The Underworld King’s Wrath

The gentle crackle of candlelight flickered across the lavish yet cluttered study of the Underworld King. Scrolls, books, and stacks of reports lay in careless piles across the dark wooden desk, yet their owner paid them no mind.

Lucius Nightbane lounged in his chair, one arm draped lazily over the backrest, the other holding a slice of watermelon to his little sister's lips. Cassandra, no older than ten, eagerly took a bite, her cheeks puffing as she chewed.

"This," Lucius sighed contentedly, watching his sister with a lazy smile, "is the life. No wars, no backstabbing nobles, just a little sister who adores me and sweet, juicy watermelon."

Cassandra giggled, her violet eyes sparkling as she licked a bit of juice from her fingers. "Big Brother, more!"

Lucius chuckled and playfully poked her nose. "Spoiled little princess, aren't you?" He handed her another piece. "You're lucky your brother is a soft-hearted fool."

Cassandra beamed.

Then—

Bang!

The heavy study doors swung open violently.

Yulian entered, his armor stained with blood, his face set in a grim expression.

Cassandra let out a small squeak, her tiny hands clutching her watermelon as she shrank back against Lucius's chair.

Lucius's easygoing smile faded.

His sharp violet eyes flickered with irritation as he slowly turned toward Yulian.

"Really, Yulian?" he drawled, wrapping an arm protectively around Cassandra's small frame. "Dripping blood all over my very expensive rug? Have some manners."

Yulian ignored the jab. His voice was low and urgent. "Assassins."

Lucius blinked.

Then he sighed heavily, dragging a hand down his face. "Again? Who the hell thought it was a good idea to send assassins here? I swear, these fools don't know who they're dealing with—"

Yulian cut him off. "Not here. The Empress's palace."

Silence.

Lucius stilled.

The room, once warm and lively, seemed to drop in temperature.

Cassandra clutched the sleeve of his shirt, her big violet eyes filled with concern. "Big Brother?"

Lucius inhaled sharply, then patted her head. "It's alright, princess. Be a good girl and go to your room, okay?"

"But—"

"Now, Cassie."

His tone was still soft, but firm.

Cassandra hesitated before nodding. She climbed off the chair and hurried out, glancing back at Yulian's bloodied form one last time before disappearing down the hall.

The moment she was gone, Lucius's expression darkened.

His violet eyes gleamed with something sharp—dangerous.

"Explain," he ordered, his usual lazy demeanor replaced with something far colder.

Yulian didn't waste time. "The attack happened in Diana's chambers. Assassins infiltrated while she was preparing for bed with Lucien."

Lucius's fingers curled around the armrest. "Is the boy hurt?"

Yulian shook his head. "Shaken, but unharmed. Diana handled the intruders herself. Four down, one unconscious. She sent for you."

Lucius leaned back, exhaling slowly. "Tch. That witch… I keep telling her she should let me set up more defenses in that damn palace."

"She won't," Yulian said flatly.

"I know," Lucius groaned, rubbing his temple. "She's stubborn as hell. Still…"

He clicked his tongue in frustration.

"Who ordered the attack?"

"Diana believes it was Queen Liliana."

Lucius let out a humorless chuckle. "Of course. That desperate little doll finally snapped, huh?"

Yulian frowned. "There's more. Diana suspects a small assassin group tied to Count Rubein and Liliana's adopted family."

At that, Lucius went still.

The air in the room grew thick—heavy.

A slow, amused smirk curled on his lips, but his violet eyes gleamed with something far more sinister.

"So that's how they want to play it," he murmured.

Yulian tensed.

Lucius stood up, grabbing his black cloak and pulling it over his shoulders. Then, with practiced ease, he reached for his pair of sleek, curved daggers.

"They think I'm too busy handling the real problems—kidnappings, cultists, monsters," he mused. "And sure, maybe I let my guard down, but to dare touch my people?"

A dark chuckle escaped his lips.

"Looks like I've been too kind lately."

Yulian bowed slightly. "Your orders?"

Lucius spun his dagger once before sheathing it. "We visit Diana first. Then, we burn Count Rubein's little toy assassins to the ground."

Yulian smirked. "Understood."

The Empress's Palace

The moment Lucius entered Diana's chambers, his usual teasing remarks died on his tongue.

Lucien sat curled up on Diana's lap, clutching her nightgown with tiny fists. His gray eyes were still damp, his small frame trembling slightly, but he was quiet—brave.

Diana stroked his hair gently, whispering something he couldn't hear.

Lucius's smirk vanished.

For once, he didn't call Diana a witch or make some lazy joke.

Because when Lucien lifted his head to look at him, those innocent gray eyes—usually filled with curiosity—were instead filled with fear.

A cold, quiet fear.

Lucius clenched his jaw.

He didn't give a damn if Diana lived or died. If she died, he would just move on. But this—this was different.

Someone had dared to harm what was his.

His disciple.

His adorable little student who always listened so earnestly to his lessons.

And now Lucien was looking at him with teary, scared eyes.

Lucius took a deep breath, forcing his usual grin back onto his face as he knelt in front of them.

"Hey, kiddo," he said, ruffling Lucien's dark hair. "That bad, huh?"

Lucien sniffled but nodded.

Lucius sighed dramatically. "Damn it. I should've been here. I would've made it fun—you know, made them trip over themselves first before gutting them. You'd have laughed."

Lucien blinked, his little lips pressing together.

Then, just barely, the tiniest smile flickered onto his face.

