Inside the duke's grand chamber, rich velvet drapes muted the moonlight, and the faint scent of aged cedar lingered in the air.
Sebastian gestured toward a low, ornate table surrounded by plush chairs. "Please, sit," he said smoothly. A servant appeared silently, setting down a delicate silver tray with three steaming cups of dark tea, the aroma bittersweet and sharp.
The duke took a slow sip, eyes never leaving Haeyse. "You've won, just as I expected. And as promised, I'll grant you one wish. Go ahead, state it."
His voice dropped to a near whisper, a teasing smile curling at the edge of his lips. "But before you speak, my dear Nacht, think carefully. You wouldn't want to squander such a wish on something trivial, would you?"
As the Duke's words echoed, Haeyse felt a familiar pull from deep within him, a force straining to break free. He closed his eyes, focusing his thoughts. "Not now, weakling," he hissed inwardly. "You'll have your moment later. This is my turn."
He found himself suddenly transported into the depths of his own mind, standing in a dark, shadowed room. In the center, Nacht was bound by four shackles, struggling against them. "Let me out, Haeyse!" Nacht roared, his voice filled with fury. "You have no right to make that wish—it's mine!" His eyes burned with rage.
Haeyse's cold, ghostly chuckle echoed through the void. "Yours? No. Ours," he corrected, his tone mocking. "I can make the decision because I know your every thought, your every desire. And unlike you, I am not blinded by sentiment. I have no attachment to that girl... what's her name? Ally? Alice? Whatever it is, you'll thank me later. Trust me."
As Haeyse turned to leave this dark corner of his subconscious, he heard the chains clatter behind him. He whirled around just in time to see Nacht shatter his smoky, black restraints. In an instant, Nacht lunged at him, pinning Haeyse to the ground.
"I am not weak, Haeyse!" Nacht spat, his voice dripping with venom. "I am the better version of you—the version you'll never become. Do you know why? Because I'm not a monster. I am human. I'm not you, and you sure as the nine hells aren't me!"
Haeyse let out a low, humorless laugh, even as Nacht's hand gripped his throat, pressing him into the ground. "Better than me? A human? Is that what you believe?" Irritation seeped into his words. In a flash, Haeyse's hand shot up, crushing Nacht's wrist with effortless force. The sound of bones cracking filled the air, and Nacht screamed in agony, releasing his grip.
"You're nothing without me," Haeyse snarled, rising to his feet. He looked down at Nacht, now on his knees, clutching his mangled hand. "I am the part of you that makes you whole. I'm what sets you apart from the worthless mortals around us. When will you finally accept it? You can't run from who you are—what you are."
Haeyse glanced at his palm, then bit into it. Blood welled up, dripping down onto Nacht's broken hand. Slowly, the bones knit themselves back together, restoring it to its original form.
"Very well, Nacht," Haeyse said, his voice softer but no less dangerous. "I'll let you crawl back into your place, for now. But remember this: I will return, whether you like it or not. When the final mark is made, and all your fingers are claimed, you'll face a choice. Either accept me, or vanish forever."
With that, Haeyse's form dissolved into shadow, leaving Nacht alone in the darkness.
"Ha—Nacht, are you alright?" Ashley asked, nearly letting Haeyse's name slip in the presence of the Duke.
Nacht slowly opened his eyes, gasping for air as if breaking the surface after a deep plunge. His gaze fell to his hand—fully restored—yet the echo of Haeyse's chilling words lingered in his mind. Another finger was marked. A surge of anger flared within him, threatening to take hold, but he forced it down, his jaw tightening.
As his breathing steadied, his form began to shift. The white strands in his hair darkened once more, and the inky veins that had coiled beneath his skin gradually faded, leaving only a faint trace behind.
Looking up at Ashley, he gave a small nod, his eyes soft and familiar—the ones she recognized instantly. Relief flickered across her face, but she said nothing more.
Then, a figure appeared in the corner of his eye—Alice, entering the room while Nacht was lost in his subconscious. A wave of relief washed over him as he took her in. She seemed well, her health intact, though a worried smile lingered as if anticipating something. Nacht nodded, acknowledging her presence and silently conveying his relief. She returned the gesture, her smile softening as she nodded back.
The Duke finally broke the silence. "So, Nacht. What is your wish?" he asked again, his patience visibly fraying.
Haeyse's haunting words echoed in Nacht's mind: "Your thoughts, your desires." He stood at a crossroads—free Alice or obey his Empress's command to forge an alliance between the Empire and Nira. The weight of the choice pressed heavily on his chest.
His gaze shifted to Alice, her worried smile unwavering. She understood—the decision he made now would shape the path that lay ahead for both of them.
For a long moment, Nacht remained still. Then, he drew a slow, steady breath and met the Duke's gaze.
Alice closed her eyes, ready for the inevitable.
"Break your alliance with the Sovereignty and join the Empire instead," Nacht said, his voice steady, cold. The choice was made. If he had calculated everything correctly, this would be the best outcome—for both him and Alice.
Alice sighed as she opened her eyes again. Her expression was brave, yet the tears welling at the corners of her eyes betrayed her.
"Are you sure this is what you want, Nacht?" she asked softly, clinging to the fragile hope that he might still change his mind.
Nacht met her gaze, his own steady. Ignoring her question, he turned back to the Duke and gave a silent nod, sealing his decision.
The Duke's lips curled into a pleased smile. "Well chosen. I'm glad to see your judgment wasn't clouded by emotion. A promise is a promise."
