The Dark Fairy King
Chapter 46: In with the New

Chapter 46: In with the New

When we reached the infirmary, the sight surprised me.

Lumera was sitting upright, her posture tense, her arms folded tightly across her chest.

Juniper stood face-to-face with her, her nine tails bristling high in the air, amber eyes glowing fiercely with restrained anger.

"Juniper! No!" I barked, but the Kitsune didn’t budge. Her gaze stayed locked on Lumera, her fur so stiff she looked like she’d burst forward any second.

"Juniper," I warned again, softening my voice, letting it drop into something gentler.

The tension crackled between them, sharp as a drawn bow.

After a heartbeat, she finally flicked her ears in annoyance and padded over to me, as if to say, Fine. But I still don’t like her.

I scooped her up like a fluffy puppy and slung her over my shoulders, her fur brushing against my neck like an oversized, slightly judgmental scarf.

"We do not harass people in the infirmary," I scolded lightly, scratching under her chin until she begrudgingly relaxed.

Lumera smirked but said nothing, her silence edged with a smugness I almost respected.

She folded her arms. "So... are you ready to arrest me now? Or do you finally believe me?"

Her eyes searched my face for any flicker of doubt.

"I’ve given you nothing to question," she pressed. "You even suspected me of killing my sister. Do you believe me now?"

I exchanged a look with Scarlette; she gently shook her head.

"I rubbed my temples. ’Well... we have a few things to tell you.’"

"Oh, so you’re finally going to admit I was right all along? Maybe even apologise?" Her voice held a sharp sting as it cut through the room.

"Lumera, don’t try me," I warned, dropping the humour. My voice sharpened like glass.

Her bravado faltered. She looked at me almost apologetically. "Apologies, my King. I don’t know why I keep doing this. It’s like... my inside voice takes over before I can stop it."

Scarlette smiled softly, the warmth in her voice wrapping around us like sunlight. "It’s alright. Besides, you’ll be working closely with us, taking over your sister’s place."

Lumera blinked, the words catching her off guard.

Her arms loosened. "What do you mean by that?"

"You already know the answer," Scarlette replied gently, her calmness unshakeable.

Yeah, we know. We know. Seriously. This twerp is going to be in the council. Did she not get the memo?

"Wait... I’m the next most senior Light Fairy in the kingdom? After Clarice?" Her eyes sparkled as the realization hit her.

Yup. She’s not as dim as she pretends to be.

"I’m an actual Fairy Elder?" She shot to her feet, beaming, her joy so infectious I almost forgot I wanted to strangle her ten minutes ago. "I’m in the council?"

"Yes... Welcome," I said sarcastically. "Excited to work with you."

"I’m in the council! Awesome!" Lumera bounced in place, nearly knocking over the bed frame in her excitement.

"Now that’s the Lumera we know, huh?" I smirked, glancing at Scarlette.

"Just like the girl in the old world." Scarlette shook her head, her grin unable to hide her affection.

But I wasn’t entirely convinced.

Are we prepared for this Lumera?

She wasn’t the same girl from the old world.

Not really.

There were flickers—moments of who she used to be—but trauma leaves its scars. And her scars were glowing like neon signs.

"Oh, you are not going to regret having me on your council!" she beamed, practically vibrating, her energy filling the room. She swung around and bumped her hip against the bed frame with a soft yelp.

"Be careful there," Scarlette cautioned, trying not to laugh.

"I’m already so much better now. Don’t worry, my Queen." She waved away her slight bruise like it was nothing.

"But first, I need to obliterate that woman in my drawing," she said with fiery determination. "Fat anaconda. I heard her name before."

I burst out laughing, unable to help myself.

"Faragonda, you mean?" Scarlette clarified, biting back a smile.

"That’s her name?" Lumera wrinkled her nose. "How old-fashioned," she said, scratching her head in mock confusion.

I grinned. "It was old-fashioned indeed, but it’s nothing we need to worry about anymore."

