out of his head. “No. No! I have not–” His cheeks tinted a shade as red as her dress. “Gods, lady. What do you take me for? I am no animal!” 

You cleared your throat, the two had almost forgotten that you were there. “Vernon did not… insert himself in me. He brought me here for…” You paused.

“A disguise,” Vernon added and turned to the woman, whose dress you were growing increasingly jealous of. She looked breathtaking. “Your magic is strong enough to provide her with one.” 

The – apparent – witch scoffed. “The princess didn’t even know your plan. I could be a spy for all she’d know, and believe me when I say that there are plenty.” 

“This is important,” he insisted, her name rolling off his lips as a desperate plea. He was about to drop to his knees and beg at her feet if you didn’t know any better. “Will you help us or not?” 

Her eyes darted to you before landing on Vernon again. “You owe me. Again.” She grabbed a book and walked to the kitchen, skimming through it. 

Both you and Vernon were quick to follow her. 

“I am still improving my potions, but this one will do the trick,” she explained and put it down. She rummaged through her cabinets and cupboards until she found the ingredients she needed, putting them on the wooden counter. She started putting them in one by one, as if it was a deliberate order that she had to keep to. She muttered something and the content of the pot glowed white before it returned to its transparent state. 

You watched in awe. You’d never seen magic up close. 

The witch held the small bottle out to you. “This potion will wear off when you speak your real name out loud. Nobody will see your true form, except for Vernon. I made sure that he can see you at all times.” 

You took it from her and glanced at Vernon. “If she tries to poison me, it’s on you.” 

“I will take the fall, princess.” He bowed and your stomach tingled. 

You pushed it away and downed the potion. You didn’t feel any different, but the glow that formed around you told you otherwise. 

She grinned proudly and motioned her head to the left. “Look in the mirror.”

You did and jumped back. Short platinum hair, reaching just above your shoulders, pale skin and a pair of sky blue eyes staring back at you. Freckles decorated your nose and cheeks. 

You wouldn’t look in mirrors too much before it started freaking you out.

“My friend, you are a lifesaver,” Vernon declared and pressed his hands together. “Thank you so much. I really do owe you.” 

“I’ll collect that debt one day,” she said with a nudge. 

You turned to her as well and bowed your head. “Thank you so much. I will find a way to repay you, okay?” 

“I will see it coming, princess.” 

You looked at Vernon. His arms were crossed over each other, his grin nothing short of determined. 

“Welcome, Dottie.” 

Vernon was as kind as to give you shelter, overseeing the matters on his own rather than giving them to his friend. He talked about trusting her with his life, but there was a sense of carefulness whenever he did business with her. 

You never stopped to ask how he knew such an extraordinary woman like her, owing it to the many arrangements he made since becoming a merchant. 

No matter how hard you insisted, he took the sofa so you could sleep in his bed. You were ready to fight him over it, declaring that you couldn’t possibly let the owner of the house sleep on the sofa. He didn’t outright say it, but you were more than certain that he implied that you hadn’t been used to anything less than a bed as a princess. 

So you accepted your loss, although it was rather his for giving his bed up. 

None the wiser about your brother’s whereabouts, a week passed by while you stayed with Vernon. Nobody had questioned you as his company whenever you were into town, nor had Vernon made it seem that there was anything to question in the first place. 

You shot up at loud knocking on the door, your heart hammering in your chest. From the living room, you heard Vernon making his way to the front door. 

“Good morning, mister Chwe,” you heard a pleasant, deep voice. “House search, as ordered by the Thornmer Court.” 

You breath hitched. 

“Of course, come in.” 

No hint of uncertainty in Vernon’s voice, no panic that started to set in with you. As if they did it more often. 

You muttered to yourself as you got out of bed, not caring that the only thing that you were wearing was a nightgown. As you were on your way to climb underneath the bed, you caught a glimpse in the mirror. 

Platinum hair, blue eyes, freckles. 

You stood upright and wiped your hair out of your face. Right, the disguise. 

“Are you alone?” You heard the man again. 

Before Vernon had a chance to answer, you drifted to the living room and peeked your head around the corner. “Darling? Is everything alright?” The words left your mouth, too easily for your liking. 

Vernon twirled around, his eyes wide. 

You tilted your head with a smile, arching your eyebrow almost unnoticeably. 

