Chapter 4
Chapter 4: Welcome Back
I halted the horse in front of the gate guarded by bulky men in red uniforms. I could tell by the color of their clothes that they weren’t Nightfall guards. They were likely from a different clan allied with Nightfall.
“I know you, Miss,” one of them approached, arms crossed, eyes filled with disdain. “Astralla Martin. The beast’s chosen slave. What are you doing here?”
I dismounted and held the reins of the horse.
“I am a Nightfall,” I said calmly.
He raised an eyebrow. “Your master is no longer a Nightfall, Miss Martin. May I remind you that anyone allied with Brix is our enemy. Leave now.”
“I still choose to be a Nightfall,” I answered again. “Master Brix has let me go. I was once a Nightfall—I still am. I never renounced this clan. I’m sorry, but I’ve come here to stay.”
“We don’t need you—”
“Do you even know what you’re doing?” I raised a brow and tightened my grip on the reins. “You’re forbidding a Nightfall from entering the Mansion? You forget your place. I’m an original Nightfall. You’re only here for shelter because you're afraid of being outnumbered by Brixton’s army.”
His red eyes gleamed, and his fangs looked ready to sink into my skin at any moment. “We are one here, Miss Martin. Nightfall needs the strength of us Hezueras too.”
I smiled. “So we’re allies, then?”
Another guard stepped closer. “Let her in. She’s right. Lord Oscar hasn’t revoked her membership yet.”
Lord Oscar. Hearing his name felt strangely foreign.
The guard stared at me a moment longer before finally allowing me through. I took my things from the horse since it wasn’t allowed inside. I left it to another guard and was escorted by the one who had intervened earlier. He still looked displeased.
As we walked along the narrow path lined with bushes, I glanced around. Not much had changed in this place. It’s been what? Almost a year since I was last here.
What felt odd were the many guards in unfamiliar uniforms. The security was unusually tight. Too many eyes watching everything.
“How many clans have allied with Nightfall?” I tried asking the man walking ahead of me.
I thought he wouldn’t answer. “Seven major clans, including the Phoenix Clan.”
Oh. Not surprising Lady Grenda joined to protect her real son. I remembered the last time I saw her. But… seven major clans? That’s massive. I didn’t realize the Nightfall Clan had become this powerful.
“Whoa!”
I stepped back as a man on a horse galloped past me. I stared after him. He turned the horse around and headed back in our direction. I thought he’d pass again, but he stopped right in front of me.
“Sorry. First time,” he grinned.
I just nodded.
“Sir Nigel,” said my escort to the man in a brown leather jacket. “Apologies, this girl was blocking the path. Were you hurt?”
The man—Nigel—shook his head. “Not really.” Then he looked at me again. “Next time, keep your eyes on the path.”
I stayed silent.
“Sir Nigel is talking to you,” said the guard.
I didn’t want to say anything.
“Don’t you know how to talk?” Nigel asked.
I sniffed and shook my head. “Okay, Nigel.”
“Sir Nigel,” the guard corrected me.
Nigel frowned. “Aren’t you going to apologize, Miss?”
“Apologize because it’s your first time riding a horse? My apology then, Sir Nigel.”
“Oh…” I heard the guard gasp.
Before Nigel could respond again, someone shouted in the distance, “Sir Nigel! Come back here!”
Nigel kept his gaze on me. “Your name?”
“Astralla Martin,” the guard answered before I could speak. Not that I planned to answer anyway. “She’s a Nightfall, Sir Nigel.”
“Familiar…” he murmured, brows furrowed.
I turned back to the guard. “Shall we proceed now?” I asked politely.
“Wait! You’re Brixton’s slave?!” Nigel blurted out.
“Sir Nigel!” Others calling him ran toward us. “Your training isn’t over yet! We’ll be in trouble if your father finds out you slipped away again!”
“Tsk. See you around, Miss Slave,” Nigel said, then dashed off before I could protest.
I sighed deeply.
“He’s Prince Nigel Hezuera. Son of Lord Hezuera of the Hezueras Clan,” explained the guard. “That naughty boy’s been training forever and still hasn’t learned anything.”
