Chapter 24
“Shadow and Light”
Lukas and Rosedale were smiling at each other when—
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
“Ah, right. In the human world, it’s improper for a man and woman to be alone together in a private place…”
Rosedale quickly stepped away from Lukas.
He quietly looked down at his now-empty hand, still warm from her touch. Meanwhile, Rosedale approached the door and beckoned him.
“Let’s go, Lukas.”
She mouthed the words, wiggling her fingers to call him. Lukas smiled and nodded.
Cradling the flowerpot in one arm, he followed her.
Click.
When the door opened, Liamson stood there with his usual gentle smile.
“My apologies for interrupting Your Majesty’s important discussion.”
Thankfully, he seemed to think they’d only been talking about work. Even though a high-status man and woman had been behind closed doors, he didn’t think twice.
That was because Liamson saw Rosedale as Lukas’s subordinate, not simply as a woman.
Lukas and Rosedale both liked that—and exchanged subtle smiles.
“No need to apologize. What’s the matter?”
“Well…”
“HEY!”
A shrill scream—Philippe’s voice—cut through the air.
It seemed Todd had caused trouble again, lingering too close to her.
“That… would be the problem.”
Now that they looked closer, Liamson’s smile wasn’t so gentle after all—it was exhausted.
He had tried to break up their fights multiple times but failed, and now he had even come to find Rosedale, the highest-ranking officer, to help.
Sighing, she walked alongside him.
“It’s fine. I’ll go talk to them.”
Lukas chuckled softly beside her, watching her sigh like an old woman. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“Can’t you both stop it already?”
Standing before Philippe and Todd, Rosedale planted her hands on her hips and furrowed her brows.
“His Majesty is here! What kind of behavior is this?!”
“S-sorry…”
Philippe, who had been throwing things at Todd, swallowed her rage and apologized—but then burst out again:
“But he wouldn’t stop bothering me! I told him to leave me alone, but he kept hovering. I couldn’t just ignore it!”
“I—I was just trying to apologize…”
“Enough. Both of you.”
Rosedale cut them off in a cold, low voice.
Philippe bit her lip. Todd looked like he was on the verge of tears.
In the heavy silence, Rosedale turned to Lukas—and bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle.
“Your Majesty. I sincerely apologize for this disgraceful scene.”
“Lady Rosedale…!”
Philippe and Todd’s eyes widened. Even Liamson and the other researchers were shocked.
For the leader to bow in place of their disruptive behavior… it was a powerful lesson.
Lukas, understanding her intention, smiled faintly.
“My mage is truly wise.”
He glanced coldly at the researchers.
“If she hadn’t stepped in, I would’ve taught you a lesson myself.”
“W-we are most honored…”
Everyone, led by Philippe and Todd, quickly bowed—Lukas’s voice had been chilling.
Rosedale sighed internally.
“Before I fire that golden arrow at Philippe, I need to do something about Todd.”
She narrowed her eyes, a glint of determination shining in them.
Meanwhile, in the Prison…
While Rosedale focused on her duties at the Magic Division, the underground prison remained dark and quiet.
The only sound was a guard’s bored yawn.
“Yaaawn…”
Becoming a knight wasn’t as glamorous as he’d imagined.
The place stank of blood. The only light came from flickering candles. The prisoners were half-dead.
It was mind-numbingly dull.
He glanced at the other soldier.
“Hey, weren’t those guys thrown in on the same day as that monster thing?”
He jerked his chin toward the men behind the bars.
“The ones His Majesty personally captured. Right?”
“Yeah. So keep your guard up. If anything happens to them, we’re done for.”
The second soldier stood tall and alert.
The yawning one scoffed.
“Between them and that monster corpse downstairs… I’d rather guard the monster.”
He had never seen a beast like that. Huge and terrifying—it didn’t seem of this world.
Meanwhile, the prisoners behind him still looked lifeless, barely able to eat porridge.
Why guard guys like that so seriously?
He leaned back against the wall.
“Honestly, they should just get medicine from the Magic Division. It’d help more than sending doctors all the time.”
“The Magic Division? Oh, you mean His Majesty’s mage?”
“Yeah. They’ve been working on some magic potion or whatever.”
Lately, even at dawn, lights glowed from the windows of the once-derided Magic Division.
At first, everyone mocked them. Said they were wasting candles. Claimed they acted like they ran the whole empire.
But now, rumors had spread—Rosedale’s test potion had actually worked.
They even used glowing magic lamps instead of candles. Maybe that potion was the real deal after all.
“Not that it matters. That kind of stuff’s only for rich nobles.”
“Yeah. No way we’d get any of it.”
They chuckled. Then the yawning guard stretched.
“I’m gonna check on that monster corpse downstairs.”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
What could possibly happen to a dead monster? But still—orders were orders.
As one guard left, the remaining one turned to check the prisoners again.
One of the men’s feet twitched.
He’s conscious?
When he was lucid enough to speak, they had to report it. The soldier studied the man carefully.
“Hey. Can you hear me? Do you know where you are?”
“…”
The prisoner’s lips moved faintly.
“What?”
The guard leaned in—and finally heard him.
“S-save… me…”
“Save you? Why? Are you hurt?”
The guard’s eyes widened. If he died now, they’d be blamed. He leaned closer.
Just as he reached for his key—
“They’re coming… to kill me.”
“What? Who’s coming?!”
“Please, stop… I don’t know anything… I swear…”
The prisoner trembled, staring in fear—at nothing.
His eyes were locked on the floor. There was nothing there. Not even a rat.
Just the shadow cast by his own body.
The guard frowned and put the key away.
He’s not ready. Still delusional.
He turned back to his post.
Meanwhile, the prisoner kept whispering, begging for his life.
Unnoticed by anyone, his shadow began to darken.
It moved differently than his body—spreading on its own, darker and thicker.
Like a predator, hiding in the grass, waiting to strike.
That Night – A Secret Meeting
That evening, in a small room in the North Palace, Rosedale and several members of the Magic Division gathered.
Only Liamson and Philippe were absent, since they were on duty.
Todd, still exhausted from work, rubbed his eyes.
He had no time to enjoy the glory of inventing magic lights to replace candles.
All he wanted was sleep—so why had they dragged him here?
He looked confused, surrounded by one fairy and three humans.
It felt like a debt collection meeting.
“Todd. Let’s be honest.”
“Huh?”
Before he could even reply, the others began attacking him.
“You like living this way?! Seriously?!”
“You’re how old and still act like a brat? I’m embarrassed for you.”
“Stop being annoying already. Even I’d hate you.”
The verbal barrage was nonstop. Todd’s head whipped back and forth, confused.
“What are you even talking about…?”
“We all know you like Philippe.”
“…!”
Todd turned beet red, like a ripe tomato.
“H-how did you know…?!”
As panic filled his face, Rosedale sighed and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“Todd. I know a thing or two about love. But you can’t win someone’s heart like this. You’ll just end up being hated.”
“I-I’m not trying to win her heart or anything…”
“Don’t lie, especially to yourself. It’s not attractive.”
“…”
Todd looked down. His eyes were red. For once, the mouthy troublemaker had nothing to say.
Even the other members felt bad and tried to comfort him.
“Come on, lift your head. Lady Rosedale’s just trying to help.”
“Yeah, man. We’re all here for you.”
But Todd’s eyes stayed fixed on the floor.
Rosedale gently patted his shoulder.
“Todd. Listen closely to what I’m going to say next.”