“Yes,” he answered eventually. “No need to worry, dear. A house search, that is all.” 

Your eyes darted to the man. You recognised the green and brown attire on the man, who you quickly identified as a guard. 

“Ma’am,” he bowed his head, removing his hat as he did so. “My apologies if I startled you awake.”

“No need for an apology, sir.” You walked over to the men and let your hand brush past Vernon’s shoulders, feeling him tense up under your touch. “May I ask, what brings you here?”

He put his hat back on and stood up straight. “Nothing to be frightened of, ma’am. We’re doing house searches in the entire town, as was requested by the court of Thornmere.” He fished a wound paper out of his pocket and rolled it out, turning it around. 

You eyed Vernon, who didn’t move an inch. He simply just observed the poster like it was his first time seeing it. 

“Blackspire’s crown princess has disappeared,” the guard explained. “She was last sighted in the docks of Visites before she disappeared again.” He put the roll away and crossed his arms behind his back. “We are searching the entire land for her, so she can be brought back home safely. Out of precaution, we are searching every home in case she was hidden away under our noses.”

You ignored the air squeezing out of your lungs, the way your heart was about to explode out of your chest. “Would you like to start in our living room so I have a moment to get dressed? I feel so… exposed, walking around in my nightgown.”

“I won’t disturb you, ma’am.” The guard bowed his head with a smile and turned to Vernon as you sped to the bedroom. 

You grabbed your bag out of the drawer, buried it underneath Vernon’s clothes in the closet. It was the very thing that could link you to the disappearance that they were speculating about. Your parents were probably at their wits’ end and here you were, in a village near Visites hiding under a disguise. Your father’s face pale and his eyes sunken back in his head, your mother barely coming out of her chambers. 

And maybe they found out that the documents were missing. Maybe, just maybe, they were more concerned with getting those back than that they were to get you back. They’d kept it from you for more than twenty years and you were sure that they weren’t planning on telling you anytime soon.

You put on a blue dress, matching the colour of your eyes. You accentuated your waist with a corset, just like Yin showed you to do. When you were done, you floated back to the living room. 

“Ah, miss Chwe.” The guard offered you a smile. 

Your heart stopped. You glanced at Vernon, who looked away from you. Did he just…

With a shake of your head, you addressed the guard. “Would you like a beverage for when you’re done, sir?” 

“That is very kind of you, but my schedule is tight today.” The guard brushed past you. “I shall finish my rounds and then I will be out of your way. You and your new husband can enjoy your time together.”

Yep. He did exactly that. 

You smiled when the guard disappeared into the back of Vernon’s home before you dragged him to the kitchen. 

“I had to do something,” he defended himself as he tumbled after you. 

“Wife?” You hissed, but your heart pounded in your chest. 

Vernon rubbed his neck as his cheeks flushed red. “I’m sorry?”

You wanted to give him a piece of your mind. A very big piece. 

The guard came back out of the bedroom and walked towards you. 

“This is your own grave you’re digging,” you whispered to him before you smiled at him, wrapping an arm around Vernon’s waist. The warmth that was settling in your chest was merely an afterthought before it was replaced by dread, twisting it into a tight knot. 

Vernon’s arm draped over your shoulders, pulling you into his side. 

“All clear,” the guard announced and made a bow. “My sincere apologies for disrupting your morning. And congratulations on your marriage.” 

You thanked him and let go of Vernon, who showed the man the door. When the door closed behind him, you arched an eyebrow. “So now what? We’re going into town and I have to pretend to be your wife?”

“You’re pretending to be someone else in general, so what’s a little more?” Vernon shrugged. “Look, I’m just trying to help. This will let you go under the radar completely, and no one will suspect a thing.” He shrugged again. “And you started it by calling me ‘darling’, so if anything, I had to dig us a way out of it.”

You hated how right he was. 

“But why are you doing this?” You countered. “I’ve taken advantage of your empathy by hanging up some kind of sob story about a dying relative, you took me aboard without knowing who I was and now you’re helping me disappear. Even though you have all the right to be mad at me, to hate me.”

“There’s a reason that you ran, Dottie,” he said with a small smile. “Why would I cage a bird that merely wants to be free?” 

Your heart exploded out of your chest, so you looked away from him. “Right, um. I’ll see if the documents make me any wiser today.”

Vernon nodded, the words that were on his mind were swallowed.

