"Your Majesty, what happened to you?" Erica panicked as she welcomed Jace home. "Why her? How did you get to be with her?" Erica saw Rain unconscious in Jace's arms. Many black tendrils completely covered Jace's body. The buffalo head reappeared in the daytime like that was an unusual thing. Jace carried Rain's body which felt light as if he was lifting a cotton doll. Jace's black coat was swept away by the wind as he stepped. Jace didn't answer Erica's question and continued walking up the stairs to the second floor to Rain's room. Erica just followed behind Jace. She wanted to make sure all was well. "He's very angry isn't he?" whispered one of the paintings as he saw Jace pass him. "You're right. Jace hasn't been like this in a long time. What do you think made him so angry?" replied the armor on display in the second-floor hallway. Jace opened the tightly closed Rain's bedroom door with just an eye movement. The door slammed with a pretty loud sound. "God, he can destroy th
Erica stood on the edge of the bed where Rain was lying. Rain fell asleep like the dead. Silently, Erica raised the sword she pulled from the armor display in the hallway. Erica's eyes blazed like embers, ready to explode. Her pair of hands clenched tightly on the hilt of the long sword. Erica lifted the heavy sword with all her might and prepared to swing at the supine Rain. In her sleep, Rain felt something push her to wake up immediately. When Rain opened her eyes, she saw a ray of light reflecting off the tip of the sword Erica was carrying. Erica swung the sword at Rain's chest. At that very instant, Rain rolled to the side, and the blade just dangled. "Erica!" shouted Rain, full of anger. "You're trying to kill me?" Rain rolled over and tried to run away from there. Erika sighed and threw the sword on the floor carelessly. "Oh, I was just trying to wake you up. You sleep like the dead. Yet here we are experiencing many difficulties. Can't you do a good job? You're paid to do
Rain was very curious. She stopped following Erica and turned to check the door once more. Rain was sure she had just seen a shadow peeking through the crack in the door. Rain walked back towards the queen's room. After only taking a few steps, Erica grabbed her shoulders hard enough that Rain almost fell. "We don't have time anymore," Erica hissed. "Why are you still playing around here?" Rain just gaped. She was speechless in self-defense. Erica walked back towards the queen's room and tightly closed the slightly ajar door. Erica secretly breathed a sigh of relief without Rain's knowledge. "Did you see anything Erica?" "Yeah, of course I see you're wasting your time here. We don't have much time left. It's getting dark. I hope you have a well-thought-out plan for dealing with this problem." Rain rolled her eyes in annoyance. Without another word, she adjusted the tablecloth on her shoulder, which contained the cosmetic supplies for the town hall dinner. Rain returned to the
A horse-drawn carriage driven by two men in all-white suits arrived at the gates of the large city hall with high iron railings. As the train stopped for inspection, two little girls came over with a basket of flowers. "Sir… Madam… Buy our flowers to complement your party tonight!" The carriage window was slightly ajar. A beautiful woman with a flower hat on her head glanced at the two little girls. "Tsk, naughty children! How dare you say my appearance tonight isn't perfect?" Crack. The female guest closed the carriage window quickly and resumed driving after the gatekeeper opened the gate. The two little girls who came from the woods of Darkwood still stayed in Westlake Town to sell wild black roses. At first, they wandered around the station, but because they heard there was a celebration at the town hall, they finally went there. Carrying a basket of wild roses, they stood in front of the town hall fence guarded by two officers. The gatekeepers were already trying to get ri
Rain limped and almost fell down the stairs. With her dress which is quite troublesome, as well as high heels that are too pointy, Rain had to run to catch up with Jace Dauntess. Rain does not know what happened. When they danced, suddenly Jace just ran away as if chasing something. Rain kept running after Jace until she didn't know which way to go. She entered a large park not far from the city hall a long time ago. Rain running garnered a lot of attention from the people on the street. She tried to avoid the crowds and left the park until she ran into Erica, who was waiting in their carriage. "Tell me!" Erica shouted as Rain got into the horse carriage. "I saw Jace run after stepping on a black rose on the dance floor." Rain panted. The peaks of her slightly poking breasts rose and fell as she breathed. "When I ran to follow him, I saw Jace chasing someone up to the second floor. You know, Erica?" "I don't know, Rain. Tell me!" shouted Erica stifled. "I have to climb up those
Rain's position with the creature was too close. Rain could hear a low growl that reached her ears as if rumbling across the plank floor. "There's another tonight, another monster," Rain said in her heart. "Jace Dauntess is indeed a monster, but the person before me is more of a monster than Jace himself. Who exactly is this figure?" The growl sounded again. "For the sake of the saints!" shouted Rain. "This creature is hungry! And he looked at me. He thinks I'm his food tonight." Erica shouted and gave Randall and Samantha quick instructions. "He's on the roof of the bell tower! Hurry and catch him before he makes a mess!" In the past, Erica had found Jace Dauntess too late. She only caught Jace's location after the monster had hunted and eaten. "It's true that Jace has never killed a human while turning into a monster." Erica reminded herself, then corrected, "To our knowledge!" However, that night Erica seemed to feel that someone would become prey. "No way!" shouted Rain ref
