Luciana sat quietly as Jafar explained the situation to her, his tone serious and his words deliberate.
"We were ordered to eliminate any imposters by His Highness," he began, his sharp gaze fixed on her. "The threat isn't just to you but to your entire empire. They will come after you first, then wage war against Amenécer. The demons of Stygian will devour the light of your kingdom."
Luciana's breath caught, her chest tightening as she struggled to absorb the gravity of his words. Her mind searched frantically for a response, but nothing coherent came. The weight of the looming conflict hung heavily in the air.
Jafar gestured to the table, where Erebus placed a parchment—a contract—on the worn wood.
"The contract contains terms and conditions favorable to both sides," Erebus said, his voice firm. "The wedding will take place here, within the fortress, and we'll oversee all the arrangements."
Luciana reached out hesitantly, picking up the dull, yellowed paper. Holding it near the flickering candlelight, she scanned the document. Her silver eyes moved swiftly over the conditions outlined in ink, but her hands trembled slightly. They thought her naive, but Luciana had years of experience navigating the complex waters of diplomacy and economics.
This contract, however, was heavily skewed in their favor.
Lowering the document, she exhaled softly and met their unyielding gazes. "Please, allow me some time to think about this," she requested.
Erebus's brow furrowed. "How long?"
"Pardon?" she asked, startled by his abruptness.
"Two days," he replied sharply.
"That's—"
"One day," he interrupted, his tone brooking no argument.
Luciana's voice quivered as she pleaded, "Please... I beg of you. Just two days to consider everything."
Erebus held her gaze for a moment longer before nodding curtly. "Two days. If you wish to amend anything, this is your only opportunity. Once finalized, the contract will not be altered."
As Jafar collected the parchment and stepped out, Luciana shot to her feet, her mind racing with another thought. "The wedding dress!" she blurted, recalling the white gown she had worn when abducted from Amenécer.
Erebus tilted his head slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his features. "The one the brat kept clinging to?"
Her eyes widened. "The child… What happened to him? Please, tell me he's safe."
He hesitated, taken aback by her concern. "We brought him here because he wouldn't stop calling for you. He's being kept in room nearby ."
"Take me to him," she implored, her voice trembling with urgency.
Erebus sighed but finally relented, leading her down the winding staircase to the second floor. As they reached the hallway, faint cries echoed from behind one of the doors. Luciana's heart sank, and without waiting, she rushed toward the sound.
Inside, a group of maids looked flustered and helpless.
"M-Master!" they stammered, startled by Erebus's unexpected arrival.
"What's going on?" he demanded, his deep voice resonating through the room.
The maids hurriedly explained, "He won't stop crying. No matter what we do, he just clings to that ragged cloth."
Luciana stepped past them, her gaze falling on the trembling three-year-old clutching the tattered fabric of her wedding gown. She knelt before him, her movements slow and gentle.
The child glanced up, his tear-streaked face lighting up at the sight of her. Without a word, he threw himself into her arms, clutching her tightly as fresh sobs wracked his small frame.
"Hush now," she whispered, stroking his soft hair. "No one will hurt you. You're safe."
Her soothing voice and the warmth of her embrace quieted him as she began to hum a lullaby. Erebus watched from the doorway, his expression unreadable as Luciana's melody filled the room. The maids exchanged glances, silently excusing themselves as their presence became unnecessary.
By the time the boy's breathing evened out, he was fast asleep in her arms. Luciana gently placed him on the couch, tucking the fur covers around him before sitting beside him, exhaustion etched into her features.
Erebus leaned against the doorframe, observing her. "You were trembling with fear last night," he remarked, his voice low. "Now you look as though you belong here. Interesting."
Luciana didn't respond, her attention fully on the sleeping child.
---
At dawn, Jafar left the fortress under Stygian's orders to report the situation to the Crowned Prince of Wahrheit.
The journey through the thick mists surrounding the imperial palace was treacherous, the silhouette of the grand structure appearing only faintly in the distance. Known as the Spider Lily Palace, it loomed ominously—a legacy of the late Empress, now inherited by the Crowned Prince.
Jafar landed gracefully at the rear gates, where guards signaled him to prove his identity. Once verified, he was escorted briskly through the winding corridors to the office of Crowned Prince Zavaikal.
The man stood near a tall window, his back to the room. His golden eyes gleamed in the light as he gazed at the garden below, where the vibrant spider lilies were just beginning to bloom. His stance was relaxed, yet a palpable aura of authority surrounded him.
Jafar bowed deeply. "Jafar of the Stygian Domain greets Crowned Prince Zavaikal, new darkness of Wahrheit, on behalf of Commander Erebus Stygian."
"I've been expecting you," Zavaikal replied, his voice smooth yet laced with intrigue.
He turned slowly, revealing a striking face with sharp features and tanned skin much like Erebus's. His eyes glistened with eagerness, their golden hue reminiscent of a predator savoring its next move.
"Tell me," he said, stepping forward. "What news does Stygian bring to my court?"