The Royalty ||Park Sunghoon FF||

Chapter 10

"Tell me, what are your thoughts about Princess Nari?" Heeseung inquired abruptly, breaking the tranquil silence that had settled over the boys as they lounged in the library. His voice, though calm, carried an undercurrent of something deeper.

"What do you mean by that?" Jake responded, glancing up from the pen he had been absentmindedly twirling between his fingers.

"I suppose I'd describe her as kind and pretty. Beyond that, I haven't really given it much thought."

"Indeed," echoed the others, their voices blending into a murmur of agreement.

"Do you all trust her?" Heeseung asked, his gaze now fixed on his hands as they rested on his lap, his expression unreadable.

"There's no reason not to," Niki said, shrugging casually. "Yes, she's new to us, but she seems trustworthy enough."

Heeseung's eyes narrowed, his tone growing more intense. "She is not who she appears to be. I urge you not to place your trust in her."

The weight of his words caused the boys to exchange puzzled glances, their previous ease giving way to uncertainty.

"Why are you suddenly saying this?" Sunghoon asked, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

Heeseung hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "She carries a different aura, something unsettling, something that doesn't quite fit."

Jake let out a light chuckle, attempting to reduce the tension.
"An aura? Come on, you're only saying that because you haven't taken the time to speak with her. She's not what you think she is."

Heeseung's expression hardened. "I'm serious. She is no good. Soon enough, you'll see for yourselves. Wait and see." With that, Heeseung stood abruptly, frustration evident in his stiff posture as he stormed out of the library, leaving his brothers to wonder about his sudden warning.

"What's gotten into him?" Sunghoon muttered, his gaze following Heeseung's retreating figure.

"It seems hyung knows something that we don't," Jay said thoughtfully, running a hand through his messy hair.

"Regardless, it's getting late. We should take our medicines and head to bed," Sunoo suggested, leading the way out of the library as the others trailed behind, each lost in their own thoughts.

---

"Master... Lord Dracula... may I speak with you, Master?" Nari whispered, her voice laced with urgency as she attempted to connect with the vampire while sitting on her bed, her heart heavy with concern.

"What troubles you, my dear?" His voice suddenly resonated in her mind, as cold and distant as the grave.

"Master, Raven has been captured by the soldiers," Nari said, her tone frantic, betraying her fear.

"I am aware, child, I am aware," he replied, his tone devoid of any emotion.

Nari's brow furrowed in disbelief. "Then why did you not intervene? You should have saved her."

"And why should I?" Dracula's response was as icy as his presence. "I will not jeopardize the plan we have meticulously crafted for the sake of one. Raven should have been able to protect herself, yet she failed. Thus, I will not intervene."

Nari's heart ached at his coldness. "But Master, she is one of your children. How can you be so indifferent?"

"You all are under my protection only if you possess the strength to save yourselves," he stated, his words final and unyielding.

"Master, Raven is powerful, but she was overpowered because her hands were shackled in a manner that made her completely helpless. They may have discovered her abilities," Nari said, her voice rising in frustration.