TWO WEEKS OF SILENCE
It had been two weeks since Nistarini and the members of the ancient clan had arrived in Russia to meet Lilith Mhaira Beneva Devereaux
Two weeks had passed since Lilith had discovered that an entire world had existed beyond everything she had ever known about herself
Two weeks since she had learned about the ancient bloodline that claimed her as its Queen
Two weeks since she had been told that her birth had been tied to promises made before she could understand the meaning of a promise
And two weeks since she had discovered that people she had never met had spent generations waiting for her
Yet despite all the explanations and all the stories she had heard Lilith had not completely accepted the reality of what had happened
She had avoided her mother
She had avoided Nistarini
She had avoided the people who had travelled all the way to Russia to see her
Whenever they entered a room she found a reason to leave
Whenever someone attempted to begin a conversation about the ancient clan she immediately redirected the discussion towards something else
And whenever Riyana tried to speak to her privately Lilith would quietly excuse herself and return to her responsibilities
It was not because she had stopped loving her mother
It was because she was still trying to understand how someone she loved so deeply could have kept such an enormous secret from her
She needed time
She needed answers
And most importantly she needed to decide what she wanted her future to become
The truth had not changed who she was but it had forced her to reconsider everything she had believed about her past
She was still Lilith
She was still a student
She was still a wife and a mother
She still had a restaurant to manage and a family to protect
She still had her responsibilities in the underworld and the dangerous territories that had come under her control
And she still had ambitions that existed entirely outside the ancient clan
But now another identity had been placed before her
Beneva
The name that generations had protected
The Queen they had waited for
The woman whose existence had become the centre of an ancient dynasty's expectations
Lilith had spent the last two weeks attending to her tests at school and concentrating on her studies
She was determined not to allow the revelations to destroy the academic goals she had worked so hard to achieve
If anything she wanted to prove to herself that she could still control her own life
Nobody would decide what she became simply because of her bloodline
Nobody would tell her that her future belonged to them
And nobody would use her daughters to secure the position they believed she had been born to inherit
She had already made one decision
Whatever happened next her children would have the freedom she had sometimes struggled to find for herself
That morning Lilith was sitting comfortably in her room when a tiny sound caught her attention
She looked down
Hereena was crawling towards her
The little girl moved with determination her tiny hands pressing against the floor while her legs pushed her forward
She had apparently decided that her mother had been sitting alone for far too long
Lilith immediately smiled
Hmm?
She murmured
Hereena reached her mother and lifted both hands making grabbing motions
Lilith leaned forward and picked her up
My laddo
She whispered affectionately
She kissed both of Hereena's cheeks
Hereena immediately giggled
Her little hands reached for her mother's face as though she wanted to make certain that Lilith was paying attention to her and nobody else
Lilith laughed softly
What happened to my little princess this morning?
She asked
Hereena responded with an excited little sound
Lilith kissed her cheek again and settled her against her chest
For a few precious moments the ancient clan and its expectations disappeared from her mind
There was no Supreme Matriarch
There was no ancestral throne
There were no ancient promises waiting to be fulfilled
There was only a mother and her baby
And Lilith treasured every second of it
MAMA'S LITTLE GIRL
The bedroom door opened after Nikolai had finished waking up and taking his bath
He entered wearing comfortable morning clothes with his hair still slightly damp
The moment he saw Lilith holding Hereena his expression softened
Good morning Bambi
He greeted her in his deep morning voice
Lilith looked up
Good morning Nikki
She answered
Nikolai approached the bed and leaned down to kiss her
Lilith returned the kiss
Their lips met slowly and tenderly before they separated with small smiles he grabbed her plum soft ass rubbing them
Nikolai rested his forehead against hers for a moment
Then he turned towards Hereena
The little girl immediately looked at him
He smiled
Good morning to you too my princess
He whispered
Hereena responded by pushing against him with her little hands
Nikolai blinked
Excuse me?
He asked
Hereena made another sound
Mhmmm
She said while tapping her own chest and then pointing towards Lilith
Nikolai looked at her
Then he looked at Lilith
Then he looked back at his daughter
Oh your mama?
He asked
Hereena cooed happily
Nikolai placed a hand against his chest as though the little girl had deeply offended him
But she is my wife
He declared
Hereena stared at him with her large eyes
Nikolai continued speaking as though he were negotiating with a very important person
Your mama is my wife sweetheart You can have her hugs and kisses but remember that I was here first
Lilith burst into laughter
Nikki!
She exclaimed
What?
He asked innocently
I am explaining the situation to my daughter
Lilith shook her head
You are unbelievable
Nikolai grinned
Hereena continued staring at him
Then her little mouth moved
M… M… M… Mama!
She said
Lilith froze
For a moment she genuinely believed she had misheard her daughter
Her eyes widened
Nikolai stopped smiling
Both parents stared at the baby
What did you say baby?
Lilith whispered
Hereena looked at her mother
Then she gave her a gummy smile
M… Mama!
She repeated
Lilith gasped
Oh my God!
Her voice trembled with happiness
Nikolai's expression changed immediately
He looked at Hereena and then at Lilith
Did you hear that?
He asked
Lilith nodded quickly
Hereena bounced excitedly in her mother's arms
Mama!
She said again
Nikolai immediately began clapping
Awww you said Mama love!
He exclaimed
Then he turned towards the baby
Yayyy!
