It started as pure curiosity.

Beru, ever the vigilant and overly loyal subject, had been stationed in the shadows of Jinwoo's home, ensuring his liege and the Queen were safe. However, as the hours passed, something peculiar caught his attention.

Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In had entered their bedroom together, the door shutting behind them. Normally, this would not be unusual. They were a married couple, and Beru respected their privacy.

However… the noises.

At first, it was nothing—just muffled voices. Then, whispers. Then… something else entirely.

Beru tilted his head. What is my liege doing?

He was sworn to protect his King, and if there was any possibility that the Queen was harming him—or vice versa—it was his duty to ensure his safety.

So, naturally, he did what any loyal shadow would do.

He summoned the others.

⸻

A Gathering of the Inquisitive Shadows

Within moments, a small group of shadows had materialized in the darkness of the hallway, just outside the bedroom door.

Igris stood with his arms crossed, exuding his usual composed demeanor. Bellion, the highest of the Marshals, loomed over the group, his golden eyes narrowed in curiosity.

Tusk adjusted his glasses. "What exactly are we investigating, Beru?"

Beru raised a claw, signaling silence. "Listen carefully. Our King and the Queen are inside. Strange noises are being made."

Tank sniffed the air, his bear-like face twitching. "Smells… warm. Close. Like two beings pressed together."

Kastiel frowned. "Are they fighting?"

Bellion furrowed his brow. "That does not seem likely. The King has no reason to battle the Queen."

Then came the sound.

A sudden, breathless moan.

Every shadow stiffened.

Then suddenly...

The Queen screamed.

" Aaah..!"

Tusk immediately scribbled down notes. "Fascinating! The Queen seems to be in some sort of heightened emotional state!"

Beru clicked. "Is she in pain? Should we intervene?"

"No," Igris finally spoke, his voice low and knowing. "They are not fighting."

All eyes turned to him.

Tusk, excited, asked, "Then what are they doing?"

Igris hesitated before sighing. "They are engaging in the... BoomBayah."

Silence.

Then—

Beru clicked rapidly in confusion. "BoomBayah?"

Tank, still sniffing the air, muttered, "Like bears?"

Bellion frowned. "I have never heard of such a battle technique."

Igris pinched the bridge of his nose. "It is not a battle technique. It is an act of deep connection. A ritual between mates."

Beru gasped. "Another ritual?! Like the one that made the Queen pregnant?"

Jinwoo's voice suddenly groaned from within the room, followed by a hushed whisper from Hae-In. The sound of sheets rustling made several lesser shadows tremble.

Igris nodded. "Yes. This is the act of mating itself."

Tusk pushed up his glasses, eyes gleaming. "I see! This is how our King ensures the growth of his lineage!"

Bellion, normally stoic, seemed slightly intrigued. "I never imagined my liege to be so… aggressive in battle."

Tank simply muttered, "Like bears."

Igris sighed deeply. "I regret explaining this to all of you."

Beru, fascinated, leaned closer to the door. "Should we continue watching? For research purposes?"

Jinwoo's voice suddenly rang out from the room—loud, commanding.

"Hae-In… I'm going to—"

"Oh Jinwoo...! "

Beru immediately stepped back. "ABORT MISSION! RETREAT! RETREAT!"

The shadows scattered, disappearing into the darkness before they could witness too much.

And thus, the Shadows learned of the BoomBayah…

And would never be the same again.