THE TRUTH UNVEILED

Morning in the Underworld arrived in its usual fashion: a pale silvery hue casting soft shadows across the stone corridors, the walls cold and unforgiving, and the palace alive with its own silent hum.

Velma stirred from her small bed tucked into the corner of the shared chamber, rubbing her eyes and reaching for her robes. Evelyn stood by the window, brushing her hair slowly. Her reflection in the glass was distant, but her posture was stiff.

Velma dressed quietly, brushing out her braid. She was just about to tie the sash at her waist when Evelyn turned around, her gaze sharp and focused.

"Are you like a sister to Lucian," Evelyn said suddenly, "or are you more than that?"

Velma blinked, startled. "What?"

Evelyn took a step closer, her arms crossed. "Lucian is never so protective of anyone. Not even the palace guards. The only person he's ever protected so fiercely is the king. So why is he so close to you?"

Velma's heart skipped. "I—I don't understand what you mean."

"Don't pretend," Evelyn said, her voice rising ever so slightly. "You know what I mean."

Velma's lips parted, unsure how to respond. She wasn't expecting Evelyn to be so direct, or so visibly hurt. She glanced at the floor for a moment, searching for the right words.

"Is it a crime to be close to your brother?" she asked, her tone deliberately calm, almost playful, trying to disarm the moment.

Evelyn frowned, confused. "Brother?"

"I mean," Velma said, straightening up, "if Lucian and I are like siblings, then what's wrong with being close?"

Evelyn's anger began to falter, uncertainty entering her eyes.

"There's something you don't understand," Velma continued, her voice lowering. "And maybe it's time we tell you everything."

Evelyn tilted her head slightly. "Everything?"

"Yes."

Velma walked to the door, motioning for Evelyn to follow. Still confused but growing more curious than angry, Evelyn followed Velma down the winding corridor toward Lucian's private chamber.

---

Lucian was seated at his desk, scribbling notes across a parchment when the knock came.

"Come in," he said without looking.

The door opened, and he glanced up, mildly surprised to see Velma standing beside Evelyn.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, setting down his quill.

Velma stepped forward. "Lucian… we need to tell her."

Lucian furrowed his brow, then looked at Evelyn.

"She deserves to know," Velma added. "Especially if she's going to keep asking questions."

Lucian sighed but nodded slowly. "Alright."

"Evelyn, please. Sit down," Velma offered, gesturing to the chair beside Lucian's desk.

Evelyn hesitated, looking between the two of them. "What's going on?"

Lucian leaned back in his seat, folding his arms across his chest.

And so they told her everything.

From the moment Velma discovered Daniel was immortal, to her descent into the Underworld. How Daniel had become Azarel once more. How Lucian was not human either—how he was placed here by ancient forces to watch over the king. How Velma, against all odds, had tried to restore his memory. How she had volunteered to become a maid in Azarel's chamber. Every detail, every secret.

Evelyn sat in stunned silence, her eyes wide, her hands clasped together tightly in her lap.

"Wait," she said, voice barely above a whisper. "You're human?"

Velma nodded.

"And… you've been hiding from the demons?"

Lucian nodded. "I cast a spell to disguise her scent. If it fades, even for a moment, they'll realize she doesn't belong here."

Evelyn sat back, trying to process everything. "So you're here for him. For the king."

"Yes," Velma replied. "I love him. Even if he doesn't remember me."

Evelyn's expression softened. "And Lucian has been helping you this whole time."

"Yes."

The silence stretched for a moment before Evelyn stood.

"I'm sorry," she said, looking directly at Velma. "I went too far with what I said earlier. I didn't know."

Velma smiled gently. "It's okay. You had a right to wonder."

Evelyn turned to Lucian. "And you… why didn't you just tell me?"

Lucian raised a brow. "Because it was dangerous."

"But I'm involved now, right?" Evelyn asked, half-smiling. "So I should know everything."

Lucian nodded once. "You're right."

Evelyn walked toward the door but paused. She turned back to Lucian and gave him a smile—wide and warm and genuine. "Thank you. For protecting her."

Lucian didn't answer at first. Then, after a beat, he nodded.

She exited the room with Velma behind her. As the door clicked shut, Lucian found himself staring at the handle for a long moment.

That smile.

It was different.

He shook his head and returned to his notes.

But something about it lingered.

Something about her.

And in the silence of his chamber, Lucian finally realized—