Chapter 106: Chapter 106

That night, Mrs. Gremblin was annoyed by a tall, burly guard who kept insisting on entering the dormitory.

"You know royal guards aren’t allowed here!" Gremblin snapped angrily.

"I am a royal guard. I won’t cause you any trouble. I’m just here to protect this place. Aren’t you here alone? It’s not safe for a woman," the guard said. He had to do whatever it took to get inside, following the prince’s orders.

"You’ll be fired if the captain finds out, and you’ll regret it. I don’t need protection!" Gremblin shot back. Her face flushed with anger. Who could stay calm when that man kept ringing the bell and disturbing her? She wasn’t quick on her feet either, which only added to her frustration.

The guard just smiled. The captain had ordered him directly. But it would be a big problem if Gremblin really reported him, because the dormitory was supposed to be free of guards and palace rules as it had its own rules. The headmaster definitely wouldn’t be happy to hear about it.

After warning him not to ring the bell again, Gremblin turned away.

The guard stayed calm. "I’m sorry. But I was really worried about you. I’ve been watching you for a long time, and I finally dared to come closer," he said, making one last attempt to charm her.

When Gremblin turned and stared at him wide-eyed, the guard smiled. Even at fifty years old, he was still handsome and muscular. Who could resist his charm?

But instead, Gremblin grabbed a flower pot from the garden next to the gate and raised it high.

"Oh, damn!" The guard quickly stepped back.

"Don’t make me throw this pot at your face! Don’t think you can flirt with me!" Gremblin spat, her disgust clear.

The guard frowned. What was wrong with this woman?

When Gremblin finally walked away and slowly entered the building, the guard sighed. How was he supposed to keep an eye on Kai?

Besides, who would even bother watching a future palace servant? He was completely baffled. But he was bound by his superior’s orders.

That night, he ended up leaning against the wall outside the dormitory, hidden behind some bushes.

It was getting late, and the church bells could be heard faintly. The dormitory itself looked gloomy. The rest of the palace grounds, even the darkest corners, were glowing with colorful lights and decorations.

Too bad he couldn’t enjoy the festival like everyone else.

As he was lost in thought, he heard footsteps approaching and immediately hid behind taller bushes.

A young man was slowly walking toward the gate.

The guard’s eyes widened. That boy was the person he was supposed to watch.

Kai, the prince’s favorite servant.

Kai had just returned from church because Bram said tonight was the last night he could carve. Tomorrow, everyone would be too busy enjoying the festival. He walked home feeling dejected, because carving was what he loved, and now he couldn’t go anymore.

Kai walked without noticing anyone watching. He reached for the gate, remembering Bram’s advice not to ring the bell and disturb Mrs. Gremblin.

But when the gate opened, he was startled to find a man standing behind it.

Kai jumped in shock. He nearly fell backward but managed to grab the iron bars of the gate.

"Hey, can I come in?" the man asked.

Kai stepped back, nervous. But then he noticed the familiar guard uniform from Sylas’s palace. That meant the man was a royal guard. He shouldn’t be dangerous.

Kai hesitated. He didn’t know if he should let him in, so he just stood there thinking hard.

"I need to see Mrs. Gremblin," the guard said.

Kai finally opened the gate wider, figuring the man might be like Bram, someone who knew Gremblin.

The guard walked in with a wide smile, even helping Kai close the gate. Then he looked Kai up and down.

The boy was cute and obedient. Adorable. No wonder Sylas was crazy about him. But the guard quickly reminded himself: he wasn’t here to get close, just to protect. He had to keep his distance and stay passive.

His job was simple, watch and report. No direct involvement.

"My name’s Garry," the guard said, holding out his hand.

Kai bowed politely. When he looked up at Garry towering over him, he was reminded of Gim from Vlad’s house. But this man was older, with a mustache and thick beard. And his size, like a giant.

"I-I’m Kai," he said softly, barely above a whisper.

Garry looked at his still-unshaken hand. The boy wasn’t being arrogant, he just didn’t seem to understand. Garry pulled his hand back and laughed awkwardly.

"Well, don’t mind me. If you see me around, just pretend I’m not here," Garry said.

Kai looked confused, but he didn’t want to make things difficult. Maybe the man just didn’t want him to talk to him. He nodded and closed the gate.

