[Mooncrest Palace]
Nyx strolled through the grand halls of the Palace, his black swaying slightly with each step.
The palace was a massive structure, built from shimmering white stones that glowed under the moonlight filtering through tall arched windows.
Magic bulbs flickered on the walls, casting dancing shadows that made the place feel alive with magic.
Nyx, the prince of the Mooncrest Empire, wore his usual royal attire —a dark shirt embroidered with silver threads that represented the crescent moon, the symbol of his family.
Beside him walked Nyami, his personal maid.
She moved with graceful steps, her reddish pink hair tied in a neat ponytail that bounced lightly.
Two dark crimson horns curved elegantly from her head, marking her as a demoness, but she carried herself with the poise of a professional servant.
In the eyes of the palace residents Nyami was powerful, elegant, and utterly devoted to Nyx. She loved him deeply, though she expressed it through her actions rather than words.
As they walked down the corridor lined with portraits of past emperors, Nyx glanced at her.
"Why did my aunt summon me so urgently? It's not like her to call for me out of the blue."
Nyami kept her eyes forward, her voice calm and steady.
"Lady Cyanthia knows that you have awakened, Master. As soon as word reached her, she demanded your presence immediately."
Nyx frowned, his mind racing.
Awakened?
Yes, he had finally unlocked his potential, but it wasn't something he wanted to shout about.
Especially not to his aunt.
"Why the urgency?" Nyx asked, his voice low.
"What could Aunt Cyanthia want that couldn't wait?"
Nyami's expression remained professional, but her eyes softened.
"She learned of your awakening, Master. The moment the news spread through the palace servants, she insisted on seeing you right away. It's likely she wants to assess your new power for the empire's sake."
Nyx raised his eyebrows.
"Assess? Shouldn't it be More like control?"
From the time he was a child, Cyanthia had looked down on him.
He remembered the days... After his mother had died giving birth to him Cyanthia had taken the throne as regent, whispering that Nyx was too young, too weak.
She ignored his birthdays, scolded him for small mistakes, and favored her own advisors over him.
"She never liked me," he said.
"What does she want now? To mock me for awakening late?"
Nyx's thoughts drifted back to his recent encounter with Elysiana, the mysterious priestess he had bonded with.
Their passionate night had sealed a connection, allowing him to tap into her ability —Absolute Sanctification, or Profanity, depending on how he wielded it.
It was a power tied to sins, dark and potent, but he wasn't ready to reveal that yet.
The palace halls seemed endless as they continued walking.
Servants bowed low as they passed, whispering among themselves.
The air was filled with the scent of blooming night flowers from the gardens outside, a reminder of the empire's magical heritage.
Mooncrest was known for its lunar magic, where the moon's phases influenced spells and abilities.
Nyx had always felt out of place here, like a prince without a crown.
His awakening did changed that, but still...Cyanthia's summon made him uneasy.
Finally, they reached the heavy oak doors of Cyanthia's office.
Nyx paused, staring at the intricate carvings of moons and stars etched into the wood.
He took a deep breath and knocked firmly. From inside, a beautiful voice called out, smooth like silk but edged with authority.
"Enter."
Nyx pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Nyami stayed outside, as was proper for a maid during royal meetings.
She gave him a reassuring nod before the door closed behind him.
The office was lavish, with bookshelves lining the walls, filled with ancient tomes on magic and empire history.
A large desk dominated the center, made of polished ebony.
Behind it sat Cyanthia, the regent queen.
Her cyan hair was tied into a beautiful bun at the back of her head, a few strands framing her sharp face.
She wore a regal gown of deep blue, adorned with jewels that sparkled like stars.
Her eyes, cold and piercing, lifted from the papers on her desk as Nyx approached.
"Did you summon me, Aunt?" Nyx asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Cyanthia set down her quill and stood, walking closer to him with deliberate steps. She circled him once, her gaze filled with disdain, as if she was inspecting a flawed gem.
"Have you awakened, boy?"
Nyx met her eyes.
"Yes, I have."
She stopped in front of him, crossing her arms.
"And what are your abilities? Tell me everything."
Nyx hesitated for a split second, then lied smoothly.
"I... I don't know yet. It's all still new to me."
He couldn't tell her about the sin abilities, not now.
They were too dangerous, too tied to forbidden magic.
Revealing them could give her leverage to control him or worse.
Cyanthia searched his eyes, her own narrowing as if trying to pierce through his soul.
After a long moment, she seemed to believe him, her lips curling in a slight sneer.
"Fine. Get ready for tomorrow. I'll bring in a doctor to check you properly. We need to know what you're capable of —if anything."
Nyx raised an eyebrow.
"Are you worried about me now?"
She glared at him, her voice sharp like a whip.
"Worried? Don't flatter yourself. I don't want you becoming a burden to my work. You've been pretty useless so far, lounging around like a spoiled child. You're trash, Nyx. You bring bad luck wherever you go. Now get out and come back tomorrow."
Her words stung, but Nyx kept his face neutral.
He turned and left the office without another word, the door clicking shut behind him.
Nyami was waiting outside, her expression still stoic as ever despite hearing everything.
Together, they walked back to his bedroom in silence.
Nyx's mind replayed Cyanthia's insults.
Trash?
Bad luck?
She had said similar things since he was a kid, blaming him for his parents' death in that mysterious accident.
But he wasn't useless anymore. Maybe those words would have affected the previous Nyx,
but... the current him with Noah?
Definitely not.
Cyanthia wasn't the main focus. He had to make sure to get his ass alive by the 3rd Cataclysm.
They entered his spacious bedroom, decorated with velvet curtains and a massive bed.
Nyx dropped onto the bed with a sigh, kicking off his boots roughly.
Nyami bent down gracefully, her horns catching the light.
She gently removed his shoes and socks, her fingers brushing his skin.
"That woman annoys me to no end," Nyx muttered, staring at the ceiling.
Nyami straightened up and began changing his clothes, unbuttoning his shirt with practiced ease.
Her touch was light, but as her fingers grazed his chest, a spark ignited in Nyx.
Heat built in his body, his dick starting to harden under his pants.
He shifted uncomfortably, trying to ignore it, but Nyami's presence was intoxicating.
Her reddish pink hair smelled like fresh roses mixed with something wild and demonic.
Suddenly, a deeper thirst hit him —like a burning in his throat.
Nyami's scent amplified it, making his fangs ache.
He craved blood, her blood.
It was a side effect of his awakening, tied to the sinful bond with Elysiana through lust.
Nyami noticed his tense expression and the way his eyes darkened. She smiled softly.
"You can drink my blood anytime you want, Master. You don't need to ask for permission."
Before he could respond, she undid the top of her maid uniform, exposing her pale neck.
The fabric slipped down, revealing the curve of her shoulders.
She climbed onto the bed and sat on his lap, her body warm against his growing erection.
Gently, she guided his lips to her neck, her breath quickening with anticipation.