Chapter Ten introduces a new major character—**Jane**, a runaway *princess of darkness*, daughter of one of the most terrifying Hidden Families. She's clever, unpredictable, and immensely powerful, but refuses to follow the cruel legacy of her bloodline. Her escape sets off a ripple in the underworld—and brings her face-to-face with Bai Lu, Rin… and someone she never thought she'd see again.
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## **Chapter Ten: The Black Crown, Running**
> *Location: Sablewood Enclave – Dominion of House Nocteros*
> *Time: One hour before treason.*
In the land of night without stars, a girl dressed in mourning lace climbed out of a window with a stolen blade and a bag of cursed sweets.
She was a princess. Daughter of the **Black Sovereign**, heiress to **House Nocteros**, mistress of shadows, and wielder of death-spells taught to her before she had teeth.
Her name was **Jane**.
And she was running for her life.
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### **The Girl Who Refused Her Throne**
They wanted her to inherit the crown of bone.
They wanted her to marry a beast born of ten forgotten sins.
They wanted her to **kneel**, smile, and whisper executions into velvet scrolls.
But Jane had read books.
She'd read *stories*.
And somewhere between "Sacrifices and Sovereignty" and "How to Enchant a Bloodletter for Dummies," she'd decided one simple, dangerous thing:
> **She didn't want to be a monster.**
So she ran.
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### **The Cursehound Pursuit**
House Nocteros doesn't forgive betrayal. Especially not from blood.
Within minutes, the **Cursehounds** were released—bone-stitched wolves with human screams. They could smell rebellion in breath, and they wanted hers.
Jane didn't run fast.
She ran *smart*.
Through mirrors, across dead rivers, down forgotten train tracks. At one point, she tossed her dress to a possessed mannequin and let it lead the pursuit while she hitchhiked inside a hearse.
Eventually, she made it to the edge of Xintai.
City of myth. City of mystery. City of *her only friend*.
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### **The Maid Who Became a Scythe**
She knew her only chance lay with one person.
The girl who once sang lullabies in the shadow palace.
The one who carried her tray when she couldn't lift her arms.
The one who vanished the night of the Great Feast Massacre.
**Lian.**
Jane didn't know where she was now. But she knew who to ask.
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### **The Awkward Vampire, Again**
Jane found Rin accidentally.
Well, more like she crashed through his window while he was brushing his teeth.
"What the fu—ahhhgh!"
To his credit, he only screamed *a little*.
She landed in a crouch, hair wild, eyes glowing like eclipse gems.
"You're Rin, aren't you?" she said breathlessly.
"I'm shirtless and you're breaking and entering."
"I'm here for the maid."
He blinked. "I'm not judging your hobbies, but this is a very confusing sentence."
"Lian. Where is she?"
Now he was serious.
"You know Lian?"
"She was my only friend."
Rin narrowed his eyes. "You're from Nocteros."
"I was."
"Should I be stabbing you?"
"Probably."
Rin tilted his head. "…I like you already."
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### **The Reunion**
It wasn't dramatic.
Lian opened the door, saw Jane, and dropped the herbs she was carrying.
"...Jane?"
"Hi," Jane whispered, eyes wet. "You got taller."
"You got *weirder*."
They hugged.
It was awkward. Fierce. Honest.
Lian, who never hugged, hugged her twice.
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### **Bai Lu Arrives**
Bai Lu didn't speak at first.
She just studied Jane.
Felt the weight of bloodlines in her aura.
Saw the crown-shaped curse still imprinted on her spirit.
"Why are you here?" she asked.
"I ran."
"From what?"
"My future."
Bai Lu nodded slowly.
Rin offered her a drink. "You look like someone who needs sugar. Or therapy."
"I'll take both."
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### **What She Brought**
Jane didn't come empty-handed.
From her stolen satchel, she pulled a relic—glass, obsidian-framed, humming with restrained darkness.
"It's from the Inner Vault of Nocteros. They're planning to open the Maw."
Bai Lu's expression darkened. "The Maw is sealed."
"They're *unsealing* it."
Lian stiffened. "They wouldn't dare."
"They already are."
Jane handed her the relic. "I didn't just run to survive. I ran to *warn* you."
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### **Truth in the Firelight**
That night, the four of them sat in the flicker of bluefire lanterns.
Jane told them everything.
The arranged bond with the Abyss Beast. The resurrection pacts. The secret summoning of the **Old King of Buried Skies**.
"They think Erisyn will rise," she said.
"They think you'll awaken and tear the world down."
Bai Lu said nothing.
Then Rin asked, "And what do *you* think?"
Jane looked at Bai Lu.
The girl once called a maid. The girl who carried tea and hid bruises.
Now a warrior. A shield. A blade.
"I think they're right," Jane whispered.
"And I hope you do."
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> *Some inherit crowns. Others flee them.*
> *Jane chose exile over evil. But now, she holds a key to a deeper truth—*
> *The monsters aren't waiting. They're already here.*
>
> *And one runaway princess just became part of the flame's final spark.*
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