"Lord Nyxus," she said, her voice a melodic lilt that resonated through the garden, carrying the subtle timbre of wind chimes in a summer breeze.
"You've arrived just in time. Please, join me." She gestured to the seat opposite her, her movements graceful, the fabric of her sleeve brushing the tablecloth with a soft hush.
I nodded, my throat tightening slightly at the sight of her—the memory of last night flooding back, her touch in the carriage, the way her lips had parted in shared ecstasy.
"Good morning, Elysiana," I replied, pulling out the chair. The wood was smooth under my fingers, warmed by the sun, and as I sat, the cushion was cradling my body.
The garden's scents enveloped me fully now: the earthy tang of soil after rain, the sweet nectar from nearby blossoms, and a hint of her perfume—jasmine and moonlight, intoxicating and elusive.
Nyami appeared from a side path, her gothic attire impeccable as always, the black lace and red accents swaying with her steps. She carried a tray laden with delights, her pinkish-red hair tied back with a ribbon that matched her luminous eyes.
She moved with the elegance of an experienced maid, setting down platters one by one: golden loaves of bread still warm from the oven, their crusts crackling faintly; delicate cakes dusted with powdered sugar that shimmered like fresh snow; fresh fruits sliced into glistening wedges—oranges bursting with citrus juice, berries plump and dark as forbidden secrets; and pots of steaming tea that released curls of aromatic steam, scented with chamomile and hints of spice.
"My Lord, Lady Elysiana," Nyami said softly, her voice a soothing murmur as she arranged the items with precise care.
Her fingers, nimble and warm, brushed near mine as she placed a plate before me, sending a faint spark up my arm—the ghost of our bath's intimacy lingering in that simple touch.
"Breakfast is served. Shall I pour the tea?"
Elysiana inclined her head, her halo casting a soft red glow on the table.
"Yes, Nyami. And thank you."
Nyami poured with fluid grace, the liquid amber flowing into porcelain cups, the steam rising to caress my face with its herbal warmth.
She added a slice of lemon to mine, the citrus zest sharp and invigorating, before stepping back to stand at the garden's edge, her posture straight yet unobtrusive, like a sentinel wrapped in shadows.
"Did you sleep well, Nyx?" Elysiana asked, lifting her cup to her lips.
The motion was unhurried, her fingers curling elegantly around the handle, and I watched, mesmerized, as she sipped, a droplet of tea lingering on her lower lip before she licked it away with the tip of her tongue—a gesture so subtle, yet it stirred the embers of desire within me.
I tore my gaze away, picking up a piece of bread. Its warmth seeped into my palm, the yeasty aroma making my mouth water.
"Yes, I did," I said, tearing off a morsel and savoring the soft, fluffy interior, buttery and rich on my tongue.
"Better than I expected after... everything. And thank you, Elysiana, for helping me last night. In the carriage, with the healing... it meant a lot. I felt lost, but you made it bearable."
Her smile deepened, a warmth spreading across her features that made her seem almost mortal in her tenderness.
"I'm delighted to have helped, Lord Nyxus. Seeing you safe and restored brings me joy. You carry such a heavy burden already; it's the least I can do to ease it." She selected a cake, her fork piercing the spongy layers, and took a small bite, the crumbs dusting her plate like fallen stars.
The garden breeze played with the edges of her gown, carrying the faint rustle of leaves overhead.
We ate in companionable silence for a moment, the flavors unfolding slowly: the bread's crust giving way to a chewy heart, the cake melting into sweetness with notes of vanilla and almond that danced on my palate.
The tea followed, its heat spreading through my chest, grounding me amid the swirl of questions.
Nyami watched from afar, her red eyes soft, a quiet presence that added to the serenity.
"Please, no need to wait for me," Elysiana said after a while, noticing my pause as I reached for a berry. Its skin was taut and cool under my fingers, juice threatening to burst forth.
"Enjoy your meal. The gardens here are meant for peace, not formality."
I nodded, popping the berry into my mouth. It exploded in a tart burst, the seeds crunching lightly, staining my lips with its deep hue.
As I chewed, the words I'd been holding back rose like the steam from my cup. The urges—the hunger that clawed at me in the bath, the pull toward Nyami's neck—had quieted with food, but they lingered, a shadow in my veins.
"Elysiana," I began, setting down my fork, the metal clinking softly against porcelain. "The system... it mentioned my urges. The ones that keep surging, like waves I can't control. The thirst, the need... it's getting stronger. What is it?"