“Right. Can we proceed now?” I asked again.
We entered the Mansion’s main area, but guards stationed at the entrance blocked us.
“Lord Oscar isn’t here,” one of them said.
“Oh really?” my escort turned to me. “Lord Oscar’s not around. I don’t know where to place you while he’s away. Do you have a place here?”
I swallowed. “I used to stay inside,” I said, referring to the main mansion.
“Things changed after you left, Miss Astra. Slaves aren’t allowed in the main anymore,” he explained. “My suggestion is you stay with us until Lord Oscar returns.”
“I can wait here.”
“Wandering is prohibited here. You’re not under training. Any soldier or servant caught wandering gets detained.”
I wanted to resist, but I had no choice but to follow. We hadn’t gone far when we encountered a red-haired man. I remembered him.
“Astra?” said Callum the Freak. He glanced at the guard beside me, then looked back. “You’re back? I thought you left the clan for good.”
“Same question, Callum. I didn’t know you returned after spilling the truth to obey the late Lord Severo,” I smirked. I remembered what I had overheard. “What is it this time?”
He turned to the guard. “I’ll take care of her. You can go back to your post.”
“She wants to see Lord Oscar, Mr. Benzon,” said the guard.
“I’ll handle it,” Callum insisted.
Once the guard left, Callum faced me again. “Arrow and bow. You’re into archery now?”
“I need a place to stay,” I said bluntly.
He stared for a moment, then nodded. “You’re still a slave and no longer serve anyone. You’ll be placed with the servant women. Is that okay with you?”
“Yeah. Anywhere I can stay.”
As we walked toward the servant quarters, I took the chance to ask questions.
“What’s going on around here?” I asked.
Callum shrugged. “I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like the angel of death walked in and stole the peace. Everyone’s paranoid. Endless training, recruiting other clans—you know why.”
“Have you heard about the sudden disappearance of an entire clan?”
He smirked. “It’s starting, right?”
“You think…” I swallowed before continuing, “It’s his doing?”
“Who else?” he chuckled.
“Any news about him?”
“Why don’t you say his name?” he teased. “The Big White Cock, a.k.a. Brixton Wenz Cardinal. I don’t know. No official word yet.”
I nodded. “It’s been almost a year…”
“What happened to you?”
“Nothing much,” I replied. “I just needed to cope with everything, had some training, studied. You know, so I won’t be a dumb slave anymore.”
We stepped aside as a squad of marching soldiers passed. In the distance, more were training. They’re really taking this seriously, huh?
We kept walking, now far from the Mansion.
“How’s Oscar?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Lord Oscar,” he corrected with a shake of his head. “He’s changed a lot.”
“As he should. He’s facing no small enemy.”
“Two Cardinals fighting each other,” Callum murmured.
Lord Severo had succeeded in pitting the brothers against each other. Now, who would come out on top? Oscar knew how powerful Brix was—I doubt he still underestimated him.
“We need to see the Head Servant. She’ll assign your job,” Callum said.
We entered a room where servant women were busy working. My stomach growled at the smell of their cooking. We were in the kitchen.
“There she is…” Callum pointed to a woman with her back turned. Her figure looked familiar.
“Excuse me?” Callum called out.
When she turned around, my face lit up.
“C-Celeste!”
“Astra!”
We didn’t hesitate to embrace. Of all the strange things in this place, seeing her brought back memories from when life was still tolerable.
“I forgot you two knew each other,” I heard Callum say.
Celeste faced me, eyes teary. “I missed you, Astra! I’m so glad you came back.”
“You’re the Head Servant now?” I asked in awe, making her laugh.
She nodded. “You’re here to stay?”
“Yes!”
“Finally!” she giggled.
Callum cleared his throat. “She’s yours now, Lady Celeste. No place to stay and needs a job too.”
“Sure. I’ll take care of her.”
He sighed. “I don’t think it’s good you came back, but… it’s nice to see you again, Miss Martin. I’ll leave you here for now.”
