MBOMEN 24

Chapter 24. The Beast of Kizel (1)

When Lila opened her eyes, daylight was already pouring in from outside. As she groggily sat up, she was startled to see Marquis Himierd suddenly stepping past the curtain in front of the bed. She quickly pulled up the sheet and blushed at her own reflexive action.

“Did you sleep well?”

The marquis asked without the slightest concern for Lila’s flustered state. There was something strange about the question. It didn’t feel like he was simply checking on her well-being—it felt more like he already knew she hadn’t slept and just wanted to confirm it.

If that was truly his intent, he was right. Lila hadn’t been able to sleep a wink the entire night. She’d tried to shut her eyes and clear her mind, but the image of Eustar’s grandmother fading away kept resurfacing.

The memory of her shrill screams and seething malice, sharp enough to tear through the air, remained vivid. Strange, irritating little sounds of unclear origin had continued all night long.

“…Actually, I couldn’t sleep.”

Lila answered honestly. The marquis gave a faint, knowing smirk and gestured to summon the attendants. One of them was Mel, while the others were new faces Lila hadn’t seen before.

“A warm meal will help. Wash up and get dressed first. After that, it’s time to eat. His Highness said to bring you after you’re ready.”

Lila blinked.
“Who? Where am I being taken?”

The marquis blinked as if surprised by her ignorance.

“His Highness the Prince said you must pay respects to His Majesty. You didn’t know?”

Lila murmured a soft, “Ah,” under her breath.

“No, I know.”

“Good. You probably won’t have much of an appetite after a rough night, but try to eat. Audiences with His Majesty aren’t exactly easy.”

Lila wanted to ask what he meant by that, but before she could, the marquis left, slipping out past the curtain. The sound of the door closing followed.

Mel instructed the other attendants to bring water and a change of clothes. They moved busily, and Lila once again had the strange experience of being washed by others. At least, unlike the day before, they didn’t scrub every inch of her, so it was bearable.

“Would you prefer strong tea or coffee?”

As she stood awkwardly while being dressed, Lila turned at the question. She had never tasted coffee before. She knew what it was, but had never had the chance to try it.

“I’d like coffee.”

“Certainly.”

Mel didn’t ask twice and moved to prepare breakfast. The savory aroma was different from tea—more stimulating, more tempting.

Dressed and seated at the table, Lila looked quietly into the black liquid in her cup.

“This is coffee?”

Mel looked surprised.

“You didn’t know, miss?”

“I know what coffee is, but this is my first time drinking it. Do I just drink it like this?”

A faint smile crept across Mel’s lips. It didn’t seem mocking, which was a relief.

“Some drink it as is. Some add sugar. Others prefer it with a generous amount of cream. Try it and let me know if you want anything added.”

Lila took a sip. The bitterness hit her first, almost startling, but then faded into a rich fragrance that lingered in her mouth and filled her sinuses.

“Is it all right, miss?”

Lila took another sip and nodded.

“It’s good.”

“I’m glad. We’ll wait outside while you eat. Please enjoy your meal.”

Once the attendants had left, the room grew quiet. As she ate the soft, fluffy egg dish, Lila briefly thought she had returned to Rizicus’ home.

Of course, there were no creaky chairs here, no birds sharpening their beaks on the wooden rooftop, and no scent of herbs hanging in the air.

Marquis Himierd was waiting for her to finish. When she stepped outside, he closed the book he had been reading and stood up. Lila noticed how he subtly tucked the book’s cover beneath his cloak. This place was full of secrets.

“Shall we go?”

The marquis asked. Lila gave a small nod and followed him.

Her clothes were even more uncomfortable than the day before. The abundance of dangling jewels and decorations made her anxious about ruining something. Her steps slowed.

The marquis glanced back slightly.

“Are the clothes uncomfortable?”

Lila replied honestly again.

“A little.”

“Bear with it until the audience is over. Afterward, His Highness the Prince will likely provide you with more comfortable attire.”

Eustar? That sounded odd.

Then the marquis spoke again.

“Did you have any strange dreams last night?”

“I think I did, but I don’t remember well. Honestly, I’m not sure if it was a dream or reality. I kept hearing… odd sounds, constantly.”

“As expected. I thought you might.”

