At daybreak, the entourage was prepared to depart. Octavius could not help but seek out Luciana, who was already boarding the carriage with Nemesis, accompanied by her maids. Erebus paid one final visit to Lucifer, bedridden and half-blind.
"I will ensure your efforts are commended to the Tzar," Erebus promised.
Lucifer responded only with a faint groan.
Luciana inquired if she should also pay her respects, but Erebus declined, informing her that it was to be a brief farewell. He did not wish her to witness the grim sight he had created, nor did he want her to fear him.
Shortly after, Erebus joined the group, mounting his beast, which snorted furiously. Octavius and Cornelius were already unsettled by the presence of such creatures openly used in Wahrheit. Their journey proceeded slowly, accommodating Luciana's pace.
They passed through the extended border of Embercrow territory and made a brief stop at Lowell, a small village in the east, to replenish supplies and fuel their garrons.
They set up camp in the meadows, taking nearly another full day to cross before they approached the outskirts of the Central Capital. As they neared the city, the roads became busier, filled with carriages and carts pulled by a variety of creatures, all waiting for entry.
The entourage found itself in line alongside the carriages of nobles and knights. Some knights murmured amongst themselves, casting sidelong glances at Erebus. While some snickered, others pretended not to notice him—reactions to which he had long grown accustomed.
His men, however, exchanged curses under their breath, though a sharp look from Erebus quickly reminded them to maintain discipline.
"Watch how you act. I have trained soldiers. Not rogues in mountains." It was his warning that none of his me en dared to defy.
Even the other knights felt his menacing aura and didn't dare to provoke th any further when they found Erebus only passing one glare that was a warning to the aswell.
When it was their turn to enter. He only showed the letter of the imperial palace given by Lucifer and his entourage was allowed without any inquiry at the posts.
"It seems quite lax here." Luciana wondered how Erebus was allowed a smooth entry. After learning of his reputation and unwanted existence in Wahrheit's high society she doubted he be allowed that easily into the central capital.
Upon verifying their passage, they entered through the West Gate of the Central Capital. The city was teeming with demons and a myriad of other beings, living up to its reputation as one of the grandest locations in the realms.
Luciana marveled at the absence of towering buildings; the city was well-planned and strictly governed. Guards patrolled the wide, clean streets, and she noted that there were no slums within the Central Capital unlike in human realm. The joy and laughter she witnessed shifted her perspective on the dark world of demons.
"Mama look! It's sparkly!" He pointed at the street lamp that glowed with orange spirit fires floating inside the glass case.
"Yes sweetling in is designed to light the streets at night so you can see better.' she explained him it's uses.
" Like sun helps us?" He pondered where his imagination could best reach its proximity of thinking.
" Yes sugercube. You guessed it right." She complimented him.
" Our young master is a genius," Mina showered praises.
" He should be rewarded for it my lady!"
" Rewarded!" He raised his hands gleefully as if he understood everything that was being said.
" Then what would my little prince like?" Luciana smiled.
He looked at Mina and them Luciana.
" He didn't even understand everything" Mina laughed.
"It means my young lord that your mother will give you anything you want for doing a good job."
Nemesis perked up and careful crawled over the seat and sat on Luciana's lap.
"I want to stay like this! Only with mama," he declared his reward. Mina and Luciana and the other maid looked at him then at each other. The carriage burst out in laughter and Luciana kissed him on his temple.
Erebus could hear the lively discussion from inside the carriage being close by on his Nightmare. He had a faint tug on his lips. His worries for her health had subsided if only for a moment. He couldn't see her. But he could single out her voice as a soothing balm for him.
When he found his other comrades also trying to listen to the ladies' conversation his intensified glare was enough to make them jump from their skins as they distanced a little from the carriage.
The curtains were drawn so no one could see Luciana incase her disguise faded.
Luciana pulled the curtain very slightly to see the view outside.
The city square was gone. And now they were proceeding further.
"I have never been to the capital! It is even more amazing than what brother used to tell me about." Mina looked out admiring the planned infrastructure and how everything was perfect according to her.
One peculiar aspect, however, was the dimmed sunlight. Jafar had once explained to her about the invisible veil that blocked most of the sun's rays, an adjustment made for the benefit of the high-ranking nobles—primarily vampires and werewolves—who held the greatest authority in Wahrheit. Lower-class beings such as Banshees and Revenants also inhabited the city, though they were more closely associated with Shifters. The most feared among them were soul-sucking creatures, known to drain both demons and humans and steal their forms.
The entourage paraded through the streets until they reached the residential district of the high-ranking nobility. The journey took half a day, with frequent breaks at Luciana's request, as the journey had begun to wear on her.
At last, they arrived at a familiar estate. The head maid greeted them at the entrance, and Erebus dismounted, handing the reins of his garron to Ciaran.
"Whoa boy! Easy!" Ciaran whispered to Nightmare.
"Erebus! My lifelong friend," called a voice. Callum greeted him warmly, his arms wide open.
The two embraced, leaving Erebus' men astonished. They had not expected him to display such affection.
