The portal's shimmering curtain parted, revealing the sun-dappled courtyard of the Progenitor's estate. Lira took a hesitant step forward—
WHOOSH
A blur of black and white streaked from the manicured hedges. Before Lira could blink, a gloved hand hovered at her throat, the maid's silver hair whipping like a blade in the wind.
"INTRUDER—"
My fingers closed around Claire's wrist, stopping her centimeters from Lira's pulse point. The maid's combat stance faltered as recognition flashed across her sharp features.
"Easy now, Claire."
Her gasp was barely audible. "M-My Lord... knows my name?" She dropped to one knee so fast her kneepad scraped the marble.
I nudged a wide-eyed Lira forward. "This little hellion is my daughter. Lira, meet Claire—my head of security disguised as a maid."
Lira rubbed her throat, equal parts awed and irritated. "You couldn't have led with the 'attack maids' thing?!"
Claire's porcelain cheeks flushed crimson. "A thousand apologies, Young Mistress! I—"
"Relax," I chuckled, plucking a leaf from Claire's immaculate collar. "She's survived worse. Right,"
Lira's responding grin was all teeth. "Oh yeah. Way worse."
"now lira il leave you whith claire to get to know the place where you will be staying for a month" i said
"for a month" she tilted her head comfused
"yeah school starts next month" i said casualy
"couldnt you have told me id have to attend school" she said panickly
"relax you are nine years old right il make aragments that you start in 1st grade" i said
"okay but why do i have to study" she asked
i gave her a stern look which told enough
"i get it il study"she said before i neded to speak
"um your majecty there is a visitor waiting for you" claire said
"visitor i wasnt expecting anyone"i said
"its lady luminus my lord" claire said
"oohh she came to visit after all that time i nearly forgot about her no matter go show lira around" i said and walked into the house
I gave Lira's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Now, I'll leave you with Claire to get acquainted with the estate. You'll be staying here for a month."
"A month?" Her head tilted in confusion, the morning sunlight catching in her freshly braided hair.
"Yes. School starts next month," I said casually, already turning toward the manor.
"Wait—" She grabbed my sleeve, panic flashing across her face. "You couldn't have mentioned I'd have to attend school?!"
I turned back with a raised eyebrow. "Relax. You're nine, right? I'll arrange for you to start in first grade with children your age."
"That's not the—" She huffed, crossing her arms. "Why do I even need to study?"
My stern look silenced her before I needed to speak.
"...Fine, I'll study," she muttered, kicking at the gravel path.
Claire cleared her throat. "Um, Your Majesty? There's a visitor awaiting you in the sunroom."
"A visitor?" I frowned. "I wasn't expecting anyone."
"It's Lady Luminus, my lord."
"Oh?" A smirk tugged at my lips. "She actually came to visit after all this time. I'd nearly forgotten about her." With a wave, I added, "No matter. Claire, show Lira around the grounds."
As I strode toward the house, Lira's indignant voice carried after me:
"Hey! You can't just drop the school bomb and walk away—!"
The rest was cut off by the closing doors.
The manor's sunroom doors parted silently, revealing Luminus Valentine standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows. Sunlight gilded her silver hair as she turned, her eyes flashing with uncharacteristic nerves.
"You kept me waiting, Progenitor." Her gloved fingers tightened around a sealed envelope.
I smirked, pouring myself a brandy from the sidebar. "And you arrived unannounced after three centuries of radio silence. We'll call it even." The ice clinked sharply as I added, "Though I suppose you're here about our... unresolved agreement."
A shadow crossed her face. Outside, the distant sound of Lira's indignant shouts carried through the gardens ("I'm NOT wearing a uniform!").
Luminus's posture softened imperceptibly. "...That child. She's really yours?"
"As much as anyone can be." I swirled my drink. "But we both know you didn't come to discuss parenting."
She slammed the envelope onto the tea table. The wax seal bore Guy Crimson's personal insignia.
"You have been invited to Walpurgis," she said quietly.
