Helen stood before the towering obsidian gates of the Demon Realm's royal palace, the ever-present heat pressing against her skin. The air crackled with tension as two guards clad in dark armor swung open the gates, ushering her inside. Despite the grandeur of the palace-adorned with crimson banners and gold-trimmed pillars-there was no mistaking the hostility in the air.
It wasn't her first time stepping Into enemy territory, but that didn't make it any more welcoming. The Shadow Realm and the Demon Realm had long been rivals, and while they weren't at war, the lack of trust was palpable.
She was led into the throne room, where King Valtoria sat on his massive throne, his presence alone commanding the space. His piercing golden eyes studied her with the sharpness of a blade, and his expression twisted into something unreadable. Beside him stood his daughter, Nicole Valtoria.
Nicole was unlike what most imagined a royal of the Demon Realm to be. Her long white hair cascaded down her back, and her lavender eyes, though bright, held a softness that stood in stark contrast to her father's hardened gaze. She fidgeted slightly but straightened under her father's watchful eye.
Helen knew why she was here to convince the King to allow Nicole to attend Ashwood Haven Academy. But it wouldn't be easy.
"So," the King's voice rumbled through the hall, laced with amusement. "The Tenebri have come to take something from us again?"
Helen met his gaze evenly, refusing to rise to the provocation. "I come as the headmistress of Ashwood Haven Academy, seeking to offer your daughter a chance to develop her potential beyond these walls."
The King scoffed, resting his chin on his knuckles. "And why should I trust you, Shadow-dweller? Your kind have never been reliable. Your realm barely stands on its own, and now, without a Guardian, it is left vulnerable. Tell me, Helen-if you cannot even protect your own people, how do you intend to protect my daughter?"
Helen remained still, his words cutting deeper than she cared to admit. He was right-Seth's and Henri's death had left the Shadow Realm without its protector. Even though she hid it well, she was surprised by how much he knew. But showing weakness was not an option.
"My school is not the Shadow Realm," she replied smoothly. "Ashwood Haven Academy is a neutral ground, protected by a powerful dome."
The King leaned forward, a smirk playing on his lips. "A neutral ground, you say? Yet, I hear that Liam-the boy Steve Nazar hunts-is under your care. Tell me, Helen, how can you guarantee my daughter's safety when you harbor the very target that a madman seeks?"
Helen's pulse quickened. How does he know about that? She had taken every precaution to keep Liam's whereabouts hidden. But if the King was aware, how many others were?
Still, she didn't let her expression betray her thoughts. "Liam is a student, and like all my students, his safety is my responsibility. If anything, his presence ensures that Ashwood Haven Academy is well-guarded."
Nicole finally stepped forward, her voice soft but firm. "Father, please. This is my choice." She looked at him with pleading eyes. "I want to see the world outside. I want to learn, to grow. Keeping me here won't make me stronger -it will only keep me sheltered."
The King's jaw tightened. Helen could see the conflict in his eyes. He was a ruler, a protector, and above all, a father. He didn't fear Helen-he feared losing his daughter.
"You know I only want what's best for you," he muttered.
Nicole stepped closer, grasping his hand. "Then trust me."
A long silence stretched between them before the King finally exhaled heavily. He turned his sharp gaze back to Helen. "Very well. But mark my words if anything happens to my daughter, the Tenebri will answer for it."
Helen inclined her head. "Understood."
As Nicole turned to Helen with a grateful smile, Helen couldn't shake the lingering tension in the room. The King had given his permission, but the warning in his eyes was clear.
The Demon Realm would be watching.
Helen kept her stance firm as the Demon King leaned back on his throne, watching her with a calculating gaze. The weight of his presence was oppressive, but she refused to show any discomfort.
"Now that we have settled the matter of my daughter's enrollment," the King said, his voice slow and deliberate, 'I insist that you stay in the palace for a week as our guest."
Helen barely hesitated before responding. "I appreciate the offer, Your Majesty, but I have a school to run. My responsibilities at Ashwood Haven Academy cannot be neglected for that long."
The King raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Ah, ever the dutiful headmistress. But surely a short stay will not bring your esteemed institution to ruin?"
Helen knew better than to take his words at face value. He wasn't simply offering hospitality-he wanted to keep her here, to watch her, perhaps even test her. The rivalry between their realms was not easily ignored, even under the guise of diplomacy.
