The days following their night at the theatre were blissful. Nicole trained hard, impressing Jasper with her dedication and skill. Despite his sometimes cruel nature, Jasper found himself growing more attached to her, his feelings deepening in ways he had not anticipated. But the darkness within him, the corruption that gnawed at his soul, was an ever-present shadow, lurking at the edges of his consciousness.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the castle was bathed in the soft glow of twilight, Jasper felt the familiar, unwelcome stirrings of the corruption. He had been suppressing it for so long, but it was becoming harder to control. His hands trembled slightly as he made his way to his chambers, where Nicole was waiting for him.
She greeted him with a warm smile, her eyes filled with a mix of affection and curiosity. "Jasper, are you all right? You look... troubled."
