With a calm expression, the man slowly unbuttoned his sleeves.
There was nothing military about him—his posture relaxed, his shoulders slouched, and his demeanor far from that of a trained soldier. In fact, he looked too calm for someone who had once killed his own father.
But he had.
For something greater—a plan he once believed in, together with Lukas.
Now, Marcus was beginning to doubt it.
He sensed that Lukas had become too comfortable in his new life, especially after marriage.
"What happened while I was gone? That little prince doesn't seem well, does he?"
Marcus straightened the top of his coat and walked over to the window. His gaze landed on the old tower—the one where the crown prince was now confined.
"That creature has its eyes on the prince," said a voice behind him—Samuel, one of his trusted soldiers. "Even in his absence, it knows he's been away for too long. It's drawn to the child, perhaps sensing he can't defend himself."
"So Lukas really put him in the tower?"
Marcus frowned deeply.
"I should've seen his foolishness coming. Samuel, did I make a mistake naming him king? Should I remove him from the throne?"
The tower wasn't just a building.
It was a symbol. Reserved only for heirs to the crown. To claim that title, one had to face a formal gathering with the Nine Great Houses of Erlost.
Or... become the next target in the line of royal assassinations.
"I let Thalia choose him," Marcus muttered. "To ensure his safety. But when she provoked the council after they rejected their marriage? I thought she had a way to convince them."
Marcus remembered that day vividly—Lukas drew the royal sword and beheaded the Elder of House Thorneveil in front of the high nobles.
A dangerous move. One wrong step and a rebellion could've erupted.
Thankfully, the marriage was accepted without further resistance.
And now, the king—without any formal meeting—had unilaterally declared his son the successor?
"Does he truly believe locking the boy in that tower is enough to keep him safe?"
Samuel stepped closer but remained silent. A man of few words, but when he spoke—it mattered.
"How did it happen?" Marcus asked. "How did the creature breach the defenses? You were assigned to prevent exactly this."
Through the window, Marcus spotted Lukas exiting the prince's chamber, the boy cradled in his arms. Like a loving father.
Marcus allowed a faint smile.
It wouldn't last.
Lukas was too emotional. One mistake from the child or his wife, and Marcus had no doubt—Lukas wouldn't hesitate to eliminate them.
"Servants said the prince was seen walking alone," Samuel explained. "Heading toward the Queen's wing. Likely looking for Thalia."
"At night?"
"Around eight. Some heard him humming. But as you know, Thalia forbade anyone from approaching the boy—including the common-born girl assigned to guard him."
"Why? Is she afraid his true identity might be revealed?"
"Something like that."
"And the girl—Merliah, was it? Wasn't she in charge of watching over my nephew?"
"It was past curfew, sir. The prince insisted on being left alone. Thalia also explicitly forbade Merliah from approaching, because—"
"Because what? Didn't you once say that creature wouldn't harm a human? Or were you lying to me?"
"I wasn't lying, sir."
"He's living in the heir's tower, yet he's not treated as such. My brother is a terrible father."
Marcus paused.
"Was he injured?"
"Just surface wounds. Nothing severe."
"And Lukas didn't even get him treated?" Marcus clicked his tongue in disappointment.
"How long does he intend to keep the boy's identity a secret?"
"Until the Queen regains her father's blessing. If the alliance is secured, both kingdoms will sign a peace treaty."
"Fine. But why would the boy go to his mother's room, knowing she isn't there?"
Marcus shot a sharp glance at Samuel.
"Is there something I don't know about the boy? It's been months, but his height and weight haven't changed at all. That's... suspicious."
"Thalia is of your bloodline, is she not?" Marcus pressed.
"You were assigned to protect her. Yet I've seen little effort. Or... are you just waiting for something?"
Samuel didn't respond.
He didn't confirm, nor deny.
He was always hiding something—and Marcus knew it.
"You always choose silence. Fine." Marcus folded his arms. "What did the creature look like?"
"Female."
"The Queen?"
"Partly. Half her face wasn't human. I believe it's the same being that's haunted the Queen's quarters. She lured the prince in that night."
Marcus clenched his jaw.
"Sam."
"Yes, sir?"
"Summon every servant on duty that night. If they ignored my nephew's screams, let him nearly die... they'll all pay."
Samuel turned to leave, but Marcus stopped him.
"Wait."
Samuel halted. He turned back.
"That creature... are you sure it's who we think it is?"
Samuel paused, then nodded.
"Yes. The aura—it's unmistakable. It's one of the beings born alongside Thalia's kin."
Marcus leaned against the chair, fingers tapping the armrest slowly.
"That creature shouldn't exist without a bond... But Eliot was born without one, wasn't he? No signs, no magical reaction at birth."
"Your kin's magic, I mean," he added, glancing at Samuel.
"Correct," Samuel said. "Even Clarity examined him. No signs of possession or spiritual link."
Marcus nodded slowly, eyes fixed on the window again.
"Then why now? Why appear only when Thalia is gone?"
The room fell silent. Only the ticking of the clock echoed.
"Is it searching for something?" Marcus murmured. "Or... confirming something?"
Samuel lifted his head.
"Or maybe the creature wasn't drawn to Eliot."
Marcus turned slowly, eyes narrowing.
"You think... it came because of Thalia?"
Samuel lowered his head.
"I've never seen it attack you. Why?" That was a question he never found the answer to. All he knew was—this being came from the same world as Thalia. And it only targeted others from that world.
It wouldn't hurt humans—unless necessary.
But even Samuel suspected there were secrets hidden from him.
Secrets held by Thalia... and by himself.
"I've long suspected it. Thalia... she's not just clever like a snake. She possesses magic like your ancestors, doesn't she?" No wonder the Elder of Thorneveil trembled when he saw her face.
Marcus stared at the dying fire in the hearth. I need to revisit our history.
"The creature waits. But not for Eliot—it waits for Thalia. And when she left... maybe it thought the boy hid something it couldn't see."
"Or maybe... it wanted to confirm if Eliot really was born without a shadow," Samuel whispered.
Marcus exhaled deeply.
"Whatever it is, we can't let that thing roam within the palace. Especially near the heir."
He stood again and faced Samuel.
"Gather everyone from that night. And Samuel—"
"Yes, sir?"
"Bring Clarity to me. If that creature has truly returned after all these years, I want to know what—or who—called it back."
Samuel knew—Marcus suspected him.
He hadn't stopped the creature from chasing the prince, and now, Marcus wanted answers.
Samuel saluted and stepped out.
Marcus stared at the night sky through the window, eyes fixed on the tower where his nephew slept.
"You're not just a child, Eliot. And it seems... the secrets of your birth are beginning to wake."