The Dark Fairy King
Chapter 41: The Infirmary

Chapter 41: The Infirmary

We were in the infirmary now.

Tucked in the east wing of the Fairy Palace, it was quiet and cool, lit by soft golden light from the now setting sun filtering through stained-glass windows. Pale stone walls held shelves of glowing potions and gently swaying herbs. Silverleaf ivy crept along the corners, its faint glow pulsing with enchantments.

A row of bonewood beds lined the chamber, set beneath a domed ceiling stitched with threads of starlight—old magic woven into the palace itself. Gossamer curtains shimmered around each bed, laced with protective spells. Silver runes glowed faintly on the floor, ready to catch curses or hidden poisons.

The air smelled of crushed herbs and magic. No machines. No metal. Just silence, warmth, and the soft shimmer of healing spells in the air.

Scarlette, myself, and the guard who had carried Lumera stood inside.

"Place her on the bed," I ordered.

He laid her down gently, then stood at attention.

"Ready for your next instructions, Your Majesty."

"I need backup sent to Clarice’s house. Sweep it. Make sure we didn’t miss anything."

"Be alert," Scarlette added, dismissing him with a nod.

She crouched beside Lumera, pressing two fingers to her neck.

"How is she?" I asked, unable to keep the concern out of my voice.

"She’s weak," Scarlette said, standing. "But she’ll wake up in a few hours."

Worry still flickered behind her eyes.

"I know we used the only Midnight Orchid we had... but Ver, we need more. If someone else is targeted—"

"Don’t worry," I said. "We’ll find more. That’s how black markets work."

She glanced sideways at me. "Think Devran has more?"

"If he’s anything like the Devran we knew in the old world... then yes. He wouldn’t just have one."

Scarlette sighed. "Devran... Lumera... all these people from our past. Alive. With no memory of the world we came from."

"They were killed, Scar," I reminded her. "Devran was Judorah’s puppet. Lumera... Judorah murdered her. Then wore her skin."

Scarlette lowered her gaze. "Still... it’s eerie to see them here. Like fate’s trying to repeat itself."

"Or maybe fate’s giving them a second chance," I suggested. "Perhaps it wondered how life without Judorah would be."

Scarlette frowned.

"What, already regretting saving Lumera?" I teased. But she didn’t smile.

Her voice dropped. "Ver, we failed her. Lumera was good to us. She hosted us. Trusted us. Judorah killed her in her own home—right next to where we were sleeping. How... how did we not know?"

I had no answer. Just guilt. Old and fresh.

"I don’t know what kind of damage it leaves—being worn like a second skin by Judorah. That’s disgusting. Even by my standards."

"Tasteless villainy," I scoffed. "Classic Judorah. Can’t believe we’re still talking about her. Revered Queen of the Dark Fairies, now forgotten and probably as useful as a white crayon."

"What’s a white crayon again?" Scarlette asked, scratching her hair in confusion.

Then Lumera’s eyes flew open.

"Scar—she’s awake," I said quickly, pointing to Lumera’s bed.

"So much for ’a few hours,’ huh?"

Scarlette ignored me and helped Lumera sit up.

"Where... where am I?" Lumera rasped.

"The infirmary," Scarlette said gently. "You were attacked. At Clarice’s home."

"Clarice..." Lumera’s voice broke. "She was killed... with a red flower..."

"You are safe here," Scarlette said, stroking her back. "Speak slowly."

"It was a Midnight Orchid, I believe..." Lumera continued. "Clarice didn’t deserve that."

"Do you remember what happened?" I asked, stepping closer.

She turned to us—eyes flickering with something sharp. Recognition.

"That woman... she killed her. Tried to kill me too," Lumera said with certainty.

"What woman?" Scarlette asked, brows furrowed.

Lumera looked again—this time, she really looked. She studied both our faces before speaking.

"Charlotte and Ravos?" she whispered. "Is that... is that the both of you?"

