CHAPTER 11
A heavy silence filled the air.
Taejin whispered,
"This… this can't be real."
Dohyun looked to Yuhyun.
"Is this what will happen to Sihyun?"
Yuhyun's jaw clenched. His voice was firm.
"Sihyun is not like the others. His 20th mark will be different. He will control it."
"And how sure are you of that?"
A cold voice echoed from the darkness behind the pillar.
They all turned sharply.
High Priest Sangwook stepped forward, his robes sweeping against the floor like a shadow. His eyes, sharp and unreadable, bore into Yuhyun.
"He is your brother, yes. But he is also a demon sorcerer. And when the 20th mark awakens… he will be like the rest of them. Destroyers. Monsters. Demons."
Yuhyun rose to his feet.
"You don't know him."
Sangwook only chuckled darkly.
"When that time comes, we won't hesitate. Just like the rest of the demons who fell by holy flame."
He turned and walked away, his voice echoing behind him.
"Pray you are not standing in our way when that day arrives."
As the heavy silence settled again, Yuhyun sat down slowly, visibly shaken.
Taejin placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey… don't let that bastard get into your head. You're right. Sihyun's not like the others."
Dohyun nodded.
"We'll protect him. All of us."
Yuhyun looked at the scroll once more, then rolled it up tightly.
"Don't tell him. Don't tell Sihyun about the prophecy… or what the High Priest said. He doesn't need more reasons to doubt himself."
Taejin and Dohyun exchanged a glance—and nodded in agreement.
"Promise,"
Taejin said.
"Promise,"
Dohyun echoed.
As the three of them left the library, the shadow of Sangwook's words clung behind them—like a silent curse waiting to unfold.
A Sun-Drenched Garden Courtyard – Late Morning
Sihyun sat on the stone bench beneath a cherry blossom tree, a book resting on his lap but forgotten. He looked up as Muwon approached, a soft smile on his face and a tray of sweet tea in his hands.
"You didn't sleep well?"
Muwon asked, setting the tray down and pouring for them both.
Sihyun accepted the cup.
"I did. Just… a lot on my mind."
Muwon nodded, sitting beside him.
"Is it about what I said yesterday? About adopting a child?"
Sihyun looked at him quietly for a moment.
"Yes. I still don't know if I'd be… a good parent."
Muwon leaned closer, voice gentle.
"You will be. I've seen how you are with Yuhyun. How you look out for the people you care about. You're stronger than you think."
Sihyun gave a soft, unsure smile.
"And the child,"
Muwon continued,
"will be ours. Raised with kindness, protected with everything we've got. The throne needs an heir, but… I need a family."
Sihyun looked away, his fingers lightly grazing the silver pendant at his neck.
"Okay,"
he finally whispered.
"Let's start the process."
Muwon beamed, relief washing over him as he took Sihyun's hand.
"We'll meet with the orphanage overseer tomorrow. I already sent a message to request a list of children."
"You did what?"
Sihyun gave him an incredulous look.
"Well, I had a feeling you'd say yes eventually,"
Muwon teased, grinning.
Sihyun shook his head, but his eyes were smiling.
"You never stop planning ahead, do you?"
Palace Hall – Servants Whispering
Servants, scribes, and guards moved about quickly as the news spread like wildfire.
"Did you hear?"
"The Crown Prince and the demon sorcerer are adopting a child!"
"An heir—how can that even be allowed?"
"Some say it's the prince's way of avoiding marriage to a noblewoman."
"This will upset the Council for sure…"
Secret Council Room
Within the dark stone room behind the court archives, Elder Minister Hwan Baekjin, General Nam Gunho, Elder Lady Seo Miran, Elder Yoon Jaesuk, and High Priest Sangwook sat around a round table carved with ancient sigils.
A young scout bowed his head and delivered the message.
"The prince and the sorcerer have begun the adoption process. The child will be declared heir in the future."
The silence was tense.