You settled on the couch with the bag, observing every detail in hopes of discovering something new. All that happened was the hope sinking to your shoes and your chest started to feel heavy. 

“Hey.” 

You snapped up, Vernon standing in front of you with a cup of tea. You took it from him with a weak smile and wrapped your hands around it. 

He sat next to you with his own cup, but didn’t say anything so the house fell into a silence. The only thing you heard was the crackling of the fire. 

“Was it really so bad?” 

You shrugged as you stared ahead of you. “I guess growing up in riches isn’t necessarily bad, no.” 

“You know I didn’t mean that, Dottie.” 

The nickname, one that made you roll your eyes before, it made sense hearing it from Vernon. You couldn’t explain why. 

When you looked at him, he smiled slightly. 

“I’ve never felt like being a Queen one day was the life I was supposed to live,” you admitted and played with the folds of your dress. “Growing up, my favourite stories were those of outside Blackspire. I could look out over the Nytherian mountains and I wondered about the dragons, about their knights and what their lives looked like. I was never allowed to set foot outside of Blackspire, so it was just stories for a long time.”

You looked at Vernon with a small smile. “I don’t know what else to tell you, in all honesty. My parents are the sweetest, which is what makes this whole situation so complex. I don’t understand why they kept the documents from me, but it put my feeling of not belonging into perspective. As if my body knew that something was missing.”

You shook your head. “That sounds ridiculous, I am sorry.” 

“We have magic, so I don’t think feelings sound so far-fetched.” Vernon nudged you. “You’re doing the right thing, Dottie, even if you sacrificed your throne for it. You know what you’re doing it for.” 

“Restoring the rightful heir.” 

He rubbed your shoulder, making your skin feel like it was on fire. “You might not feel that way now, but you are more than allowed to feel angry with your parents. They kept this from you, they continue to keep this from you because you found those documents. It wasn’t like they showed them to you.” 

You rubbed your face. “I don’t know how to feel about this, Vernon. This is getting me nowhere and to be frank with you, I’m losing hope that I can ever find him. My parents really made sure that he wouldn’t be found.”

“Doesn’t it state in the adoption papers?”

You shook your head.

Vernon leaned towards you and it was enough to make your head spin. “Can I see those documents? Maybe I can help.” 

You grabbed them from the table and held them out with a sigh. “I can’t do anything with them anymore. There’s nothing else for me to find.” 

Vernon grabbed them, letting his eyes scan the content. His eyes widened when he took the adoption papers. “You’re kidding.” 

You perked up, feeling the slimmer of hope relight. “What? Did you find anything?” 

He looked at the birth certificate and let out a surprised huff. “That lunatic is your brother?”

You shifted in your seat and cleared your throat. “So you have heard of him, then?”

“His reputation precedes him, Dottie. Far beyond these borders.” Vernon eyed you, a sense of urgency clouding over them. “I know I encouraged you to try and find him, but I’m not so sure if this is a good idea anymore.”

“You talk very badly of someone who’s going to be King soon.” 

“He’s about the worst possible option to become one.” 

You swallowed. “I see.”

Vernon put the papers back on the table. “I know where we should go, but I want you to be very sure of this. You don’t want to be there if you don’t have any business in that land.” 

The shivers rolled off your shoulders. You’d heard your parents talking about such a place before. Just one, off the top of your head. 

“What can you tell me about him?” 

His eyes darted to you. 

“About my brother.” You nodded at the documents. “And the person that took him in.” 

“Salome, as she is called, she’s a notorious name around here,” Vernon started. “I told you before what my region of trade is limited to, haven’t I?”

You nodded. 

“Even as someone who’s grown accustomed to… unique locations, if you will, I try to avoid Qorath as much as I can. The entire land makes my senses heighten, in the worst way possible. I have to watch where I roam before I end up dead.” His chest rose and fell heavily. “That’s where Salome lives and where she raised your brother.” 

You chuckled tightly. “Great. Okay.” 

“Salome is what they like to call a Tally in Qorath. We prefer to call them what they are.”

“Cruel?”

“Murderers.”

“Oh.” 

Vernon sipped his tea with a shrug. “I don’t care what silly term they gave it. You kill people, you’re a murderer. And Salome is the one all the others answer to, including your brother.” His eyes locked onto you with something you could only identify as regret. “She’s one of the worst people I’ve had the misfortune of meeting and I hate to inform you of her existence, but you deserve to know the environment that your brother has grown up in.”

