Chapter Text
The demon world was split into two factions: the Chaos faction and the Discord faction. The two sides have warred for centuries, seeking to devour the other side for complete control of the demon world.
So when Yoo Joonghyuk, the current leader of the Chaos faction, heard that there was a high ranking commander from the Discord faction trying to contact him, he scoffed.
“Why would a mongrel from the Discord faction try to talk with me? Do they wish to die?” Yoo Joonghyuk polished his sword as the scout handed him a sealed letter. He gave it a glance before snatching it from the scout's hand.
“They said it was very urgent. They wish to end the war.”
Yoo Joonghyuk let out a sardonic laugh. “End the war? Is this a roundabout assassination attempt?” He opened the envelope with a flick of his wrist and began to scan its contents. Yoo Joonghyuk’s face darkened and a scowl formed on his lips.
Yoo Joonghyuk crumpled the letter in his hand. “Gather two of my strongest knights.”
“My lord?”
Yoo Joonghyuk sheathed his sword and stood up. The rest of the room went silent, waiting for their leader to speak.
“We meet with the Discord faction in 6 hours. Prepare now.”
The meeting was held in an undisclosed location between the border of the Chaos faction’s territory. For protection, Yoo Joonghyuk took General Lee Jihye and Dark Knight Kim Namwoon and ordered to hide during the meeting.
“Just in case,” supplied Yoo Joonghyuk, “They might be preparing a sneak attack and I'd rather get the jump on them instead of the other way around.”
Yoo Joonghyuk stood in the center of the clearing, pretending to be defenseless. His eyes kept on scanning his surroundings, watching for any signs of treachery. He hoped his generals were doing the same.
About five minutes later, a cloaked figure emerged from nowhere. Yoo Joonghyuk frowned. He didn’t expect their guest to be a magic user. Teleportation magic was also a high level spell. Yoo Joonghyuk put a hand over the hilt of his sword. This demon could be troublesome.
The cloaked figure removed their hood to reveal a demon with small horns and a pale complexion. Dark hair framed their rather plain-looking face and Yoo Joonghyuk could see a slim, leathery tail swaying behind him.
“Hello Yoo Joonghyuk, it’s nice to meet you.” The demon gave a slight bow, “I’m Kim Dokja—”
“Enough with the niceties. What does the son of the Discord faction’s leader want?”
“Wow, you don’t pull any punches.” Kim Dokja scratched his cheek, “I expected as much.”
Yoo Joonghyuk unsheathed his sword, “Hurry up.”
“Ah, please wait, I’m getting to it.” Kim Dokja rolled his eyes, “Yeesh, no one told me how much of a prick you were going to be.”
In the blink of an eye, Yoo Joonghyuk dashed forward, his sword raised. Kim Dokja’s eyes widened before a red barrier surrounded him, effectively blocking the swing. Yoo Joonghyuk jumped back, almost ready to strike again.
Kim Dokja fumed at the demon, his cheeks flushed red, “What part of ‘wait’ did you not understand?!”
“You insulted me in front of my face.”
“Okay you got me there.” Kim Dokja let out a nervous laugh and held his hand out, “Perhaps we should start over then?”
Yoo Joonghyuk stared at the offered hand. “Just say your piece.”
Kim Dokja retracted his hand. “Fine then. I want to team up with you to bring down my father. This war has gone on for too long and I’m sick of it.”
“Those are just empty words of an idealist. Why now? Why not decide this earlier?”
“My mother died.”
Yoo Joonghyuk knew of Grand Witch Lee Sookyung, but didn’t hear of her passing.
Kim Dokja sighed, “Her last words for me were to ‘follow my heart’. So that’s what I’m doing. I want to bring down my father. I don’t care who does it, so that’s why I’m enlisting you and your faction’s help.”
“Why should we help you?”
Kim Dokja unbuttoned his cloak, letting it fall to the ground. He pointed to a dark circle that surrounded his neck. “This guy right here is a seal. It prevents me from harming my father. I would’ve killed him a long time ago if I had the chance.”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes narrowed at the seal. “Then you’re useless.”
“I still have extensive knowledge of the Discord army’s plans and camps.”
“…So you’re almost useless.”
Kim Dokja puffed his chest out. “I can also cast high level magic,” he said proudly, “I’m one of the top magic users from the Discord faction.”