"Was?" Lumera asked, curiosity flashing across her face.

"Yup. Was," Scarlette answered softly. "It’s over with Faragonda."

Lumera’s expression softened, something flickering in her eyes—relief, sadness, maybe a bit of both.

"Well, I gotta know... Did it hurt?" she asked, her voice dropping low, a hint of vengeance leaking through.

"If you consider exploding with a blue light and turning into a pile of ash... I’d say yes. It would hurt." I smirked, remembering the satisfying finale.

"Bursting with delight," I added, clearly enjoying myself a little too much.

Scarlette coughed pointedly.

I rolled my eyes. "Such people deserve it. She was a B-word. Five letters."

Lumera stifled a laugh, but bowed awkwardly. "Your Majesties."

"Ver... What’s a B-word? Five letters?" Scarlette asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Bitch," I whispered.

Scarlette’s eyes widened in absolute horror. "But Faragonda wasn’t a female dog. That makes no sense."

"My dear... It’s an insult," I explained, and Scarlette giggled, finally catching on.

Lumera shrugged. "Sorry, was it something I said again?"

"Never mind that," I said, straightening up. "Listen carefully. There may still be Anti-Magic mages hiding in the palace."

"Anti-Magic mages?" She laughed. "That’s what they’re calling themselves?"

"Yes, like the ones in your sketch," Scarlette added. "There could be hundreds—or more."

"We’ll kill them," Lumera cut in, grinning wickedly.

Scarlette and I exchanged glances.

Oh yes, this Lumera was wicked. I loved that.

"Well... eventually," I smirked, slipping back into a more serious tone. "But first, we need to find the next Dark Fairy Elder. You’ll come with us. Consider him your future council colleague."

"Wait—Faragonda killed the Dark Fairy Elder too?" Lumera’s breath hitched. "That’s insane."

Then, slowly, realization dawned on her face.

"Are they... are they trying to replace the whole council? The entire thing?"

Smart girl. No further explanation required.

Scarlette tugged on my sleeve and whispered, "Did you just say Lumera’s coming with us? Shouldn’t we talk about this? What if she slows us down? Or worse, gets herself killed? She just got back on her feet."

"We can’t leave her here either. Too dangerous," I whispered back.

"Juniper can look out for her," Scarlette suggested.

Juniper sneezed in disgust and turned her snout away dramatically.

"You know I can hear you, right?" Lumera called out, crossing her arms. "I’m fine now. Besides, I’m not going to sit around with a mongrel watching me. I’m not a criminal. I’m a Fairy Elder!" She clapped her hands together proudly.

Juniper barked sharply in protest.

"That’s a Kitsune, not a mongrel. Read a book, seriously," I shot back, mocking her posh tone.

Lumera stared at me for a beat—then burst into laughter.

"Juni... Lumera’s just emotionally stunted. Don’t take it personally," I murmured as I stroked Juniper’s fur. She purred and brushed her tail against my leg, finally settling down.

"Scar... don’t you wonder how useful Lumera really is? Don’t you want to test that too?" I asked, watching Scarlette’s hesitation flicker across her face.

"Fine," she relented. "But this Lumera’s a little prickly."

"Really?" I teased. "You were exactly like that when we first met."

"I am nothing like her," Scarlette huffed.

"Oh, I take that back. You were unhinged—but you weren’t a loose cannon."

"What’s a cannon again?" she asked.

Ah, yes. My obsession with human artillery didn’t quite carry over to her. I was too lazy to explain.

I pointed at Lumera. "Here’s a loose one. Exhibit A."

"Is he handsome?" Lumera piped up again, clearly missing all social cues.

"Look who’s into bad boys," I teased.

Lumera flushed. "Stop... Your Majesties. I have standards..."

"I hope this isn’t a bad idea," I muttered, but deep down... I was starting to enjoy her company.

And yes, Scarlette officially short-circuited.