Whispers Of The Blue Moon

The moonlight gently spilled through the large crystal windows of the Blue Moon Palace. Her bare feet padded softly against the cold marble floor as she followed Dylan into her room. The silence between them was thick—too thick.

He halted in the center of her room, his tall figure bathed in soft blue light. Without turning, he said in a low voice, "Why didn't you come to the palace right away, ha?"

Irin froze.

How dare he...

Her heart pounded in her chest, fury boiling beneath her skin.

How dare he ask that question… after what he did earlier… that kiss…

Unknowingly, the thought slipped from her lips—just a little louder than a whisper.

"...That kiss..."

Dylan turned slowly, one eyebrow arching. His piercing eyes locked with hers. "What did you just say?"

Irin's breath hitched.

Before she could back away, he stepped toward her—each step deliberate, confident, magnetic. She instinctively moved backward until the edge of the bed caught her knees, and she tumbled onto it with a gasp. Dylan hovered just an inch away, leaning in, his face so close she could feel his breath graze her lips.

"Irin," he said quietly, "if one more time… you try to escape from this palace..."

He leaned closer—barely a whisper now.

"...I'll do exactly what I did to you earlier."

Irin's eyes widened. Her face flushed crimson. She quickly covered her mouth with both hands, blinking fast to hide the trembling in her lashes.

Dylan straightened without a word and turned away. The tension evaporated the moment he left the room.

Irin sat in silence for a long while, catching her breath as her thoughts spiraled.

---

Next Morning – Fairy Village, Great Heaven

The sun warmed the quiet village. Birds chirped among flowering vines. In the garden near the edge of the forest, Fiona stood beside a girl with sharp eyes and a spark of fire in her gaze.

Her name was Lia, her expression fierce as she listened to Fiona recount everything—about Irin, the past, the betrayal, and Dylan.

When Fiona finished, Lia clenched her fists. "If I ever see that demon… I'll smash him myself!"

Fiona grabbed her hand. "Lia, now's not the time for rage. We need to act with precision. According to our plan, you must infiltrate the Blue Moon Palace. Here," she handed over a small glowing magnet, shaped like a shard of crystal. "This will help us communicate. If anything happens, tell me immediately."

Lia nodded firmly. "Don't worry. I'll bring Irin back."

Fiona hugged her tightly. "Be careful, Lia…"

"Bye," Lia whispered before vanishing into the winds of magic.

---

Blue Moon Palace – Secret Chamber

Xizi sat on the balcony with her long, dark hair fluttering in the wind. Ruther stood behind her, arms folded.

"What do you think King Dylan will do next?" Xizi asked.

Ruther shook his head. "He hasn't shared anything with me."

"I saw the same flower tattoo in Fiona's hand…" Xizi whispered.

Ruther turned to her, alarmed. "What?"

"I'm sure of it. And…" her voice softened, "I feel bad for Irin. No one should suffer like that. If someone hurt you, I wouldn't be able to bear it."

Ruther looked at her gently. "I know you better than anyone. But without following the King's plan, we can't activate her tattoo."

Xizi frowned, still anxious. Suddenly, the sound of shattering pottery echoed down the corridor.

They rushed out, only to find a broken flower pot on the floor. No one in sight.

Far down the hallway, Irin ran—tears threatening to spill—rushing to the safety of her room. She collapsed against her door, overwhelmed.

So Dylan planned everything... she thought bitterly.

---

Nightfall – Irin's Room

Xizi knocked softly at Dylan's chamber.

"Irin… she refused dinner again."

Moments later, Dylan stood at Irin's door. He stepped inside to find her sitting beside the window, gazing up at the star-splashed sky. Her face was bathed in quiet sadness.

He cleared his throat.

She didn't turn.

"Irin," he said coldly, "why didn't you eat?"

She still didn't answer.

He narrowed his eyes. "Are you planning to run from the palace again?"

That broke her.

She stood up, turned, and walked directly up to him.

Her voice held no fear.

"I'm not as good a planner as you are… am I right?"

Dylan blinked, confused. "What?"

Without warning, she picked up the flower pot beside her and hurled it at the wall beside him. It crashed into pieces.

Dylan flinched.

"I know everything," she said, her voice trembling. "Don't act innocent. I know you. I know your plans. And I know… about the flower tattoo."

His eyes widened ever so slightly. But his face—cold, unreadable—did not falter.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he lied.

Irin's voice cracked. "Why did you do it? Do you even understand the pain of watching someone you care about being hurt?"

Dylan's mask finally slipped.

"…Yes," he said.

His voice was low and hollow.

"Yes. I planned it. I hurt your beloved Ren… to activate your tattoo."

A heavy silence followed.

Irin's heart shattered. Her fists clenched.

She stepped closer, her voice sharp with pain. "One day… you'll feel this same agony. When someone you love is hurt… and you're left helpless. You'll regret what you've done."

She stormed past him, tears clouding her vision.

Dylan stood frozen.

Behind those cold eyes… something stirred.

But he said nothing.

---

To be continued...

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