She met his gaze evenly. "A week is far too long. If you wish for me to stay as a gesture of goodwill, I can offer two days. No more."
The smirk deepened, but there was something sharp in his eyes, something unreadable. "Two days? That is hardly enough time to enjoy the grandeur of my realm."
Helen gave a polite smile. "Then I suppose I'll have to make the most of it."
For a moment, the throne room was silent. Then, with a short chuckle, the King inclined his head. "Very well, Headmistress. Two days it is."
Nicole exhaled softly, as if relieved by the compromise. Helen, however, remained cautious. She had bought herself some time-but she knew that in the Demon Realm two days could feel like an eternity.
Nicole practically lit up the moment her father dismissed them. As soon as they were out of the throne room, she turned to Helen with an eager smile.
Nicole practically lit up the moment her father dismissed them. As soon as they were out of the throne room, she turned to Helen with an eager smile.
"Come on! I'll show you to your room," she said, clasping her hands together excitedly.
Helen arched a brow at the sudden shift in energy but gestured for Nicole to lead the way.
The young princess walked with an effortless grace, though her enthusiasm made her movements a little bouncier than expected. The palace halls were grand, with towering black stone pillars and intricate silver engravings that told stories of battles long past. Helen took it all in with quiet observation, making mental notes of the layout and possible exits-just in case.
When they reached the guest quarters, Nicole pushed open the large doors, revealing a spacious room with dark velvet drapes, a massive bed, and a balcony that overlooked the palace gardens.
"This is where you'll be staying!" Nicole beamed, clasping her hands behind her back. "It's one of the best rooms in the palace. Father never lets anyone stay here, so that means he respects you-at least a little."
Helen chuckled lightly, stepping further into the room. "Good to know."
Nicole followed her inside, then suddenly spun on her heels, excitement bubbling over. "So, tell me!" She leaned in eagerly. "What's Liam like?"
Helen blinked at the sudden question. "Liam?"
Nicole nodded rapidly. "Yes! I've heard a little about him, but I want to know what he's really like. He's at your school, right?"
Helen studied Nicole's expression-pure curiosity, laced with excitement. She seemed genuinely interested, though Helen wasn't sure why.
"He's… complicated," Helen finally said, choosing her words carefully. "Blunt, stubborn, sarcastic. Not exactly the friendliest person."
Nicole giggled. "Sounds intense."
"That's one way to put it," Helen muttered.
Nicole tilted her head, thoughtful. "But he's strong, right?"
Helen exhaled through her nose. "Yes. He is."
Nicole grinned as if she had just confirmed something for herself. "I can't wait to meet him."
Helen gave her a long look before shaking her head slightly. "Just don't expect him to roll out a warm welcome."
Nicole laughed, brushing off the warning. "I can handle it."
Helen wasn't so sure. But something about the way Nicole's eyes gleamed with anticipation made her wonder just how much this princess already knew-and how much more she wanted to find out.
She leaned against the bedpost, arms crossed, watching the excitement practically radiate off Nicole. It was a stark contrast to the usual gloom that hung over Ashwood Haven Academy-especially where I was concerned.
"You seem really eager to meet him," Helen noted, narrowing her eyes slightly.
Nicole nodded without hesitation. "Of course! He's strong, right? And I've heard a lot about him."
Helen sighed. "Strength isn't all there is to a person, Nicole. Liam isn't exactly… welcoming."
Nicole tilted her head, considering Helen's words. "I figured as much. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't try to get along with him."
Helen studied her for a moment before speaking. "Listen," she said, voice firm but not unkind. "Liam will push you away. He does that to everyone. Don't take it personally."
Nicole crossed her arms, pouting slightly. "Sounds like a challenge."
Helen gave her a tired look. "It's not a challenge, Nicole. Just reality. He won't make it easy."
Nicole smirked. "I never said I liked easy."
Helen sighed again, rubbing her temples. "Just… promise me you won't give up on him too quickly. Liam needs-" She hesitated, the words catching in her throat. What did I need? Someone to pull me out of the darkness? A friend who wouldn't let go, no matter how much I pushed them away?
She shook her head and settled on, "Just do your best to be his friend, even when he tells you otherwise."
Nicole's expression softened. "You really care about him, don't you?"