You folded your hands together in your lap. “So what about him? You reacted strongly to seeing his name on the certificate.” 

He shot you an apologetic smile. “He’s not much better than Salome, Dottie. He became a Tally, just like her, and I’ve heard stories about him…” 

“You don’t have to reiterate them, if that was what you were wondering.” 

“Trust me when I say I do not want to.” Vernon nudged you. “I don’t want to ruin your chances of seeking him out by feeding you the information I’ve merely heard in passing. He’s never come much out of Qorath.” 

You stayed silent. 

“I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t want to ruin your hopes of seeking out a man that you feel like deserves to rule your land.” 

“I just can’t stop wondering why my parents gave him up. And that him ending up in Qorath might have something to do with it. But I also can’t stop wondering if he deserved it in the first place, or what my parents based it on.” You buried your head in your hands with a groan. 

“It’s not your burden to carry, Dottie.”

“But it is.” You lifted your head. “These matters were carried over to me, and I’m still expected to be Queen if my brother refuses. What will I do, then? I can’t just barge back into the palace and parade it around. The public does not know about his existence.” 

Vernon shrugged. “I think we should go to Qorath and find out what your future will look like.” 

Your stomach tingled, your lips curving into a smile. “We?” 

“You already roped me so far into this mess, I want to see how it ends now.” He nudged you and finished his tea. “I will get the cart ready. We will leave at sunset. With some luck, we’ll be in Qorath in a couple of days.” 

Before he could bail on you, you pulled him in a hug. His shoulders tensed before he relaxed into your touch, wrapping his arm around your waist. 

“Thank you, Vernon,” you muttered.

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “Of course.”  

You let go of him and grabbed the documents, putting them back in your bag. When you looked up, Vernon was still there. 

His brows knitted together shortly before they relaxed. He observed you, narrowing his eyes as if he was trying to piece some of it together. 

Your breath hitched when they flicked to your lips. 

“Is it a common thing for Royal Courts to be involved with magic?” His eyes locked with yours, some slimmer of hope flickering in them. 

You hummed. “It depends on which branch, but my parents never actively chased it.” 

“To your knowledge.” 

The words shot a sharp sting through your chest. 

“Have you ever heard of divination?” Vernon asked, to which you shook your head slowly. 

“It’s a branch of magic that focuses on the prediction of future events or the discovery of hidden information.” He scratched his neck. “I know for a fact that the Thornmer Court has sought this out, but it’s a very uncommon practice. Forbidden, in some parts of Talon, even.” 

“Let me guess,” you said lightheartedly. “Qorath is the only land where it’s normal.”

Vernon’s lack of response, not even a smile, made your amusement die out instantly. 

“Gods…” You shook your head. “Wait, so what exactly are you trying to imply?”

“I can imagine, as a ruler, you would want the best for your land,” he continued carefully. “If one’s future is unsure…” 

You shook your head abruptly. “No.” 

“Dottie–” 

“I will not hear any of this,” you spat and got up. “I will not stand here and let you accuse my family of something so… distasteful!” Your eyes welled with tears as you pointed at him. “They might have hidden these documents from me, but they would never seek out magic in this form. Especially not from a wretched place like Qorath!”

Vernon chewed his lip when he looked down. “I did not intend to disrespect your family, Dottie. I just want to help you make sense of their motives.” 

“By accusing them of divination?” You scoffed and crossed your arms. “I can understand your shock at discovering this information, as I have experienced myself. That is no reason to reach such bizarre conclusions.” 

“What is your idea, then?” Vernon stood up to face you. “Tell me, Dottie, what explains this other than a taste of magic?” 

You eyed him. “Counting back, my parents were barely of age when my brother was born. They might have done it out of love for him, to give him a chance at a good life.”

You scoffed at him. “There had just been a war, Vernon. My grandfather had died months before and Blackspire was in chaos because of the war that he started. My barely eighteen-year-old mother came to the throne and needed to settle the land first before it would spiral. They would probably have been terrified to raise a child in such circumstances.”

Vernon looked away. “I did not know that, I’m sorry.” 

“It is not fair where he ended up instead,” you continued. “They might have not realised, but I refuse to believe that magic or Qorath had something to do with it.” 

