"You incompetent fool!" Nyxara's voice tore through the chamber, sharp enough to make the mirrors tremble. The maid froze mid-motion, mascara brush trembling in her fingers. Panic made her drop it. Black streaked across Nyxara's cheek, a line of imperfection cutting across her face.
"I—I'm so sorry, Princess!" the maid gasped, immediately dropping to her knees, forehead scraping the polished floor. "Please forgive me! I beg you! I'll—"
Nyxara cut her off with a glare so cold it could freeze fire.
"Sorry?" she said quietly, almost sweetly. Then she struck. The slap was vicious, echoing off the walls, leaving the maid shaking on the ground. "Oh, you will be sorry," Nyxara hissed, stepping close, her eyes glinting. "Do you know how many girls dream of touching my face, of standing where you stand?"
The maid whimpered, curling into herself. "Please, Princess, I didn't mean—"
Nyxara crouched, gripping the girl's chin, forcing her to meet her gaze. "Do you feel how small you are? How worthless? Mercy is for people who matter," she whispered, then straightened, her movement fluid and precise. "Guards."
Two armored men rushed in, bowing low. "Yes, Princess."
"Drag her to the dungeon. No food No water For One week," Nyxara ordered.
The maid screamed. "Please! I beg you! I'll—"
Nyxara ignored her completely. The guards obeyed, dragging the girl toward the dungeon. Her cries echoed and then faded. Nyxara turned, satisfied.
"Nelda," she called. Her personal favorite maid, sly and cruel, stepped forward immediately.
"Yes, Princess?"
"Fix this," Nyxara said, gesturing at her face. "Prince Elion is coming today. I must look perfect for him. He should fall madly in love the moment he sees me."
Nelda smiled faintly, her eyes sharp. "Of course, Princess. Who else would he dare to fall for?"
The two of them exchanged a wicked smile, glancing into the mirror. Perfectly cruel.
ROYAL COURT OF VELTHRYN
The Royal Court of Velthryn waited silently for news.
"My King," a guard announced, bowing deeply. "The Devil Lord has been cast into the Oblivion Chasm."
Rhaekor's eyes did not flinch. He inclined his head slightly. "Good."
The guards handed over a glowing shard of aurelith to Elder Kwan, who accepted it with a faint smile. "A pleasure doing business with you, my Lord," he said, turning to leave.
"My lord," General Zeda, the oldest and most respected among the council, stepped forward. His voice was careful but tinged with frustration. "I thought the plan was to test the Devil Lord first. To determine his usefulness before disposal."
"Yes, my lord," General Anin added, stepping forward. "We discussed this plan with you beforehand."
Rhaekor's gaze swept across the generals like a blade. "The plan has changed," he said flatly. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, my lord," they answered in unison, their faces impassive, though resentment simmered beneath the surface. That was what everyone hated about Rhaekor: his ability to change plans on a whim, especially for Nyxara.
"You may all leave," he commanded. The generals bowed and exited, their quiet anger trailing behind them.
"Prince Elion of Viremont!" the royal announcer's voice echoed as the young prince entered, mounted on a majestic white steed, flanked by several generals from Viremont.
He dismounted gracefully, bowing before King Rhaekor. "My lord," he said formally. The generals followed suit.
"Prince Elion," Rhaekor greeted, his voice warm but carrying authority. "Welcome to velthryn .
"Thank you, my lord," Elion replied. He remained composed, alert, as if already calculating the room.
They spoke at length about politics, alliances, and the fragile state of borders. Elion listened carefully, asking questions and noting the responses, his attention sharp. Finally, he asked, his voice quiet but deliberate: "I have heard rumors… the Devil Lord. Velthryn possesses him, yes?"
Rhaekor's eyes narrowed slightly. "He is being taken care of. Where he deserves." He did not elaborate further.
Elion raised an eyebrow, sensing the unspoken danger, but nodded. "I see."
"Prince Elion!" Nyxara's voice rang out, cutting through their conversation. She ran forward, her skirts flowing behind her. "Oh heavens, you look more handsome than the last time I saw you!" She spread her arms as if to embrace him.
Elion did not move forward. He bowed politely. "Princess Nyxara," he said, calmly and neutral
Nyxara laughed, a tinge of embarrassment coloring her bright smile. She glanced at her father. "Father, may I steal the prince for a while?"
"We are still—" Rhaekor began.
"Yes, you may," he interrupted, cutting off his own words. Nyxara grinned triumphantly and took Elion's arm, guiding him away. He allowed himself to be led but remained cautious, his expression neutral.
The gardens stretched before them, sun warming the paths lined with luminescent flowers. Nyxara tried to charm him. "So, the war. I heard you won."
"Yes," Elion replied simply, eyes scanning the horizon.
"I missed you," she said, voice softening. "I even thought… I even…"
Her words were interrupted by another voice:
"Yes, sir. Take the prescribed dose and ensure you take it daily," a girl said. Her hands worked the grinding herbs with practiced precision.
Elion's eyes lit up instantly. Sachin. His gaze softened, body shifting forward slightly in recognition and relief.
Sachin, King Rhaekor's eldest daughter by a concubine, stood with grace and poise, serene as ever. Loved by all, kind to the core. Nyxara's heart burned with an unfamiliar, sharp jealousy.
"Take care, sir," Sachin said politely.
"Prince Elion," she said again, bowing low when he approached her.
"I told you not to bow like that each time you see me," Elion said, his voice gentle but firm.
"I—my lord, forgive me," she whispered.
He stepped forward, taking the mortar from her hands. "Let me help."
Nyxara's hands clenched as she watched , something dark twisted in her heart, Every instinct screamed. Someone would die today and She already knew who.
Meanwhile, far below, the Oblivion Chasm stirred.
The it opened it's mouth and Vaelis was thrown onto stone, his body limp. He did not wake.
The darkness watched him.
"You will return," it whispered. "When you are empty."