Chapter 86
Everett spoke casually, almost as if tossing the words out. At that, Eldin’s eyes began to sparkle brightly.
Kaiden quickly added.
“Everett can do that because he was born of a special lineage. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’re not special. Um… what I mean is, this is something that other demons can’t do, so if you want to learn magic, I can teach you other kinds.”
As soon as Kaiden finished speaking, Eldin nodded with a somewhat gloomy expression.
“Mother! How can you say that to Eldin too!”
Fernan, who was beside him, looked troubled and scooped Eldin into his arms. He hurriedly began speaking to soothe him.
“Eldin, don’t be too disappointed. When I was young, I also trusted what mother said and tried everything, but it was impossible. Just take her words lightly! You have a special power that only you possess!”
“That’s right! Even if you can’t use this kind of magic, little one, you’re still special!”
Kaiden shouted again. Everett, watching them, shrugged his shoulders as if to say he wasn’t at fault.
Seeing Eldin trying to console himself awkwardly, he couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
“You don’t have to say it like that; I already knew. Mother knows everything and was just joking.”
When Eldin laughed, Kaiden and Fernan followed suit with awkward smiles. It seemed Eldin wasn’t fully aware that Everett rarely joked.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here.”
Diana, hooded, slowly looked around. The place looked markedly different from when she had visited in her childhood, searching for Yuricien.
“People used to smile more here, though…”
Her voice sank low. Perhaps because of high taxes, shadows seemed to hang over people’s faces. The atmosphere felt different from the eastern regions.
Sighing lightly as she observed the people walking the streets, Diana whispered.
“It’s not your fault. The real fault lies with me…”
Yuricien held Diana’s hand. Hearing her somber tone, Diana turned and grabbed his cheeks.
“It’s not your fault! This is the fault of a foolish emperor who can’t properly manage the country! So don’t blame yourself, understand?”
Diana spoke sharply, and Yuricien hesitated before nodding.
“Let’s go. We need to remove that foolish emperor as soon as possible.”
Diana shook her head. Having loved her country since childhood and struggled to ensure the happiness of all its people, she was displeased with the current state, where only the nobles prospered.
Grabbing Yuricien’s hand, she hurried toward the royal palace.
“Take off your hood!”
Soldiers aimed their spears at Diana and Yuricien. Dylan sat with a sullen expression, watching them from his chair.
“So, why did you want to see me?”
Dylan asked.
“Long time no see, brother.”
Diana removed her hood and smiled. At the same time, the magic Yuricien had set in place activated, breaking as Dylan saw her face.
“Diana! Are you fully healed now?”
Dylan jumped up in shock. The soldiers quickly lowered their spears and knelt.
“Your Highness!”
The magic Yuricien had cast created the impression that Diana, Dylan’s younger sister, had been away to heal her illness and had now returned fully recovered.
“Wow! I can’t believe I can see you healthy again!”
Dylan hurried to Diana, holding her hands.
“Are you no longer in pain?”
“Yes. I’ve been completely healed.”
Diana smiled gently. Dylan patted her shoulder in relief.
“And who is this with you?”
Dylan looked at Yuricien, clearly asking for an explanation. Yuricien still hadn’t removed his hood.
“This is the one who took care of me while I was being treated. I wanted them to continue serving me, so I brought them along.”
“Oh, if that’s the case, I understand. I’m just so glad you’re back.”
Dylan nodded, pretending to wipe away tears.
“Milady, a letter!”
Molek waved a letter sealed with a golden emblem.
“It’s from the palace, then.”
Eldin slowly read the letter. It was simply an invitation for all nobles to attend a party celebrating Dylan’s sister’s complete recovery.
“Looks like Yuricien’s magic worked.”
Eldin sighed in relief. Meanwhile, Molek, standing beside him, looked around wide-eyed.
“Molek, what are you looking for?”
“Huh? Oh, nothing. I just don’t see him.”
“Do you mean Silin? Hmm… Silin is probably in their room right now.”
Eldin trailed off with a troubled expression.
