Chapter 33: The Night Before the Storm
The castle slowly returned to silence.
After Kael's sudden midnight attack, the entire Shadow Kingdom remained tense. Guards doubled their patrols, and torches burned through the night.
Inside her room, Liora slowly opened her eyes.
Her body still felt weak, but she could move now.
She sat up carefully.
"...I collapsed again."
"You always do."
She looked up.
The Shadow King sat beside her bed again.
Her heart softened.
"You stayed?"
"...Yes."
She smiled faintly.
"You always stay."
He didn't respond.
But his gaze softened slightly.
She looked at his arm.
"You're hurt."
"...It's nothing."
She frowned slightly.
"You're always saying that."
She raised her hand.
Golden light appeared.
"I'm healing you."
"...You need to rest."
"It's fine."
Her light touched his wound.
Warm glow spread.
The injury slowly disappeared.
He looked at her quietly.
"...You're improving."
She smiled.
"Because of you."
Silence filled the room.
Their eyes met.
Her heart raced.
He leaned slightly closer.
"Liora…"
Her breath caught.
The distance between them closed slowly—
Knock.
Both froze.
They stepped back instantly.
"Your Majesty."
"Enter."
Leon stepped inside.
He paused slightly.
"I didn't mean to interrupt."
Liora looked away awkwardly.
"...It's okay."
Leon smiled faintly.
"You look better."
"I'm fine."
He nodded.
"We're holding another war council."
The Shadow King stood.
"...Let's go."
He glanced at Liora.
"You should rest."
She shook her head.
"I'm coming."
He hesitated.
But finally nodded.
The war council gathered once again.
Maps filled the table.
The atmosphere felt heavy.
Leon spoke first.
"Kael isn't attacking randomly."
The Shadow King nodded.
"...He's testing our defenses."
Leon pointed at the map.
"He attacked three locations last night."
Liora leaned forward.
"So… he's planning something bigger?"
"Exactly."
Another commander spoke.
"Our army is exhausted."
Leon nodded.
"Which is why we need to strike first."
The room fell silent.
The Shadow King narrowed his eyes.
"...Attack?"
Leon nodded.
"If we wait, he'll grow stronger."
Liora looked between them.
"Where would we attack?"
Leon pointed to a dark mountain marked on the map.
"Dark Fortress."
The Shadow King's expression hardened.
"...That's dangerous."
Leon nodded.
"Yes. But it's also where Kael stores his army."
Silence filled the room.
Liora clenched her hands.
"If we destroy it…"
Leon nodded.
"We weaken him."
The Shadow King looked at Liora.
"...It's too risky."
She met his gaze.
"I want to help."
His eyes darkened.
"...No."
She shook her head.
"I'm not staying behind."
Leon watched them quietly.
"She's right."
The Shadow King looked at him coldly.
Leon shrugged.
"She's the key to victory."
Silence lingered.
Finally—
The Shadow King sighed.
"...We'll prepare."
Later that night—
Liora stood on the castle balcony.
The wind felt cold.
Her thoughts felt heavy.
Suddenly—
Footsteps approached.
The Shadow King stood beside her.
"You should rest."
She smiled faintly.
"I couldn't sleep."
"...Thinking about the attack?"
She nodded.
"Are you afraid?"
She hesitated.
"...Yes."
He looked at her quietly.
"...Me too."
She looked surprised.
"You?"
"...I might lose you."
Her heart skipped.
Silence filled the air.
Her fingers tightened.
"You won't."
He looked at her.
"...You don't know that."
She stepped closer.
"I trust you."
Their distance closed again.
The wind moved softly.
He reached out slowly.
His hand touched hers.
Warm.
Her heart raced.
"Liora…"
She looked up.
Their faces inches apart.
Then—
Suddenly—
A dark aura appeared.
Both froze.
The Shadow King's expression hardened.
"...Kael."
Far away—
Dark lightning flashed.
The storm—
Was coming.
Meanwhile—
Inside a dark fortress.
Kael stood before a massive army.
His generals kneeled.
"The Shadow Kingdom is preparing to attack."
Kael smiled.
"Good."
Darius spoke.
"Should we stop them?"
Kael shook his head.
"No."
His eyes glowed.
"Let them come."
He turned toward the window.
"This will be their grave."
Darkness spread.
The final battle—
Was approaching.
Back at the castle—
Liora couldn't sleep.
She walked through the silent corridor.
Suddenly—
She stopped.
A familiar figure stood ahead.
Leon.
"You too?"
She smiled faintly.
"Couldn't sleep."
He nodded.
"Thinking about tomorrow?"
"...Yes."
Leon looked serious.
"Be careful."
She nodded.
"You too."
He hesitated.
"...Liora."
She looked at him.
"If something happens…"
She blinked.
"...Nothing will."
Leon smiled faintly.
"I hope so."
Footsteps approached.
The Shadow King appeared.
His gaze shifted to Leon.
"...Still here."
Leon chuckled.
"Relax."
The tension returned.
Liora sighed softly.
Tomorrow—
Everything might change.
The night passed slowly.
Morning arrived.
The army prepared.
Weapons ready.
Horses lined up.
The Shadow King stood at the front.
Liora beside him.
Leon on the other side.
The wind howled.
The soldiers waited.
The Shadow King raised his hand.
"Move."
The army marched forward.
Toward the Dark Fortress.
Toward Kael.
Toward destiny.