Helen's eyes flickered with something unreadable before she shrugged. "Liam's got enough enemies. What he needs right now is someone who isn't looking to fight him."
Nicole nodded thoughtfully. "Then I'll do my best."
Helen wasn't sure if Nicole fully understood what she was getting herself into, but a small part of her hoped-just hoped-that Nicole's presence might chip away at my walls, even if only a little.
Nicole plopped onto the edge of the bed, kicking her feet lightly against the wooden floor. She glanced at Helen, her bright eyes filled with curiosity.
"You really care about him," she mused, tilting her head.
Helen arched a brow. "I already said that."
Nicole smirked. "No, I mean… you sound like a mother when you talk about him."
Helen stiffened for a fraction of a second before rolling her eyes. "I'm not his mother."
Nicole hummed, unconvinced. "Are you sure?"
"Positive."
Nicole leaned back on her hands, studying Helen carefully. "Then who is?"
Helen hesitated before answering, her voice quieter than before. "Her name was Shayla."
Something in Nicole's expression shifted. The playful gleam in her eyes dulled slightly, and she looked down at her lap. "Oh."
Helen watched her reaction, "What?"
Nicole offered a small, almost sheepish smile. "I didn't get to know my mother either."
Helen's gaze softened. "She passed?"
Nicole nodded. "She died giving birth to me."
A silence settled between them, not heavy with sorrow but laced with an understanding neither of them needed to voice.
'Guess that makes two of us, Nicole said, her voice light but carrying an undertone of something deeper.
Helen let out a slow breath, then moved to sit beside her. "It's not easy, is it?"
Nicole shook her head. "No, but… I like to think she's watching over me. That she'd be proud."
Helen glanced at her, a small smile playing at her lips. "I think she would be."
Nicole beamed at that, her usual excitement returning. "And I bet Liam's mom would be proud of him too!"
Helen didn't respond right away. Instead, she thought of the broken boy hiding behind anger and vengeance, of the pain I buried so deeply it poisoned me from the inside.
"I hope so," she murmured.
Nicole didn't seem to notice the hesitation, already moving on to another thought. "So, tell me more about Liam! What's he really like?"
Helen exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "That's a loaded question."
Nicole grinned. "I've got time."
Helen smirked. "You'll see for yourself soon enough."
Nicole pouted. "Come on, give me something!"
Helen chuckled, shaking her head. "Alright. Let's see… he's blunt, has no filter, and doesn't care much for pleasantries. He'll probably ignore you, maybe insult you a few times, and if you're lucky, he might tolerate your presence."
Nicole blinked, then grinned. "Sounds fun."
Helen arched a brow. "You say that now."
Nicole leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "So, he's the type to push people away, huh?"
Helen nodded. "That's putting it mildly."
"But you still want me to befriend him?"
Helen sighed. "Yes. Because whether he admits it or not, Liam needs people who won't walk away. Even when he pushes them to."
Nicole tilted her head, thoughtful. "That sounds like you're speaking from experience."
Helen smirked but didn't confirm or deny it.
Nicole studied her for a moment before her eyes twinkled with mischief. "You really are like a mom to him."
Helen scoffed. "I am not his mother."
"Sure," Nicole sang, grinning.
Helen pinched the bridge of her nose. "What have I gotten myself into?"
Nicole giggled. "A new student, that's what. And don't worry, I'll do my best to befriend Liam! Even if he tries to run."
Helen gave her a knowing look. "Oh, he will try."
Nicole flashed a determined smile. "Then I'll just have to keep up or I will just have to cut off his limbs" she giggles mischievously
"I bet he won't know what hit me when you two finally meet" Helen says as she laughs and Nicole laughs with her. Their laughter dies down almost immediately, then silence
Nicole's smile softened, and she glanced down, twiddling her fingers. "You know I never got to know my mom either."
Helen's gaze flickered with interest, sensing the shift in Nicole's tone. "Oh?"
Nicole nodded, still staring at her hands. "She died giving birth to me." There was no bitterness in her voice, only quiet acceptance. "I don't even know what she looked like. My father doesn't talk about her much. I think it still hurts him too much."
Helen remained silent, allowing the moment to settle. She had seen this kind of pain before-the quiet ache of never knowing a parent, of being left with only whispers of their existence.
"I used to wonder," Nicole continued, her voice softer now, "if she would have been proud of me, if she would have wanted me to be strong like my father or if she would have held me close and told me it was okay to be soft." She smiled wistfully. "I like to think she would have done both."
