Luciana gasped in wonder as Mina gently instructed her to open her eyes.
"To think a place so enchanting could exist within a battle-hardened fortress like this."
The landscape before her was breathtaking. The lush grass shimmered with shifting hues of green, blue, and white where melting snow blended into the earth. Trees with silver trunks stood tall, their branches heavy with glistening ice that caught the sunlight, refracting it into a dazzling spectrum. The sound of rushing water filled the air—a tiered waterfall cascaded down smooth rock, its mist curling into the warm atmosphere as it fed a vast, steaming pond.
Encasing the garden were towering, ancient walls, their weathered stone adorned with intricate carvings of archaic symbols and seams of ivy. Despite the fortress's cold and unyielding exterior, this secluded haven radiated warmth and tranquility.
Luciana's gaze swept across the flora, taking in the gothic beauty of the flowers growing in a nearby patch. Among them, the pale, bell-shaped blooms of Datura and the dark, curling petals of the Demon's Orchid stood out—a reminder that even in beauty, danger could lurk. She kept her distance, wary of their toxicity. The garden was home to many such rare and exotic plants, both familiar and unknown to her.
"It's warm here," she murmured, surprised by the contrast between the biting chill outside and the comforting embrace of the hot spring's heat. She touched her cheek, feeling its warmth rise in response. Moss clung to the foot of the stone walls, adding a sense of timelessness to the secluded sanctuary.
Mina suddenly grabbed her hand. "Milady, you must see my little secret," she insisted, her excitement evident.
Guided through the delicate drapery of willow branches, Luciana found herself in yet another hidden enclave. It was smaller, more intimate—an even more personal space. Various plants thrived here, some she recognized from her studies, others unfamiliar. The laughter of a child rang through the air.
"Mina… this is…" Luciana trailed off, stunned.
Mina beamed. "This is my private garden, milady. Not even Derran knows of this place. I always ask my brother to bring me plants, and only Master and he know of it."
"And me too!" a familiar voice chimed in.
Ahriman grinned as he leaned against a tree.
"You stalked me here, that's why you know about it!" Mina growled, shooting him a murderous glare.
"Milady, save me! I was foolish to ever like her," Ahriman pleaded, dramatically placing Luciana between himself and Mina's fury.
"The feeling is mutual!" Mina snapped.
Amused, Luciana let them continue their squabble as she turned her attention back to the garden. Among the flowers were not just decorative blooms but also an impressive array of medicinal herbs. Some she recognized from her mother's diary—a diary entrusted to her with knowledge of healing and preservation.
A troubling thought surfaced.
"Had she foreseen what would become of me? Had she known I would one day become a demon's bride?"
Lost in contemplation, Luciana barely registered Nemesis stirring in her arms. The infant shifted, his tiny fingers clenching in sleep.
"Mina, take Nemesis for a moment," she called, gently passing the child to her maid.
Mina immediately abandoned her quarrel with Ahriman and hurried to take the boy. Ahriman exhaled in exaggerated relief, muttering something about finally being free.
Luciana smiled faintly but quickly returned to her observations.
Spider lilies—red, blue, and even rare violet ones—grew in a deliberate pattern. At the center, the dullest blooms gathered, while the brightest flourished outward, interspersed with strategically placed herbs. There was meaning behind this arrangement, but before she could ponder further, something brushed against her cheek.
She waved it off absently, assuming it was the wind.
Then it happened again, followed by a high-pitched giggle.
Luciana turned sharply, scanning her surroundings.
Nothing.
"My mind must be playing tricks on me."
Reassuring herself, she turned back—only to stumble back in shock.
A creature had appeared before her. Small, barely the size of her palm, with skin as black as coal. Flames flickered where its eyes should have been, licking up toward a head crowned with fire in place of hair. Its legs were misshapen, its canines unnaturally sharp.
"Fearie," Mina muttered, irritated.
Luciana's brows furrowed. "Fearie?"
"They induce fear in sleeping children," Ahriman explained, stepping closer. "It's no wonder the young master woke crying."
"But they don't usually show themselves unless they take a liking to someone," Mina added warily. "They can be fiercely loyal if they do."
The small creature circled them before perching near Nemesis. Alarmed, Luciana instinctively reached out to shoo it away, but Mina caught her wrist.
"Milady, don't provoke it," she warned. "Fearies are quick to anger."
Luciana hesitated. "Surely, one this small—"
"They never travel alone," Mina interrupted. "If you harm one, the rest will come after you. Best to stay in their good graces."
The fearie chattered in a language Luciana didn't understand.
"It's speaking the old tongue," Mina whispered.
Ahriman, already engaging with the creature, nodded as he listened.
"Does he understand them?" Luciana asked, surprised.
"Brother was fond of languages. He studied them with Master," Mina explained.
After a brief exchange, Ahriman turned to Luciana. "It says it liked your song, milady. And it has taken a liking to the young master as well."
Luciana tightened her hold on Nemesis, uneasy. "Why him?"
Ahriman relayed her question, then translated the answer. "His eyes. Their color matches the flames of their kind. It's rare."
Mina's expression brightened. "Milady, this is a good sign!"
Luciana frowned. "I don't understand."
"They may become loyal to him," Mina explained eagerly. "To you as well. You won't have to fear them."
Luciana exhaled, relieved but still uneasy. "Then… I suppose that's good news."
A soft cry drew her attention—Nemesis was awake.
"Ser Ahriman, could you escort me back? My child is hungry," she requested.
Mina's expression softened. "Milady, we must return in the fall. The trees turn crimson before winter—it's breathtaking. You must see them."
Luciana managed a small smile, nodding. But deep inside, a more pressing thought lingered.
"Only if I'm still here by then."