He cheered
Hereena looked at him and began clapping too
Nikolai laughed
Lilith stared at her daughter
Her eyes filled with tears
She had heard her other children reach their milestones and had celebrated every little achievement with the same overwhelming love
But every child had their own moment
Every first word was special
Every new discovery reminded her how quickly their little lives were unfolding
Hereena had just called her Mama
And Lilith could barely contain her emotions
Oh love
Nikolai whispered
He moved closer and wrapped his arms around his wife and daughter
He kissed Lilith's forehead
Hereena giggled between them
Lilith kissed the baby's forehead repeatedly while tears slipped down her cheeks
My baby
She whispered
My sweet little girl
Hereena reached towards her mother's face
Nikolai watched them with a tender expression
For all the power he possessed and all the dangerous responsibilities that occupied his life there were few things that could affect him as deeply as seeing his wife happy
And there were even fewer things more precious than watching their daughters grow
He kissed Lilith's temple
You see Bambi She knows who her favourite person is
Lilith turned towards him
Oh really?
She asked
Nikolai nodded confidently
Of course
Lilith smiled through her tears
Then she kissed Hereena's cheek again
Hereena responded with another happy little sound
And for that morning the three of them remained together enjoying a moment that neither parent would ever forget
THE LIPSTICK INCIDENT
At school Lilith was standing in front of a mirror when Wiktor appeared nearby
She was checking her appearance before the next part of her day began
Wiktor glanced at her reflection
She said Mama?
He asked
Lilith turned towards him
Yeah
She replied with a smile
Wiktor shook his head in disbelief
That is adorable
He commented
Lilith smiled proudly
Then she narrowed her eyes at him
And by the way did you teach Mila how to apply lipstick?
She asked
Wiktor immediately smirked
Of course
He answered without hesitation
Lilith stared at him
Wiktor continued
We looked so pretty Lily
Lilith closed her eyes
Oh my God
She muttered
Wiktor laughed
What?
He asked
It was the latest shade
Lilith slowly turned towards him
Really?
She asked
Wiktor nodded with complete confidence
Lilith stared at him for another moment before shaking her head
That is why my lipstick was completely gone last night
She exclaimed
Wiktor burst into laughter
Lilith began laughing too
You are both impossible
She complained
Wiktor leaned against the nearby counter
Mila has excellent taste
He declared
Lilith gave him a look
She is a child
Wiktor shrugged
A child with taste
Lilith covered her face with one hand
I cannot believe you
She said between laughs
Wiktor continued grinning
The conversation helped lift her mood before her tests began
For a little while she could forget the ancient clan and the expectations that had followed her into Russia
She could simply be a student laughing with her friend about an innocent household incident
And she needed that normality more than she wanted to admit
Soon the students were called to begin their tests
Lilith gathered her belongings and prepared herself
Whatever else was happening in her life she was not going to allow it to interfere with her education
She had worked too hard to get here
And she intended to finish what she had started
THE CEO AND HIS LITTLE GIRLS
Meanwhile at Nikolai's office preparations were underway for an interview
The latest blogger had arrived alongside representatives from an international news organisation
The interview was expected to attract considerable attention because Nikolai rarely discussed his private life publicly
He was known for his business dealings his influence and his intimidating reputation
But his marriage remained a subject of endless curiosity
People wanted to know about the woman who had managed to capture the attention of one of the most formidable men in their world
They wanted to know why he was so protective of her
They wanted to know why her face was rarely seen publicly
And above all they wanted to know how she had managed to hide seven babies from him during her pregnancy
Nikolai sat in his office as the interviewer entered
Good morning sir
The woman greeted him
Her name was Svetlana
Nikolai nodded politely
Good morning
He replied
Behind her the production team began preparing the cameras and equipment
At the same time Nikolai was pushing a stroller into the office
His daughters were with him
Svetlana immediately noticed the children
Her expression brightened
Hello beautiful girls
She greeted them
The girls giggled
Svetlana looked towards Nikolai
They are adorable sir
She said
Thank you
Nikolai answered proudly
Damian Rathore entered shortly afterward and helped settle the girls in the designated play area inside Nikolai's office
The space had been arranged so that the children could remain comfortable while their father completed his interview
There were toys and blankets and everything they needed for the short time they would spend there
Damian checked that each child was settled before returning towards Nikolai
The interview team finished preparing their cameras
Nikolai adjusted his position and looked towards Svetlana
Whenever you are ready
He said
Svetlana smiled
We are ready sir
Before the interview officially began Nikolai glanced towards Damian
Hereena called Lily Mama this morning
He announced
Damian stopped
His eyes widened
Really baby?
He asked in surprise
Hereena looked towards him and giggled
Damian immediately smiled
Good job princess
He said
He leaned towards her and gently touched her little hand
The baby responded by grabbing his finger
Damian laughed softly
The scene brought smiles to the people nearby
Then the camera operator gave the signal that everything was ready
Svetlana took her seat opposite Nikolai
The interview began
THE INTERVIEW THAT EVERYONE WANTED
Svetlana looked directly at Nikolai
Good morning again Mr Devereaux Thank you for giving us your time today
She began
Nikolai nodded
You are welcome
Svetlana smiled
There are several questions people have been asking about your personal life and we thought it would be interesting to hear your perspective directly
She explained
Nikolai leaned back slightly
Go ahead
He replied
Svetlana checked her notes
The first question concerns your marriage How is married life treating you? People want to know more about your wife and why her face is usually covered or kept away from public attention
She paused briefly
And perhaps the biggest question of all is how she managed to hide seven babies from you
The production team exchanged amused glances
Nikolai stared at Svetlana for a moment
Then he laughed
Well my wife does not want to go public even though I would like her to
He explained
But she does not want to be a public figure and I respect that decision
He adjusted his watch
My wife is sometimes peaceful but nobody should ever make that woman angry
Svetlana began laughing
Nikolai continued with a completely serious expression
She is a loving mother and a wonderful wife Even when she hits me with a shoe I still love her
The entire team burst into laughter
Svetlana covered her mouth
She hits you with a shoe?
