Inside Nyx’s Old Room,

"Even the broken ceiling... was repaired?"

Aether’s voice carried quiet disbelief as his gaze swept across the room.

What had once been fractured now stood pristine. The air held a faint, delicate fragrance, like freshly washed linen.

When his fingers brushed against the wall, they met nothing but smoothness, not a trace of dust.

Aether slowly turned his head toward Nyx. Her face remained calm, almost stoic, yet beneath that stillness, he could read her.

He knew her well enough to see the quiet storm of emotion she tried to hide. She was elated, floating somewhere far above restraint... knowing her adopted mother still cared.

’Tsk’

He clicked his tongue, ’What the heck is wrong with that woman? If you want to hate, then hate properly. Why act like a damn tsundere?’

Every action from Mary only deepened the edge of his frustration.

Exhaling through his nose, he forced himself to refocus. His eyes settled back on Nyx,

"So... how long have you known... everything?"

Nyx’s lashes lowered slightly before she spoke,

"Hmm... when I tried to save you from the Eternal Prison... I encountered a ghostly woman. She connected me to you... and through that connection... I saw everything. Every fragment of your memories, up until that moment."

Aether let out a low hum.

Just as he suspected, it really was the contract.

’Ha... who would have thought something like that was even possible... my memories...’ The thought lingered, and with it came a faint warmth rising to his cheeks.

The idea that she had seen everything, every moment, every hidden piece of him, stirred something strange and unfamiliar within him.

Then suddenly—

"Wait... every memory... does that mean..." His eyes widened slightly as realisation struck.

He looked at her sharply. "Is that why you said you’re not ready for a baby?"

Nyx didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she offered him a small, warm smile.

Aether sighed, lifting a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"I get it now..." he muttered, "But why the hell are you sitting all the way in the corner of the bed?"

The bed creaked faintly as Nyx instinctively shifted even farther away, her body retreating as if distance alone could steady her.

Yes, she was definitely avoiding him.

Her cheeks flushed a soft red as she fumbled for words, her fingers curling slightly against the sheets.

"W-Well... I... I don’t really know... it just feels... wrong."

Wrong?

Aether’s lips twitched, somewhere between disbelief and amusement. He placed a hand against his chest, fingers curling dramatically as if struck.

"You do realise," he said, exaggerated with feigned hurt, "that you’ve been avoiding your husband’s affection this whole time... and your actions are actually wounding him?"

Nyx hesitated. For a brief moment, her expression softened, guilt flickering across her face.

Slowly, almost unconsciously, she lifted her hand toward him, as if to comfort him.

That moment was all he needed.

Thud!

"Caught you."

His fingers wrapped around her wrist, and in one swift motion, he pulled her toward him.

The bed dipped under their combined weight as he guided her down, positioning himself above her.

Aether’s gaze locked onto hers.

"Now... tell me," he murmured, "why exactly are you avoiding your husband?"

Nyx’s breath hitched.

Pinned beneath him.

His arms and legs formed a barrier around her, leaving no space for escape, only the warmth of his presence.

Her face flushed deeper, the colour spreading across her cheeks as her body tensed and softened at the same time.

She trembled slightly,

"B-Because... my husband today feels... too different..." Her fingers tightened faintly against the sheets.

"I... I don’t know if I can... control myself."

"..." Aether raised his eyebrows, and then a sly smirk slowly curved across his lips.

"Oh? Too different for you? Interesting..." he murmured, as he reached up and removed the mask.

Nyx’s eyes widened instantly.

Her blush deepened, spreading across her cheeks as she stared at his face.

It was too much... too gorgeous, too handsome, too dangerously captivating. Every line of his features seemed sharper, more defined, pulling her gaze in like a silent force she couldn’t resist.

Aether tilted his head slightly, his smirk lingering as confusion flickered in his eyes. He turned his gaze toward the mirror for a brief moment.

His reflection stared back at him.

The same face.

No visible difference.

’Did something happen to me?’ he wondered.

As always, his Log remained silent at the exact moment he needed answers.

Aether clicked his tongue softly and shrugged it off. When he turned back, his gaze landed on Nyx again.

She was still blushing, still stealing quick, fleeting glances at him, as if she couldn’t help herself.

As if she was... checking him out~

His smirk deepened.

He reached forward and caught her chin gently but firmly, lifting her face so she had no choice but to meet his eyes.

"Why bother sneaking glances," he whispered, his voice low and heated, "when you can look as much as you want?"

His breath brushed against her ear as he leaned closer, his lips grazing her earlobe before lightly biting it.

"~hhh~"

Nyx’s body flinched violently, a shiver running through her from head to toe. Her fingers pressed weakly against his chest as she tried to push him away, but Aether didn’t budge.

Despite her greater power, in this moment, her body betrayed her completely.

She felt weak.

Aether watched her reaction with quiet satisfaction, loosening the collar of his shirt as his voice dropped into hot,

"Tell me..." he said slowly, "you love me more than your adopted mother... right?"

