The following content might be disturbing for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
Grey clouds emerged like their heart were mourning for the deceased.
A long row of framed portraits were put on the ceremonial table, each decorated with fresh white chrysanthemums and black ribbons tied in mourning. Grieving families were knelt and head bowed beneath the table. Their tears shined on their pale cheeks as the soft rhythm of drum sounded in the air.
Young Kim Suho wearing a black suit stood along with other mourners who lost their family in this fire. His eyes swollen and red due to constant sobbing.
The dark circles were visible under his eyes. He was facing down avoiding everyone's pitiful and sympathetic stares. He nibbled on his lower lip.
It had been two days since the fire. Two days of complete chaos. Firefighters and other mages were barely able to stop the fire after hours of subduing the flames.
Now, funeral of deceased was being held at Royal Ground. Suho clenched his hands, jaw locked as he stared at the faces mourning their loved ones.
Royal Gate had been opened to let public to participate in the funeral. Commoners poured into the palace grounds in slow, heavy streams.
Behind him, the high-ranking officers, and some members of Elite mages were cloaked in navy and gold were present. Reporters crowded palace ground. They were reporting every detail of ceremony live as their lenses capturing every moment.
"The funeral for the deceased who died in the sudden and strange palace fire is taking place," one reporter said softly into her mic, her voice barely audible under the drums. "No official cause has been declared. Tension remains thick, as the royal family has yet to make their appearance."
Suddenly, heavy footsteps of guards in black armour stormed into view, their voices cutting through the solemn silence.
"His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, His Highness the second Princess, and His Highness the Crown Prince are arriving! All rise and kneel!"
Everyone dropped to their knees and their head bowed. The air was stiff with fear and grief. Kim Suho kneeled slowly, his spine rigid. He didn't look up. He didn't want to.
Golden boots stepped onto sacred ground.
King Kang Yuhan was composed and unreadable beneath black and silver hanbok. At his side, queen Kang Mina walked with grace. Their son, Crown Prince Kang Yujin, followed in silence, gaze sharp, scanning the crowd. Her Highness the Second Princess, Kang Yuri, walked silently behind them.
"But the First Princess, Kang Yuna, as always, was nowhere to be seen. She had never attended any public event, never made a single appearance before the people. Though she and Kang Yuri were twins, only the younger had ever been shown to the world. The older remained a shadow in the royal halls."
The royals moved toward the mourners. The king bowed his head slightly and speaking like a true ruler.
"We mourn with you," King Yuhan said, voice deep and smooth. "These were not just palace servants—they were guardians of our legacy. We apologize for our failure to protect them. But rest assured… whoever is behind this act, whether accidental or intentional, will be hunted… and punished."
Queen Minah nodded, her voice was cool as ice. "To harm those who care for the palace is to strike at the heart of the royal family. We will not forget this. Nor forgive."
A murmur spread through the crowd. Some sobbed harder. Others remained still numb, broken, disbelieving.
But Suho… he simply looked up.
He watched them. Closely. Like someone peeling back the skin of a lie.
They were just saying that.
He knew. The Royal House would find a scapegoat. Bribe him and offer his blood to the public. They would call this justice. But he knew it all too well. They would do anything to bury the truth.
Then the King approached him. Suho straightened his back.
"Everyone makes mistake. It depends on us to solve the outcomes of these mistakes." King Yuhan murmured, audible enough for Suho.
Suho's breath hitched. A chilled surged down his spine.
"Your loyalty is noted." the king added, patting the top of his head before moving to the next mourner.
Don't move. Don't flinch. Don't show it.
But something in him recoiled. Disgust rip into his chest like a dagger. His fists curled, lump rising in his throat. For a second, just for a second, he imagined pushing that hand away.
He didn't.
He simply bowed his head.
Silently.
Deep inside, he knew. He knew if he stayed here, they wouldkill him.
If he wanted to destroy the royal family and avenge his mother, the first step was to get out of here.
___
Thud. The sound of door shutting resonated as Suho stepped out of the bathroom stall. He turned the tap on, and began washing his hand under steady stream of water.
His fingers moved, but his mind wasn't here. His had wandered back to the funeral. Kang Yuri. She was a splitting image of Kang Yuna. Of course, they are twins. But unlike her twin, she seemed… decent. Polite. An elegant princess.
The moment her face appeared, Suho's jaw tightened. Yuna. Kang Yuna.
She had taken everything from him, leaving nothing but scars. No wonder her family kept her hidden away from the world. Her personality is so rotten that her parents don't want to taint the name of the royal family. Suho's teeth ground furiously until his jaw ached.
With a long sigh, he shrugged off all the thoughts. He turned off the tap, and stepped out of the restroom as the scent of the lingering on his hands. He steps echoed as he walked to royal grounds, until a voice froze him mid step.
"Find him. He's just a young kid. Find him at all costs. Direct order from the Head of the Elite Guard."
Suho's heart dropped. His body instinctively moved and pressed himself flat against the wall. they were after him. He knew it.
He needed to get out of here. Now.
He ran to the opposite direction. Sweat trickled down his temple. His pulsed kicked as the palace corridors blurred, golden frames, marble pillars, and endless doors, searching for any escape.
He wasn't familiar with this part of the palace. He only ever worked at royal servant's quarters. Thud.
Footsteps. Multiple. They are getting closer.
Panic surged through him. He entered the nearest room. It smelled of bread and spices. The Kitchen.
He scanned the place, pulse kicking, finding a place to hide himself. A tall shelf stacked with multiple utensils. H slid behind it.
Click. The door creaked open.
Suho's lungs burned as he held his breath, hands shook uncontrollably. Tears appear in his eyes, as he covered his mouth to prevent himself making any sound.
"Footsteps drew closer. As if luck wasn't on his side, Suho hiccupped."
Badump. Badump. Suho's heart was beating violently. The guard stopped and started moving closer to the sound. Step. Step. Step.
Suho's whole body trembled. Don't come here. Please don't come here. His mind screamed the words repeatedly.
The guard stopped suddenly. His gaze shifted to the area near the shelves. He scanned the area as the tiny mouse scurried out from under the shelf.
"Tch." The guard clicked his tongue. He stepped back and gave the room one last glance before leaving.
Another guard took the notice. "What's taking so long?"
"Nothing. Thought I saw something. Lock it up." Their footsteps faded. The door shut. Silence.
Suho stayed frozen till he made sure they gone. He slouched against the wall.
He glanced down at the little mouse and gave it a small bow. "Thanks," he whispered. The mouse ignored him and vanished under the shelf.
That's when he saw it. A window.
He rushed to it, fingers fumbling at the handle. It swung open. His heart took a beat.
One last glance over his shoulder, no guards. He climbed out, falling onto the grass below. Pain shot through his body as he rolled over the grass. He forced himself up, ignoring the sting.
Then he ran. The palace shrank behind him with every desperate step. He didn't look back. He just ran. Ran for his life.
The only thing that was in his mind was revenge.