She placed her teacup down with deliberate care, the porcelain meeting the saucer with a gentle chime.
Her blindfolded gaze seemed to pierce straight to my soul, and she leaned forward slightly, the scent of her rose intensifying.
"Ah, Lord Nyx. Those urges are the mark of the seven sins within you. They stir because you've awakened to them, piece by piece."
"The sin of gluttony has been the most dormant so far—its hunger for blood. And since your first unlocked ability is blood manipulation, you're less resistant to it. It's like a key turning in a lock you didn't know was there; the power amplifies the craving."
I froze, the half-eaten cake forgotten on my plate. The words hung in the air, heavy as the humid breeze rustling the vines.
'Seven sins? Inside me?' The idea sent a shiver down my spine, not cold, but electric, like the first brush of fingertips on bare skin.
"Seven sins... like the deadly ones from stories? Gluttony making me want blood? That explains the bites, the way I almost lost control with Nyami. But how do I fight it? Or... do I?"
Elysiana's expression softened, her hand reaching across the table to cover mine briefly—a touch light as a feather, yet it sent warmth blooming up my arm, her skin silken and cool.
"For now, you must be cautious. Drink only from me or Nyami. Your control is shallow; feeding from others could unleash the sin fully, drawing unwanted attention or worse—madness. Nyami is here for you, day and night, to sate both your thirst for blood and... other lusts that may arise. She's bound to serve in every way, to keep you balanced."
Nyami shifted slightly from her post, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink that matched the dawn sky.
I glanced at her, remembering the steam of the bath, her lips on me, the way she'd yielded so willingly. The thought stirred that familiar heat low in my belly, but Elysiana's words grounded it.
"She's... available 24/7? For everything?" I asked, my voice quieter, the garden's serenity amplifying the intimacy of the question.
"Yes," Elysiana confirmed, withdrawing her hand but leaving the echo of her touch.
"Nyami understands her role. She's not just any other ordinary maid; she can guide you as your teacher. Use her as needed—it will help temper the sins until you grow stronger."
Nyami met my eyes then, her luminous gaze steady, a subtle nod affirming her words.
"It is my deepest wish to aid you, My Lord," she said softly, her voice weaving through the floral scents like a thread of silk.
"In blood, in pleasure, in companionship. I am yours."
I swallowed, the tea's aftertaste lingering bitter-sweet on my tongue. Gratitude and confusion swirled within me, but the logic settled like dew on leaves—practical, in this world of magic and shadows.
"I... I appreciate that. Both of you. It's overwhelming, but knowing I'm not alone helps."
Elysiana nodded, resuming her tea with a graceful sip.
"You're welcome, Nyx. Now, eat. You will have a long day ahead of you today."
We continued the meal, the conversation pausing as I savored the cakes—their crumbly texture yielding to creamy fillings that coated my mouth in indulgence.
The sun climbed higher, warming my shoulders through the shirt, the garden alive with the hum of bees. But questions burned brighter than the flavors.
"Why do I have these seven sins in the first place?" I asked finally, wiping my lips with a napkin, the linen soft against my skin.
"Is it because of.... Kotori?"
She set her cup down again, her fingers tracing the rim absently, a motion that drew my eye to the elegant curve of her hand.
"I wish I knew the full truth, Lord Nyxus. My goddess, Nyxiana, informed me of the sins' presence within you, but she revealed nothing of their origin. They are a part of your essence now, integrated into your very soul."
Nyxiana. The name tugged at fragments of memory— a fleeting vision of divine light, a voice pleading in the void. But it slipped away, leaving only the garden's peace.
The similarity of this place to Earth nagged at me: the languages, the foods, even the casual flow of conversation.
"This world... it feels so much like Earth. The castle, the breakfast—it's all familiar, yet twisted with magic. Am I still on Earth somehow? Reincarnated into a hidden corner?"
Elysiana's lips parted in a soft laugh, the sound like tinkling bells carried on the wind, light and reassuring.
"No, You are far from Earth, in a greater realm where magic and divinity breathe life into every stone and leaf. This is a world apart, vast and layered, where the wall between mortal and divine is thin. But feeling of your home linger because the creators drew inspiration from many realms, including yours."
I leaned back, the chair creaking faintly, absorbing her words. The breeze picked up, fluttering the napkins and sending petals skittering across the table like confetti.
"Creators... Huh."
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Don't forget to give powerstones to support the book!