Nyx didn’t understand if her decision was good for the territory or not but if she got to do what she wanted then, she was willing to place herself on the silver platter again in exchange for the good of her people.

Nyx stayed the night at the mansion that was now soon going to be her new residence. She had no idea that the fortune would turn like this. She had a feeling that Carlos saw her as a pawn in his game but as long as he was here and as long as she had authority, she could fix her territory’s problems.

She had had dinner with Carlos earlier and the feast on the grand table had made her eyes go wide enough that she was worried she might appear to Carlos as someone who’s been starved for ages.

There were so many different dishes that she didn’t even think she had seen during the grand feasts at Baron Valmest’s mansion.

The night seemed quite long for Nyx as she kept turning and tossing in her bed, she felt the strange lightness in her chest which wouldn’t let her sleep.

She didn’t realise it because she rarely ever had the bouts of this feeling but she was excited for tomorrow.

But there was also the pang of worry that what if what she thought wouldn’t happen. What if Carlos’s reputation would bring in more chaos? And instead of fixing things it would just aggravate the problems even more.

Nyx didn’t remember when exactly she fell asleep but she woke up refreshed to find a horde or maids at the foot of her bed waiting on her.

"Good morning, My Lady." They all bowed in unison with a polite greeting.

Nyx sat stunned for a moment before she got down the bed.

They washed and dressed her with careful hands, as though she were made of porcelain. The gown they brought was midnight blue, deep as a moonless sky. The fabric was rich velvet, smooth beneath her fingers, the weight balanced perfectly so it neither dragged nor constrained. Gold embroidery traced delicate patterns along the neckline and bodice, subtle yet refined, catching the light without overwhelming the eye.

The corset was fitted to her frame but not suffocating. It supported rather than restrained, something she had never experienced before.

The maids moved with near-silent coordination, smoothing the skirts, adjusting the draped sleeves that fell in soft, open panels from her arms. Not once did they tug harshly or sigh in irritation. They handled her as if even the smallest crease mattered.

They combed her ashy-brown hair gently, parting it at the center before braiding two slim strands from her temples and securing them at the back of her head with a small sapphire clasp. The rest of her hair flowed freely down her back in soft waves, glossy and unbound.

A pair of sapphire earrings were fastened at her ears, followed by a delicate matching necklace that rested lightly at her collarbone. The cool weight of the gems against her skin felt unfamiliar, foreign, yet not unwelcome.

When they stepped back, Nyx caught her reflection.

She did not look like a discarded daughter.

She looked like someone who belonged in a mansion such as this.

And that frightened her a little.

"His Highness has summoned you for breakfast." One of the maids said and Nyx gave her a nod.

Two of the maids led her out of the room and she watched as how the servants and guards around bowed to her as she passed.

It was strange, to have them all behave so subserviently towards her when she was used to scorn.

She walked all the way to the dining hall and was once again in awe as she set her foot in the grand hall. The last night’s feast was still fresh in her head but the breakfast once again made her realise that this might just be the beginning of her new life.

Or so she would think of she weren’t used to the fact that power would change again. Carlos was here for only a few days, she could fix a lot of things but once he was gone, Matthis would come back again and claim everything back. Moreover, Kirkland wouldn’t just let her go so, she would be back in the quagmire again.

Carlos was already waiting inside when she entered. She took her seat on the opposite side of the grand table with Carlos on the other side.

The feast began.

Nyx ate just enough as she was used to small meals.

And after their quiet breakfast, Carlos walked over to her and gave her his hand.

"Come." He said.

Nyx looked up at him catching the scarlet glint in his eyes. There was something strange about his eyes, it was as if they were hypnotic in a sense. Even the other night, she had experienced it when he offered for her to use his name.

She had no idea to what extent she could go but somehow, she believed that this man would either become the path that would lead to her salvation or hell.

She placed her hand in his larger one and he led her out of the grand dining hall.

The two walked in silence with Nyx staring right ahead.

"Are you dissatisfied with anything?" She lifted her eyes to him as he asked that.

She shook her head slightly and he stopped walking making her stop as well.

"Lie." He spoke and she pursed her lips.

Carlos reached out to her face with his other hand and for a moment, Nyx felt as if she would slap her. Her eyelids fluttered a little but the smack never came. She felt the back of his fingers gently brush over her cheekbone.

