"So," Adrian began, his voice steady, "what do you know about the Shadow Court? How do they operate?"

Zack looked hesitant for a moment, but he finally sighed, sitting down behind the desk. "The Shadow Court… They're more than just a secret organization. They control everything from behind the scenes—politics, trade, the military. You name it. They're not just in this region, either. Their influence stretches across the entire kingdom, maybe even beyond.

No one knows exactly who runs the Court, but the Count—well, he was one of their pawns. Just like a lot of people in power."

"And Meridia?" Adrian pressed. "What do they want with Meridia? Why was the kingdom invaded and destroyed?"

Zack's face paled at the mention of her name, his hands fidgeting with a quill on the desk. "Meridia…" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm afraid I don't know that… Maybe the kingdom was a threat to them or something."

Adrian's jaw clenched, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "And they thought destroying it would fix everything?"

Zack nodded, his voice grim. "They feared what it could become. If the Court wants an entire kingdom gone, it's because they know the kingdom or its ruler could be a threat to everything they've built."

Adrian leaned forward. "We need to find all those in this Court."

Zack swallowed hard, nodding in agreement. "I'll do whatever I can to help, but the Court… they're not the kind of enemies you want to make lightly."

Adrian straightened up, his eyes dark with determination. "I'm not afraid of them. I'm not afraid of anyone who stands in the way of what I need to do."

Zack met his gaze, understanding the gravity of Adrian's words. "Then I'll do what I can. But we'll have to be careful."

Adrian nodded. "We don't have time to waste. Get what information you can. I'll be leaving with Lilith and Medea for some business but you keep in touch. I'll send a message for every location we are, letting you know where we are ncase yo have a message to deliver."

Zack stood as Adrian turned to leave. There were enemies in every shadow, but Adrian knew one thing for certain: the Shadow Court had made a fatal mistake in thinking they could control everything.

Adrian exited the study, the heavy doors closing behind him with a soft thud. His mind was racing, thoughts of the Shadow Court swirling in his head.

This mysterious organization had orchestrated the destruction of his kingdom, manipulated powerful figures like Count Keyz, and remained hidden in the shadows, pulling strings.

They would soon learn that Adrian wasn't a man to be trifled with.

As he walked down the hall, the grand décor of the manor seemed to fade into the background. He barely registered the gleaming chandeliers or the rich works of art lining the walls.

His thoughts were focused on the path ahead, and the enemies he would soon face.

Just as he approached the room where Lilith and Medea had spent the night, the door swung open, and the two goddesses stepped out.

Lilith's raven-black hair cascaded down her shoulders, her mischievous eyes glinting in the morning light, while Medea's dark, intense gaze scanned the hallway ahead, her movements graceful and calculated.

Lilith spotted him first, a playful smile spreading across her lips. "Hey, darling!" she called out, her voice a sultry purr. "Right on time. We were just called to come for breakfast."

Adrian raised an eyebrow, pausing to take in the sight of them. "You two seem rather refreshed," he teased.

Lilith's smile widened as she sauntered toward him, her hips swaying with each step. "Well, after last night, how could we not be? Besides," she added, her voice dropping to a whisper as she leaned closer to him, "I'm always ready for a new day, especially when it involves you."

Adrian chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Always so full of energy."

Medea, standing just behind Lilith, crossed her arms and shot Adrian a small, knowing glance. "It seems you're the one who needed the rest more than we did," she said quietly, though the faintest hint of a smirk played on her lips.

Adrian's eyes flicked to her, and he couldn't help but admire how composed she remained, even after everything.

Medea always carried an air of control and focus, a perfect contrast to Lilith's playful nature. At least she wasn't looking as cold and indifferent as she was the day before. "I take it you're both ready to eat, then?" he asked. "Who called for us in the first place?"

"The head of the house staff," Lilith replied casually. "Seems they're trying to maintain appearances around here. I don't think they know that their beloved Count is…" She trailed off, making a slicing motion across her throat, her smile widening. "Dead."

Adrian sighed but couldn't suppress a smirk. "Let's keep it that way, for now. We don't need unnecessary attention. Zack's already working on covering for us."

Lilith shrugged as they began walking side by side down the corridor. "I trust him. The little guy has a knack for surviving in places he has no business being. He'll play his part."

She looped her arm through Adrian, pulling him along. "Now. I'm sure you could use a little something to refuel after last night's… festivities." Her voice dripped with innuendo, and she cast a wink in Medea's direction.

Medea merely rolled her eyes, her expression hardening. "We've wasted enough time here. After breakfast, we need to focus on the next step. The Shadow Court won't wait for us to leisurely stroll through this manor."

Adrian nodded, his expression sobering. "You're right. But we need our strength first. Let's see what Zack's staff has prepared."

They walked through the vast halls of the manor, and as they descended the grand staircase, they were greeted by the head of staff, a woman in her late fifties with sharp eyes and an air of authority.

"Good morning," she greeted them politely, her eyes lingering on each of them as if she were silently evaluating their worth. "I've had breakfast prepared in the dining hall. Please, follow me."

Adrian, Lilith, and Medea exchanged glances but said nothing.

They followed her into a grand dining room where a long table was set with an array of food—fruit, bread, roasted meats, and pitchers of juice and wine. The aroma filled the air, and despite everything, Adrian felt his stomach rumble.

"Eat," the head of staff said, bowing slightly before leaving the room. "If you need anything else, the servants are at your disposal."

Adrian took his seat at the head of the table, Lilith sliding in next to him with her usual sensual grace while Medea sat across from them.

Lilith poured herself a glass of wine, swirling it lazily as she leaned back in her chair, her gaze flicking to Adrian. "So, darling, what's the plan now? Surely you didn't go and have some serious talk with Zack without filling us in."

Adrian set his fork down, his eyes meeting Lilith's. "Zack's covering for us. He's put together a believable story that will give us enough time to move without anyone suspecting what happened to the Count. More importantly, he gave me some insight into the Shadow Court. It seems they've been pulling strings across the kingdom, and they were involved in the destruction of my home."

Lilith raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "The Shadow Court, huh? Sounds shadowy. But not surprising, considering how many pawns that fat Count had."

Medea looked up from her plate, her gaze sharpening at the mention of the Shadow Court. "They sound dangerous," she said simply. "Powerful. We know very little about them so this is a blind war for now. And if their influence is as you said, it's going to be a difficult fight."

Adrian nodded. "I'm prepared for that. That's why I'm changing our approach. Our priority now is freeing your sisters while we find out more about this Shadow Court."

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