Sunlight poured through the library window and glowed on the surfaces of the various open books littering the table Jungkook sat at. Murmurs from courtiers and young nobles on the opposite side of the library reached his ears and grew distant as his recurring dream invaded his thoughts, splintered his concentration, and materialized before his eyes.

Dark mist wrapped around a pale neck and lifted it just enough for him to recognize the dying Luxian guard. And behind, emerging from the abyss, the demon was smiling and chuckling as it coiled its bony fingers around Jungkook's neck, its dead eyes stealing the air from his lungs.

The dream shifted, and Jungkook was pinned beneath a girl—the assassin. Her eyes were wide as her grip got tighter and tighter when, suddenly, she let go, whispering in the demon's voice, "Prince Jeon Jungkook?"

"Prince Jungkook. . . Jungkook!"

The dream shattered before Jungkook's eyes as he blinked at Snow, who sat across from him, her brows furrowed. "You were staring off again," Snow said. "Nickelyn claimed you weren't attentive during today's lesson, and Elias didn't fail to mention it, too." Jungkook winced apologetically, but she ignored it. "The issue has been decided. Elias will handle it, so stop mulling over problems you can't fix."

Frowning, Jungkook remembered the night he told them about the demon's warning and said, "We should still inform the king."

The best course of action was to notify the king, but so much time had passed since Jungkook last saw him that he didn't know where to start. After searching in vain all yesterday, Emilia had informed Jungkook that there were rumors about his father meeting Lord Aegus, Jungkook's uncle, in the south. But since Jungkook's mother passed into Lexitem's arms, his father became distant from his family—from his son. And even if Jungkook did manage to tell his father about the demon, what would change?

There are rumors about how the king sits upon his throne, watching us fellow guards of the night watch die day by day, Pascal had said. Power had blinded the king, and what was once his pride and duty had morphed into his curse. This reinforced Jungkook's fear, the horrid truth that his eyes were slowly opening to: nothing would change. The demon would continue slaughtering the night watch whether the king was informed of the possible Demon Days, and based on Elias's actions, Jungkook doubted he even fulfilled his promise. Jungkook stared at Snow and studied her glowering face, her unrelenting eyes. He could never convince her to take his side. And her response only proved it.

"His Majesty has more significant issues to take care of than his son's delusions," she said coldly.

Jungkook's heart twinged. His father never had time for anything, couldn't even raise him. He'd admit that, but for Snow to say that? For her to treat him like that? He recalled how she questioned him, how she doubted him when he had informed her of the demon, how she was treating him like he was incompetent. His palms smacked against the table as he shot to his feet, flaring.

"How many times must I tell you it wasn't an illusion!?" he screamed. His voice rang through the library, and Jungkook didn't need to turn his head to know that people were staring. Heat blossomed in his cheeks and ears as he sheepishly sat in his chair, covered his face, and lowered his voice. "You didn't see what I saw—what I felt. The thing murdering the night watch is not human or elemental. It is something. . . beyond, and even if it wasn't a demon, we should inform the king."

Snow's stern eyes softened into something he discerned as pity before she turned away and said, "You don't understand. Compared to what His Majesty has to deal with, this problem is nothing."

"Even so, the demon warned of another Demon Day, and guards are dying. The king's people—my people—are dying. How can we sit back and allow this to happen? If we with power do nothing, how are the helpless supposed to defend themselves?"

There was that look in Snow's eyes again, but it was more controlled. "Not everyone can be saved. Sometimes, sacrifices are necessary."

"How many sacrifices are sufficient then? How many more Luxians must die before we step in?"

"Elias will send men to investigate."

"Do you believe Elias?" Jungkook asked. "He has grown more distant than ever before and is probably keeping more secrets than we can count. Can you still trust him?"

Snow closed her eyes. "It doesn't change anything. As I said, not everyone can be saved, and the king doesn't have the time to deal with it."

People were dying—lives were being wasted—yet Jungkook's father didn't have time to save them. That was the king of Lux. But Jungkook? No, he refused to be that. Sergeant Pascal had lost hope in the king, but Jungkook would change that. He wouldn't be his father. He wouldn't be his father.

"But I have time," he said, desperate. "All I do is sit and learn and study and train. I can help the night watch and join the investigation."

"And risk your life?" Snow briefly surveyed the room before lowering her voice. "Don't forget who you are. Lux can't afford to have your decapitated head sent to your father on a golden platter like the Princess of Pacem's."

