Ciel's POV
After a long, quiet moment I rose and bent over Serena, who had finally drifted back to sleep. I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Rest well, my love," I whispered, then stepped out of the room.
The halls were dim and still as I made my way to the study. The door swung open to chaos — papers scattered across the floor, books askew, the place rifled through as if a storm had passed. I moved toward the shelf, fingers searching between bindings until my hand closed on a small black orb.
I tapped its surface. The orb flared to life, showing my study from a few hours earlier. There he was — a bruised, battered man with long red hair and a scar across one eye, rifling through my things. My jaw tightened. So that was the intruder.
The image changed, showing the moment he pushed past Clara. Anger flared hot and raw in my chest. I wove my magic over the orb, sealing the images inside with a pulse of shadow.
"That bastard," I muttered, pacing until I sank into my chair. I ran my fingers over the dark bell on the desk and rang it once more.
Footsteps answered—slow, hard, like armor on stone. The devils' cohort assembled outside my door.
"Get ready," I ordered, voice steady but cold. "Start tracking those enchanted documents the intruder stole. We leave tonight."
Lucien's POV
Asriel's smile was small, almost casual. "What do you suggest?"
I stepped forward, eyes on the broken man at our feet. "How about I discipline Malvrik myself and turn him into a loyal servant? He'll be under my care. Don't worry—I'll make sure he learns his place."
Malvrik glared up at me, jaw clenched, voice hoarse. "You bastard— I'll never—" He choked on the word and went limp, consciousness slipping away.
A cold amusement eased along my spine. "Poor thing," I said, tilting my head. "He looks about a heartbeat from death. Wouldn't want my new servant to expire before I break him." I glanced to the nearest fallen. "Someone take him away and get him treated. He can't serve me dead, you know."
Handsome or horrified, a few fallen moved. They hauled Malvrik up and carried him off, his limbs hanging like a rag. I watched him go, savoring the moment.
A slow, satisfied smile spread across my face. "I'm going to have a lot of fun with him," I murmured, already tasting the revenge.
Asriel's voice cut through the hall. "All right then. This has interrupted our plans enough. I'll go check on things back at the castle. Everyone, get back to work."
He turned to me. "And you, Lucien, get back to resting. Soon, we'll have a lot of work to do."
"Understood," I said, walking off. I glanced at Lila. "You heard him. You just got treated for your injuries, so get some rest."
She nodded, murmuring a soft "hmm," before heading back to her new quarters.
**************
I finally reached my room and threw myself onto the bed. At last… rest. My body sank into the mattress, and I drifted effortlessly into the beautiful, peaceful arms of slumber.
I sat on the throne, commanding all my loyal subjects in heaven. "Bow down to your new king," I declared, feeling the thrill of power.
Then, as always, my dreams were shattered by a loud bang—the door slamming open. I shot awake, heart racing.
Lila stood there, eyes wide. "Lucien! Come quick, it's an emergency!"
I groaned. "Uh-huh… what is it this time?"
"No time for questions! Just hurry!" she said, grabbing my arm.
Grudgingly, I followed her out of the room and down the hall, every instinct screaming that trouble was already waiting.
This time, we didn't head to the hall—we went straight to Asriel's office. Darkness cloaked the castle as we stormed down the corridors, Lila close at my side.
Before I knew it, we were inside, and Asriel's fury hit me like a physical force. His eyes blazed, every inch of him radiating rage.
"What's going on?" I asked cautiously, my stomach tightening.
He whirled to me, voice sharp and low. "What's going on? That bastard Ciel is coming here tonight—with an army. He's planning to attack all of us."
I froze, dread pooling in my chest, spreading through my limbs like ice. Oh… we're in deep shit.