The Dark Fairy King
Chapter 47: The Bad Boy

Chapter 47: The Bad Boy

"Let’s go find Devran before the Anti-Magic Mages get to him," I commanded.

"Wait... aren’t we going in disguise again?" Scarlette asked, but I pointed at Lumera, who still looked confused, her gaze flicking between us.

I walked over and whispered to Scarlette, "Scar... we can’t show up looking like Ravos and Charlotte with Lumera right next to us. Can you imagine how creepy that would be?"

"Oh, right. You have a point," she admitted, tapping her chin. "I would freak out if people from my recurring nightmare randomly appeared too."

She paused, then asked, "But what about Devran? Will he recognise us if we show up as the Queen and King?"

"We’re going on official business. So he should. Besides, he’ll be working with us after he joins the council," I replied.

"Devran, huh?" Lumera cut in. "That’s his name?"

"Yes, Lumera," I said, narrowing my eyes. "Any concerns with that?"

"No, nothing. It’s just easy to remember," she replied, her lips twitching into a grin. "Dev-ran." She repeated the name playfully. "It’s like he definitely ran away from something."

I facepalmed."Let’s just hope he doesn’t run away the moment you show up." I smirked, crossing my arms.

"Why, does he have the classic long fringe and emo haircut?" she teased with a sly grin, chuckling softly to herself.

Scarlette couldn’t resist and started giggling too.

I frowned, clearly missing the joke. ’Wait, what? What’s so funny about his haircut?’

"Oh, nothing..." Her voice dragged in that suspicious way. "Just know that whatever happens, Ver, my dear—it’s on you."

Wait. Were they laughing at different things?

These women.

Scarlette walked off, placing a gentle hand on Lumera’s shoulder, like a thoughtful elder sister.

"Come, Lumera. We have work to do now," she said, giving me a smug little smirk.

Was it a good idea to let Lumera tag along? With that attitude?

Was I already regretting it? Absolutely.

But maybe—just maybe—this was my way of making sure she wouldn’t end up like the last person I failed to protect.

Scarlette stretched her arm forward, letting red mists curl and thicken around the room. They coiled and wrapped themselves around us like silken ribbons.

"Oooh, it tickles! My Queen!" Lumera pranced around like an overexcited bimbo.

I gave Lumera a judgmental look but Scarlette was more patient. "Relax," Scarlette chuckled. "This is how we travel fast."

"Beats flying," I muttered flatly as the mist swallowed us whole.

The red velvet mist clung to my skin, warm and soft, like stepping through a wall of smoke that shimmered with hidden sparks. I never quite got used to the way it yanked us forward. I preferred using the shadows, but it was always better that Scar and I took turns doing this. Power conservation and all.

We were off—to that one place we knew we’d find Devran.

The marketplace.

We now stood on the roof of a citadel overlooking the marketplace. And yes, the Marketplace was exactly what you’d expect—a cacophony of noise made from pointless haggling and touting vendors.

People wove in and out of shops. Talking, laughing, buying.

Good for the economy, I guess.

But then, I zoomed in on one voice. "Come buy some kitsune-shaped bread!" yelled one vendor. "It’s on 20% discount!"

"Scar..." I grabbed her arm. "Kitsune bread."

"Oh my goodness, Ver... we are here on official business," Scarlette grumbled as she watched my gaze.

"Right." I replied, disappointed. "Find Devran."

"Exactly," Scarlette replied while scanning the area. "We can get the bread another time."

"On another off day," I sighed.

"Did you guys see that pale Dark Fairy guy in the pushcart with the black emo hair and the boots that say ’don’t talk to me’?" Lumera interrupted, pointing in the distance. "Swoon." She gasped as she fanned herself.

"Well done, Lumera," Scarlette encouraged. "You found him."

"That’s the new Dark Fairy elder?" Lumera gasped. "He is totally my type," she giggled.

"Oh really?" I grinned. "Then you will have no problem approaching him."

"Really? You want me to recruit him into our council officially?" Lumera asked in disbelief.

"Of course, you are a councilwoman now," I reminded her.

"Oh, I won’t let you down, my King!" She saluted and flew down the citadel into the crowd.

Scarlette stared at me, wide-eyed. "What? Are you actually serious?" she asked, slowly blinking.

"Well, we should see what Lumera is made of," I replied casually. "See how she handles herself with Devran."

As Lumera walked, she untied her hair bun, letting her straight blonde hair fall to her shoulders. She placed her hands in her hair, weaving some strands into a single braid and letting the rest of her hair fall loose.

"Ah, look, she’s a go-getter," I teased.

"What else did you tell her to do?" Scarlette frowned.

"Nothing else!" I laughed. "I am serious!"

But I knew she was going to mess it up. All we had to do was swoop in to rescue her later.

Lumera, you want an emo bad boy? I’ll give you one.

Devran, watch out. Ha.

Scarlette rolled her eyes, her tone turning mock-serious. "You find this all hilarious, don’t you?"

"Guilty," I admitted with a grin. "Call it job satisfaction. After all, what’s life without a little chaos?"

And now we watch.

Lumera swished her hair as she sauntered toward Devran’s shop, batting her eyelids with practiced charm.

But Devran barely flinched.

"Trinkets, poisons, curses, toxins, and more. Buy at your peril or amusement," he droned, voice flat.

"That’s your slogan?" Lumera mocked, arching a brow. "How’s that working out for you?"

Devran glanced her up and down, a sardonic smile playing at his lips. "Hello, dear customer."

He held out a small jar. "Might I interest you in some lip plumpers? Wasp Stingwax. Try it."

Lumera blinked, then, as if forgetting everything we told her, launched into her own interrogation.

"Is it vegan?" she asked, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Devran scoffed. "Lady, it’s literally called Wasp Stingwax."

"Wasp?" she repeated, voice dripping with mock disbelief.

I couldn’t help but clap and laugh. Scarlette chuckled beside me.

"You’re enjoying this a bit too much, aren’t you?" Scarlette whispered.

But Lumera was just warming up. I’d expected a little harmless flirting—this was next level.

"But was it a real wasp or a gummy wasp? How am I supposed to know?" she pressed. "Also, is this really how you greet your customers?"

Devran threw his hands up, feigning defeat. "Alright, alright. Let me get you something vegan."

He pulled open a drawer revealing an assortment of poisonous herbs.

Then, a flash of red caught my eye.

"Is that... the Midnight Orchid?" I whispered to Scarlette.

Her expression darkened instantly. "So he’s got more."

Realization dawned on us both.

Devran hesitated, his hand hovering over the orchids, but then shifted and picked up a sprig of poison ivy instead.

"You can make this into a necklace," he said, offering it to Lumera with a crooked smile. "Consider it a gift—for being my hundredth customer."

Lumera eyed the ivy skeptically but couldn’t resist throwing shade. "That looks counterfeit," she said. "How long have you been holding onto this? A year?"

She cocked her head, pouting. "Using customers to get rid of old stock, huh?"

Devran turned away, pressing his hands to his face as if in horror.

"What the actual hell," I read on his lips—or maybe I imagined it.

I laughed quietly, but I knew we’d have to confront him about those Midnight Orchids in his cart.