CHAPTER 24
The chamber was quiet.
Sihyun sat by the window, back straight, yet shoulders slightly hunched—eyes distant as they gazed out toward the fading afternoon light.
In his hand, he gently held Muwon's enchanted pendant, turning it over between his fingers like it might whisper something back to him.
The silence wrapped around him like a blanket—until it was suddenly broken.
"Dada!"
The door flung open and Taeyang ran in on small feet, a folded letter clutched in his hand. His eyes sparkled.
"Dada! Dada! Look! Papa wrote to us!"
Behind him, Yuhyun appeared—smiling softly but with a weariness that still lingered from earlier.
Sihyun blinked, pulled from his thoughts. A slow, faint smile touched his lips as he turned.
"Did he?"
He stretched out a hand, and Taeyang proudly handed the letter over.
Sihyun opened it carefully and scanned the contents, eyes softening with every line.
The pendant in his other hand slipped slightly in his grasp, now resting lightly on his lap.
Taeyang tilted his head.
"You miss Papa, don't you?"
Sihyun looked down at him, then ruffled his hair gently.
"Yes… I do."
Taeyang giggled.
"Me too!"
Yuhyun stepped closer, watching them with a fond expression.
"I told you he'd be fine,"
he said softly.
Sihyun glanced up at him. His smile lingered—but it faltered for a second.
Then, quietly, he said:
"I'm sorry… for earlier."
Yuhyun shook his head.
"Don't be. It's… understandable."
He paused.
"You're scared. We all are. But that doesn't make you the enemy."
Sihyun looked at him for a long moment—then gave a slow, grateful nod.
Just then, Taeyang grabbed Yuhyun's hand and began tugging him excitedly toward the door.
"Let's play! You promised!"
Yuhyun chuckled, allowing himself to be pulled.
"Alright, alright—give me a moment!"
As they reached the doorway, Yuhyun glanced back at Sihyun.
"We'll see you later, yeah?"
Sihyun simply smiled and nodded.
He sat alone once more, but this time… not in silence.
In his hand was the letter.
On his lap, the pendant.
And from the hallway, the distant sound of Taeyang's laughter echoed softly.
Nightfall blanketed the palace in silence.
Soft candlelight flickered low in Taeyang's chamber as Yuhyun gently tucked him into bed.
The boy was already half-asleep, clutching a small embroidered pillow, his breathing calm and deep.
Yuhyun leaned down, brushing a hand across Taeyang's hair.
"Sweet dreams,"
he whispered, before quietly stepping out.
He padded softly down the corridor and peeked into Sihyun's room.
The younger twin was already asleep—back turned to the door, rising and falling breaths steady, the pendant still wrapped in his hand.
Yuhyun lingered a moment longer, as if hesitant to leave.
But finally, he closed the door and made his way to his own chamber.
The palace sank into silence.
Midnight.
The candle in Sihyun's room had long burned out.
But the room was far from calm.
Beneath the thick layers of his blanket, Sihyun trembled violently.
His breath came in short, gasping huffs—skin burning hot, sweat soaking through the collar of his night robe.
Then—his eyes shot open.
Glowing—brilliant red.
His tattoos pulsed and glimmered across his skin, flaring with a deep, molten hue. Each mark along his back, arms, and neck glowed in rhythm with his heartbeat—until they seized with an unnatural, unstable light.
He clutched the blanket tightly, curling his body into itself as though trying to contain something rising within him.
"Ughh…"
He groaned, weak, trembling—unable to invoke magic, unable to scream.
His body shook.
His chest rose and fell like he was drowning in the air.
The 20th mark—the final one—was beginning to stir awake.
His fingers curled around the edge of the pendant still tied loosely to his wrist…
But even Muwon's enchanted charm could do little against what was now awakening inside him.
He couldn't sleep.
He could barely think.
Only one thing echoed in his mind through the endless night:
"It's happening…"
Morning finally came.
Soft rays of sunlight seeped through the silk curtains, gently lighting up the quiet chamber.
