Word spread through the castle faster than wildfire.
By evening, everyone knew.
The Dark Lord's bride could use healing magic.
Servants whispered in the halls.
Soldiers talked about it in the barracks.
Even the nobles who had mocked her that morning suddenly grew… interested.
And not all interest was kind.
Elena sat quietly in the castle garden.
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky orange and gold.
She liked this place.
It was peaceful.
Far away from the heavy stone halls and watchful eyes of the nobles.
She traced her fingers along the petals of a white flower.
"Thinking deeply?"
Elena looked up.
Kael stood a few steps away.
He wasn't wearing his armor today. Instead, he wore a simple black shirt and dark trousers.
Without the armor, he somehow looked even more dangerous.
But also… more human.
Elena smiled slightly.
"I was just enjoying the garden."
Kael walked closer.
His tall figure blocked the fading sunlight for a moment.
"Do you like it here?" he asked.
"Yes."
She looked around the flowers and trees.
"It's beautiful."
Kael studied her face.
Most people were afraid of the Shadow Castle.
Yet Elena seemed strangely comfortable here.
"You are very different from what I expected," he said.
Elena tilted her head.
"What did you expect?"
"A frightened woman who would cry and beg to leave."
Elena laughed softly.
"I did cry yesterday."
"Not in front of anyone."
Their eyes met.
The moment stretched quietly.
Then a servant approached.
"My lord… my lady."
She carried a silver tray with tea and small pastries.
"Your evening tea."
Elena smiled politely.
"Thank you."
The servant bowed and left.
Elena poured tea into two cups.
"Would you like some?" she asked.
Kael nodded.
She handed him one cup.
Their fingers brushed slightly.
Again that warm feeling spread through her chest.
Elena lifted her own cup and took a sip.
But the moment the tea touched her lips—
Kael suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"Stop."
His voice was sharp.
Elena froze.
"What is it?"
His silver eyes had turned cold.
He took the cup from her hand and sniffed the tea.
Then his expression darkened.
"Poison."
Elena's heart skipped.
"Poison?"
Without hesitation, Kael slammed the cup onto the stone table.
The liquid spilled across the surface.
His aura suddenly changed.
Dark energy seemed to ripple around him.
"Guards!"
Within seconds soldiers rushed into the garden.
"My lord!"
Kael pointed toward the path the servant had taken.
"Bring the woman who served this tea."
The soldiers immediately ran.
Elena stared at him, stunned.
"You knew it was poison just by smelling it?"
"Yes."
His voice was calm again, but the anger in his eyes hadn't disappeared.
"You should not drink anything from strangers."
"But the servant looked normal."
"That is how assassins survive."
Elena shivered slightly.
Kael noticed.
His expression softened.
"Are you afraid?"
She shook her head slowly.
"I'm just surprised."
"About what?"
"That someone would try to kill me already."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"They are not trying to kill you."
Elena blinked.
"What?"
"They are trying to provoke me."
His voice became colder.
"Hurting you is the fastest way to do that."
Elena felt a strange warmth at those words.
He sounded… angry.
Not because someone attacked his castle.
But because someone tried to hurt her.
Minutes later, the guards returned.
They dragged the trembling servant with them.
"My lord! Please forgive me!" she cried.
"I was forced!"
Kael's eyes turned icy.
"By who?"
The woman hesitated.
Fear filled her face.
"I… I cannot say…"
Dark shadows slowly formed around Kael's feet.
The temperature dropped instantly.
"You will."
The servant gasped in terror.
"Elena watched him quietly.
The man standing before her now truly looked like the Dark Lord people feared.
Powerful.
Terrifying.
Unforgiving.
But before Kael could speak again—
Elena gently touched his arm.
"Kael."
His gaze shifted toward her.
"You don't need to scare her," she said softly.
"Just ask."
The entire courtyard froze.
No one had ever spoken to the Dark Lord like that.
Yet Kael didn't get angry.
Instead… the shadows around him slowly disappeared.
He looked back at the servant.
"Speak."
The servant broke immediately.
"It was Lady Seraphine!" she cried.
"She ordered me to do it!"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
Seraphine.
One of the most powerful noblewomen in the Shadow Realm.
And a woman who had once hoped to marry him.
Elena felt the tension in the air again.
Kael turned to the guards.
"Lock her in the dungeon."
"Yes, my lord!"
As the servant was dragged away, silence returned to the garden.
Elena looked up at Kael.
"You were really angry."
"Yes."
"Because someone tried to poison your wife?"
His gaze softened slightly.
"Yes."
Elena felt her heart beat faster.
Then Kael said something quietly.
"Stay close to me from now on."
"Why?"
His silver eyes locked onto hers.
"Because I will not allow anyone to hurt you."
The words were simple.
But the way he said them made her chest warm again.
For a moment they stood very close.
Too close.
The air between them suddenly felt… different.
Elena looked away first.
Her cheeks slightly pink.
And Kael noticed.
A faint smile touched his lips.