The Dark Fairy King
Chapter 78: Make Sure You Do It

Chapter 78: Make Sure You Do It

It was the second day since Edna’s death.

Night had fallen, but I couldn’t shake the emptiness left behind. The others seemed to sleep easily, as if nothing had happened—as if she had never been here at all.

"Better rest up! We need to up our numbers! Tomorrow’s the last day!" a fairy called to another.

Doverel still hadn’t spoken to me. I watched her greet Gervan and Lucien goodnight.

Since when had they become so close?

Oh, wait—never mind. Of course. They were the top scorers, just behind her.

Soon, all the Love Fairies were asleep. All except me.

I sat up, glancing toward the bed in the farthest corner—Edna’s bed.

Was I the only one who noticed the empty space?

Maybe I was. Because all anyone talked about was numbers. Not a single person had mentioned her since that day. How could they just forget?

It wasn’t just the silence—it was how it settled. Like her name had become something shameful. Something erased.

I thought I saw Doverel hesitate once, when she passed Edna’s bed. Her eyes snagged on the empty bed — just for a second — before she looked away, like it might swallow her too. Not even a whisper.

I tossed and turned, struggling to sleep. I needed rest—only so I could practice the next day. Not because of some numbers game.

Morning came. I barely slept. Some were already up, but I was still under my sheets, snoozing away.

Arisa stormed into our dorm room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, waking the few still asleep.

Did she even sleep? Was there no end to her insufferable presence?

The whole world didn’t need to know she woke at 5 a.m., I thought, half delirious.

"I have an announcement to make," she said in that fake posh voice, as if reminding us she ruled over everything.

Her eyes flicked to me. My skin crawled.

"I will personally be following those of you who have not made a single couple yet," she declared, dripping with superiority. "Fortunately, there is only one of you."

She looked straight at me. The entire room held its breath.

The tension was thick. I felt their stares—some nervous, some indifferent. No one spoke. No one challenged her. Not that I would.

But as Arisa’s eyes locked on mine, something shifted inside me. Her voice scraped at my nerves — but it didn’t cut deep anymore. Not that they mattered before, but now I was numb.

I was done with the rules. Done with the petty kingdom games. Done pretending any of this mattered.

I wasn’t going to be another pawn. Not anymore.

So, I stormed out in my red dress and headed to the field.

I was earlier than usual. But I needed that woman off my back.

Arisa followed, but she was too slow.

Of course.

How could she possibly keep up with the first Love Fairy in existence?

Then, the most irritating sight appeared before me.

In broad daylight, right there in the open field outside the Love Fairy Kingdom.

A sudden rustling broke the quiet.

A pair of Light Fairies, clad in white and gold robes, emerged.

Well—almost together.

The male stumbled, struggling to match the female’s brisk pace, his wings fluttering in anxious bursts.

"I... I—" he stammered, reaching for her. "I’m sorry!"

"You should be," she shot back, barely sparing him a glance. "You left me alone to deal with your human friends!"

I turned toward the poison apple tree in the distance and noticed the same Dark Fairy lazily napping on its branch. He sat up and looked in my direction, curious.

Too far away to hear. Or so I thought.

"Light Fairies," I muttered. "Always so dramatic."

Then — the Dark Fairy chuckles?

Wait. He could hear me?

...Crap.

Suddenly, Elder Arisa caught up, breath sharp and impatient.

"Child," she intoned, irritation edging her voice, "what in the world are you waiting for? Need I remind you we have a duty to maintain balance?"

Yeah, I’ll do it. But not now—and certainly not because you asked, I thought.

"Oh, Elder Arisa," I sighed, tilting my head with exaggerated drama, "this is the best entertainment I’ve had in weeks! Can’t I let them bicker a little longer before I fix it? A few moments won’t hurt."

I clasped my hands together, eyes wide with mock innocence.

Her gaze sharpened.

A long pause.

Then, with a weary shake of her head, Arisa exhaled, "Fine. But make sure you do it."

Seeing her compromise gave me a bit of joy. Watching bickering fairies, on the other hand, was delightful entertainment.

"Yes! Thank you, thank you!" I giggled, unable to hold back my joy, spinning back toward the arguing pair, eyes practically glowing.

Arisa didn’t linger. She was probably annoyed.

With a curt turn, she vanished into the distance like a wisp of golden light.

"Ha. More than a few moments now," I muttered. "Let’s see how long this can go on."

I gave an exasperated sigh and said my thoughts aloud.

"Why do Love Fairies always have to fix these romantic disasters? For the continued existence of fairies, no less. Hasn’t anyone heard of free will? Or, I don’t know... communication?"

I didn’t care if that Dark Fairy busybody could hear me or judge me. Arisa was long gone anyway.

The fight dragged on.

"I will not forgive you until you kneel!" the female Light Fairy declared, arms crossed, wings twitching with self-righteous irritation.

Oh, come on.

I get it, you’re hurt, but now you’re just giving stage directions for a romance drama.

Ugh. Now that’s just annoying.

I muttered again.

My fingers curled around my wand, eyes narrowing with mischief.

"Impertinent little Light Fairy diva... Let’s fix that attitude first."

With a flick of my wrist, a pulse of shimmering magic rippled through the air. The female Light Fairy’s posture slackened. Her irritation didn’t fade—it was yanked from her, stripped away like an unwanted weed.

Her glare dulled. Her lips quivered.

And then—tears.

A flood of them, spilling down her cheeks in great, heaving sobs.

I didn’t mean to go that far... but I didn’t stop, either.

The male Light Fairy stiffened, wings snapping rigid.

"W-what’s wrong? Why are you crying?"

"I thought you didn’t love me anymore," she whimpered, voice trembling with raw despair. "I thought you left me for someone else...!"

"Ah, a little love-sick spell. That should do the trick," I tapped my chin, utterly pleased. That’s the result of countless practices. I could feel my magic flow again.

The sobbing escalated—sharp enough to shatter glass.

Her partner looked stricken, helpless, his earlier frustration melting into panic.

Ugh. I might’ve overdone it. That’s just an awful sound.

If not for Arisa or that awful noise, I might’ve taken longer.

With a flick of my wand, the sobbing fairy blinked, dazed, as if waking from a strange dream.

Within seconds, she flung herself into her partner’s arms, clinging with manic devotion.

"I’m sorry, my love! I wasn’t being very understanding," she sniffled.

The male Light Fairy hesitated. His arms stiff at first—then he wrapped them around her, murmuring, "You know I love you."

I made an exaggerated gagging noise, rolling my eyes.

"Ugh. So corny," I muttered, a trace of distaste creeping in. "You Light Fairies are impossible."

I know. Yes, I eventually did one of those hypocritical spells and erased their free will—but they were asking for it.

Then I remembered that Dark Fairy who chuckled earlier.

How did he hear me from that distance?

Was he still watching?

I glanced back.

Yep—still lounging on that same twisted poison apple tree like he hadn’t moved an inch.

Lounging at 11 a.m.? Figures. Very on-brand.

Honestly, if Arisa hadn’t yanked us out of bed, I might’ve done the same.

Strange guy, though. Always there. On the edge of things. Watching. Never saying a word.

Not sure if it was creepy or just... odd.

But I got the sense he wasn’t like the others.

Was I really doing something that caught his attention?

Am I becoming more than I realize?

Or am I just heading down a darker path—and he’s the only one who sees it?

Maybe that’s why I kept noticing.

With my work done, I vanished.