The farther they went, only silence remained. Eliot's body was stiff as though enchanted by a spell. His lips trembled, hoping a word—any word—would escape so he could scream.
The creature's hair was long, reaching her waist, covering Eliot's small shoulders—he stood at only 149 centimeters, an unfit size for a child his age.
Several workers passed by near the corridor. Their voices blended—some spoke about chores, others gossiped about him.
"Did you hear that?"
Merliah, the maid tasked with looking after Eliot, appeared from the laundry room. She paused at the doorway.
Her eyes were fixed on the staircase—where Eliot was being slowly dragged. Each time his body was pulled, the tip of his shoe made a distinct sound. The shoes were specially crafted for a prince—designed to trace a noble child's presence, because at that age… their lives were often casualties of succession wars.
Trakk.
The shoes thudded again. The creature's hair expanded, wrapping around Eliot's body like a wicked silk cocoon.
"Did the Prince pass through here? He's not supposed to be here."
Eliot and Merliah's eyes met—but the girl didn't recognize his presence at all.
"He was here—earlier. Alone, too," Sonia replied.
"He refuses company, even when offered."
They didn't bother keeping Eliot close. There was no official decree naming him heir to the throne. He was just a king's child—not yet Crown Prince. Only two people were allowed to care for him until he came of age.
"Why didn't you know? Weren't you the one in charge?"
They walked up the stairs. Eliot was just inches away—but completely invisible to them.
The candles along the wall cast no shadows. Neither the creature's, nor Eliot's.
"He must be in the Queen's chambers. Where else could he go?"
Merliah looked again toward the stairs. One hand holding her laundry basket fell to her side.
She reached into the darkness. "Strange," she said.
The creature cackled—not because she was petted, but because her neck twisted toward Eliot, who was now trapped in her hair.
"Parai meh dik, nadai urang pan meda seput dik."
—"You'll die, child. No one will see you. Not even your soul will be found."
"Kekekeke!"
Her laughter echoed, revealing blackened gums as the two maids walked away.
"Nama enda ninga jaku? Urang enda ngasuh bejalai enti petang? Sepi asai."
—"Didn't they warn you? Never walk alone after dark? Serves you right."
"Sepi asai."
"Serves you right."
"Sepi asai"
"Serves you right."
"Sepi asai..."
"Serves you right…"
The creature carried him farther into a dim hallway rarely used. It was a lonely place—uninhabited. No one knew. No one would come to help.
Eliot struggled. He moved his wrists with all his strength. He realized—he could still speak.
"Mph!"
This has to be a dream. I can't die… No!
A king does not die so easily. No matter what, make sure you breathe and stay alive. That was his father's advice. And also the words of his loyal guard, Clarity Robane.
His hand reached out instinctively. Unexpectedly, he grabbed something.
"Huh!"
The creature had two hands. Eliot's fingers clasped one. Its skin was cold and hard—not human.
Thankfully… that hand wasn't alive. The creature didn't notice.
"Ah…"
A faint gasp escaped his throat, but the sound was swallowed again.
"Be careful in the dark, my little prince… Don't stay alone too long. It's dangerous."
Now he understood what his mother meant. Not about the cruelty of humans… but something else. Something that hunted from the shadows.
Why is this hallway so dark? Why did that kitchen maid want to accompany me…?
I… I'm scared.
The scent of magnolia pierced his nose—his mother's fragrance. But this one… was rotten. A disguise. A thief of the fragrance that once calmed him.
Eliot lifted his head, brushing hair off his neck, shoulders, and belly.
"Hmm?"
The creature turned.
The wraps around his thighs were pulled aside in a flash. He carefully removed his shoes to avoid sound.
"Kekekekeke…"
The clucking of a rooster escaped the creature's mouth, faint yet echoing in every corner.
That was it—Eliot bolted, running in a panic, unwilling to waste this chance. His breathing ragged. Sweat blurred his vision.
"Mother! Mother!" he screamed. His knees trembled.
Suddenly—a transparent wall blocked him. Beyond it stood Sonia.
"Help!" Eliot pounded the barrier with all his might until it began to tremble.
"Arghhh! Merliah!"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the tall creature laughing maniacally. Its neck stretched like an elastic rope.
"Igat."
The sound of rough fabric dragging across the floor. The charred-faced creature limped after him like a cockroach.
Thud!
They collided, the boy's jaw crashing against the glass wall. The creature didn't budge, wary that its prey might flee again.
It stroked Eliot's cheek. He slapped it away in panic—accidentally hitting the face that resembled his mother.
The slap was met with a crushing grip. The scorched face pressed against his, laughing in mockery.
Sepi asai.
("Serves you right.")
Sepi asai.
.
Sepi asai...
The creature danced in glee, shaking every part of Eliot's trembling body. It clamped his mouth shut as he kept screaming.
"Mphhh!"
Merliah and Sonia passed by again. Eliot screamed—soundlessly.
"Don't leave me!"
"I'm scared!"
He punched at the creature's hands, squirming. His breathing labored, his heart pounding.
Crack.
The creature's hard face pressed against his cheek. Bones snapped.
"Sam?"
Someone leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching—as if enjoying a performance.
"Tsk."
The young man only sighed. Unmoved. He had been crouching behind the weeping willow's hanging vines.
"Sir Samuel…" Eliot muttered weakly. No mistake—it was the knight. He could see what was happening.
Why was he just standing there?
Why didn't he draw his sword?
Wasn't he the king's knight?
"Help me…"
Eliot reached out toward him.
But the young man only stared.
His expression said clearly:
"Show your courage. I won't always be here."
Samuel's eyes shifted—to the top of Eliot's head. Creature and man locked eyes.
The creature hissed.
"You! You belong to him! You're supposed to be on my side!"
It hissed again—but this time, fear laced its voice. Samuel stood unmoving.
Eliot turned—Samuel had vanished.
"Samuel!"
Eliot's voice cracked.
I don't want to die...
He hoped Thalia would open the door. Or his father… or his mother. He believed—his mother would never abandon him.
Prakk!
A burning dagger struck the transparent wall above him.
Both the creature and Eliot crashed to the ground. The creature landed on top of him.
"Damn you!"
The creature roared.
The hanging roots of a willow tree flew in from afar—wrapping around the creature's body and pulling it away.
A hand pulled Eliot away from the disgusting monster.
"Burn it now,"
said a voice to a man—
whom Eliot never expected to appear.