She asked
Nikolai nodded
Yes
He answered
Svetlana laughed harder
Why?
Nikolai looked towards the camera
Sometimes I ask questions that I should not ask
He admitted
The room erupted into another round of laughter
Nikolai smiled
But I love her
He added
And I would not change her for anything
Svetlana's expression softened
It was clear that beneath his intimidating reputation Nikolai spoke about his wife with genuine affection
He did not seem embarrassed by her temper or her refusal to live her life publicly
Instead he spoke as though her independence was something he deeply respected
Svetlana glanced at her notes again
What about the babies?
She asked
Nikolai immediately covered his face with one hand
Oh my God
He muttered
The team laughed
When I was busy with work everyone in the family knew except me
He explained
They all knew that my wife was expecting seven girls and somehow they all decided that I did not need to know
Svetlana stared at him
Everyone?
She asked
Everyone
Nikolai confirmed
My wife kept it a secret every time I asked her whether we were having twins
He paused and shook his head
I would ask her Are you sure we are not having twins?
Then this woman would look at me with the most innocent face imaginable and say No the baby has a mansion in my tummy
Svetlana burst into laughter
Nikolai looked directly at the camera
And I was sitting there thinking Excuse me?
The production team could barely contain their laughter
Svetlana wiped the corner of her eye
I cannot believe this
She said
Nikolai nodded
Neither could I
He replied
Then he continued with the story
When she went into labour my first daughter Mila kept telling me Dada there is a big surprise for you
He paused
Everyone was acting strangely but I did not understand what was happening
Svetlana leaned forward
What happened when the babies were born?
She asked
Nikolai looked at her
When my wife gave the final push the midwife announced that there were multiple babies
He explained
I was standing there completely confused My wife was pulling my hair and yelling at me while I tried to understand what was happening
Svetlana laughed
Nikolai shook his head
After the birth they told me there were seven girls
He said
And I passed out
The room erupted into laughter
Svetlana leaned back in her chair
You passed out?
She repeated
Nikolai nodded
I passed out
He confirmed
I did not even have time to process what had happened
He looked at the camera
Imagine working every day thinking that you are going to have one or perhaps two babies and then discovering that you have seven daughters
He spread his hands
Like I really have seven girls?
He asked again
The team laughed with him
Svetlana shook her head
That must have been an unforgettable day
It was
Nikolai agreed
But I would not trade any of them for anything in the world
His expression softened
Those girls are my entire heart
He said
And their mother is the reason my world became so much bigger than I ever expected
For a moment the interview became quieter
Svetlana looked at him with genuine warmth
The production team continued recording
The conversation moved towards other questions about his business his responsibilities and the challenges of balancing his professional life with fatherhood
Nikolai answered each question carefully
He spoke about the importance of family and the need to respect his wife's privacy
He explained that although people were curious about his marriage there were boundaries he would never allow the public to cross
His daughters were not public property
His wife was not a public spectacle
And his family life was something he intended to protect
By the time the interview ended the atmosphere had become relaxed
Svetlana thanked him for his time
Nikolai nodded
The cameras were switched off and the team began packing their equipment
Damian returned to the play area and checked on the girls
Nikolai looked towards them with a smile
His morning had been busy
But there was still one person he wanted to see
His wife
THE GROUP ASSIGNMENTS
At school the students had finished their tests
They were beginning to relax when Ms Anja entered the classroom carrying a list
Good morning everyone
She greeted them
The students responded together
Ms Anja placed the list on her desk and looked around the room
Today I will be pairing you all into twelve groups so please listen carefully to your names and the groups you have been assigned to
She explained
The students immediately began paying attention
Some exchanged hopeful glances
Others whispered to their friends about who they wanted to work with
Ms Anja began reading the names aloud
She continued through the list while the students listened and noted their assignments
Wiktoria was placed in Group G
Wiktor was placed in Group A
Gloria was placed in Group H
Then Ms Anja reached the final group she needed to announce
For Group D
She read
Diana Zeno Tiffany Jennifer Bianca Dominik Peter Eduard Lilith Brown Monica Raul and Vasilisa
She finished reading the names and looked up
That is all
Ms Anja announced
The students began discussing their assignments
Lilith glanced towards her friends
Then her eyes moved towards Diana's group
The members of the group were also looking in her direction
For several seconds the two sides stared at one another coldly
Nobody smiled
Nobody attempted to hide the tension
Whatever happened during the group project would not be easy
The students had been assigned their topics and the information was shared with the designated group leaders
Each leader received the instructions and responsibilities associated with the project
Lilith took note of her group members
She knew that working with different personalities could be difficult
But she had learned long ago that she did not need to like everyone in order to complete a task successfully
She would focus on the work
She would do what was required
And she would not allow personal conflicts to distract her from her academic goals
The group assignments marked the beginning of another demanding part of the semester
For Lilith there was already enough happening outside school
She had no intention of creating unnecessary problems inside it
THE CONVERSATION WITH NISTARINI
Later that day Lilith returned to the main mansion
She had changed into comfortable clothes and was finally ready to have the conversation she had been avoiding for two weeks
Nistarini was sitting in the living room with her eyes closed
She appeared to be resting quietly
Lilith stopped in front of her
Oi!