Thousands of thoughts filled Rain's thread. "I should have brought a gun. I shouldn't rely on mere self-confidence. I shouldn't believe that I'm not afraid to die. I shouldn't believe that Jace Dauntess won't hurt me just because we work under the same roof." The bell tower door slammed open, and in came Erica, who Randall followed. "Let her go!" shouted Randall at the monster. Rain didn't understand. Somehow suddenly, a double scythe flew from Randall's hand. Rain immediately lowered her head and almost fell to the floor with her hair in the monster's grip. In the next second, the double scythe flew over Rain's head. Rain was sure Randall wasn't carrying weapons when he showed up at the bell tower door. The hood of the mantle still covered his face. From under his coat, Randall took out a hand shrouded in mist. From that fog, with great speed, creating a giant double scythe. The scythe that Randal threw hit the monster. One scythe stabbed into the monster's shoulder, and the o
Rain's body was crushed. Her muscles felt stiff and tense like a crowd had just beaten her. It was excruciating pain even to breathe. Rain was trying to squirm in her bed when she faintly heard the sound of birds chirping in the distance. Rain suddenly woke up. Her eyes opened wide even though her body was stiff and she couldn't move. Rain had only heard birds chirping in the morning for the first time since she came to Darkwood Palace. "Wait, am I still dreaming?" she thought. Rain wasn't sure she had heard the birds chirping. Even though Darkwood Palace was on top of a mountain and surrounded by dense forests, Rain felt like she was in a void. In Darkwood Palace, no one could hear the cooing and squawking of the beasts, apart from animals and birds on certain nights. Rain felt very lazy. She realized the sun was already quite high that morning, though the dressing was still the same—grey. Rain refused to move from her soft and warm bed. The experience she had gone through last n
Rain walked out of Chiel Burley's private residence after single-handedly defeating the ripping demons. A few steps after crossing the street, Chiel's house exploded. Enormous flames soared into the night sky. Rain grinned while wiping the blood dripping down her forehead."The ripping demon must be buried with their maker. They must be ripped apart together and put into the deepest hell."Gazing up at the dark sky, the full moon shone brightly above her head. Black clouds rolled across the sky. Rain felt a very strong magical energy coming from somewhere.Erica had just arrived at the city of darkness, where she met West and briefly explained everything. Point in seconds, the entire army of darkness from the city of darkness rose and appeared at the border box together; they attacked the pack of wolves trying to protect the city. War is unavoidable.A large, dark creature with wide wings landed right before Rain. Rain had never seen this creature before, but she often heard its name
Rain had turned around and was about to leave Chiel Burley's house. However, the warlock suddenly sat up straight while clutching his sore neck."Who gave you permission to leave here?" muttered Chiel.Rain's steps stopped, and she turned back to Chiel. "No one needs your approval or permission. You don't even have the right to speak before me!"The peak of the full moon is only a few hours away. Rain must quickly find Jace and save him. Rain didn't know that the impact of the curse she had given would be this terrible. Rain had to stop it before something worse happened.Chiel grinned. He stood up with difficulty and challenged Rain. The face of the warlock in the body of a 10-year-old boy looks annoying.Rain really can remember everything. Her past, especially her childhood. Rain remembered always playing together with Chiel in the Darkwood forest. There was one question that always bothered Rain's mind at that time. Chiel's body never grows old or taller, while Rain continues to g
"You were born from a forbidden relationship between King Dauntess II and the palace witch—Alyssa Cruise," Chiel said to Rain."King Dauntess II? Jace Dauntess' father?" Rain almost screamed. "Not!"Rain's eyes flashed red. Something burst from within the girl."Markus Orwell is not your father! Your name should be Rain Cruise. Your mother—Alyssa Cruise, never married a king. You have no right to inherit the Dauntess name."Rain shook her head vigorously. A demonic figure that was uncontrollable and which Rain never realized was stored inside her is now present and wants to take the girl's consciousness.Rain choked Chiel's neck suddenly, very strong and fast. Rain pushed Chiel until he fell from his wheelchair. Rain forced the warlock against the wall as she continued to choke him.On the other hand, Haramon was lying unconscious with a pool of blood seeping from his head. Moments ago, Haramon tried to attack Rain, who threatened to kill Chiel. With just one swing of Rain's left hand