He bobbed his head. “Then I stand behind that. You know the situation much better than I do and it was wrong of me to assume the worst.” 

You eyed him. “How did you know about the Royal Family here?” 

“Let’s just say that I had a friend inside the palace walls.” Vernon shot you a smile and brushed past you, his hands placed on your shoulders. “Excuse me.” 

Your stomach tingled. You watched Vernon disappear through the backdoor and turned back to the documents, observing the name on the certificate. 

If you were to believe Vernon, he did not end up well. It made you wonder what kind of man you’d meet, if he was truly as bad as the stories told everyone, or if it was a big exaggeration because he was raised in Qorath. 

You’d never visited. Your parents avoided it, telling you that it was a risk to all of you to set foot there. In hindsight, they probably meant that their presence ran the risk of exposing your brother’s existence and they couldn’t have that. 

Or they truly wanted to protect you from everything. Suddenly you weren’t so sure anymore. 

If Qorath had a smell it would be acidic: strong, pungent and making your stomach turn upside down.

You looked at Vernon, observing how his nose crinkled and strands of his silver hair fell in front of his face. His usual attire was switched out for a toned down, cream coloured blouse on top of grey pants with matching boots. He wore a grey cloak, the hood pulled over his head. There was no Thornmer crest and no palace colours. Whether it was out of protection to you or to distance himself from his position as an official merchant, you hadn’t dared to ask. 

You stood out with the blue dress you wore, unwilling to admit that you’d grown fond of it. 

Vernon hadn’t told you to lay low with less vibrant colours. He scanned you up and down, bobbed his head and avoided your gaze, his cheeks tinting a light pink. 

You hadn’t been able to take your eyes off him, either.  

At the border, your cart had been turned upside down. By the look on Vernon’s face, it’d been a first for him as well. 

‘Precaution,’ the Qorath guard had told you. For a land reeking of such evil, you found it ironic that the colours of the royal family were white and silver, ones that you recognised in the guard’s attire immediately. 

You and Vernon had gotten off without protest and watched him clear your cart. You were getting back on when the guard turned to you.

“Miss, may I see your bag?” 

Vernon tensed up next to you. When you looked at him, his face was clear of anything. He just bobbed his head. 

You swallowed and opened it, your heart throbbing in your throat. 

The guard skimmed through and his eyes landed on the documents. He halted in his tracks and glanced up at you. “Travels?” 

You eyed him curiously. 

He pointed at them. “If you’re journaling about your travels.” 

A smile formed on your face. “Yes, I do. How kind of you to notice, sir.” 

“You should visit Ameres while you’re here, miss. The view over the mountains will be the most magnificent one you’ll ever see.” 

“I will keep it in mind.” 

The guard stepped aside and moved his hand. “Welcome to Qorath.” 

Vernon thanked him and whipped the reins gently, the horses coming into motion. He shuffled closer to you when the guard offered you a smile. 

You closed your bag and exhaled. 

“We should arrive in Kallos by sunset,” he told you. “Have you ever been there with your parents?”

You shook your head. “I’ve never been inside of Qorath.”

“Stay close to me and don’t leave my side.” 

You wanted to tease him, but the urgency in his words refrained you from doing so. Instead, you nodded and looked ahead. The greenery against the surfaces of the buildings did not match the rancid, rotten reputation of Qorath. In fact, the entire land looked like Blackspire’s meadows in the spring, the ones that you hid in when you were playing hide-and-seek with your father as a child.

A dread settled into your chest. What would your brother even think, coming here unannounced declaring that he was the true Blackspirian heir? Hell, if Qorath lived up to its reputation, they knew everything about everyone. He would see that you looked nothing like the princess that was missing. 

The princess that was supposed to be Queen. 

“Vernon, can we stop very quickly?”

The cart grinded to a halt and you hopped off, your arms tightly hugging your chest. Tears stung behind your eyes so you looked up at the sky. “Gods…” 

“Dottie?” 

Your chest tightened. “I’m fine,” your voice cracked. “Just give me a minute.” 

Vernon stood behind you and a pit formed in your stomach. He gently placed a hand on your shoulder. “We can still go back, if it’s too much.”

“What will he think?” You turned around to face him. “I show up to tell him that he should’ve been king instead of me, he will probably hate me for not showing up sooner.”

