CHAPTER 44
"He chose them… even now."
Sihyun's body finally gave in to exhaustion. His breathing slowed, and his eyes fluttered shut again, safe in Muwon's arms.
The air settled. The forest fell silent.
A sense of fragile peace washed over them all…
But Vanyul's smoldering gaze promised this was far from over.
[FOREST – HOURS LATER]
The night air was thick with the smell of scorched earth and blood. Broken branches and disturbed soil marked the path where battle once roared. The moonlight filtered dimly through the trees, illuminating a lone, staggering figure.
The female ally—bloodied, bruised, and limping—emerged from the shadows, clutching her side. Her arm was slashed open, dried blood streaking her clothes. Every breath was labored, every step a silent scream.
She finally reached the clearing where Vanyul and Sihyun had last stood—where she had hoped to regroup, to escape with them.
But all she found… was silence.
She stumbled forward, eyes scanning the ground until she saw it—the faint imprint of Vanyul's footsteps, the burned ring of Sihyun's fire magic, and signs of struggle.
And then she saw the royal guard insignia etched into the trees. The moment was clear.
They had taken him.
Her knees buckled beneath her, and she collapsed to the forest floor.
"No… No…"
she whispered, her voice cracking.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she gritted her teeth in anguish.
"I failed you… Vanyul…"
She clenched her fists against the dirt, trembling—not just from pain, but guilt.
Her eyes darted around the clearing, then slowly fell shut.
The weight of her injuries. The weight of loss. The weight of being the only one left.
Her companion—the male ally—was gone. Slain in battle.
And now Vanyul, bound and captured, was no longer within her reach.
She forced herself upright, barely, and disappeared into the woods—dragging herself deeper into the shadows, blood trailing behind her.
But before vanishing completely, she turned once more toward the clearing—her face blank, her heart fractured.
"I'll get you back,"
she whispered.
"Even if it costs me everything."
[PRINCE'S CHAMBER – MORNING]
The soft light of dawn spilled through the large windows, casting golden streaks across the royal chamber. The room was quiet except for the distant chirping of birds and the occasional sound of servants walking outside.
Sihyun's eyes blinked open. His head ached, and his body felt sore—like he'd been hit by a storm. He sat up slowly, rubbing his temple, then froze.
A cold sensation brushed against his ankle.
He looked down, then flipped the blanket aside in a sharp motion.
There it was.
The gleaming, cursed chain coiled like a snake around his ankle—the Sorcerer's Chain. It glowed faintly with binding magic.
His breath hitched.
He clenched his jaw, his hands trembling before a sudden, guttural scream tore from his throat—a sound of frustration, rage, and sorrow all tangled into one.
"Let me go!!"
he shouted, eyes burning with unshed tears.
The door burst open.
Yuhyun rushed in, wide-eyed, still in his indoor robe.
"Sihyun!"
he called, hurrying to him and dropping to his knees in front of the bed.
"What's wrong? Are you in pain?"
Sihyun didn't answer—his eyes were already brimming.
"Where is he?"
he asked in a low, sharp voice.
Yuhyun blinked.
"W-What?"
"Where is he?"
Sihyun repeated, louder, staring down at him.
"Where is Vanyul?"
Yuhyun's lips parted but no words came out. He lowered his gaze, avoiding the question, guilt slowly surfacing in his expression.
Sihyun's chest rose and fell faster.
"Yuhyun. Tell me. Where. Is. He."
Yuhyun stayed silent.
That was enough of an answer.
Sihyun threw off the remaining blanket and stood up abruptly, his bare feet slapping against the cold floor. Yuhyun grabbed his wrist.
"Wait—Sihyun, you can't—"
"Let me go!"
he snapped, jerking his arm away.
Yuhyun stumbled back slightly as Sihyun walked past him, fury etched into every step.
He stormed out of the chamber, chain clinking with each movement. His heart pounded. His mind raced.
And all Yuhyun could do was stand there, fists clenched and tears building in his own eyes.
[ROYAL HALL – DAY]
The grand royal hall echoed with whispers and tension. The King sat atop his high seat, regal and cold-eyed, with Prince Muwon to his right. Ministers and generals lined the sides, including Lee Dohyun and Jang Taejin, standing with arms crossed, surveying the scene.
Vanyul knelt at the center, restrained, arms shackled and magic suppressed. A faint bruise marked his cheek, and blood crusted at the corner of his lip. His expression was unreadable—calm but unreadably distant.
Execution preparations were underway.
Then, the heavy doors creaked open.
Gasps and murmurs followed as Sihyun stepped in—still dressed in soft sleep robes, barefoot, the sorcerer's chain clinking with each determined step.
Guards and servants flinched, backing away instinctively, unsure what he might do even in his weakened state.
Yuhyun ran in seconds later, breathless and panicked.
"Sihyun, wait—!"
But Sihyun didn't stop.
He walked straight toward the throne and stopped in the center of the room, in full view of everyone, standing between Vanyul and the King.
Muwon's eyes widened, and even Dohyun and Taejin went silent, tension heavy in the air.
Sihyun bowed his head.
"Your Majesty…"
His voice trembled at first.
"Please…"
The King raised an eyebrow, arms resting atop the lion-headed armrests.
"You speak on behalf of that traitor?"
Sihyun nodded.
"Yes. I came to beg. Please… let Vanyul live."
Gasps echoed in the room.
"Let him live… because he's the only one I have left."
He forced the words out through his teeth, swallowing pride, choking on the sting of humiliation.
"I don't want to be the only one left…"
"We can stay away. We'll do whatever you want. Just don't take him from me too."
Muwon's expression faltered—surprised, confused, moved.
Yuhyun's eyes welled up with tears.
Even Vanyul looked stunned.
"…You're… begging them?"
Vanyul murmured, voice laced with disbelief.
"You would do this—for them?"
Sihyun turned his head slightly, just enough to glance back at him. His expression was pained.
"For you, Vanyul."