Nyx froze.

Her eyes flickered as she looked at him more carefully now... There it was, hidden beneath his composure, a faint pout he tried to suppress.

’Don’t tell me... that’s why he’s been pouting all day?’

A slow, subtle smile formed on her lips.

Of course, she loved him more than anyone.

That truth was unquestionable!

But... for what she had in mind... The so-called ’Fuck-Plan!’

She needed to be strict.

A small sacrifice for a larger picture.

She tilted her head slightly,

"I wonder about that—"

"HMMM~!"

Her words were cut off instantly.

Aether’s lips crashed against hers, sealing them with sudden intensity. His hand tightened slightly against her.

When he pulled back just enough to speak, his voice carried a darker edge.

"Looks like... I need to teach someone."

"W-Wait!"

Nyx’s face paled, panic flashing through her eyes.

If he continued... if he really lost control now... she knew she wouldn’t be able to hold herself together.

Ever since he returned from the mansion, something about him had changed.

Every movement, every glance, every faint smile... it all stirred something overwhelming inside her.

Her heart raced painfully fast, and even the slightest touch from him sent heat rushing through her body, pooling deep where she couldn’t ignore it.

And if he went further...

She didn’t know what would happen to her.

She might lose herself completely.

She might reach a place she couldn’t come back from.

That thought alone terrified her.

She didn’t want that... it was too much... too overwhelming...

Too—

"AHHHHH~ NOOO~ TOO HARD!!!"

Her voice broke through the room.

And just like that, everything spiralled beyond her control.

Aether didn’t stop until she broke, until her resistance shattered and her words turned into desperate confessions, until she admitted, again and again, that she loved him more than anyone else.

That alone fed something deep within him.

And when it did, he didn’t hold back anymore... his ego got a boost!

Nyx could only cling to him, her strength dissolving completely as wave after wave of overwhelming sensation consumed her, leaving her trembling, breathless, and utterly lost in him.

Poor girl just withering in pleasure!

***

While Aether was occupied with his husbandly duty, elsewhere, Lia and Morgana arrived at the mansion, its atmosphere unusually heavy and gloom-laden.

"Mom, I’m home!" Lia called out brightly as she hurried toward her mother’s room.

The door creaked open.

Empty?

Lia paused.

Morgana’s brows slowly furrowed. The moment Lia stepped into the mansion, Mary would usually rush to her without hesitation, regardless of what she was doing or where she was.

That was how she had always been.

"Maybe she’s in your room... crying because you left her for so long?" Morgana suggested.

Lia nodded quickly and moved toward her room.

The door opened.

Darkness greeted them.

The room felt even heavier than the hallway, the lights completely off, shadows pooling in every corner.

Only one thing broke the silence.

Sniff... sniff... sniff...

A faint, fragile sound echoed through the room.

Morgana stepped forward and switched on the lights.

Warm pink hues filled the space instantly. The bed was neatly arranged, toys and plush figures carefully placed, everything in its proper place.

A soft, unique fragrance lingered in the air... unfamiliar?

Yet—

Sniff... sniff...

"Where is that sound coming from—" Lia frowned, her eyes scanning the room carefully.

Her gaze moved from the bed... to the table... to the toys... to the cupboard...

And then—

The corner.

A darkened edge of the room where light barely reached.

A blurred figure crouched there.

Shaking.

Sniffling.

"Sniff... I’m sorry... so sorry... cheating mother... I lost my innocence... I lost... to a brat... sniff... sniff... the one I hated most... sniff... no... h-he took it forcibly... you... mother didn’t have a choice... sniff... sniff... sorry for being a bad mother who loved it... sniff..."

The words were broken, barely audible, dissolving into quiet sobs.

Neither Lia nor Morgana could fully make them out.

They exchanged a glance, confusion crossing both their faces.

Then they realised they had been late.

Too late.

Mary must have thought she had been abandoned.

Without another thought, they stepped closer.

"Mom? Are you alright—"

"Of course, darling~!"

In an instant, Mary sprang up and wrapped Lia in a tight embrace, as if nothing had happened.

She showered Lia’s face with kisses, one after another.

"My lovely daughter... my lovely daughter... did you finally remember you have a mommy? Hmm?"

Lia blinked, surprised, then smiled softly.

"I never forgot you in the first place."

Mary continued planting affectionate kisses all over her face before gently setting her down.

Morgana stepped in quickly, her tone slightly hurried.

"I was the one who dragged her out for dinner... so forgive us, sister."

Mary smiled under the blurriness.

"Oh? It’s fine. As long as you enjoyed yourselves, that’s all that matters."

"..."

"..."

Both Lia and Morgana froze for a brief second.

That response...

It was normal.

Too normal.

And that was exactly the problem.

Mary was anything but normal!!

Lia’s brows slowly knit together as she studied her mother more carefully.

"Anyway, it’s already late. You both should get some rest," Mary added calmly.

"... "

"... "

Another pause.

