Under the Moonlight
It was Ella’s first time entering the king’s bedroom.
The chamber was spacious, yet surprisingly simple.
There was only a large bed, a mirror, and a reading table piled high with books.
The king stood by the window, gazing silently at the moonlit gardens below.
Why had the king called for her?
And why in his bedroom?
I hope it’s not what I’m thinking, Ella thought.
She walked over and bowed respectfully, waiting for him to speak.
Yet he remained silent, staring outside as though no one stood behind him.
“Your Majesty, you called for me?” Ella finally asked, growing tired of the silence.
The king turned.
“Why didn’t you defend yourself when you were accused?” he asked.
“I thought you had a sharp tongue. Was it suddenly useless?”
Ella frowned.
“I was surprised.”
Did he really summon her here just to ask that?
“I’m sure you met the person your father sent.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“From tomorrow onward, you will attend the Shadow Academy. You will learn the laws and ethics of this kingdom, as well as its history, traditions, and annual rites.”
He paused before continuing.
“During the Spring Ritual, arguments are considered a bad omen and can disrupt the ceremony. You should also learn to control your tongue.”
Ella’s brows twitched.
Was he saying she had no manners?
Or did he actually believe she was a bad omen?
“Remember,” the king continued, his voice calm but firm, “you possess no power while everyone around you does. If one day they choose to use that power against you, there may be nothing under the moon that I can do to save you.”
Ella blinked.
What was wrong with him?
Still, she needed those history lessons if she wanted to understand this strange kingdom and fit in.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“And one more thing.”
His expression darkened.
“Do not go into the gardens tonight.”
Ella tilted her head.
Did he plan to meet Selena there?
Whatever the reason, it sounded serious.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
She bowed and left.
Night arrived swiftly.
The king’s chamber was dark and silent.
Moonlight streamed through the open window, bathing the room in silver light.
Then a pair of crimson eyes opened in the darkness.
The king groaned in pain.
His body twisted and transformed.
His silver hair grew longer and brighter.
His shoulders broadened.
His features sharpened into something almost unnaturally beautiful.
His ocean-blue eyes darkened into a mesmerizing shade of purple.
He was no longer the king.
His demon had awakened.
A stubborn creature.
A monster capable of slaughtering thousands without remorse.
The source of the king’s darkest memories.
Because of him, the king had never received the love he longed for from his parents.
Because of him, his childhood had become a nightmare.
He was the reflection of the king’s darkest self.
His greatest burden.
His name was Zex, the Demon of the Purple Moon.
Zex stepped toward the window and absorbed the moon’s energy.
His royal garments dissolved into a dark purple robe.
As he looked down, he caught sight of movement near the rose garden.
A smirk appeared on his lips.
Then he disappeared into the night.
Ella was preparing to sleep when she noticed a figure moving across the rooftops.
The stranger was dressed entirely in black and looked like an assassin.
Forgetting the king’s warning, she quietly slipped through her back door and followed.
Yet when she reached the courtyard, the figure was nowhere to be seen.
Her brows furrowed.
Why would an assassin be inside the royal castle?
Or was Selena planning another scheme?
No.
Whatever was happening, she had to stop it before someone got hurt.
She followed the direction she had seen the stranger go.
Then she froze.
Blood.
Fresh blood stained the garden path.
Her stomach twisted.
Had the assassin killed someone?
A guard?
A servant?
The king?
Or would she somehow be blamed for it?
Her heart pounded as she followed the trail.
Step by step.
Until she found its source.
A body hung from a peach tree.
It was the assassin.
Ella gasped.
Her hands trembled.
Cold sweat ran down her back.
She wanted to run.
She wanted to scream.
But her legs refused to move.
Then she heard it.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Steady.
Coming closer.
The killer.
It had to be.
Ella stood frozen in terror.
Surely someone would notice.
A guard.
A servant.
Anyone.
Even the king.
But no one came.
The garden was eerily silent.
“Scared?”
A voice spoke from behind her.
Ella nearly jumped out of her skin.
The voice sounded like the king’s.
But colder.
Darker.
She slowly turned.
A man stood behind her.
His eyes glowed purple beneath the moonlight.
And on his forehead was a crescent-shaped mark.
A demon.
Ella knew the signs.
Her father had taught her long ago that demons bore marks revealing their origins.
This man was undoubtedly one of them.
“Help!” she screamed.
“Help me!”
She stumbled backward and fell onto the ground.
The demon continued walking toward her without expression.
Step.
Step.
Step.
His eyes never left hers.
Ella crawled backward desperately until her back struck the trunk of the peach tree.
The demon raised his hand.
Ella shut her eyes tightly.
This is it.
He’s going to kill me.
But the blow never came.
Instead—
Boom!
A silver blur crashed into the demon and slammed him into the ground.
Ella opened her eyes.
Collins had pinned the demon beneath him.
Moments later, Leo and Tyla rushed into the garden.
Shaking with fear, Ella immediately ran toward Tyla.
Tyla wrapped her arms around her, equally horrified by the corpse hanging from the tree.
The demon laughed.
With frightening ease, he threw Collins aside and rose to his feet.
Then his purple eyes landed on Ella.
A slow smile curved across his lips.
He stretched out a hand toward her.
“I want her.”