With a quick gesture, he summoned a bearded man to join them. "Draft a letter to King Virones. Inform him that our agreement is void," he ordered briskly before dismissing the man with a flick of his hand.
The Duke then signaled to the guard at the door, who responded with a silent nod before swiftly exiting. Sebastien looked back at Nacht, a smile playing on his lips.
"Let her go now," Nacht said, his gaze locking with the Duke's once more.
The Duke's smile widened as he tilted his head slightly, feigning confusion. "What do you mean, 'let her go'?" he asked slowly.
Alice and Ashley exchanged uncertain glances, equally puzzled by Nacht's words.
"You chose to ally Nira, my city, with the Empire as your wish, which I honored," the Duke continued, his smirk deepening. "And now you demand I release her? Why?"
Nacht exhaled sharply, his voice turning cold. "That's exactly why you should release her. You've allied with the Empire. You no longer need this marriage to the Sovereignty's princess. The Sovereignty is your enemy now—remember?"
The Duke nodded. "Yes, I do remember. However, that doesn't mean I have to let her go, does it? I could just as easily keep her here—as a hostage, a maid, perhaps even a plaything. What difference would it make? You… are enemies now too."
Nacht's gaze shifted to Alice. Her face was clouded with sadness, her eyes avoiding his. He turned back to Sebastien, his voice steady. "Indeed, we are enemies. But before that, I made her a promise—one I intend to keep. I promised to bring her to safety, and this place… it is anything but safe."
At those words, a faint smile touched Alice's lips.
Sebastien laughed, the sound sharp and mocking. "A promise? Very touching. But what if I refuse? What then? Will you strike me down so soon after forging this alliance?" He smirked, testing Nacht's resolve.
Nacht shook his head slowly. "No. But when the Sovereignty retaliates—and they will—you'll need me. I'm your closest ally now, and you'll be calling for my help when that time comes."
The Duke's smirk deepened. "Are you threatening me?" he asked, clearly amused. You are exceptional, my dear, he thought.
Nacht shook his head again, his expression calm but unyielding. "Of course not. I'm merely reminding you how much you'll rely on me for survival." His voice dropped, turning sharper. "Tell me, Sebastien, do you really think my mission was simply to form an alliance with you?"
The Duke raised an eyebrow but gestured for him to continue, already anticipating his words.
"My orders were to secure an alliance, yes—but if I failed through diplomacy, my orders were clear: cut you down and place a more… cooperative figure on your little throne." Nacht's lips curled into a cunning smile. "Oh, and plenty of your so-called loyal nobles volunteered to be your replacement. Funny, isn't it? What power does to men."
The Duke laughed, a low, amused sound. "Indeed," he said, letting the silence stretch between them before continuing. "Tell you what, Nacht. You give me the names of those nobles—all of them—and if you do, I promise I'll release her and send a few men to escort her safely back to the Sovereignty." His eyes gleamed with curiosity. Would he sacrifice his allies to save the one he cares about, or would he think of the bigger picture and keep the names hidden, knowing they could be useful in a potential future betrayal?
Nacht smiled and gave a slight nod. With a fluid motion, he reached into one of the pockets of his cloak and slid a piece of paper across the table toward the Duke. "You always fulfill your promises, don't you?" he said, his tone suggestive.
The Duke glanced down at the paper, then slowly unfolded it. Inside was a list of eight names—Niran nobles who had allied with the Empire. His gaze shifted back to Nacht, a hint of interest in his eyes. "Interesting," he murmured, then closed the paper with a deliberate motion.
He called one of his guards over, handed the paper to him, and gestured toward the guard's sword before dismissing him. The Duke met Nacht's gaze again. "Very well. I always keep my promises."
The Duke glanced toward Alice and gave a small nod. "You are free to leave. My men will prepare a carriage and a few supplies for your journey back." His voice held no warmth, only finality.
Alice bowed politely. "Thank you, Your Grace." With a brief look at Nacht—uncertain, unreadable—she turned and made her way to the door, the echo of her footsteps fading behind her.
Nacht watched her go. A faint, sorrowful smile tugged at his lips.
The Duke returned his gaze and smiled faintly in turn, as if to say: I keep my promises.
Nacht nodded in quiet acknowledgment. "Now that our alliance is secured," he said, "I must depart. The Empress will need to be informed." He paused, exhaling slowly—a weary breath for whatever awaited him in the Empire.
"There's one last favor I'd ask of you, Sebastien," he added, lifting his eyes to meet the Duke's. "If you agree, I'll repay you with whatever you ask."
The Duke smirked and gave a knowing nod, already calculating the leverage he might gain if he granted Nacht's request. "Go ahead, my dear. What would you ask of me?" he purred.
Nacht's gaze shifted to Ashley. He let out a quiet sigh. "Her brother. I need information about him. A noblewoman from Nira apparently bought him from bandits some time ago."
Ashley nodded, eyes fixed on the Duke with barely contained urgency. This was it—the moment she had long awaited. The reason she had followed Nacht into this world of blood and shadow.
"Please," she said, her voice trembling. "I need to know. I'll do anything to get Jack back."
The Duke tilted his head, thinking aloud. "Hm... a noblewoman, you say? Bought a boy from bandits?" He folded his hands together. "Only a handful of nobles in my city do business with bandits," he mused. A pause. Then, quietly: "I believe I know who has him."
Ashley stepped forward, her breath catching. She looked as though she might explode from the pressure of her own hope.
"Well?" she snapped. "Who is it? Who has Jack?"