"This building?" Jace asked, pointing. "Are you sure this one? The building you see in your dream is a black door carved with roses. As for the door of this house…." Rain looked doubtful. "The buildings do look similar, even the same in my dream. But this door was completely different. There isn't a rose engraved on this door." "Alright, there's only one way for us to find out," replied Erica, who was standing beside them. Erica started walking up the steps of the building in front of them with firm and determined efforts. The house looked very old and dusty, and garbage filled the terrace. "Erica, what are you trying to do?" he asked. "Why are you so sure this building is the place to be? Even Rain herself hesitated. I thought it was just an ordinary abandoned building." "Your Majesty, I sincerely apologize; if this was an abandoned building, there shouldn't be any incandescent lamps burning on the terrace. Isn't this enough proof that there is life behind the door?" Erica spo
Erica felt that her master had been despised. She moved so fast that no one even noticed her movements. Erica suddenly pushed the women so that her back hit the door and her feet lifted off the floor. "Who do you think you are? How dare you say that to my King?" At that moment, Rain saw Erica's proper form for the first time. A beautiful woman who looks like a perfectionist and always wears dark clothes when working, suddenly her face turns into a bulge of muscles and bones. From the top of her head came a pair of horns with scales covering the skin of her face. Even though Erica's body was still intact as a mortal woman, her head suddenly changed like that of a dragon in the mythological stories of the gods. Jace realized Rain was shivering beside him. The man immediately moved his left hand until it came out like a rope made of thin black smoke. The string of smoke wrapped around Erica's body and pulled her back. The housekeeper's Warlock fell to the floor, gasping for air. It l
Rain gaped. All the guests in the banquet hall bowed at Jace in unison. Suddenly tears welled up in Rain's eyes. Something tickled her back and spread all over her skin. She had never felt the sensation of emotion, tension, and pride like that night. "I already told you, Rain. They were loyal followers of the Darkwood Kingdom. I'm sure tonight someone deliberately invited me to prove I am still worthy of being supported or not?" "Exactly, Your Majesty! That's our intention and purpose in inviting you to come here," said a man who suddenly came from one direction. Along with the man's appearance, everyone who had previously bowed in respect was now standing tall. The party was still going on, but they all fell silent to watch the host speak. "He?" Rain was surprised when she recognized the host. "Do you know him?" Benjamin suddenly approached Rain's side as Jace was busy greeting the host. Rain shook her head. "Not. I don't know him. However, I feel that his face is very familiar
The man said something like enchantments, but no sound escaped his lips moving. Suddenly, Fleming, the vampire, seemed unable to breathe. He looked very in pain. Something grabbed his neck. Duke Fleming kept scratching his neck as if a rope wrapped around his neck, but there was nothing there. He kept moaning in pain, and his face turned blue from being unable to breathe. "Master Fleming, even though you are royalty here, your attitude is truly dishonourable. You have surpassed the welcome of my master." The housekeeper said lazily. "Now, go!" He let go of his hand. Duke Fleming turned around with undeniable arrogance. He got into the crowd of the party and ran for the door. "Wow! Awe-inspiring entertainment!" said Jace. "Hopefully, this small matter will not disturb your comfort, Your Majesty. Young Master Fleming was indeed very well known for his childish demeanour. Not once or twice, he's always arguing with the Children of the Moon." "Why did you exclude inviting the werewo
"Okay, but I don't see what your mother's death and your father's disappearance have to do with my existence. Why did you come here and almost ruin my party?" Chiel looks annoyed. "You even ruined my sleep." Jace looked impatient. "Hey, kid. You are at least ten years old but look at your attitude towards adults. Did your parents never teach you manners?" It was Chiel's assistant who came forward to protect his Master. "You have gone too far, Your Majesty. Even though you are a king and my Lord swore allegiance to your kingdom, now you are in his private domain. It's only right that you be nice to him." "Enough, Haramon!" cried Chiel. Haramon, the assistant, took two steps back after looking down at Chiel. He returned to his position behind Chiel's wheelchair. Jace can't wait. "Someone erased her memory. So, we tried to go to the City of Darkness to see if my troops could restore her sealed memory. They only got one clue, and that was your front door." The atmosphere was gloomy
"What you see, you will forget, even when looking at it. This black rose rune has protected you from views you shouldn't see as mortal. You can act like any other mortal. There are no descriptions of shadow creatures and creatures of darkness. They don't stay in your memory, so they don't disturb your human sleep. Exactly what he wanted." "As who wants?" Rain took a step forward. Everyone in the room could hear Rain's thin voice due to tension. Chiel sighed. Rain wouldn't be surprised. Rain could already guess what answer Chiel would say. However, Rain still felt those words like a blow to her trust. "Your father, Markus Orwell. He was the one who came here and asked me to do that magic on you." Rain suddenly went limp. And at that moment, Jace immediately supported Rain's back so she wouldn't fall. "My father did all this to me? But why? I think he loves and cares for me. Why did he have to do all this?" "Sorry, Miss, for the answer to your last question, I don't know. People
Chiel took a breath and continued. "At that time, I needed an object to test the results of my research. To test the spell strengthening results." Rain clenched her fists silently. "So you took advantage of me? You took advantage of my father's wishes for you to be the object of experimentation?" "Yes, I have no other choice. I also told you all the consequences to your father. Because I can't lie about this. We were both honest about what we wanted, so we made an exchange." "And my father agreed? He agreed that I was used as an experimental material by you?" Chiel nodded firmly. "I really did. I inscribed the rune of the magic spell in your mind. It to cover your vision and erase your memory as soon as you see about the world of darkness." "Wow!" shouted Rain angrily. "This is very annoying. I didn't think there was such a cruel figure as the two of you!" She quipped. However, Chiel was utterly unaffected by the innuendo. Instead, it was Jace who started to get angry. "So you m
"I didn't hurt you, Miss," Chiel said defensively. "Nothing will harm you." Chiel's lips wrinkled and pouted. "You're just feeling a little over the top with your teenage years. You feel like other people are ruining your mind and putting you in the wrong place. But you are different. Being different is no fun. But you're fine! Your life is no worse than mine!" There was a hurt tone to Chiel's voice. "You know how it feels when you are born and have to live this life alone until the end of your life? You have to find your own way and your life without anyone to guide you. All fears and ugliness come to you without you being able to choose which one to choose and throw away?" Chiel sounded emotional. "You're a lucky girl, Rain. You have a father who dared to stand before you and be your first and last protector. I'm sure he did all this to make you happy and live a peaceful life. It's not like I have to accept everything unfiltered." "You're a lucky girl to have such a good father,
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