CHAPTER 25
The silence in the chamber lingered like mist, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric as Yuhyun replaced the damp towel on Sihyun's head once again.
Sihyun had not stirred.
His breathing remained slow, and his cheeks were still flushed from the fever.
The faint red glow of his tattoos pulsed, steady like a heartbeat.
Taeyang sat close, his little legs crossed, watching with quiet worry.
Then—
a voice echoed outside.
"His Majesty the King and Crown Prince have returned!"
The silence shattered.
Taeyang jumped up at once, eyes wide, a bright smile blooming across his face.
"Papa is here!"
he shouted joyfully, bolting from the bed and running toward the door before any of his uncles could speak.
Dohyun groaned, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well, someone's going to have to break the news to Muwon…"
Taejin chuckled under his breath.
"Definitely Taeyang. No one else is brave enough."
Dohyun gave a short sigh and followed after the boy, heading out to the courtyard.
Yuhyun stood, casting one last glance at his brother before turning to Taejin.
"Keep an eye on him for a bit. I'll go see what's happening."
Taejin nodded, already settling into the seat beside the bed.
Yuhyun exited the chamber, footsteps fading down the corridor.
The room fell into a hushed stillness once again.
The breeze from the open window rustled the curtains gently.
Sihyun stirred.
His fingers twitched against the sheets.
A few seconds later, his eyes blinked open—still glowing faintly red, his lashes damp with sweat.
He slowly turned his head, gaze hazy, disoriented.
Taejin leaned in immediately.
"You're awake."
"Are you alright?"
Sihyun blinked again, trying to sit upright.
His voice was dry, hoarse.
"…Water."
"Of course."
Taejin turned at once, reaching for the ceramic pitcher beside the bed and pouring water into a cup with quick hands.
But as he poured—
Sihyun's hand suddenly lifted.
His fingers flexed—reaching forward in a slow, shaky movement.
Then, with unnatural speed, his arm extended toward Taejin's neck—
Eyes glowing brighter.
Tattoos pulsing.
A wild, half-aware expression flickering in his gaze.
Taejin didn't notice it at first.
He was still pouring the water, humming softly under his breath.
Sihyun's fingers hovered just inches from his neck, trembling faintly… almost as though possessed.
But before his hand could close around Taejin—
—Sihyun vanished.
No warning.
No magic chant.
No spell sign.
Just a sudden collapse of air, and he was gone.
Taejin blinked in confusion, the cup still in his hand.
Then—
a loud crash!
Glass shattered behind him.
He spun around.
Sihyun was standing in front of the broken mirror, breath ragged, eyes glowing violently red, his arm raised and bleeding.
A jagged piece of the mirror had already been driven deep into his wrist.
Blood dripped steadily to the floor, glistening crimson against the cold marble.
"Sihyun…"
Taejin called, stunned, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Sihyun didn't answer.
His eyes were distant.
His expression unreadable—like he wasn't fully there anymore.
He slowly pulled the mirror shard out of his wrist, blood smearing his palm, but his face remained calm… almost too calm.
Then something strange happened.
The wound began to heal itself.
Skin closed over the gash in slow motion, inch by inch, until only a faint line remained… then even that faded.
Taejin took a slow step forward.
"What… what just happened?"
He looked at Sihyun, confused, afraid to approach too fast—unsure if the real Sihyun was even still there.
Yuhyun stood frozen for a second, taking in the sight—
The mirror, shattered.
The blood, the faint scent still in the air.
And Sihyun, standing barefoot amid it all, his glowing red eyes eerily blank.
He leaned in to Taejin and whispered,
"What happened?"
Taejin swallowed hard.
"He just… went over there and stabbed himself,"
he said, voice low and unsettled.
"His wrist—bled out... then healed on its own. Like it never happened."
Yuhyun's jaw tensed. He took a careful step forward.
"Sihyun…"
he called gently.
No response.
Sihyun didn't blink. Didn't move.
He just stood there like a cursed statue—breathing, but barely alive.
At that moment, Dohyun stepped in, sensing the heavy air instantly.
Then came the sound of small footsteps running.
Muwon appeared, walking in slowly, holding Taeyang's tiny hand in his own.
The child's eyes lit up the moment he saw Sihyun.
"Dada! Papa's here!"
Taeyang beamed.
