The dining hall slowly emptied after the nobles left.
None of them dared say another word.
Elena could still feel the tension lingering in the air.
She glanced at Kael, who had returned to his seat as if nothing had happened.
But she noticed something.
The servants were still nervous.
They moved carefully around him, avoiding eye contact.
It was clear that everyone in this castle feared him.
Elena lowered her gaze to her tea.
"Thank you… for earlier."
Kael looked at her.
"For what?"
"For defending me."
His expression didn't change.
"You are my wife," he said simply. "No one is allowed to insult you."
Elena felt warmth rise to her cheeks again.
She didn't know what to say to that.
Before she could respond, another man entered the dining hall.
He wore dark armor and had sharp eyes.
"My lord."
Kael nodded.
"Report."
"Elena watched quietly as the man spoke.
"The northern villages received the food supplies you sent yesterday."
Elena blinked in surprise.
Food supplies?
The man continued.
"The refugees from the war were also escorted safely across the border."
Kael nodded again.
"Good."
"That will be all."
The soldier bowed before leaving.
Elena stared at Kael in confusion.
"You help the villages?"
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Of course."
"But… I thought…"
"That I only destroy things?" he finished for her.
Elena looked embarrassed.
"I didn't mean—"
"It's fine."
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"The world prefers simple stories."
"What do you mean?"
"They call me a monster because it is easier than understanding the truth."
His silver eyes met hers.
"I conquer kingdoms because those kingdoms were already at war."
"I protect the borders so civilians are not slaughtered."
"And I feed villages because their kings abandoned them."
Elena stared at him.
Everything she had heard about the Dark Lord suddenly felt… wrong.
"You're not a monster," she said quietly.
For the first time since she met him, Kael looked slightly surprised.
Most people would never say something like that to him.
Yet Elena spoke without hesitation.
She truly believed it.
The silence between them lasted a few seconds.
Then Kael stood.
"You should see the castle."
Elena blinked.
"The castle?"
"You live here now."
He extended his hand toward her.
"I will show you."
Her heart skipped slightly.
She placed her hand in his.
Once again, that strange warmth spread through her chest.
The Shadow Castle was enormous.
Massive hallways.
Stone corridors.
Towering windows that overlooked the cliffs.
Elena walked beside Kael while servants and guards bowed respectfully as they passed.
"My lord."
"My lady."
She was still getting used to that title.
They walked through several gardens, libraries, and training yards.
Eventually they reached the outer courtyard.
Soldiers were sparring with swords.
The sound of steel clashing filled the air.
One of the soldiers noticed Kael and immediately straightened.
"My lord!"
The rest followed quickly.
Kael nodded once.
"Continue."
The soldiers resumed their training.
Elena watched them with curiosity.
"They seem very loyal to you."
"They are."
"Why?"
Kael looked at her briefly.
"Because I fight beside them."
Not above them.
Beside them.
Elena felt even more surprised.
Most rulers would never risk themselves like that.
But Kael didn't seem like most rulers.
Suddenly, a loud cry came from the training field.
One soldier collapsed.
Blood stained his arm.
The others quickly stepped back.
"His arm!" someone shouted.
Elena reacted instantly.
She ran toward the injured soldier before anyone could stop her.
The man looked pale.
Blood flowed from a deep cut across his arm.
Elena placed her hands over the wound instinctively.
"Stay still," she whispered.
Warm light suddenly glowed around her fingers.
The bleeding slowed.
The wound slowly began closing.
The soldiers stared in shock.
Healing magic.
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
Because healing magic like that was extremely rare.
Within seconds, the wound had completely closed.
The injured soldier looked at his arm in disbelief.
"It's… healed."
Elena blinked, realizing what she had just done.
"Oh…"
She slowly pulled her hands away.
The courtyard had gone completely silent.
Everyone was staring at her.
Then Kael spoke.
"Elena."
She turned toward him nervously.
"Yes?"
His silver eyes were more intense than before.
"You have something very powerful inside you."
Elena swallowed.
"I didn't mean to—"
"It's alright."
He walked closer to her.
Much closer.
"So that is the reason."
"The reason?" she asked softly.
"The reason I couldn't ignore you at the auction."
Her heart skipped again.
He leaned slightly closer.
Close enough that she could feel his breath.
"You are full of surprises, my wife."
Elena's face flushed deeply.
And somewhere in the castle…
A pair of cold eyes watched everything.
"Interesting," a quiet voice whispered.
"The little bride has power."
"And that makes her far more valuable than we expected."