CHAPTER 39
"He's not cursed. He's blessed. A special child… beyond anything we've seen."
Euna's heart pounded.
"But demon sorcerers… they bring destruction."
The shaman shook her head.
"Not all."
"He's different. You must not fear him—you must guide him. And when the time comes… someone must always be there for him."
From that day forward, Euna watched over Sihyun like a shadow—whenever he manifested a tattoo, she stayed up all night nursing his fever, whispering old magic to cool his burning skin, stroking his hair while he moaned in pain.
And she didn't do it alone.
She taught Yuhyun too.
In the dim candlelight, she sat both boys down, her voice gentle.
"Yuhyun,"
she said, cupping his tiny cheeks,
"If I'm ever not around, you'll take care of him, won't you?"
Little Yuhyun blinked, not fully understanding—but still nodded eagerly.
"I'll protect him,"
he said with a toothy grin.
Euna smiled through her tears and pulled them both into her arms.
[EARLY SPRING, EDGE OF THE FOREST]
The air was sweet with the scent of blooming herbs and pine needles. Yuhyun balanced a hand-carved wooden bow over his shoulder while Sihyun grinned proudly beside him, holding a woven basket.
"We'll catch something big today,"
Sihyun declared.
"A feast for Eomma!"
Yuhyun nodded.
"She'll be so surprised!"
Their innocent laughter echoed through the woods as they headed back to the hut just before sundown, cheerful and full of hope.
But the moment they stepped past the tree line… they froze.
Their laughter died.
In front of their hut, Euna was on the ground, writhing, a sorcerer's chain burning into her neck, its cursed metal glowing faintly. Three royal guards stood above her—one had a boot pressed down on her back. She clawed at the grass, gasping for breath.
"EOMMA!"
The boys screamed as they dropped their things, sprinting forward.
The guards turned, surprised. The older one, clearly the captain, narrowed his eyes.
"There they are. Demon brats. Must be sorcerers too."
Euna's eyes widened when she saw them.
"RUN!"
she choked out.
"RUN, Sihyun—Yuhyun!"
But Sihyun didn't move.
His glowing red eyes burned, staring at the chain around his mother's neck.
"Let her go."
His voice was shaking with rage.
"Let her go!"
The guards only laughed, raising their blades.
Then… it happened.
In one horrifying blur—before Sihyun could react, before Yuhyun could even grab him—
The elder guard sliced down.
Euna's head hit the ground.
Silence.
The wind stopped.
Sihyun's mouth fell open, but no scream came. Just a quiet, suffocating stillness.
Yuhyun grabbed his arm.
"Sihyun—Sihyun, we have to go!"
But he wouldn't move. He just stared.
So Yuhyun did the only thing he could—he yanked his brother's hand and ran, pulling him through the woods as fast as he could.
The guards followed, swords raised, laughter ringing in their ears.
Sihyun turned once, red sparks flickering from his fingers.
He summoned a swarm of glowing bees, unnatural and angry, birthed from his grief and rage. They burst from the trees like a storm, attacking the guards, stinging with fire, blinding them long enough for the boys to disappear into the forest.
DEEP FOREST, AFTER EUNA'S DEATH]
Nights were cold, but not as cold as the emptiness that followed.
Each night, Yuhyun and Sihyun curled into each other in silence, the fire crackling weakly beside them.
Sometimes Sihyun cried first, quiet, shuddering sobs.
Other times, Yuhyun did, burying his face against his twin's shoulder, whispering,
"I miss her… I miss Eomma."
And Sihyun would gently pat his back.
"Me too… I dream about her every night."
They built a small grave with their bare hands in a clearing surrounded by wildflowers.
Sihyun whispered to the soil every time they visited.
Yuhyun brought fresh herbs and laid them down, like she used to do when they were sick.
They survived. Alone.
Until one rainy night… a voice echoed through the forest.
"You two… look like you've seen hell."
That was the first time they met Vanyul.
A strange man with sharp red eyes and a too-calm smile.
He took them in, gave them shelter in his cave-home, fed them, warmed them.
He taught Sihyun magic.
And Sihyun—young, gifted, and broken—was fascinated. Vanyul made him feel seen, special, even powerful.
Yuhyun noticed how Sihyun changed.
More distant. More curious about darker magic. More attached to Vanyul.
One day, Yuhyun confronted him.
"Stop messing with my brother's head."
Vanyul simply smiled, lounging lazily on a stone throne.
"You're just a human, Yuhyun. I could've killed you long ago. But your brother's grace is upon you."
Yuhyun hated it.
Hated how Sihyun's eyes lit up only when Vanyul spoke.
Hated how they'd vanish for hours, whispering secrets, sharing spells.
Then one day… he saw it.
Sihyun and Vanyul—kissing under the moonlight.
Something in Yuhyun snapped.
The next morning, he asked Sihyun to go on a stroll with him.
They walked through the woods quietly until they reached a stream.
"Here,"
Yuhyun said, offering a strange glowing fruit.
"It's rare. I saved it just for you."
Sihyun blinked.
"What is it?"
"Just try it."
Yuhyun smiled gently.
"It'll help you feel… lighter."
Trusting his twin, Sihyun ate the fruit.
He didn't know… it was a forbidden fruit—one that erases memories.
Sihyun collapsed shortly after, unconscious.
Yuhyun caught him in his arms, trembling.
"I'm sorry,"
he whispered,
"But I can't lose you to him…"
[PRESENT – INSIDE MUWON'S PRIVATE CHAMBERS]
Yuhyun knelt before the prince, his body trembling as the final words of his story poured out. His face was stained with tears—raw, broken, and guilt-ridden.
"I've been hiding Sihyun from Vanyul…"
he choked out, gripping the hem of his clothes.
"Even if I knew Vanyul could find him if he really wanted to…"
His voice cracked.
"I was just trying to protect him… I didn't want to lose him again. But now—now he won't even look at me. He won't listen. I'm scared, Your Highness. I've never been this scared in my life. He's out there and I can't reach him anymore."