Yoo Joonghyuk gazed warily at Kim Dokja. Upon closer inspection, the demon was obviously malnourished and weak.
“Sure.”
“The tone of your voice says you don’t believe me.” Kim Dokja huffed, “Fine, I’ll prove it. Look at the mountain behind me.”
Kim Dokja murmured some words and pointed a finger at the sky. “Descend!”
At first, nothing happened. There was an awkward silence as everyone in the vicinity waited for something to happen.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes darted between the mountain and Kim Dokja, who was still pointing at the sky.
“It uh, takes a moment.”
“You’re wasting my—'' Yoo Joonghyuk’s words were caught in his throat as he saw a flaming rock heading toward the mountain that Kim Dokja pointed towards. “Is that a meteor?”
“Heh…yeah.”
The meteor crashed into the mountain and broke through, setting fire to the area. With a snap of Kim Dokja’s fingers, a rain cloud magically appeared to extinguish the flames before it could spread.
Kim Dokja ended his demonstration with a bow. “Is that enough proof of my usefulness?”
Yoo Joonghyuk nodded. With this demon at his disposal, there was a chance this war could end. “Alright. What are your terms?”
“Just let me into the Chaos faction. I’ll help plan your future battles. I’ll minimize losses as best as I can.”
“And what do you want in exchange?” Yoo Joonghyuk asked.
“Just end my father’s life. Afterwards, my life is also at your disposal. Do whatever you want with me.” Kim Dokja vowed solemnly. “As long as he’s dead, I can die peacefully.”
“I accept your terms.” Yoo Joonghyuk held out his hand. “Welcome to the Chaos faction.”
After Kim Dokja settled into his new room in Yoo Joonghyuk’s, he collapsed onto the bed, clutching his chest. He felt his heart tightening and his hand clawed at the frail skin separating his heart.
“Fuck…why did I have to be such a show off.”
Some wet coughs escaped Kim Dokja’s chest and stained the bed sheets red. Kim Dokja let out a curse and tried to correct his breathing.
“1…2…1…2…” Kim Dokja took lungfuls of air, before laying back down. “I hope I can survive long enough to see this through.”
The Chaos faction frigidly welcomed Kim Dokja.
Everyone hesitated to greet the former Discord demon, and many looked down on him. General Lee Jihye tried to convince the others of his power, but they didn’t believe her.
Kim Dokja endured the whispers and gossip as he helped Yoo Joonghyuk strategize and prepare his troops. He became the unofficial tactician, standing by Yoo Joonghyuk’s side on the front lines.
Yoo Joonghyuk slowly noticed that Kim Dokja became weaker and paler as the battles went by. One day, he forced Kim Dokja to sit out from a battle.
“What? Why?” Kim Dokja asked. “Am I slowing you down?”
Yoo Joonghyuk shook his head.“On the contrary, your help has been valuable to the faction.”
“Then why force me to stay on the sidelines?”
“Look at yourself. You look like you haven’t slept in weeks.”
“So I look tired and ugly?” Kim Dokja scoffed, “That’s no reason to bench me.”
The others in the room didn’t dare to speak up. When the two demons argued, it was as if they were in their own world, ignoring everything else but themselves.
Yoo Joonghyuk took a deep breath and exhaled. “It’s only one battle. I was just considering your health. If you want to rush into battle with that exhausted look, then fine. Go ahead and throw your life away.”
Yoo Joonghyuk turned around and walked away, leaving Kim Dokja alone with the crowd of silent demons. Everyone stared at Kim Dokja, waiting for his inevitable reply. Nobody expected the blush that appeared on Kim Dokja’s cheeks.
“Stupid. No one asked you to ‘consider my health’.” Kim Dokja stormed off to his room, purposely slamming the door.
Later in the day, there was a timid knock on Kim Dokja’s door. Expecting it to be Yoo Joonghyuk, Kim Dokja jumped up and opened the door, already preparing for a lengthy apology.
Yoo Joonghyuk was not at the door.
Instead it was a white-haired, female demon with long antlers on her head. A scaly tail trailed behind her, swaying nervously.
“Hello, I’m the lead medic Lee Seolhwa. Yoo Joonghyuk asked me to treat you.”
“O-Oh. Did he?” Kim Dokja looked embarrassed. “I’m fine, so you don’t have to.”
“He insisted. Quite heavily in fact.” Lee Seolhwa urged. “May I come in?”
