CHAPTER 21
"Vanyul,"
Sihyun said, his voice filled with something close to reverence.
"He's like me. A demon sorcerer. I'm not alone anymore, Yuhyun. There's someone else who understands what it means to have this power, to be hunted, to be hated for something we never chose. And he's strong. Together, we could—"
"No!"
Yuhyun's sudden outburst startled Sihyun into silence. Yuhyun's face twisted with something between fear and frustration.
"I knew this day would come… I knew you'd find him. But Sihyun, you don't understand what you're saying. Vanyul isn't the answer. He's dangerous."
Sihyun narrowed his eyes.
"How do you know that?"
Yuhyun looked away, pressing his lips together. He couldn't tell Sihyun the truth—that he had known Vanyul before, that he had erased Sihyun's memories of him for a reason.
"I just do. He's not who you think he is."
Sihyun clenched his fists.
"You're afraid, Yuhyun. You're scared that I finally have someone who sees me, someone who doesn't want me to live like a prisoner in this wretched palace. With Vanyul, I wouldn't have to hide anymore. Together, we'd be unstoppable."
Yuhyun's expression crumbled, sorrow clouding his eyes.
"And what would you do, Sihyun? What would you and Vanyul become together? Would you really turn your back on everything just to get revenge?"
Sihyun hesitated, his heart pounding. He had never seen Yuhyun this distressed before. But the thought of Vanyul, of a future outside these walls, called to him in a way he couldn't ignore.
The grand hall was filled with murmurs as the king, officials, guards, and servants gathered, their eyes fixed on the prince who stood confidently before them. Sihyun and Yuhyun exchanged confused glances, the only ones in the room unaware of what was about to unfold.
Muwon's voice was calm yet firm as he made his announcement.
"I will be leaving the palace for two days and three nights. Accompanying me will be Yuhyun and Sihyun."
A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd. Sihyun's eyes widened, and Yuhyun stiffened beside him. It was unexpected—unbelievable even. Why would Muwon suddenly decide to leave the palace, and more importantly, why would he bring them along?
"My prince,"
one of the officials spoke cautiously.
"Would it not be dangerous to bring him along?"
His eyes darted to Sihyun, the weight of his words clear.
"I have made my decision,"
Muwon said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"And to ensure we move without restriction…"
He turned slightly toward the guards standing behind Sihyun.
"Remove the sorcerer's chain."
A stunned silence fell over the hall.
The order was so unexpected that even the guards hesitated before stepping forward. The moment the cool metal of the chain was unfastened from Sihyun's wrists, a surge of energy rushed through him like an intoxicating wave of power he hadn't felt in so long. His breath hitched as the invisible weight shackling his existence disappeared.
Gasps echoed around the room as Sihyun's black eyes flickered—then glowed a deep, menacing red.
The room tensed, hands instinctively reaching for weapons, but Sihyun barely paid them any mind. He clenched and unclenched his fists, flexing his fingers as if relearning his own body. It had been so long since he'd felt this… free.
The thrill of it sent a shiver through him. He could escape. He could run. He could fight—
"Sihyun."
Muwon's voice cut through his rising thoughts, grounding him. Sihyun turned, meeting the prince's unreadable gaze. Was it caution? Amusement? Or something else entirely?
Sihyun smirked, the corner of his lips tilting up despite himself.
"You must really trust me, Your Highness."
Muwon didn't respond immediately, his dark eyes lingering on Sihyun's glowing ones before he finally said,
"Let's hope I'm not wrong."
A chilling silence followed, the tension thick enough to suffocate. But then, an eerie hum of energy crackled through the air. Gasps erupted as Sihyun lifted his hand, and before anyone could react, one of the guards was wrenched off the ground, his body rising unnaturally into the air.
Screams and panicked whispers filled the courtyard. Servants scrambled back, officials clutched at their robes, and even seasoned guards stiffened, hands instinctively reaching for their weapons. But none dared move.
Muwon stood still, unreadable. The king, seated above the rest, tensed but did not interrupt. Sihyun's lips curled into a sharp, almost amused smirk, his glowing eyes filled with daring provocation.
"Isn't this what you all feared? That without your precious chain, I would be nothing but a monster?"
His voice carried over the stunned crowd, every syllable laced with both mockery and menace.
The guard choked, his body writhing midair. His comrades watched helplessly, their training rendered useless in the face of true power. The prince still did not flinch, nor did he order Sihyun to stop. Instead, Muwon simply watched.
Yuhyun's voice shattered the moment.
"Sihyun, stop!"
For a second, the golden glow in Sihyun's eyes flickered. A hesitation, brief but there. And then, just as suddenly as the moment had begun, it ended. With a flick of his wrist, Sihyun released the floating man—not to the ground, but to his death. The guard's body collapsed lifelessly before them, the finality of it striking the crowd like a slap.
Horrified gasps. Murmurs of disbelief. A sharp inhale from the king.
Sihyun straightened, tilting his head ever so slightly.
"See? I'm not afraid of you."
His voice was quiet but carried the weight of an unshakable truth.
"Not anymore."
Muwon remained still, eyes locked on Sihyun's, his expression impossible to read. But something in the air between them shifted. Something that even the king himself could not control.
And for the first time, Sihyun felt it—true, unrestrained freedom.
The hall fell into a suffocating silence. The stench of blood clung to the air as the lifeless body of the guard dropped to the floor with a sickening thud. Gasps and horrified whispers spread through the gathered officials and servants like wildfire.
Sihyun was dangerous.