After safely getting the rat out of the ground hole under the tree, she sat down on the massive rocks near the river bank. The rat girl naturally kneeled in front of her. Although there was no need to do that, Shadow didn’t care and just went straight to the point.“Who are you?”“My name is Talia, from the rat tribe. I am coming from the western continent but was brought here by the marigold dragon.” Talia introduced herself.Shadow perked up and silently peeked at Midas and Malikul. Malikul was also interested in the rat girl.‘She is sensible.’Both of them had a similar thought.Talia knew exactly what she was after and delivered.“Your age?” Shadow asked, just for the spice.Talia flinched, her tight face was slightly trembled because of shock but quickly recovered.“My age is supposed to be a secret…” She was bashful, cheeks tinted with pink.‘She is fun too.’Both of them pumped up. She wasn’t as rigid as anyone who had ever seen them for the first time. Even when they emitted
The next morning, Shadow sat inside her office, sipping her warm tea and eating biscuits prepared by Priscilla.The two kings were acting not like kings, instead, their heads hung lower, clenched their fists straightly on their knees, legs stuck together, and their spines straightened.“Are you repenting?” Ali and Ibrahim swallowed their thick saliva upon hearing a sweet voice yet cold at the same time. They didn’t know how she did it but they heard it clearly.The air around them was stiflingly cold as well, indicating that Shadow was eyeing them sharply. Nothing escaped her at this point even though they were the kings.Let's put it that way to make people understand. The kings were the second highest monarch below the emperor – if they’d had one.However, in The Unknown, Shadow’s position was a little bit special. She was The Holiness.Even though she didn’t have the legitimacy to control the empire or the kingdom as she agreed to unless she was being greedy – she knew she was be
“What are we doing here?”“I don’t know… we have this kind of place.”“Oh my god, mosquitos. It bites me.”“Green everywhere.”The two kings were whining and looking around while towing behind Shadow. Their voices were quite loud to the point it was echoing. Currently, they are inside the Dark Woodland third layer called the Black Forest. The place was like a maze. Everyone who entered the forest without permission would have a hard time dealing with the direction.And the people she planned to trick and invade this place were the people that she planned to use. For her own gain, of course.The sky was gloomy and the rain poured down like a waterfall. “Honey… Please stay under the umbrella.” Ibrahim wrinkled his forehead with worry when Shadow tried to escape from the umbrella he was holding. “Here, use your own umbrella, then.” He shoved the tiny umbrella that befitted her height when he had given up to make her stay still.“Why thank you.” She took it gratefully and started to lea
Juviana peered at her two escorts. Both of them were standing in front of her, guarding the entrance for anything. Even if there’s nothing out there that could harm her.They might not show it but it was written all over their faces.‘We might die.’‘This place will be our dishonest death.’For warriors like them, there was nothing worse than dying without doing anything like this.Juviana rubbed her forehead in frustration.“It’s all because of my desperation and greediness.”She was angry with herself the first time she was born. She had never regretted her action, ever. She was deemed to be the greatest existence in the tribe. However, her desperation led to this unsavory situation.That damn disease. She had to come here because of a disease that spread across her kingdom. It killed more than 100 people in just two months. The ironic thing was, the patient would suffer a high fever for more than a month without reason.Red lips, swollen eyes, and a drenched face – were the criter
At first, Ali watched Shadow as if she was crazy. The initial was to be a benevolent lord, not a spoiled little lady. Then, she acted calm – which is her normal reaction – before she jumped into her initial role.Right now, she acted as a benevolent lord instead of a spoiled princess. By the look of their expressions, they were taking the bait.Their targets had odd expressions on their faces while they were watching Shadow intently as if they were mesmerized by her. Well, it was a normal occurrence. Shadow looked lovable. Who he should blame, yeah.“Thank you for providing hospitality despite us invading your space, Lady.”It was a gentle and respectful tone. Like Juviana was talking to a cute promising you lady. Her warm gaze didn’t even leave her face.Shadow smiled, her face looked like an angel's. She shook her head at the tall lady beside her. “You don’t have to worry. It is normal between travelers. As far as I know, your accent suggests that you’re from Europe, or did I guess
“Your Holiness…” Juviana called her name absent-mindedly.Shadow raised her brow, smiling temptingly. “Yes?”“Do you mean… you are the owner of this place?”Karam and also Lumia were looking at Shadow as if she was their savior. The moment Shadow revealed her status, the gazes promptly changed. They were looking at her as if she was the greatest being that unintentionally breathed the same air as them.All of them intently watched her. This was their first time seeing her bare face, never in a million years had they thought that they would stand a chance to see her up close like this and bare face at that. She was extremely cute and elegant at the same time. Her demeanor was screaming noble but the way her small pout was extremely cute, they couldn’t stop clenching their hearts. Her hazelnut irises shifted, and her tiny eyes angled to the sky whenever she was thinking.“Umm… The Unknown will throw a fit if you spout nonsense. Please don’t make the world hate me.” “No, no, no. That’s
Right, of course. Of course, they knew the so-called loose requirement to be loved by The Unknown. Ironically, the requirements weren’t even loose. Gifted, talented, honest, kind, and a just lord. See… it was even bizarre. Juviana didn’t know much about Shadow but if The Unknown had chosen her after reviewing at least that loose requirements, she must amount way than what they’d seen. She must be a capable person to carry the burden without being corrupted by desire. “Gifted… talented…” Lumia maffled. “Correct. I am both talented and gifted.” “How about being a just ruler?” The question was uttered by Karam. Ali and Ibrahim immediately looked at her. Of course, their eyes told her. They didn’t know her origin. Her existence was briefly announced by the whisper of the wind. The Unknown occasionally talked to them through the whisper of the wind before it took someone under their wings. Her background was quite interesting and highly related to the three worlds. Shadow was
Three heads rose and blinked at her. “Sorry, it’s a bit rude to whisper in front of us…” Juviana cracked a subtle smile. “Right, right, right, right.” Shadow nodded mechanically. “Anyway, we must help them to ensure The Unknown’s safety.” “I agree with my daughter.” “Are you sure we are doing something good?” “Yes.” “Yes.” “... Alright.” Ali breathed out tiredly. If Shadow and Ibrahim were so hellbent to help them, who was he to deny it? “Let’s go.” He rose. “But… the sky…” Shadow pointed at the sky above. Ali scowled. “Don’t bullshit me. You can ask The Unknown to stop the rain.” Shadow promptly cocked her brow and furrowed. “You know that The Unknown is not a living thing, right? The Unknown is the third world that has its own feelings and could convey their needs through nature.” “... I am aware.” Despite that, he flinched. “And do you know that… The Unknown is not a god? It can’t simply stop the rain. Only God can.” Ibrahim nodded. “Unless it was man-made rain… I