“I guess so,” Kim Dokja stepped aside to let Lee Seolhwa in and closed the door behind her. “Will this take long?”
“I’ll be doing a full body checkup. It should only take about ten minutes. Please strip.”
Kim Dokja hesitantly took off his shirt and pants, keeping his undergarments on to preserve his chastity. Lee Seolhwa giggled at his shyness. Lee Seolhwa’s hand glowed green and she gently touched Kim Dokja’s shoulder, sweeping over his chest and reaching his heart. When she was right above Kim Dokja’s heart, she paused.
“Are you…involved in strenuous activity?”
Kim Dokja bit his lip and shook his head.
“Do you know why your heartbeat has a stutter? This is only seen in the rarest of heart conditions.”
“I uh…may have an idea…”
Lee Seolhwa’s serious stare made Kim Dokja shiver. He felt himself shrinking, ashamed.
“I use high level magic.”
“…”
“Like, a lot of high level magic. To the point where the mana output exceeds what I can provide.”
Lee Seolhwa frowned. “Why would you do that?! The toll on your body must be immense. You shouldn’t be participating in battle.”
“I-I can still fight,” argued Kim Dokja, “Please don’t count me out yet. I can still do advanced and medium spells easily. Just…don’t expect me to summon a meteor everyday.”
Lee Seolhwa pursed her lips. “Does the commander know about your condition?”
“I don’t think so. Can you keep this a secret?” Kim Dokja’s eyes earnestly pierced through Lee Seolhwa’s resolve.
The medic could only sigh. “As long as you eventually tell the commander…and rest.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Lee Seolhwa’s eyes softened. “Now, let’s finish this checkup and clear you for the next skirmish.”
Kim Dokja was allowed to participate in the next battle.
And the next one.
And the next one.
It soon became commonplace to find Kim Dokja beside Yoo Joonghyuk, be it in battle or in the strategy room, pouring over maps and debating tactics.
Yoo Joonghyuk learned to sense Kim Dokja’s presence and found the other demon to be a comfort. They began to fight next to each other in battle, making sure the other wasn’t overwhelmed.
Yoo Joonghyuk went as far as to call Kim Dokja a companion. When he told him about it, Kim Dokja sputtered out.
“What? This is just—I’m just making sure you uphold your end of the deal!”
Yoo Joonghyuk snorted. “I will.”
The arguments eventually turned into friendly banter. They began to converse about mundane things and learned more about each other.
Yoo Joonghyuk appointed himself as Kim Dokja’s protector while the demon casted his high level spells. He noticed that the spells seemed to really drain Kim Dokja so he made sure Kim Dokja went straight to Lee Seolhwa after battles.
The two worked in complete harmony, inseparable through thick and thin.
Side by side, Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk confronted Kim Dokja’s father and defeated him. Yoo Joonghyuk dealt the final blow and ended the long war.
The reunification of the Chaos and Discord factions signaled the end of the struggle and everyone voted for Yoo Joonghyuk to lead the demon world.
He accepted, with one stipulation.
Yoo Joonghyuk took Kim Dokja’s hand. “Be my queen.”
The color drained from Kim Dokja’s face. “What.”
“Be my queen.” Yoo Joonghyuk gently repeated, “There’s no one else I can imagine to rule by my side.”
“Uh, there’s Lee Seolhwa. Yoo Sangah. Jung Heewon…”
Yoo Joonghyuk squeezed Kim Dokja’s hand. “I don’t want them. I want you.”
Kim Dokja couldn’t escape Yoo Joonghyuk’s grasp. “There’s plenty of others who would die to be with you. Why would you want someone like me?”
“You’re the only one capable of standing up to me.”
Kim Dokja shrugged. “Okay, I talk back to authority. What else?”
“You have a unique personality.”
“How flattering.”
Yoo Joonghyuk glowered. “You said that your life would be at my disposal. Therefore, I’m claiming it now. Become mine.”
Kim Dokja smirked. “Oh? Are you forcing me?”
Yoo Joonghyuk growled, his patience wearing thin. “You are infuriating.”
Kim Dokja chuckled. “That’s not the first time I’ve heard that.”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s face turned red with frustration. Kim Dokja felt his teasing went too far and finally relented.