She called
Nistarini's eyes opened immediately
Ji Beneva?
She responded
Lilith folded her arms
Let us talk You and me
She said
Nistarini studied her face
Then she stood up
The girls were in the pool enjoying their time together under the supervision of their caregivers
Lilith and Nistarini moved to a quieter seating area where they could speak without being interrupted
They sat opposite one another
For a moment neither woman spoke
Nistarini had waited generations for this meeting
Lilith had spent two weeks avoiding it
Now they were finally sitting together
And neither could afford to pretend that the conversation would be ordinary
Nistarini looked towards Lilith
Tell me
She said
Lilith took a deep breath
Tell me about the whole thing Every single thing Nothing left behind
She demanded
Her voice was controlled but firm
I want to know everything about the clan its history its rules its territories its rulers and why everyone believes I belong to them
Nistarini nodded slowly
She understood that Lilith would not accept vague explanations
She wanted the truth in its entirety
And if Nistarini wanted her cooperation she would have to begin by giving her the information she had requested
The older woman settled back in her chair
Then she began
We are the KAALANDHAKSHINI
She announced
The Eternal Sovereign of the Primordial Abyss
Lilith remained silent
Nistarini continued
Our clan existed long before the world knew how to record our history The name was preserved through generations of rulers and passed down among those who understood the true meaning of our bloodline
She paused briefly
Our ancestors lived in a world where power was not always written into laws or recorded in official documents Some kingdoms recognised their authority while others feared it Some sought alliances while others attempted to destroy them
Lilith listened carefully
Nistarini continued explaining the history of the clan
She spoke about the generations that had preceded them
She described the traditions that had shaped their identity and the ceremonies through which authority had been passed from one ruler to another
She explained that the clan had developed its own hierarchy and that its members had maintained their influence through loyalty alliances and carefully guarded knowledge
She told Lilith about the ancient territories and the people who lived under their protection
She explained that every territory had its own traditions and responsibilities
Some regions were known for their scholars
Others were known for their warriors
Some were famous for their artisans while others held the archives and records that preserved the clan's history
The oldest manuscripts were written in ancient Bengali and Sanskrit
They contained accounts of previous rulers their alliances their disputes and the customs that had survived for thousands of years
Nistarini explained the role of the Supreme Matriarch
The title was not merely ceremonial
It represented the highest authority within the clan
The Supreme Matriarch was expected to protect the people preserve their heritage and maintain order among the territories
She was responsible for making decisions that affected the entire clan
Her authority was respected because the position carried obligations as well as power
Nistarini explained that the previous rulers had all worn the ancient bangles that symbolised their connection to the dynasty
Each set contained symbols associated with territories and ancestral traditions
The bangles were not ordinary ornaments
They represented the continuity of the bloodline
They were reminders that each ruler inherited a responsibility that extended beyond personal ambition
Lilith listened without interrupting
Nistarini spoke about the clan's rise and its periods of hardship
She explained how rivalries had emerged between powerful families and how some rulers had been forced to make difficult decisions to protect their people
She told her about the traditions that had survived despite wars political changes and the disappearance of kingdoms that had once seemed impossible to destroy
She explained why the clan valued secrecy
Not every part of their history had been shared with outsiders
Some records had been preserved only by the oldest members of the bloodline
Some customs were known only to the ruling family
And some details had been hidden because the people who protected them believed that revealing everything would place the clan at risk
Nistarini spoke for hours
She did not leave out the uncomfortable parts
She told Lilith about the mistakes made by previous rulers
She described the betrayals that had weakened alliances and the decisions that had caused divisions within the family
She explained how the clan had lost territories and resources over the years
She also spoke about the people who had remained loyal when everything else had begun to fall apart
Lilith listened to every word
She asked questions whenever something was unclear
She demanded explanations whenever Nistarini attempted to move past a detail too quickly
And she refused to accept any answer that sounded like an excuse for the decisions that had shaped her life
The conversation continued for hours
By the time Nistarini finished Lilith had learned more about the ancient clan than she had ever imagined possible
Yet the more she learned the more she understood the scale of the responsibility being placed before her
This was not simply a family secret
It was an entire system of authority
A legacy that had survived across generations
And a position that would affect thousands of people if she accepted it
Lilith sat quietly for a moment
Then she reached for her cup of milk
She took a slow sip and placed it back on the table
Nistarini watched her carefully
She knew that the next words would determine the future of their relationship
THE QUEEN'S TERMS
Lilith took another deep breath
Then she looked directly at Nistarini
Well
She began
I am still in school and I have not completed my master's degree I run a restaurant I have my family and I am the leader of a mafia group I also own dangerous territories in Russia
She paused
Now I am a…
Lilith looked at Nistarini with a disbelieving expression
A Queen born to rule
She finished
Nistarini nodded
Lilith let out a quiet breath
Mumma told me things about you too
She continued
Cunning betrayal evil and many other things that I hate
Nistarini remained silent
Lilith leaned forward
I do not care whether you practise black magic or believe in ancient rituals I am not here to argue about what you believe in I am here to make one thing clear
Her voice became colder
I have eight children Seven of them are six months old and nobody in Russia knows that I am Nikolai's lawful wife
She paused to let the statement settle
I am one of the biggest secrets in this world
Her eyes hardened
Nobody should bring my family into anything
She leaned back
If anyone has a problem with me they can come face to face with me
She looked directly at Nistarini
If you want your Queen I accept the throne
For the first time since the conversation began Nistarini appeared completely still
Lilith continued
I am Lilith Mhaira Beneva
She declared
You are all in my house also known as the House of Nocturne
Her voice carried absolute certainty
I am the Supreme Matriarch
My word is law within my house
She paused
So tell your girls and your people my rules Then I will give you what you want as long as you give me your undying loyalty and stand by my side
Nistarini stared at her
For generations she had imagined what Beneva would be like
She had wondered whether the young woman would be easily influenced by the ancient traditions
She had wondered whether she would require guidance before accepting her position
She had wondered whether the weight of the title would frighten her into seeking approval from the older members of the clan
But Lilith was not asking for permission
She was setting terms
She was making it clear that accepting the throne did not mean surrendering her independence
And she was demanding loyalty in return for the authority she intended to exercise
Nistarini finally understood something she had not fully appreciated before
She could not control Lilith
Not through tradition
Not through the weight of the past
And not through the expectations of the clan
The woman sitting before her was willing to accept the throne but she would do so on her own terms
Nistarini lowered her gaze briefly
Then Lilith spoke again
Tell me what do you want?
