Aftereffect

Luciana woke from an uneasy dream, her body aching with exhaustion. The first thing her eyes registered was the sight of a bare, muscular chest adorned with three jagged scars.

She was enveloped in strong arms, and the memory of the previous night's events caused her to flush deeply. Her body felt weak, as if all her strength had been drained in a single night. A feverish heat radiated from her skin, her face no exception. She had no tears left to cry, her eyes dry and stinging. His warmth and scent clung to her body, a constant reminder of what had transpired.

She was naked.

Too fatigued to free herself from his grasp, Luciana remained still, her body stiff and aching. The passage of time was lost to her, and a slight movement caused her to groan in pain. He stirred, releasing her from his embrace. She sensed his eyes on her as she struggled to rise, her legs giving way beneath her. Before she could fall, he caught her and pulled her back into bed, his gaze lingering on the marks left by his touch.

"I-I wasn't trying to escape!" she blurted, her voice shaky.

"And you can't," he replied, his rough fingers stroking her flushed cheek.

"She's mine. Mine alone," he thought to himself.

"I don't feel well, my lord—"

"Erebus," he corrected sharply. "I told you, I have a name."

"E-Erebus..." she managed, her voice barely a whisper.

"Much better." He smiled, then rose from the bed, tying his robe as he moved away. Luciana averted her gaze, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.

"I'll call Blake and Derran," he suggested while adjusting his robe.

"No!" she exclaimed suddenly, catching him off guard. "W-what I mean is... please call Mina," she stammered.

"I'm well aware that I'm the only one who should see you like this," he replied with a knowing smirk, crossing his arms.

At that moment, a knock on the door echoed through the room. Luciana quickly pulled the fur blankets over herself, covering her exposed body.

"Who is it?" she asked weakly.

"Milady, it's me," Mina's voice came from behind the door. Relief washed over Luciana at her timely arrival.

"Come in," Luciana permitted.

Mina entered, bowing apologetically. "Forgive my tardiness, milady."

Luciana, confused, asked, "Tardiness? Aren't you on time?"

"Milady, it's nearly lunchtime," Mina replied gently.

"L-lunchtime?" Luciana's voice trembled in shock. Panic set in as she looked around. "N-Nemesis! Where is he?"

"The young master is still asleep, milady. He had some trouble resting without you, so I stayed with him," Mina reassured her, smiling warmly. "I brought breakfast for you and the master."

Luciana shifted, becoming acutely aware of her nakedness beneath the blankets. Mina, noticing her discomfort, retrieved a sleeping robe and helped her into it. As she did, her eyes widened at the sight of the bruises and marks across Luciana's body.

"Milady! Why is your skin burning like this?" Mina asked, her voice filled with concern as she touched Luciana's arm.

"Mina… please… call Mister Derran," Luciana's voice was shaky, her strength waning.

"I-I'll fetch him immediately. Please, breathe deeply," Mina urged, her voice trembling as she hurried to find the antidote. She rummaged through the chest and found the small bottle, helping Luciana drink a dose.

"I'll be back soon," Mina promised, rushing toward the door.

Erebus emerged from the bath, his hair damp and a woolen robe loosely tied around his broad frame. He glanced at Mina, who shot him a furious look.

"Master, you should know how to care for the lady," she scolded. "Help her eat until I return."

With that, Mina hurried out of the room, leaving Erebus bewildered.

"What's gotten into her?" he muttered, until he noticed Luciana struggling to breathe. His mind raced, remembering her first days at the fortress. He glanced around the room, checking for any burning incense that might have triggered her condition, but found none. A grim realization set in.

He had caused this.

Luciana's pale face and labored breathing struck a chord in him. He stood, intending to fetch the physician himself, when he felt a weak tug on his sleeve.

"Mina has gone... to get him... please, stay," Luciana whispered, summoning the last of her strength.

Gritting his teeth, Erebus sat down beside her, dragging a chair close to the bed. His mind churned, unsure of how to handle the situation.

The door suddenly burst open, and Mina returned, dragging Derran, the elderly physician, behind her.

"Master, milady, I apologize for the delay," Derran panted.

Behind them, Jafar appeared, curious. "What's the rush, Mina? What happened—"

His inquiry was abruptly silenced by Mina's hand smacking his face.

"Go away, brother! You're not wanted here!" she barked, shoving him out of the room. Jafar stumbled out, wide-eyed and speechless, muttering to himself in disbelief.

Erebus moved aside as Derran approached Luciana, examining her with care.

"Did the lady bleed?" Derran asked, his tone serious.

Erebus nodded, his expression darkening.

"How much?" the physician inquired further, but Erebus's patience snapped. He grabbed Derran by the collar, his voice low and dangerous.

"Give me a proper answer," he growled.

"Master, please," Mina intervened, her frustration palpable. "There's a sick person here."

Derran, undeterred by Erebus's anger, asked Mina calmly, "Did you change the sheets this morning?"

"No," Mina replied, "I hadn't yet attended to the lady, knowing that the master had spent the night with her."

"Good. Please check them now," Derran advised cautiously.

Mina hesitated before pulling back the furs. Her face turned pale as she revealed the crimson stains on the sheets.

"T-this... was there a murder last night?" she whispered, wide-eyed.

Erebus shook his head. "If there was murder, the blood would be on the floor too."

"I believe it is the lady's maiden blood," Derran explained carefully. "My lord, if you would allow me to speak plainly?"

Luciana groaned in pain, drawing everyone's attention. Derran quickly uncorked a small vial and carefully administered a few drops of the tonic to her lips.

"She will recover," Derran reassured them. "She has developed a fever from the shock her body endured. She's quite stressed. However, my lord, I must advise that you be gentler with her in the future."

Erebus crossed his arms, frowning. "What do you mean?"

Derran sighed, exasperated. "The lady is not weak, but... you must refrain from being overly harsh. Intimacy is delicate, especially for someone like her. This was her first time, after all."

Erebus glowered. "And what exactly are you implying?"

Derran suppressed his frustration. "My lord, think of her as a delicate flower. If you are too rough, she will wither. Care for her, be patient. She will heal, but she needs time."

He placed the small vial on the bedside table. "Ensure she takes this tonic after every meal. Let her rest, and give her more nourishing food, especially cooked meats. I advise you to avoid further... activities for the time being."

With a respectful bow, Derran turned to leave. Mina opened the door for him, and he paused briefly.

"I will check on her in four days," he said before departing.

Erebus watched him leave, then turned back to Luciana, who had already fallen into a deep sleep.