The doctor was speaking to the duke and his wife as they walked in. "This... it seems she's ingested Moonseed. She did not consume enough to have such serious symptoms. Unless she is allergic to it but I also see no signs of allergies. I assure you she won't die, as it seems she is-..."

 Neri's maid budded in, "I have a cure!" the doctor looked at the glass tube in her hand.

 

"Who allowed her in here?" the duchess said restraining her wrath. 

"I did your grace. She said she had a cure." 

"W-where did you find this... this tincture is Arcadia... there are only three of these in the whole world. It can reverse the most deadly and powerful poisons. No one knows who the creator is or how to make it." the doctor said his voice filled with shock and awe. 

Keir walked in with a glass of water. "Well don't dally now, give it to her."

 The doctor quickly mixed it into a glass of water and gave it to Neri. 

"It should take effect almost immediately, I recommend letting her rest for a while." 

He then turned to Neri's parents. "Ah yes, I'd like to speak with you two in private. There's something you should know."

"What!? She is immune to poison? Isn't that only possible after consuming small amounts of poison regularly?"

The doctor sighed, "Yes, it seems the young lady's vitals are very strong. The poison that she consumed today other than the moonseed was powerful enough to kill several skilled swordsmen in an hour. Seeing she still is alive..."

Nathan tried his best not to make a sound as he eavesdropped on his parents. 

He quickly dashed across the hall into Neri's room.

Alen lay sprawled on the couch, and Lucien was leaning against the balcony doors.

Keir sat next to Neri wiping her forehead with a towel. "Keir... what does it take to be immune to poison?" 

Keir looked at him, "Nathan, were you eavesdropping?" Alen quickly sat up, "Neri is immune to poison?" 

They all hushed him, "Lower your voice, we're not supposed to know."

Keir glanced at Neri, sadness filled his eyes, "It means you ingested different poisons daily."

Nathan began to think how cool it would be to be immune, "Can I become immune too?"

Keir clenched his fists, "Not everyone can survive this process, every day you are in excruciating pain as if you are being torn into a thousand pieces over and over again."

 Lucien finally spoke up, "I want the truth. I may be young but I'm not stupid. Where has Neri been all this time? I know Azrael wouldn't allow Nerissa to consume poison and go through that." 

Keir stood up, "Let's talk outside, Neri needs peace."

Neri sensed everyone leave the room, only Enya remained. She opened one eye and glanced around.

Seeing no one was around

She sat up and stretched, "Ah, that felt good."

 She paused after seeing Koa at her balcony window with an angry expression.

 "Oh boy, this isn't going to end well."

 Enya swiftly let him in before she could give any orders.

"You... how could you do such a stupid thing!? You should know no man has survived Gehenna," he hissed. 

 She shrugged, " Well then, it's a good thing I'm not a man. Besides, I had to make it look real. You know I won't die. If anything, it probably increased my pain tolerance." 

She and Koa began to bicker but Enya cut them off, "Master, the doctor checked your vitals and revealed your tolerance of poisons to your parents. Lord Nathan eavesdropped and shared this information with your other brothers and Lord Ikar." 

Koa sat beside her, "Perhaps this is good news. Nyssa, do you plan on revealing your identity as Leader of the Shadows to your family?" 

The room fell into silence. Koa shivered as the air around them became cold.

The expression on Nyssa's face was cold and emotionless, she hadn't even released her aura, yet the atmosphere changed.

"Understood, I'll send word through Cyr." 

Nerissa watched as Koa jumped off the balcony and disappeared into the trees.

She turned to Enya, "Tell them I've awakened."

After listening Lucien felt bad for the way he treated Nerissa on their first meeting. "So Nerissa was kidnapped by her mother's maid at the age of two.  Azrael left to look for her and only sent letters. The reason he returned was that he was at a foreign auction on a ship and they spoke of sunset eyes, he mentioned he "purchased" Nerissa."

The duke nodded, "Yes, as you know, the Angel of Rue is known for his unique eye color. What people don't know is that Nathan has a twin." 

Neri's maid knocked on the door, 

"The young lady is awake." 

"Thank you, Enya, you are dismissed." 

The brothers all were about to go to Neri but the duke stopped them. "Keir, Alen, Nathan, you have to go back and bring your horses. The servants are all busy with the upcoming welcoming party for your brother." 

Lucien ran to Neri's room, he was about to push the doors open but hesitated.

"You may enter Lord Ikar." 

 He entered, "How'd you know it was me?" 

She chuckled, "There's only one person who would make such a ruckus only to hesitate before entering."

He looked down feeling guilty, she wouldn't be in this condition if he had been faster.

"No need to blame yourself, as my brothers have probably told you I grew up in... a different environment. 

That poison wouldn't harm me." 

Lucien clenched his fists, "What made you think I wouldn't believe you?"

Neri shrugged, "I figured Lord Ikar disliked me and would disregard my words as nonsense or a joke."

Lucien was taken aback, "Why would you think that? If I disliked you I wouldn't have sat beside you."

He sighed in frustration, "Also why do you keep speaking so formally with me?"

Oh no, she had gotten so used to treating her clients formally that she was doing it to Lucien.

"Well, I'm not quite sure how this noble system of words works." 

Lucien burst into laughter, "Noble system of words? that's a good way to put it I suppose. 

Well, we are of equal status, but I am older than you by three and a half years. In that case, you would be right to speak formally. 

Although since our families are close friends and we are friends, you can speak informally."

Friends... had she ever had friends? She considered the people in her guild her family.

Lucien's face turned solemn "We are friends, right?"