She asked
Nistarini hesitated
I… I…
She struggled to find the words
Lilith's expression softened slightly
Do not be afraid Tell me
She encouraged her
Nistarini looked up
I want a position and a territory It is a powerful position and I want it
She admitted
Lilith considered the request
Is that all?
She asked
Nistarini nodded
Lilith remained silent for a moment
Then she gave a small nod of her own
Hmm Okay
She said
You want it in your hands Of course you can have it under your control under one condition
Nistarini leaned forward
Tell me Beneva
She said
Lilith's gaze became serious
The entire tribe The entire clan Everything belongs under my authority now correct?
She asked
Nistarini nodded slowly
Lilith continued
Then I want your loyalty Not words Loyalty through your actions
Her voice was calm but unmistakably firm
I will rule I will take care of everyone I will protect those who are loyal to me And I will stop whatever threatens the clan and the people under my protection
She paused
I will not allow anyone to use the clan's history as an excuse to harm innocent people or control my family
Nistarini stared at her
Lilith continued
You will follow the laws we establish You will respect my decisions You will not use my daughters to secure your position You will not interfere with my marriage or my education And you will not expect me to abandon my responsibilities simply because I have accepted this throne
Nistarini listened carefully
The conditions were clear
Lilith was not offering her a position without accountability
She was offering her a place within a new order
An order in which loyalty would have to be demonstrated rather than demanded
Nistarini finally stood up
She looked towards the adjoining room
Then she walked inside
Lilith remained seated
She waited patiently
Approximately one minute later Nistarini returned carrying an ancient box
The box was heavy and appeared to have been preserved with extraordinary care
Its surface bore the marks of age
The decorations were intricate and the material looked as though it had been protected from the elements for generations
Nistarini approached Lilith
Then she placed the box on the table and opened it
Inside lay the Ancient Blood Eclipse Bangle Set
THE ANCIENT BLOOD ECLIPSE BANGLE SET
The Ancient Blood Eclipse Bangle Set had been forged thousands of years earlier from oxidized black metal deep crimson red metal and aged sterling silver
It had been passed down through countless generations of ancient rulers and kept sacred within the bloodline for millennia
Each bangle bore intricate carvings of forgotten Indian and Bengali symbols
Ancient serpents wound through the designs
Blood moons appeared beside black lotuses
Forbidden runes from civilizations that had vanished before recorded history were engraved into the metal
The oxidized black surface carried the appearance of a relic touched by centuries of darkness
The crimson red engravings resembled ancient blood sealed beneath the metal
The silver markings glimmered with an eerie cold brilliance
At the centre of the set rested a blood red gemstone encased in blackened silver thorns
The gemstone represented eternal dominion ancestral power and an unbreakable royal legacy
The bangles were extraordinarily ancient heavy and magnificent
Their original craftsmanship was considered impossible to recreate in the modern age
According to forbidden ancestral legends the set had been created by the first Supreme Ruler of the ancient dynasty and blessed through rituals known only to the oldest bloodline
Its existence had been concealed from the outside world
Its true history had been preserved in forbidden manuscripts written in ancient Bengali and Sanskrit
The complete set was considered a sacred symbol of absolute authority inherited power and an ancient legacy feared for thousands of years
Nistarini lifted the box slightly and turned it towards Lilith
Here Your Majesty
She said
These are your territories around your fingers
Lilith looked at the bangles
Nistarini continued
For many years each ruler has worn these They have been passed down through generations and each colour represents a territory connected to the dynasty
Lilith studied the set carefully
The craftsmanship was extraordinary
Every bangle appeared to have been made with an understanding of metalwork that had been refined across centuries
The symbols were unfamiliar to her but she could recognise the care with which they had been carved
She looked towards Nistarini
Which colour is your territory?
She asked
Nistarini hesitated
I… It is dark blue
She answered
Lilith lowered her gaze towards the box
She searched through the bangles until she found one that matched the description
She lifted it carefully
This one?
