CHAPTER#24:Sharing room!

The sun was overhead. Jafar escorted her to the third floor. She stopped in front of the door of the chambers she was residing in.

"Forgive me, my lady. But the lord and the lady share one room after marriage if I recall."

She was dumbfounded to hear his words. They couldn't bear to see each other for long let alone sharing one room. But he was not wrong. Her mother used to tell her about her marriage experience. She used to let Avlynn and Melody in her room. Even Aria would sneak in and sleep on her bed. But no stranger was allowed in her chambers. But this was not Amanécer. She needed to adjust to reality.

She did not anticipate it.

"Then...Nemesis... I can't leave him alone."

"You don't need to worry about the child my lady. No harm will approach him as long as he is under Master's protection," he reassured her.

She was not too relieved to hear it from him.

She promised to send Nemesis with him after she had been escorted to Erebus's chambers. She recognized the same black and gold plated doors. The room where she was first brought to.

He opened the door and escorted her inside.

It was empty. He was nowhere to be found. The fireplace was still lit. Jafar looked at the table that was cleared away by a servant. The bed covers remained untouched.

"Strange... "He muttered under his breath. Luciana had heard him but did not react to it.

-"He should've been in his room at noon."

He knew his master would take mid-noon naps. It was usually to avoid the sun at this time of the day.

It was yet another snowy day. The sun barely shone on the freezing world.

"Then my lady...Mina has prepared your clothes."He showed a caramel pop to Nemesis.

It glistened in front of the fire. His eyes sparkled at its sight. He was oddly attracted to things that were bright and lustrous.

"Don't worry about it, my lady. It's just sweet from the human world. It's called caramel." he gave the candy to Nemesis.

Her suspicions would continue to grow. He brought the golden candy on a stick close to her. He meant for her to taste it.

She glanced at the smiling attendant and back at the child who eagerly awaited for her to taste it.

She sighed and bit a little. It was like eating a glass. It had a unique sweet flavor. And it was a little salty.

"It's tasty!"She exclaimed in surprise.

-"On top of that it melts in the mouth quickly and has a smooth feel when sucked on it."

"See? There's nothing to worry about madame," he assured her. She could see a hint of excitement on his face.

"Alright, I will believe in you. But just for today."She finally gave in.

Nemesis however wouldn't let go of her when he extended his hands to receive him.

In the meantime, Mina knocked on the room and entered.

"Mina?"They asked in unison.

"My lady! I was here to prepare a bath for you..." She looked at both of them.

-"Has something gone wrong? Why are they looking at me like that?" she glanced at her brother then at her mistress.

"Good timing Mina!"Jafar called out.

"Yes?" she wondered what they needed from her.

"Mina...Can you take care of Nemesis? Just for today!"Luciana made a hasty request.

"Yes as the lady wishes," she replied without hesitation.

" Sweetling sister Mina will play with you today. Mama is a little busy today. Be a good boy." she gave a little peck on his squishy cheek and handed him to Mina.

"Let's go, young master! Today we will play hide and seek with sister Mina!" she chanted.

Nemesis repeated after her. Luciana felt at ease looking at them with high spirits.

"What's all this ruckus about in my room?"A deep voice called from behind them.

They looked back and saw Erebus standing at the terrace entrance staring at them with bloodshot eyes.

He was covered in blood. He took off the hood of his cloak from his head exposing his black hair that was bathed in blood. The smell of blood for Luciana was suffocating. She turned pale as she tried to hold her breath. Her eyes watered. He glared at them and then back at her.

"Where have you been master?"Mina spoke up to break the silence.

"Where else do you think I went?"He sighed irritably.

"You should have taken madam with you for your honeymoon. You are finally married."She scowled as Jafar stared at her jaw-dropped.

-"Where did she read this stuff?"

"Mina~?"Luciana spoke up in shock.

"Did you think I went out for a stroll in the garden?"He began to lose his patience.

"Ahh~! Master the bath is ready and so are the clothes. We will be on our way now. If you need anything please summon me. Then, good day master. And to you too madame."

After all the rambling he hurried off with Mina and Nemesis and shut the huge doors behind him.

"W-wait, please!"She suddenly called out behind them extending her hand. Too late! The doors were already shut before he could listen to her.

-"Don't leave me alone..." a voice cried out in her mind.

She felt a dark shadow behind him with approaching footsteps and an unbearable stench of blood.

She held her breath again and hesitantly turned around. He was towering above her. She felt so small in front of him despite her reaching up to his shoulders.

"What are you doing here?"He raised a question that left her stupefied.

"T-the husband and wife are supposed to share one room after getting married."She managed to say.

-"It was better to stay in a separate room." she cried internally.

"Is that what Jafar told you? Or is sleeping in one room one of your customs?"

"W-well it's natural anywhere for a married couple to share one room." she insisted without giving a further thought. That was what she read in the books. Even romantic novels all said about it, so she was convinced of the fact. Thinking about it made her forget who was in front of her.

He sighed and took off his cloak and war axe. And put them on the table. She was shocked when he took off his shirt. His body was covered in bloodstained bandages.

-"Just what does he go through every day?"She wondered.

"Do you like looking at me that much?"He looked back at her.

Her cheeks flushed red as a beet when she realized that she'd been staring at him for longer than she did.

"I apologize" She answered and looked away.

He looked at her for a moment and left for the bathroom.

When the door shut behind him she let out a big sigh of relief and sat on the bed. She unpinned the white tulle veil she had been wearing and noticed that the rug had been stained with fresh blood. She noticed some old stains of blood as well. It made her think of the dangers that must have haunted him in his life.

-"Compared to him... What am I supposed to be?"