The next morning, Adrian woke up to the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a warm golden hue over the room.

Surprisingly, instead of feeling drained and sore from the night's activities with Medea and Lilith, he felt invigorated, stronger than ever, as if the goddesses' power had flowed into him during their intimate encounter.

He lay still for a moment, basking in the warmth of the morning, before glancing to either side of him.

Both goddesses were still asleep, their naked forms sprawled across the bed in a tangle of limbs and sheets. Lilith's raven-black hair fanned out across the pillow, while Medea's framed her serene face.

They both looked peaceful—relaxed, content.

Adrian couldn't help but admire their beauty for a few moments longer, allowing himself to enjoy the stillness.

Just as he was about to get up, Lilith's voice broke the silence. "Are you going to keep staring, or will you greet me with a kiss?" Her eyes remained closed, but a smug smile spread across her lips.

Adrian chuckled softly, slipping out of the bed. "I was going to place one," he said teasingly, "but now that you've already requested it, it defeats the purpose."

Lilith's eyes snapped open, narrowing at him as she sat up, her full breasts barely concealed by the sheets. "Excuse me?" she said, glaring at him in mock outrage.

But Adrian wasn't fazed.

He circled the bed, slowly and deliberately, before leaning down to kiss Medea gently on the forehead. Her eyelids fluttered slightly, but she remained asleep, her breathing even and calm.

Adrian straightened up, a small, satisfied smile tugging at his lips as he caught sight of Lilith's expression.

She was clearly shocked, her mouth slightly open in disbelief.

"You're toying with me," Lilith accused sharply, though her eyes sparkled with amusement.

Adrian grinned as he moved toward her, his hand brushing her cheek before leaning in close. "Relax," he murmured, "you'll get yours too." He kissed her forehead softly, then the bridge of her nose, before pressing his lips against hers.

The kiss was meant to be brief, but Lilith wasn't about to let him off so easily.

Her hand shot up, grabbing the back of his neck, and she pulled him closer, deepening the kiss with a hunger that sent a jolt of electricity through Adrian's body. She kissed him fiercely, her tongue brushing against his as she claimed him with every movement of her lips.

When she finally pulled away, there was a satisfied glint in her eyes.

"That's better," Lilith said smugly. "In fact, every day you should come up with new, creative ways to wake me up."

Adrian shook his head in amusement. "Demanding, aren't we?"

"I prefer the term 'high standards,'" Lilith replied with a wink.

Chuckling, Adrian got dressed quickly. They had bathed before collapsing into bed the previous night, so he didn't need to bother with the luxury of a morning wash.

As he pulled on his clothes, he glanced at Lilith. "When Medea wakes, you can both meet me in the study. I want to go through whatever records we can find about the Shadow Court before we leave this place."

Lilith waved her hand lazily. "Have fun with the dusty old books. I'll be here… for a while," she said, stretching out languidly on the bed.

Adrian shot her a final smirk before exiting the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

Outside stood Lilith's puppet soldier, the one who had escorted them the previous day. He was still at attention, his face a blank mask of obedience. Adrian briefly wondered how long he had stood there, guarding their door.

Judging by the stiff posture, it must have been all night. He wondered just how loud they'd been.

Pushing the thought aside, Adrian made his way to the study, eager to learn more about the mysterious Shadow Court.

When he arrived, he found Zack already there, engaged in conversation with the head of staff. The older woman looked frazzled but composed, holding a piece of parchment in her hands.

"I just came to see him this morning," Zack was saying, "and he was gone. All I found was this letter. It says he's gone off on some vacation—a journey for enlightenment, and he'll be back in a year's time."

The head of staff glanced over the letter carefully, her eyes scanning the contents. After a moment, she seemed satisfied with the explanation and gave Zack a polite nod. "Very well, sir. Until the Count's return, you will be the head of the household, as he had instructed here."

Zack, though visibly nervous, nodded in agreement. "I'll do my best to manage things in his absence."

The head of staff bowed slightly and left the hallway, leaving Zack standing alone by the door. Adrian, who had been observing quietly, stepped forward. "What was all that about?" he asked.

Zack sighed and motioned for Adrian to follow him. "Let's talk in my study," Zack said, a faint smile on his face.

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Your study?"

"Well," Zack said with a half-hearted chuckle, "it's mine now."

They entered the Count's private office, and Zack closed the door behind them. Zack gestured for Adrian to sit, but Adrian remained standing, arms crossed, waiting for an explanation.

Zack rubbed the back of his neck, pacing a little before he finally spoke. "I had to come up with a lie," he confessed. "If anyone finds out the Count is dead, it'll cause chaos. They'll come after us. And trust me, it won't end well. The Shadow Court has eyes everywhere."

Adrian nodded slowly, taking in Zack's words. The Shadow Court. The very name was enough to send a chill through his spine, but he knew they needed more information—information only Zack might have.

"So," Adrian began, his voice steady, "what do you know about the Shadow Court? How do they operate?"

Zack looked hesitant for a moment, but he finally sighed, sitting down behind the desk. "The Shadow Court…

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