Issadora entered Nao's room with a gentle smile on her face, her footsteps soft, almost too quiet. Behind her, Wick followed obediently, holding a silver tray with a warm glass of milk.
"My son," Issadora said sweetly, her voice laced with false concern, "you look so pale… so weak. You must rest and eat well." She stepped closer, her smile never reaching her eyes. "Here, drink this milk. It'll help you feel better."
Nao reached out to take it, but before the glass could touch his lips, Raviel stepped forward. His expression was calm, yet his eyes burned with quiet rage.
"I believe he should take his medicine first," Raviel said coldly, taking the glass and placing it on the side table without breaking eye contact with Issadora.
Issadora's lips twitched for a moment, her mask slipping ever so slightly before she nodded. "Of course. You're right." She turned and walked out of the room gracefully, but Raviel could see it—the darkness hiding behind her poised expression.
As soon as she was gone, Raviel grabbed the glass of milk and poured it down the sink.
"Why did you throw it away?" Nao asked, confused.
Raviel looked at him, voice low and serious. "It was poisoned."
Nao's breath hitched. His eyes widened in horror as the truth hit him like a storm. He sat frozen for a moment… and then the tears came, spilling down silently at first, then harder.
"Why… why does she want to kill me?" he whispered brokenly.
Raviel stepped closer, pulling Nao into his arms. He held him tightly, his chin resting gently against Nao's head.
"Don't cry," Raviel whispered. "I won't let anything happen to you. I'm here… always."
Raviel gently brushed Nao's hair with his fingers and said softly, "Let's get some sleep. You need to rest."
Nao held onto his sleeve, looking up at him with tired eyes. "Can you... lay beside me?" he whispered. "I don't want to be alone."
Raviel's expression softened. He nodded with a faint smile. "I'm always with you."
He lay beside Nao, and without hesitation, Nao nestled into his chest, finding comfort in his presence. The silence lingered for a moment, only broken by the faint sound of breathing. Then Nao's voice rose again, quiet and curious.
"Why… why isn't your heart beating?"
Raviel looked down at him calmly. "Because I'm not human."
Nao blinked and slowly lifted his head to meet his gaze. "Does that mean… you don't feel anything? For anyone?"
Raviel gave a small nod. "That's right. I feel nothing."
A silence fell between them. Nao stared into the darkness above, his voice breaking just a little. "Then… after that night, when I..." He swallowed hard. "You didn't feel anything, did you? I was the only one who did."
Raviel didn't answer at first.
But the way his arm wrapped tighter around Nao said more than words ever could.
Nao was fast asleep, his breathing steady against Raviel's chest. But Raviel's eyes remained wide open, fixed on the ceiling. His mind wasn't at peace—not when enemies roamed so close, hiding within the castle walls, poisoning the one he was sworn to protect.
How can I eliminate them all… before they try again?
His thoughts were interrupted when Nao stirred beside him. Groggily, Nao opened his eyes and looked up at him.
"Why do you look so serious?" he asked softly.
But before Raviel could answer, Nao winced. A sharp pain spread through his body, and he clutched his side. The moonlight, shining through the tall windows, spilled across the bed in silver light, bathing Nao's pale face.
"Raviel... it hurts," Nao whispered through clenched teeth.
"It's the poison," Raviel said darkly. Without hesitation, he bit into his lower lip until blood welled up. Then he leaned down and pressed his lips to Nao's, letting him drink.
Nao's eyes widened in surprise, tasting the unfamiliar warmth of Raviel's blood on his tongue. When they finally parted, he gasped, "What... what just happened? Why did you—?"
"My blood can heal," Raviel answered calmly. "It can cleanse most toxins… but this poison is stronger than I expected. I need to find a permanent cure."
Nao looked up at him in silence for a moment, his gaze lingering. Then, with a sudden fierceness, he asked, "You said you feel nothing, right?"
"Yes," Raviel replied. "I don't feel like humans do."
Nao grabbed his collar and pulled him close, kissing him roughly. "Then it's fine," he whispered against his lips. "Even if you feel nothing… I can still use you."
He moved his lips to Raviel's neck, kissing and biting softly.
Raviel's breath hitched, his control slipping.
"I'm yours," he said, voice low and dark. "Use me however you want."
They kissed again—this time with raw passion. In that moment, it wasn't about emotions or duty. It was about need. Hunger. The kind of connection neither of them could deny anymore.