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Luciana, too exhausted to speak, slept in the carriage, Nemesis resting quietly on her lap. The night's harrowing events had drained her, leaving her in a deep slumber. As the carriage came to a halt in front of the residence, Callum, who had anxiously awaited their arrival in the garden, rushed forward to meet them.

His eyes immediately scanned for Erebus as Luciana, with Octavius' help, staggered out of the carriage. Cornelius held the boy in his arms, while Erebus' men stood at attention behind Callum.

"Where is Erebus?" Callum's voice trembled with unease. His worry only deepened when Luciana, her face partially concealed by her shawl, bit her lip and turned away in silence.

Cornelius, sensing the mounting tension, spoke. "It seems Lord Stygian has found himself in serious trouble. I overheard the soldiers saying he was dragged into... something like an abyss."

Callum's face paled, his eyes widening with a mix of fear and shock. "The Abyss of Blaze..." he murmured, nearly choking on his words. "Erebus... what have you gotten yourself into?"

Luciana's silence did nothing to ease his anxiety, and Callum, steeling himself, turned to her. "My lady, I beg you—leave this place immediately. The Imperial soldiers will soon be conducting searches throughout the Capital. It is for your own safety."

"But Erebus—" Luciana began, only for Callum to cut her off, his tone cold and unyielding.

"He sacrificed himself for you and his son. Please, honor his decision and go."

Luciana flinched but said no more. She knew he was right. As Callum continued, his voice softened slightly. "I did what he asked of me, as his brother. He wanted me to keep you safe if anything happened to him. Will you disregard everything he's done for you by staying?"

Her shoulders slumped, and with a heavy heart, she boarded the carriage. Erebus' men prepared the horses, and under Callum's command, they were to escort her safely out of the Capital.

"Though it may seem impossible, I will do everything I can to bring him back," Callum promised. It was the only reassurance he could offer.

Calypso hurried from the manor just in time to see Luciana in her vulnerable state. When their eyes met, Calypso gasped in surprise at the sight of Luciana's true appearance.

"Who is she, Callum?" she asked, her gaze filled with concern. "And where is Lianna?"

With a sigh, Callum explained Luciana's identity. Calypso's eyes widened in disbelief. "An Amanécerian woman, and your friend's wife?"

"Lady Calypso, I apologize for deceiving you. It was never my intention to cause harm." Luciana bowed slightly, though Octavius, sensing her distress, became agitated.

Without a word, Calypso stepped forward and embraced her. "So, you're the woman Lord Erebus always spoke of with such affection. It's an honor to meet the real you."

Luciana's guilt weighed heavily on her, but she appreciated the warmth of Calypso's gesture. "Thank you. I hope to return safely, though I regret not staying for your son's birth ceremony."

"What did you name him?" Luciana asked softly, her curiosity momentarily pushing aside her sorrow.

"Lucius," Calypso replied with a smile. "We named him after you and Lord Stygian."

Luciana's expression softened as she repeated the name. "Lucius... it's a beautiful name. I'm honored."

Calypso hugged Luciana and Nemesis warmly one last time before they boarded the carriage. Mina and the maids mounted their steeds, flanked by the soldiers. Erebus' loyal steed, Nightmare, led the carriage as they departed the Capital, disappearing into the blood-red night.

As they left, Calypso turned to Callum, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Wasn't she once rumored to be the Crown Prince's bride?"

Callum, finding the question strange, ushered her inside. "It's still cold at night. Let's not linger."

While Callum made his way to the Imperial Palace, chaos erupted within its walls. Soldiers swarmed the palace, investigating nobles and searching every corner for the missing woman. When a group of soldiers returned empty-handed, Draco's fury was unleashed. With a swift motion, he flung his sword, killing one of his own men.

"Where could a mere woman have vanished to?" he roared, pacing angrily.

Unable to rely on anyone else, Draco stormed through the palace, checking the lounges until he arrived at his own. He barged in, startling his wife, Leila.

"Has a suspicious woman been here?" His voice was laced with suspicion.

Leila, caught off guard, shook her head. Draco narrowed his eyes, studying her closely. His fingers cupped her chin as his bloodshot eyes locked onto hers.

"You always close your eyes for a moment too long when you lie, Leila," he hissed. "Are you lying to me again?"

Trembling, Leila remained silent, unwilling to admit the truth. Draco's patience was thin. "Search the lounge!" he commanded.

Moments later, a soldier approached with a bloodstained yellow ball gown in hand—the very one Luciana had worn. Draco's gaze darkened as he glanced at Leila, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

"My own wife... involved in this," he laughed bitterly.

Leila flinched but said nothing.

"You helped them escape, didn't you? Answer me," Draco growled, his voice dangerously low.

"It was a coincidence," she managed to stammer.

Draco's menacing laugh filled the room. "A coincidence. We'll discuss this later." He turned to his guards. "Take my wife home. Ensure she has no contact with anyone."

Leila understood the weight of his words—she was being confined. Pressing her hand to her abdomen, she left the lounge, escorted by two Imperial guards.

Draco's anger was far from quenched. "Give orders to all troops in the Capital—search every corner, and close the city gates. Let no one leave without my command!"

"Understood!" The soldiers obeyed without hesitation.

As Draco stormed out of the palace to report the developments to Zavaikal, he muttered under his breath, "That damned prince won't let me off easily..."

Mounting his nightmare, he galloped into the night, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge.

Meanwhile Zavaikal proceeded to continue with his plans of evoking the demonlord Iblis

"Soon Amanécer will perish!"