“S-SEULGI?”

Sooyoung couldn’t help but to be worried about how Seulgi was swaying her sword here and there. With each sway, wind blades are being sent to the forest and Sooyoung could only watch the innocent forest getting an unnecessary trim.

Seulgi and Irene just presented themselves to them after a successful marking. The two seemed more into each other. The marking took away all the things that hindered them to show love to each other even if it’s a public place.

Irene is just really proud of her mark. She even asked her attendants to prepare her an off-shoulder dress so she could show everyone the masterpiece that Seulgi left her. She looked even more beautiful, her skin looked like porcelain with no impurities at all. The colour of her hair became even more radiant and her eyes haven’t returned to black ever since the marking.

On the other hand, Seulgi’s aura changed drastically. She might not have any intention to show anyone her mark but it’s huge that even her long-sleeved top won’t be able to hide. The rays of the sun reach to her neck and are almost covering her left arm. The attendants were even more surprised to see that kind of mark. They had the feeling that the mark felt like swallowing Seulgi wholly.

It seemed like she grew a few centimetres taller and her physical strength got really better. Sooyoung even asked her if she turned into a vampire because of the red streaks of hair that appeared on her head after the marking but Seulgi assured that she didn’t.

Sooyoung won’t be able to deny it, the first time they saw the two come out of the tower, her legs felt wobbling to the point that she couldn’t help but to kneel down in reverence. The others felt the same but Seulgi immediately asked them to stand up. She knew she heard Seulgi speak but it just felt different. The Shaman Princess just felt so much different.

And here she was, took the time to make a sword for herself after copying Yeri’s powers once more before effortlessly swinging it yet sending wind blades towards the forest.

“S-Seulgi…” Sooyoung called once more. “W-What are you even doing? The forest will go bald if you keep doing that?”

The Shaman Princess just laughed at that comment of her friend. Even her laugh sends shivers to the girl’s spine. “Don’t worry, Sooyoung. I know what I am doing.” She swung one last time before looking at Yujin who was standing beside Sooyoung.

“Blaez, did I get them all?”

Sooyoung looked at Yujin, wondering when the girl’s name changed. The young lycan looked rather happy that she was called that name.

“Yes, none of them died. They just got injured and fell unconscious.”

“W-What do you guys mean?” Sooyoung gulped.

“There are rebels hiding in the forest. They seemed like they were surveying the castle, finding a way where they could ambush us.” Yujin explained. “I can feel where they are hiding. Using my powers, Seulgi-nim knocked them unconscious.”

“Phew, I didn’t know lycans have such power. I thought that you were a shaman for a moment.” Sooyoung looked at the two back and forth. “Are you sure that none of them got killed? I mean… those wind blades even managed to slice trees down.”

Seulgi then handed the sword to Sooyoung. “And does it bother you if I killed them in the process? Those people are a threat to peace. They are lucky that I just sent them to sleep. I just gave them a warning. There will be no mercy next time.”

The Princess then went back inside the castle. Sooyoung and Yujin just watched Seulgi with those worried eyes.

“Seulgi…”

JISOO and Lisa couldn’t help but to be amazed at the knowledge of the woman that they met in the library. They have been coming there to listen to her stories. The said woman doesn’t seem to be one of the royals since her hair is grey and there were no portraits of her in the castle but her demeanour speaks that she’s somehow raised in a well-off family.

After telling Eunbi’s story to Jisoo, the said lady appeared, claiming that she’s the librarian and started to tell stories to the two girls. Though they felt awkward at first, the lady speaks with wisdom and knowledge that they have never heard before leaving them fascinated and wanting for more.

The said lady was telling stories about the Vampire King, something that Jisoo is very curious about. They were in the middle of the story of how the King got into the throne when Irene suddenly appeared before them without any notice at all.

Gasps were heard from the two young vampires but the ‘librarian’ didn’t seem surprised; she immediately lowered her gaze.

“I-Irene-unnie…” Jisoo called her sister whose aura felt even more intense than before. Her hair was in its brightest colour. It’s half-ponytailed with all of it flowing freely on her back. Wearing a white, off-shoulder dress paired with a black corset, she flaunts her mark for everyone to see.

“Princess Irene…” Everyone turned to the person who suddenly appeared behind the librarian. She’s wearing the same outfit the castle attendants are wearing. “I see that the marking has been a success. It’s a pleasure seeing you in this place.”

“It’s been a long time, Tiffany. Fancy meeting you here again.” Irene slowly turned to the librarian’s way. Her eyes looked gentler, her sight landed on the lady’s covered shoulder. “Mother… I’m happy to see you again.”

“M-Mother!?” Lisa looked back and forth to the lady and Irene. It was one of the rare times that she let out a loud voice. She turned to the librarian, her body started shaking. “Y-You’re the Vampire Queen!?”

Jisoo couldn’t believe what she had heard. She looked at the Queen in shock. The fondness that she had been feeling all this time wasn’t just because she was telling stories about her biological father but also because she is her real mother.

Irene looked even sadder when the Queen didn’t respond to her. She continued looking down. Letting out a sigh, she didn’t let that behaviour of the Queen faze her.

“Mother, I have seen that you have dyed your hair and even removed all your portraits from the castle walls. Please don’t be so hard on yourself.” Irene tried to swallow the lump that’s forming in . “I am sure Father wouldn’t want to see you like this.”