This wasn’t right.

Normally, Mary would have already thrown Morgana out of the room, clinging to Lia and insisting they sleep together.

But now—

Nothing.

Morgana frowned, her unease growing.

"Sis... are you sure you’re alright?"

Mary tilted her head slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"Well... you just seem different. I’m not sure how to explain it, but... you’d usually throw me out, you know?" Morgana said, half-joking, half-expecting that familiar reaction.

Mary blinked once.

"Why would I do that?"

"... "

"... "

Dead silence settled again.

Mary simply shrugged.

"I have some work to take care of. I’ll be leaving."

She stepped closer to Lia, her gaze softening as she placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Sleep well, dear~"

Then she turned, her hand clenched around something, and walked out of the room.

The door closed softly behind her.

Lia and Morgana stood there blankly.

"S-Something’s wrong with her... right? She’s never acted like this before..." Morgana’s voice trembled slightly.

Lia’s expression hardened,

"And... whenever I bring new clothes, she always gets excited... makes me pose so she can capture the moment..." she murmured, glancing at the outfit her aunt had given her.

Morgana nodded slowly, her own unease deepening.

"Yeah... that’s how she always is..."

A thought crept into her mind.

Earlier... Mary had told her to take Lia and leave the mansion.

It had sounded urgent.

Desperate.

As if she were panicking.

’...I need to look into this,’ Morgana thought.

Suddenly—

A chill ran down her spine.

She turned instinctively.

A pair of cold, deadly eyes stared forward, sharp enough to cut through the air itself.

"L-Lia? What happened?" Morgana asked.

Lia spoke in an indifferent tone, her voice eerily calm, almost detached, as if she were stating something trivial rather than something deeply unsettling.

"Usually, she kisses my face fifty-five times when she sees me... every single time, without fail... but now..."

A brief pause.

"...it was just fifty."

Her gaze slowly slid toward Morgana, heavy, cold, and unnervingly sharp, as if measuring something invisible.

"Where are the remaining five?"

"... "

Morgana froze.

For a moment, her thoughts simply stopped.

Who in the world... counts something like that?

And more importantly...

Fifty-five times?

Every single time she saw her?

"Fuck..." she whispered under her breath, a chill creeping up her spine.

And why was Lia looking at her Aunt like she stole those five kisses?

Both of them fell into deep silence.

Meanwhile—

A blurry figure drifted through the corridor outside, her steps slow, unsteady, almost like she was floating rather than walking.

A soft, broken hum slipped from her lips, looping endlessly like a lullaby twisted into something darker.

"Hmm... hmm... hmmm... hmmm~"

The sound echoed faintly, brushing against the walls like a whisper that refused to fade.

Outside, the sky began to bleed.

A deep crimson spread across the horizon, swallowing the grey sky.

The Blooddawn was coming.

The figure suddenly halted.

Her body stilled completely.

Her clenched fist trembled... then slowly unfurled.

A shirt rested in her palm.

She stared at it.

No—

She devoured it with her eyes.

Her fingers tightened around the fabric before she carefully unfolded it, almost reverently, as if it were something sacred... or stolen.

SSSNNNNIIIFFFFFFFFFF!!

A long, dragging inhale followed, deep and desperate, as though she was trying to pull every last trace of its scent into her very soul.

Her shoulders shuddered.

Her breathing grew uneven.

Then—

Her expression broke.

The hazy blur surrounding her form peeled away, revealing a beauty so overwhelming it could bring empires to their knees. Yet beneath that beauty... something grotesque twisted and writhed, something no sane soul would dare approach.

Her eyes darkened.

Obsessed!

Hungry!!

Possessive!!!

Her lips quivered before she bit down hard enough to draw blood, crimson slowly trailing down her chin as her body trembled from whatever memory consumed her.

A low, broken sound slipped from her throat.

"Ah... ahh..."

Slowly—

Lick~

Her tongue traced over the fabric, dragging across it with deliberate hunger, savouring, tasting, claiming every inch as if it belonged to her alone.

Her fingers tightened around the shirt, clutching it closer to her chest.

A soft giggle escaped.

Then another.

Then more—

"Hehe... heheheh... hehe..."

It grew unstable, laced with something dangerously unhinged.

Her voice dropped, affection twisted into something suffocating.

"My dear son..."

Her eyes gleamed, shining with a terrifying devotion.

"Mommy missed you so much... so, so much..."

Her grip tightened further, nails digging into the fabric.

"After teasing me like that... running away... hiding... playing hard to get..."

A quiet laugh slipped out,

"That’s fine... that’s fine..."

Her head tilted slightly, a crooked smile forming on her lips.

"It just makes the hunt more exciting..."

She pressed the shirt against her face again, inhaling deeply, trembling.

"Mommy’s going to find you..."

A whisper.

"And when I do..."

Her smile widened, beautiful and terrifying all at once.

"I won’t let you run ever again~Hehehe.... HEHEHEHE~"