บท 108: Nyx
The entire day at Callum's residence was bustling with preparations for a dinner party celebrating the birth of their son. Though only a few servants attended to the details, they worked with admirable diligence.
Calypso had assigned her maid, Nyx, to assist Luciana and Nemesis, her young son, while she, who also served as head maid and nanny to the newborn, handled the care of the child. Nyx, a jovial woman much like her mistress, introduced herself with a pleasant formality.
"It's an honor to serve you, my lady. I am Nyx, Lady Calypso's personal maid and head of the Ashcroft residence," she said warmly.
"Likewise. We will be in your care,Nyx" Luciana smiled.
Nyx helped Luciana prepare for breakfast before escorting her to the dining hall. Calypso was already seated at the table, greeting them with a welcoming smile. Nemesis, however, seemed distracted, his gaze scanning the room.
"Are you looking for someone, young lord?" Nyx asked with a gentle smile.
Luciana looked around. "It's strange; I don't see our husbands. I'm sure Erebus was awake before dawn."
She wondered whether Erebus had left early to attend to matters at the palace. Calypso nodded in agreement.
"Callum is the same. He rises before dawn to practice his swordsmanship," she said as she stood, motioning for Nyx to open the windows.
Through the opening, Luciana spotted the two men sparring in the garden. "It seems they still share the same habits from their time together," she remarked.
"Lady Calypso, what are the women in the capital like?" Luciana asked, curiosity coloring her tone.
Calypso's expression shifted ever so slightly. "They are… intense," she muttered, her voice careful. Luciana noticed a subtle change in the atmosphere, as if the warmth in the room had cooled.
Calypso's gaze remained steady. "It's best to avoid getting on their bad side. When they make a request, it's not wise to refuse, especially if it comes from someone like Lady Drusilla, the sister of the Great General. She commands enormous influence in high society and is a strong contender for the position of Crown Princess, although the Tzar has yet to make a decision on the matter."
Luciana listened intently, a chill creeping up her spine.
"There is another woman to be wary of—Lady Leila, the general's wife. She has a reputation. Rumor has it she's his second wife, and that his first mysteriously disappeared to make way for her. Few have seen her recently, as she's expecting a child, but it's well known that the general is fiercely protective. It is said that when someone once harmed her, the offender's entire family vanished overnight. She is also considered the flower of high society. Even the crown prince has tried to get her attention."
Luciana shuddered at the thought. "Did the Tzar not intervene?" she asked in disbelief.
Calypso shook her head. "The Tzar rarely meddles in such affairs unless they directly threaten the empire or the imperial family. Here, it's a matter of survival."
Her words were interrupted by the clashing sound of swords from the garden, followed by a loud grunt.
"Gah! I can't believe I lost again," Callum's voice rang out.
"You need to use heavier weapons if you want to improve your control over the lighter ones," Erebus said, helping him up.
Callum grinned, brushing off his defeat. "Even though you favor that axe, you're still good with longswords."
"I don't just train with the axe," Erebus replied. "I work with all types, though I haven't yet tried flintlocks or muskets."
Callum's eyes lit up. "Then why don't we compete with those?"
Erebus gave him a stern look. "Are you mad? Those are imperial weapons. You'd risk an arrest warrant."
Callum laughed heartily. "I'm in charge of the artillery department. I can always report that we're testing the artillery," he teased, slapping Erebus on the back.
After washing up, the two men joined the others for breakfast. Nemesis, still distracted, remained unusually quiet. Concerned, Luciana asked him if something was troubling him.
"He must be feeling homesick," Calypso speculated.
"Oh, perhaps," Luciana said, "though he's been so eager to explore the world."
Later, in Calypso's favorite garden, Nyx brought the baby to her. It was time to feed him.
Luciana, curious, asked, "Have you named him?"
Calypso smiled tenderly. "We'll reveal his name at tomorrow's celebration."
Nemesis stared at the baby in wonder before tugging at Luciana's skirt.
"Mama, when will my baby brother come?" he asked suddenly, his tone earnest.
Luciana was taken aback. "What do you mean, sweetling?"
He pouted, his head hanging low. "Mina said a bird would bring him. Hasn't the bird come yet?"
"Mina told you that?" Luciana laughed softly, amused by his innocence. "No, sweetling, the bird hasn't come yet, but we have to be patient. When we're ready, your brother will come."
Nemesis, reassured, raised his tiny hands in the air. "Nemesis will wait!" he declared.
Later, Luciana took him for a walk in the garden when they spotted Erebus and Callum preparing to ride out. Nemesis dashed toward his father, startling Erebus's steed, Nightmare, but Erebus quickly lifted him up before the beast could react.
"Careful, little one," he cautioned.
Luciana approached, concern evident in her voice. "Are you going somewhere?"
"We're off to hunt," Erebus replied. "I'll be back before the royal ball tonight, don't worry."
As he set Nemesis down, Erebus caught sight of Octavius watching them from a distance. With a sly grin, he leaned in and kissed Luciana on the lips, then pressed another kiss to her neck, causing her to blush.
Octavius' mouth twisted with anger, enmity clouding his mind. His fingers curled into a fist. He gritted while muttering curses.
"E-Erebus!" she stammered, embarrassed by the public display.
Callum coughed awkwardly. "It's nice to see such open affection," he said, nudging Erebus.
"Mind your own business," Erebus replied before mounting his horse.
-"When did he start showing such mischievous side?" She helplessly wondered.
As the men rode off, Luciana suddenly felt as though someone was watching her. She turned, but saw no one.
"Was it just my imagination?" she wondered, uneasily.
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