Kieran was woken up by a jolt on his shoulder. He opened his eyes, instantly overcome by a feeling of nausea. But when he realised that it was Julian who woke him up, he was shocked to death. Because Julian's clothes were soiled with blood and sweat. In his hand was a sword, which Kieran realised he had borrowed from a palace knight. Around them was only chaos. "I think they mixed something into my drink," Kieran said. "A lot of something and—" "That's not important," Julian interrupted. "Everly betrayed us. But somehow she didn't give me enough sleeping pills. So I woke up early, and saw a lot of dead souls out there. A lot of them. The phone rang, and I called Serena's father. It was just as bad there. There's a plague of dead souls that's attacking our entire kingdom." Each sentence pierced Kieran like a sword. He quickly got up from his chair and for a moment desperately fought off the dizziness and nausea. Even so, he immediately searched for Elios Silverlake's whereabouts, an
"I decided to trust you, Dravon," Kieran replied. "But you betrayed my trust in you. Over and over again." He maintained his smile, as the tip of his sword was still in Dravon's grasp. He pushed his sword harder, but Dravon's defences were as hard as granite. The prince began to fight back, until the blade of Kieran's sword slipped out and pierced the bed. The Valorthorn prince immediately jumped out of bed. His diamond-hilted sword formed in his hand from millions of pieces of magic light. "Read my mind, Kieran," Dravon growled, almost pleading. "So that you may know what truly happened." Kieran's gaze dimmed. "I don't want to know," he refused. The next instant all the glass in the place shattered and struck Dravon. The Crown Prince immediately ducked, creating a protective wall of magic around his body. Dravon gritted his teeth as he got back to his feet. "Alright if that's what you want, we fight," he said. The man immediately swung his magic sword at Kieran. Both their swo
The manor appeared to swallow Kieran in darkness. He could feel the dampness of the carpet beneath his shoes. Dark spots adorned the thick carpet lining the walls, and red stains marred the family portraits. The metallic scent of blood lingered in the air.The creaking of the wood from the family room fireplace only reminded Kieran of how silent the manor was. He promptly ascended the stairs, trying not to dwell on why the banister felt rough and dusty in his hands.Then he saw the family room door wide open. A small fire in the fireplace greeted him, along with his parents' clasped hands as they leaned back in their comfortable chairs.Kieran breathed a sigh of relief. "Pa, Ma, I brought a souvenir from Grandma's..." He pulled out a box of cookies from the paper bag he held while briskly walking towards his parents' warm chairs. His words were interrupted as the connection of their clasped hands broke, and they slumped lifelessly. Kieran's gaze lifted, noting his mother's excessively
One year ago."Kieran Nyxshade. You are the cursed child!" The shout merged with laughter and children's chatter in the corridor, but Kieran heard it crystal clear.He halted and turned, causing his friends to follow suit. His gaze directly met the green eyes, hidden securely behind the broken-framed glasses. A week ago, those eyes used to sparkle while looking at Kieran. But today, the gaze was filled with profound hatred."You should address him as 'my lord,' Dravon!" Billy, one of Kieran's close friends, scolded Dravon before Kieran uttered a word. "Commoner scum.""Oh my, I can't stand his foolishness. I wonder why he got the scholarship instead of you, Kieran," Emma retorted."Let it be, Emma. Without the scholarship, he wouldn't manage to attend school here.""Guys!" Kieran muttered briefly, silencing his friends. He walked towards Dravon, who looked small in the donated orphanage sweater. "What do you want, Dravon? You don't need to act this pitiful to be my friend.""Be your f
Kieran drew his dagger. This time, he wasn't as confident as before when he fought against Dravon. Uncertain of his ability to defeat the invisible monster with a dagger, he hesitated. Nevertheless, facing the creature with the hiltless swords he carried was not an option he favored.Somehow, Kieran could sense the hunger and hatred of the monster. He could feel the dark cravings of a dead soul. In an instant, the creature arrived before him, claws digging into his shoulder, causing Kieran to wince in pain. His hand trembled as he gripped the dagger. Hatred and anger erupted within him as despair and past grievances seized control."You killed my parents," Kieran whispered. He closed his eyes. If he couldn't see the monster, then he didn't have to see. The monster swiftly moved past him. Kieran's body spun, his dagger slashing in a clockwise motion. As the blade's tip hit something soft, Kieran's lips curled into a heartless smile. He focused on his sense of hearing and touch. His bo
In his fifty-year career, General Griffin had never felt the central palace walls as cold as this. He strode down the corridor, unconsciously observing every portrait of the royal family hanging on the walls and the vases of flowers supposedly personally chosen by the late Queen. Griffin had fought in countless wars throughout his life to defend the country, yet he had never felt as ashamed as he did now, having failed to preserve the warmth and security of this nation for his queen.Upon reaching the study room of the palace, Griffin knocked on the door twice. Only the anxious exhale from inside was heard, which Griffin interpreted as a response. He promptly opened the door and strode confidently past bookshelves, sofas, and a desk to reach the crown prince leaning by the window. His sleepwear, made of ivory-colored satin, appeared remarkably wrinkled on his frail frame. His hair was tousled, with dark circles beneath his eyes."Forgive my tardiness, Your Highness," General Griffin s
Dravon removed his estate cloak, draping it over his arm as he entered Duke Zephyr's warmly lit manor. A maid approached, walking alongside him."How is the little girl?" Dravon inquired. They strode confidently towards the western wing of the manor, where Dravon's prepared chambers awaited."She has just fallen asleep, Your Highness," the maid replied with a peaceful smile, one of the reasons Dravon preferred this manor over his own in Central Palace. Here, the maids didn't harbor undue fear of their master.Arriving in the cozy room with a large canopied bed and a flickering fireplace, Dravon stood by the bedside. He observed the peacefully sleeping two or three-year-old girl, hands resting beside her head. His gaze softened as he noticed the pendant with the name 'Lunabelle' around the little girl's neck."Your current fate is similar to what I experienced in the past," Dravon whispered faintly. He then smiled at the maid. "Please keep an eye on the little girl every two hours. I'l
Even the fire in Duke Zephyr's manor living room couldn't thaw the icy heart of the crown prince. All the servants had been awakened, lining up on the side of the room unseen by Prince Vikrant. It was an open secret that he regarded the servants as pests, unwilling to lay eyes on them unless necessary.Dravon could only remain silent, observing his older brother sip the oldest wine owned by Duke Zephyr. He remained huddled, leaning his back against the chair occupied by Will. Since earlier, Will could only bow his head, unable to assume his father's role as the host. Dravon understood the simmering anger within Will upon learning that Lunabelle was a legitimate daughter Prince Vikrant refused to acknowledge. All sensible men in Valorthorn desired to marry and bring joy to Princess Silvanna, but Vikrant refused solely because their firstborn was a girl. What Dravon could learn was this: the more he knew his older brother, the deeper the disappointment he acquired."Your Highness," knee