“In the room? Got it.”
Just as Molek smiled and started moving, Eldin grabbed his sleeve.
“You can’t go now!”
Molek tilted his head in confusion at Eldin’s words.
‘Silin asked to keep it a secret…’
Eldin avoided his gaze. For some reason, Silin had started feeling ill last night. She refused any help, repeating the same instructions over and over.
“Absolutely! Don’t tell him I’m sick.”
Eldin had refrained from answering Molek properly to keep that promise. Molek blinked and smiled brightly.
“All right! Then I won’t go now!”
Before Eldin could respond, Molek disappeared. Eldin stared blankly at the place he had gone.
“Hey! What are you doing!”
Molek, who had said he wouldn’t go to Eldin, suddenly burst into Silin’s room.
“Why aren’t you coming out…”
He stopped abruptly in front of the bed where Silin lay.
“Sigh… I told you not to come.”
Silin frowned and pulled the blanket over her head. A sweet scent wafted through the blanket. Molek’s eyes glinted dangerously.
The bed sank as someone climbed onto it. Silin sighed heavily and pulled back the blanket.
“Stop.”
She extended her hand to cover Molek’s mouth, who was right in front of her.
“Why?”
Her voice sounded innocent, but her yellow eyes scanned her body persistently.
“You drank a lot yesterday. I’m not giving any more for a while.”
“Not really…”
Molek hesitated, continuing. Beads of sweat slid down beneath her white neckline.
“I didn’t drink…”
The top of Silin’s chemise dress was soaked in sweat. The thin fabric clung to her skin, revealing her body clearly.
Noticing Molek staring, Silin furrowed her brows.
“You… ha, fine.”
Silin answered irritably, turning to lie down. After all, she was feeling this way because of him.
Molek’s fangs contained a demon’s venom. Small amounts of blood were fine, but if he drank too much, the venom could enter the body, causing pain.
That was why Silin had refused Eldin’s treatment and had kicked him out of the room.
‘I didn’t want him to know I was sick because of that guy.’
She felt pathetic for worrying Eldin. Meanwhile, the clueless demon approached, unaware she was in pain, trying to drink again.
Anger surged.
“Now, get out!”
Silin kicked Molek in the abdomen. He fell off the bed with a thud. At that moment, someone suddenly opened the door.
“Molek!”
Eldin rushed in, startled.
“You said you wouldn’t come here!”
Eldin looked between Silin and Molek in panic.
“Milady, that one is a demon. Don’t trust him.”
Silin clicked her tongue. Eldin quickly grabbed Molek’s arm.
“Silin, sorry for disturbing your rest. I’ll scold Molek properly.”
Eldin dragged Molek out of the room.
“Tsk, tsk, so stubborn.”
Outside, Kaiden was waiting. He patted Molek’s shoulder, who looked dazed.
“Father, could you watch Molek for a moment?”
Eldin handed Molek to Kaiden and entered Silin’s room.
“Molek… you shouldn’t treat someone you like that way.”
Molek’s head shot up at Kaiden’s words. Then he tilted his head, clearly not understanding.
“Someone I like? Me? Who?”
“Oh, you still don’t realize it.”
“Huh? Him? No? Not at all? I don’t like him!”
Molek jumped and shouted. Seeing his stubbornness, Kaiden shook his head and took him elsewhere.
Once they reached a quiet place, Kaiden asked Molek:
“Do you know why that girl is sick?”
“Well… isn’t it just because she’s sick? She’s strong, so it’s surprising.”
Molek shrugged. Kaiden let out a small sigh at his cluelessness.
“She’s sick because of the venom in your fangs. Haven’t you fed recently?”
Molek froze.
“My… venom?”
“Yes. No matter how strong a human is, they’re still human. If a demon’s venom spreads, it will make them sick.”
Molek couldn’t answer, stunned. He never imagined Silin could be sick because of him. His heart started beating nervously.
“Think carefully. Why do you want her blood? There’s plenty of blood in this world far tastier than hers.”
