In that moment, William knew—there was no avoiding it. He would have to face Jhen.
There was no possible way to run.
But just as she stepped forward, the door to the house creaked open. Someone emerged.
It was an older man with a thick black beard and long, unruly hair. Despite his time in hiding, he wore fine clothes and looked remarkably healthy. There was an air of quiet strength about him.
Jhen froze when she saw him.
"Father?" she whispered.
The man standing before them was none other than the former king—the ruler of the Demon Island before everything fell apart.
When he laid eyes on Jhen, his expression softened into something warm and almost sorrowful.
"Oh, my dear Jhen," the king said. "Why did you let revenge consume your heart? Why couldn't you find peace in the life I gave you?"
He was talking about the position in the palace, the role in the army. He had been watching over her all along—always helping, always from the shadows.