"Did he always have friends?" they wondered, dumbfounded.
The men introduced themselves to Callum, paying their respects as they learned of his superior military rank. Erebus then assisted Luciana out of the carriage, Nemesis hopping down behind her. Mina, concerned, urged him to be cautious, but Callum was visibly charmed by Luciana's grace and beauty.
"This is my wife, Lianna, and my firstborn son, Nemesis," Erebus introduced them proudly. They had planned on using another name for Luciana instead of using her own name which they feared could cause a threat.
Callum, overjoyed to meet them, immediately summoned his servants and ushered them inside. "I must apologize that my wife cannot greet you in person—she has been confined to bed rest," Callum explained.
"I recall you mentioning that your wife was near her time," Erebus said.
Luciana was surprised that he was more talkative with Callum than he normally was.
"Indeed! I finally became a father, and I won't let you off so easily for missing the celebration." Callum threw himself at Erebus in excitement.
"Don't jump on me," Erebus replied, pushing him away.
Turning to Luciana and Nemesis, Callum continued, "My lady, if you wish, I can escort you to my wife's room. Erebus mentioned you are expecting your second child. But if you need rest we've already made preparations, so may retire however you want. The servants will attend to your needs. So please don't hesitate to let them know."
Luciana smiled. "It would be a pleasure to meet her, if it wouldn't be a bother. Thankyou for your kind consideration."
"Not at all! Calypso will be delighted by your company. She is rather shy and finds it difficult to engage with other ladies," Callum said, his voice filled with concern. "And the little lord here can meet his new brother, as Erebus is my lifelong brother."
As they made their way, Callum regaled them with stories of his youth with Erebus. "You make me sound old," Erebus scowled.
"Nonsense! I know you're still in your prime. Only that you got much stronger and taller than I was, damnit," Callum teased, radiating a positivity which she found rare among demons.
" Damnit!" Nemesis perked up interrupting them.
" Hush sweetling. This word should not be said out loud. It is not nice to say something like this," Luciana told him.
"Why mama?" He tilted his head.
Luciana sighed and glanced at both men. Callum understood the look Luciana gave both of them since Calypso had seldom done the same thing. It meant no vulgar words to be spoken around women and children.
"I-I apologize my lady. We'll be careful." Callum fretted. Especially if Calypso heard she'd be disappointed and would nag at him until her words were carved in his brain.
"So this is also a part of child rearing?" Erebus looked at Luciana.
" Get a grip already. You're a father of one I am more surprised how this isn't in your knowledge." Callum sighed.
He looked at Luciana and she agreed with a hopeless look. She felt that she was raising not one but two with third one on the way.
Upon reaching Calypso's chamber, the door opened, and Callum invited them inside. Calypso greeted them hastily, a newborn in her arms.
"He's even smaller than Nemesis," Erebus remarked, leaving them speechless.
-"That's because Nemesis wasn't a new born when we took him in." She sighed while her face flushed with embarrassment.
"No need to boast, I know you got a strong heir," Callum chuckled. "Come, let us men go to the lounge. The chef has prepared all of your favorites. Let the wives enjoy their time together." He pulled Erebus away, leaving Luciana and Calypso in an awkward silence.
"Mama! Look, it's small," Nemesis tugged at Luciana's sleeve, pointing at the baby.
"Nemesis! That's not how we address someone. I apologize for their rudeness," Luciana said, embarrassed. She couldn't comprehend how both of them were similar despite no blood relation.
"No need to worry," Calypso replied, smiling warmly. "You may take a closer look at him."
As Nemesis shyly peered at the sleeping infant, Luciana commented, "He's adorable."
"Isn't he? Callum insists he looks like me, but I see more of my husband in him," Calypso said with pride.
Suddenly, she realized her manners. "Oh, where are my manners? Please, make yourself comfortable! Rum, do take their coats and hats and bring refreshments for the lady."
The maid hurried to fulfill the request.
"Allow me my lady." Rum offered to take Luciana's dress coat and then to Nemesis.
"Sweetling do take off your hat and coat and give it to the nice lady." Luciana asked the child to do the same.
"Alright mama!" He chirped with a rather unusual excitement as the maid took both of their belongings to their respective rooms.
Calypso offered them to sit which Luciana gladly took up her offer. As for Nemesis, his usual comfort spot was her lap.
" This little gentleman sure loves to be with his mother I presume?" Calypso laughed watching how Nemesis didn't even show hesitation unlike the noble kids of the capital.
"Yes it seems so that you are Mrs Ashcroft," Luciana agreed with a warm smile.
"I never thought I'd have the honor of meeting you, my lady. Callum has often spoken of his time with Lord Stygian, and when I learned he was married, I was eager to meet you."
"The honor is mine," Luciana responded with a graceful smile, causing Calypso to blush in admiration.
"My husband is not usually one for socializing with others, so I was surprised to learn that he had a friend with whom he was so at ease. He was eager to reach here, wasting no time,"Luciana remarked, and the two women conversed easily sharing their opinions on various topics, with the passage of time gone unnoticed.