Helen folded her arms, leaning against the bedpost. "I think she would have, too."
Nicole looked up at her, eyes filled with something unreadable. "Did Liam know his mother?"
Helen hesitated for a brief moment before answering. "Yes. But he lost her when he was very young."
Nicole's lips parted slightly in understanding. "So.. he knows what it's like?"
Helen exhaled, nodding. "More than most."
A silence stretched between them, not awkward but heavy with unspoken emotions. Then, Nicole smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. "Maybe that's another reason why I should befriend him."
Helen met her gaze and, for the first time, saw the quiet strength beneath her gentle demeanor.
"Maybe," Helen said, offering the faintest smile in return.
The flickering lanterns along the castle halls cast long shadows as King Valtoria strode through the corridors, his hands clasped behind his back. His advisor, an older man named Rael, walked beside him, his expression carefully neutral.
"You let the Tenebri stay," Rael finally spoke, his tone respectful but laced with concern.
The King hummed, not breaking stride. "For two days."
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, why entertain this arrangement? The Shadow Realm and our kingdom have never been allies. What if she's here for reasons beyond just your daughter?"
The King smirked, amused by the paranoia. "You doubt my ability to handle one woman?"
Rael hesitated before answering. "No, my King. But the timing is… suspicious."
The King stopped, turning to his advisor with a thoughtful look. "She was surprised when I mentioned the Guardian. She hid it well, but not well enough."
Rael's eyes narrowed slightly. "So, you believe the Shadow Realm is weaker than they let on?"
"I know they are." The King's expression darkened. "And that makes them unpredictable. If the Tenebri are faltering, then they are desperate. And desperate people make dangerous choices."
Rael was silent for a moment before nodding. "Shall I have someone keep an eye on her?"
The King turned back toward the hall and continued walking. "No. Let her believe she has our hospitality. She will reveal more when she feels comfortable."
"And what of your daughter?" Rael asked cautiously.
The King's stride slowed just slightly.
"She wishes to study at Ashwood Haven Academy."
Rael's brows furrowed. "And will you allow it?"
The King exhaled slowly. "But I have already allowed it!" he chuckles loudly.
Rael nodded, understanding that the conversation was over. They continued down the corridor in silence, the tension between them lingering like an unspoken warning.
Nicole sat on the edge of the bed, her hands folded neatly in her lap, watching Helen as she unpacked. The room was comfortable, though plain, with simple furniture and the faint scent of flowers from the garden below.
Helen was sorting through a few books, her mind seemingly elsewhere as she moved with practiced ease. But Nicole's eyes were full of curiosity, her gaze flickering toward the older woman.
After a long pause, Nicole finally spoke, her voice quiet but eager. "Helen… what was it like being married to Seth? The Guardian and Kovo of the Shadow Realm."
Helen paused mid-movement, her fingers brushing against the cover of a worn journal. She looked at Nicole, the corners of her mouth twitching ever so slightly as if caught between a smile and a frown. There was a brief flicker of something deep in her eyes—nostalgia, perhaps, or the weight of memories long buried.
"It was a bit like trying to walk on a tightrope with a blindfold on," Helen replied dryly, her tone laced with both warmth and weariness. "He had the weight of an entire realm on his shoulders, and I had the misfortune of being the one who tried to keep him grounded."
Nicole's gaze softened, sensing the complexity in Helen's voice. She was about to ask more, but her curiosity quickly shifted to hesitation. The words were right on the tip of her tongue, but she held back, unsure if this was a conversation Helen was truly willing to have.
"He wasn't always that serious, though," Helen continued, her voice lowering as her eyes softened, looking into the distance as if recalling a long-lost memory. "He was a loving husband, even when his duties consumed him. He had this way of balancing it all—being the Kovo, the Guardian, and still somehow being the man I married. He was never too far from me. Even when the world needed him, he made sure I felt seen. It wasn't easy, but…" Her smile turned wistful. "he tried. And that's all I could ever ask for."
Helen's tone shifted as she snapped herself out of the memory, her smile fading to a more neutral expression.
"I—" Nicole started, but Helen cut her off with a firm yet gentle tone.
"That would be all, Nicole," Helen said, her voice surprisingly stern. "I'm tired, and I want to rest before tom