To The Edge Of The Sky| VMinKook

Chapter 9

Author pov

Ji-Yong perched regally on the ornate throne, his gaze steady as he awaited the man before him to utter a word. The grand hall, adorned with intricate tapestries and flickering candlelight, echoed with a palpable tension. The man stood there, a smug smirk playing on his lips as he scanned the room with an air of superiority. Finally, he broke the silence, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What a great honor it is to have such a person of your stature grace us with his presence!" he declared, the mocking tone laced with condescension as if he were mocking a deity rather than addressing Ji-Yong, the rightful ruler. The atmosphere crackled with unease as all eyes were drawn to the unfolding confrontation, sensing the weight of the words slung in jest meant to belittle." still the same old arrogant, aren't you?" he chuckles when Ji-Yong men pull out their sword.s

"If I were you, I would choose my words carefully," Ji-Yong declared, his voice steady and commanding. "This isn't your kingdom to rule; it's my empire, and you hold no power in this realm." He gestured significantly to his men, signaling them to lower their weapons, though the tension in the air remained palpable.

The sorcerer, a wiry figure with a knowing glint in his eyes, smirked in response, clearly relishing the moment. "More like an empire you seized from someone else," he replied, his tone dripping with disdain. "We both know very well that this kingdom does not rightfully belong to you." He observed Ji-Yong closely, pleased to see the slight change in his expression, a flicker of uncertainty that suggested the depth of their conflict was far from over.

"Speak what you're here for!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the cavernous space, filled with tension and challenge. Ji-Yong met the man's fierce gaze, a flicker of amusement lighting up his eyes before he burst into hearty laughter, reverberating off the stone walls.

"I'm here to make a deal with you," he said, his tone shifting from lighthearted to severe, though a mischievous grin still danced across his lips.

The wolf leaned closer, eyes narrowing, his expression a mixture of skepticism and disdain. "What deal could a mere land dog like you offer to the sky's owner? What could you possibly possess that I don't already claim?" His glare penetrated as if trying to pierce through Ji-Yong's bravado to reveal hidden weaknesses. The air thickened with the weight of their contrasting realities, grounded in the earth and soaring above the clouds.

"The divine prince." Ji-Yong's eyes widened, disbelief etched across his face at the mention of the royal figure. 

"The prince?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and apprehension. 

"Yes, Prince Kim Taehyung—the boy you thought was lost to time," the other man replied, his tone steady despite the weight of the revelation. 

But before he could finish, Ji-Yong interrupted, his voice rising in agitation. "That's impossible! He was dead! Jihoon and I found him lifeless in the palace!" The growl that escaped his lips was primal, reflecting his turmoil.

"You thought you killed him! You never looked back twice to see that the boy that killed wasn't the divine prince but his brother." Ji-yong corners the wolf onto the wall, choking him.

"Don't lie to you! That child was the prince! The king took me to him-"

"How naive of you to believe that a father would ever hand over the life of his son for any reason! The prince embodies the very essence of the kingdom's future, a symbol of hope and power. Did you truly think that the king, fueled by the deep love and loyalty a parent holds, would relinquish that vital connection for your ambitions?"

"It not possible-"

"Ask your brothers who went after him to kill but failed to do so because of their lustful nature. They thought they could have him themselves before they could bring him here to you. Aren't I right?" they both look at men behind them who have shameful faces looking down