The Dark Fairy King
Chapter 48: More Than What Meets the Eye

Chapter 48: More Than What Meets the Eye

Time to close in.

A dark aura outlined Scarlette and me. Shadows poured in, and the both of us faded from the citadel that we were on.

From flickering shadows, we reappeared at the edges of the market street. Fairies of all kinds greeted us as we walked.

"Good evening, Your Majesties," a Love Fairy bowed in surprise.

"Your Majesties, good to see you," a group of Light Fairies curtsied.

"My King and my Queen. My pleasure." A Dark Fairy placed a hand over his heart and bowed low.

"Thank you, please rise. We’re just walking around," Scarlette replied with a gentle nod.

But I was already moving toward Lumera and Devran.

Devran’s eyes widened in disbelief when he saw us approaching.

"Your Majesties," he greeted, bowing. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

I wanted to confront him about the Midnight Orchids, but it wasn’t like he’d confess. Not to me. Not when I was the one who banned them. It was important—but not urgent. There were bigger moves to make tonight.

So I pivoted.

"Well... I see you’ve already acquainted yourself with your new colleague," I said.

Devran scratched his head.

"Sorry, Your Majesty. What do you mean?"

"You didn’t tell him yet?" I asked Lumera, raising an eyebrow.

"Oops. I got carried away, my King," she admitted sheepishly.

"What am I missing here?" Devran asked, puzzled.

"You are now the next most senior Dark Fairy in this kingdom," Scarlette explained. "That makes you an Elder."

"But Devyn—" Devran started.

I shook my head, cutting him off.

"Oh..." Devran paused, processing the news. "I see."

"Yeah, he’s dead," Lumera blurted out, far too casually. "So you’re next."

Horrible delivery. She’ll need to work on that.

"What?" Devran frowned, his confusion turning into mild offense. "Am I in trouble? Who even are you?"

"Lumera," she answered plainly. "Light Fairy Elder."

"Lumera," he repeated, giving her a once-over, sniggering. "Looks like the standards for being an Elder aren’t very high these days."

"Excuse me!" Lumera’s voice shot up.

But Devran pressed on. "What did you mean by ’I’m next’? Is something going to happen to me too?"

"It means you’re next in line to join the council—as the most senior Dark Fairy in the land," Scarlette clarified.

"Can I reject the position, please? Respectfully, of course, Your Majesties," Devran said quickly.

"Huh?" Lumera’s jaw dropped. "Why would you do that? It’s an honour!"

Devran rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to us.

"I have my reasons. Besides, I just want a simple life. I’ve got a shop to tend to."

"Doesn’t exactly earn you much, does it?" Lumera shot back.

"Not your concern," he replied coolly, clearly annoyed.

"Can you guarantee I’ll be safe if I stay here, minding my own business?" Devran asked me directly.

There it was. The real question. But the truth? I couldn’t. Clarice and Devyn were gone—slain by the Anti-Magic Mages. And nothing would stop them from coming after him too. Safety was a story we told ourselves until someone proved otherwise.

"Devran, you represent the Dark Fairies now. Why would you refuse that?" I asked.

"I’ve got my reasons. And it seems like Your Majesties are dodging my question," he replied calmly. "Isn’t there such a thing as free will?"

Scarlette and I exchanged glances.

"Thank you for considering me, truly," Devran said. "But I need time to think it through."

"No point forcing him now," Scarlette whispered. "He’ll come to us."

"Agreed," I replied. "Pull too hard and the string will snap. Best to give him an illusion of choice."

"He’ll come," Scarlette said. "Call it a hunch."

But I wasn’t leaving this to chance. Not when I could tip the scales myself.

"Devyn... he was important to you, wasn’t he?" I added. "You’re probably wondering why he was killed."

Devran stiffened, his guard briefly slipping.

"He was... my brother," he admitted. "We were estranged. He died thinking we hated each other."

He paused, voice lower now.

"And now you’re asking me to take his seat? I don’t know if I want the same curse."

"Well, the council is where key information first surfaces. Why be a civilian when you can be so much more?"

He stood there, mulling over my words.

"Greatness isn’t meant for everyone, but here you are—wondering if you should rise to it," I challenged.

Devran narrowed his eyes. "Since when have Fairies had a choice about joining the council?"

"Usually, they don’t. Most are simply appointed," I replied. "But your name is next in line."

"So it doesn’t matter what I choose?" he asked.

"The better question is—what happens if you don’t?" I warned. "I’ll even buy everything from your shop if that’s what it takes to ease your mind."

"And if I walk away?"

"Then I’ll simply say the records were wrong. You can change your name, disappear, sell trinkets to strangers in some far-off town. But freedom is fragile, Devran. When the next Dark Fairy rises, who do you think the Anti-Magic Mages will come for? Who will they assume holds the seat?"

Devran blinked, caught between the weight of choice and the cost of refusal.

Let that sink in. Let him sit in that discomfort.

"It’s late," I told him. "You have until tomorrow to decide."

"We’ll see you at the palace—with your answer," Scarlette added.

We turned and began to walk away.

"Great speech," Scarlette smiled. "Almost had me moved."

I grinned in return.

But Lumera stayed rooted to the spot.

"Seriously?" she huffed. "You’re weighing a seat on the council against your little pushcart?"

"You better chase after them," Devran teased. "The sun’s setting. Don’t want to get left behind, Light Fairy."

Lumera glared at him and stomped her foot. "You might have an emo hairstyle, pale skin, and boyish good looks, but you are a mean person."

"But I’m only a Dark Fairy," he shrugged.

"Rude." She pointed at him, then bolted after us. "Hey! Your Majesties! Wait up!"

"This girl," I laughed.

"She’ll polish her interaction skills in time," Scarlette chuckled.

And yes, there’s definitely more to Devran than meets the eye.

But for now, we needed to head back to the palace.