She asked
Nistarini nodded
Ji
She answered
Lilith took her own hand and slipped the bangle onto her wrist
The ancient metal settled against her skin
For a moment neither woman spoke
Lilith examined the bangle and then looked towards Nistarini
There you go
She said
It is yours now Got it? That territory belongs to you and the rest is mine
Nistarini stared at the bangle
Then she gently touched it
For years she had wanted to secure that position
For years she had believed that the process would involve negotiations struggles and countless arguments with those who stood between her and the authority she desired
She had expected resistance
She had expected delays
She had expected that the Queen would require her to prove herself repeatedly before granting her request
Yet Lilith had made the decision within minutes
Something that her parents and the older members of the clan had struggled to accomplish for years had been settled with a single conversation
Nistarini looked at Lilith with a mixture of disbelief and respect
She had finally received the position she had wanted
But she had received it from a woman who would not tolerate betrayal
Lilith closed the box
She stood up and looked at Nistarini
Remember what I told you
She said
Nistarini bowed her head
I will remember Your Majesty
She answered
Lilith turned and walked out carrying the box
The conversation had changed the future of the clan
And for the first time Nistarini understood that the Supreme Matriarch had not accepted the throne because she wanted to be worshipped
She had accepted it because she intended to take responsibility for what happened next
THE QUEEN RETURNS TO HER HUSBAND
Nikolai had gone shopping while Lilith was occupied with the clan
The festive season was approaching and he knew how much she loved celebrations
He had always enjoyed watching her become excited about the decorations the traditional clothing the jewellery and the small details that made each festival feel special
He wanted to give her something beautiful
So he had spent time selecting jewellery and anklets for her
He examined each item carefully before making his choices
He knew her tastes well enough to recognise the pieces she would enjoy wearing
After finishing his shopping he returned to his car and drove back to the estate
When he arrived Lilith was already home
She was sitting comfortably with Hereena while feeding the baby
Nikolai entered carrying the shopping bags
Bambi
He called
Lilith looked up
Nikki
She replied
He approached her and placed the bags nearby
Look at these
He said excitedly
Lilith watched as he opened one of the bags and began showing her the anklets
This one is loud I love it Look Bambi it has the little shells
Nikolai announced
He held the anklet up so that she could see the tiny shells attached to it
Lilith stared at him
Then she smiled
Nikolai continued showing her the jewellery
He was clearly pleased with himself
Lilith watched him with amusement while gently patting Hereena's back
She loved these moments
Nikolai could be intimidating to the outside world
He could command rooms with a single look
He could make powerful men reconsider their decisions simply by entering a meeting
Yet when he was with his family he could become excited about the smallest things
A tiny shell on an anklet could make him smile
A new sound from one of their daughters could make him forget an entire day's worth of work
And the sight of Lilith enjoying something he had chosen for her could make him happier than any business achievement
Lilith watched him for a little longer
Then her smile softened
Nikki
She called
Nikolai looked up immediately
Yes my love?
He answered
Lilith took a slow breath
I want to tell you something
She said calmly
Nikolai placed the jewellery down and moved closer
Tell me Bambi
He replied
Lilith looked at the box beside her
Then she opened it
The Ancient Blood Eclipse Bangle Set lay inside
Nikolai's expression changed as he examined the ancient ornaments
He recognised that these were not ordinary pieces of jewellery
The workmanship and the symbols indicated that they belonged to a very old tradition
He looked towards Lilith
What is this?
He asked
Lilith gently adjusted Hereena in her arms
I accepted my fate my destiny and my future
She explained
She paused
I accepted my position as their Queen and gave Nistarini what she wanted and what she had been yearning for
Nikolai remained silent
Lilith turned the box towards him
Look at these
She said
He examined the bangles again
Lilith continued speaking
Each colour represents a territory I tried to run away from my future Nikki But the more I ran the more it caught up with me It was always one step ahead of me
Her voice softened
I became tired of running
She looked down at Hereena
So I accepted it
Nikolai moved closer and wrapped his arms around his wife
Oh my sweetheart
He whispered
I am so sorry Bambi
Lilith looked at him
Nikolai held her carefully
This was not the future we planned for you We wanted something more perfect We wanted you to achieve your goals and accomplish everything you wanted You were supposed to finish your education and complete your master's degree You were supposed to build your dreams and hit every target you set for yourself
He paused
You were supposed to achieve even more than me Bambi
His voice grew quieter
And now all this has appeared out of nowhere I am sorry
Lilith leaned into him
She knew that he was not blaming her
He was grieving the future they had once imagined together
The future in which her biggest worries might have been her studies her business and the ordinary challenges of family life
Now the ancient clan had become another responsibility
Another set of expectations
Another part of her world that she would have to learn to manage
Lilith looked towards the room where her daughters were resting
Her expression became serious
None of my children will take over any position
She declared
Nikolai looked at her
They will build their own careers None of them will be forced into the mafia and none of them will be forced into ancient traditions or anything else they do not want
She paused
I will build a better future for them
Nikolai gently took her hand
He lifted it and kissed her fingers
Then he held both his wife and daughter close
You will
He promised
We will build that future together
Lilith rested her head against his shoulder
For a few moments neither of them spoke
Nikolai looked at Hereena
The baby had become drowsy and was settling comfortably against her mother
He kissed the little girl's forehead
Then he kissed Lilith's temple
Whatever responsibilities lay ahead they would face them together
The ancient clan could have its traditions
The territories could have their histories
And the Supreme Matriarch could have her throne
But their children would grow up knowing that their lives belonged to them
That was a promise Nikolai intended to keep
A MORNING WITH THE DEVERREAUX FAMILY
The following morning Lilith stood in front of Nikolai adjusting his tie
He stood patiently while she straightened the fabric and checked that everything was in place
The bedroom was quiet
Mila was asleep on the bed with her sisters
Nikolai had covered the girls with blankets before getting ready for work
Lilith finished adjusting his tie and stepped back
All done Nikki
She announced
Nikolai looked down at her
Then he caught her hand and pulled her closer
Lilith smiled
Need something sir?
