Hearing Nyx's plea, Selene pulled him close, hugging him tightly and burying his head against her chest. She stroked his back gently, her fingers combing through his hair.
Like a mother soothing a child after a nightmare.
Her heartbeat thumped softly against his ear, steady and warm, so unlike the cold silence he'd grown up with. His family had alway's pushed him away, always maintaining some distance.
Selene was different, her warmth swept away all his grief—the betrayal, the uselessness, the loneliness. For the first time since he could remember, Nyx felt like he wasn't alone. He felt—
At peace.
His eyes grew heavier by the second, exhaustion from the long day finally overwhelming him.
The last thing he heard before sleep claimed him was a soft whisper, filled with quiet affection.
"Good night, Master."
Selene held him even tighter, closing her own eyes as if to stand guard over him through the night.
Nyx woke to the sound of knocking. Annoyed, he muttered,
"Come in."
The door opened. Caelia stepped inside, Serra following behind.
"Good morning, Nyx. Do you know where Selene is? Serra's been looking for her, but she isn't in her room. Before punishing her for neglecting her duties, we wanted to—"
Her words cut off when her eyes landed on the bed.
Nyx, half-asleep, was still nestled against Selene. And Selene—peaceful and oblivious—was clinging even tighter, clearly unwilling to wake up.
Caelia forced a smile that could freeze blood. She coughed once. Twice.
Neither of them moved.
Her brows furrowed. She picked up a glass of water from Serra's tea cart and splashed it on them.
Both stirred instantly.
"I'M AWAKE!"
They shouted in unison, sitting bolt upright—still holding each other.
It was only then that they realized the situation. Morning light filled the room, streaming through the curtains.
"Good morning, you two. I trust you had a long and refreshing sleep?"
Caelia's voice sounded anything but pleasant. She tried to sound calm and collected, but the daggers in her eyes betrayed her.
Selene and Nyx shuddered—not only from the cold splash, but from sheer fear of Caelia's wrath.
She sighed, closed her eyes briefly, then spoke.
"Both of you. Take a bath and get ready. We have much to discuss today."
They nodded quickly and hurried toward the bathroom.
Nyx's room had its own bath, so there was no need to use the manor's larger ones.
"Why are you both going in together?"
Caelia's chilling voice rose again, her smile razor-sharp.
This time, Serra stepped in.
"Don't worry, my lady. I will assist Selene in her duty to help the Young Master wash and dress. We won't be long."
Caelia massaged her temples, visibly restraining herself.
"Fine. When you're finished, come to the dining hall. I want to speak with Nyx over breakfast."
Serra nodded and ushered them inside.
At first, Nyx felt awkward being seen naked by Serra. But the embarrassment faded quickly—her professionalism left no room for teasing.
Still, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that Selene didn't give him another blowjob this time.
Once they were ready, they headed toward the dining hall. Selene looked nervous on the way, but Nyx reassured her.
"You don't need to worry about punishment. I ordered you to stay with me, so you did nothing wrong."
Her expression softened. That helped.
Two servants opened the large doors to the dining hall.
The long table was covered with exotic fruits, fresh bread, ham, cheese, coffee, tea—enough to make Nyx's mouth water.
Caelia sat at the head of the table. Nyx took a seat opposite her, with Selene and Serra behind him.
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Why so far away?"
Her voice was calm, but her gaze was sharp enough to cut steel.
Nyx swallowed hard and silently moved closer.
She gave a small nod of approval before continuing.
"I've given you many privileges, and I expect you to use your time freely. But I didn't think you'd be so depraved as to sleep with the first girl who showed you affection after being sold."
She paused, letting the accusation hang.
"If you only accepted Selene as your maid so you could sleep with her, I'll take her away from you immediately."
Selene's face went pale. Her fear of Caelia was overwhelming, but the thought of being separated from Nyx was worse.
"Lady Caelia, we did not sleep together!"
she blurted out.
"Oh? Then explain why you were in his room."
Selene bit her lip. She had promised Nyx not to reveal anything.
But then Nyx caught her gaze and gave a small nod.
He took a deep breath.
"I called her to me last night—not for that. She helped me access my soul."
Caelia blinked, taken aback. The idea was almost laughable. A Noctari who couldn't even access his own soul? Impossible. Unheard of.
Without that, he couldn't even command his shadow—let alone enter his shadow form.
But she remembered how his family had treated him. Perhaps… it was true.
Her voice was low. "So what did you discover? And why were you holding each other in bed?"
Nyx clenched his fists, hesitating. He hated this. Hated the vulnerability. But if he didn't speak, she might strip Selene from him.
"…It wasn't what I wanted to see,"
he admitted finally.
"It scarred me. Enough that I didn't want to be alone. Selene comforted me until I fell asleep."
Caelia's expression softened just slightly. She nodded, beginning to understand.
"So. What did you see?"
Nyx's jaw tightened.
"If possible, I'd rather not say."
Caelia leaned back. She knew that look. Many who entered their soul realm learned things they'd rather not confront. Some never spoke of it again.
"Fine. But at least tell me—what is your unique trait?"
Nyx's lips curved into something between resignation and defiance.
"[Veilborn]. It says I exist between life and death—born beneath the veil that separates worlds."
Caelia froze.
And then—
A pressure unlike anything Nyx had ever felt descended on him.
*CLANK!*