By the following morning, the story of Lyra Dain had spread far beyond Havenrock.Her reunion with the Valcrest family was no longer a private family matter. People across Asterra were discussing the missing heiress who had been found after twenty years. Images recorded by villagers had spread through phones, crystal-link communicators, and personal video devices. Every new recording brought another version of the same story.According to the circulating reports, Lyra had been stolen as a child and raised by poor villagers before finally reuniting with her wealthy biological family. Some reports even claimed that Lyra had never truly been weak and that her powerful bloodline had now awakened.The public was fascinated by the story, especially after the Valcrest family confirmed that Lyra carried their bloodline.The family did not need to organize a press conference. Their influence already reached thousands of information channels throughout Asterra. Within hours, the reunion had beco

By the time they reached Asterra, the sky was already dark.Akeel had purchased a few basic supplies and replacement clothes after they arrived. They had escaped Havenrock without taking anything from their destroyed home, so the bags they carried contained only the things he had just bought.Akeel brought his family straight to the apartment.The apartment had two bedrooms. Bram and Hester went into the larger one without much discussion. They had shared a room for years, and neither of them saw any reason to change that now.Marius took the second bedroom.He put his bag of newly purchased clothes on the bed and looked around."It isn't very big," he said.Akeel set the remaining supplies near the wall. "It's enough for now."Marius opened the closet and looked inside."I suppose."Hester came out of the other bedroom after putting away the few things Akeel had bought for them."We'll need more clothes," she said. "Most of ours were ruined.""I know," Akeel replied.Bram sat down in

Danaya understood why Akeel had called her "Honey" in front of the Valcrest family, their guards, and the guests who had come to welcome Lyra.Their marriage was still legal. Whatever agreement existed between them in private didn't matter here. As far as the law was concerned, Akeel was her husband.Danaya placed her hand over his."You're late, husband," she said.For a second, even Akeel seemed surprised that she had gone along with it.Lyra stared at them. "Husband?"The people behind her went quiet.She looked at Akeel, then at Danaya. "What do you mean, husband?"Danaya answered calmly. "I mean exactly what I said. Akeel is my husband."Lyra's face changed. "No. That's impossible."Akeel said nothing. He stayed beside Danaya and let her deal with it.Lyra shook her head. "He can't be your husband. He was supposed to marry me."Several Valcrest relatives looked toward her. Danaya glanced at Akeel, already aware of their former engagement.Before Danaya could respond, Lyra pointed

Several days passed after the incident at Crownspire.Akeel remained at the Valcrest estate while the thirty-day marriage period continued. Things had finally become quiet enough for him to focus on the question he actually cared about.Danaya had shown him a man with his face.Not only his face, but almost the same name.Akeel Corvain.That afternoon, Akeel returned to the guest room he had been using at the estate and locked the door.He took out a small enchanted privacy device and activated it. A faint light spread across the walls, ceiling, and floor, creating a room seal that blocked sound and prevented supernatural abilities from listening through the walls.Only after confirming that the room was secure did Akeel take out a small communication mirror.The dark surface brightened when he touched it. A few seconds later, Cyrus Lorne appeared on the other side."Sir, you contacted me earlier than usual. Is there a problem?" Cyrus asked."I need you to look into someone," Akeel rep

Late that night, Akeel was still awake in the hidden guest room connected to Danaya's bedroom.Almost nobody in the estate knew the room existed. During the days following Crownspire, Akeel and Danaya had begun using this arrangement to maintain the appearance of their marriage while keeping their private sleeping arrangements separate.As far as the Valcrest family was concerned, Akeel had been sleeping in Danaya's bedroom.The arrangement had worked so far.Akeel had finished examining the records about the other Akeel Corvain and had lowered the room seal he used during his private investigation. He was reading when he sensed a familiar aura approaching.Danaya.A moment later, the hidden door opened without anyone touching it.Akeel looked up as Danaya stepped through the doorway. She had used Mental Command to move the door aside."Get up," Danaya said. "My grandmother is coming."Akeel glanced at the time before looking back at her. "At this hour?"Danaya walked farther into the