Rain fell heavily across Seoul that night.
The city lights reflected against wet roads while black luxury cars moved through the streets under tight security.
Inside Aryan's mansion, guards doubled patrol shifts again after the latest threat from the eastern alliance.
Nobody relaxed anymore.
War had changed everything.
Nithya sat inside Aryan's office reviewing financial reports from one of Devil's hidden companies.
Across from her, Aryan worked silently on his laptop.
The atmosphere felt strangely comfortable now.
No lies.
No hidden identities.
Just Eagle and Devil working side by side.
After several quiet minutes, Aryan suddenly spoke.
"You never panic."
Nithya looked up briefly.
"Should I?"
"Most people would."
She leaned back calmly.
"Most people don't survive our world."
Aryan watched her for a moment.
Again, that strange respect returned.
Not because she was powerful.
Because she understood him perfectly.
Suddenly the office door opened.
Rohan entered quickly.
"Sir."
Aryan immediately noticed his serious expression.
"What happened?"
"The northern syndicate sent representatives."
Nithya's eyes sharpened slightly.
"Already?"
Rohan nodded.
"They requested emergency negotiations."
Aryan closed his laptop slowly.
Interesting.
The syndicate moved faster than expected.
"They're scared," Nithya said quietly.
Aryan looked toward her.
"Of us."
One hour later, the private negotiation meeting began inside the underground conference hall.
Security surrounded every entrance.
Armed guards stood silently near the walls.
Three representatives from the northern syndicate entered carefully.
Confident.
But nervous.
Because across the table sat the two most feared rulers in the underworld.
Eagle and Devil.
Together.
One representative finally spoke.
"The syndicate wishes to avoid unnecessary conflict."
Aryan's expression stayed cold.
"Then stay out of our war."
The man swallowed carefully.
"The eastern alliance situation is destabilizing global routes."
Nithya looked at him calmly.
"Sounds like their problem."
The representatives exchanged nervous looks.
One older man finally asked carefully,
"Are Eagle and Devil officially allied now?"
Silence filled the room.
Then Aryan answered calmly,
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No denial.
That single word changed the atmosphere completely.
Because official alliance between them meant something terrifying.
Power beyond balance.
The meeting ended quickly after that.
The syndicate representatives left far more nervous than before.
Once the doors closed, Rohan let out a slow breath.
"They looked terrified."
"They should be," Aryan replied calmly.
Nithya almost smiled slightly.
"Your favorite sentence."
"It's usually true."
Later that evening, Nithya stood alone in the mansion garden under the rain-covered sky.
Cold wind moved softly around her while guards stayed far enough to give privacy.
For the first time in a long while…
She felt calm.
No pretending.
No hiding.
Just herself.
Footsteps approached quietly behind her.
Aryan.
He stopped beside her under the balcony lights.
"You'll get sick standing in rain."
Nithya looked ahead calmly.
"You sound like an old man again."
Aryan sighed softly.
"You repeat that joke too much."
"Because it's true."
For a second, silence passed between them comfortably.
Then Aryan removed his coat and placed it over her shoulders.
Nithya blinked once in surprise.
"You'll get wet."
"I don't care."
Simple answer.
Dangerous effect.
They stood beside each other quietly while rain continued falling around them.
Finally Aryan spoke softly.
"When I forced this marriage…"
Nithya looked toward him slightly.
"…I expected obedience."
That honestly didn't surprise her.
Aryan continued,
"I expected fear too."
Nithya almost laughed softly.
"You married the wrong woman for that."
Aryan's lips curved faintly.
"Yes."
His dark eyes met hers again.
"But somehow…"
He stepped closer slowly.
"…I think I married the only person who truly understands me."
The rain fell heavier around them.
Nithya's heartbeat slowed slightly.
Not fear.
Not nervousness.
Something deeper.
Dangerous.
Because Devil was slowly falling for Eagle.
And she realized it too late.
Suddenly Rohan's voice came urgently through Aryan's earpiece.
"Sir. Emergency."
Aryan immediately became serious again.
"What?"
"We found the eastern alliance leader's location."
Nithya's eyes sharpened instantly.
Rohan continued,
"He's moving through a private harbor tonight."
Silence.
Then slowly…
A cold smile appeared on Aryan's face.
Eagle's dangerous side returned fully.
Beside him, Devil's eyes turned just as cold.
Finally.
The person behind everything was within reach.
And tonight…
The hunters were coming personally.