• A U T H O R ' S P. O. V •

Snickers and glares.

Those were one of the many nasty things that greeted them when they entered the enemy's territory.

Or my future territory. Seulgi inwardly scoffed with bitterness.

Seulgi was certain that if it weren't for the presence of the unconscious nine girls, she and Byulyi would have already been torn to pieces by the scowling residents of the dark.

The girl looked around and observed their surroundings and as seconds pass by, an eerie feeling eventually settled in the depths of her stomach as they maneuvered themselves through the thick bushes and tall, brooding trees. The place was completely devoid of any positivity and light, because it was rather intimidating and scary. Even though Seulgi was basking under the faint coat of light provided by the millions of stars littered throughout the pitch black night sky, she couldn't find it in herself to summon the usual satisfying warmth that would automatically bloom in her chest every time she and her friends look up at a starry sky.

It was just different, its aura to be exact. The feeling she gets from being within the walls of the four kingdoms and the dark realm were polar opposites that's for sure.

When they finally reached the main gate that leads to the dark castle, they were immediately blocked by crossed spears held by two guards.

Seulgi glanced at Byulyi, who nodded at her before once again diverting her attention to the guard.

"We're here to see the dark lord."

But they received no response whatsoever, which triggered the mono-eyed woman slightly. This action caused her to gesture towards the unconscious nine girls.

The two guards squinted their eyes at the objects by the end of Seulgi's jutted thumb, and widened their eyes when they recognized who they were.

It was the princesses, their princesses.

The two shared a knowing look and cleared a path for the girls, before following them in suit just in case they had any hidden intentions. As two more guards filled in for their positions in front of the main gate, the two main ones continued lead the way to the throne room where their lord was staying.

° ° °

"Well look who we have here, if it isn't one of Enchancia's most trusted warriors, Kang Seulgi." The dark lord's lips tugged upwards into a menacing smirk, his overwhelmingly playful aura never failing to secretly iritate the aforementioned woman. "It's a surprise to see you here, what could possibly be so important that the kings and queens sent you out of all people here."

Seulgi bit back a nasty remark before looking at the person sitting on the throne with emotionless eyes, "I came here on my own accord, Hyunsuk."

"Oh?" This statement definitely piqued the dark lord, or Hyunsuk's curiosity, if a moment ago he was only semi interested by what she had to say, now his full undivided attention was directed to her.

Seeing Hyunsuk's raised brows, and the obvious suspicion gleaming in his eyes, Seulgi started to talk to him about her true intentions of why she came here, and by the end of her speech, she let a few silent curses escape her lips when she saw that the dark lord was not convinced in the slightest.

After a few minutes of excruciatingly painful silence, a thoughtful look graced and replaced the playful one that graced Hyunsuk's face earlier. "You want to join our side?"

The question was left hanging in the air as Seulgi kept silent. Thinking about it and hearing it, let alone from Hyunsuk himself, hurt her and triggered her guilt to unexpected heights she didn't know was even possible to reach.

"How do I know that this is not just some stupid ploy you all created?" Hyunsuk feigned fake hurt, "I must say, I am a little offended Seulgi. Do you all take me for a fool?"

Seulgi gritted her teeth, "I knew that you wouldn't believe me."

She met with Hyunsuk's now cold and ruthless eyes.

"So I brought some people that you may want to see."

Seulgi gestured towards Byulyi, who nodded at her in return before unveiling the unconscious bodies she laid on the floor.

Upon recognizing these faces, a glint of surprise flashed through Hyunsuk's eyes, which disappeared as fast as it came.

Hyunsuk glared daggers at the unmoving woman, "What did you do to them?" He raged, causing a dark aura of mist to surround his obviously distressed figure.

You act like you care for them when in truth, you only want them to act as your stupid little pawns to win this battle you desperately wanted.

Despite her venom laced internal monologue, Seulgi never flinched under his scrutinized gaze on the outside, "I didn't harm them in any way. It's simply just proof for the new found loyalty I offer you."

Hyunsuk's glare never budged and it only became more intense as he gazed at Seulgi. He wordlessly gestured for the guards to take his daughters away to which they obliged to. Seulgi only watched in silence as his henchmen carried the innocent girls they dragged into this mess, with the unbearable guilt once again overpowering her. But she knew she can't back out now, she was doing this for deep personal reasons that even caused her loyalty towards the four kingdoms and her friends.

It was a hit or miss situation, and she's determined to make this a hit.

As Seulgi silently waited for Hyunsuk's full approval, an uncomfortable silence engulfed the entire throne room, that is, until Hyunsuk's face morphed into a playful one once again, but this time, it looked much more dangerous and taunting. He was honestly starting to get convinced because for the past week the only thing that has been on his mind was to retrieve his daughters and now Seulgi just singlehandedly gave it to him in a snap of a finger. Hyunsuk knew that this move would definitely favor his side instead of the four kingdoms', but he knew that he still can't let his guard down fully.