I took a slow sip, letting the silence stretch. Somewhere beyond the gardens, Eve was no doubt bribing Lira with candy to endure Claire's security drills.
"And if I refuse?"
My response made Luminus flinch. The ice in her untouched drink trembled as she steadied herself. "You may do as you please."
"I'll pass this time," I said, setting my glass down with a soft clink. "But have you given any thought to our deal?"
Her hesitation stretched between us like pulled taffy. Outside, Lira's distant laughter floated through the gardens—sharp contrast to the tension in the room.
"Still afraid, I see." I tapped the golden pendant around my neck, its twin still hanging from hers. "No matter. I gave you this for a reason."
Luminus turned toward the window, her reflection warped by the leaded glass. "What are you planning to do about the angels?"
"Angels?" I chuckled. "Oh, those pesky things. Nothing to worry about. Worst case scenario..." My grin turned wicked. "I destroy the world."
She scoffed, swirling her wine. "Destroy the world? As if you could—"
The glass slipped from her fingers.
We weren't in the sunroom anymore.
Space yawned around us, an endless void where Earth hung like a rotting fruit—cracked and crumbling at the edges. Continents peeled away in slow motion, oceans boiling into the vacuum.
"Let me show you a fraction of my power," I whispered.
A snap of my fingers.
The planet shattered.
Luminus's scream died in the airless expanse as she clutched at her throat—only to realize she could still breathe. Her horror-glazed eyes locked onto mine.
"Why?!" Her voice cracked. "How could you do that to your people?! To that child?!"
I gestured behind her. "Turn around."
There, floating serenely in the void, was Eden—untouched on its floating moon-platform, every city light still twinkling. The rest of the solar system continued its dance as if nothing had happened.
"Reality is my sketchbook, Luminus." I plucked a disintegrating continent from the air like a dead leaf. "The question isn't whether I can destroy worlds..."
With another snap, the sunroom reassembled around us. Her spilled wine hovered mid-air before reversing back into the glass.
"...It's whether I choose to rebuild them afterward."
The world reassembled itself with a whisper—sunlight streaming through the windows, birds chirping outside, the scent of Luminus's spilled wine lingering in the air. I took a leisurely sip from my miraculously refilled glass.
"You see, Luminus," I said, swirling the brandy, "there are quite a few entities who can do what I just showed you. I just happen to be among the strongest."
She collapsed to her knees, gloved hands trembling against the Persian rug. "How... how could anyone hold so much power?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
"How indeed." I smiled, extending a hand. "Now let's forget my little outburst, shall you? I'm not nearly as monstrous as your father made me out to be."
Her head snapped up. "You knew my father?"
She took my hand, her grip unsteady as I helped her rise. With a thought, I teleported us to the nearby sofa, a fresh cup of tea materializing in her hands.
"Not well, but yes. And he certainly knew of me—which is why you recognize my name." I leaned back, the leather creaking. "But let me tell you something the stories leave out, Luminus."
Outside, Lira's laughter echoed from the gardens as Eve chased her with what appeared to be a floating ice cream sundae.
"There's always more than meets the eye."
Luminus's teacup trembled in her hands, the delicate porcelain clinking against its saucer. She stared into the amber depths like the leaves might hold some cosmic truth.
"Alright," she said at last, shoulders relaxing slightly. "It seems many have misinterpreted you as some fearsome being who kills without reason."
I tilted my head, feigning confusion. "Did I not just do exactly that?"
Her grip on the cup froze. "Wait... that was all real? I thought it was an illusion!" The color drained from her face as she began trembling again.
I couldn't hold back anymore. "Hahaha! Got you!" Wiping an imaginary tear from my eye, I grinned. "Of course it was an illusion. I just wanted to mess with you a little."
Luminus's expression cycled through shock, indignation, and reluctant amusement before settling on exasperation. "You absolute ass."
"Guilty as charged," I chuckled. "Now, what do you want to do?"