She asked playfully
Nikolai nodded
Yes madam
He replied
What is it?
She asked
Nikolai leaned towards her
It is called a morning workout to keep me going
He said with a mischievous smile
He paused
Or perhaps we can do it after work
Lilith stared at him
Then she burst into laughter
Stress relief sir?
She asked
Nikolai grinned
Exactly
He answered
He pulled her closer and kissed her
Lilith returned the kiss with a smile
He kissed her again and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders
For a few moments they forgot about their responsibilities
There were no meetings
No assignments
No ancient clans
No difficult conversations
There was only the familiar warmth between them
Lilith rested her forehead against his
You are impossible
She whispered
Nikolai smiled
And you love me
He replied
Unfortunately
Lilith teased
Nikolai laughed and kissed her again
The moment remained sweet and playful until they finally separated
He checked on the sleeping girls one last time
Then he picked up his belongings and prepared to leave for work
Lilith watched him go with a small smile
Despite everything that had happened during the past weeks she was grateful for one thing
Her husband had never asked her to face any of it alone
And that meant more to her than she could ever explain
GLORIA AND THE OBSIDIAN CIRCLE
At school Gloria held her iPad while reviewing the company documents she needed to send
She was organising meeting papers and completing work that had been assigned to her
Her attention was focused on the screen when a notification appeared
She opened it
The news concerned the arrival of the CEO
He was expected to return soon
Gloria read the announcement carefully
Then she opened another news update
Her eyes widened slightly
The Obsidian Circle had been ranked as the highest ranked group
She stared at the information
The Obsidian Circle had long been surrounded by rumours
Its reputation was built on power secrecy and an influence that extended beyond ordinary business circles
The announcement attracted considerable attention
Gloria held her phone and read the report again
She knew that the return of the CEO would bring changes to the company
There would be meetings and new instructions
There would be questions from employees and renewed interest from people who wanted to understand the organisation's influence
She put her iPad down for a moment
Then she returned to her work
There were documents to complete and responsibilities to manage
Whatever the announcement meant for the company she needed to be prepared
THE VENOMOUS BEAST FINISHES HIS PROJECT
Meanwhile in Bulgaria the Venomous Beast finally closed his laptop
The project was complete
He had spent countless hours working towards this moment and had pushed himself relentlessly until every major task had been finished
The results placed him at the highest rank within the mafia world
The achievement should have been satisfying
For someone who had spent years building his influence the success represented an important milestone
Yet the man sitting behind the desk did not appear entirely pleased
He had gained power
He had completed the project
He had secured a position that many people could only dream of reaching
But none of those accomplishments could repair what had happened in his personal life
The office door opened
The manager entered carrying the final file
He approached the desk and placed it in front of his boss
Boss
He greeted him
The Venomous Beast looked up
The manager continued
The company in Russia is waiting for your arrival and the gifts for the babies are ready sir
The man nodded
Hmm Good
He replied
The manager waited briefly before leaving the office
The Venomous Beast leaned back in his chair
His phone rang
He looked at the screen
Mom?
He answered
It is me boy
The older woman replied
He frowned slightly
Grandma?
He corrected her
She gave a small laugh
Yes me I am calling to tell you that your alliance is being arranged I have chosen a good lady for you She is perfect too
His expression immediately hardened
I do not want anybody
He said
His grandmother continued speaking
But you need to consider the future and—
I said I do not want anybody
He interrupted
His voice became colder
Please do not make me angry Goodbye
He ended the call before she could respond
For a moment he sat in silence
Then he reached for his cigarette
He lit it and took a slow breath
The smoke curled through the room
He had no interest in an arranged alliance
He did not want another woman chosen for him
He did not want to pretend that his heart belonged to someone else
He had already made his decision
I am already married
He muttered
His eyes darkened
I will make her mine fully even though she hates me She is mine and only mine
He continued smoking while staring at the documents on his desk
The words sounded like a declaration of certainty
But beneath them lay a truth he was unwilling to face
Love could not be forced
And the woman he wanted might never forgive him
He had gained a powerful position
He had completed his project
He had become one of the highest ranked figures in the mafia world
Yet the one thing he truly wanted remained beyond his control
ONE MONTH LATER — DAMIAN AND INIYA
One month passed
At the estate Damian Rathore was sitting in his cabin when he sneezed again
He immediately reached for a tissue
God
He whispered
He blew his nose and leaned back in his chair
The cold had been bothering him for days
He had been warned to rest and avoid going out in the rain but Damian had never been particularly good at following advice when he believed he could manage something himself
The door opened
Sir?
