Chapter 29 – The Beginning
The old man lifted his head, staring at Einver with fear and dread, his voice trembling as though he was revealing a great secret:
"In the beginning… four years ago."
...
A young girl stirred awake at the first light of dawn, when the morning sun slipped through the curtains of her lavish room. She was delicate and fair, her childish face glowing with innocence and vitality despite the drowsiness still weighing on her eyelids. Her long, flowing hair shone like strands of black silk, swaying lightly with every movement.
She stretched softly, then rose from her ornate bed and walked with graceful steps toward the bath, carrying a fresh towel and a new elegant dress. After a short while, she emerged refreshed, dressed in her radiant attire. Standing before the tall mirror, she arranged her hair with her small hands, smiled a gentle smile that lit her face, and stepped out of her chamber on the second floor of the grand palace.
The moment she opened the door, a warm, tender voice floated up from the first floor:
"Sun Mi… have you woken, my dear?"
The voice was soft, melodious, carrying comfort and serenity—like a delicate tune played on strings.
The young princess, Sun Mi, smiled and replied cheerfully:
"Yes, Mother… I'm awake."
She descended the carved wooden staircase with light steps, her gentle smile brightening her face. It wasn't the smile of arrogance or pretense, but the pure smile of a girl who still believed the world was full of kind people.
Her mother's voice rose again from below as she busied herself at the dining table:
"Good. Then could you wake your brother? He's still asleep, and breakfast is almost ready."
Sun Mi's small steps faltered for a moment, a flicker of childish annoyance crossing her features. After a few seconds of deliberation, she sighed with mild exasperation, then turned back upstairs. She reached the room beside her own and tried the door, only to find it locked tight. Pinned to it was a small scrap of paper scrawled in messy handwriting: Do Not Disturb.
With a pout, Sun Mi plucked the note off the door and began knocking lightly. No answer. She knocked again, harder this time, but silence remained. Irritation crept into her expression, and with a sudden push, she forced the door open and strode inside.
The scene was a mess. The room reeked of sweat, heavy and suffocating. The floor was littered with clothes and training weights. On the bed lay a pale young man, sprawled so still he might have been mistaken for a corpse, if not for the slow rise and fall of his chest.
Sun Mi covered her nose with one hand, grimacing at the stench, while her gaze swept the clutter. Her eyes caught on a wooden practice sword lying discarded to the side. A mischievous smile curved her lips. She snatched up the sword and brought it down squarely on the young man's head.
"Argh! What the hell?!"
The boy jolted upright in alarm, half-asleep, his hands shooting up instinctively to shield himself.
Sun Mi laughed triumphantly.
"Mother asked me to wake you up, you fool. Breakfast is ready. Get up!"
She tossed the wooden sword aside, her radiant smile filled with glee, as if she'd just scored a small victory.
"All right, all right, I'm awake… damn you. I swear, Sun Mi, you enjoy torturing me!"
The boy rubbed his head with a wince, though a reluctant smile broke through when he saw his sister's bright face.
Sun Mi retorted playfully:
"No one ever told you, Sun Ko, not to sleep in this late?"
The sweet, lively princess was Sun Mi. And the lazy young man was her elder brother, Sun Ko.
…
A few minutes later, the two descended together to the first floor, into the dining hall. At its center stood a grand wooden table surrounded by six chairs, laden with fresh food and drinks.
At the head of the table sat a stern, heroic-looking man in his middle years. He wore elegant black robes, neat and refined. His long black hair was tied back, his brows sharp as blades, and his eyes carried a commanding certainty—the eyes of a ruler who bore the weight of his entire age. He was King Sun Han.
Beside him sat a woman of striking beauty, dressed in a crimson gown like a ruby flame. Her jade-like face was serene, her eyes warm and gentle whenever they fell upon her children. She was Queen Sun Mao.
"Good morning, Father… Mother."
Both Sun Mi and Sun Ko spoke in unison, placing their fists to their chests and bowing in respect.
Queen Sun Mao smiled tenderly, though her eyes quickly noticed the faint red mark on her son's head, and the playful glint on her daughter's face.
"Sit, children. The food is ready."
Sun Mi seated herself to the king's left, while Sun Ko sat directly across from her.
King Sun Han cast a look of pride at his son and spoke in his deep, dignified voice:
"Sun Ko… you've reached your twentieth year. You've stepped into the First Division of the Sky Realm. You've fought alongside my men at the front lines and proven your courage more than once. But…"
He paused, setting down his knife, and fixed his son with the gaze of a firm father.
"My son… you have yet to test the labyrinths of politics. That is why I want you to accompany several of my men and advisors to Shadow Black City. They are enduring a severe economic crisis, and since we share longstanding trade and alliances, it is our duty to aid them. You will depart immediately after breakfast."
His expression softened with pride as he watched his son.
Sun Ko answered with discipline:
"Yes, Father. I'll do as you command."
He hesitated a moment, then added:
"But, Father… shouldn't we be more concerned about the internal threat looming over us now?"
Princess Sun Mi's face tensed slightly, her voice coming out quiet and uneasy:
"Yes… the internal threat…"
King Sun Han exhaled deeply, his gaze shifting to his daughter. He knew at once what she meant. That threat was none other than her uncle, Sin Ka.
Sin Ka was a man of tangled history. He was not King Sun Han's true brother, but a child adopted by the late king after a brutal battle wiped out his entire clan. The former king had ordered the infant spared and brought before him, refusing to let him be killed. After discussion with the former queen, they decided to raise him as their own.
Thus Sin Ka grew up as a brother to Sun Han. Yet he always felt the weight of difference. His name was not "Sun," but "Sin." As a boy he hadn't understood why. But when he came of age and discovered the truth, his heart changed. He realized he was not of their blood—that the man who had raised him was also the one who had annihilated his people.
The truth was not so simple, but Sin Ka never cared for details. In his heart, all he saw was that his foster father had slaughtered his kin, then extended a hand to adopt him.
At first, he thought of running away. Later, of revenge. But eventually, he chose something else entirely.
No one knew of the darkness he harbored, nor the poisoned thoughts he nursed. And when the former king died, Sun Han ascended the throne with the counsel and support of his brilliant "brother," Sin Ka.
At first, everything seemed fine. The people loved Sin Ka, believing him a great man who aided his brother in ruling. They cheered his name, praised his wisdom. Yet what no one realized… was that schemes were being woven in the shadows.
Dark schemes… that turned everything upside down, dragging the Sunlight City to the very brink of ruin.
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