CHAPTER 14
"Let this day be recorded,"
the court official announced.
"Prince Jin Muwon and Sorcerer Moon Sihyun formally adopt this child into the royal line."
The overseer stepped forward and knelt.
"His name was Junseok,"
she said softly.
"But today, he is reborn as Sunny — child of hope, child of light."
She turned to Sunny.
"You were always meant for something greater."
Sunny gave her a small bow and looked to Muwon and Sihyun with a flicker of nervousness.
"Will it hurt?"
he whispered to Sihyun.
"Only if you talk too much,"
Sihyun replied dryly.
Sunny laughed quietly, easing the tension around the room.
Muwon and Sihyun each stepped forward first. They dipped their brushes in ink and signed the adoption scroll — first Muwon in confident strokes, then Sihyun in more graceful calligraphy.
"With this signature,"
the officiant continued,
"You accept this child into your house and your future line."
Then Sunny was called forward.Just after Sihyun and Muwon signed the adoption scroll and before Sunny pressed his thumbprint, the court official raised his voice again.
"And with this union, the child shall bear a new name, given by his adoptive parents."
Muwon glanced at Sihyun, then stepped forward with a proud yet gentle tone.
"From this day on, he shall be known as Jin Taeyang — our son, our sunshine."
The overseer smiled, her hands gently pressed together in joy. Yuhyun looked emotional. Even Dohyun muttered under his breath:
"Sunny's growing up already…"
Sunny looked up at them wide-eyed.
"Taeyang?"
he repeated.
"That means sun, right?"
"Because you'll bring light to our lives,"
Sihyun said, softer than anyone had ever heard him.
Sunny blinked fast, trying not to tear up — then nodded solemnly.
"Okay. I like it. I'll be the best Taeyang ever."
The officiant gently guided his small hand to press a thumbprint in red wax beside their names.
And as he pressed his thumbprint on the scroll, the ink-stained wax sealed not just his adoption, but his new identity — Jin Taeyang, son of the prince and the demon sorcerer.
The seal sizzled slightly as the wax cooled.
"It is done."
A beat of silence passed — then the king rose.
"The child is now of the royal household,"
he said firmly.
"May he carry that name with pride."
He didn't smile, but there was a glint in his eyes… not quite approval, but not rejection either.
The elders remained silent. High Priest Sangwook's hands were clenched inside his sleeves.
Then, unexpectedly, Dohyun stepped forward and clapped loudly.
"To Sunny!"
he called.
"To Sunny!"
Taejin added.
"Our sunshine,"
Yuhyun smiled.
The entire room clapped — some politely, others genuinely.
Sihyun looked down at Sunny, who grinned up at him.
"You're stuck with me now,"
he said proudly.
"I noticed,"
Sihyun replied.
"You talk a lot."
"You'll get used to it."
"No, I won't."
But he was smiling.
And just like that… a new chapter began.
A shadowy, private chamber within the palace — torches flicker against the stone walls, casting long silhouettes. The air is heavy with the scent of incense and secrets.
Five cloaked figures stand around an old wooden table, voices hushed but sharp. Elder Minister Hwan Baekjin, tall and grim, slams a scroll down with fury.
"Four men. Four loyal blades… gone. And all it took was one sorcerer."
General Nam Gunho, eyes burning with rage, leaned forward.
"He didn't just kill them. He incinerated their remains like they were nothing. Our best shadows, wiped out."
Elder Lady Seo Miran sat back calmly, her expression unreadable.
"We were testing the waters. We needed to know how far he would go. Now we know. He won't hesitate."
Yoon Jaesuk, the most cautious among them, shifted uneasily.
"And what if they trace this back to us? If the prince suspects—"
Baekjin cut in coldly.
"He won't. The demon covered it up. He's trying to hide what he is… still ashamed of what lurks beneath."
High Priest Sangwook, near the shadows by the window, chuckled softly, eyes reflecting the flame of the oil lamp beside him.
"The 20th mark is awakening. That kind of raw violence isn't random. It's the mark asserting itself. One cut, and he lost control. It's already beginning."
"Then we press harder. Now, while his emotions are unstable. While the kingdom is distracted by this adoption charade."
Seo Miran added
"The people may love the sorcerer, but fear still lies in their hearts. They all saw what happened at the feast."
Gunho said
"And when fear grows… they'll turn on him. Like they did in the past."
Sangwook added.
Baekjin leaned forward, voice low and final.
"We will ruin this union. The mark, the heir, the demon sorcerer — we will unravel it all, thread by thread, and no one will suspect we had a hand in it… until it's too late."
A moment of silence passed between them as if a silent vow was made.
Outside, the feast lights dimmed and laughter echoed faintly.
Inside the chamber, the future of the kingdom was being threatened by the very hands sworn to protect it.
After the adoption feast ended, the palace lights dimmed, but warmth lingered in the halls. Muwon and Sihyun led Taeyang through the royal wing, their steps slow so the little one could take it all in.
When they stopped in front of a finely carved wooden door, Muwon gave it a gentle push. The moment it opened, Taeyang gasped in awe. His eyes darted from the large bed covered in soft velvet to the small bookshelf stacked with new toys and scrolls. There were plush floor cushions, lanterns that glowed gently, and a golden sun pattern etched into the curtains.
"This… this is mine? All of this?"
he asked, hesitantly stepping inside.
Muwon, gently place a hand on his head.
"Yes. It's all yours now."
Sihyun, standing beside Muwon ask with a soft smile.
"Do you like it?"
Taeyang turned around quickly and hugged them both, arms tight around their waists.
"I love it! Thank you, thank you so much!"
Muwon and Sihyun exchanged a glance — one of quiet pride and something tender. This moment felt… real. Whole.
Once they tucked him into bed, Muwon told him gently,
"You've had a long day, Taeyang. Get some rest. Tomorrow, I'll take you around the entire palace — even the rose gardens."
"Really?! Even the training grounds?!"
Taeyang asked, eyes gleaming.
"Everywhere,"
Muwon replied.
Taeyang's joy was evident, but just as they were about to leave, he sat up slightly.
"Um… Lord Sihyun?"
Sihyun turned back.
"Yes?"
"Before I sleep… could I see a little magic? Just a little?"
he asked shyly, his voice hopeful.
"I've never seen any up close."
Sihyun blinked, a bit caught off guard. He looked toward Muwon for approval, unsure if it was a good idea. Muwon simply gave a small nod.
Sihyun walked closer to the bed and lifted his hand. With a gentle motion of his fingers, faint sparkles of magic formed — flickering lights of soft gold, blue, and lavender shimmered from his fingertips, curling in the air like mist. The lights twirled into glowing threads, then burst into glittering stars that drifted above Taeyang like falling petals.
Sunny gasped, then giggled.
"That's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
Sihyun knelt beside him, and whisper.
"Magic isn't always loud or destructive. Sometimes… it's just light."
The boy's eyes grew heavy, but he still smiled.
"I want to do magic like that someday…"
Sihyun brushed a strand of hair from his forehead.
"Maybe you will."
Taeyang yawned, eyes closing at last.
"Thank you… Lord Sihyun… good night, Your Highness…"
As he drifted into sleep, Muwon and Sihyun watched him in silence.
Sihyun smirked softly, still staring at the sleeping child.
"I like him already."
"And he already adores you,"
Muwon murmured.
Together, they quietly left the room, the door closing gently behind them.