Nyxeria trembled under Seraphim's crushing aura.
"I'm very sorry, my Lord," she whispered shakily. "I wasn't expecting that push to make her lose balance."
Seraphim chuckled dryly.
The sound sent cold shivers down her spine.
"Do you know how useful this human is to me?"
Nyxeria lowered her head.
"Yes, I'm aware, my Lord. Please have mercy."
Seraphim's gaze flickered to Aridalle, then returned to Nyxeria.
"From now on, you are not allowed to step your feet in here," he said coldly. "If it comes to my notice that you disobey my orders… I'll make you go extinct."
A glowing gold rope-like mark suddenly appeared on Nyxeria's wrist.
It burned brightly for a second…
Then vanished.
(The mark appeared whenever Seraphim punished someone by exile.)
Nyxeria clenched her fist, forcing herself not to glare at Aridalle.
All of this was happening because of that human.
"Yes, my Lord," she muttered.
And she disappeared.
Seraphim's gaze shifted to Aridalle.
Her face was still pressed against his chest, trembling like she was trying to disappear into him.
"Raise your head, human."
Aridalle slowly looked up.
Her eyes were wide and watery, lashes fluttering as though she might cry.
Seraphim stared at her without expression.
"Calm your fears," he uttered coldly. "Or I'll take delight in it."
Aridalle swallowed hard.
She forced herself to breathe deeply, trying to calm her racing heart.
"My Lord," Vaelric spoke quietly, "should I send for her personal maid?"
Seraphim nodded.
Vaelric vanished.
Within a second, he returned with Zenovia.
Zenovia's face was beet red as she bowed quickly.
Seraphim's sharp eyes didn't miss the colour on her face.
His gaze slid briefly to Vaelric, who stood there looking completely nonchalant.
"Take the human to her suite," Seraphim ordered.
"Yes, my Lord," Zenovia replied.
She approached Aridalle gently.
Aridalle slid off Seraphim's lap and immediately clung to Zenovia's arms like a frightened child.
Zenovia held her carefully and guided her out.
They left the study room.
✯
Aridalle's suite
Zenovia sat beside Aridalle on the bed, stroking her soft hair gently.
She had listened to everything Aridalle said earlier and honestly… she pitied her.
"It's okay, my lady," Zenovia whispered. "No need to be afraid anymore."
Aridalle hugged her knees and took a shaky breath.
"It's not easy, Via," she murmured. "I saw life flash before my eyes when I lost balance on those stairs."
She paused, her voice turning small.
"Why are people evil?"
Zenovia sighed softly.
"This world is ruthless, my lady," she said. "And that is why you have to be strong… because you might experience things like this daily."
Aridalle sat up, frowning.
Her cheeks puffed out, making her look like an angry hamster.
"Why?" she asked. "Is it because I have the key? If yes, then it's not my fault."
She pointed at herself.
"I already gave the key to Lord Seraphim, but he refused to take it."
Zenovia froze.
Her eyes widened.
"Lord Seraphim… refused to take the key?"
"Yes," Aridalle replied.
Zenovia blinked.
"Are you sure?"
Aridalle narrowed her eyes.
"Of course I'm sure. Why don't you believe me?"
Zenovia cleared her throat awkwardly.
"It's just… the Lord Seraphim I know would have grabbed the key immediately."
"Well," Aridalle said stubbornly, "he did not."
Zenovia sighed and gently pushed her back onto the bed.
"Forget about it for now," she said. "You need rest."
Aridalle nodded, yawning cutely.
"I'm so tired, Via…"
"I know, my lady."
Minutes later, Aridalle drifted into sleep.
Zenovia quietly left the room.
✯
maid's chambers
Zenovia slipped into her room, exhausted.
Her body ached from head to toe.
She stopped abruptly.
Her mother was seated on the bed, clearly waiting for her.
"What is it, mom?" Zenovia asked.
"You know what I want," Merida snapped.
Zenovia explained everything.
The way Merida's face changed as she listened was almost scary.
"You mean Lord Seraphim banned his mistress because of that human?" Merida asked sharply.
Zenovia rolled her eyes.
"Mom, he didn't ban her from the castle," she corrected. "He only banned her from stepping into his study. And Nyxeria went overboard, so she deserved it."
Merida glared at her.
