No longer yours

Luciana glanced around, but found no one. As she made her way back into the manor, Octavius stood near the guestroom, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, waiting for her.

"My lady!" he called, rushing toward her with uncharacteristic nervousness. His usual composure faltered as he struggled to find the right words. "May I have a moment of your time?"

She could see the urgency in his eyes. After a brief pause, she nodded. "Alright."

Luciana invited him inside, quietly ensuring Nemesis was asleep for her afternoon nap. Once settled, her demeanor shifted, her tone becoming formal. "What is it that you wish to discuss, my lord?"

Her words felt like icy daggers, cutting through him. Octavius steeled himself, determined to be direct.

"It concerns Amanécer," he began. "I must tell you about my father and his dealings with the mysterious forces that pursued us all the way to the Zhonguo Republic."

As Octavius continued, Luciana's anxiety grew. His words carried weight she wasn't ready to confront.

"Are you suggesting that my uncle has ties to the demon realm?" she asked, her voice laced with horror.

Octavius gulped, unable to bring himself to respond further. Instead, he pressed on. "The Armageddon is drawing near, your highness," he said, referring to the ancient prophecy.

The room fell into an eerie silence, the gravity of his statement almost too much for Luciana to bear.

"The Armageddon?" she whispered, repeating the word twice as though trying to convince herself it was real.

"The human realm's Alliance Guild has already begun its covert operations," Octavius explained. "They've threatened us, demanding that we open a portal and provide a linking device created by the Alchemist Tower. They might already be in motion. I've heard rumors during night patrols—Wahrheit soldiers are saying your father deceived them with a false princess. The truce may soon end, and Amanécer could be their next target."

Luciana's face drained of color, cold sweat forming on her brow. "And what of the beasts?" she asked, referring to the three legendary creatures tied to the prophecy.

"If war breaks out across the three realms, the tremors will awaken them," Octavius replied grimly. "They are destined to rise from the earth, bringing destruction to all who live."

Luciana felt a sinking helplessness, her mind racing as she struggled to process the enormity of the situation. "I don't know what to do. How can I set things right?"

Octavius moved closer, his voice softening. "Luciana, please come with me. Let's run away together. I swear to you, I'll raise both children as my own. Won't you reconsider our marriage?"

Luciana stared at him in disbelief. "How can you even think about that right now, Octavius?"

His voice trembled with emotion. "I regret not standing by your side the day you were sent here. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. Please, give me a chance. I still love you!"

"Enough!" Luciana snapped, her voice quivering as she trembled with frustration and pain. "Everything ended the moment I took off that ring."

Tears welled in her eyes as she continued. "Do you have any idea how hard it has been for me? How could you be so selfish?"

Octavius remained silent, consumed by guilt for the suffering he had unintentionally caused.

"Every day has been a torment," Luciana said, her voice cracking. "Crying myself to sleep, being accused and ostracized because of my race, and then becoming a mother against my will. I've sacrificed everything—living in constant fear, trying to adjust to a world far worse than I could have imagined. I've been confined to a room in the name of protection. Do you know what it feels like to be a prisoner, just to survive?"

She scoffed bitterly. "Do you think I wanted any of this? Did you know how I felt when my own father told me about the annulment of our engagement? You must have known."

Her voice trembled with years of suppressed anger. "And now you want to save me?" Her tone dripped with disbelief. "I am married to a demon and carry his child in my womb. How could you even imagine that we could go back?"

Tears began to spill down her cheeks, her heartache palpable. "There are no more chances left to give. Return to Amanécer, my lord. Find a wife who will love you, and be happy."

Octavius could barely recognize the woman before him. The soft, sweet Luciana he had once dreamed of marrying had been replaced by someone scarred by unimaginable pain. He wanted to take her in his arms, to escape with her, to bring her back to Amanécer where they might find peace. But he knew her words were true.

"I… I can't let you go," he whispered, his voice filled with desperation.

"You cannot take me away, Octavius," Luciana replied. "Even if I were to marry you, I would forever be shunned as the bearer of a demon's child. Could you truly accept that? Could you accept my child?"

His silence spoke louder than any answer.

"The world would reject this child," Luciana said, her voice steadying. "The only one who can protect both of them is their father—Erebus. And I cannot leave him, not now."

She had already begun to fear the consequences of returning to Amanécer, knowing the hostility that awaited her. There was no place for her there, no future.

Octavius left the room, having failed twice to convince Luciana to return with him. She wept silently, longing for her family. As she cried herself to sleep beside Nemesis, she was gently woken by the soft touch of Erebus on her face. She could feel the warmth his calloused hand.

"Your eyes are red," he said, concern lacing his voice. "Have you been crying again?"

Luciana glanced at him, then at Nemesis, who was already indulging in the dessert Nyx had brought.

"Did someone try to harm you?" His expression darkened as he asked the question.

She shook her head. "I just... miss my family back home," she replied softly.

Erebus fell silent for a moment, uncertain of how to comfort her. He noticed a tear forming at the corner of her eye and gently wiped it away. Then, with a curious intensity, he brought his finger to his lips and licked the tear, leaving her perplexed.

"So, he approached you while I was away," Erebus muttered, his suspicions confirmed.

Luciana looked away not refuting his words.

His voice hardened. "Luciana, if you truly wish to see your family, I will do everything in my power to take you back. If you wish to live elsewhere, I will bring you there. Whatever you desire, I will get it for you. But understand this—under no circumstances will I allow that man to take you from me."

She had heard these words before—part reassurance, part warning—but always spoken with an unshakable commitment.

"I don't know what to do anymore," she whispered, her voice cracking as fresh tears welled in her eyes. "How much longer can I endure this? I'm exhausted."

Erebus pulled her into his arms, letting her lean against him. He placed his hand gently over her eyes, shielding them.

"Don't waste your tears on those who aren't worth it," he said softly, his voice tinged with concern. He worried that the stress would affect both her and their unborn child.

He then noticed her appearance subtly changing—her hair and eyes returning to their original state. The effects of the potion had worn off, revealing her true self once more. To Erebus, she was even more beautiful in her natural form. He desired her again but stopped himself in time.

A knock at the door interrupted the moment. Nyx had arrived to help Luciana prepare for the royal ball.

Startled, Luciana looked for the small container of the potion Erebus found it on the table and gave it to her. She opened the cork and quickly drank the potion again, restoring her altered appearance, while Erebus moved to answer the door.

It was indeed Nyx with Mina and her other maid to help her get ready.

Erebus left her to get ready recalling that the night had already veiled the sky black and decorated in with glittering stars.