Chapter 42: The Secret of the Shadow King
Darkness.
Silence.
Liora felt like she was floating in an endless void. Her body felt heavy, and her mind drifted between consciousness and sleep.
Then—
A voice.
"...Liora…"
Soft.
Familiar.
Her eyes slowly opened.
She found herself inside her room.
Warm light filtered through the curtains.
Her head felt heavy.
"...Where… am I…"
"You're safe."
She turned her head.
The Shadow King sat beside her.
His face looked pale.
Her eyes widened.
"You're… awake…"
He gave a faint nod.
"...Barely."
She tried to sit up.
Pain shot through her body.
"Careful."
He gently supported her.
"You collapsed."
She remembered.
The battle.
His wound.
Her eyes filled with worry.
"Your injury…"
"...It's still there."
Her heart tightened.
"...I couldn't heal it…"
"It's not your fault."
She looked at him.
"But…"
He shook his head.
"...You saved everyone."
Silence filled the room.
She lowered her eyes.
"...I almost died."
"...Yes."
"...Were you scared?"
He paused.
Then—
"...Yes."
Her heart skipped.
She looked at him.
"You… were scared?"
"...I thought I'd lose you."
Her chest tightened.
She slowly reached for his hand.
"I'm still here."
He gently held her hand.
"...Don't do that again."
She gave a faint smile.
"I'll try."
Suddenly—
A knock came at the door.
"Your Majesty."
"Enter."
Leon stepped inside.
He looked relieved.
"You woke up."
Liora smiled weakly.
"I'm okay."
He nodded.
"The army is recovering."
The Shadow King spoke.
"...Casualties?"
Leon lowered his gaze.
"...Heavy."
Silence filled the room.
Liora clenched her fingers.
"So many…"
Leon nodded quietly.
"But we survived."
The Shadow King leaned back slightly.
"...Kael retreated too early."
Leon nodded.
"He was testing us again."
Liora frowned.
"...He's planning something."
Leon nodded.
"Exactly."
Suddenly—
A soldier rushed in.
"Your Majesty!"
The Shadow King frowned.
"What is it?"
"We detected dark energy near the southern border."
Everyone froze.
"...Another attack?"
The soldier shook his head.
"...It's not an army."
The Shadow King's eyes narrowed.
"...Then what?"
The soldier swallowed.
"...It's a single person."
Silence fell.
Leon frowned.
"...A spy?"
The soldier shook his head.
"...No."
He looked nervous.
"...It's powerful."
The Shadow King slowly stood.
"...I'll handle it."
Liora tried to stand.
"I'm coming."
"No."
She frowned.
"I'm fine."
"...You're still weak."
She shook her head.
"I can fight."
Their eyes met.
He sighed quietly.
"...Stay behind me."
She smiled faintly.
"Always."
They arrived at the southern gate.
Wind blew softly.
A figure stood in the distance.
Wearing a black cloak.
Silent.
Still.
The Shadow King stepped forward.
"...Who are you?"
The figure slowly raised their head.
Silver eyes.
Liora felt chills.
"...That aura…"
The figure spoke softly.
"I came… to deliver a message."
The Shadow King's gaze sharpened.
"...From Kael?"
The figure nodded.
"He says…"
Dark wind blew.
"The final war begins… in three days."
Silence fell.
Liora's heart pounded.
"...Three days…"
The Shadow King's expression darkened.
"...Why tell us?"
The figure smiled faintly.
"Because…"
Dark energy flickered.
"He wants you prepared."
Leon frowned.
"...That's insane."
The figure turned slowly.
"But… there's more."
The Shadow King's eyes narrowed.
"...Speak."
The figure looked directly at him.
"...He knows your secret."
The air froze.
Liora blinked.
"...Secret?"
The Shadow King's expression changed.
Dark.
Dangerous.
"...What secret?"
The figure smiled.
"The truth… about who you really are."
Silence fell.
Liora looked at him.
"...What does that mean?"
The Shadow King remained silent.
The figure stepped back.
"I delivered the message."
Dark mist surrounded them.
Before disappearing—
They spoke one last time.
"...Three days… Shadow King."
Then—
They vanished.
Silence remained.
Liora turned slowly toward him.
"...What did they mean?"
He didn't answer.
Her heart tightened.
"...You have a secret?"
He looked away.
"...Yes."
Her breath caught.
"...What is it?"
Silence lingered.
The wind grew colder.
Finally—
He spoke quietly.
"...I was once… Kael's brother."
Liora froze.
"...What?"
Leon stepped forward.
"...You mean—"
He nodded slowly.
"...Kael… is my younger brother."
Silence shattered everything.
Liora's mind spun.
"...That's… impossible…"
He looked at the dark sky.
"...This war…"
His voice grew heavy.
"...Is a war between brothers."
Liora's heart trembled.
The truth—
Changed everything.