"Lady Nyxeria is his mistress," she hissed. "Someone close to him. She did not deserve it."
Zenovia's voice rose.
"Aridalle is his wife, mom. Whether Nyxeria is close to him or not, end of the matter."
Merida stood up, giving Zenovia a hard look, then started to leave.
Zenovia's expression tightened.
"I'll advise you to drop any evil intentions you have concerning Aridalle," she warned. "Lord Seraphim will show you no mercy if you touch her."
Merida ignored her and walked out.
✯
Seraphim's study
Vaelric stood quietly in front of Seraphim, his face unreadable.
"My Lord," he said, "I can't stop thinking about what Nyxeria said concerning Constantine."
Seraphim's gaze lifted lazily.
"What about it?"
Vaelric frowned.
"If he's really after the key, why won't he come for it himself instead of trying to use Nyxeria?" he asked. "I believe he's working for someone."
Seraphim smirked slightly, tilting his head.
A few strands of dark hair slipped across his face, hiding one eye while the other glinted gold.
Vaelric knew he wasn't going to get an answer.
So he changed the topic.
"Drizella informed me she has information concerning the key bearer," Vaelric said.
Seraphim's eyes narrowed.
"So what's delaying her from telling you?"
Vaelric sighed, as if invisible white hairs were forming on his head.
"She refused," he muttered. "She said it's you she wants to tell."
Seraphim leaned back in his chair, lips curling into a cold smile.
"Attend to the entities in the velvet void."
"Yes, my Lord."
Vaelric bowed and vanished.
✯
Everland college, next day
Inside the lecture hall, the gang sat together, forming a mini circle.
Miguel wasn't there yet.
"Bae," Courtney pouted, poking Jace's chest. "You promised to take me to the movies this weekend. I hope you haven't forgotten."
Jace chuckled.
She looked so cute that he couldn't resist patting her hair and kissing her cheek softly.
"Of course, sweetheart," he said. "How can I forget?"
Maelynn rolled her eyes.
It hadn't even been up to an hour since they arrived, and she was already eating dog food.
"Get a room, idiots."
Jace scoffed.
"Seriously, we didn't do anything, jealous cow."
Maelynn's eyes widened.
"Who are you calling a cow, stupid?"
Aridalle giggled quietly, watching them argue like cat and rat.
"Are they like this every day?" she whispered.
Courtney sighed.
"This is even better," she replied. "Some days are worse."
"Guys, it's enough," Aridalle said, dragging Maelynn away from Jace. "You're attracting attention."
Maelynn huffed.
"Thank your lucky stars I'm in a good mood, or else—"
Jace grinned.
"Or else what, grandma?"
"Oh, you—!" Maelynn growled, charging at him again.
But Aridalle held her back.
Courtney suddenly sat up.
"Oh! I know what can settle this. Let's have a group day out."
Aridalle blinked.
"What's that?"
They all stared at her like she had just spoken another language.
This cute genius could be dumb at times.
Aridalle was intelligent, she had caught up with the college academics quickly…
But in some areas, she was painfully naive.
Courtney recovered first.
"It's when friends go out to have fun," she explained. "Visit places, take pictures, eat, do silly things… everything."
Aridalle's eyes twinkled like stars.
"Ohh! That sounds cool!"
She clapped excitedly.
Maelynn chuckled, patting her hair.
"This girl has the brain of a genius but the mind of a child," she teased. "We can go to places like the amusement park, cinema…"
"Restaurants with yummy food," Jace added.
Aridalle's eyes widened.
"Can I come too?"
Courtney frowned.
"Of course you can. Why the hell should we say no?"
Jace smiled at the excited look on Aridalle's face, then glanced toward the entrance.
"What's delaying Miguel?" he muttered. "I'm sure I left him at the basketball court."
"Yeah," Maelynn added, checking her watch. "The professor will be here soon."
Just then, Khole and Jenna walked in.
Their faces were tight, eyes sharp.
They walked past them, glaring viciously… especially at Maelynn.
Courtney frowned.
"Uh… what was that for?"
Aridalle turned to look at them, blinking innocently.
As if sensing her gaze, Khole looked up and gave her the fuck you sign, eyes throwing daggers.
Aridalle tilted her head, puzzled.
The rest stared at her.
Courtney was about to speak when Aridalle calmly returned the fuck you sign…
This time with two fingers.
