The Dark Fairy King
Chapter 76: Gone Too Soon

Chapter 76: Gone Too Soon

Just like clockwork, the Love Fairies scattered, eager to prove themselves.

The field stretched wide—Dark Fairy forest on the right, Light Kingdom on the left. Poisonous apple trees marked the edge, their twisted branches clawing at the sky. No one needed a reminder: Dark Fairies lurked beyond that line—parasites who fed on everything that made you soft. You crossed that border, you didn’t come back.

The sun beat down, heavy and bright. For most Dark Fairies, it would be unbearable. But we had to finish before dusk—before they woke. Before they hunted.

Thank the gods we were still safe. Mostly.

Unless, of course, you were unlucky enough to meet one of the big names—like the boogeyman himself, Veravos, or Queen Judorah. Arisa hadn’t mentioned them, which meant they were probably long gone. Or... lurking. I used to warn junior Love Fairies about them all the time.

But no one mentioned that anymore.

To the far left, past the glow of the Light Kingdom, was where the humans lived—curious, complicated, deliciously chaotic. Some fairies ventured that far. Their argument?

Humans had no magic. So it’s easier to cast Love Spells on them. Sure. Manipulate the powerless, what could go wrong?

Anyway, the rest wandered the forgotten kingdoms behind us. Dangerous.

But who knew what still breathed in those ruins?

Preferably not Judorah or Veravos. Not with my powers this low. I haven’t practiced since leaving the forsaken dungeon.

So I made a logical decision. Stayed close to Doverel. She wasn’t adventurous, but she was honest. She didn’t press, didn’t pretend. I liked that.

"What are you going to shoot your arrow at?" she asked, head tilted.

"Light Fairies," I muttered.

She laughed, not understanding. It wasn’t a joke. I wasn’t going anywhere near the Dark Fairies. Not today. Not for Arisa’s approval. I’d seen what they could do. I’d smelled the blood in the grass once.

Doverel had already paired off twenty couples.

"I’m doing great, right?" she beamed.

I shrugged and walked her through my approach instead.

We found a quarreling couple mid-squabble.

"No! You started it!" the girl snapped. "You looked at that other Light Fairy—don’t deny it!"

"You’re overreacting," the guy huffed. "I barely glanced at her."

"I knew I shouldn’t have dated someone this handsome!" she wailed.

I stepped forward, calm and clear.

"I’m a Love Fairy," I said. "Neutral. I settle things."

The girl folded her arms. "This is none of your business."

"Oh, but if you don’t want him, I’ll just pair him with someone else," I replied coolly.

She blinked. Hesitated.

I turned to the boy. "Should I link her to someone else?"

He shook his head. His eyes had softened.

"So... you do still love each other?"

The girl bit her lip. "It’s just a stupid fight."

"She’s the most beautiful fairy I’ve ever seen," he admitted.

"Then what does it matter who he glanced at?" I asked gently. "His heart’s still yours."

Silence stretched between them—and then, hand in hand, they walked away.

Doverel clapped.

"Communication," I shrugged.

"You see, it takes time," she said, more serious now.

"But it’s real," I said, watching the couple vanish down the path.

She didn’t reply. She just turned away.

"Elder Arisa is judging us on quantity, not quality," she muttered.

I stiffened. Of course. She was slipping into their logic. Maybe it was easier. Maybe it was safer.

"Why do Light Fairies even come here to sort out their problems?" she added.

I paused. Good question.

Was their own kingdom not enough? Or was something—or someone—keeping them from sorting things out there?

Doverel shifted awkwardly beside me.

"Scarlette... you’ve been really nice, but—how do I say this..."

I knew what was coming.

"There’re too many of us here," I said flatly.

She nodded.

"We all have targets. It’s only Day One, but we can’t be complacent."

I looked at her—really looked.

Then I said, "Then maybe you should run off and chase your numbers. You’ll be dazzling to someone."

Doverel flinched, and for a moment, I hated myself.

But I turned away anyway. She had made her choice.

"Two hours till dusk," I muttered and walked off.

She didn’t follow.

Disappointment sat bitter on my tongue.

Far across the plains, I spotted a lone Love Fairy.

Edna.

I’d heard whispers—competitive, ruthless, eager to please. She had already paired off forty couples. Day One, and she was acting like it was the final exam.

But something was wrong.

She was veering toward the edge—too close to the forest. A mangrove tree loomed there, gnarled and black, its roots like skeletal fingers clawing through the soil.

I broke into a run.

"Hey! Don’t go there!" I shouted.

She laughed and kept running.

"These grounds are mine!" she called. "I’ll hit my target faster than anyone!"

Then she reached the edge of the mangrove.

From the shadows, a figure stepped forward—a Dark Fairy perched like a gargoyle. Eyes glowing. Smile razor-sharp.

He moved too fast.

Edna’s scream tore through the air. A ragged, panicked wail.

I ran. I pushed my body harder than I had in years.

But I wasn’t fast enough.

He dragged her into the forest.

Gone.

Just like that.

My magic pulsed uselessly in my veins. I couldn’t breathe.

Every instinct screamed: Fight. But I couldn’t move.

I hadn’t used magic in battle since... since I was caged. Since my wings were clipped. Since I forgot how to fly.

The silence after her scream was worse than the scream itself.

When I reached her—

She was twisted. Still. Her eyes wide with something worse than fear—

as if darkness had surged through her, snuffing out every dream, every flicker of hope.

Her jaw hung open, loose.

The air around her felt... wrong. Empty. Cold.

I wanted to scream. But nothing came out.

Above me, the Dark Fairy crouched, smug.

"One down," he sneered. "Send more tomorrow, sweethearts."

He vanished into the branches.

And Edna—

Edna was gone too soon. Disintegrated into red dust.

I stood in the stillness, fists clenched.

My power? Useless.

My presence? Too late.

My heart?

Quieter than ever.

I returned to the Love Fairy Kingdom, crestfallen.

Edna—her loss was too sudden. In this new world, she had been a stranger to me, but she was one of my kind. One of the people I hoped to rule, to protect. Just like I once did, centuries ago.

Maybe everything would be restored once I pried them from King Baltimore’s grip.

But this wasn’t about Baltimore now. It was about Edna and what she represented. An innocent, in this new world.

Anxiety crept in as I thought about another Love Fairy I had gotten to know.

Where was my only friend since the dungeon? Where was Doverel?

Did she return to the Love Fairy Kingdom after we parted ways earlier?

Was she gone too?