Reality

Erebus swung his fist towards Zavaikal's head, but just as Luciana called out to him, his hand faltered for a moment before landing squarely on Zavaikal's face. Zavaikal stumbled and hit the floor.

"This is my warning to you... Asmodeus." He warned him darkly.

Luciana quickly pulled Nemesis into her arms, the young one trembling in fear from the sudden violence. Zavaikal staggered to his feet, wiped the blood from his lips, and with a cold, controlled tone, said, "Prepare yourself for the consequences. You know what happens when a hound attacks its master." With that, he straightened himself and exited the balcony.

Nemesis began to cry, overwhelmed by Erebus' outburst. Luciana, still shaken by the incident, tried her best to comfort the child and calm Erebus. But their commotion was starting to draw attention.

"Your disguise... it's fading," Erebus observed, noting how Luciana's hair had started returning to its natural color. She recalled Derran's warning—overuse of the potion would weaken its effects.

With urgency, they left the balcony, trying not to attract the stares of the other nobles. The hallways of the palace were empty, and Erebus scanned the area, ensuring they were alone. His private lounge was located at the far end of the west wing, a privilege he had earned through years of servitude to Zavaikal.

As they made their way down the corridor, they were confronted by two men. Erebus quickly removed his cloak and wrapped it around Luciana, concealing her appearance. He stepped forward to intercept the approaching figures, giving them a brief nod of acknowledgment. The men, lower-ranking demons, returned the gesture respectfully.

Suddenly, a voice called from behind them. "Callum?" Erebus turned, surprised to see the man approaching. "I thought you were assigned to the artillery division?"

Callum shrugged. "Shift change. These banquets have everyone scrambling for duties. What are you doing here?" His eyes shifted to Luciana, still hidden beneath Erebus' cloak. "Why is your wife covered like that?"

Erebus ignored the question, hurrying towards his lounge, but Callum followed. "Come on, if there's trouble, tell me," he insisted.

As they reached the lounge, Luciana almost collided with Erebus when he suddenly stopped. In the rush, the cloak slipped from her shoulders, revealing her true form. She knelt to retrieve it, but the damage was done. Callum's eyes widened as he processed what he saw.

"Wait... Aphrodite?" he stammered, recognizing her striking resemblance to their saviour in the past. "What's going on, Erebus? Why is Aphrodite wearing your wife's clothes? And how is she here?"

Flustered, Luciana looked away, remembering too late that she had left the potion back at the Ashcroft estate. Nemesis clung tightly to her in fear.

Erebus ushered them into the lounge, shutting the door quickly behind them. Callum followed, still bombarding him with questions.

"Erebus," Callum pressed, "what's happening? Is she really Aphrodite? How did she—"

Erebus cut him off, his voice low and tense. "It's complicated. You'll just have to trust me."

Callum blinked, trying to comprehend the situation. His gaze shifted to Luciana, who was softly comforting Nemesis. "So... she's Aphrodite's daughter?" he muttered, seeing the clear resemblance. "You've really gotten yourself into a mess this time," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Why does bad luck always find you?"

Erebus glared at him. "Quiet. Let me think."

Luciana, her voice calm despite the tension, suggested, "My lord, you should attend the banquet. Staying here too long will raise suspicions."

Erebus frowned, unwilling to leave them. "You want me to go out there, knowing Zavaikal is watching us? I can't leave you two alone."

Callum nodded in agreement with Luciana. "She's right, Erebus. The Tzar's eyes are everywhere. If you don't show your face, it will only draw more attention to you."

Still, Erebus hesitated. "I don't trust anyone to protect them in my absence."

Callum placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Leave it to me. I'll guard them while you're at the banquet. No one will get close."

It took a moment, but Erebus finally relented and left the lounge, still uneasy about leaving Luciana and Nemesis behind.

As soon as he was gone, Luciana turned to Callum, her expression anxious. "Is it really alright for you to abandon your duties to guard us?"

Callum smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, my lady. I'm just working a little overtime."

Luciana felt guilty. "I'm sorry for involving you in all of this. It wasn't fair."

Callum shook his head, his smile softening. "Erebus and I go way back. We're practically brothers. We met as orphans, both of us struggling to survive. Over the years, he's saved my life more times than I can count during our mercenary days."

He paused, glancing at Luciana. "That's when we met Aphrodite—your mother. She was the most incredible woman we'd ever known: strong, fearless, and wise. She was the first person we ever truly opened up to. When I saw you, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was like she had come back to us."

He chuckled softly. "But I never imagined her daughter would end up as Erebus' wife. I guess I lost to him long ago."

"You... lost?" Luciana asked, trying to make sense of his words.

Callum shifted uncomfortably. "Ah, well, it's just that in our youth, both Erebus and I were completely smitten with your mother," he admitted, scratching his head awkwardly.

"Well she was gorgeous. And I was heartbroken when I found out that she was already a wife and a mother to someone else. She seldom spoke fondly of her daughter." He referred it about her.

"But she left us, disappeared from our lives without a trace. After that, Erebus and I went our separate ways. He took work at the palace, while I was stationed at the Yusupov estate. That's where I met Calypso. She was from a fallen noble house, and I found myself drawn to her. She was kind, reserved, and undeniably beautiful. Something about her vulnerability made me want to protect her."

Callum's gaze softened as he spoke of Calypso. "She didn't accept my proposal right away. After losing her fortune and being betrayed by those close to her, she had trouble trusting anyone. I had to earn her trust and work to get her to even notice me. But she is the reason I'm here now. The high society ladies refuse to accept her, and I fear what that rejection might do to her. I've seen her teeter on the edge of despair before. When we learned she was pregnant, it was as if a light returned to her life. Having a family of her own was her deepest wish, and I'll do anything to keep that happiness alive."

Luciana's heart sank with guilt as she listened, knowing the weight of her own troubles might burden him further. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke again, more determined than before.

"My Lord, I know it's sudden, but I need my medicine. If I can take it, everything will be all right. Please, trust me on this. Could you retrieve it for me?"

Callum looked taken aback. "I'm sorry, my lady, but I can't leave you alone. What would I say to Erebus?" he replied, clearly uncomfortable with her request.

"That's exactly why I need it," Luciana insisted. "If you delay, things could escalate beyond control. Please, you must act quickly."

Callum considered her words but remained hesitant. "I can send a servant to retrieve it for you."

She shook her head. "My maid won't trust a stranger, and I don't have anything to give you that she would recognize as proof. It must be you, my lord."

He fell silent, weighing the situation. He could sense that matters might already be spiraling beyond his grasp. The palace guards might be on alert by now, and if things worsened, no one would listen to his orders. With a sigh, he finally conceded.

"Very well, I'll go. But stay here, and I'll send guards to watch your lounge. Please, do not leave this room."

Luciana nodded in agreement, watching him hurry out. As soon as he was gone, she whispered to herself, "I'm sorry, Lord Ashcroft. I hope Erebus isn't too harsh on you. Given his nature, he won't take kindly to anyone disobeying his orders."

Resolute, she stood. "I have no choice but to take matters into my own hands now."