The Vampire Queen suddenly lifted her head up, looking at Irene with those misty eyes. Irene sat on the empty seat and reached for her mother’s hand. She took one deep breath before relaying the news to her mother. “I’ve heard everything from Seulgi. She met Father in the void during the settlement of the ambrosia. Father said that he was killed by Seulgi’s brother.”

“What on earth…” Lisa gritted her teeth before side eyeing Jisoo. “Why are brothers acting like they really want their parents to regret giving birth to them?”

The Queen felt her heart clench after hearing Lisa’s opinion. She lowered her head again but this time, she grasped back Irene’s hand. “So… Angus is really dead now?” She reached out to her shoulder where the mark used to be at. “I wasn’t even able to meet him and say goodbye. Tell me, daughter… Is there a chance that his phoenix survived?”

Irene weakly shook her head. “I also asked Seulgi about it but Father was still being mischievous even at death. He said he didn’t know anything that happened after his body perished.”

Irene then noticed Jisoo. She felt sad for her that she didn’t even manage to meet their Father at the very least. She found out that her real parents are still out there yet her father died even before she could even call her father.

“Also, Mother…” Irene reached for Jisoo’s hand and placed it on top of the Queen’s hand. “I don’t know if you have heard about it already but this girl is Jisoo. She is the phoenix of my brother, Jiwoo.”

“S-She’s what?” The Queen turned to Jisoo with tears running down her cheeks. “She’s Beathan’s phoenix?”

“Mother, Father personally asked Seulgi to relay this message to you.” Irene looked at the two, forcing her tears not to fall down by trying to smile. “He knows that you are still blaming yourself for my brother’s sins. Father said that everything was my brother’s choice. It was never because of your way of bringing him up. There are things in life that we won’t be able to control no matter how we try.”

Jisoo started tearing up. She couldn’t fight her tears anymore.

“Father… He’s sorry that he wasn’t able to meet Jisoo. You might be my stupid brother’s phoenix but you never had his evil nature. He said… He wanted to meet you but he’s sorry that he has to embrace death.” Irene bit her lower lip for a moment. “So Mother, he’s leaving Jisoo in your care. He said that if you really regret what happened to that stupid bat then here’s your second chance. Please take care of my sister, Jisoo.”

Irene turned to Jisoo once more and with a smile she introduced their mother to her. “Knowing mother, I bet she introduced herself to you as someone else. Jisoo, this is Queen Artemis, also known as Taeyeon, she is our mother.”

Lisa smiled when the Queen jumped to give Jisoo an embrace. She believes Eunbi would be happy to see that Jisoo is finally reunited with her real mother. Irene was also happy that the Queen didn’t take time to open her heart to Jisoo. She believes that the death of her father played a major role for her to finally open up.

She was about to join the hug when she felt her heart being tugged by something. She immediately looked up, her face painted with worry. “Seulgi…”

The Vampire Princess then stood up, taking the attention of everyone. “I’m sorry but I shall excuse myself. My wife needs me.”

Taeyeon wiped her tears away. “Won’t you stay a little while? We have a lot to catch up with.”

Irene just smiled at her. “I know, Mother. I promise to spend a weekend with you and Jisoo once all of this is over. For now, I have to attend to the needs of my wife. Let’s have dinner with her later, Mother. I am sure you will like her!”

The Queen smiled before giving an affirmative nod. Her expression immediately changed and turned serious. “Irene, my child. You are the heir of the throne. Don’t let anyone take it away from you.”

Irene gave her mother a smug smile. “You don’t have to tell me about it, Mother. You know I was born to be queen.”

“DO you really want us to stop the search?”

Seulgi wasn’t able to answer Sunmi’s question. Beside her aunt was General Son who seemed like she was on the verge of crying. Seulgi gave a weak nod.

“Appa personally asked me about it. He said he was destined to die in the hands of my brother and you won’t be able to reach the void anyway. Even me who managed to get there wasn’t able to pull them out.”

Seulgi’s fists balled, her jaws clenched. “If only I was able to pull them out of that place… If only I was able to protect them while they were alive. I will make sure that everyone responsible for their death shall pay.”

Sunmi immediately noticed how Seulgi’s mark glowed bright red for a moment. She felt dry up. Even though they were just talking through a video call, she could sense bloodlust coming from Seulgi.

“I’ve been with Appa for what felt like years in the void. For me, that’s enough. I promise to give him a proper burial once I get back.” Seulgi straightened her back. “Please conserve your energy. Also, General Son, please send shamans with high rankings here. I need powers that I can copy. I know my brother will come here sooner or later.”

“Alright.” Seungwan agreed but she knew deep in her heart that it would be hard to send high ranking shamans to Seulgi. Those shamans are doubting her for being a negative. What more would they say if they found out Seulgi ordered the search for the King to stop?

“What’s with that look, General Son?”

Seungwan immediately froze to her place when she heard that question from Seulgi. She was surprised that Seulgi was speaking with such authority. It felt like she’s not the same Seulgi that she knows.

“Are you afraid that none of them will listen to you? What’s the use of you being a general if no one will obey your orders?”

“Seulgi—”

Sunmi felt a hand on her wrist. She turned to Seungwan who weakly shook her head. She knew well that it would be bad to anger Seulgi. It seemed like all her experience in the void made her easily triggered.

“I will try my best to convince them, Princess. You have my word.”

Seulgi’s eyes narrowed. She leaned back to her seat and crossed her arms. “I know how the Shaman Kingdom looks at me no