Cloaked in Shadows: A Tale of Redemption

Chapter 22

The following morning dawned, but there was no warmth in the palace halls. A tense stillness hung in the air as the court prepared for a day that would change the fate of the kingdom. Hoseok stood outside Jiyeon’s chambers, his face set in determination. He had a mission—one that would expose the dark deeds that had corrupted not just Jiyeon’s life but the very fabric of the royal court.

Jungkook, Taehyung, and the others had already gathered in the grand courtroom, awaiting the arrival of the King and his council. The plan was simple: Hoseok would find Jiyeon’s parents and force them to reveal the truth in front of the kingdom. It was a dangerous task, but Hoseok had powers that even the darkest magic couldn’t withstand.

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(So Mr park and the other person was Lady Seonhwa and Lord Hwang King Seonho's Friends and Jiyeons parents)

Hoseok slipped through the quiet corridors, moving with purpose toward the hidden quarters where Jiyeon’s mother, Lady Seohwa, and her father, Lord Hwang, resided. He knew these chambers were shrouded in secrecy, laced with protective enchantments meant to keep prying eyes away. But Hoseok was not deterred.

The door to their private chambers was grand, but Hoseok barely acknowledged it as he raised his hand, a pulse of energy rippling through the air as he summoned his power. With a flick of his wrist, the protective wards shattered, the door swinging open to reveal Lady Seohwa and Lord Hwang inside, deep in discussion.

Lady Seohwa’s cold eyes shot up, narrowing as she saw Hoseok enter uninvited. “How dare you—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Hoseok’s hand shot out, and a wave of energy crashed into the room, silencing her. Lord Hwang stood, alarmed, but Hoseok didn’t falter.

“You’ve had your time,” Hoseok said, his voice calm but dangerous. “Your lies end today.”

Lady Seohwa attempted to summon a spell, her fingers twisting in the air, but Hoseok was faster. His energy coiled around her like a vice, cutting off her magic and leaving her defenseless.

"You thought you could keep this hidden forever, didn't you?" Hoseok’s voice echoed through the room. "That your manipulation of Jiyeon, your summoning of Nejis, and your dark magic would go unnoticed. But you were wrong. Today, the kingdom will know the truth."

Lady Seohwa glared at him, fury radiating off her in waves, but her husband, Lord Hwang, looked pale, his face ashen with fear. He had always been a weaker man, following his wife's lead, too scared to oppose her or the power she wielded.

"Y-You don't understand," Lord Hwang stammered, stepping back as if distance could save him. "It was necessary. We had no choice."

"There's always a choice," Hoseok shot back, his eyes narrowing. "And you chose darkness. You chose to sacrifice your own daughter, to use her as a pawn for your own gain."

Lady Seohwa, still trapped by Hoseok’s magic, snarled. "You fool! You don’t understand the power we control. Nejis gives us strength—strength to rule, to ensure our family stays in power. The court is weak, and without us, it would crumble."

“Enough,” Hoseok snapped, tightening his hold on her magic, forcing both Lady Seohwa and Lord Hwang to their knees. “You will confess your deeds in front of the entire court, or I will make sure your souls are bound to eternal torment for what you’ve done to Jiyeon—and to this kingdom.”

A flicker of fear finally appeared in Lady Seohwa’s eyes, and for the first time, she realized that this was not a battle she could win. Lord Hwang, terrified beyond reason, nodded frantically. “We’ll confess! Just... spare us.”

Hoseok’s eyes glinted. “You will not be spared. But your lies will end today.”

With a final surge of energy, Hoseok cast a binding spell on them both, ensuring they would be forced to speak only the truth. With a flick of his wrist, they vanished from their chambers, transported to the grand courtroom where Jungkook, Taehyung, and the others awaited.