CHAPTER 45
"For you, Vanyul."
The court was still.
But the King's eyes narrowed, cold and skeptical.
"Touching,"
he said dryly.
"But demon sorcerers have always been liars and manipulators. What makes you think I should trust you now?"
Sihyun dropped to his knees before the King, head bowed low.
"Because I've chosen not to fight anymore."
His voice cracked.
"I've lost everything. I don't want to lose the only person who understands what it feels like to survive this long…"
The King remained silent for a moment. Everyone stared at him, waiting.
Then he scoffed.
"Pathetic,"
he said.
"You—who hated humans—groveling like this. You're only pretending. Just like the rest of your kind."
Vanyul clenched his fists, glaring at the King with fury in his eyes.
His voice snapped out.
"Don't you dare mock him for this. He doesn't bow to anyone—not even me. If he's doing this, it's because he means it."
Even chained and bloodied, Vanyul's voice roared through the hall like thunder.
Everyone stood still. Eyes bouncing between the King, Sihyun, and Vanyul.
The King leaned forward slightly, eyes still cold but now edged with reluctant consideration.
"…Fine,"
he said at last, the word sharp like a blade.
"He may live."
The court murmured again in surprise, but the King raised a hand to silence them.
"Ryu Vanyul will be kept in the palace dungeon, bound in sorcerer's chains at all times. No exceptions."
Vanyul lifted his head slightly, glaring—but didn't speak.
The King turned his gaze back to Sihyun, still kneeling, barely holding himself up.
"And you… Demon Sorcerer."
Sihyun looked up slowly, breath trembling, eyes glossy but dry.
"You'll be watched. Guarded. Every movement. If you break your word…"
The King's voice lowered to a chilling edge,
"…I will not grant mercy again."
He waved his hand.
"Take him away."
The guards moved forward and began escorting Vanyul out. His eyes met Sihyun's for a moment—so many emotions crammed into that fleeting stare. Anger. Sadness. Regret. Something close to admiration.
Then he was gone.
One by one, the nobles and ministers began to leave, whispering among themselves, side-eyeing Sihyun as they passed.
Prince Muwon remained, standing quietly at the side of the throne, watching the scene unfold.
Sihyun's body trembled. The weight of exhaustion, magic depletion, shame, and heartbreak finally caught up with him.
His legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees again.
"Sihyun!"
Yuhyun's voice cracked as he rushed toward him.
He dropped beside him, pulling him into a tight, trembling hug.
"I thought I lost you,"
Yuhyun whispered, face buried in his twin's shoulder.
"You scared me so much…"
Sihyun didn't say a word.
He just hugged Yuhyun back, burying his face in his twin's neck, letting the tears fall silently now that no one could see.
Prince Muwon stood silently across the room, his sword sheathed at his side.
He watched the twins hold onto each other like they were clinging to life itself.
He didn't say anything. He didn't move.
But for the first time, his heart ached—not just with concern, but with something deeper.
And he knew… this wasn't over.
The chamber was quiet, shadows from the late afternoon sun casting soft gold across the stone walls. Sihyun sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers idly picking at the blanket, lips moving in a whisper.
"I'll kill them all… one by one…"
he mumbled repeatedly, almost trance-like.
The door creaked open.
Yuhyun stepped in, holding a tray of warm food. He paused in the doorway, his eyes narrowing as he heard Sihyun's quiet words.
"Who are you going to kill?"
Sihyun jolted, startled, his head snapping up. His expression froze in shock for a moment before quickly smoothing into a mask.
"Nothing,"
he muttered, avoiding eye contact.
"You heard wrong."
Yuhyun walked in, and placed the tray on the table nearby. He sat beside Sihyun on the bed and gently placed his hand on Sihyun's forehead.
"You're warm… Still recovering."
he said softly.
"Can I see it?"
Sihyun hesitated, then nodded as he rolled up the sleeve of his robe.
The mark was still raw—a freshly-formed demon horn-shaped tattoo, slightly raised against his pale skin, dark and jagged across his upper arm. Even though his powers were suppressed by the sorcerer's chain around his ankle, the mark carried an unsettling weight.
Yuhyun's eyes widened.
"…It came out beautifully."
Yuhyun exhaled slowly.
"…It must've drained you while it was forming."
Sihyun chuckled under his breath—low, dry.
"It didn't drain me."
He looked at Yuhyun, expression unreadable.
"It gave me so much power. I felt it. Like it was meant for me."
Yuhyun's brows furrowed, concern etched in his face.
Sihyun looked back down at the mark, brushing his fingers lightly over it.
"When the twentieth appears…"
His voice was quiet, but resolute.
"I'll be unstoppable."
Yuhyun's throat tightened. There was no glow in Sihyun's eyes—no magic to make his aura flicker ominously—but the cold certainty in his voice made the air between them feel heavier.
"…Sihyun,"
Yuhyun said, carefully,
"That's not something to look forward to."
Sihyun didn't respond. He just kept tracing the outline of the mark with his finger, lost in thought.
The door creaked softly as Muwon stepped into the chamber, his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable.
Yuhyun immediately stood from the bed, bowing respectfully.
Sihyun, on the other hand, sat stiffly, refusing to even glance at Muwon, his jaw tight in defiance.
Muwon glanced between them and spoke, voice low but firm,
"Yuhyun… may I speak with Sihyun alone?"
Yuhyun looked at Sihyun, about to nod, but Sihyun cut in sharply without turning.
"No."
His voice was cold and final.
"Whatever you want to say, say it in front of Yuhyun."
Yuhyun touched Sihyun's arm lightly.
"Sihyun… it's fine. I can go—"
"No,"
Sihyun snapped again, his tone softer but firm.
He finally looked at Yuhyun with a rare flicker of protectiveness.
"Stay."
Muwon hesitated, a rare uncertainty flashing across his face.