The scream tore out of Adrian like something trapped too long inside his chest. "Kate!" The name bounced off the high stone walls and died in the air. The servants froze mid-step in the corridor while guards exchanged uneasy glances. Lord Cassian stepped closer, his voice low and careful, like he was talking someone down from a ledge.
"Your Majesty, please. Come back inside, you need rest."
Adrian spun on him with wild eyes. "Rest? You think I can rest when my wife's out there somewhere, probably scared out of her mind because I got shot? You people keep calling me 'Your Majesty' like that's supposed to fix everything. I'm not your king! I'm Adrian Kingston, and I want my phone, my car, and a way back to Seoul, right now!"
Cassian opened his mouth, then closed it. The older physician from before hurried forward, bowing so low his gray hair nearly brushed the floor. "The shock has confused your mind, Sire. It sometimes happens after a collapse, just give it time."
"Time?" Adrian laughed bitterly. "I don't have time, don't you get it? My wife, Kate, is waiting for me."
He turned away, striding deeper into the palace corridors, not sure where he was going but needing to move. The place felt endless with marble floors that gleamed under torchlight, tapestries showing dragons and crowned figures in battle, arched windows that looked out over gardens bathed in late-afternoon gold. None of it felt like home.
Hours passed or maybe minutes, Adrian wasn't sure anymore. He ended up back in the same grand chamber where he'd first woken, sitting on the edge of the massive bed because standing made his head spin. The servants brought trays of food, roasted meat, bread still warm from the ovens, fruit he didn't recognize, and couldn't eat.
A soft knock came at the door. Before he could answer, it swung open. A herald in deep crimson stepped inside and bowed heavenly. "Announcing the arrival of Her Majesty Queen Elowen Valerian, and His Highness Prince Vaelor Valerian, accompanied by High Chief Dorthane Kade."
Adrian looked up slowly as three figures entered.
The woman in front moved like she owned every inch of the room. Her hanbok shimmered red-blue, the color of blood moonlight on water, and a thin crown of twisted gold vines rested on her dark hair. She looked maybe forty, but her eyes carried the weight of someone much older. Behind her walked a tall man with the same sharp features Adrian had seen in the mirror, only colder, harder. And trailing them both was a broad-shouldered man in black fur-trimmed robes, his face carved from stone.
Queen Elowen saw Adrian and gasped, her hands flew to her mouth. Tears welled up instantly. She rushed forward, skirts sweeping the floor, and threw her arms around him before he could react.
"My son," she sobbed into his shoulder. "My Caelan, you're awake! Thanks to the moon, you're awake."
Adrian stiffened, then he gently but firmly pushed her back. "Whoa lady, please. Who are you?"
She blinked through tears. "I'm your mother, darling. Queen Elowen."
Adrian stared at her, then let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "My mother? That's funny! My mom's in Seoul, we are running my company together, and you don't look anything like her!"
The queen's face crumpled as she looked like he'd slapped her. The tall man, Vaelor, stepped forward. His voice was smooth, almost musical. "The physicians warned us your memory might be... affected, and it seems the rumors were true. I'm Vaelor Valerian, your elder brother."
Adrian studied him, something tugged at the back of his mind. Those eyes and jawline and a sudden flash exploded in his mind. He was standing outside Kate's office weeks before the wedding. He had planned to surprise her with lunch. He remembered reaching for the door handle.
Then the door burst open, a man rushed out quickly, head lowered as they had nearly collided. Adrian had only seen his face for a second, but that face was the same face staring at him now.
Adrian's stomach dropped. "Wait, have we met before?"
Vaelor curved a smile. "Of course we have, because we're brothers."
"No," Adrian said slowly. "I mean, in the modern world, outside this place."
Silence crashed over the room. "I have never left Daeyun," Vaelor replied calmly.
But Adrian kept staring. The man in front of him was the one who'd brushed past him before in Seoul. Could it be this place and the real world are linked together? Something is not right.
High Chief Dorthane Kade watched the exchange with narrowed eyes. His frown deepened when he caught the way Adrian looked at Vaelor, like a predator sizing up prey.
Adrian said nothing more, he just watched. Later, after the queen had been gently led away, still crying, and the maids murmuring comforts, Vaelor and Dorthane left the chamber together.
In the shadowed corridor outside, Vaelor let the polite mask drop. A slow, satisfied smirk curled his lips. "My brother has really lost his mind, that's perfect! The throne practically belongs to me already."
Dorthane glanced sideways at him. "What if he's pretending? That look he gave you... it wasn't confusion. What if he overheard us that night before he collapsed? What if this memory loss is an act?"
Vaelor waved a hand. "The healers confirmed it, even the servants, guards, and Lord Cassian—they all say the same. Caelan's mind is broken, he thinks he's some merchant from another world. No one's going to believe a mad king over us."
Dorthane didn't look convinced, but he nodded once. "Still, we need to be careful. He might be weak, but he's smart. I've already spoken to the Beta clan leaders in secret. They're restless. I think it's time to promise them land, titles, power under your rule, and they'll follow whatever you say."
Vaelor's smirk widened. "Good, I will give whatever they wanted, and by the time Caelan remembers anything, that's if he ever does... the crown will already be on my head."
Back in the chamber, Adrian sat alone again. A servant placed a new tray in front of him: steaming soup, fresh bread, slices of some red fruit. He stared at it without touching it.
Another herald appeared at the door bowing her head. "Announcing the arrival of Lady Arin Solmere, Crown Queen of Daeyun."
Adrian lifted his head. "How many queens does one guy get around here? I'm tired, okay!"
The doors opened wider, a young woman stepped in. She was stunning with golden hair cascading in waves, skin like polished ivory, eyes the color of summer grass. Her gown was emerald silk that caught the torchlight and threw green sparks across the walls. She carried herself with quiet honor, chin high, but her hands twisted nervously in front of her.
She curtsied deeply. "The crown king, my love," she said softly. "I came as soon as I heard you were awake. I've been so worried."
Adrian looked her up and down, then snorted. "Your what? I am not your husband, and I cannot be! My heart belongs to someone else, so, leave right now."
Lady Arin's cheeks flushed as she opened her mouth, then closed it. Hurt flashed across her face.
Adrian waved a hand. "I'm not falling for whatever game this is. You can leave now and tell whoever sent you I'm not buying it."
Tears welled in her green eyes. She turned quickly, skirts swirling, and hurried out. The door closed behind her with a soft thud.
Adrian stared at the empty doorway for a long moment, then he whispered to the quiet room, "Kate, where are you? I need to get out of here."
Outside, in the torchlight hall, Lady Arin pressed her back to the wall and let the tears fall silently. The maids could not dare ask what happened.
But farther down the corridor, hidden in shadow, was High Chief Dorthane Kade watching her and smiling. "Guess, this is the perfect time for her to come in." He muttered to himself, then turned and slipped away toward the Beta clan quarters.
Because if the king truly remembered nothing, then it is time to take the throne away from him.