[But one day, everything changed.]
[When Alice turned 15, Nero began to behave differently. It started subtly at first—an unexpected compliment here, a rare moment of eye contact there. Then came the grand banquet, lavish and magnificent, held in her honor. Nero had spared no expense. The palace shimmered with golden lanterns, musicians played melodies that echoed through the marble halls, and servants buzzed about with trays of delicacies and wine. All the dukes, counts, and nobles of the empire were present.]
[For the first time in her life, Alice stood beside her father not as an outcast or obligation—but as his daughter. Nero placed his hand gently on her shoulder, looked into her eyes, and smiled. Then he embraced her.]
[That moment was seared into Alice's memory.]
[She was no longer the girl who wandered the halls alone, ignored by her father and pitied by the maids. She was the emperor's daughter. He had acknowledged her.]
[The warmth of his touch, the tenderness in his gaze—it was everything she had yearned for, and her heart swelled with joy. A smile lit up her face so brightly that it seemed to outshine even the chandeliers overhead.]
[The banquet continued with laughter and celebration. Nero introduced her with pride to the gathered nobles. That night, Alice danced, laughed, and lived like the royal princess she truly was. And in the crowd, not a single person dared speak ill of her. After all, she had the emperor's favor.]
But as Love narrated this story, there was no joy in her voice. Only disgust—cold and bitter.
Yet Nyx, hearing all this, was smiling. His expression was soft, almost peaceful. Though he had not lived those moments, though his connection to Alice was indirect, her happiness touched him. The image of a young girl finally embraced by her father—his father—stirred something in him.
As if his grandfather had, for the first time, called his mother his daughter.
As if his father had, for the first time, called his sister his daughter.
It was as if, through her, he too had been acknowledged.
But beneath that smile, something nagged at his heart. A faint unease. He knew this happiness would not last.
'Wait.'
'it's a little absurd thought.'
He was thinking about it then Love's voice came again.
[Keep quiet and listen.]
"Alright, forget about that," Nyx muttered, brushing away the creeping dread.
Love ignored his comment and continued, her voice now sharper:
[He started loving Alice as though he saw Bryanne in her.]
That was Love's interpretation.
[ The dead empress had left a void in Nero's heart, and perhaps, in Alice's laughter, her stubbornness, or her grace, he glimpsed the woman he had loved and lost.]
[That year became the happiest year of Alice's life. The love she had begged the gods for finally found her. She trained under Nero's watchful eye. They practiced swordsmanship, rode horses together, dined together. Nero would skip court meetings just to sit beside her and read poetry. Their bond seemed unbreakable. Months passed like fleeting dreams, each one more beautiful than the last.]
[But after every high comes the fall.]
Love's voice darkened.
[The good days pass so swiftly, like birds in flight. But when the darkness arrives, it drags its feet, turning moments into eternities. That eternity came knocking on Alice's sixteenth birthday.]
[Just like the previous year, Nero hosted a banquet. The halls gleamed once again, though this time they seemed even grander. The empire's most powerful nobles arrived adorned in jewels and silks. Music and laughter filled the palace.]
[Nero stood beside Alice, proud and affectionate. He introduced her again to all the nobles and toasted to her health.]
[During the celebration, Nero leaned toward his daughter and asked, "What would you like for your birthday, my dear?"]
[Alice, smiling brightly, replied, "I want the coming years of my life to be just as beautiful as this past year, and with my papa."]
[Nero's eyes softened. "The coming years won't just be as good as the last—they'll be even better, my child."]
[He patted her back, and the party went on.]
Nyx was lost in the tale. A big smile dancing on his face. it felt like his father hadn't pierced a sword through his chest—but a flower.
"Wow... a flower through the chest... forget it."
Love's tone changed again, now full of revulsion.
[After the banquet, as guests departed and the palace emptied, only Nero and Alice remained in the hall. They talked, laughed, and lingered. The servants had cleaned up and retired. The lamps dimmed, casting a warm glow across the silent chamber.]
[It was late, the stars veiled by clouds.]
[There was no moon that night.]
["It was a new moon night,"] Love said quietly.
["Just like tonight."]
"But it's daytime right now," Nyx interjected.
Love's voice snapped.
["When night falls, there will be no moon… and please, stop interrupting me."]
"Okay okay, go on." Nyx yawned.
[Nero walked Alice back toward their chambers but paused outside his own.]
["I want to spend a little more time with you tonight," he said.]
[Alice's face lit up with joy. "Of course, father."]
[Inside the emperor's chamber, the two sat and spoke a while longer. Nero poured wine for them both. They laughed, shared memories, and spoke of the future.]
[Then, Nero ordered all the servants and guards away, saying he wished for peace and privacy. No one questioned the emperor.]
[Now they were alone.]
[Alice was glowing with happiness. She looked at her father with the innocence and trust of a child.]
[But Nero's smile had faded. His face was cold, his eyes hard.]
[And then... ]
"And then?" Nyx asked, leaning forward.
[To be continued...]
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