A dim, silver-blue glow bathed the chamber, cast from the ever-burning obsidian crystals embedded in the walls. The silence was heavy, broken only by the occasional flicker of dark magic humming through the stone. Luna stirred beneath the velvet blankets, the scent of cedar and shadow clinging to the air around her.
Her eyes fluttered open slowly. The ceiling above her was unfamiliar—tall, carved in ancient runes that shimmered faintly in the dim light.
Luna (softly, confused):
"Where… am I?"
She sat up, her long hair tumbling over her shoulders. Her surroundings were elegant, cold, and completely unfamiliar—this wasn't her room. A sinking weight settled in her chest as her gaze swept the chamber.
Then she noticed the bed—massive, royal, and far too luxurious. Her body tensed.
Luna (voice shaking):
"This is... Azrael's room?"
Her memories were hazy. Last night—after the fight. The carriage. Then darkness. But everything after that… was blank.
Luna (standing abruptly):
"No. I have to get out of here…"
She slid off the bed, careful not to make a sound. Azrael lay on the opposite side, his broad back rising and falling slowly, peacefully. Still asleep.
Without looking back, Luna tiptoed across the cold obsidian floor and slipped quietly out the door.
Luna quietly stepped out of Azrael's chambers, the heavy door clicking shut behind her. The palace halls were silent, lit only by flickering dark torches that lined the walls of Duskvaria's shadowed corridors. She moved quickly, her mind racing, heart still pounding.
Luna (to herself, anxious):
"What happened last night…? Why was I there? Did he… did he touch me?"
Her cheeks burned at the thought. But no—she was still in her dress. Nothing felt... wrong. Just confusing. Intensely confusing.
By the time she reached her own chambers, her hands were trembling slightly. She pushed the door open, stepping inside. Meli, who was arranging a tray of herbs, turned sharply.
Meli (startled):
"Lunastia! You're awake!"
Luna (still breathless):
"I just… I woke up in his room. Azrael's bed. I don't remember anything. Meli, what happened to me?"
Meli gently set the tray down and moved toward her, concern in her eyes.
Meli (softly):
"You fainted after the attack. His Majesty brought you back. You were weak, unconscious, and barely breathing."
Luna (wide-eyed):
"He brought me back himself?"
Meli (nodding):
"He didn't let anyone else near you. He ordered every healer away. Said he'd watch over you himself."
Luna (shaken):
"I don't remember any of that…"
Meli (with a slight smile):
"He stayed beside you until you started breathing steadily again. Then placed you in his bed… and only then did he rest. He was afraid to leave you alone."
Luna sat on the edge of her bed, overwhelmed. Her heart ached with something she couldn't name—was it gratitude? Or something deeper?
Luna (quietly):
"Why would he… care so much?"
Just then, the door opened with a light knock. A tall figure entered—cloaked in dark violet robes, with silver patterns stitched into the collar. His red eyes met hers calmly.
Zeph (formal, but with a touch of amusement):
"Well, well. Look who's finally awake."
Luna (standing quickly):
"Zeph? Why are you here?"
Zeph (stepping in):
"His Majesty has requested your presence."
Luna (blinking, surprised):
"Azrael?"
Zeph (with a faint smirk):
"Apparently, sleeping beside you wasn't enough. He wants to speak with you."
Luna's face flushed instantly, but Zeph simply chuckled under his breath.
Zeph (teasing lightly):
"Don't worry. He didn't even move from his side of the bed. Though, judging by his mood this morning… I'd say he didn't like the distance."
Meli (softly, to Luna):
"You should go. He wouldn't summon you unless it was important."
Luna stood slowly, her fingers curled nervously at her sides.
Luna (to herself):
"What does he want from me now…?"
Zeph opened the door with a slight bow.
Zeph (light but firm):
"Come on, Lunastia. He's waiting. And Azrael isn't known for his patience."
King's champer ____
The towering black doors groaned open as Luna stepped into the King's chamber. Her fingers nervously twisted the hem of her sleeves. The room was colder than before — both in air and in presence.
Azrael sat alone at the far end, in his massive throne-like chair, one arm slung over the armrest. His eyes glowed faintly in the dim lighting — sharp, deadly, unreadable. There was no trace of the warmth she once imagined in him.
He didn't look at her. He didn't have to. His voice sliced through the silence like a dagger.
Azrael (calm but venomous):
"Zeph. Leave us."
Zeph immediately lowered his gaze and stepped out. The sound of the heavy door locking behind Luna echoed through her spine.
A long silence.
Then—
Azrael (slowly turning his gaze on her, cold and cutting):
"Where were you before I found you in my bed?"
Luna (startled, trying to stay calm):
"I don't know. I don't remember—"
Azrael (voice rising):
"You don't remember?! Or are you just that careless, Lunastia?"
