Caelia was a bit ahead, leading the way. The woman walked beside Nyx, her arm linked through his. Selene and Serra followed a few steps behind.
Selene's face was tense, unease flickering in her eyes. If it were up to her, she would have already rushed to Nyx's side, checking every trace of his injury. But she knew she couldn't—not here, not with this woman clinging to him.
She forced herself to remain still. Interfering now would only make things worse.
Nyx glanced back at her briefly, offering a small, knowing smile. He wasn't blind to her devotion. He simply didn't understand it.
Still, he decided against asking. Not yet. Better to let her open up on her own than risk making Selene feel obliged to explain herself just because he was her master. The same went for Serra. Their bond would be worthless if it came from force.
While he was lost in thought, the woman at his side pressed closer, her body brushing against his arm. She shifted deliberately, rubbing against him as if measuring his frame.
Every time his body tensed beneath her touch, her violet eyes gleamed as if she were measuring more than just his frame
From time to time, Caelia cast subtle glances at them. She hated how close the woman and Nyx were. The feeling was unfamiliar. Caelia had never thought herself capable of jealousy, yet here it was, raw and intrusive.
She was reacting strangely whenever he was involved. Jealousy was beneath her—or so she had always thought. And yet, here she was, her chest tight every time Avelyne leaned closer into him.
Nyx caught the flickers of her gaze and only smiled inwardly.
This whole setup… it's absurd.
It reminded him of those harem novels he had read back on Earth. Clingy woman, silent stares and jealousy—it almost felt scripted.
He wasn't opposed to adventures, but he had no interest in forming a harem. That always sounded like a headache. Still, until he settled on something real, what was the harm in indulging now and then?
Of course, he knew the woman glued to his arm was likely just toying with him. And Caelia… Caelia's feelings were something different. She didn't look at him like a man. She looked at him like a possession. Something treasured. Something hers.
And she had paid a fortune for him.
So what else could he expect?
All Nyx could do was silently pray that this bizarre charade ended soon.
They reached Caelia's study. She moved behind her desk with the practiced ease of command. Nyx took the chair before it, assuming the woman would sit in the empty one beside him.
She didn't.
Instead, she lowered herself directly into his lap, shifting until she found a comfortable position. Her body leaned into his, her perfume brushing his senses. With one hand, she ruffled casually through his hair as though she had every right to.
Tension filled the air. No one spoke. Even Selene and Serra stiffened, their gazes fixed anywhere but on him, though Selene's fingers twitched as if holding back the urge to rip Avelyne away.
Unable to bear this any longer, Nyx broke the silence.
"So, what is it we need to talk about?"
The woman on his lap smiled gently. Caelia opened her mouth to answer—but the woman was quicker, cutting her off.
"Let me introduce myself."
Her voice was smooth, perfectly measured.
"I am Avelyne Bleaufort, Matriarch and Duchess of House Bleaufort."
That confirmed Nyx's suspicions.
There was only one noble woman who could be here—the aunt of the arrogant brute who had just died. And if Edric was her nephew, then this had to be her.
Still, he didn't speak her name. He waited for her to introduce herself.
Avelyne tilted her head, clearly amused by his silence. He hadn't bothered to introduce himself. To most nobles, such rudeness would be cause for outrage. But she found it charming.
Caelia coughed, trying to drag Nyx's attention back to her and the matter at hand. But Avelyne was not done.
"I heard you want to reclaim what is rightfully yours,"
she said, eyes glimmering as if testing him.
Nyx blinked. The words dazed him. How does she know? Why would she know?
His gaze flicked toward Caelia, looking for silent answers.
Caelia gave a small nod, confirming that he could continue.
Nyx's voice was cautious.
"Why would you want to know about that?"
Avelyne's lips curled, her tone laced with amusement.
"Oh, dear… you are so sweet."
This time, Caelia cut in before Avelyne could keep teasing.
"She will help you retrieve the inheritance. Normally, I would have been enough. But she convinced me otherwise."
Nyx's eyes narrowed.
"Why would you want to help me?"
Avelyne's smile deepened, mischievous now.
"Originally, I only came here to check on the last member of House Veylin. One of the few remaining Noctari who still walk this world."
She rested her head lightly against his chest, her tone playful.
"The choice was simple—ignore you, or oppose you. But after speaking with Caelia, and after seeing you myself…"
Her violet eyes flickered as if she were looking through him.
"…I realized it might be wiser to support you instead."
It made sense. A woman like her would weigh the risks. At first, he must have seemed like nothing—an inconvenient remnant of a fallen house. Someone better erased. But with Caelia openly backing him, ignoring him was no longer an option.
She could have seized the inheritance for herself. Instead, she chose a different path: to stand at his side.
Helping him rise wouldn't just mean building ties with a reborn House Veylin. It also meant deepening ties with Caelia herself.
That, Nyx realized, made him far more dangerous to those who stood against him. Or, depending on perspective—an invaluable opportunity.
Still, he remained wary.
Nyx leaned back slightly, watching her.
"So, what do you expect in return?"
For the first time, Avelyne laughed softly, the sound warm yet edged.
"You'll see soon enough, dear."
Avelyne's laughter faded, her violet eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
"But to give you a hint…"
her voice soft, almost playful.
"The inheritance is not waiting for you."