Lucius smirked. There it is.

Diana, however, was watching him closely.

"You're going after them," she said, her golden eyes sharp.

Lucius didn't bother lying. "Of course."

Diana was silent for a moment.

Then, unexpectedly, she sighed.

"Do it cleanly."

Lucius chuckled. "You got it, Your Majesty."

He stood up, turning back to Yulian.

"Let's go."

Yulian nodded, already moving to follow.

As Lucius reached the door, he paused.

He glanced back at Lucien, who was still curled against Diana.

"Kid," Lucius called.

Lucien looked up.

Lucius grinned lazily. "Next lesson? How to stab real properly."

Lucien blinked. Then, to everyone's surprise, he let out a tiny giggle.

Diana sighed, shaking her head. "Lucius—"

But the Underworld King was already gone.

The room was dimly lit, the golden glow of the lanterns casting soft shadows on the walls. The once-luxurious chamber, filled with ornate decorations and elegant furnishings, now felt suffocating.

Diana held Lucien close, her arms wrapped protectively around his small frame. His tiny hands clung to the fabric of her nightgown, his body still trembling from the earlier attack. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her collarbone, uneven and shaky, but slowly calming under her touch.

Diana bit her lip.

Lucien had never looked so vulnerable before.

His usually curious gray eyes were shut tight, his little face buried against her chest. He wasn't crying anymore, but the way he clung to her… it hurt.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

Diana stroked his dark hair gently, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.

"It's okay, baby," she whispered, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart. "You're safe now."

Lucien's fingers curled tighter around the fabric of her dress. "Where is Teacher Lucius going?" he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.

Diana hesitated for a moment before answering. "He's making sure we're safe."

Lucien was silent, then gave a small nod. He trusted her words, trusted Lucius, and yet… he still pressed himself closer to her, as if afraid she might disappear.

Diana exhaled softly, rocking him gently in her arms.

This… this never happened in her past life.

Back then, she had been nothing more than a villain in everyone's eyes. The foolish Empress, the horrible woman who tormented the pure and kind Queen Liliana.

She had been so consumed by hatred, so desperate to protect what little she had left, that she had never even noticed how much her son suffered.

But this time…

This time, she didn't care about Liliana.

Liliana could have Cassian.

She could have the title of Queen, the beautiful dresses, the admiration of the people—Diana didn't care.

She had only one goal in this life.

To save the world from the three calamities.

To ensure that Lucien could live peacefully, without fear, without pain.

To make sure that her son never had to shed another tear.

That was why she had abandoned her past grudges.

Why she had stopped her revenge plans against Cassian and Liliana.

Because it wasn't worth it.

So why…

Why did things turn out like this?

Diana tightened her hold on Lucien, resting her chin on top of his head.

She had changed. She knew she had changed.

She no longer played the role of the jealous Empress. She no longer schemed to make Liliana suffer.

So why was she still being targeted?

She let out a slow breath, forcing herself to calm down.

There was no point in getting emotional.

Lucien was safe. That was what mattered.

She needed to think logically.

Diana glanced down at her son, who was now breathing softly against her chest. His tiny frame had finally stopped shaking, his grip on her gown loosening slightly.

She brushed a strand of black hair from his face, her golden eyes softening.

She had never been a particularly good mother in her past life.

But this time, she swore she would do better.

Which meant…

Perhaps she had been too lenient.

Her lips pressed together as the thought took root in her mind.

She had hoped that by stepping away, by refusing to engage in petty struggles, Liliana would leave her alone.

But tonight proved otherwise.

Liliana wouldn't stop.

Not unless Diana made her.

Diana closed her eyes.

She didn't want to kill Liliana.

Not because of mercy. Not because she thought Liliana was innocent.

But because it wasn't necessary.

Or… at least, that's what she had thought.

Now, she wasn't so sure.

Her fingers brushed over Lucien's back in slow, soothing strokes as she gently swayed with him.

Once, in her past life, she had been a war general.

She had learned that sometimes, eliminating a threat was easier than waiting for it to fester.

It was efficient. It was logical.

So why was she hesitating now?

Diana exhaled through her nose.

No.

She wouldn't kill Liliana. Not yet.

But a warning?

Yes.

That… that was necessary.

She had let her guard down.

She wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

Diana shifted slightly, adjusting Lucien's position in her arms. He was still so small, so fragile… yet, he had been so brave tonight.

She leaned down, pressing another soft kiss to his temple.

"I promise, my love," she whispered, "I won't let anything like this happen again."

Lucien let out a sleepy hum, his little hands relaxing at her words.

She smiled softly, brushing a hand through his hair.

Gently, she began to hum a lullaby.

It was an old song—one her mother had sung to her long ago.

A song about silver moons and golden stars. About soft dreams and warm embraces.

Lucien's breathing slowed, his small body melting against her.

Diana continued to sing, her voice quiet and steady.

Her mind, however, was anything but.

Her golden eyes remained open, staring at the darkened ceiling.

She had been foolish.

She had thought she could avoid unnecessary bloodshed.

But this was the Imperial Palace.

A place filled with deceit, betrayal, and hungry wolves.

Diana had tried to play nice.

But tonight had proven that playing nice wasn't enough.

Slowly, her fingers curled into a fist.

She had no interest in being Empress.

But if people thought they could target her and her son without consequence…

Then perhaps it was time to remind them exactly who she was.

The lullaby continued.

Lucien, safe in her arms, drifted off to sleep.