The Alpha's long lost heir
Chapter 137: Nyx’s return to the palace

Chapter 137: Nyx’s return to the palace

Elena stood by the doorway, her eyes narrowing as she watched Nyx pack the last of her belongings into a small, worn leather bag. The silence between them was thick, weighed down by unspoken questions and a growing sense of dread. She could not shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

"Nyx," Elena finally broke the silence, her voice trembling slightly. "Are you really going back to the palace? After everything that happened? Why now?"

Nyx paused, her hands stilling as she closed the bag. She turned to face Elena, her expression calm but her eyes cold and distant. "I am not going back because I miss the place, Elena. I am going back because I have unfinished business. There are things that must be set right."

Elena frowned, confusion etched across her face. "What do you mean? What business could possibly be worth returning to that cursed place?"

Nyx’s lips curled into a small, almost imperceptible smirk. "Revenge, Elena. I only want my revenge."

The words hung in the air, heavy and ominous. Elena’s frown deepened, but she did not ask further questions. The intensity in Nyx’s gaze, the finality in her voice—it all told her that this was not a matter up for discussion. But as Nyx turned away, Elena could not help the chill that ran down her spine.

---

The next morning, the air was thick with tension as Nyx prepared to leave. The early morning light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the courtyard where Dora, Archi, and Elena had gathered to see her off. Archi clung to his mother’s leg, his young face scrunched up in confusion and fear. He did not understand why she had to leave again, why she had to return to the place that haunted his nightmares.

"Be safe, Mama," he whispered, his voice trembling as he hugged her tightly.

Nyx knelt down, brushing his hair back gently. "I will be, Archi. You must be strong while I am gone, alright? I will return soon."

Archi nodded, though his eyes remained clouded with uncertainty. Dora, standing beside him, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We will be waiting for you, Nyx. Please, do not take any unnecessary risks."

Nyx offered a small smile, though it did not reach her eyes. "I will do what needs to be done, nothing more."

Elena stepped forward, her expression still troubled. "You are sure about this, Nyx? You are sure this is the only way?"

Nyx straightened, her gaze steely. "It is the only way."

As she turned to leave, she caught sight of Oberon standing a short distance away, his arms crossed over his chest. He did not step forward to bid her farewell, but his eyes followed her every move, his jaw clenched tight. There was something unspoken between them, something that neither could put into words. Nyx met his gaze, her heart twisting with a mix of emotions she could not afford to indulge.

Oberon watched her go, the pain in his chest growing with each step she took. He had wanted to stop her, to beg her not to go. But he knew that nothing he said would change her mind. This was something she had to do, and he could not stand in her way.

---

The journey to the palace was long and arduous, but Nyx was fueled by a grim determination. Memories of the palace flooded her mind as she walked—memories of the opulence, the grandeur, but also of the betrayals and the bloodshed. The closer she got, the more the memories twisted into something dark and sinister, feeding the fire of her need for revenge.

When she finally arrived at the palace gates, they loomed over her, tall and foreboding. She paused for a moment, taking in the sight. The palace was just as she remembered it, yet there was something different about it now—something colder, more menacing. She felt the weight of the place, the ghosts of the past pressing down on her.

But she did not falter. With a smirk playing on her lips, she stepped forward and placed her hand on the massive doors. "My revenge has just begun," she murmured, the words carrying an edge of finality.

The doors creaked open, revealing the darkened corridors within. Nyx stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. The palace was eerily quiet, the air thick with a sense of anticipation. She could feel the presence of those who had wronged her, lurking somewhere in the shadows, waiting for her. But she was not afraid. She was ready.

Nyx walked through the dimly lit corridors of the palace, her footsteps echoing softly against the cold stone floors. The air was thick with anticipation, and the servants who passed her avoided her gaze, their eyes downcast as they hurried about their tasks. Nyx’s presence in the palace had already caused a ripple of unease, but she paid it no mind. Her focus was singular, her purpose clear.

She stopped before a large set of double doors, intricately carved with ancient symbols that seemed to shift in the flickering torchlight. The guards standing at attention flanked the entrance, their expressions impassive. Nyx’s gaze hardened as she addressed them.

