Luciana's gaze swept across the tangled foliage that had overtaken the courtyard, creeping into every available crevice. "Have you been tending to these plants, Mister Derran?" she inquired, her fingers hovering over a vine with deep purple leaves climbing the stone wall.
Before she could touch it, the old man's voice rang out, filled with urgency.
"Madam, please—do not touch that!"
Luciana froze mid-motion, startled by his sudden outburst. She turned to him, noting how he was nearly out of breath.
"My apologies," he said, regaining his composure. "Those vines… they are known as Scorpion's Teeth."
"Scorpion's Teeth?" she echoed, her brow furrowing. "I thought these were Harpies' Claws."
Derran shook his head. "An easy mistake to make, but no, madam. Look closely." He gestured toward the leaf blades. "See the minuscule needles lining the edges? That is the danger. The poison within them is swift and unforgiving."
Luciana leaned in slightly but kept a respectful distance. "I see… Then Harpies' Claws must be different."
"They are," Derran confirmed. "Their leaves are darker, with a faint green hue at the base. The toxin is concentrated only at the tips. Scorpion's Teeth, however, are far more treacherous—their venom lingers in every fiber."
She studied him with newfound admiration. "You know so much about plants. Your knowledge is remarkable, Mister Derran."
The old man blinked, momentarily stunned by her words. Few had ever spoken to him with such genuine respect.
Luciana smiled. "I would love to learn more from you."
Derran lowered his gaze, humbled. "Madam… I do not know what to say. No one has ever sought wisdom from these old bones."
Luciana tilted her head. "Why is that?"
The flicker of a past life darkened his expression. "Because of my history," he admitted. "As a young man, I was once associated with a dark cult. When the truth surfaced, I was nearly stoned to death." He let out a dry chuckle. "I was just a poor lad at the time—easily swayed, desperate for food and shelter. The cult offered me both. But in return, I learned the arts of poisons and remedies alike."
Luciana listened intently as he continued.
"When I left them, I wandered these lands, searching for a place to belong. This fortress did not welcome me at first. I begged the lord to let me stay, to let me work for mere scraps. He refused."
She frowned. "Then how did you earn his favor?"
A wistful smile crossed his face. "Fate intervened. One night, I found him wounded in an alley, barely conscious. I treated him. For the first time in my life, I did a deed worthy of mercy. He brought me back here and offered me shelter in exchange for my services."
Luciana's heart ached at his words. "You had no one to return to?"
Derran shook his head. "I was an orphan, madam. No one searched for me. No one waited."
She lowered her gaze, guilt creeping in. "I was insensitive. Forgive me for prying."
He waved a hand dismissively. "There is nothing to forgive. You are an angel, madam—descended upon us who have long forsaken salvation."
Luciana's expression faltered. An angel?
She was anything but. She had never even seen an angel in her lifetime. True angels existed solely to deliver divine messages to the prophets. Those often mistaken for them were an evolved race of humans—blessed but not celestial.
She exhaled softly. "Please, Mister Derran. I am merely human, just like you."
He said nothing, only offering a knowing smile.
At that moment, a cheerful voice interrupted them.
"Milady! I brought the young lord, as you requested!"
Mina approached, carrying the small boy in her arms.
The moment Nemesis spotted Luciana, he wriggled free, landing on the grass before sprinting toward her.
"Mama!" he cried, tears brimming in his large eyes.
Luciana instinctively opened her arms, catching him as he collided into her. His tiny hands clutched at her dress as he sobbed.
"Oh, my dear." She hushed him gently, wiping his tears and runny nose with a handkerchief. "There now, no more tears." She pressed a soft kiss to his flushed cheek.
Mina let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. He never stops crying unless he falls asleep."
Nemesis sniffled but clung to Luciana, burying his face against her.
Derran chuckled. "He will grow to be a fine young lord." He extended a gnarled hand toward the boy in greeting.
Nemesis turned his head away, tightening his grip on Luciana's dress.
"Nemesis," Luciana murmured, brushing her fingers through his silky hair. "That's not how we greet our elders."
The child peeked up at her, his eyes searching hers for guidance.
"Come now," she encouraged gently, taking his small hand and placing it in Derran's.
Nemesis hesitated but gave the old man a brief shake before retreating once more.
Derran let out a deep laugh. "Ohoho~ A shy one, I see." His grin revealed several missing teeth, some decayed beyond repair.
Luciana sighed. "I apologize for his rudeness."
"Nonsense, madam! How could you apologize to a mere servant like me? The lord would not approve." His gaze flickered briefly to Jafar, who remained silent, a dark aura subtly emanating from him.
Nemesis, however, brightened when he looked at Jafar, momentarily forgetting his earlier wariness.
Luciana, sensing an opportunity to lift his mood, smiled. "Would you like to play hide-and-seek?"
The child's eyes lit up, nodding shyly.
Mina beamed. "He loves that game! I play with him whenever you're busy, milady."
Luciana turned to her attendants. "Mina, Sir Jafar, could you watch over him for a little while?"
Jafar inclined his head. "As milady wishes." He took Nemesis's small hand.
"Mama?" Nemesis glanced at Luciana, uncertainty creeping in.
"I will join you soon, sweetling," she assured him with a warm smile.
Mina clapped her hands. "Come, young lord! Brother Jafar will find us while we hide!"
Jafar sighed in mock exasperation. "Yes, yes, this uncle will find you." He covered his eyes and began to count.
As their laughter faded into the distance, Derran observed Luciana, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"They have changed, those two," he mused. "Not so long ago, that boy would barely speak."
Luciana turned back to him, waiting until Jafar was out of earshot before lowering her voice. "Mister Derran… I am glad I met you today."
The old man tilted his head. "Something troubles you, madam."
Luciana hesitated. Where do I even begin?
She exhaled. "Do you happen to have an ointment that can heal demons instantly?"
Derran raised a bushy brow. "This is about the lord, isn't it?"
She nodded. "He is… difficult. This morning, he bathed in ice-cold water despite his wounds. I fear they will worsen, fester."
Derran sighed. "The lord has always been reckless with his body. He neglects himself until the damage is irreversible. But demons heal differently, madam. He requires fresh blood to fully recover."
Luciana's stomach tightened. Fresh blood? Where does he obtain that?
Derran studied her carefully. "There is something else you wish to ask."
Luciana's eyes widened. "I… never said anything."
He chuckled. "This old man knows how to read eyes."
She hesitated before finally speaking. "Do you know of a medicine… one that can alter a person's appearance?"