He tugged free of Muwon's hand and started running forward.
But—
Muwon gripped his shoulder quickly, stopping him.
"Wait, Taeyang,"
he said softly, his voice edged with warning.
Taeyang blinked, confused, looking back up at him.
"Why? Dada's there. He's awake, right?"
"He's not himself right now,"
Muwon replied, watching Sihyun closely.
His heart thudded painfully in his chest.
Then, Muwon stepped forward, just a little.
"Sihyun,"
he said again, this time with a voice only Sihyun would recognize—gentle, steady, and firm.
"It's me… Muwon. I'm back."
Still no response.
Only the distant hum of magic buzzing under Sihyun's skin, and the dull red glow of the 20th mark, pulsing like a living flame.
Everyone watched with bated breath.
Dohyun stepped forward slightly, whispering,
"Be careful, Muwon."
Muwon didn't take his eyes off Sihyun.
Then—
Sihyun's head tilted just slightly…
And a slow, unsettling smile curled across his lips.
Before anyone could react—
He vanished.
In a blink, he reappeared right in front of Muwon, arms wrapping tightly around him in an unexpected embrace.
The trio gasped.
Even Muwon stood frozen for a moment, feeling Sihyun's arms around him—tense, warm, trembling.
Then Sihyun slowly pulled away, his glowing eyes locking with Muwon's.
Muwon reached up, his hand gently brushing against Sihyun's cheek.
"Sihyun,"
he whispered softly.
"I'm here."
But Sihyun's gaze dropped.
He saw the bruises on Muwon's face—fresh, hidden beneath the surface.
Then his tired voice finally came out, low and hoarse:
"You were ambushed… weren't you?"
Muwon blinked and quickly shook his head.
"No. I slipped and fell,"
he said, forcing a small smile.
But Sihyun didn't smile.
He just stared.
Deep, sharp. Like he could see through the lie.
Behind them, Taejin, Dohyun, and Yuhyun all shared the same worried look.
Dohyun gave a slight tilt of his head toward Muwon.
Yuhyun muttered under his breath,
"Don't push it… just tell him."
Taejin added quietly,
"He's still not fully himself, don't lie to him now."
Muwon finally sighed and gave in.
He looked Sihyun in the eyes and admitted,
"We were ambushed… but it's alright now."
He smiled—warm, reassuring.
"The king's enchanted pendant protected us in time. I'm safe."
Sihyun reached slowly into the folds of his robe…
And pulled out a familiar silver pendant.
Muwon's enchanted pendant.
He held it up to Muwon gently, his voice barely above a whisper:
"That's why you should never forget this… Always wear it."
Muwon's eyes widened. He hadn't even realized it was missing.
Sihyun leaned closer and, with trembling fingers, helped him fasten the chain around his neck.
Then, looking straight at him—firm but soft—he said,
"Got it?"
Muwon's smile returned, touched and sincere.
"Got it,"
he said, nodding.
Just then, a small voice chirped from below.
"Dada, are you okay now?"
It was Taeyang, peeking up at them with worried eyes.
Sihyun looked down at his son. A small smile crept across his lips again.
He reached out and gently patted Taeyang's head, then gave a slow, reassuring nod.
Taeyang's face lit up with relief, like the sun breaking through the clouds.
But the moment was fleeting.
Sihyun's smile wavered.
His body swayed.
And without warning—he collapsed.
"Sihyun!"
Muwon caught him before he hit the floor, arms wrapping around him tightly.
The trio rushed forward.
Yuhyun froze. His heart thundered in his chest, but his legs didn't move.
Muwon gently laid Sihyun on the bed, brushing back his hair, whispering his name, hoping he'd open his eyes.
Taeyang tugged at Muwon's sleeve, voice trembling.
"I thought Dada was doing better…?"
Muwon pulled him close, placing a hand over Taeyang's heart.
"He is,"
he said with quiet confidence.
"Dada just needs rest. He'll be okay soon, I promise."
But Yuhyun stood frozen by the broken mirror, fists clenched.
He felt it deep in his gut—the guilt.
He had done nothing.
Nothing when his brother was breaking.
Nothing when the 20th mark took hold.
Nothing when Sihyun nearly harmed someone… or himself.
His breath shook.
"I'm supposed to protect him..."
he thought.
"But I just watched."