The group gasped.
Khole's eyes widened in shock.
Maelynn laughed madly and gave them the sign too.
"That's my baby girl," she cackled. "You rock!"
Courtney quickly grabbed their hands and forced them down.
"That's enough," she hissed.
Aridalle pouted, confused.
"Why?" she asked. "Isn't that a sign of greeting?"
Jace burst out laughing.
"This girl is really clueless," he said, wiping his eyes. "You'll understand when the time comes, but for now… don't do that."
Aridalle nodded obediently, like a child listening to her father.
Miguel walked in just then, looking upset.
He sat beside them with a sigh.
Maelynn immediately leaned forward.
"What happened?" she asked.
Miguel rubbed his forehead.
"Khole and Jenna confessed to me again," he said. "And this time in the most annoying way. I told them no, but they still followed me around like pests. That delayed me."
Jace chuckled, patting his back.
"Stay strong, bro."
"That explains the glare," Courtney muttered.
"Yeah," Maelynn added.
Aridalle smiled cutely at Miguel.
Her smile was like a magnet.
Miguel's eyes softened immediately.
"You don't have to be angry," Aridalle said gently. "You look scary with that frown."
Miguel smiled genuinely.
And just like that, he felt calm.
Their small interaction didn't go unnoticed by others.
But no one said anything.
They only exchanged knowing looks.
✯
In a motel hidden from ordinary eyes
Only supernatural beings and entities were allowed there.
Drizella stood quickly and bowed as Seraphim entered her room.
His cold aura filled the space immediately, making the air feel heavy.
"Thank you for coming, my Lord," Drizella said.
Seraphim sat down majestically, ignoring her greeting.
"Let's go straight to the point," he said.
"Yes, my Lord."
Drizella sat… or rather, hovered slightly above her seat.
"I was doing my usual meditation," she began, "when I saw something relating to the key mystery."
Seraphim's lips tugged into a cruel smirk as he listened.
✯
Enchanted castle
Aridalle collapsed on her bed after Zenovia left.
She yawned softly, thinking about what Maelynn had said.
Amusement parks.
Cinema.
Restaurants.
Taking pictures.
Having fun.
She blinked.
Could she… do those things with Seraphim?
Aridalle slapped her forehead.
"Just because he saved me doesn't mean he'll do that," she muttered.
She rolled to the left and bit her knees nervously.
"Or maybe he would," she whispered. "Let's try our luck."
She stood up, forcing a brave face, and left her room.
✯
Seraphim's suite
Aridalle opened the door slowly and slipped inside quietly.
Her heart was beating too fast.
Her legs trembled like they might give out.
The suite was dim, glowing faintly red.
"M-my Lord," she stuttered, eyes darting around.
"Hm, human."
His cold voice echoed in the darkness.
Aridalle gasped, trying to locate him.
Then Seraphim stepped into the light slowly.
His handsome physique came into view.
He wore dark trousers and a white shirt.
The top buttons were undone, exposing his abs.
Aridalle shivered as his golden eyes scanned her body, as if they had hands of their own.
"My Lord… sorry for the disturbance," she whispered.
Seraphim raised a brow.
He was very sure he had warned her not to enter his suite without permission.
Yet here she was.
He didn't speak.
So Aridalle decided to push her luck.
"Erm…" she stammered, looking down and clinging to the hem of her dress. "Will you be free this weekend?"
Seraphim arched a brow.
"Why?"
"I…" she swallowed. "I wanted us to go somewhere."
"Oh," he murmured.
Then in a blink—
He was in front of her.
He pinned her to the wall.
Aridalle gasped.
His face was close to hers, his gaze blank but intense.
"Are you asking me out on a date, human?" he asked.
Aridalle's cheeks heated up instantly.
"I-is that what it's called?" she whispered.
Seraphim smirked, watching her turn red.
His gaze moved to her small lips, and his eyes glowed faintly.
Aridalle bit her lip unconsciously, nervous.
Seraphim's expression tightened.
For a moment, he looked almost irritated… like he was suddenly too hot.
"Can I kiss you?" he asked.
Aridalle's eyes widened.
"W-what—?"
But before she could finish, Seraphim's lips crashed onto hers.
Aridalle let out a tiny moan.
Seraphim groaned lowly, grabbing her waist as the kiss deepened.