The grand gates of Darkstar City swung open with a deep, rumbling groan.
A stately, high-class noble carriage rolled through, flanked by knights on gleaming horses clad in black and silver.
The symbol of the Ravenshade family — a black raven clutching a crimson rose — fluttered on their banners.
Inside the carriage, Lilith Ravenshade sat with her elbow perched lazily against the window, her sharp, obsidian eyes distant and brooding.
Her fingers lightly tapped against the polished wood as the city's towering spires and bustling streets blurred past.
"Miss Lilith," said her knight-captain, a tall man clad in deep navy armor. "Why do you worry yourself over such a pitiful engagement? Surely, it matters little."
Lilith turned to him, letting out a long, exhausted sigh.
"Who said I was worrying about him?" she replied coolly. "I'm merely considering how best to break this ridiculous engagement without causing too much of a political storm."
The captain hesitated, then said cautiously, "But, miss... would this not offend the Duke? Darkstar is no ordinary family. Their wrath could bring war."
Lilith's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile.
"Do not concern yourself. Even Duke Arcturus knows what kind of useless worm Nel Darkstar was. I'm certain he'll be relieved to be rid of the shame."
Her hand brushed lightly against the ancient grimoire resting beside her — a high-class magical artifact.
"A gift of goodwill," she murmured. "In exchange for freedom."
The knight-captain bowed his head.
"As expected of the most brilliant flower of our Kingdom."
Lilith said nothing, her gaze turning once again to the window.
The sun was dipping low, casting a blood-red light across the city.
Soon, she thought. This burden will be lifted.
Back at Darkstar Castle, Naomi sat upright in bed, his body still weak from the recent turmoil.
Seraphina, ever dutiful, helped him into a new set of garments — a black military-style uniform adorned with the Darkstar crest.
The heavy fabric and polished buttons gave him a princely, almost regal air despite his frailty.
With Seraphina offering her shoulder, Naomi limped carefully through the vast stone halls toward the receiving chamber.
Waiting for him there was Lilith Ravenshade — the woman he had heard about, but never met until now.
She was breathtaking.
Her raven-black hair cascaded down her back like midnight silk.
Her magical aura, sharp and refined, shimmered faintly around her slender frame.
She sipped elegantly from a cup of tea, her expression unreadable.
Naomi, with Seraphina's help, lowered himself onto a velvet couch.
Lilith's dark eyes flickered over him with clinical disinterest.
"Lord Nel," she said, her voice like a blade wrapped in silk. "I hope you are... recovering well."
Naomi gave a polite, shallow bow of his head.
"Thank you for coming all the way to Darkstar City, Lady Lilith.
I am truly honored," he said smoothly, his voice calm.
Lilith arched a slender eyebrow.
"So, Lord Nel has learned to speak with elegance. Impressive."
Her words were edged with mockery, but Naomi remained unmoved.
"Time," he said, smiling faintly, "is a harsh but effective teacher. I am still learning. I only hope you'll offer your wisdom to guide me."
Lilith set her cup down sharply, a faint clink echoing through the room.
"I'm afraid," she said coldly, "I have come to inform you of something else, Lord Nel."
Naomi gestured lightly with his hand. "Please, speak freely."
Lilith inhaled slowly.
"I am breaking off our engagement."
The words fell between them like a sword thrust into stone.
Naomi's expression did not change.
"Very well," he said simply, as if she had just informed him about the weather.
Lilith blinked, startled. She repeated, louder this time, as if he hadn't understood,
"I am calling off the marriage."
Naomi gave a small, respectful nod.
"I heard you perfectly, Lady Lilith. And I respect your decision."
For the first time, Lilith's perfect composure faltered.
She had expected tears. Rage. Begging.
Instead, she found only calm acceptance — and something far colder beneath.
Naomi turned to Seraphina.
"Seraphina."
"Yes, my lord," she answered immediately.
"Please help me back to my chamber. I find myself... tired."
Seraphina moved without hesitation, lifting him gently.
Naomi looked once more at Lilith, his gaze neither bitter nor pleading.
"Lady Lilith," he said politely, "please enjoy your stay at Darkstar. I shall inform my father personally of your decision."
Lilith watched him being carried away, her tea growing cold between her fingers.
For the first time, a strange unease coiled in her chest.
What... happened to Nel Darkstar?
The heavy doors closed behind Naomi with a dull thud, sealing the grand hall — and Lilith — in suffocating silence.
She sat rigid, the untouched tea trembling slightly in its porcelain cup.
Her violet eyes, cold and calculating, stared at the door as if willing it to reopen.
It wasn't supposed to go like this.
Nel Darkstar should have begged.
He should have clung to her skirts like the pathetic insect everyone said he was.
He should have—
"Miss Lilith?" the butler's voice interrupted her seething thoughts. "Shall I prepare your guest chambers?"
Lilith rose, smoothing her gown with mechanical grace.
"Yes," she said, her voice sharper than a blade. "And make sure the grimoire is delivered to Duke Arcturus."
"As you command."
As she turned to follow the butler deeper into Darkstar Castle, she glanced once more over her shoulder.
Something's wrong, she thought grimly.
Something's very wrong.
Inside his private chamber, Naomi leaned against the bedframe, his breath slow, deliberate.
Seraphina stood vigil at his side — silent, stoic — but even she seemed unsettled by the events that had just unfolded.
Naomi's hand tightened into a fist.
So this was the world Nel had lived in — abandoned, humiliated, sold off like cheap goods to solidify meaningless alliances.
He could still see the disbelief in Lilith's eyes.
She had expected a broken boy.
She had found something else entirely.
Good.
Let them all underestimate him.
It would make their downfall all the sweeter.
"Seraphina," Naomi said suddenly.
"Yes, my lord?" Her voice was crisp, eager, almost desperate to serve.
"Starting tomorrow, I want a list of everyone in this household. Knights, servants, stewards — everyone."
Seraphina blinked, a flicker of confusion passing over her usually unreadable face.
But she bowed without hesitation.
"As you command, my lord."
Naomi leaned back, feeling the slow burn of a new hunger rise in his chest — not for food, not for affection.
For power.
Meanwhile, as the twin moons bled their cold light across the empire, Darkstar Castle was not as silent as it appeared.
Whispers traveled faster than arrows.
"The young master... he's different."
"I saw him today — he looked me in the eye. Me. As if I were a rat."
"They say Lady Lilith called off the engagement. He didn't even blink."
Rumors twisted and grew in the mouths of servants and soldiers alike.
Some said the gods had blessed him.
Others said a demon now wore the boy's skin.
But one thing became certain to all:
Nel Darkstar was no longer the weakest wolf in the den.
And the real predators...
were starting to feel nervous.
In the darkness of his chamber, Naomi stared up at the ancient canopy of his bed, the crimson curtains fluttering with each cold breath of the night wind.
He thought of Nel.
Of his mother.
Of the cruel laughter of brothers and the cold indifference of the Duke.
This life was stolen from Nel... but I will be the one to repay the debt.
With interest.
Slowly, a smile — cold, razor-sharp — curled at the corner of Naomi's lips.
It was time to start playing the game.
And he intended to win.
No matter the cost.
To be continue....