Chapter 114: New Nocturnia
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and red, Dante turned to Lyra, his expression serious. "I'm afraid I can't let you leave just yet, Lyra. But I can ensure that your stay here is as comfortable as possible."
Lyra hesitated, her instincts warring with the growing trust she felt towards Dante. But the sincerity in his eyes, the promise of answers and a chance to make a real difference, was too powerful to resist. "Alright," she said, her voice soft but determined. "I'll hear you out, Dante. But I need you to be honest with me, to tell me everything."
Dante nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Of course, Lyra. I wouldn't have it any other way." He glanced up at the darkening sky, a mischievous glint in his eye. "But first, there's something I want to show you. The night is young, and we have much to discuss."
Before Lyra could respond, Dante reached out, his hand grasping hers. The shadows around them seemed to come alive, swirling and writhing like living things. Lyra felt a moment of panic, her heart racing as the darkness engulfed them, but Dante's grip was firm and reassuring.
When the shadows finally cleared, Lyra found herself in a large, opulent bedroom. A massive four-poster bed dominated the center of the room, its sheets and curtains made of the finest silk. Vanities and intricately embroidered chairs lined the walls, and a floor-to-ceiling window offered a breathtaking view of the gardens below.
Lyra stumbled, her knees buckling as she tried to regain her bearings. "Don't ever do that again," she gasped, her voice shaky. "Especially without warning me first."
Dante's expression turned apologetic, and he bowed his head in contrition. "I'm sorry, Lyra. I didn't mean to startle you. It's just... this is where you'll be staying, and I wanted to show you in person."
Lyra's eyes widened, and she looked around the room in disbelief. "What do you mean, this is where I'll be staying? Dante, I can't just abandon my friends, my mission. I need to get back out there, to keep fighting."
Dante sighed, his expression turning serious. "Lyra, I'm doing everything I can to keep you safe. Sofia is furious about what happened at the Nachtschatten, and my father... well, let's just say he won't take kindly to the woman who destroyed his latest batch of Euphoria staying under his roof."
Lyra felt a chill run down her spine, the gravity of her situation sinking in. "So, what are you saying? That I'm stuck here, a prisoner in this gilded cage?"
Dante shook his head, his expression pained. "Not a prisoner, Lyra. Never that. But I had to make a choice. The only way I could spare your friends' lives was by keeping you here, under my protection. If I let you go, if you were caught out there..." He trailed off, his eyes haunted.
Lyra felt a wave of emotion wash over her, a mix of gratitude and frustration, fear and determination. She knew that Dante was risking everything to keep her safe, to give her a chance to make a difference. But the thought of being trapped, of being unable to fight alongside her friends, was almost too much to bear.
"I understand," she said at last, her voice soft but resolute. "I don't like it, but I understand. And I appreciate what you're doing for me, Dante. I know it can't be easy, going against your family like this."
Dante smiled, a sad, knowing expression that spoke of the weight he carried, the burdens he bore. "It's not easy, Lyra. But it's necessary. You're a brilliant alchemist, and your knowledge, your skills, could be the key to unlocking a better future for all of us. I intend to pick your brain, to learn everything I can from you. Together, we can change the Nocturnia."
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