"That was the act of rebels."

"You're going against a supposed demon. I can't allow this. You are still too young and callow. The best place for you to remain is in the castle, where you will prepare to become the next king before your father abdicates his throne."

Jungkook set his jaw. "I am not asking for your permission. A prince, more so a future king, should not sit by and watch as his people suffer, so whether you decide to help me, I will no longer sit here and wait for a solution. Even if you decide to stand in my way, how many times did you succeed in stopping me from leaving the castle?"

They stared at each other for a long moment, the air tense compared to the serene ambiance of the library. Sunlight shined Snow's hair, tinting it blond, and hushed whispers still conversed in the background. All was tranquil before Snow shook her head and said, "Follow me."

The eyes of courtiers and nobles chased them as they strode out the library and into the halls, where a warm light beamed through the open windows. They descended a staircase and passed the threshold to the royal gardens, where Sergeant Pascal once stood. Now, another guard stood there, tall and firm, resting his right fist on his heart.

As Jungkook followed Snow, his mind wandered to Pascal's words, to the demon's warning, to the assassin when Snow abruptly stopped, and he snapped back to reality. A familiar marble statue towered over him. Behind it, rose bushes formed into a crescent and opened to the various paths leading to the gardens. Stone circled the statue's base, and kempt rose vines snaked around the pedestal, climbing towards the top.

The statue was of a masked man who wore a linen tunic with a white tiger woven onto its front. His right hand extended towards the sky, and an amulet rested in his open palm. Chiseled into the stone, the words "May Light Guide Us" beamed from the pedestal.

"You know who he is?" Snow asked, her back facing Jungkook, but it was more of a statement than a question.

"He's Luxias, one of the seven Legends of Kartas. He was the prophet that rallied the humans and elementals against the demons during the Demon Wars and led them to victory." Jungkook gazed at the white tiger. "He was the first king of Lux."

Snow nodded. "Do you know how long it took him to obtain the power to rally the humans and elementals, to convince them to set aside their differences and fight a common enemy? It took decades of experience, training, and honing of his elemental powers. And Luxias only touched the tip of his potential. It takes years and decades and lifetimes for anyone to master a single element, yet you, a novice, think you can defeat this demon?"

Jungkook's heart was iron, undaunted and resolute. A simple tale wouldn't change his stubborn nature. "So what if I am a novice and am nowhere near mastering my light elemental, let alone"—his fingers traced his pendant—"this? That doesn't mean that I can't try and do whatever I can to save at least one guard of the night watch. As a prince, I will serve the people. My lack of skill shouldn't exempt me from that."

Dissent glossed over Snow's eyes as she quirked her brows. There was a face she always made when she was plotting, and Jungkook was staring at it right now. He expected a lecture, maybe a rebuke, but Snow just sighed deeply. "Fine," she said at last. "I will convince Elias, and we will help you with your investigation."

Jungkook's heart seized. He stammered, "What—Why? I-I thought you—"

Snow walked away, but when Jungkook called after her, she halted. He never expected her to concede and accept his idea. Never, in all the time he knew her, did this happen, so. . .

"Why?" he asked.

Snow didn't turn around. "Because you are right. I can't stop you, and if experience is the only way for you to learn, then so be it. If you have no more questions, then enjoy the rest of your day. We'll end today's lesson here."

"Wait, but when are we leaving? Tomorrow? A week?" Jungkook said. "We need to think this through."

Snow finally turned around, and the grave look in her eyes almost made Jungkook take a step back. "Convincing Elias will take some time, and the sun's about to set." After a pause, she said, "Within a week, we can all meet in the garden at nightfall. Is that good enough? If so, let me go organize my thoughts. Goodnight, Prince Jungkook."

Jungkook watched as Snow walked towards the castle and faded beyond the threshold. There was a searing ache burning his heart, but he subdued it. Staring at Luxias's statue, the pendant resting in the open palm, he grabbed his own pendant and studied the emerald jewel.

Snow was right. He was still weak. Clutching his pendant, he raised his head towards Luxias, towards the white tiger on his chest—on Jungkook's tunic. Even if it took decades—no lifetimes—he would master both his light and time elements. He swore upon Caeluros's will that he would do whatever it took.

As he stared at the words "May Light Guide Us," the demon and the assassin flashed before his eyes. And right then, he made up his mind. He wouldn't allow himself to end up like his father. He would reform Lux, sever the corruption, and the first step started seven nights from now. It started with the demon.