"I am here to see Aegis."

The guards exchanged a quick, uncertain glance before one of them nodded and opened the doors. Nyx squared her shoulders and stepped inside, her movements deliberate and composed. The throne room was as imposing as she remembered, with its high ceilings, massive pillars, and walls adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of conquest and power.

At the far end of the room, seated upon a grand, ornately decorated throne, was Aegis. His presence dominated the space, a figure of undeniable authority and power. The throne itself seemed to amplify his stature, its dark, polished surface reflecting the cold glint in his eyes. Nyx walked forward, her steps steady as she closed the distance between them.

When she was a few paces away from the throne, she stopped and, with a calculated air, bowed slightly. It was a minimal gesture, barely perceptible, yet it was loaded with meaning. Aegis was used to seeing others grovel before him, bowing low in submission and fear. But Nyx’s slight bow was different—subtle, almost dismissive. It was a gesture that spoke of defiance rather than respect.

Aegis’s eyes narrowed dangerously. The throne room, which had been silent except for the soft rustle of Nyx’s clothing, suddenly felt charged with tension. He leaned forward, his hands gripping the armrests of the throne. The wood creaked under the pressure as his knuckles turned white.

"Do you think I am your son?" Aegis’s voice was low, a growl that reverberated through the vast chamber. The anger in his tone was unmistakable, and the insult in her slight bow was not lost on him. "Is that why you show me such disrespect?"

Nyx straightened, her expression impassive except for the faintest trace of a smirk playing on her lips. She met Aegis’s furious gaze without flinching, her voice calm and measured when she replied.

"I have not come here to disrespect you, Aegis," she said, her words dripping with a cold, calculated intent. "I have come to be with you."

Aegis’s expression flickered, momentarily caught off guard by her response. It was not what he had expected, and for a brief moment, his anger was tempered by curiosity. But the suspicion in his eyes remained, his guard still up as he considered her words.

"To be with me?" he echoed, his tone laced with skepticism. "You must think me a fool if you believe I will fall for such obvious deceit. What game are you playing, Nyx?"

Nyx’s smirk widened ever so slightly, though her eyes remained cold and calculating. "No games, Aegis. I have come to offer you something far more valuable than any trick or deceit."

Aegis remained silent, his gaze boring into hers, searching for any sign of deception. But Nyx held her ground, her expression unyielding, her resolve clear. She knew what she was doing, and she had already anticipated his reaction.

"Speak plainly," Aegis demanded, his voice now a dangerous whisper. "What is it that you think you can offer me?"

Nyx took a step closer, her eyes never leaving his. "I offer you my allegiance."

"Ah, allegiance?" Aegis repeated, his voice dripping with skepticism. "What could you possibly offer me that would make me accept your allegiance?"

Nyx’s smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with a fierce light. "I offer you power," she said, her voice low and husky. "The power to crush your enemies, to bend the world to your will. Together, we can achieve greatness."

Aegis raised an eyebrow, his expression incredulous. "And what makes you think I need your help to achieve greatness?" he sneered.

Nyx took another step closer, her movements deliberate and calculated. "Because, Aegis, you are weak," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "You are weak and afraid, hiding behind your throne and your guards. But I can change that. I can make you strong again."

Aegis’s face turned red with rage, his eyes bulging with fury. "How dare you!" he thundered, his voice echoing off the walls.

Nyx didn’t flinch, her expression unyielding. "I dare because I know the truth," she said, her voice cold and detached. "I know that you are not the great king you pretend to be. But I can help you become that king, if you let me."

Aegis’s anger seemed to falter for a moment, replaced by a glimmer of curiosity. "Go on," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Nyx’s smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with triumph. "Together, we can conquer the world," she said, her voice dripping with ambition. "We can bend the nations to our will, and rule with an iron fist. And I will be by your side every step of the way, guiding you, advising you, and helping you to achieve greatness."

Aegis’s expression was unreadable, his eyes narrowing as he considered Nyx’s words. For a moment, the only sound in the throne room was the soft rustle of Nyx’s clothing, and the heavy breathing of the guards. Then, Aegis spoke, his voice low and deadly.