The full moon in the night sky cast its magical glow. Nikita and Min-Jun sat in the old hollow of the massive tree in the palace, where they used to play hide-and-seek as children.
Nikita: sighing as she looks at Min-Jun
"It's so late, Min-Jun… If only we had come sooner! So much has changed." Her voice carried a heart full of resentment, and the corner of her eyes shimmered with the faintest tears.
A Magical Moment: As she spoke, Nikita, exhausted and emotional, laid her head on Min-Jun's lap. Her incredibly long sky-blue hair spread over his knees.
Min-Jun's Touch: Min-Jun fixed his green eyes on her. He carefully ran his fingers through her hair. With his touch, all the pain in Nikita's heart seemed to wash away in an instant.
The Winged Embrace: Nikita stretched her four blue wings to shield Min-Jun, protecting him from the cold night air. The scene looked like something out of a fairytale.
The Locket's Pulse: The cute locket around Nikita's neck glowed in a magical lavender light, signaling deep love and tranquility.
Yet, beneath the tree, in the shadows, two figures lurked.
King Kairen: His gray cat-like eyes fixed steadily upward. His fists clenched as if he was trying desperately to remain calm.
Raphael: With his red eyes, he stared at the king, thinking that if the king attacked now, everything would be over.
The romantic atmosphere on the tree branch was shattered instantly by a deep, commanding voice. King Kairen stepped out of the shadows, directly facing the tree.
His gray cat-like eyes glimmered oddly in the moonlight. With a calm yet cold voice, he asked,
"Alright, what are your ages? Raphael and Min-Jun—do you still think you're kids playing hide-and-seek at 3 a.m.?"
Raphael's Bewilderment: Standing beside the king, Raphael widened his red eyes. "Dude, I stopped counting my age 800 years ago, you know that!"
Min-Jun's Response: Lifting his head from the tree branch, Min-Jun met the king's gaze with his green eyes. Still holding Nikita's head in his lap, he said calmly,
"What does age matter, Kairen? Love and memories have no age."
Nikita's Reaction: Still lying on Min-Jun's lap, Nikita quickly sat up at the king's voice. Her sky-blue hair was slightly messy, and she looked at him, unprepared.
King Kairen gave his mysterious smile. Pacing under the tree with his broad chest exposed, he said,
"Whether 800 or 1000 years, your madness hasn't lessened. Especially you, Min-Jun—have you forgotten whose lap you're resting in now?"
Nikita's locket glowed bright red, signaling danger. Min-Jun's extraordinary courage left the garden silent. Nobody could have spoken so boldly in front of a terrifying being like King Kairen—not even Raphael had imagined it.
Min-Jun fixed his magical green eyes on the king and spoke firmly,
"Kairen, your nose in everything is overstepping! Mind your own business and spin your wheel, will you?"
With that, Min-Jun laid his head back on Nikita's lap without fear, ignoring the king entirely.
Raphael's Shock: He stared with his red eyes wide open, muttering, "Oh man! Min-Jun is digging her own grave today."
King's Reaction: King Kairen froze. His gray cat-like eyes narrowed in anger, and his six massive black wings shivered. His mysterious smile vanished for a moment.
Nikita's Courage: Petrified with fear? Not Nikita! She tried to push Min-Jun up, but he stubbornly kept his eyes closed. Her long hair partially covered her face to shield herself from the king's wrath. Her locket trembled violently.
The king approached the tree without delay, crushing the grass beneath him. He spoke low and threateningly,
"Min-Jun… do not test my patience. Come down from that tree, or I will bring it down along with you!"
The world seemed to freeze for a moment. Before anyone could react, Nikita leapt down and slapped the king squarely across the cheek!
The King's Shock: King Kairen stood stone-still, touching his cheek. In 600 years, no one had dared strike him, yet his beloved queen had just done so! His mysterious smile vanished entirely.
Nikita's Fury: "I will no longer tolerate your meddling! You are a stone!" She then turned to Min-Jun, saying apologetically, "Sorry, Min-Jun… you had to hear all that because of him. Let's go!"
Raphael's Alarm: Seeing this, Raphael's red eyes widened in terror. He thought, "There will be a battlefield in this palace today! She just slapped the king!"
Min-Jun's Victory Smile: He leapt down from the tree, gripping Nikita's hand. As they passed the king, he cast a defiant glance toward him with a smirk.
Nikita's sky-blue hair flowed in the wind as she led Min-Jun into the darkness. Her locket now glowed bright red—a symbol of ultimate rebellion.
King Kairen stood frozen, his six black wings slowly spreading. The surrounding air thickened.
The king's jaw tightened, but a cruel yet lustful aura appeared in his gray cat-like eyes. He wiped the mark from his cheek and laughed mysteriously. He ordered Raphael,
"Take Min-Jun immediately. Keep him hidden for the next three months! Nikita is mine—she will understand the 'lesson' for daring to slap me!"
Raphael grabbed Min-Jun, whispering, "Min-Jun, if you want to live, you must go now! No one can stop the king!"
Nikita's Anxiety: Tears streamed down Nikita's face as Min-Jun was taken. Just as she tried to flee, King Kairen swiftly appeared before her. He enveloped her with his six black wings, hiding her completely.
The Locket's Frenzy: Nikita's locket glowed violently red, as if signaling an approaching storm. Her long hair draped over the king's black robes.
The King Whispers: "Three months is a long time, Nikita. Every night will be a lesson for you. Why did you slap me?"
The white cat scurried away silently. The garden fell silent, pierced only by the king's heated breath.
King Kairen did not delay. He lifted Nikita onto his shoulders. Her long sky-blue hair hung over his back. Surprisingly, Nikita did not scream or struggle this time. She stayed still, flipping him the middle finger in silent rebellion.
Nikita's Silent Defiance: Her gesture spoke volumes. The locket on her neck glowed a deep crimson.
The king marched forward, the six black wings scraping the floor with a terrifying sound. As he moved toward his chamber, the familiar mysterious smile returned to his lips.
Raphael and Min-Jun emerged from the bushes, worried and shocked. Min-Jun cried quietly, seeing Nikita taken.
Nikita Comforts Min-Jun: She wrapped her four blue wings around him, soothing him, "Don't cry, silly! I'm okay." The locket glowed a calming blue.
The king walked deeper into his bedchamber with Nikita in his arms. Behind them, Raphael and Min-Jun stood frozen, staring in awe.
King Kairen's gray cat-like eyes softened with a hint of affectionate disdain. He said calmly,
"Your punishments are over. Much drama has unfolded—now go to your homes!"
Raphael's Relief: His red eyes sparkled with joy. "Let's go, buddy! We better leave while we can."
Min-Jun's Hesitation: He glanced at Nikita one last time, worried. But seeing the king pull her closer with her sky-blue hair, he knew leaving was wise.
Nikita hid her face in the king's chest, smiling softly. Her locket glowed a peaceful green.
King Kairen carried Nikita into his bedchamber. The vast hall behind them fell silent.
Outside, the white cat watched, its tail swaying in approval as they departed.