Nyx and Mina were brimming with excitement as they helped Luciana prepare for the evening, while another maid attended to Nemesis. Mina, nearly bursting with enthusiasm, proudly displayed the dress that Erebus had chosen for Luciana.
"One of a kind isn't it?" Mina boasted.
Nyx gasped in admiration.
"This is one of Madame Amerson Parsel's rarest designs! Even Lady Calypso couldn't manage to get her hands on it."
"Our master has an exceptional eye," Mina added, half boasting, half sincere. "When he saw this gown, he said it reminded him of her."
-"Mina sure loves to dream..." Luciana was more amazed at Mina's delusions.
Luciana offered a modest smile, feeling slightly awkward at Mina's exaggerations.
"Now, for your hair, we should go with the latest trend—the barrette style," Nyx suggested. She carefully styled Luciana's hair in one of the most fashionable looks currently sweeping the Central Capital.
As they continued with their preparations, laughter and compliments filled the room where Nemesis was being dressed.
"I want to show it to mama!" Nemesis hopped off the footstool as the maid failed to explain that Luciana was getting ready.
When Nemesis knocked the door which was taught by Luciana as part of the child's etiquette education, Mina opened the door slightly and gasped.
"Oh! Our young lord looks like a prince." She squealed.
The maid who dressed Nemesis up nodded proudly.
"The young lord wants to show off his attire to the lady." The maid explained about Nemesis' sudden intrusion.
"I am sorry my lord. Madame is not ready yet. It will take a little longer." Mina explained him.
Nemesis pouted in disappointment.
" But you can show it to the lord. Your father will be proud of you." Mina tempted him to go to the living room where Erebus was discussing matter about the war situation that had dwindled trade in the remote regions.
Before Mina said any further, he already dashed towards the living room to proudly display his attire, which had been thoughtfully coordinated by Erebus. To everyone's amusement, his outfit mirrored that of his father.
"Look dadde!" Nemesis showed off by twirling once.
Erebus and Callum interrupted looked at the boy proudly displaying his attire that Erebus had bought for him alongside Luciana.
It surprisingly fit him well.
"Ooh~! Like father, like son. Both in black," Callum quipped, admiring the duo. Nemesis spun in delight, and Callum showered him with praise. Erebus stood by, watching his son fondly.
"Dadde pick me up!" He demanded raising his hands.
Erebus raised a brow more surprised how the toddler who couldn't speak and was scared to death when he had brought in was now demanding him things that no one asked of him before.
He sighed and effortlessly lifted him in one sturdy arm as Nemesis squealed.
"So high!" He looked around in wonder how the view around him suddenly shifted to a different angle.
"To think I'd live to see this day," Callum remarked, reminiscing. "This rascal always swore he'd stay single forever."
"Where is your mother?" Erebus asked Nemesis.
"Mina says mama is still not ready." He replied rememberimg what Mina had told him earlier.
"You know how women are," Callum sighed. "It takes ages for my wife to get ready, even for something as small as a tea party."
"Dear who said it takes ages for women to get ready?" Calypso's voice calm yet laved with something that triggered cold sweat in Callum followed him shortly.
"L-lippi-? I thought you were resting in your room?" Callum gulped as Calypso maintained her smile. But only Callum understood what was hidden beneath it.
Luciana finally entered, escorted by Nyx and Mina, offering a brief apology for the delay. For a moment, the room fell silent as all eyes turned to her.
"Mama! You look like a princess," Nemesis exclaimed with innocent delight.
"Why thank you my young prince." Luciana giggled shyly.
Callum cleared his throat. "Well, well. Looks like someone's lucky." He nudged Erebus, expecting him to comment on Luciana's beauty, but the man could only stare, speechless. Luciana glanced at him half expectant.
"L-let's go. It's time," Erebus finally muttered, awkwardly offering his arm to escort her to the carriage.
"Talk about dull," Callum grumbled, and Nyx and Mina exchanged disappointed glances.
"At least a compliment," Nyx muttered, crestfallen. "All that effort for nothing."
Luciana, sensing Erebus's discomfort, boarded the carriage in silence. Yet, beneath the moonlight, she noticed the subtle blush reddening his ears.
"Look! The moon is red!" Nemesis pointed out as they began their journey. Luciana glanced out the window, a shiver running down her spine at the sight of the crimson moon. An ominous feeling crept over her, and her anxiety grew, sensing hidden dangers in the night.
"Sweetling be careful. Remember that we made a promise?" She reminded him to sit obediently inside a moving carriage lest he could get hurt.
"Yes! Nemesis remembers" he crawled carefully to sit on her lap but Erebus swiftly lifted him much to Luciana's surprise he placed the child over his lap.
"I told you to take care of your mother, you little rascal." He ruffled his hair.
"It is alright Erebus. He was only doing as I told him for safety." Luciana tried to reason Nemesis' behavior.
"No." He cut her off denying her reasons.
"I warned you beforehand aswell. You will not do anything that will burden you. Ask the maid or any other attendant."
"But Mina couldn't come along." Luciana insisted.
"But I am here right now." He declared.
No more was said on the matter.
Nemesis sensed discomfort and asked in a timid voice that brought both of them a concern.
"Are mama and papa fighting?" He asked.
" No, we aren't,"
" No, we aren't sweetling,"
Both of them suddenly said it at once.
" Your father is just worried." She said placing her hand gently on his chubby cheek.
Erebus nodded when Nemesis looked up at him finding the confirmation for Luciana's words.
" Why is dadde worried?" He looked back at Luciana.
