The King leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the grand armrest of his throne.
"What do you want to say?" he asked, voice calm but commanding.
Ryker didn't answer immediately. He walked past the carpeted aisle of the royal hall and calmly sat in the Prime Minister's seat—a bold move that made Yumi glance at him in surprise.
He rested one arm on the table, looking straight at the King.
"I have a deal for you," Ryker said, his tone unwavering.
The King narrowed his eyes. "And what kind of deal?"
Ryker slowly pulled something from his coat—a glowing necklace pulsing faintly with magic.
He held it up.
"Your daughter… the princess… has already become a spirit."
The King's expression shifted, eyes locked on the necklace.
"If you want to save her life," Ryker said, standing, voice sharp and cutting, "then stop whatever you're planning. Withdraw your darkness from this kingdom."
Silence filled the chamber.
Even the air seemed to wait.
The King's gaze darkened. His voice dropped low, each word sharp as a blade.
"You're blackmailing me," he said.
Ryker didn't flinch. "If I say yes… then what?" he replied calmly.
The King narrowed his eyes. "Then tell me—what is your relationship with that girl, Yumi?"
Ryker paused.
Then, without hesitation, he spoke the cruel truth.
"Nothing. I lied. I pretended. I used the princess—because I had to."
A sudden silence swept the hall like a blade through air.
Behind them, Lunara's footsteps echoed as she slowly stepped forward from the shadows of the chamber. Her expression was unreadable.
"Lunara," the King said softly, "you heard that?"
She stared at Ryker, her eyes trembling.
"I heard everything… from the beginning."
Tears welled in her eyes. She walked up to him—every step heavy with betrayal.
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the throne room.
Ryker's head turned slightly from the impact, but he didn't react.
"I trusted you!" Lunara cried, her voice breaking. "I believed you! You… you just used me! You used my heart—and now you're running away?"
Yumi rushed forward, catching Lunara as she stumbled.
"Lunara!" Yumi called out.
Lunara sobbed into Yumi's shoulder, and for a moment, all Ryker could do was watch—the weight of his choices finally catching up.
The King rose from his throne, his aura shifting—power radiating off him in waves. His voice thundered through the hall.
"If you think you're the best, boy—then you truly don't know who I am."
Before Ryker could respond, a mocking laugh echoed from the shadows.
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Everyone turned.
From a dark corner of the room, a man stepped out, cloaked in mystery—his grin wide, his eyes glowing with amusement.
"Now that... that was a turning point worth watching," Ruko said, laughing madly. "So much betrayal, drama, and heartache. Delicious."
Yumi tensed. "Who... who is that guy?"
Ryker didn't answer. His eyes were fixed on the King. Calm and cold.
Then, without a word to the others, he turned his back.
"King," Ryker said smoothly, "remember—our deal is still ongoing."
With that, he and Yumi walked away from the throne room, leaving stunned silence in their wake.
They entered Lunara's chambers, the door closing behind them.
Ryker stood silently at the ornate wooden door, its silver carvings glowing faintly under the hallway torches. His hand trembled slightly as he knocked again, softer this time.
"Lunara… please."
Yumi stood a few steps behind, arms crossed, her voice cold.
"What are you doing, Ryker? You already lost her trust. You lied to me. To her."
Ryker turned to Yumi, eyes glistening.
"No, Yumi. I never used her. I… I only said that to corner the king. I needed him to think I had no attachment, so he wouldn't see her as a weakness."
Yumi didn't respond. She just watched.
Ryker faced the door again and spoke, his voice trembling.
"Lunara… I know you're listening."
"I told the king nothing about your powers, nothing about your secrets. He only exposed what I allowed him to. Everything I said—it was to protect you."
There was silence inside the room.
And then, a muffled voice:
"You lied to Yumi… and to me."
Ryker dropped to his knees, his forehead touching the door.
"I did… I'm sorry. I messed up. But… please, believe me when I say this…"
"I love you, Lunara."
Yumi's eyes widened, her mouth slightly open.
"Ryker… you…"
Inside the room, Lunara stood frozen, her eyes brimming with tears.
The door creaked open.
Lunara stood silently, eyes swollen from crying. Yumi stepped in first, her voice soft.
"I'm sorry, Lunara. I should've trusted your feelings more."
Lunara didn't respond at first, just gave a slow nod.
Then Ryker entered. Without waiting, he walked up and gently wrapped his arms around Lunara.
"I'm sorry too," he whispered. "I never used you. Everything I said... I meant it."
Lunara trembled slightly, then hugged him back. "I used to tell myself not to trust people... but with you, I tried to believe."
They stood there, the silence thick with emotion—until Yumi glanced at Ryker.
Her eyes narrowed.
He was smiling.
Not with warmth or guilt—but with that same unsettling, creepy grin.
Yumi's heart sank.
Was he lying all along?
Yumi's fists tightened at her sides.
That smile—it wasn't the smile of a man in love. It was calculated… cold… like he was already thinking ten steps ahead.
Lunara, unaware, buried her face in Ryker's chest. "I thought I lost everything… but when you said you loved me…" her voice broke, "I believed again."
Ryker gently stroked her hair. "You didn't lose me." His voice was soothing—too perfect.
Yumi finally stepped forward. "Ryker."
He glanced at her, still smiling.
"Why are you smiling like that?" she asked, voice sharp.
Ryker tilted his head. "Like what?"
"Like it's all going according to plan."
His smile vanished for a moment—but only for a moment—then it returned, softer this time.
"You're smart, Yumi. That's what I've always liked about you."
Lunara slowly pulled back, now looking at Yumi, confused. "What's going on?"
Yumi didn't take her eyes off Ryker. "Tell her the truth. Now."
Ryker's eyes gleamed. "The truth… is complicated."
He turned toward Yumi, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper—sharp enough to cut air.
"Yumi... if you want to live longer, then stay silent."
Ryker and Yumi were just walking through the streets of the kingdom, the early morning air still cool, when a small girl—barely five years old—ran toward them, her tiny feet stumbling, face streaked with tears.
"Help...!" the girl cried, blood dripping from a wound on her leg.
Without hesitation, Yumi knelt down and grabbed her. "Hey, what's wrong? Who hurt you?"
The girl clung tightly to her. "Help me, sis... please..."
Ryker narrowed his eyes. "Yumi, let her go. This isn't our business."
Yumi glared at him. "Shut up, Ryker!" she snapped. "She's just a kid!"
She began healing the wound with her power, softly murmuring to the crying child. "I'm here now, you're safe..."
Suddenly, three large men appeared from the alley, their eyes locked on the girl.
One stepped forward and grabbed the child roughly. "You're coming with me."
"No!" the girl screamed, clutching tighter to Yumi. "Help me, sis!"
Yumi held on. "She doesn't want to go with you."
The man growled, shoving Yumi to the ground. Just as she hit the dirt, Ryker's hand caught the attacker's wrist in midair—right before the man could land a blow.
"You just made a mistake," Ryker muttered coldly.
In a blur, Ryker's sword flashed.
Shhhhkk!
The man's hand dropped to the ground.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Ryker said, eyes glowing with fury.
The other men stepped back in horror.