He stood. The chair scraped back, and a strange darkness seemed to rise with him. His boots echoed across the marble as he approached her.
Azrael (eyes glowing with rage):
"You reek of someone else's presence. Another man."
Luna (shocked):
"What—?! That's not true!"
Azrael (gritting his teeth):
"Then what is this?"
He grabbed her wrist and yanked the collar of her dress slightly down to reveal the faint, dark mark on her neck. It was faded — almost invisible — but his rage burned as if it were fire.
Azrael (voice dangerously low):
"I gave you protection, I let you stay near me — and this is how you repay me? With shame?"
Luna (jerking her arm back, voice rising):
"You don't own me! I don't need to explain myself to you!"
Azrael froze. A deadly silence followed. Then—
Azrael (voice like thunder, shaking the walls):
"You dare talk back to me?! After bringing filth into my bed?!"
He stepped closer — too close. Luna's heart pounded, but she didn't back down. Tears burned behind her eyes, but she clenched her fists.
Luna (furious, trembling):
"You misunderstood! But why should I care? You only see what you want to see anyway!"
His fist flew—
But instead of hitting her, he slammed it into the wall beside her face. The marble shattered. Debris fell at their feet. His face was inches from hers, breathing heavily, his eyes burning with restrained chaos.
Azrael (voice chilling, dripping venom):
"I could have killed you for this. Right here. Right now."
Luna flinched, finally shaken. But he didn't stop.
Azrael (cold and terrifying):
"You are nothing but a fragile little girl playing queen. From now on, your place is in the library. Read every cursed book, every rule, every creature, until your soul knows what kind of world you've entered. You will not sleep. You will not leave. Until I say so."
Luna (voice cracking):
"Why are you doing this to me…?"
Azrael (dark smile, whispering coldly):
"Because, little Luna… I hate betrayal. Even if it's only imagined."
He turned his back to her.
Azrael (final command):
"Now go — before I forget what mercy feels like."
Luna's knees nearly buckled. She fled, heart pounding, eyes wet, her mind a storm. She wanted to scream the truth. But something in her told her: he wasn't ready to hear it. Not yet.
After Luna Leaves Azrael's Chamber_______
The heavy silence returned the moment Luna stepped out and the door shut. Azrael stood there, unmoving, as if frozen in his own fury. Then, slowly, he raised a hand to his chest… and exhaled deeply.
His fingers curled around the fabric of his black shirt, and in one swift motion, he pulled it over his head and let it drop to the floor.
He stared at his reflection in the tall mirror near his throne. No more dark veins. No shadows crawling beneath his skin. His body was glowing faintly with an ancient energy. The curse… was gone.
Azrael (softly, to himself):
"It's back…"
Right then, Zeph entered cautiously.
Zeph (watching in awe):
"Your Majesty… the curse—it's vanished."
Azrael (nodding slowly):
"Yes. After years of torment… it ended the moment she slept beside me."
Zeph (in disbelief):
"Then... it's true. Her presence cleansed the curse? You've awakened the Dread Nova?"
Azrael (his voice deeper, more powerful):
"Yes. It's not just awakened... it's complete. My magic — it's almost equal to hers now. The gods themselves won't dare challenge me."
Zeph (cautiously):
"And Luna, my king? What will you do to her?"
Azrael (coldly):
"Let her reflect on her mistake. Let her learn how to behave in my world. If she won't speak, she will suffer in silence."
There's a tense pause before a royal guard rushes in and bows.
Guard (breathing heavily):
"Your Majesty… urgent news."
Azrael (without turning):
"Speak."
Guard:
"Two matters. First — a message from Lunaria. A warning. If the princesses are not returned immediately, they will consider it an act of war."
Zeph tensed. Azrael finally turned toward the guard, eyes glowing, but expression calm.
Azrael (dryly):
"Let them bark. They don't know I've regained my full power. But keep it secret. Let the fear grow in silence."
Guard (nodding):
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Azrael:
"And the second?"
Guard (hesitating):
We investigated yesterday's meeting between Princess Lunastia and Lord Azarion. Lord Azarion reported that they went to a tattoo shop—nothing unusual happened there. However, on their way back, some Creepys attacked the princess. Lord Azarion managed to kill them, but a mark was formed on the princess. He later confirmed this.
Azrael's entire body went still. His eyes narrowed.
Azrael (darkly):
"So it wasn't betrayal. It was an attack."
His fists clenched. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then:
Azrael (voice low, confused):
"Then why… didn't she tell me?"
Zeph stepped closer, sensing the shift.
Zeph:
"She was scared. You didn't let her speak."
Azrael (closing his eyes, jaw tight):
"Tch."
He turned, storming toward the door.
Azrael:
"I'm going to the library."
Zeph (reminding):
"My king — the High Court meeting is in moments. The Lords are waiting."
Azrael (pausing at the doorway, barely holding his anger):
"ask kaesor to attend ".