QuillMuffin

In the city’s underworld, Lady Nyx (Selena Yue) is a name whispered in both fear and awe. Ruthless, cunning, and untouchable, she rules the criminal empire with an iron fist. No one dares cross her—until a mistake leads an innocent florist into her life.

Elias Cheng, a kind-hearted florist, lives in a world of colors and fragrances, blissfully unaware of the city's darker side. When a delivery mix-up brings him face-to-face with the infamous Lady Nyx, he treats her like any other customer—unfazed by her cold demeanor or dangerous reputation.

Intrigued by his genuine kindness and lack of fear, Selena finds herself drawn to him, testing his limits with veiled threats and dangerous games. But as she gets closer, an unsettling truth emerges—Elias isn’t afraid of her because he sees something in her no one else ever has: a heart still capable of warmth.

But the underworld doesn’t take kindly to weaknesses. When enemies discover Selena’s growing attachment to the innocent florist, Elias becomes a target in a deadly game.

Now, Selena must make a choice—keep him at a distance to protect him, or embrace her greatest weakness and destroy anyone who dares lay a hand on him.

Because if there’s one thing more dangerous than a villainess… it’s a villainess in love.

A Bloom in the Dark

The rain had started again, light but steady, painting streaks across the shop windows. The air smelled of soil, lavender, and distant thunder.

Not for long—just a two-day mission across the border. Elias didn't ask for details. She'd kissed his cheek softly and told him to stay safe. Then, she left him someone to watch over him.

They were currently sitting cross-legged on the floor of the flower shop, back against the cold wall, wires spilling from a black pouch like a spider's web.

Elias was trying to rearrange hydrangeas. Badly.

"You don't have a defense system," Ryn said flatly.

Elias sighed. "Because this is a flower shop."

Ryn didn't respond. Just pulled another chip from their pouch and connected it to a blinking box.

"You're very intense, you know that?"

"Necessary," they replied. "Selena wouldn't leave you alone otherwise."

Elias fumbled with a rose and pricked his finger. "She doesn't have to protect me."

An hour passed in silence. Elias watered the lilies. Ryn typed something into a tablet with lightning-fast fingers.

"You always act like I'm a burden."

"Then why do you watch me like I'll explode?"

At that, Ryn did pause. Their gray eyes flicked to him.

"Because you're unpredictable. Fragile. And people like you die first."

"That's not fair," he said, more firmly than he meant to. "You don't know me."

"No, you don't," he said, voice rising just a bit. "You see someone harmless and assume weak. But I've survived grief. I've rebuilt from nothing. And I've never asked Selena to protect me—I just don't run from her."

Elias's hands trembled slightly as he picked up another bouquet. "So yeah. I am soft. But soft doesn't mean useless."

Ryn didn't speak for the next thirty minutes. Elias assumed he'd pushed too far.

But then Ryn stood, walked to the counter, and set something down.

It was a small, matte-black device—no bigger than a matchbox.

"Personal signal jammer. Put it near the register. Anyone tries to track you in here, it'll fry their signal."

Elias stared at it. "That's… helpful."

A small smile tugged at Elias's lips. "So… is this your version of an apology?"

Later, as they locked up the shop, Elias handed Ryn a single stem of white aster.

"For protection," he said. "Or at least… a truce."

Ryn took it carefully. Held it between two fingers like it might disintegrate.

Then, something strange happened—Ryn's lips twitched. Not quite a smile. But close.

As they turned to leave, they glanced over their shoulder. "You're not as soft as you look, Sunflower."

And with that, they vanished into the shadows outside.

Elias watched the door for a moment, heart still pounding—but not entirely from fear.

Chapter 13 – Thorns and Circuits