THE TRUTH

I left the emperor’s room, my mind flooded with thoughts.

My body trembled. How will I leave this place? It felt like the emperor didn’t want me. I had to find a way out.

Then, I heard whispers. Creatures were talking.

“…a sorcerer is coming to the palace,” one of them said.

A sorcerer? I knew what that was—those magic people. I moved closer and interrupted.

“Uhm, you guys were saying something about a sorcerer?”

“Yes,” one replied. “He’s here to place protective spells on the palace.”

“Why? Who are we protecting the emperor from?”

“Spirits,” another one said quietly. “They’re the kingdom’s true enemies. They steal souls… six were taken today alone.”

My eyes widened.

“Six? Can they be stopped?”

“Yes,” one nodded. “But only with strong magic.”

“Who is this sorcerer?”

“He’s one of the strongest we’ve had. His magic is swift and powerful. That’s why the kingdom has survived for this long. But these spirits... they’re getting stronger. Even he’s struggling.”

I thanked them and left. There’s a sorcerer. Maybe he can help me escape. But what will I tell him? I couldn’t expose myself so easily.

Suddenly, the sky turned purple. Magic. But something shocked me—a man, cloaked in black. A human.

Wait… that can’t be possible. Humans aren’t safe in this world. Not even the emperor—who is also human—dares admit it.

I watched him from a distance and decided to follow him. Maybe he held the key to my escape. He walked far. So damn far. Doesn’t he have a portal or something? Then he stopped… and stared at a tree.

Okay… is he crazy?

To my surprise, he walked into the tree. I hesitated, then followed. I was pulled in.

I landed in a dark, massive place filled with old books. I stood frozen, until I heard a voice.

“What are you doing here, human?”

I turned, shaking.

“How do you know I’m human?”

“I can smell it,” he replied, stepping from the shadows.

“You’re the sorcerer, right? But… you’re human too. How’s that possible?”

“I’ve been on this planet longer than the emperor. I came here the same way you did—through the Book of Desires.”

“You know the book?”

“Of course. It grants wishes by transporting you into a reality based on your desire.”

I nodded. “Yes, that’s how I got here. But I didn’t wish for this.”

“What did you wish for, human?”

“…Excitement. Adventure. Maybe… love.”

He gave a small smile. “The book heard you. But not all desires are kind.”

“I want to go back.”

“You can. But you must summon the book and see it beyond its form.”

“I don’t understand.”

He placed a mirror in front of me.

“Look. What do you see?”

“My reflection… and the emperor? Wait—why is he in my reflection?”

“Because when you made your wish, the book connected you to the emperor. You are tied to him.”

“No way. He’s a cold, heartless man who knows only pleasure. Not love.”

“Still, he’s your connection. And you’re lucky to be alive knowing what you know. If anyone finds out the emperor is human, they’ll kill you.”

“Why? He’s just like us.”

“No… not entirely. His father, a king, fell in love with a human. Their union birthed the emperor. But when the spirits attacked, they killed the king and queen. To protect the child, they sent the emperor to the human world. He lived as an orphan, alone, until he was brought back to rule.”

“Does anyone else know this?”

“No. It’s forbidden. I was there when it happened. I was a boy then. I stayed behind, studied magic, and helped when the kingdom was attacked. But it was too late to save the king and queen. I’ve lived here ever since. I wished for the same thing as you—excitement and true love.”

“Can’t you go back?”

“I haven’t found my love yet. But you still can… if you face your truth. The emperor is the key.”

“No,” I whispered. “He’s a monster.”

“So are you, human,” he laughed. “Now go. Follow your heart.”

The moment he said that, I started to fade.

“Wait! How does this work? I need directions—hey!”

I blinked. I was back outside the tree.

What just happened?

I sighed. The key is the emperor… But how can I love someone like him?

As I walked back into the kingdom, I heard yelling.

“Where is my concubine?!” the emperor’s voice boomed.

Is he talking about me?

“I’m here,” I said quietly.

He turned sharply. “Everyone OUT. You—my room. Now.”

I obeyed.

“Where the fuck were you?” he growled.

“Uhm…”

“I can’t believe you left.”

Suddenly, he poured something on me. My body shifted—I transformed into my human form.

“What did you do to me?!”

He smirked. Then he transformed—into a human too.

He pushed me onto the bed.

“Spread your legs, concubine. And don’t make a sound.”

“Wait… what?”

“You heard me. Or do you dare disobey the emperor?”

“…No,” I whispered.

How can I love someone like this? How do I escape this dimension? Or am I doomed to become nothing more than the emperor’s toy forever?