A woman's voice called
Damian looked up
Iniya stood in the doorway
She was wearing a beautiful ash coloured saree with delicate straps and her hair was gathered into a neat bun
Silver bangles adorned her wrists
She carried a lunch bag in one hand and a small packet of medicine in the other
Damian sat up immediately
Iniya
He said
She walked towards him
I brought lunch for you and got some medicine for your cold
She explained
Damian smiled
Iniya placed the items on the table
Then she gave him a look that made him straighten slightly
I told you not to go into the rain but you Rathore people are very stubborn and now look at the condition you have put yourself in
She scolded him
Damian's smile widened
I love the rain
He replied
Iniya stared at him
Then she repeated his words in a mocking voice
I love the rain
Damian chuckled
She shook her head
You are impossible
She muttered
He grinned
You married me
He reminded her
Iniya gave him a look
And sometimes I wonder why
Damian laughed
She picked up the medicine and held it out to him
Here Take this first
She instructed
Damian accepted it and took the medicine as directed
While he did so Iniya carefully moved his important files aside and cleared the table
She did not want the papers to be damaged by the food or drink
Once the surface was clear she unpacked the dishes
The aroma filled the cabin
She had brought Rajasthani Laal Maas Goan Prawn Balchão chicken hot soup cheese naan and saffron milk
Damian looked at the food
His expression brightened
Iniya placed everything in front of him
Here
She said
You will finish everything on this table right now
Damian raised an eyebrow
He looked at her
Then he smirked
Okay madam
He replied
Iniya folded her arms
Good
She answered
Damian began eating
Iniya sat beside him and made sure that he did not ignore the food while returning to his work
She offered him the saffron milk
He accepted it
She watched him drink before handing him another portion of his meal
Damian looked at her with obvious affection
You know you do not have to supervise every bite I take
He teased
Iniya raised an eyebrow
Clearly I do
She replied
Damian laughed
He had always enjoyed teasing her
And she had always known how to answer him without allowing him to escape his responsibilities
She continued feeding him milk while he ate
For all his stubbornness Damian understood that Iniya cared for him
She had noticed that he was unwell
She had taken the time to prepare his meal
She had brought medicine and made certain that he would not simply ignore his symptoms and return to work
It was a small act of care
But it meant everything to him
He reached for her hand and kissed it
Iniya looked at him
What are you doing?
She asked
Thanking my wife
Damian answered
Her expression softened
Then she gently squeezed his hand
Finish your food first
She reminded him
Damian laughed again
Yes madam
He replied
THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY PUJAS
At the main estate preparations were underway for the traditional family pujas
The mansion had been decorated beautifully
Flowers were arranged throughout the rooms
Traditional decorations adorned the entrances
The ceremonial area had been prepared with care and the family gathered to take part in the prayers
The girls were dressed in pretty gowns
Their clothes had been chosen to make the occasion feel special while allowing them to move comfortably throughout the celebration
The younger babies were carefully dressed and carried by their parents and caregivers
The older girls looked around at the decorations with excitement
The estate felt warm and welcoming
There was a sense of anticipation as the family gathered together
Urlima who was four months pregnant approached Austin carrying the prayer plate
She handed it to him carefully
Austin accepted it
He had been doing better recently
He had stopped taking drugs and had begun attending school
Dr Liv had helped arrange a school for him so that he could continue learning and rebuild his life
His relationship with Dr Liv had continued for three years
They were still dating and supporting one another as they worked towards a more stable future
Austin looked at the prayer plate in his hands
He had come a long way from the person he had once been
There were still challenges ahead but he was making an effort to build a better life
The family gathered around the ceremonial area
Nikolai stood with his daughters
He carefully brought them together so that they could participate in the prayers as a family
The girls settled beside him
Some held their hands together
Others watched the adults and imitated their movements
Nikolai looked down at them with a tender smile
Lilith stood nearby
She watched her husband and children as the prayers began
The familiar atmosphere of the ceremony brought a sense of peace to the estate
The family had endured grief conflict and unexpected revelations
They had faced challenges that would have overwhelmed many people
Yet they were still together
They were still making memories
They were still finding reasons to celebrate
And for Lilith that mattered more than any title she had inherited
She watched her daughters standing beside their father
Her heart filled with determination
Whatever happened in the future she would protect their right to choose their own paths
She would give them the education and opportunities they needed to become whoever they wanted to be
She would teach them about their heritage without forcing them to surrender their independence
And she would ensure that the ancient clan understood one thing
Her daughters were children first
They were not political tools
They were not bargaining pieces
They were not born to fulfil the ambitions of others
They were her babies
And she would protect them with everything she had
Nikolai looked towards Lilith
Their eyes met
He reached for her hand
Lilith took it
Together they stood beside their daughters as the prayers continued
The family remained united beneath the warm lights of the decorated estate
For a moment the world outside seemed distant
The ancient clan could wait
The dangerous territories could wait
The unanswered questions could wait
For that moment there was only family
There was gratitude
There was hope
And there was the promise of a future that Lilith and Nikolai intended to build together
A future in which their daughters would be free to choose their own destinies
A future in which love would matter more than inherited power
And a future in which no ancient tradition would ever be allowed to take away the freedom of the children they loved
Lilith gently squeezed Nikolai's hand
He squeezed hers in return
Neither needed to speak
They understood one another
And as the family continued praying together the Supreme Matriarch of the Kaalandhakshini made a silent promise to herself
She would honour the responsibilities she had accepted
She would protect the people who placed their trust in her
She would learn the truth about her heritage
But she would never allow her past to decide everything about her future
She was Lilith Mhaira Beneva Devereaux
She was a student a wife a mother a businesswoman and the leader of Nocturne
She was the woman who had chosen to accept the throne on her own terms
And whatever the future brought she would face it without surrendering the freedom to decide who she wanted to become