Chapter 174Night had swallowed the city whole.The streets glittered with artificial lights, neon signs flickering like restless spirits, cars moving in endless lines, humans laughing, crying, arguing — unaware that ancient powers walked among them.In the shadow of an abandoned cathedral, the royal family of Nightfall stood in silence.King Thalor lifted his hand slowly.A dark ripple spread from his palm like ink dissolving into water.Queen Elara followed.Prince Corwin closed his eyes.The Elders formed a circle behind them.Their auras rose together — controlled, restrained, but immense.Invisible threads of power stretched into the city, searching.Searching for Princess Elowen.Searching for the faint echo of her frozen fate.But—Nothing.The threads passed through hospitals, apartments, temples, streets, corporations, empty warehouses…Nothing.No signal.No trace.No resonance.Just silence.Prince Corwin opened his eyes sharply.“That’s impossible,” he snapped. “She cannot

The door creaked open wider, and the maid motioned him inside with a sharp flick of her wrist.“Step in,” she said curtly, her eyes narrow and calculating. “Come see the head of the maids. She’s waiting.”The prince walked carefully, keeping his posture humble, his gaze low. The hall smelled faintly of herbs and cooking smoke, the walls lined with polished wood, the faint echo of footsteps behind him. Every sound seemed amplified in the quiet tension of the house.At the far end, the head maid stood, arms crossed, radiating authority like a storm ready to strike. Her eyes scanned him, sharp and unyielding.“Did you see the postcard outside?” she asked, her voice tight with suspicion.The prince bowed slightly, a practiced humility in his stance. “I just thought I’d give it a trial. I needed the work.”Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Do you have a professional license? Something that proves you’re capable… not clumsy like the others who’ve tried?” Her tone carried the weight of jud

The servants’ quarters had never been this alive.Whispers floated like smoke through the corridors, slipping under doors and weaving between washing lines. Every maid had heard it.Chairman Cole had reassigned his personal room attendant.And the one chosen was Lysa.A girl who had barely arrived.A girl with no background.A girl no one considered important.Near the back courtyard, a group of maids gathered around baskets of unfolded laundry, though not a single cloth was being properly folded.“Did you see the new schedule?” one whispered sharply.“I did. I thought it was a mistake at first.”“It’s not. The chairman requested her himself.”A scoff followed. “Requested? Since when does he care who cleans his room?”Another maid rolled her eyes. “Exactly. He doesn’t even look at us when we pass by.”A third crossed her arms, her voice edged with bitterness. “High-profile women visit him all the time. Elegant. Educated. From powerful families. He barely gives them five minutes.”“And

Sunlight filtered through the large windows of Adrian’s study, catching the steam rising from the freshly brewed coffee. Lysa carefully balanced the tray, her small hands steady despite the slight tremor in her fingers. She had practiced this walk countless times in her mind, determined not to make a mistake this time.Stepping into the room, the tray in front of her, she froze mid-step. Suddenly, without warning, the same flashes that had plagued her before erupted in her vision—bright, chaotic, disorienting. Her knees buckled, and the tray slipped from her grasp, coffee spilling across the floor.Adrian, seated at his desk, immediately noticed the sudden movement. His eyes narrowed. “Lysa!” he called sharply.Before she could respond, he was on his feet, crossing the room in long strides. He reached her just as her body collapsed, catching her in his arms with precise, practiced ease. The coffee tray clattered harmlessly to the floor, forgotten.“Careful!” he said, his voice low bu

Prince Corwin lingered near the hallway where Lysa usually passed. He had been watching quietly, careful not to draw attention. Every time he stepped closer, she flinched, pulling back as if anticipating ridicule or danger. He sighed softly, realizing she was more guarded than he had thought.“Lysa,” he called gently, careful not to startle her.She froze, eyes widening, but then quickly turned to retreat.“Wait,” he said, keeping his tone light. “I’m not here to mock you. I… I just want to talk.”Lysa hesitated, shrinking back. Her mind was clouded, her memories fragmented, and the instinct to avoid strangers—especially men—was ingrained now.Corwin stepped closer, careful to give her space. “I’m alone in this world too,” he said quietly. “I’m not used to this human place, and… I just want to make friends. That’s all.”Her eyes flickered with doubt. “Friends?” she whispered.“Yes,” he said softly. “No games, no teasing. Just… someone who wants to help you, not hurt you.”Lysa stared