"I have one last thing for you to do, for me to accept you on our side." Hyunsuk's eyes challenged Seulgi's unwavering ones.

"Anything." She answered in a monotone manner.

Hyunsuk's smirk grew into a full grown evil grin.

"Bring her in."

This single statement alone confused Seulgi, but she didn't let it show. Her tough exterior though, started to slowly crumble when another pair of guards mercilessly dragged a very familiar and bruised face.

"Y–Yerim?"

The slight crack in her voice satisfied Hyunsuk, this was what he's been anticipating, the moment where he can truly test Seulgi's so-called change of heart.

He knew, he was going to enjoy every second of it.

"Unnie!" Yerim yelled with tearful eyes.

"What are you doing here?!" Seulgi shouted back in frustration. This was bad, she knew her perfect plan was going to disappear into thin air if things like these happened. Of course she still cared for her friends despite her betrayal, they did spend years together after all, so she didn't really appreciate the scene that just greeted her. Her stomach started to twist in fear because she had an unsure inkling of what Hyunsuk was trying to do.

And she hated it, but she had no choice.

"To prove your loyalty to me. . ." Hyunsuk drawled with excited and wicked orbs.

"You must kill her."

Seulgi's eyes darkened as a small dagger appeared in front of her. She snatched the floating object and scanned the carving engraved on its handle, it was the emblem of the dark realm. Once she does this task, then she'll finally be able to get past through the first step of her plan.

"Unnie, d–don't do this p–please." Yeri pleaded as she struggled in the chains that held her hands captive. "Why would you even want to prove your worth to them?!" The girl shouted while glaring at the dark lord, who only looked back at her with a satisfied and amused expression from his throne.

"Please! Don't do this!" Yeri rephrased as she stared at Seulgi's soul, her words heavy as if it had an underlying meaning to it.

Seulgi remained mum, an internal conflict was currently going on inside her head. She weighed her options and tried to visualize every outcome that will happen after her every choice. It wasn't easy, but she already made a choice. So with her pent up frustrations blowing up, she replied.

"This is for the greater good, Yerim." Seulgi glowered down at her.

Yeri's eyes widened in shock, she didn't expect this to be her unnie's response, "Seulgi-unnie! Are you listening to yourself?! How could—"

"My parents were killed because of them!" The woman bursted out in blind anger, "It's fortunate that I realized I was joining the wrong side before it was too late."

Yeri sobbed, "But w–we thought you already moved on? You said you're okay now that you still have us, you said it was okay—"

"I was lying! It's not okay! I thought I was at first, but their love was irreplaceable, so it's just not okay you understand?!" Seulgi raged, her eyes starting to brim with tears, but she wiped them off harshly before more could have the chance to flow out.

Yeri looked down. She didn't want to look at her unnie's once happy and cheerful eyes be replaced with fiery resentment and dark intentions. It was too much for the young girl to see the woman she looked up to turning out this way.

It hurts her. A lot.

"So I'm sorry, Yerim." Seulgi said, though her facade wavered for a millisecond, the smirk still became consistent on her face as she raised the dagger in the air. "But this is for the greater good. Say hello to mother and father for me."

At this point, Yeri didn't even try to restrict her tears anymore.

"No!" Yeri's dread filled shout echoed throughout the room.

° ° °

"Unnie, please." The younger girl released a pained sob, "I don't want to lose you. Please, please just don't do this, I promise I'll be a better person! I'll behave! I won't annoy you guys that much anymore! J–Just don't. . ."

The elder only hugged her tighter and offered her a sad smile with tears in her own eyes. To her it was painful to hear the girl like this. "I have to."

The younger one broke the hug and gazed at the broken but determined eyes of her unnie, "But why? Why must you do this?"

She only grinned, her eyes smiling along with her lips, "It's very simple, really. . ."

"If it means that you all would get the happy ending that you deserve, then I'll gladly be the antagonist of this twisted story."

° ° °

Not a blacktan-centered chapter, but it's important for the plot :p

I understand if some already gave up on this book because of the lack of updates, but to those who still chose to stick by me until today, then I'm eternally grateful to you all, whoever you may be :)

It's just been busy that's all, with online classes and stuff, but I'll still try my best to update as soon as possible so if you don't mind, drop comments and vote to give your girl some inspiration because writer's block has been targeting her more lately.

I've always followed what my aunt always says, "Write to express, not to impress" but of course it would even be better if I see some kind of support from you guys lol because the comments have also been decreasing lately but that's okay.

Anyways, what's important is to stay safe guys! See you on the next update (hopefully) soon!

Luv y'all

Author-nim outtt