The air was still.
The blankets lay heaped tightly over Sihyun, cocooned around him like a desperate shield.
But within them, his body shivered, trembling despite the oppressive heat radiating off his skin.
His eyes remained faintly aglow, and his tattoos—though dimmer now—still pulsed with a sinister red beneath his sleeves.
Suddenly—
The door burst open.
Taeyang ran in, beaming with excitement, clutching another letter in his hand.
"Dada! Dada!"
he called out joyfully.
"Papa wrote to us again! He said he's coming back today!"
But there was no reply.
Confused, Taeyang moved closer.
"Dada?"
Still nothing.
Worried, he climbed up beside the large bed and gently pulled the blanket from Sihyun's face.
His breath caught.
"Dada…?"
Sihyun's skin was flushed deep pink, glistening with sweat. His hair stuck to his forehead.
When Taeyang reached out and touched him—
"Ah—!"
He recoiled slightly. Burning hot.
"Dada, you're sick!"
he whispered, frightened now. His wide eyes searched Sihyun's face, desperate.
Slowly, Sihyun's eyes opened, heavy and glowing faintly.
He tried to focus, blinking against the blinding light of the world.
When he saw Taeyang's pale face trying to force a smile, his lips twitched into a weak, tired curve.
"Hey… my sunshine…"
His voice was hoarse and quiet.
"Can Dada see the letter?"
Taeyang nodded quickly and handed it over.
But the moment Sihyun's fingertips brushed the paper—
Fwoosh.
The letter ignited instantly, turning to ashes within seconds.
Taeyang gasped and pulled his hands back.
A flicker of fear passed through him, but so did something else—determination.
"I'll get Uncle Yuhyun!"
he said hurriedly.
He slid off the bed and raced toward the hallway, his voice already echoing—
"UNCLE YUHYUN!!! DADA'S REALLY HOT! SOMETHING'S WRONG!!"
Yuhyun gently pressed a cool, damp towel against Sihyun's forehead, his hands trembling only slightly.
Beads of sweat rolled down Sihyun's temple.
The red hue in his tattoos and eyes had dulled, but the heat from his body remained relentless.
Still, he'd finally drifted into a fragile sleep—his breath shallow, but steady.
Taeyang sat beside him on the large bed, small fingers gripping the edge of the blanket tightly.
His round eyes were fixed on Sihyun's face, watching every twitch and shift with silent worry.
At the foot of the bed stood Taejin and Dohyun, arms crossed, brows furrowed.
The room was still, the air heavy with tension.
Finally, Taejin broke the silence.
His voice was low, serious.
"Is it already forming?"
"The twentieth mark?"
Yuhyun didn't answer right away.
He soaked the towel in the bowl again, wrung it out, and gently placed it back on Sihyun's forehead.
Then he gave a small nod.
"Yes. It's begun."
Dohyun exhaled sharply.
"That's not just any mark, Yuhyun. Are you sure Sihyun's too weak to do anything right now?"
Yuhyun glanced up at him briefly, then down at Sihyun.
"I'm sure. He's burning from the inside out. His body's trying to suppress the awakening on its own. There's nothing left for him to fight with right now… not even magic."
Before Dohyun could press further—
A quiet voice interrupted.
"Will Dada be okay…?"
The three turned.
Taeyang was looking up at them, his face soft with concern, tears quietly forming in his wide eyes.
He clutched Sihyun's hand gently in both of his.
"Will he be alright?"
he asked again.
Taejin knelt beside the bed, managing a small, reassuring smile.
"Of course. Dada's just a little tired right now, but he'll be alright in no time. He's strong, remember?"
Yuhyun reached out and stroked Taeyang's hair gently.
"That's why we all need to be here for him, sunshine. So he feels safe. So he knows he's not alone. Then he can get better soon."
Taeyang nodded slowly, his small head bobbing, though his eyes stayed fixed on Sihyun's pale face.
The silence returned—but this time it was softer, held together by quiet hope.