“It’s not your fault, okay?” Vernon tucked a lock behind your ear as he looked at you. “Maybe he gets mad, but you’re the wrong person to take his frustration out on. You should not take that personally.”

“I still feel guilty.”

He pulled you into his chest and wrapped his arms around you. 

You melted into his touch and closed your eyes. “I want to give him the life he deserves, Vernon… He can get out of here if he wants to, so why shouldn’t I help him…?” 

“I know, Dottie.” He brushed your hair with a hum. “You can give him the choice, but you can’t force him. This is all he’s known and it wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t trust you.” 

“But I don’t want to go back.” You looked up at him and wiped a tear away. “I won’t give up on him.” 

Vernon’s lips curved into a smile and he nodded. He let go of you, but his hand lingered on your shoulder for a while. 

Your cheeks heated up and you peeled away, brushing the folds of your dress. “We may continue.”

“Yeah, um. We shall.” 

You walked towards the cart and lifted your dress off the ground. Vernon extended a hand to you and you took it. The touch was brief, but electrifying, the spark setting your soul on fire. Your fingers brushed past each other when you let go. As you sat down, he hopped on as well and you were on your way again. 

Even after seeing nothing else, the greenery continued to capture your attention. It was taken care of, it bloomed like nothing you’d ever seen in your own land. When you tried to look closer, it was like it was keeping you from doing so, planting the idea in your head that you just had to take it at face value. 

Maybe this was the part about Qorath that made everyone stay. If you didn’t try to look into it, nothing was wrong. Blissful ignorance to survive another day. 

“You’ve grown up with stories, right?” 

You glanced aside and nodded. 

“What stories have you heard about Qorath’s royal family?” Vernon asked again. 

“Father told me once that the people of Qorath barely know their king and queen,” you started and folded your hands in your lap. “But the king has a voice that makes it impossible to turn away and the queen looks ethereal, like she isn’t from here. She has a shine about her that makes her feel like the angel on everyone’s shoulder. The princesses are sent by the gods themselves, unearthly like their mother and alluring like their father.” 

You looked ahead of you. “They only come out to see their people once a year, on the anniversary of their ascension. Father managed to tell me that there’s speculation about their true natures, because they eye younger every year they appear in front of their subjects. As if they’re aging backwards. The princesses look like they haven’t aged a day beyond their eighteenth birthday.” 

When you locked eyes with Vernon, your heart jumped. “Of course, these are just stories,” you continued. “But seeing the royal family outside of the anniversary is rare, if not impossible.” 

“As a princess yourself,” Vernon started. “Has anything about that caught your attention?” 

“I could never understand why they wouldn’t be more involved with their people, which is a value I’ve been taught growing up.” You hummed. “I realised that not every prince or princess is as fortunate to have an upbringing like I had, where my independence was as valuable as my future. Especially as the heir.” 

The word rotted in your mouth. 

You shook your head. “I wonder where these questions come from. They’re always so… specific”

“I have my own ideas about the lands we reside in,” he told you and steered the horses onto the stone road. “You meet a variety of… interesting people when you’re trading special goods.”

You leaned back in your seat with a smile, supporting your weight on your arms. “Entertain me, sir Chwe.” 

Vernon looked back at you, and you shrugged, a grin tugging at your lips. 

“I am curious to learn about that seemingly broad mind of yours.” 

“That is a way to phrase it.”

“Shall I wield my royal authority to get you to talk?”

Vernon arched an eyebrow. “You’re not even Queen.”

“I’m still a princess.” You shrugged. “Still outranking you by a mile.”

“Your disguise says otherwise.” 

You slapped his arm, to which he snickered. “Come on, Vernon. You can’t tease me with ‘having your own ideas’ to leave me hanging.” 

“Alright, alright.” He flashed you a smile and focused on the road again. “I think there’s a lot more going on behind the curtains than we’re led to believe. Something that us humble servants will never discover because it’s a game played by the very wealthy amongst us.” 

You tilted your head. “What do you mean?” 

“When I was Qorath for business, my delivery was to the palace,” Vernon told you, the reins resting in his hand. “The only people I’ve seen were so called advisors and they all rubbed me the wrong way. When I was alone with any of them, I asked about the royal family and the answer from all of them was exactly the same. All the way to the punctuation.” 

He hummed. “It was one of my very first deliveries and the reason I decided to stay in the business.” 

“You’re not a spy, right?”