Estrangement

The next day...

"My lady, Miss Lilith is here," Blake had informed Luciana about her arrival at the fortress when she was getting ready.

Mina had been complaining that the five dresses including her nightgowns were not suitable for her to wear as her belly became bigger.

But Luciana ignored her bickering and was more focused on how to exercise her rights over the domain.

The domain was in dire need for revolution in various aspects to secure it's future.

First she needed the access to his study for the documents that were stocked up in his office.

Lilith and Jafar stood at the door until Blake received the permission for them to enter the master chambers.

"So Erebus...I mean his lordship has finally married."

Lilith asked her brother who remained indifferent to her all the years after she got married.

"It's not your place to judge the master's decision. And this time you better be careful with what you're doing...that is if you want to have your head displayed on a spike."

She said no more and gulped as she felt a vile taste fill her mouth. Her brother was cold to her.

And she knew that she was the cause to it.

Erebus was ascending to the third floor from his daily training regimen. It was time to let the newly trained boys to send them to the imperial army under Draco.

"Master, you're back. It seems like there is a messenger from the capital." Jafar left Lilith alone to relay him the news of imperial messenger who just arrived last night with the news from the palace.

Erebus looked up and realized that he had made eye contact with her.

She bowed deeply and hurried to the door when Blake came out to get her.

"Guide me to where he is."

Erebus left with Jafar with last glance at the chamber doors that were later closed.

He had hoped that Luciana was comfortable with her.

Last evening Derran had made a quick visit to he chambers to hand over what Luciana asked of him.

The old man had finally completed the potion. He was troubled and warned her to refrain from frequent use for the fear of affecting her pregnancy.

She told Erebus about the potion but only briefly so that he wouldn't put his guard up.

Mina was shocked to witness Luciana change her appearance.

Her ears changed shape like that of a demon's. The color of her hair change from white to honey blonde and her eyes turned deep crimson. Her canines became sharper.

It was a painful process. She had to endure the pain to adapt to the change.

The nails on her hands turned black and sharp like claws.

Luciana looked at herself in the water. She was oddly satisfied that her appearance had changed enough like hat of a demon's.

This appearance gave her the opportunity to move more freely without a veil to cover herself whenever she wanted to leave the chambers.

"M-milady..." Mina gasped.

"Does this not suit me well?" Luciana asked her awkwardly.

"No! But you look like a noble lady from those vampires. They have blood shot eyes and sharp teeth. And they look so pale as if they are a corpse."

She was satisfied that the potion worked better than Derran had expected it to be.

" The pain is worth it."

-" Though Nemesis would cry if he saw me like this." Luciana felt guilty for not telling him in advance.

Blake and Lilith entered the chambers.

Mina looked at her older sister surprised to find out about her sudden visit.

Jafar had not informed her of her arrival.

Mina looked distorted to meet Lilith after ages.

"Sister Lilith...what are you-"

"It's an honor to meet the esteemed lady of Stygian. I'm Lilith. I will be at your ladyship's service starting today."

She hastily greeted after cutting off Mina.

Luciana looked at the woman who was older than her. She had the same appearance as Mina except for the fact that she was not an easy person as Mina was.

"My maid was asking about something and you cut her off." Luciana stood up from the chair and approached her.

"It seems that both sisters aren't very fond of each other I presume?"

Lilith stood barely maintaining her composure.

"Of course not milady. How dare I disregard the lady's maid. It's just that I felt it would be rude to prioritize our hearty greetings in your noble presence."

-" She has her way with words."

"Very well. Then please have a seat. I'd like to discuss work with you."

She offered her to sit on the couch.

Lilith hesitantly took place on the couch facing its counterpart in parallel direction.

They discussed about her condition and finally dismissed her until next week.

"Mina, can you bring in Sir Jafar?" Luciana asked her to summon Jafar but she stood dazed.

"Mina?" Luciana once again called her.

She jolted back into her senses and hurried to bring in her brother.

Luciana was about the mystery behind the reason the siblings were estranged from each other.

Jafar and Mina became sensitive when it came to their eldest sister. Even Erebus was uncomfortable mentioning her.

She pondered over several possibilities that circled her mind.

The door opened with Mina and Jafar entering the chambers with her permission.

Jafar especially looked nervous.

"Come both of you, have a seat." She offered to them.

They glanced at each other and obeyed her.

"Sir Jafar you're free to ask what you want."

Luciana could plainly read his troubled face without needing an interpretation.

"F-forgive me for being so obvious my lady. But you weren't uncomfortable with sister Lilith?"

"Not at all! Infact I was relieved that she was more helpful than Mister Derran. I would love it if she were to assist me during my time until I give birth safely."

He was silent and reluctantly consented with her idea.

"If the lady is fine with it. I will let the master know about it-"

"Sir Jafar, there is something I need to know isn't it?"

"Y-yes my lady? Something you needed?"

Jafar asked flustered to her questions.

"Let us be on point. Why upon mentioning miss Lilith do all of you feel sour. As if you've been estranged for some reason."

Both of them flinched and gawked at one another with looks that said if the other had opened their mouths needlessly infront of her.

"It's simply a family matter my lady. Please don't be so concerned about something trivial."

He tried to brush her off but she wouldn't buy his reasoning.

"Even if it involves my husband?"