Morning arrived slowly in the Shadow Castle.
A pale gray light slipped through the tall windows of Elena's bedroom, touching the velvet curtains and the enormous bed she had barely slept in.
Everything about the room felt too grand.
Too luxurious.
Too unfamiliar.
Elena sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers gripping the silk blanket.
Just yesterday she had been standing in chains at a slave auction.
Now she was… the wife of the Dark Lord.
The thought still made her dizzy.
A gentle knock sounded on the door.
"My lady?"
Elena looked up.
"Come in."
The door opened and three maids entered quickly, bowing deeply.
Their expressions were nervous.
Respectful.
But also confused.
After all, no one in the castle had ever seen their lord bring a woman home.
"Good morning, my lady," one of them said. "Lord Draven has requested your presence in the dining hall."
Elena stood.
"He has?"
The maid nodded.
"Yes, my lady. Breakfast is prepared."
Within minutes they helped her dress.
Instead of the simple slave clothes she had worn before, the maids placed her in a soft blue gown that flowed gently around her body.
Elena stared at her reflection in the mirror.
She almost didn't recognize herself.
The girl staring back looked… like a noblewoman.
"Your lord husband has excellent taste," one maid whispered.
Elena's cheeks warmed.
The word husband still felt strange.
When she finally stepped into the main corridor of the castle, she noticed something immediately.
Soldiers and servants all froze when they saw her.
Then they bowed.
"My lady."
Whispers followed her as she walked.
"That's her…"
"The woman Lord Draven bought…"
"She's beautiful…"
Elena lowered her gaze, embarrassed.
The dining hall doors opened.
Inside, a long table stretched across the room.
And at the head of it sat Kael Draven.
The Dark Lord.
Even sitting down, his presence filled the room like a storm waiting to break.
His silver eyes lifted the moment she entered.
For a brief second, something softened in his gaze.
"Elena," he said calmly. "Come sit."
She walked toward him slowly.
Her heart beat faster with every step.
Servants quickly pulled out a chair beside him.
Elena sat down.
The moment she did, the entire room seemed to hold its breath.
Because no one had ever sat beside Lord Draven before.
Not like this.
Not as an equal.
Breakfast was served quietly.
Fresh bread.
Fruit.
Tea.
Yet Elena noticed something strange.
Kael wasn't eating.
He was watching her.
"Are you uncomfortable?" he asked suddenly.
Elena blinked.
"No… my lord."
"You may call me Kael."
She hesitated.
"…Kael."
His lips curved slightly.
A small, rare smile.
But before the moment could grow warmer—
The dining hall doors slammed open.
Several nobles walked inside.
Men dressed in expensive clothing.
Their expressions were sharp.
Calculating.
One of them spoke immediately.
"My lord, we heard rumors last night."
His eyes shifted toward Elena.
And his lips twisted.
"So they are true."
Kael's expression instantly turned cold.
The noble continued speaking.
"You brought a slave into the castle."
Another noble added mockingly,
"And not only that… you claim she is your wife?"
A few quiet laughs followed.
Elena felt her hands tighten beneath the table.
She had expected this.
People like them would never accept her.
But what happened next surprised everyone.
Kael slowly stood.
The room grew silent.
Even the nobles stiffened slightly.
Because when the Dark Lord stood like that…
Someone was about to regret something.
His silver eyes locked onto the noble who had spoken first.
"You seem confused."
His voice was calm.
But dangerously calm.
The noble forced a smile.
"My lord, we are only concerned for your reputation."
"Are you?"
Kael stepped forward.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"Then allow me to clarify something."
He placed his hand gently on Elena's shoulder.
A simple gesture.
Yet protective.
Possessive.
"This woman is Elena Draven."
"My wife."
His eyes hardened.
"And the next person who disrespects her…"
The air around him seemed to darken slightly.
"…will wish they had not."
The nobles instantly fell silent.
No one doubted that threat.
Because everyone in the empire knew something.
The Dark Lord never made empty promises.
Elena stared at him quietly.
Her heart beating faster.
He was protecting her.
Not because he had to.
But because he wanted to.
And for the first time since arriving at the castle…
She felt something warm bloom inside her chest.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
Being the Dark Lord's bride would not be as terrifying as she had imagined.
But somewhere in the castle shadows…
Someone else watched the scene with cold eyes.
And whispered quietly,
"So this is the woman who captured the Dark Lord's interest."
A faint smile appeared.
"How interesting."