“I thought we were Life and Death companions. Where else would I be other than by your side Joonghyuk-ah?”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes widened and his grip on Kim Dokja’s wrist loosened. “You…”
“I don’t really have a home anymore, so I guess I’ll stay here. Until you kick me out.”
Yoo Joonghyuk snorted and pulled the lapels of Kim Dokja’s tunic so that the demon was in his arms. “I would never do that to you. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of forever.”
Kim Dokja grinned. He rested his head against Yoo Joonghyuk’s chest. “Forever is a long time.”
“Forever is not long enough. I’ll spend all of eternity with you.”
Kim Dokja blushed and hid his face away from Yoo Joonghyuk. “Aren’t those the same thing?”
“No.”
“Well, as long as we’re talking business, I want libraries spread across the castle.”
“Spread? Yoo Joonghyuk furrowed his eyebrows. “Shouldn’t it be in one central room?”
“I want them spread across so I can read in a different room everyday,” explained Kim Dokja, “staying in the same room isn’t my style.”
“I’ll make sure your wish is granted. Anything else?”
“A garden. With a bunch of flowers,” Kim Dokja grinned up at Yoo Joonghyuk, “if I ever get bored in the library, I can read outside and have tea parties.”
“So mundane,” Yoo Joonghyuk said as he pressed a kiss to Kim Dokja’s forehead, “but I’ll make sure it will be done.”
After the two ascended to the throne, it took several years for Yoo Joonghyuk to discover that something was wrong with Kim Dokja.
The once enthusiastic demon was occasionally bedridden, coughing up blood and phlegm for hours. Yoo Joonghyuk sat by Kim Dokja’s bedside, nursing the poor queen. He held his hand through the entire ordeal.
“What disease is this?” Yoo Joonghyuk asked himself. He personally traveled around the kingdom to search for medicines and cures for his beloved, but it was to no avail.
“Joonghyuk…”
Yoo Joonghyuk looked up to see Kim Dokja weakly smiling at him. “Dokja, go back to sleep. Save your energy.”
“Don’t worry about me.”
“How can I not worry?” Yoo Joonghyuk stroked his queen’s cheek. “I just want you to get better.”
Kim Dokja tilted his head so he could press a kiss against Yoo Joonghyuk’s hand. “Perhaps you should look for another queen. Someone more reliable—.”
“I refuse. You’re the only one for me.”
Kim Dokja gave the king a pitiful look. “Joonghyuk, I—”
The queen couldn’t finish, he began to cough and dry heave. Yoo Joonghyuk rubbed Kim Dokja’s back until the coughs temporarily subsided.
“Just wait. I’ll get Lee Seolhwa.” Yoo Joonghyuk stood up and hurried out of the room. Lee Seolhwa was stationed close to the royal quarters and was easily found.
“My king.”
“Kim Dokja’s condition is acting up again. Can you give him temporary relief?”
Lee Seolhwa’s gaze dropped. “I’m afraid none of my healing arts can solve the queen’s problem.”
“Just try. I have another healer coming in two days, hopefully they’ll know something.”
The guilt in Lee Seolhwa’s heart increased. She promised the queen that she would never reveal the source of his condition.
But the king had the right to know.
Kim Dokja woke up from his short nap to discover that Yoo Joonghyuk was cradling him against his chest. The king hugged him, holding him softly as if he were fragile glass.
He pulled on the sleeve of the king. “Yoo Joonghyuk…can I get some water?”
Kim Dokja’s voice immediately captured Yoo Joonghyuk’s attention and he jumped to the nearby pitcher to pour a glass of water. He returned immediately and helped Kim Dokja sit up to drink.
“Thank you.” Kim Dokja smiled at the king. “You’re so fast today.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
Kim Dokja blinked. “Tell you about what?”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes narrowed and he tapped Kim Dokja’s chest, the area right above the heart. “Why?”
Kim Dokja felt his entire being go cold. “Lee Seolhwa told you.”
“Yes.”
“I…I wanted to be useful to you and this was the only way how.”
“You sacrificed your lifespan?” Yoo Joonghyuk couldn’t hide the desperation in his voice. “Dokja, if I knew then—”
“This was the only way I could be useful,” Kim Dokja cupped Yoo Joonghyuk’s cheek, “I was willing to put everything on the line.”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s anguish was written clearly on his face. Kim Dokja’s thumb brushed away the tears that began to fall from the demon king’s eyes.