"A demon sorcerer raising the future ruler,"
Elder Seo Miran murmured bitterly.
"Unthinkable."
"This… cannot continue."
General Nam Gunho's fist clenched.
"We've tolerated too much already."
"The 20th mark has begun showing signs,"
Sangwook added.
"It's a prophecy of ruin. And now… an heir to carry that same shadow?"
Elder Baekjin stood, eyes narrowed.
"We strike before the child is brought in. Sihyun must be removed. Silently, permanently. The prince will be weakened. And the people… will forget."
They all nodded in grim agreement.
"The palace,"
Sangwook said coldly,
"must be cleansed before the throne is stained forever."
Outskirts of the Capital
The royal carriage rolled slowly along the cobbled path lined with early autumn leaves. Muwon and Sihyun sat side by side, flanked by a few palace guards on horseback. The air was peaceful. Muwon sat comfortably beside Sihyun, a faint look of nervous excitement in his eyes.
"Do you think he'll like me?"
Muwon asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
Sihyun glanced at him, caught off guard.
"Who?"
"The boy,"
Muwon said.
"The one we're going to adopt. What if he doesn't want royal parents? What if he hates me?"
Sihyun chuckled under his breath.
"You're not exactly terrifying, Your Highness."
Muwon smirked and leaned slightly toward him.
"I can be."
Sihyun rolled his eyes, but his gaze drifted beyond the window. His smile faded.
Something—someone—shifted in the treeline up ahead. Barely there, but Sihyun's instincts, sharp and old, caught it instantly. Another flicker, a movement that didn't belong. Three... maybe four. Too well-hidden to be harmless.
He didn't blink. Didn't show it.
"Muwon,"
he said smoothly,
"I just remembered… there's something I need to check nearby. I'll meet you at the orphanage."
Muwon raised an eyebrow, confused.
"Now?"
"It won't take long,"
Sihyun said calmly, already opening the carriage door.
"Go ahead. It'll be better if you get there first. Make a warm impression."
Muwon hesitated.
"I could come with—"
"No need,"
Sihyun cut in, meeting his eyes.
"Trust me."
That pause. That tone.
Muwon finally nodded, though still unsure.
"Alright. Don't take too long. You'll want to meet him too."
Sihyun gave a faint nod and stepped down onto the road.
"I'll be there before you know it."
The carriage continued on, Muwon watching Sihyun's back as it disappeared behind the bend in the road.
As soon as the carriage was out of sight, Sihyun's entire aura shifted. Calm gave way to focus, to sharpness.
Orphanage Grounds – Late Morning
The carriage bearing the royal crest rolled to a gentle stop in front of the modest orphanage. It was quiet and humble, nestled beneath the hill's shade, with wind chimes singing softly under the tiled eaves. A few curious heads peeked out from behind the windows.
The Overseer Lady, a dignified woman in her late forties, hurried out with a bright smile. She bowed deeply as the door opened and Muwon stepped down.
"Your Highness,"
she greeted warmly, her eyes gleaming with quiet pride.
"It is a great honor. I received your message last night and had the children prepared this morning. They've been eager ever since."
Muwon smiled, polite and gracious.
"Thank you for receiving me so quickly. I look forward to meeting them."
With that, she clapped her hands, and a small group of male children—all dressed in clean hanboks—came running forward. Some giggled, others bowed with practiced formality.
"Children,"
she said,
"this is the Crown Prince. He came to visit you all today with something very special in mind."
They bowed again in unison.
"Good day, Your Highness!"
Muwon smiled more genuinely now, placing a hand behind his back. He scanned them softly, his eyes drifting from face to face—until they landed on one particular boy standing at the edge.
The child didn't speak.
He didn't fidget.
His posture was perfect—calm, respectful, and composed, like a tiny adult in a sea of excitable children.
There was something in his eyes—a thoughtful glimmer, a quiet sense of watching the world a little deeper than the rest.
Muwon couldn't look away.
"That one,"
he said gently, nodding subtly.
"Who is he?"