The Dark Fairy King
Chapter 37: The Dark Fairy Scrolls

Chapter 37: The Dark Fairy Scrolls

Now calm, we moved through the castle’s corridors in a leisurely manner. Come to think of it, this might be the way we should go about doing things. There’s no telling how many others who believe in the prophecy are out there.

Richard was one of those extremist goons.

You’d never know if they could be in the palace too. Paranoia is a great way to survive. No need to draw unnecessary attention.

Juniper trailed behind us, nose to the carpet, her tails twitching slightly as she sniffed along the velvet path. The plush fabric muffled our footsteps, adding a softness to the quiet castle that somehow made the growing tension more palpable. The walls around us were adorned with faded tapestries—warriors, battles, and old fairy legends—that whispered stories of long-forgotten conflicts.

Other Fairies passed us as we walked, offering gentle nods or curious glances. At one point, a Love Fairy elder with curly white hair and a magenta tunic bowed deeply.

"Your Majesties," she greeted with reverence, arms placed behind her back.

"Hi, Faragonda," Scarlette smiled, slowing slightly.

"The Council..." Faragonda began, but we were already halfway down the hallway.

Scarlette winced. "Ver, we cut her off. She might’ve had something important to say."

I gestured ahead. "She can wait. The Council always wants something. We’ll return to her. But not yet."

At the corridor’s end stood a massive wooden door, its surface etched with swirling vines and stars. The craftsmanship was exquisite, worn smooth by centuries of hands. There were no handles—only a hollow in the shape of a hand. I placed my palm into the cavity.

A soft click.

Gears shifted behind the walls, groaning as if awoken from slumber. The doors swung open, revealing the hidden heart of the castle. A faint smell of old parchment mixed with beeswax candles filled the air, carrying the weight of centuries.

Juniper darted in instantly, as though she belonged here. In truth, she did. Her bright eyes gleamed as she navigated the towering shelves lined with tomes that seemed to pulse faintly with latent magic.

Scarlette let out a breath. "Oh, wow."

We had entered the royal library—a cavernous archive stretching far and wide. Towering shelves of ancient tomes and records stood like silent sentinels. The air was thick with the scent of parchment, wax, and secrets. Dust motes drifted in beams of light filtering through a stained-glass dome overhead, painting the room in hues of violet, emerald, and gold.

This was my sanctuary.

No prizes for guessing—I’m actually an introvert.

High above, dangling from the domed ceiling, was a swing I’d built for Juniper. The fluffy kitsune was already curled atop it, nine tails swaying lazily as she peered down at us. Naturally, this was her favorite perch—kitsunes have always been drawn to wisdom, and Juniper was no exception.

Scarlette and I made our way to the heart of the library, where two velvet-cushioned seats waited beneath the stained-glass dome. The chairs shimmered with sequins—absurdly plush, as if daring someone not to sink into them. The silence here was heavy, punctuated only by the faint crackle of candle flames and the subtle rustling of turning pages.

"What a room," Scarlette breathed.

"You haven’t even seen the best part," I said with a grin.

With a flourish, I opened a book bound in cracked, dark leather that resembled crocodile skin. The moment I did, ancient Celtic music spilled into the room—flutes, deep drums, and what sounded suspiciously like a banjo.

Scarlette blinked, then stared at me like I’d just conjured an orchestra out of thin air. Her eyes sparkled with wonder.

"You just conjured a soundtrack." She gasped.

"Magic libraries come with perks." I said smugly.

She laughed but quickly grew serious. "Alright, the Dark Fairy Scrolls."

"Yes, work. Of course." I gave an exaggerated cough of seriousness and reached beneath a concealed panel in the desk, pulling out a tightly rolled scroll.

"What language is that?" Scarlette asked, squinting as I unrolled the parchment.

I exhaled gently onto the page. The ink shimmered, the words twisting and reforming into something more readable.

"Ancient Dark Fairy," I replied. I breathed gently on the parchment again, and the ink shimmered—shifting into elegant English script.

"Now translated into English," I said with a grin.

The words on the scroll read:

A Love Fairy will marry a Dark Fairy and give birth. Something borne not of natural magic, but of strife, pain, and greatness. A hybrid with a dual nature, great power, walking the line of Light and Dark. He will be a force of change, a harbinger of doom, a destroyer, a venomous spider in the cosmos and a threat to all who wouldn’t bend to his will.

Scarlette stared. Her face paled.

"Is this why Love and Dark Fairy couples are so rare? Is this why Richard attacked us? He said we were destined for destruction."

I looked at her for a long moment, then took her trembling hand.

"Scar, this is just an old tale. Paranoia. A myth people clung to during times of fear." I said reassuringly.

Her voice cracked. "But what if I want to be a mother?"

I tightened my grip on her hand. "This scroll is poison wrapped in prophecy. It only becomes true if we let it. Utter gobbledygook."

Juniper hopped gracefully down from her perch and brushed against Scarlette’s legs, purring softly.

"But what if it’s not? How many people have read this?" Scarlette asked. "How many died because someone believed in this?"

I had no answer. The weight of the scroll hung between us like a curse spoken aloud.

She spoke again, more faintly this time. "The tattoo on Richard’s wrist—the broken wand. What does it mean?"

My jaw clenched.

"No records mention it. Which means we find out the hard way."

I stood, scroll still in hand.

"We’re going to the dungeon. Not for a visit. For answers."

The music softened, fading into the hush of turning pages and candlelight. Scarlette’s grip tightened around my fingers, and I could feel her resolve hardening beside her fear.

I raised a hand into the air. The light in the library flickered, and shadows stretched from the bookshelves, wrapping around Scarlette, Juniper, and myself.

As we walked forward, we emerged from a shadow that stretched behind the dungeon.

Yes, it was a cave just outside the palace.

Now, we were seconds away from prying the truth out.

Juniper sniffed the air before hopping onto Scarlette’s shoulder. She gave a faint smile as the little critter licked her cheek.

"Juni... not now, little one. We have work to do," she said firmly.

I grinned at both of them and gave Scarlette a nod.

"Yes, I’m alright. Let’s do this," she said with quiet determination.

A guard stepped forward out from the dungeon and saluted stiffly. "Your Majesties, the prisoner refuses to speak."