Nightmare King

V

Kai POV

I stared at the small male running through my garden, his hair bouncing in the sunlight and giggles ringing off the stone walls. Baekhyun has been in my court for a total of a week and already everyone he has met loves him. The Head Chef already has Baekhyun's entire taste palate memorized, even though he forgets I can't stand asparagus. The head of the Royal Stable named a prized colt after him, his dappled silver coat a stark reminder of Baek's hair. My Head of Staff treats him like he's her child. Sehun is like a mother bear protecting her cub if he even gets a small bump. In short, my midget bride is the perfect Queen material RaevanGhast has ever seen.

"KAI! Come play with me! Please!" I looked down into his blue eyes, they were wide and purely sparkling in joy. How could I say no?

"Of course. What are we playing?" I put away my artwork, ruffling my hair softly. He giggled and jumped around me, a ball of adorable energy.

"Lets play hide and seek! I'll hide and you seek!" With that he zoomed off, giggling crazily. I laughed and closed my eyes, counting out loud.

"...9... 10! Ready or not, here I come!" I took off in the direction I last saw Baekhyun going: the kitchen.

The staff were busy preparing for our meal, bustling to and fro with a vigor. Ever since Baekhyun came they've been working extra hard to please him. I strolled around nonchalantly, peering for any sign of silver hair.

And.. There it was. Hiding amongst the bakery items was a shine of silver hair. I grinned, making my way over.

"Hmmm~ I guess Baekhyunnie isn't in here... Right Chef Kim?" I said loudly, motioning for the chef to play along.

"Oh no sire! He isn't here~" the mop of silver hair let out a giggle. I crept forward, preparing myself for a tickle attack.

I waited until he turned to peer around the side of the pastry shelf before sneaking behind him and grabbing his waist, proceeding with my tickle attack.

"No! No tickles~" My little Queen squealed and burst into a fit of giggles, his laughter bouncing off the walls. Everyone in the room smiled fondly at my precious Baekhyunnie.

"Your Majesty, your presence is needed in the throne room. Lady Evelynn is here... Again." I turned to stare at Yixing, the laughter in the room stopping the minute he said those words.

Lady Evelynn was my father's favorite dancer. At age 17 she had mastered all forms of dance. I met her when I turned 15, and she had turned 19. Apparently she 'fell in love' with me and pleaded to my father for a marriage. Of course he said no and she had one hell of a temper tantrum. She vowed to never step foot in the kingdom so long as my father was king. The day after he passed and I was coronated, she showed up begging for me to marry her. I turned her away, repeatedly as she continued to show up every month.

And now here she was again. Perhaps it is time she met my lovely fiance.

"I'm on my way Chancellor Zhang, please tell the Lady I'll be with her shortly." With that, I turned to Baekhyun a playful smile on my face. "Baekhyunnie my Love, shall we meet the Lady Evelynn together? I don't believe she's had the honor to meet you yet."

"Oh yes! Can I? My father told me about her and how great a dancer she is!" Grabbing his small hand, we made our way to the throne room.

Sitting on my throne, I pulled my small bride onto my lap. The Royal Carpenter is still working on my Queens throne but this suits my purpose. I still had yet to speak, and by law no one was to speak until I gave permission or spoke first.

Playing with Baekhyun's soft hair and pressing small kisses against his squishy cheek, I peered at the form of the woman bowing in respect. Looking around I spotted Chanyeol and Sehun staring at the Lady Evelynn, Sehun's eyes cold and calculating as he bit into a half eaten apple, playing with one of Chanyeol's daggers.

"Rise and state what business you have here." I spoke in a cold tone, Baekhyun stiffening on my lap. I stroked his hip with my thumb, calming him down.

"My Glorious King! I am here to offer myself as Queen, a marriage between us would be beneficial to the Kingdoms-" she cut herself off as she looked at my Baekhyun, perched on my lap with my arms around him in a more or less possessive manner. "And just who is this creature who dares to sit on my beloved?" Her voice was no longer sugary sweet but hard and venomous.

"Lady Evelynn, I'd like for you to meet my Fiance and future Queen of RaevanGhast, Prince Byun Baekhyun. Isn't he just gorgeous? More beautiful than a woman, but still with a boyish charm." I smirked as her face grew red in anger.

"A boy?! He is not worthy of such an honor! I'll bet he isn't even a virgin! He looks like a filthy whore belonging in a whorehouse! A filthy-" Evelynn was cut off as the apple core and dagger vibrated in the wall just missing the woman's head... The knife having gone clean through the core of the apple.

"Say that again you pig, and I'll make sure you never see the light of day again." Sehun's voice was pure rage, barely contained.

"F-forgive me! I was not thinking! Please King Kai! I beg you have mercy!" I rolled my eyes at her whining. My blood boiling in rage as my small Queen started shaking. I knew by the look of pain on Sehun and Chanyeol's face what was happening to my Queen.

Baekhyun was crying. Small drops of crystal tears streaking down his chubby cheeks, soft sniffles leaving his body.

"Sehun, take Baekhyun to my room, I'll be there shortly after I finish with this... Hag." I waited until they left, motioning for Chanyeol to come closer. I cannot let Baekhyun see my other side, my dark side. The reason people call me:: The King of Nightmares.

"Lady Evelynn, you have disgraced my throne room, belittled my Queen, and threw yourself to me as though I'd accept you. I'm disgusted. And your punishment is long overdue. I have had enough of you. Tomorrow, at dawn, I sentence you to Aelis."

Lady Evelynn screamed, pure terror in her piercing cry. Aelis, the city of the damned. A place found by my forefathers centuries ago, a place where no light, no joy, no slaughter or sweet dreams resided. A place of nightmares ruled over by Night Weavers, the ones who make nightmares come true. They can find your deepest darkest fear and make you live it over and over again with no end.

In my lifetime I've only seen 3 people banished to Aelis. And once in, you can never come out.

Evelynn knew. Chanyeol knew. Yixing knew.

I had sentenced her to her doom.