Garry noticed a small button under the bell that popped out when Kai shut the gate. So that’s how it opened.

Kai bowed again and walked past him into the building.

"What a strange kid," Garry muttered.

He glanced around. The garden was large, with statues in several corners and a big statue in the center.

His eyes shifted toward the backyard where a huge oak tree loomed, half-hidden by the building. The garden lights cast eerie shadows from its branches across the fence.

"Well, where am I going to sleep?" Garry muttered, walking toward the main door. He still had to convince Gremblin to let him stay. If not, he’d be in trouble.

Kai walked slowly, dragging his steps. Garry was curious about where the boy slept. He followed at a distance but stopped when Kai disappeared through a side door. He didn’t want to look like a thief. For more chapters visıt N0velFire.ɴet

He could learn more tomorrow. For now, it was better to rest.

Kai looked fine, healthy, unharmed. That was enough.

The first day of the festival began.

People were in high spirits, with lights and decorations glowing across the capital, the three major regions, and even the smallest villages.

Carnivals filled the streets on opening day, saving the grandest ones for the finale.

The same energy spread around the Candy Shop. Unlike most shops that closed, this one stayed open, surrounded by food stalls.

From the outside, it looked cheerful, yet mysterious. No one seemed to be guarding it, but whenever children entered, Lilian would appear to greet them with her usual cheer.

Her warm welcome contrasted sharply with Amos’s feelings. The knight was inside the Candy Shop, but trapped in some strange dimension. He had lost all sense of direction.

All around him was darkness. When he first arrived, it felt like he couldn’t breathe. The longer he stayed, the more fear closed in. Wherever he walked, nothing changed. No sound, no movement.

He couldn’t even hear his own heartbeat.

After who knew how long, a soft, soothing voice rose out of the silence. It seeped into his body like it was flowing through his veins.

Amos, son of Bertha the witch...

Amos stumbled back, spinning around, but he couldn’t escape it. The sound wasn’t outside, it was echoing inside his ears.

"Who are you?" Amos shouted. But he heard nothing. Panic hit him, had he gone mute?

Terror consumed him. Was this the witch’s doing? He hadn’t even met her yet. The moment he stepped into the Candy Shop, the world around him had completely changed.

"What do you want?!" he shouted again, but still heard nothing.

The voice softened, brushing against his neck like a whisper.

Make me your slave... I’ll grant you any wish... Give me your soul...

Amos stepped back, heart pounding.

All he could think of was his mother.

Suddenly, warm air wrapped around him. He didn’t know where it came from.

Amos jumped when he felt a soft hand slide across his neck.

"Make me your slave..."

Amos screamed in terror. The voice was no longer inside his head. It was real. He ran blindly, desperate to escape.

"Follow my words, Amos... I’ll help you out of here..."

Shaking, Amos stopped and turned.

A young, beautiful woman slowly appeared. Her long, wavy black hair fell down her chest. She wore nothing.

Her glowing skin, red lips, and bright red eyes radiated seduction.

Amos backed away quickly.

"Who are you?" he asked, forcing his trembling voice out. He cleared his throat and repeated, louder this time.

The woman walked closer, slowly.

Amos froze when he realized she was completely exposed. He held his breath, looking away.

"You want to get out of here, don’t you?" Her voice was sweet, inviting.

Amos swallowed hard, unable to meet her gaze.

"Make me your slave... you can have everything..."

His chest tightened. "Can you get me out of here?" he asked, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. He didn’t trust her, maybe she was the witch.

The woman smiled. "I can grant any wish..."

Should he try? He wasn’t sure. But he didn’t know how long he’d been stuck here. He might die if he stayed.

The woman smiled wider, as if she could read his thoughts.

"...I am Amos, son of Bertha the Witch, will make a blood pact with the southern demon queen, Selmora..." She said.

"Repeat after me," she coaxed.

Suddenly, Amos felt lighter. His fear vanished. His mind emptied. He looked at the woman blankly.

"I am Amos—" he started, ready to repeat her words.

But before he could finish, a hand grabbed him firmly.

Amos jolted awake, as if from a dream. His heart raced.

He found himself sitting in a long corridor lit by rows of candles.

And there, standing in front of him, was a petite, beautiful woman.

"You’re really a pain in the ass," she said. It was Lilian the witch, the Candy Shop’s owner.