One afternoon, the Queen was feeding him.
They were in the dining hall. Pinky sat in a chair, hands tied to the armrests. The Queen sat beside him, spooning food into his mouth. She was humming a happy tune.
The door opened.
A figure entered. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Wearing black armor.
Pinky looked up.
And his empty heart stopped.
Blond hair. White mask. A familiar stance. A familiar presence.
Izak.
His teacher. The man who had trained him. The man who had disappeared five years ago on this same mission.
Alive.
Izak's eyes found Pinky. For a moment, shock flickered behind his mask. Then it was gone, replaced by careful neutrality.
He bowed to the Queen.
"Your Majesty," he said. "I've brought the books you requested from the eastern market." The Queen's eyes lit up. "Oh! Set them on the table. I'll read them later." She waved a hand. "You may go."
Izak hesitated. His eyes flicked to Pinky again.
"If I may ask, Your Majesty... who is this?"
The Queen beamed. "My lover. Isn't he beautiful? He came to the castle months ago, fighting for my hand. So romantic."
Izak's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "I see. How fortunate for Your Majesty."
"Yes. Very fortunate." She turned back to Pinky, spooning another bite of food toward his mouth. "Now, say 'aah', my love."
Pinky didn't hear her.
He was staring at Izak. At his teacher. At the man who was supposed to be dead.
Izak met his gaze for one brief moment.
Don't react. Don't let her know.
The message was clear, even without words.
Izak bowed again and left the room.
Pinky sat in silence, the Queen's spoon pressing against his closed lips, his mind racing for the first time in months.
Izak was alive.
Izak was here.
And he was working for the Demon Queen.