"You won’t be sure until you see it, huh." He spoke and Nyx blinked.

"What?"

A smile graced his handsome face and he gently tucked a stray strand behind her ear.

"You’ll see soon." He said before he gestured to continue walking.

Nyx was at a loss for words, she knew he was planning on having Matthis sign off his inheritance today but his words seemed like they had some underlying meaning to them.

After an hour, Nyx stood on the makeshift platform that was made in the town’s square and the people had gathered. She stood alongside Carlos and her aide Marimer with Sir Hopkins standing close by.

The people were confused as to what was going on and one of them, a middle-aged man stepped ahead.

"M-Miss Nyx, what’s happening here? Why are we all summoned?" He asked her.

Nyx glanced at Carlos before Marimer cleared his throat and stepped ahead.

"Listen everyone, as you all must know that His Highness Carlos had arrived here to solve the problems of our territory."

The people instantly started whispering looking at Carlos with dismissive expressions but he didn’t say anything and just stood in his place.

"Don’t say anything, don’t appear angry or haughty and most of all, don’t let your intentions show on your face." Ruel’s instructions were clear enough but the whispers and the looks from the people were making Carlos angry.

"Please maintain silence," Marimer said waving his hands before he glanced at Sir Hopkins.

"Yesterday on the orders of His Highness, Earl Robert Kirkland and Young Master Matthis Valmest were arrested for embezzlment, treasonous intentions against the Prince and for harming the future Lord of the Barony." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Marimer’s words created a wave of silence before the people erupted in loud exclamations and questions.

They all casted fearful stares at Carlos.

"Is he our new Baron?"

"What about our Miss then?!"

"This is the worst!"

Carlos maintained a poker face while Nyx frowned a little and Marimer clapped his hands.

"Please everyone, silence!"

The people didn’t fall silent instead they inches closer to the platform all, looking at Nyx.

"M-Miss! Please, are you leaving us to someone else again?"

"We only need Miss Nyx as our Lord!"

The people started shouting and Marimer casted a worried glance at Carlos who stood silently hoping that the people wouldn’t anger him.

"C-Calm down everyone!" He shouted but the people kept shouting making Nyx glance at Carlos.

He turned his head and looked at her, she gulped as his eyes seemed settled. He looked completely unfazed and then he cocked his head towards the people while keeping his eyes on her.

She then remembered his words from the other night.

"As long as I’m here, I’m at your disposal, Nyx. So, you can use me and my name as much as you like."

She pursed her lips before she stepped ahead, holding her head high, the people grew quiet as soon as she started speaking.

"Please be quiet and let Mr Marimer finish what he is saying. You have nothing to fear." She spoke just loud enough but the people settled down.

Carlos then glanced back at Sir Hopkins and gave him a nod. Sir Hopkins then grabbed Matthis from the scruff of his neck from where he was standing at the back and dragged him up on the platform.

The people grew unsettled again watching Matthis and Sir Hopkins brought him over and made him stand near the table that was placed before Carlos.

"Taking into account that Young Master Matthis has been doing nothing but harming the economy of the Barony and had embezzled the resources to pay his gambling debts, his punishment has been decided." Marimer said and gestured at the table.

"His right to inherit the Barony and the name of Valmest shall be revoked under the royal authority."

The people stared in shock while Matthis bit his lower lip watching his doom with his own eyes.

"Please sign this document." Marimer said handing Matthis a pen.

Matthis held the pen with trembling hands and then signed the papers.

Once he was done signing, Sir Hopkins dragged him back while Marimer and Carlos looked at Nyx. Carlos stepped ahead now with a small smile.

"With the royal authority bestowed on me," Carlos announced as he stretched his hand to Nyx.

"I now announce the new Lord of the Barony of Valmest." He said and the people watched with wide eyes as Nyx placed her hand in his.

Carlos picked up another pen and handed it to her, she took the pen and then signed the documents that made her the new Lord of the territory. Marimer and Sir Hopkins watched with smiles before Nyx stepped back from the table.

"I present you, Nyx Valmest, the new Baroness," Carlos announced making the people fall silent for a moment before they all erupted in cheers.

"And, also my fiance."