" Well..." She was a little embarrassed to tell a toddler about her condition but Erebus explained it to him making Luciana turn red.
"Your mother is carrying your sibling inside of her. So don't stress her out." He said bluntly.
"Mama has my sibling in her?" Nemesis tilted his head.
" Here," he leaned towards her a little and placed his hand on her stomach making her too embarrassed.
" It is growing inside your mother's belly. Just how you came into this world,"
" E-Erebus!?" She stammered not understanding how to explain this aloof man that Nemesis was told something else.
"But Mina said a bird brings my sibling," Nemesis protested.
"Who told you-"
"Y-yes! Sweetling your father and Mina are both right." Luciana interrupted him placing her hands over Erebus' mouth.
"The baby is currently inside mother's belly. Once it is time the bird will bring your sibling to us. Mother needs to be healthy. This is why your father is worried," she couldn't find any better way to explain the situation.
She looked at Erebus and shook her head.
-" Please get a hint already!" Her mind cried.
Erebus nodded but what she was hoping never went through his brain.
Arriving at the palace, Callum departed for his duties on horseback, leaving Erebus to escort Luciana and Nemesis inside. He offered Luciana a warning about the dangers that lurked within their world.
"There are four kinds of demons you must be especially wary of: high-ranking vampires, werewolves with their keen sense of smell, banshees, and witches. But the most dangerous are shifters. They blend in seamlessly, but once they gain your trust, they will drain your soul and take control in an instant."
Their carriage halted in front of the palace entrance, where a long flight of steps awaited. Luciana, her movements slightly hampered by her pregnancy, struggled with the gown as they began to ascend.
Halfway up, she stumbled, but Erebus was quick to catch her, lifting her effortlessly in his arms and carrying her the rest of the way, ignoring the whispers from the nobles around them. At the top, he set her down gently and signaled for the announcer to resume.
"Announcing the Margrave and Margravine of Stygian Frontier, accompanied by their son, Nemesis Stygian," the herald declared as they entered the grand ballroom.
The murmur of gossip immediately filled the room. Erebus was accustomed to the slander and scorn from the other nobles, but tonight, their attention was divided between him and Luciana. Disguised as a vampire, she drew curious glances from those trying to determine her lineage, questioning how she had come to marry a man like Erebus.
Together, they moved toward the center of the ballroom to greet the Tzar and Crown Prince, who were engaged in conversation with other nobles. Erebus offered a formal bow, but with little warmth or reverence. Luciana curtsied slightly, and Nemesis merely stared, wide-eyed at the opulence around him.
"Ah! The star of tonight's banquet has finally arrived," the Tzar announced, raising his voice to draw the attention of those present. "And by the seven hells, your wife is a vision of beauty," he added, his eyes glowing red as they fixed on Luciana. A shiver ran down her spine under his predatory gaze.
Sensing her discomfort, Erebus subtly shifted, blocking the Tzar's view and attempting to steer the conversation toward more practical matters. Still, Luciana trembled under the weight of the stares from those around them, her anxiety mounting.
The Crown Prince, Zavaikal, remained silent, but his gaze was sharp, observing every detail with cold precision. He had long suspected Luciana's true nature, and tonight, he confirmed his suspicions.
"Have a pleasant evening, Margrave Stygian," Zavaikal said smoothly, before drifting away to converse with other nobles.
"That man gets under my skin," Erebus muttered darkly as they moved toward a quieter section of the ballroom. Sensing Luciana's unease, he led her out onto a nearby balcony and went to fetch her some water.
"Mama? Are you okay?" Nemesis asked, tugging at her sleeve.
Before she could respond, a voice interrupted from the entrance to the balcony.
"So, this is the esteemed lady who dared show her face in my palace," Zavaikal remarked, leaning against the archway with a smirk. "Quite the clever disguise. Don't you think so? The noble first princess of Amanécer? Or should I say....? The former crowned princess of Amanécer?"
Luciana turned, her heart racing as she faced him. Nemesis coward behind her.
"What does the esteemed crowned prince of the empire want from me?" She winced shielding Nemesis behind her protectively.
"The bride that was sent to me instead of one I desired...and was stolen by my own useless brother." He sighed, disappointed evident on his face.
His words were like daggers of the hidden truth. Though Erebus had told her about his past he never mentioned about Zavaikal.
Brother.
The word hit her like a physical blow. Erebus had told her many things—his past, his sins, his regrets—but he had never mentioned this.
"What... do you mean?" The balcony spun. She grasped the railing. "Your brother? Are you referring to my husband?"
"Ah." Zavaikal's smile widened. "So he never told you. How... unsurprising." He crouched before her, bringing his face level with hers. "He was the Crown Prince's hound, sweet lady. My attack dog. My blade in the dark." He reached out and cupped her chin, tilting her face toward the moonlight. "And now his soul is entrapped by the Great Demonlord Iblis . My puppet. Forever."
His thumb traced her lower lip.
"Not bad," he murmured, studying her like a merchant appraising goods. "Soon, I will take you from him. It is a shame I couldn't get my hands on the golden one—but you..." His smile turned razor-sharp. "You'll do."
A crystal glass flew past his ear—so close it ruffled his hair—and shattered against the stone archway behind him.
Zavaikal released her and straightened, unhurried, as Erebus emerged from the shadows. The Margrave's face was a mask of murder.
"A timely miss," Zavaikal chuckled, brushing glass dust from his shoulder.
Erebus's voice dropped to something primordial—low and dangerous, scraped from the bottom of a grave.
"Get your filthy hands off her."