She sighed, setting down her cup. "What do I want to do? I suppose I'll head back home. I only came to deliver the letter."
"Why not stay for a day or two?" I gestured toward the window where Lira was now attempting to ride one of the garden drones like a mechanical bull while Eve cheered her on. "Explore the country a bit. See for yourself whether the rumors about me are true."
Luminus watched the chaotic scene outside, her lips twitching despite herself. "...One day. And I'm bringing my own tea."
"Deal."
As she rose from the sofa, a sudden explosion of petals erupted from the garden—Lira had apparently discovered the decorative fountain's "party mode." Luminus paused, watching the rainbow-colored water geyser with something dangerously close to curiosity.
"...Are all your days this... eventful?"
I smirked. "Oh, this is a slow Tuesday."
I rose from the sofa, offering Luminus my hand. "Well then, let's go explore the capital for today."
She took my hand with a skeptical grin. "Alright, let's see this famous city of yours." The unspoken "impress me" hung in the air—a challenge I was all too eager to accept.
The grand entrance doors swung open at our approach, revealing a sleek black SUV idling at the steps. A uniformed driver bowed slightly as he held the door open. "Your Majesty, I'll be your chauffeur today."
Luminus froze mid-step, her eyes narrowing at the vehicle. "So... what is this? Some kind of carriage?" She circled the SUV like it might bite her, poking at the tinted windows.
"Yes, but much more comfortable. You'll see." I slid into the plush leather seat, enjoying the way the suspension barely shifted under my weight.
"Hmph. I'll be the judge of that." She climbed in after me, her gothic dress clashing absurdly with the modern luxury interior. The moment the door shut with a satisfying thunk, her eyebrows shot up. "It's... warm."
"Seat warmers," I said, pressing a button on the console. The divider window rolled down silently as the driver glanced back.
"Destination, Your Majesty?"
"Let's give our guest the full tour—start with the Grand Esplanade."
As we pulled away, Luminus gasped—the seats had begun massaging her back. "What sorcery is this?!"
I couldn't help but laugh as the city skyline came into view through the sunroof. "Oh Luminus... you haven't seen anything yet."
The black SUV glided smoothly through the bustling streets of Elysium, its tinted windows offering Luminus her first proper look at the capital. Her nose nearly pressed against the glass as we passed the Grand Esplanade—a sprawling boulevard lined with holographic art displays that shifted with the car's movement.
"Those... those paintings are moving," she muttered.
"Not paintings," I corrected. "Light sculptures. That one's called 'The Dancer'—watch."
As we passed, the figure in the display winked directly at Luminus before dissolving into a flock of crystalline birds. She jerked back in her seat.
"Relax," I chuckled. "It's just an AI artist's playground."
The Sky Promenade
Our next stop was the city's crown jewel—a circular observation deck suspended 300 meters above the streets by a series of nearly invisible carbon-fiber beams.
Luminus's knuckles turned white around the guardrail. "You expect me to believe this floating plate is held up by air?!"
"Not air," I said, tapping the glass floor. "Engineering. And before you ask—no, it's never fallen."
"There's a first time for everything," she shot back, but I caught the way her eyes lingered on the sunset-kissed skyline.
Café Paradox
By late afternoon, we arrived at a sleek café nestled between two skyscrapers. The moment we stepped inside, Luminus's nose wrinkled at the rich aroma of roasted beans.
"What is that smell?"
"Coffee," I said, guiding her to a corner booth. "Eden's greatest contribution to civilization."
Her eyes scanned the menu board—caramel macchiato, iced mocha, pumpkin spice latte—before glazing over in confusion. "This is gibberish."
I waved the barista over. "One cream latte for the lady. Extra foam."
When the drink arrived, Luminus eyed the whipped cream topping with suspicion. "You drink this? It looks like dessert."
"Try it."
Her first sip was tentative. Then—
"Oh." Her eyes widened. "Oh no." She took another, longer sip. "This is dangerously good."
I leaned back, smug. "Told you you'd like it."
