The Dark Fairy King
Chapter 36: The Midnight Orchid

Chapter 36: The Midnight Orchid

After Richard was dragged away, Scarlette dismissed the guards with a sharp nod.

"I need answers. Now," she demanded, her voice echoing in the now-empty throne room.

"Was he part of the extremists Devran warned us about? What is this prophecy they believed in?"

Juniper, still in her full fox form, nine tails large and erect, stood growling at the door like a silent guardian.

"At ease, Juniper," I said calmly.

With a soft huff, she obeyed—curling into a fluffy ball and shrinking in size. In seconds, she lay on her back like a puppy, all nine tails swishing lazily beside the baskets of groceries we had long forgotten.

Scarlette crossed her arms and turned to me.

"Well?" she prompted. "Would you like to explain the prophecy first... or the Midnight Orchid? Why did you say he will be more submissive later? What happens?"

"Fine," I replied immediately.

"The Orchid," I said. "I’ll start there."

It was easier to talk about. And more urgent—especially before she was tempted to touch it.

"You never got the chance to ask since the moment Devran gave it to us," I continued.

She nodded, not blinking.

"It’s a Dark Fairy plant," I began, letting my tone chill. "Harmless to my kind. But to everyone else? A slow, painful death. For most, it starts with a burn on the skin... and ends in a pool of blood within hours."

Scarlette’s expression darkened.

"They call it the Midnight Orchid for a reason. It blooms only at the stroke of midnight—when it’s most potent. But there’s a cruel little twist."

I let the words linger before continuing.

"If a Dark Fairy plucks it at that exact moment, the bloom retains its potency... indefinitely. A perfect tool for revenge. Elegant. Quiet. Untraceable. And rare—almost extinct."

She narrowed her eyes.

"But didn’t you burn every last one of them years ago? Why does Devran have one?"

I picked up a fallen petal and crushed it between my fingers. It disintegrated like ash.

"They only grow on cliffs where magic runs thin. Harsh, barren places where most beings wouldn’t survive. Whoever got one recently must’ve gone to great lengths. It doesn’t grow here in the United Fairy Kingdoms—too much magic. So someone imported it. Or hid it from me."

I looked at her solemnly.

"Yes, I banned it. Thought I’d destroyed every last bloom. But someone either hid one... or grew a new one in secret. How else would Devran have gotten his hands on it?"

Scarlette’s gaze flickered—unreadable. A breath of cold air passed through the room—imagined or not, it chilled me to the bone.

Something was wrong. Deeply wrong.

"It’s things like this," I said quietly, "that fracture the fragile peace we’ve built. That make me want to act—before the questions get in the way."

I turned to leave.

"He knows more than he dares to say. And if the Orchid doesn’t loosen his tongue... I will."

But Scarlette caught my arm.

"You said it takes a few hours, didn’t you?" she asked. "Let him stew in it a little. He’ll be more compliant when the pain settles in."

I stared at her, then gave a tight smile.

"Fine. I’ll be patient."

I gritted my teeth, though the fire still burned inside me.

Scarlette smirked. That was why I loved her.

"But... is there a cure?" she asked, her voice shifting—just slightly concerned.

"The stalk," I replied flatly. "Magic always finds its balance."

She grinned. "How convenient."

"Even though it’s poisonous too, it somehow neutralizes the effects of the petals. Pressed against the burn, it can heal the area. But the fastest cure? A tea brewed from it. Bitter as sin—but it works."

She raised an eyebrow. "But you’re not planning to use it on him... are you? The cure, I mean?"

"It depends," I replied callously.

Then, she stepped closer, her voice softer now, but still resolute.

"Hear him out, Ver. You’re his king. Something bigger is in motion."

I exhaled sharply. Of course there’s always something behind it. Chances are, she was right.

Fairies never get tattoos for plain simple body art. There was always a cause. The black tattoo with a broken wand definitely means something but he isn’t talking yet.

"He’ll talk," she said, assuring. "Just give it a bit more time."

A rustling sound broke the tension.

Juniper was now rolling among the baskets, happily sniffing at the Kitsune-shaped loaf of bread we had bought earlier. She nudged it with her nose and then plopped down beside it, mirroring its curled shape.

Scarlette burst into a laugh.

"Look at Juniper!" she giggled, pointing. "She thinks the bread is her long-lost cousin."

"At least some things remain innocent," I murmured, watching the absurdly wholesome scene.

It almost made me forget, if only for a second.

"I’m glad you’re still holding the Midnight Orchid," Scarlette said, nodding toward my hand. "Who knows what would happen to Juniper if she touched it."

I shuddered at the thought of anything happening to my precious pet.

"I hope we will never find out. The Midnight Orchid can work quite differently on powerful species," I replied in a worried tone.

Scarlette leaned against me. "So much for Midnight Orchids and prophecies, huh? Speaking of which, are you going to tell me?"

Her words brought me back to the prophecy—the one I hadn’t told her about yet.

But there’s so much to say. Where do I even begin?

Then, I remembered.

I’ll let her learn these things the same way I did.

"I’ll take you to the Dark Fairy Scrolls," I promised. "They’re in the library. You’ll see everything there. Every word of it. You’ll see the prophecy in it. Let’s go."

However, before I pulled her along in a flurry, Scarlette grabbed my arm.

"What’s going on?" I replied in an almost annoyed tone.

"Breathe. Stay calm," she called in a tender tone. "You don’t have to carry this alone. I’m not just your queen. I’m your partner. And you—are my king. We rise together to face everything."

Something in her voice grounded me. Broke through the storm in my mind.

I pulled her into an embrace, the chill of the throne room fading as I felt her warmth.

"What would I do without you?" I whispered.