Rain stood up, panting. She held her stomach, which felt like it was being stabbed. God knows how long and far she ran from the Darkwood forest to Westlake City. All the way in Rain's mind, there was only one name. Currently, the distance between Rain and the owner of that name was only separated by a double black door.Without hesitation, Rain immediately pressed the button beside the door hard, fast, and repeatedly. The owner of the house did not appear to answer the door. Rain has no more time. She's racing against time.Rain clenched her fists and started pounding on the black door with all her might. She no longer cared about the throbbing pain in her knuckles. She kept banging on the door like a madman.On the umpteenth bang, the door finally swung open. It was still too dark when the house owner was forced awake to receive a disturbing visitor."Where is Chiel?"Haramon, Chiel Burley's personal assistant, answered the door. He stood confused. His pair of sleepy eyes could not b
The wolf's lips were drawn back so that its sharp teeth showed clearly. Rain saw his red tongue sticking out. There was hatred in his eyes when he saw Erica. It was hatred that was pure and uniquely human.Rain started to think. "The wolf is no stranger! But, where have I seen him before, huh? Was he the pack that attacked me in the Darkwood forest? Or is he part of Hardy's pack?"Rain's thoughts were broken when she heard Erica's voice."Are you coming for the girl or me?" With sweat pouring from her temples, Erica asked, but her hands were steady and tightly gripped by the whips in her hands.The wolf stepped towards Erica with a low growl."There's still time," Erica said. "Markus will definitely want to take you back. Just leave Mayor Flynn."With a growl, the wolf lunged. Erica shouted as she swung her whip in the air to chase the wolf into the wolf's side. The wolf backed away, and Rain saw the blood dripping between the dense fur. Blood flowed again as the wolf tried to attack
After slapping Erica in such a daring manner, Rain wished she could glean some explanation about her father's connection to everything that had happened. However, Erica remained silent like an unshakable rock.The door closed behind Erica, leaving Rain alone in Jace's room. There was only Rain's heavy breathing and the sound of her fingertips trying to tug at the door handle and banging, all to no avail."Damn it! Erica locked me in here. What does she really want? And my dad, why is he involved in all this? He was behaving very strangely. He's not like my dad, but someone else who is a complete stranger."After trying various ways to escape Jace's room and failing, Rain finally smashed herself against the door again and again until she was tired. Her side ached. Rain slumped to the floor and tried not to cry."Somewhere, my dad is taking Jace somewhere, and I don't know what he's going to do with that young man. I should be more worried about my dad. But now, I feel disgusted and ang
"I want your promise first," Erica said firmly one more time."First? You don't believe me, Erica?" Markus smiled humorlessly. "I will definitely do as you have asked. A promise is a promise. Although I was a bit surprised when I received your message. I didn't think you would mind living in a palace as grand as this. You never like being in silence?""You don't know how that feels," Erica hissed. "Every time I feel afraid if the child dies.""That's right. I don't know." Mark's voice sounded sad as if he pitied Erica. But there was dislike in Mark's eyes. There was also reproach in his tone. "If you haven't succeeded in resurrecting the witch, you shouldn't have called me here."Erica's face contorted. "It's not easy to restore her strength. People have to find a way, but nothing works. Including… us." Erica's voice trembled."You mean that fragile prince?" Markus turned to Jace, who was tangled in thorns on one wall. Mark chuckled. "Kids grow up fast, don't they? The last time I saw
Rain heard Jace screaming in his room in the east tower. When Rain ran and pushed open Jace's bedroom door, she saw the room filled with swirling black mist.Rain was confused by the situation that occurred. When she approached while calling out Jace's name in panic, pain spread across Rain's arms, cheeks, and even all over Rain's body. The girl screamed. Then instinctively, Rain covered her face with her hands.Rain felt something wrapped around her body. Feels like the barbed wire that is sharp and stabbing. Rain squirmed and struggled. However, the entanglement felt increasingly piercing the skin until it penetrated the flesh."Not! What's this? Jace, are you all right? What's going on here?"Rain couldn't see anything other than the dense fog clumping around her. She thought Jace was again possessed by the monster inside him. However, Rain heard the sound of footsteps."That's enough!" shouted Erica in a calm voice.Erica waved her hand in front of her face, and instantly, the bla
Rain turned to Erica and let go of the woman's grip. Then she turned to Ben. Now, Rain looked at Ben seriously and said something only they could hear."No one knows how to cure it," said Rain. "Jace has been injured by a powerful ripping demon. No mortal doctor knows how to treat a wound like that."Ben had already opened his mouth and was about to issue words to refute Rain's statement. Ben thought he had many different ways of treatment that may be Rain didn't know about. But, suddenly, Ben chose not to speak and fell silent. Ben realized it would all be in vain. Because Ben knows that when Rain has made a decision, the girl will not turn away from her commitment.Erica felt disappointed, and she thought Rain would instead join Benjamin. Erica did not blame the girl's decision. Because of the situation, if you look at it from anywhere, Jace looks really detrimental to Rain. Thus, Erica turned around and returned to her friends."She doesn't want to come with us?" asked Samantha dis