“Thank you, Mr. Benzon.”
He nodded and left.
Celeste held my hand. “Are you okay now?”
I nodded.
“Sorry I disappeared. I didn’t get to say goodbye,” she said sadly.
“It’s okay.”
“Oh. Right. I’ll show you your room before assigning your work.”
We went to the dorm for female servants. Each room had four women, and I’d join one group that was missing a member.
“It’s not fancy anymore,” she joked.
I just smiled. I had a lot of questions, but I knew now wasn’t the time.
We entered Room 14. No one was inside, just two bunk beds with white sheets. There was a small door likely leading to the bathroom and some cabinets for clothes.
“This one’s vacant,” Celeste said, pointing to the lower left bunk. “Your three roommates are at work. You’ll see them tonight. Don’t worry. We’re all friendly here.”
“Doesn’t feel like I belong,” I joked.
She opened an empty cabinet. “You can store your things here. About your equipment—you’re not allowed to keep them.”
“Really? I’ll just hide them. Is that okay?”
“Okay. Just don’t let anyone see or they’ll confiscate or punish you.”
“I get it.” I dropped my bag on the bed and sat down. I exhaled heavily. “I can’t believe I’m here again. Welcome home to me.” I chuckled.
Celeste sat across from me.
“You look better now,” she said with her familiar gentle smile. “How are you, Astra? How was life with the clan you stayed in temporarily?”
“They were the best,” I answered proudly.
“Any place that’s not here is the best.”
I cleared my throat. I couldn’t hold it back anymore.
“Have you spoken to him again?” I finally asked.
She just shook her head.
“How about you, Celeste? How have you been?” I quickly changed the topic seeing her discomfort.
“Good.” She nodded. “I serve a Class A master. He treats me well. I became Head Servant thanks to him.”
I studied her expression. She was telling the truth. She didn’t look miserable at all. In fact, she seemed more at peace now that she was no longer serving Oscar.
“If you’re talking about Lord Oscar…” She shrugged. “He’s too far for me to reach now. I’m content just glimpsing him. I think his new slave treats him well too.”
“Good to know.”
My stomach growled again and we laughed. I left my things behind to follow Celeste. She asked where I was skilled, and I told her I could cook—so I asked to be assigned to the kitchen.
“This is Lady Astra,” Celeste introduced me to the head of the kitchen. “Is there still room for her?”
Lady Lena looked me over. “What’s your name, Lady?”
“I’m Astra, Lady Lena.”
She clearly knew me by her reaction.
“So… you’re the infamous slave of Brixton?”
I just smiled.
“Anyway, sure. You’re welcome here.” She looked around. “You can join the team. Planning to start today? Or tomorrow?”
“I think tomorrow’s better,” Celeste answered for me. “She just arrived.”
“I understand.”
After the introduction, Celeste pulled me to a table to get me food. Many servant women were staring at me.
“I’ll do it, Celeste,” I protested.
“No, Astra.”
“It’s embarrassing to be served by the Head Servant.”
“It’s nothing, don’t worry.”
I swallowed my embarrassment and started eating. I was so hungry I ate a lot, ignoring the curious stares from others.
Celeste excused herself for a moment.
I was drinking my first pack of blood for the day when a strange woman entered the kitchen. I didn’t know who she was, but judging by the servants’ reactions, she clearly held a high position.
She sat down at the table across from mine. The servants rushed to serve her food. She had that bitchy presence—the type of villain you'd find in a novel.
She must’ve noticed I was looking at her because she turned to me. My assumptions were confirmed when she raised an eyebrow. She stood up and moved over to my table.
“What’s your position?” she asked.
I knew she'd start mocking me if I said I was just a servant. But if I didn’t answer, it would probably irritate her more. I didn’t know my patience would already be tested on my first day back.
“She’s our new lady,” Lady Lena had apparently approached us.
“A slave?” she raised her brows.
“That’s right, Miss Christy Morales.”
Morales? Could this bitch be the daughter of the former leader, Lord Morales, of the Phoenix Clan—which is now led by Lady Grenda? I mean... it’s possible. She definitely looked spoiled and her attitude reeked of privilege.
