Brenna turned toward Jude, carefully setting the tray of food on the small table beside his bed. "I'll set down your food, young master. I'll be back with those cupcakes, Master Abaddon," she said politely before turning and walking out of the room, her footsteps fading down the corridor.
The moment the door closed, the atmosphere inside the room shifted. Jude lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, his expression tense. His eyes moved toward Abaddon, who was stretched out casually nearby, looking far too relaxed for Jude's liking.
"That could have been anyone," Jude said after a moment, his voice low but firm. "What if one of my siblings was the one who walked in?"
Abaddon clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed. "Enough. Stop screaming into my ears already. I said I'll pay more attention from now on," he replied, waving the concern away as if it were nothing.
Jude pushed himself up slightly on the bed, still frowning. "You should."
Abaddon rolled onto his side and then suddenly sat upright, his tone changing. "Hey, kid. From now on, I'll be staying in the room."
Jude blinked, surprised. "Why?" he asked.
"We're in a place filled with powerful houses," Abaddon explained, his voice more serious now. "Someone will figure it out sooner or later. Just like your father did."
Jude fell silent, thinking it over. After a few seconds, he nodded. "Yes… that makes sense. It's better to play it safe."
Abaddon smirked. "Exactly. Besides, Brenna will keep me company, so I won't be too bored staying here."
Jude opened his mouth to reply, but before he could say anything, Abaddon suddenly stiffened. His relaxed posture vanished in an instant.
"Someone's coming," Abaddon said quietly. In the next heartbeat, his form dissolved and sank smoothly back into Jude's shadow, as if he had never been there at all.
The door opened.
Standing there was Elara. She stepped into the room calmly, her presence steady and quiet as always. In her hands, she held an object wrapped carefully in thick cloth.
Jude immediately stepped forward. "Elder sister," he said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
Elara hesitated. "I… I was…" She paused, clearly struggling to find the right words. After a brief sigh, she simply tossed the wrapped object toward Jude. "Here. Unwrap it."
Jude caught it clumsily, confusion written all over his face. Slowly, he began to unwrap the cloth. As the layers fell away, the shape beneath became clear.
A sword.
Jude's eyes widened slightly. "A high-grade sword," he said aloud.
"You have good eyes," Elara replied.
Even before fully drawing it, Jude could tell. From the sheath alone, he knew the blade was special. Only one person in House Avernus could produce a weapon of this quality, and the unmistakable mark on the sheath confirmed it.
"Go on," Elara said. "Unsheath it."
Jude stood and carefully drew the blade. The sword gleamed faintly under the room's light. It was a double-edged weapon, its length perfectly balanced. The blade itself was a deep black iron, smooth and flawless. The hilt was neatly designed, simple yet elegant, fitting naturally in his hand.
For a moment, Jude simply stared at it.
He glanced at Elara, thinking inwardly.
She must have personally requested this sword. Knowing how difficult it was to communicate with the craftsmen, only someone like Elara—calm, precise, and respected—could have arranged something like this.
Jude slowly sheathed the blade and walked toward her. "Thank you, Elder sister," he said sincerely. "I really like it."
A small smile curved on Elara's lips, faint but genuine. She stepped forward and gently patted Jude on the head, just as she always did. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the room.
As soon as the door closed, Abaddon's voice echoed softly. "Still as weird as ever."
Jude smiled faintly. "She doesn't talk much, but her heart is in the right place."
Abaddon snorted. "Can't she just speak like a normal person?"
In the hallway outside, Elara walked calmly forward. Her steps were steady, her expression unreadable.
Darisn appeared ahead of her, stopping directly in her path. "Hey, Elara," he said, his tone casual but sharp. "You're getting awfully close to the youngest. Are you trying to get him on your side this early for the future?"
Elara didn't answer. She simply walked past him, not even sparing him a glance.
Darisn scoffed and followed a step behind. "Who knows," he continued, "something bad could happen if you keep getting close to him."
Elara stopped.
The air changed instantly.
A massive wave of aura intent flooded the hallway, pressing down like a crushing weight. Darisn gasped as the pressure slammed into him. His legs trembled as he struggled to stay standing.
Elara turned slowly and began walking toward him.
With every step she took, Darisn's body felt heavier. His knees buckled, and he fell harder with each pace she closed between them, until he was forced fully onto his knees, gasping for breath.
Elara stopped in front of him and looked down.
"If anything happens to the youngest," she said coldly, "I'll make you remember your place."
She turned and walked away, her aura fading as quickly as it had appeared.
Darisn remained on the floor, struggling to breathe. After a long moment, he finally managed to whisper, his voice shaking, "What a monster…"