"Shut up," she muttered, but there was no heat in it—not as she cradled the cup like a newfound treasure.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights began to flicker on, casting a golden glow over her awed expression. For all her centuries of life, in that moment, Luminus Valentine looked wonderfully, beautifully young.
"So," I said, stirring my own coffee. "Still think my country's unimpressive?"
She licked a foam mustache from her lip, refusing to meet my eyes.
"...It's adequate."
I couldn't help but laugh.
I stood up, the café's ambient lighting casting long shadows across the table. "It's getting late. We should head back."
Luminus arched an eyebrow, swirling the dregs of her latte. "I assume you've arranged accommodations?" Her tone was light, but the challenge in her gaze was unmistakable.
"Of course." I leaned in, just close enough for the scent of her perfume to cut through the coffee. "My bedroom has excellent reviews."
She laughed—a low, dangerous sound—and rose to meet me. "Oh? Shall I be the critic, then?"
The car glided through the lit streets, the hum of the engine blending with the distant murmur of the city. Luminus sat beside me, her gaze fixed on the passing skyline—towers of glass and light stretching toward the stars.
"See anything you like?" I asked, watching her reflection in the window.
She didn't turn, but her fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her seat. "It's... impressive. I didn't think a nation could advance this far without angel interference."
I smirked. "Give it time. Your empire might surprise you."
A shadow crossed her face. "Not while the angels still dictate what knowledge is 'permissible.'" The bitterness in her voice was sharp enough to cut glass.
"Ah. Right." I leaned back, tapping the window. "That's why I put up a barrier around Eden."
She finally turned, eyes narrowing. "A barrier? To repel them?"
"Not exactly." I grinned. "To fool them. From the outside, this continent looks like a lifeless wasteland. No resources, no people—just another patch of dirt not worth their attention."
Her lips parted in realization. "And they've never noticed?"
"Not once in fifteen hundred years."
Silence settled between us as the car turned onto the private road leading to the mansion. The trees lining the path shimmered with bioluminescent leaves, casting an eerie glow on Luminus's face.
"...Clever," she murmured at last. "And cruel."
I chuckled. "Survival usually is."
The car rolled to a stop beneath the mansion's grand portico, where Eve and Lira stood waiting—one with crossed arms, the other bouncing on her toes.
Eve's eyes flicked between me and Luminus, her smile sharpening. "Master. How... lovely of you to bring home a guest."
Lira, meanwhile, grinned up at Luminus. "Did he show you the floating café? The one with the robot waiters?"
Luminus blinked. "The... what?"
Eve gasped dramatically. "You took her to Café Celeste before me?!" She whirled on me, her form flickering with indignant static. "Two centuries by your side, and I get 'Eve, guard the paperwork' while she gets soufflés under the stars?!"
I opened my mouth—
"Cheater," Eve hissed.
Luminus coughed into her glove, hiding a laugh.
The dining hall's chandelier cast prismatic light over dishes that defied reason: smoked dragonfish with molten gold glaze, truffles harvested from bioluminescent fungi, wine older than some civilizations.
Luminus took a single bite of the seared scallops—and froze. Her fork clinked against the plate as she stared at it. "This is..."
"The best thing you've ever tasted?" Eve smirked, swirling her own wine. "Yes. He bribed the Chef God to train his chefs."
Lira, mouth full, nodded vigorously. "Worth it."
I kicked her under the table.
The Bedroom Gambit
After dessert, I offered Luminus my arm. "Shall I show you to your quarters?"
Her fingers brushed my elbow, light as a threat. "How generous."
We ascended the staircase, Eve's glare burning holes in my back. At the master bedroom's threshold, I leaned in—
Luminus stepped inside, flashed a smile sharper than her swords, and slammed the door in my face.
Silence.
From the shadows, Eve materialized, arms crossed. "Karma."
Lira popped up beside her, clutching a bowl of ice cream. "So... couch tonight?"
I sighed. "Couch tonight."