CHAPTER 355: THE QUIET CORRIDOR

The Quiet Corridor

The sound of their footsteps hung faintly, devoured by the quiet of the great corridor. Leon accompanied Nova, the sole two individuals making way through that sweeping, resplendent hall. The very air was thick, near religious, as if no other heart would intrude here. No servant hurried by, no soldier guarded—none but they, their presence reaching against the vacancy.

The corridor was breathtaking. Glossy marble floors gleamed with the light of hanging chandeliers that seemed like crystalline suns above them, each glass bead scattering bits of brilliance on the walls. Golden filigree edged the pillars, and delicate paintings of stars and moons on the arched ceiling created an illusion that heaven itself had stooped low to view them. The scent of sandalwood smoldered faintly from concealed braziers, warm but held in check, like an unobserved hand leading them forward.

But Leon’s forehead creased. His golden eyes, as sharp as molten steel, ran over the silence once more. Something nagged him. Ever since he had entered this mansion, he hadn’t caught even one ordinary guard or attendant. His battle-honed instincts warned him that this was not coincidence.

Nova, walking beside him with her emerald eyes flashing to him under long lashes, noticed the change in his face. The slight furrowing of his brow, the too-long scanning of his eyes. She smiled and tilted her head towards him.

"Something troubles you, dear?" her voice, soft but sharpened with awareness, broke the silence.

Leon shook his head once, not halting his pace. "Nothing. Just thinking..." His eyes darted again down the seemingly infinite stretch of marble and gilded glass. "...odd, though. Not a single guard or servant anywhere in view. Nearly as though the entire wing was deserted."

Nova’s smile went deeper, sly but loving. "That’s because I sent them all away."

Leon shifted his gaze to her, a quick flash of surprise passing over his face. She matched it with a level gaze, almost bantering, though there was underlying calculation in the upward turn of her lips.

She went on, her tone sweet with pride. "Over here, your other wives are quartered. If common maids or soldiers came in and found them by chance, their presence would be more trouble than you can imagine. I ushered everyone away to prevent even the slightest. accident."

Leon raised a brow. "All of them?"

"All of them," Nova replied quickly. "And I substituted them with my most faithful soldiers—men and women pledged to me through blood contracts. No foreigner can penetrate without my approval. No betrayal is conceivable here."

"You," he grumbled, a low laugh escaping. "Always one step ahead. I didn’t expect it."

Nova’s cheeks flushed at that, though she maintained her stride even and refined, her fingers trailing the cloth of her dress as if her heart wasn’t racing faster because of his compliment. "Of course you did. That’s why you need me.

They continued walking, turning left, then right, their way twisting through the endless corridors until finally they came to a halt in front of a pair of imposing double doors. The room ahead of them was different from the others—two massive gates with moonlight patterns carved into them, silver roses and vines twisted about the wood, as if protecting something precious inside.

Nova came to a slow halt. Her emerald eyes softened, her smile fading into something gentler. She turned toward Leon, her silver hair catching the chandelier’s glow like strands of starlight. "Here," she whispered. "She’s inside."

Leon’s brow rose. "You’re not coming with me?"

Nova nodded her head, smile coming back weak but loving. "No. Mia requires you more. She’s. lonely. Sad. Even with all of us here, I can see the reflection in her eyes. She needs warmth that you alone can provide. Go. Spend time with her.

Leon’s golden eyes relaxed, his lips quivering into a thin, inscrutable smile. He reached out suddenly, sweeping Nova into his arms. Her body tightened at the sudden move, her lips parting to protest—but then his mouth slammed against hers.

"Mnhhh—!" Nova’s muffled sound dissolved into a whimper as her lashes shut over her eyes. Shock gave way to submission, and she wrapped her arms tightly around his chest, the world reducing to the warmth of his mouth and the hard thud of his heart. She forgot the mansion, the obligations, even herself.

When he finally released her, her emerald eyes shone dazed.

"Thank you, wifey," Leon murmured, his voice rough with sincerity. "For understanding."

Nova’s lips curved, foolishly, helplessly, like a girl drunk on her first love. "It’s my pleasure."

Leon chuckled, brushing his thumb across her cheek before stepping back. "Now go. Do your work. I’ll take care of her."

Nova held back by a heartbeat, then turned lazily on her heels, humming a merry tune as she moved off with a breezy smile. "Okey-dokey," she threw over her shoulder without pausing, her tone ringing like bells.

Leon sighed, smiling. "This girl..." A laugh shook in his chest. Then he took a deep breath, striding back toward the big door.

His palm pressed against the cold silver designs. "Now... Mia." His mind flashed on her for a moment—her beauty once worshipped by everyone, now shrouded in rumors about her sickness. And beyond that, an even vaguer form: a woman with a face gone fuzzy—Mia’s mother. Cassidy Starlight. A shadow that haunted his mind like smoke.

On the bed, sitting upright in a flowing black robe, was a woman whose presence pulled at his heart. Black hair, glimmering like midnight silk, fell down her shoulders. Her eyes, dark and black as obsidian, appeared to be gazing downward, her plump face bearing that fine balance of beauty and innocence that was Mia’s alone.

By her side, reclining against the pillows, was another woman. Silver-grey hair spilled across the bed, her radiance unmistakable even through the pallor of her complexion. Cassidy Starlight—Mia’s mother. Her lips were parched, her face pale, her breathing shallow as she rested under a warm grey blanket.

Leon’s lips curled weakly at first—relief, affection. But the smile vanished as suddenly as it appeared. Something was not right. The air here was... off. Unnatural. Since the moment he stepped inside the door, the room pressed against his sensibilities.

His eyes narrowed. Mia hadn’t moved. Ever. She sat motionless at her mother’s side, not even looking at him as he entered.

A scowl crossed his face. She didn’t see me?

His boots sounded softly on the tiles as he advanced. Still, no response. Her eyes stayed focused straight ahead, as if she were a statue hewn from flesh.

Leon’s stomach churned. He accelerated his pace, his footsteps ringing harder, more sharply. Still nothing. No movement of her eyes, no quiver of her lips.

"Mia," he whispered reaching her side. He put a hand on her shoulder and gave her the slightest shake.

The reply came not in movement but in collapse. Her body slid to the side, dropping down onto the bed as if every string that kept her standing had been severed.

"Mia—!" Leon’s eyes widened in terror, panic cutting through him. His voice was raw and urgent, shattering the stillness. He caught her as she collapsed, his hands shaking as he cradled her motionless body.

She didn’t move.

"Mia! Wake up!" His voice shook into a shout, fear crashing through him like a tidal wave.

And for the first time in years, Leon felt his heart jolt into a crazy, desperate panic.