“I don’t regret a thing,” reassured Kim Dokja, “my actions led us to victory and it led me to you. I wouldn’t give this up for anything.”
“Dokja…” Yoo Joonghyuk’s voice cracked.
“Shh.” Kim Dokja pressed a lips to Yoo Joonghyuk’s forehead, “Let’s just go to sleep, okay?”
Yoo Joonghyuk felt his entire being collapse as he held Kim Dokja for the rest of the night. His mind kept on repeating the various moments he forced Kim Dokja to use his magic and cursed himself. There were so many obvious signs he didn’t pick up.
Yoo Joonghyuk vowed to cherish Kim Dokja for the rest of eternity.
And so he will.
Yoo Joonghyuk brought Kim Dokja breakfast in bed everyday, personally spoonfeeding the queen delicious foods that were tailored to cardiovascular health. Kim Dokja appreciated the sentiment, and even tried to take the spoon back, but Yoo Joonghyuk kept the spoon away.
“Let me do this,” Yoo Joonghyuk held the spoon in front of Kim Dokja’s mouth.
“This is really unnecessary.” Kim Dokja tried to snatch the spoon but missed. He muttered a curse and then opened his mouth, allowing Yoo Joonghyuk to insert the spoon into his mouth. He swallowed the soup and instantly let out a disgusted sound. “Eugh, what did you put in this?”
“It’s a hearty vegetable stew. There’s fresh carrots, basil, celery, and tomatoes—”
“Tomato? You must be trying to kill me faster.” Kim Dokja grabbed a glass of water and downed the entire cup. “Bleh.”
“Don't joke about dying.” Yoo Joonghyuk’s frown darkened.
“S-Sorry.” Kim Dokja’s frame seemed to shrink under Yoo Joonghyuk’s serious gaze.
Yoo Joonghyuk continuously doted on Kim Dokja, fetching the queen whatever he desired so he didn’t have to leave the bedroom. The queen soon became a rare sight around the castle, only being seen briefly in royal events. The servants began to whisper rumors about the queen’s health, but Yoo Joonghyuk quickly stamped it out.
“The queen is fine. He’s simply resting.” Yoo Joonghyuk assured everyone, “Kim Dokja will be my side soon.”
For once, the demon king was not confident in his words.
While Yoo Joonghyuk held a court session, Lee Seolhwa checked up on Kim Dokja. The queen laid between a multitude of pillows, making him seem small in comparison.
“Queen Dokja.”
Kim Dokja gave Lee Seolhwa a weak smile. “Hello. Sorry to make you come all the way here.”
“It’s always a pleasure to see you.”
Kim Dokja took a deep, shuddering breath. He wheezed and coughed into the nearby pillow.
“As you know, I’m dying.”
Lee Seolhwa clasped her hands together, “My queen I—”
“I don’t have a lot of time left. There’s still so many things I want to do with Yoo Joonghyuk.” Tears formed in Kim Dokja’s eyes, “I wish my body wasn’t so weak. I want to sit in the throne room with him. I want to hold his hand in the garden. I want to…” his breath hitched as a series of coughs erupted from his chest. Lee Seolhwa rubbed his back. “Why…why…”
“Queen Dokja, do you need me to get the king?”
“No…but I need you to listen to me.”
“Anything,” Lee Seolhwa held Kim Dokja’s cold hands.
“I may have found a way.”
Lee Seolhwa felt a shock go through her system. She listened intently to Kim Dokja’s words.
“I’ll use the last of my energy for a Transmigration spell. It’ll bring a soul from another world line into my body. Maybe this way I can meet Yoo Joonghyuk again..”
“What? Has this ever been done? How sure are you?”
“Not sure at all,” Kim Dokja let out a quiet laugh, “but it’s a gamble I’m willing to take. I might not make it though, so you’ll have to be there for Yoo Joonghyuk.”
“…Of course I will.”
“Also, if I do make it, I might not remember you. I’m sorry if that happens. You’ll still take care of me right?”
“Of course my queen.”
Kim Dokja closed his eyes with a smile on his face. “Thank you. With a new soul in this body, the effects of the mana depletion should fade out. The body will still have a weak heart, but it can’t get any worse.”
“I’ll monitor your health until the end, Queen Dokja,” promised Lee Seolhwa. “Just return to us safely.”
“Thank you Lee Seolhwa. I hope I see you tomorrow.”