“Kidding,” she chuckled. “I know her. Duh. Astralla Martin of the Nightfall Clan.”
I finished the last drop of blood from my pouch and was ready to leave any second. Celeste arrived then, visibly surprised at Christy’s presence. I frowned.
What’s going on between them?
“What do you want, Miss Morales?” Celeste asked.
“I just want to talk with Astra.” She grinned. She grabbed a straw and stuck it into a blood bag, sipping with one finger elegantly raised. “You were once under Brixton. How does he taste?”
I still didn’t answer.
“You know what? I can get any man I want. It’s always been easy for me. And... I also want to try him. So tell me, Miss Martin—was he worth it?”
“He’s not like any other man you’ve had before,” I replied.
She froze mid-sip. Instead of getting insulted, she laughed.
“Excellent! That’s what I want to hear.”
“Let’s go, Lady Astra,” Celeste urged me.
“I bet he tastes better than Lord Oscar,” Christy said.
I immediately looked at Celeste, who had frozen.
Christy giggled. “Lord Oscar is... wild. A rough monster in bed.”
I knew it. This woman knew something. She knew about Oscar and Celeste. She was trying to make Celeste uncomfortable. Oh, God—she’s even worse than I imagined.
“I can tell the last woman he shared a bed with bored him. What a lame woman. Lord Oscar doesn’t deserve that!”
That’s it.
I stood up and pulled Celeste out of there. I could feel her hand trembling in mine.
When we were far enough, I turned to face her. “Are you okay?”
She didn’t answer.
“Don’t mind her. She’s clearly trying to provoke you. Oscar wouldn’t go for someone like her,” I tried to reassure her.
“Why not?” she laughed bitterly. “She’s gorgeous.”
I sighed. “Can you please tell me who that woman really is?”
“She’s Christy Morales, daughter of former Lord Morales of the Phoenix Clan—Lady Grenda’s current husband. They also call her the Princess of Diamond.”
“Wait. What?”
“Yup.”
“So… she’s also Lady Grenda’s daughter?”
Celeste laughed and shook her head. “No. Lady Grenda and Lord Morales never had children. Christy is Lord Morales’s daughter from a previous marriage.”
“Incest…” I cringed.
“Not at all.”
I just rolled my eyes. I hadn’t even made it through half a day here, and I’d already met some truly unpleasant characters: that spoiled brat Nigel from the Hezueras Clan, and now this bitch Christy Morales from the Phoenix Clan. Who else was going to make the list?
Celeste gave me a tour of the new areas inside the Mansion of the Nightfall Clan. Each allied clan had its own camp now. The entire Nightfall estate was being used to accommodate them.
The seven major clans that had joined Nightfall were:
Phoenix Clan
Barbarian Clan
Hezueras Clan
Vienzara Clan
Behemoth Clan
Sentro Clan
Taurus Clan
They practically had seven of the ten most powerful clans.
We toured until late afternoon.
“I need to go back, Astra,” Celeste said. “Head back to your dorm to rest. Tomorrow starts your new life here in Nightfall.”
“Wait.”
“What is it?”
“I haven’t seen Erikson yet,” I pointed out.
She froze. “Y-you don’t know yet?”
“Know what?”
“I’ll take you to him.”
I followed Celeste. As we walked into a dimly lit area, I understood why she hadn’t said anything earlier. My knees weakened at the sight of Erikson behind bars, sitting silently in the corner with his head bowed.
“E-Erikson…” my voice came out barely a whisper.
But it was enough for him to look up.
His brows furrowed as he recognized me.
“Astra?”
Something clogged my throat, and I looked away. I turned to Celeste. “H-how long has he been locked up?”
“Since you left…”
I swallowed hard.
“Astra? Is that really you?”
So that’s why he never visited me—not even once.
Erikson walked up to the bars. His face was dirty, and I could feel the sadness radiating from him.
Tears welled in his eyes, but he managed to smile.
“E-Erikson…”
“Welcome back… friend.”