News of First Pregnancy.

Four days had passed since Luciana's first night with Erebus, and under Derran's guidance, Erebus had been increasingly attentive to her needs. The first two days were particularly difficult, as Luciana found it hard to move freely. Erebus would carry her to the bath after Mina prepared it, and Luciana frequently experienced nausea, often throwing up into the clay pot that Mina had placed nearby.

On the fourth day, Derran arrived at Erebus's command to check on Luciana, as scheduled. Erebus, however, was confined to his study by Jafar, who was intent on ensuring that all necessary paperwork was completed. Security measures around the fortress had tightened, though the elusive intruder had yet to be identified. Erebus had stationed his most trusted men to monitor everyone coming and going, while Mina remained with Luciana and Nemesis, ensuring that no one approached carelessly. Additionally, Ahriman had been assigned as Luciana's personal guard, which complicated matters further.

While Derran examined Luciana, Mina stood nearby, half-distracted by her thoughts regarding the ongoing search for the intruder. After a moment, Derran released Luciana's wrist and smiled, a rare expression that neither Luciana nor Mina had seen on his face before.

"Mister Derran, is everything alright?" Luciana asked, her concern evident.

"Yes, my lady. Everything is more than alright," Derran replied warmly. "You are expecting."

Luciana froze in shock, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach.

"What... what did you say?" she whispered.

Mina, still confused, asked, "Expecting what?"

"I'm pregnant?" Luciana gasped softly, her words almost inaudible as the reality of Derran's diagnosis sank in.

"Milady is pregnant?" Mina repeated in astonishment, her voice rising in excitement. Without thinking, she rushed to Derran and shook him by the shoulders. "What do you mean? You better not be mistaken, or I'll have your head!"

"Calm down, Mina," Derran managed to say, his voice shaking from her grip. "It's true. The lady knows best."

Luciana, still overwhelmed, pressed her hand to her belly, as if to confirm the truth for herself. Mina, meanwhile, was ecstatic.

"Master Erebus must hear this wonderful news! The young master Nemesis will have a sibling! Oh, I'll be busier than ever now!" Mina declared as she glanced at Nemesis, who was sitting nearby, drawing with a piece of charcoal on papyrus.

Luciana, however, was lost in her thoughts. So this is how it happens... a new life is growing inside me. Is this how all children come into the world? Tears welled up in her eyes as she fully absorbed the weight of the moment.

"M-my lady, are you alright? Are you in pain?" Derran asked nervously, misinterpreting her tears.

"No, I'm fine," Luciana said softly. "But, Mister Derran... am I really going to be a mother?"

"Yes, my lady. You will be a mother," Derran affirmed kindly. "If that is what fate wills."

"My husband doesn't know yet," Luciana murmured, gently rubbing her belly.

"Thank you, Mister Derran." She smiled, wiping away her tears.

"You are like a daughter to me," Derran said, his voice full of warmth. "Forgive me for saying so, but you are already a mother—to Nemesis."

Luciana looked over at Nemesis, now trying to grab his charcoal back from Mina. She smiled softly. "Yes, you're right," she agreed. Nemesis may not have been her biological child, but he was their son nonetheless, and she cherished him dearly.

"Will Erebus be happy about the news?" she wondered, thinking of her often stoic and distant husband.

Derran stood up, ready to leave. "I will prepare a tonic for you, my lady, to help with your condition. You should also try to eat more meat."

Luciana grimaced at the thought. "More meat? Must it be meat?" she asked, recalling the raw, bloodied meat that demons in the fortress preferred.

Derran chuckled at her reaction. "Ah, I see. You're not fond of the way they eat it here. If it's possible, have the chef prepare yak or bison meat cooked the way you prefer. But it's important that you have more protein during this time."

Luciana hesitated, but nodded. "I'll try."

"And don't forget to spend some time in the sun. It will do you good," Derran advised before leaving, Mina opening the door for him.

After Derran's departure, Luciana requested her cloak. "Mina, I'm tired of staying in bed. Please, bring me my cloak."

"Milady, Master forbade you from leaving the chambers," Mina said, concerned for Luciana's health.

"I won't go far, just within the building. I would like to visit the ice garden—it reminds me of home," Luciana said, her pleading eyes causing Mina to relent.

Reluctantly, Mina handed her the cloak. "Are you taking Nemesis with you?"

Luciana smiled softly. "No, he's asleep. Please stay with him." She gestured toward the bed where Nemesis lay peacefully.

She left the chambers, with Ahriman dutifully escorting her. As they walked down the hallway, Luciana suddenly remembered her medicine. "Oh, I've forgotten my tonic. Would you mind asking Mina to bring it to me?" she asked Ahriman sweetly.

Ahriman hesitated, clearly recalling the punishment Erebus had once dealt him for failing to protect Luciana, but after a few moments, he agreed. "Very well, milady. Please wait here."

Luciana stood in the corridor, admiring the fortress's stone walls when, unexpectedly, Leo, the family wolf, came bounding toward her.

"Leo!" she called out, startled by his sudden appearance. She reached for a nearby iron sconce for support, but before she could react, the floor beneath her rumbled. A hidden trapdoor opened, and with a gasp, she lost her grip and fell into the dark space below, Leo right behind her.