Chapter 7: The King Who Was Once Human
The walk back to Liora's room was silent.
Too silent.
The Shadow King still held her wrist, not tightly, but firm enough that she couldn't pull away. His grip felt cold, yet strangely steady.
Liora glanced at him.
His expression was unreadable.
But something about him felt… different.
More distant.
More guarded.
The words from the mirror echoed in her mind.
"You are his destruction."
Her heart tightened.
What did that mean?
She wanted to ask.
But the tension between them made her hesitate.
Finally, she spoke softly.
"What did you mean… when you said the mirror reveals the truth?"
He didn't answer immediately.
They reached her room.
Only then did he release her hand.
"You should rest."
Her brows knitted slightly.
"You're avoiding the question."
The shadows around him shifted slightly.
"I am protecting you."
"From what?"
Silence.
Then—
"From knowledge."
Her heart skipped.
"Why?"
His red eyes locked onto hers.
"Because once you know… you cannot turn back."
A chill ran down her spine.
But instead of fear—
Her curiosity grew stronger.
"I still want to know."
The silence stretched between them.
For a moment—
It looked like he might refuse again.
Then—
"...Very well."
Her eyes widened slightly.
He stepped inside the room.
The door closed behind him.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Heavy.
Serious.
"You asked about the truth," he said quietly.
"Yes…"
He turned slightly away.
"For centuries… this kingdom was not darkness."
Her breath caught.
"It was once… filled with light."
Her eyes widened.
Light?
"This castle… this land… everything you see… was once alive."
She listened quietly.
"And you?" she asked softly.
He paused.
"...I was human."
Her heart skipped.
"You… were human?"
"Yes."
Silence filled the room.
Her mind struggled to process.
The terrifying Shadow King…
Once human?
"What happened?" she whispered.
His eyes darkened.
"There was a war."
The shadows around him moved slowly.
"A war between light and darkness."
Her chest tightened.
"I was the prince… of this kingdom."
Her eyes widened even more.
"A prince…?"
He nodded slightly.
"I was chosen to protect the kingdom."
His voice grew quieter.
"But I failed."
The shadows trembled.
"Darkness spread across the land."
His hand clenched slightly.
"To save the kingdom… I made a choice."
Her heart beat faster.
"What choice?"
"I accepted the darkness."
Her breath caught.
"I became its vessel."
Silence.
Heavy.
Painful.
"But… something went wrong," he continued.
"The darkness consumed everything."
His red eyes glowed faintly.
"And I became… this."
Liora stared at him.
Her chest tightened painfully.
He sacrificed himself…
To save everyone?
"And the people?" she asked softly.
"They died."
Her breath stopped.
"...All of them?"
"Yes."
Her eyes filled with sadness.
"You've been alone… all this time?"
He didn't answer.
But his silence said enough.
Her heart ached.
So lonely…
So broken…
She took a small step forward.
"You tried to save them."
The shadows around him shifted.
"But I failed," he replied coldly.
"You still tried."
He looked at her.
Something flickered in his eyes.
Hope?
Pain?
Something deeper.
"You see me as a hero," he said quietly.
Her chest tightened.
"Aren't you?"
Silence.
Then—
"No."
His voice dropped.
"I am the reason this kingdom died."
Her heart skipped.
"What do you mean?"
His gaze darkened.
"The darkness didn't spread on its own."
A chill ran down her spine.
"...I let it spread."
Her breath caught.
"You…?"
"I chose power over humanity."
The shadows around him moved violently.
"I embraced the darkness."
His eyes glowed brighter.
"And I enjoyed it."
Fear crept into her heart.
The atmosphere grew colder.
"I stopped trying to save them."
Her heartbeat quickened.
"I watched… as everything fell."
Her breath trembled.
"You didn't…"
He looked at her.
Cold.
Emotionless.
"I did."
Silence filled the room.
Her heart sank.
The hero…
Was becoming a villain.
"I became the Shadow King."
The words echoed heavily.
"And since then…"
His voice grew darker.
"I have ruled this kingdom of shadows."
Her hands trembled slightly.
"Then… why bring brides?"
He paused.
"To test something."
"What?"
"Whether I can still feel… anything."
Her chest tightened.
"And… can you?"
Silence.
He looked at her.
For a long moment.
Then—
"I don't know."
Her heart skipped.
She felt something change.
Something fragile.
But then—
He stepped back.
"You should sleep."
The conversation ended.
But before he left—
"Liora."
Her heart jumped.
"Yes?"
"Stay away from the forbidden chamber."
She nodded slowly.
"Okay."
He turned.
The shadows swallowed him again.
And he disappeared.
Liora sat quietly on the bed.
Her heart felt heavy.
He was once human…
He tried to save everyone…
Then became darkness itself…
Her chest tightened.
"So… he's not just a monster…"
But also…
Not a hero.
Her thoughts drifted.
Maybe…
I can change him…
She looked at her glowing hand faintly.
Light…
Maybe that's why I'm here…
Meanwhile—
Deep in the throne hall—
The Shadow King stood alone.
His eyes glowed faintly.
"You told her too much."
A dark voice echoed.
Another shadow formed beside him.
A darker version.
His shadow.
"I know."
The shadow laughed softly.
"You're getting attached."
His expression hardened.
"No."
But his voice lacked certainty.
The shadow smiled.
"Careful…"
Its voice darkened.
"Or she will become your weakness."
Silence filled the hall.
The Shadow King closed his eyes slowly.
Liora…
The girl of light…
Was slowly changing everything.
And that scared him.
Because deep inside—
The darkness within him…
Was beginning to awaken again.