CHAPTER 30
His voice softened as he whispered into Sihyun's ear, laced with sweet poison.
"Let them have your heart, if they must. But I'll have your soul. I'll teach you more… show you magic they could never even imagine. You're not just a sorcerer, Sihyun. You're my sorcerer."
His breath was warm against Sihyun's ear as he whispered darker promises,
"And together, we'll drown this kingdom in crimson skies."
Vanyul tilted Sihyun's chin up with two fingers, his eyes half-lidded with a dangerous calm.
"Don't run from me, Sihyun,"
he murmured, leaning in slowly, lips just a breath away from his.
But before the kiss could land, a sharp gasp pierced the moment.
Yuhyun stood a few steps away—barefoot, pale with disbelief—his eyes wide with horror at the sight before him.
"Sihyun…?"
Sihyun's eyes snapped open, guilt flashing through them as he turned.
"Yuhyun—!"
Vanyul didn't flinch. In fact, his smirk grew.
"Ah, if it isn't the older twin,"
he said smoothly, completely unfazed.
"Still sneaking around, are you?"
Fear gripped Yuhyun as memories clawed their way back—memories he worked hard to bury.
Without thinking, Yuhyun rushed forward and yanked Sihyun away from Vanyul's hold, stepping protectively between them.
"Don't touch him,"
Yuhyun hissed, his voice trembling.
"Stay away from my brother."
Sihyun, still shaken, glanced between them—conflicted, disoriented from everything Vanyul had said.
But Vanyul only chuckled, eyes glowing faintly red.
"Always playing the knight, aren't you?"
He leaned forward just slightly, voice lowering to a whisper meant only for Yuhyun.
"he still belongs to me."
With that, Vanyul stepped back into the shadows.
"Enjoy your night,"
he added, fading into the mist as if he were never there.
Yuhyun clutched Sihyun's wrist, his hand shaking.
"Sihyun…"
Sihyun didn't answer. He just stared into the darkness Vanyul disappeared into, his heart pounding with confusion.
After Vanyul vanished into the darkness, his whisper still lingering like smoke in Sihyun's ears, the forest felt colder. Sihyun turned without a word, moving quickly between the trees. Yuhyun followed, glancing behind them now and then, still shaken.
The silence grew too loud. Yuhyun couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Sihyun… why were you with him? What did he say to you?"
Sihyun didn't respond, his steps never slowing.
Yuhyun pressed.
"You know he's dangerous. You know he's—"
Sihyun suddenly stopped and turned around, eyes sharp with frustration.
"Oh, now you care?"
he snapped.
"If you're so concerned, why don't you tell me how you knew Vanyul in the first place?"
Yuhyun's breath caught. He hadn't expected that.
Sihyun stepped closer, voice low and bitter.
"So tell me, Yuhyun. What else are you hiding?"
Yuhyun flinched at Sihyun's sudden anger but quickly composed himself.
"That's not what this is about,"
he said, avoiding the question.
"I saw you with him, Sihyun. Do you even realize what kind of danger he is?"
Sihyun turned his back to him, fists clenched at his sides.
"You didn't answer me."
Yuhyun sighed, stepping closer but still keeping a careful distance.
"I know Vanyul. I've seen the kind of things he's done. That's why I'm worried. He's not someone you should trust."
"That's rich,"
Sihyun muttered, eyes narrowed as he stared into the forest path ahead.
"Coming from someone who's been hiding things."
Yuhyun didn't respond immediately. The silence between them grew sharp like a blade, neither willing to push further… yet.
"We need to get back before the prince wakes up,"
Yuhyun finally said, brushing past his brother with a clenched jaw.
Sihyun stood still for a moment, jaw tight, before following after him.
The morning sun filtered gently through the trees, casting golden streaks across the forest floor. Birds chirped faintly in the distance, but the air around the camp remained heavy—thick with an awkward, lingering silence.
Yuhyun sat quietly by the dwindling campfire, his head lowered as he poked the ashes with a stick. Sihyun, across from him, leaned against a fallen log with his arms crossed, saying nothing. The tension between the twins was unmistakable, like an invisible thread stretched taut between them. Neither spoke a word, neither dared.
Muwon observed them from the riverbank as he dried his hands with a cloth. He hadn't missed the tightness in their expressions nor the complete lack of conversation. Something had shifted between them during the night—and it was more than just exhaustion.
Sihyun, on the other hand, was deep in thought. His gaze occasionally flicked toward Muwon, subtle and fleeting.
Is it true…?
Vanyul's words echoed in his head.
Do I really…?
He watched Muwon for any sign—some clue that might confirm or deny what Vanyul had said about his heart. But Muwon wasn't looking at him. Not yet.
Finally, after a beat, Muwon approached him. His tone was calm, measured.
"Sihyun,"
he said, standing a few steps away.
"Can you send a signal… something to help the guards locate us? It's been too long."
Sihyun blinked, pulled from his thoughts. He hesitated,
"Fine. But don't blame me if a wild bear shows up instead,"
he muttered, standing up.
Muwon almost smiled at the snark. Almost.
Sihyun stretched his arms lazily, rolling his neck before stepping a few paces away from the campfire. He could feel both Muwon and Yuhyun's eyes on him—watching, waiting.
With a subtle flick of his wrist, golden-red sparks ignited at his fingertips. The magic crackled softly, like embers dancing on the edge of a flame. He exhaled slowly, lifting his hands toward the sky.
As he pushed his palms upward, a swirl of shimmering magic burst into the air, spiraling like a comet before exploding into a beautiful firework. The colors twisted into the shape of a phoenix for just a moment before dissolving into a shower of glowing embers that rained gently above the trees.
Yuhyun watched quietly, lips pressed into a thin line. Despite everything, his brother's magic never failed to leave him in awe.
Muwon's gaze, however, was more focused. The way Sihyun moved—effortlessly, like the magic responded to his emotions more than his commands—was captivating.