There was a scoff in Marquis Himierd’s voice now, a sardonic tone Lila hadn’t heard from her before. She looked at her cautiously, surprised by the change.

“No one can sleep peacefully here,” the marquis said. “But being awake doesn’t change much either. Whether His Highness lets you stay at the palace long-term, I don’t know. But if you do stay, you’ll need to prepare in your own way.”

“What do you mean? What kind of preparation?”

Lila asked, and the marquis shrugged.

“I don’t know. Wouldn’t you know better? You’re a real witch, after all. Don’t witches have special spells or enchantments passed down?”

Spells and enchantments. Sure, some witches used those. But most didn’t.

Most witches simply had a better knack for identifying herbs and understanding how to combine them for desired effects.

Even if they didn’t know the recipe, witches could make the tincture they needed. Lila’s mother said it was because of ancestral memory, though that explanation had never sat right with Lila.

After thinking a moment, she said:

“I can make a tincture that helps you fall into a deep sleep quickly.”

The marquis nodded.

“That would be useful—if you can wake up again, that is.”

“I’m not trying to make poison. Just something to help with restful sleep.”

As they walked, the marquis didn’t slow her pace until they reached an imposing set of doors—the entrance to the royal audience chamber.

With a subtle nod from the marquis, the guards opened the heavy doors.

Inside, Lila saw a line of solemn pillars, a long rug, and a high throne. But what truly caught her eye was the magnificent artwork painted on the ceiling.

“Where is His Majesty…?”

“He’ll be out soon.”

Lila waited nervously. But it wasn’t the king who appeared—it was Eustar.

His long hair was tied tightly in a single tail, revealing his sharp jawline, ears, and neck. The contours of his bone structure captivated her gaze.

“You’re here, Lila. Good work, Marquis.”

“This hardly qualifies as work. Then, Your Highness, I shall take my leave.”

Eustar nodded, and the marquis departed. Lila, now alone with him, looked confused.

“This way,” he said.

“Weren’t we supposed to see His Majesty?”

Her voice clearly betrayed her unease. Eustar smiled faintly.

Back in Rizicus, she had lived a lonely but spirited life. Now, in this unfamiliar place, she reacted cautiously and sensitively to everything. It was a bit tiresome—but also endearing.

“Yes, but he’s not here. He’s in his chambers. He’s unwell.”

“He’s sick?”

“That’s right. Come, let’s go in.”

Eustar opened a small door. The hallway beyond was dim, lit only by a few lamps.

Lila focused on the sound of his footsteps behind her to avoid getting scared. Still, whispering noises seemed to echo from inside the walls.

“I hear something.”

“Something?”

He didn’t seem to hear it.
“From inside the walls.”

“Ghosts?”

“Seems like it. Since you can’t hear them, but I can…”

Eustar opened a second door. His fingers brushed her elbow slightly.

“Shiarow’s royal palace is ancient. That makes it the perfect place for ghosts. But don’t worry—what happened yesterday won’t happen again. My grandmother was… a special case.”

“Have you ever seen any other ghosts here?”

His mouth, half-hidden in the dark, twitched faintly.

“…Maybe.”

Not the answer she was hoping for, but she didn’t press him further.

The final door opened, and a piercing medicinal odor overwhelmed her. It was so strong that even Lila, who was used to herbs and tinctures, felt dizzy for a moment.

But she quickly realized—it wasn’t the smell making her dizzy.

In the blink of an eye—no more than a heartbeat—Lila felt it: something ominous filled the room.

It was the kind of feeling where one wrong step would send you plunging into a pit of blades.

That sensation intensified as they entered further. The moment she saw a silhouette faintly visible behind the bed’s curtains, it became overwhelming. She nearly stumbled back, but Eustar gently held her arm.

“Introduce yourself.”

Even his touch felt different now. Until now, he had only touched her to protect or shield her.

But not this time. He might still mean to protect her—but it also felt like he was trying to keep her from running.

As Lila stood before the bed, a servant standing like a statue moved to draw the curtains aside.

There lay the King—gaunt and gray-skinned from illness. The only sign of life in his frail body was his glaring eyes.

“Greetings, Your Majesty. My name is… I’m Lila Krisra.”

King Aud stared long and hard at her black hair and red eyes before lifting a limp hand in a weak gesture.

“…Come closer.”