The grand hall buzzed with music and laughter, filled with elegantly dressed guests mingling under chandeliers of gold. Nathaira stood near the corner with her friends, Fayra and Zola, who were unusually quiet tonight.
Each of them was lost in thought—especially Fayra and Zola. Their mother's words echoed in their minds. All their lives, they had strived to never disappoint her. But tonight, they had made a silent vow: no matter what happens, we won't lay a finger on Nora. For once, they were not plotting. Instead, they were watching over Nathaira from a distance, ensuring she remained untouched by the darkness that usually followed them.
Elsewhere in the mansion, Nora was with Asher. The little boy looked exhausted. His eyes drooped, and his small shoulders sagged from a long day.
"You should sit down," she told him gently.
He nodded and sat on a nearby bench. Just then, Zayan was walking past, but paused when he noticed the boy sitting alone. Something about Asher's energy pulled him in. Zayan turned and walked toward him.
Asher stared at the floor, murmuring to himself, "How am I going to tell Nora… that I'm going to die soon? I don't have enough time. But at least… at least I can be with her a little longer."
Zayan raised an eyebrow and sat beside him. "What do you mean you're going to die, little boy?"
Startled, Asher looked up. His eyes widened at the tall, imposing man beside him, but he sighed and decided to speak.
"A few weeks ago, I passed out and ended up in the hospital. Nana almost called Nora, but I stopped her. The doctor said I…" His voice broke. "I didn't want her to worry. She's always been there for me. She's been like a mother since I was a baby."
Asher chuckled softly, a bitter smile on his lips.
Zayan's gaze softened. He could feel the pain this child carried. "What's your name?"
"Asher," he replied. "And you, mister?"
"Zayan," he said simply. "I own this mansion."
Asher's eyes widened. "Wait… You're King Zayan?" He quickly bowed his head. "I'm so sorry, sir."
"It's alright," Zayan said, amused. "Tell me, Asher… is there no way out for you? Because from what I see, she really loves you. Like a mother."
The little boy smiled sadly. "I don't know… I haven't gone back to the hospital."
"Why?" Zayan asked, leaning in slightly.
"The orphanage doesn't have the money… and I don't know if Nora has any either. So… I just didn't go back."
Zayan nodded slowly, thinking. Then he said, "How about this—after the party, I'll come by the orphanage and take you for a check-up. Let's see what we can do to get you better."
"Really?" Asher's eyes lit up.
"Yeah," Zayan replied. "And I promise you—Nora will be happy if you tell her everything. No more hiding, okay?"
Without warning, Asher threw his arms around Zayan in a hug, then quickly stepped back. He coughed suddenly—hard—until a splatter of blood stained his hand.
"S…S…Sorry," he whispered, his face pale.
Zayan's expression tightened. He knelt down and gently wiped the blood from the boy's mouth with his handkerchief. "It's fine, Ash. Just hold on a little longer."
In that moment, Zayan silently vowed to do everything in his power to save this child—because sometimes, even devils have hearts.