Crap.

She remembered.

Of course she did. We’d stayed at her house in the old world—under fake names. But Scarlette clearly didn’t remember that part.

"No, Lumera," Scarlette said flatly. "We are Queen Scarlette and King Veravos."

I nearly glared at her—but then realization dawned.

This could work.

Brilliant. Let’s gaslight her.

I saw Lumera’s expression soften, turning apologetic.

"Your Majesties, my apologies," Lumera said weakly, trying to bow—then stumbled.

"Please, sit. You’re still recovering," Scarlette said, guiding her gently back to her bed.

"You’re too kind, Your Majesty," Lumera said, smiling faintly. "Your reputation and kindness precedes you."

Scarlette smiled warmly in return.

I did not return the smile. No time for that. I needed to see how much she remembered from our pasts. Yes, I would work from there.

"Charlotte and Ravos," I repeated, lowering my voice. "Where did you hear those names?"

Lumera hesitated. "Would you believe me if I told you the truth?"

Scarlette tensed beside me. Her hand curled into her gown.

"Do not lie to your King and Queen," I warned.

Lumera nodded. "I had a dream. One that keeps coming back," she said, voice trembling. "I was in a land of Light Fairies... and I was happy."

She looked between us.

"There were two of them—who looked like you. Charlotte and Ravos. A Mixed-Fairy couple. A Love Fairy and a Dark Fairy. They saved me from a vampire... I brought them home to rest."

Her voice cracked.

"But then... something attacked me in the night. It strangled me. My strength drained. I felt... her soul enter my body. I know it sounds insane, but—I was hijacked. My body wasn’t mine anymore. I... I became Judorah."

"She remembered," I whispered to Scarlette.

Scarlette’s grip tightened on my arm.

"Judorah... Yes. That was her name," Lumera said again. "She was supposedly a Dark Fairy Queen. But somehow there are no records about her..."

Lumera shook her head, desperation creeping into her voice.

"Tell me I’m not insane. Tell me I’m not losing my mind."

Wasn’t expecting that.

"What happened after that?" Scarlette asked softly.

"From my dream?" Lumera blinked.

"Yes," I said. "Everything."

"There’s nothing more," she said flatly.

Then, narrowing her eyes, she asked, "Why are you both so curious about my dream? Was there really a Judorah?"

Seriously? She started this. She was the one who rambled on about her dream.

Anyway, I was not about to admit we rewrote reality.

Time to pivot.

I latched onto the only lifeline I could think of.

"So it was you," I said coldly, leaning into the sarcasm. "You killed Clarice in some Judorah-fueled blackout. Acting out your trauma doesn’t give you a free pass."

"Veravos!" Scarlette snapped.

"No! I would never!" Lumera’s voice cracked. "Clarice was my sister. We had a good relationship!"

"Then who did it?" Scarlette asked, her voice softening now.

"I’ll draw her," Lumera said suddenly. "I’m a sketcher. But... you have to promise you’ll believe me."

Scarlette paused, something shifting in her. Slowly, she knelt beside the bed.

Her walls, usually so high, thinned—just for a moment.

"Alright. We believe you," she said.

I did not believe her. Not even a little.

Scarlette leaned forward and hugged Lumera gently, like the good old Love Fairy she was—for about 10% of the time.

"Nothing is going to hurt you," she said quietly. "We won’t fail you again."

Lumera stiffened, shocked. Then blinked.

"Again?" she asked, voice small.

Oops. Scarlette was getting sentimental. Saying too much.

I scrambled for a cover.

"Oh, we had the same dream," I said quickly.

Scarlette whipped her head towards me. "Since when?"

I facepalmed—but luckily, Lumera didn’t hear her.

Lumera let out a shaky breath, eyes glistening with something dangerously close to hope.

"So I’m not the only crazy one after all."

Wait. What?!

Scarlette caught the look on my face.

"She just called us crazy too," I whispered, deeply offended.