At exactly 3:45 p.m., Lilith was still at school.
She was sitting inside the library, completely focused on her assignment.
Her books were spread across the table.
Her laptop was open.
Her interview notes were beside her, and she was carefully writing her report about the interview she had conducted with Mr. Domenico Bloodhound.
She was determined to finish everything before leaving.
Meanwhile, outside the school, a black car slowly pulled up.
The vehicle came to a stop.
The door opened.
Nikolai stepped down.
His hair was styled in a Shadow Veil Cut, a hairstyle that concealed his face extremely well.
To everyone watching him, he simply looked like an unknown man.
Nobody could easily recognize him.
He wore a tank shirt that revealed his enormous, built body.
He held a beautiful bouquet of flowers in one hand.
The moment he walked through the school entrance, students began staring.
Girls gasped.
Several students immediately pulled out their phones and began taking pictures.
"Oh my gosh!"
Some of the seniors stared at him.
"Nick!"
"Great to see you, Mr. Ken," Nikolai said.
They shook hands.
They spoke briefly.
"How are the girls?" Mr. Ken asked.
Nikolai smiled and showed him pictures of the babies on his phone.
"Aww, they look more like Lily," Mr. Ken said.
"Of course they are," Nikolai replied proudly.
Then he looked at Mr. Ken.
"My girl?"
"In the library, just by your right," Mr. Ken answered.
"Thank you."
Nikolai smiled.
"And do visit soon."
He shook Mr. Ken's hand again before walking toward the library.
Meanwhile, Lilith continued writing.
She was so focused on her report that she didn't notice the footsteps approaching her.
Suddenly, flowers appeared directly in front of her face.
Lilith frowned.
She slowly looked up.
And there he was.
Her husband.
"Hi, baby," Nikolai said.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Lilith's expression immediately softened.
"Nikki?"
He smiled.
"What are you doing here?"
"Came to get my girl," he said while gently holding her hand.
Lilith blushed.
"Thank you for the flowers."
She brought them closer and smelled them.
"Anything for you, Jaan."
He smiled.
"I have a surprise for you and your Baba too."
"Baba home?" Lily asked happily.
"Calm down, Daddy's girl," Nikolai teased.
"Your—"
Before he could finish, Lilith quickly interrupted him.
"Daddy? Your daddy? He is my Baba!"
Nikolai chuckled at her.
"Okay, okay."
He looked at the papers in front of her.
"Done with these?"
He held her hand.
"Almost. But give me ten minutes, baby," Lilith said.
"Of course, my jewel."
He kissed her forehead.
Then he left her to finish.
Lilith quickly completed her work.
She gathered her papers.
Then she walked toward Anja's office.
She knocked.
"Madam?"
"Yes, come in," Anja answered.
Lilith entered.
Anja was smoking.
Lilith placed her report on the desk.
"Here is my interview report, and I will be done with my assignments and presentation too," Lilith said.
Anja looked at the report.
Then she watched the interview video.
Her expression changed.
"Wow. You actually did it. Impressive," Anja said.
"Thank you, Lily said."
Anja looked at her.
"That man. Is he the fiancé?"
"Nikki? Yes, he is," Lilith replied.
Anja nodded.
Lilith turned around and left.
Anja walked toward the window.
She watched from the window.
Outside, Nikolai was leaning against the car.
Lilith came out of the school.
The moment Nikolai saw her, he smiled.
He opened his arms.
Lilith immediately ran toward him.
She hugged him tightly.
"Aww, that's so cute!" some of the girls said.
Nikolai helped Lilith into the car.
He got inside.
The car drove away.
During the journey, Lilith kept teasing Nikolai.
They laughed together.
Eventually, they shared a slow, deep kiss.
Lilith pulled away, panting heavily.
Nikolai buried his face into her neck.
The cars eventually stopped at the gates.
Lilith looked outside.
"Why are we here?" she asked.
"Your new home, Bambi."
Lilith looked at him.
"It's one of your properties."
"The deal one?"
"Yes."
Nikolai smiled.
"So now, my love, this is your new home. You're staying here until you finish school."
"What!?" Lilith exclaimed.
Nikolai came down.
He opened the door for her.
Lilith stepped out.
She looked around.
Her eyes widened.
Her friends were already there.
Each of them was standing in front of their own mansion.
The estate was enormous.
It was worth ₽800 billion.
The ₽800 billion private imperial estate featured a grand main estate with 8 bedrooms in the main mansion, 5 separate private friend mansions with 8 bedrooms each, a gigantic 100 room family holiday mansion for extended family gatherings, a giant titanium bulletproof main gate, a heavily secured fuel storage facility, a massive private garage complex with supercar garages, luxury SUV garages, family vehicle garages, motorcycle garages, classic car storage, chauffeur vehicle garages, electric vehicle charging bays, vehicle detailing centre, mechanical workshop, tire centre, vehicle washing bay, spare parts storage, driver lounge, chauffeur offices and vehicle dispatch centre.
It had a professional dance studio, a luxurious beauty salon, hair salon and nail salon.
There was an Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool, a heated indoor swimming pool, a massive infinity pool, children's pool, jacuzzi, pool lounge, poolside bar, private poolside cabanas, sun decks, changing rooms, pool showers and pool equipment storage.
There was also a private spa complex with sauna, steam room, massage rooms, facial rooms, treatment rooms, relaxation lounge, aromatherapy room, private changing rooms and wellness lounge.
The estate contained a full tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court, football field, badminton court, padel court, golf practice area, driving range, putting green, chipping area, golf bunker and golf equipment room.
There was a private horse riding arena, luxury private stable, horse stalls, veterinary room, tack room, feed storage, grooming area, horse washing area, riding equipment room, indoor riding area, outdoor riding trails, large equestrian paddock, horse training field and equestrian staff accommodation.
The estate also contained a huge climate-controlled greenhouse, vegetable garden, herb garden, flower gardens, rose garden, jasmine garden, orchid garden, fruit orchard, botanical garden, children's garden, lotus pond, decorative fountains, reflecting pools, water lily gardens, private bridges and landscaped walking trails.
There was an outdoor dining pavilion, outdoor kitchen, professional barbecue area, pizza oven, grill station, poolside dining area, garden dining area, family picnic lawn, large covered terrace, private outdoor bar, fire pit lounge and sunset terrace.
Lilith's private study area included an executive office, secure document storage, meeting room, private sitting area, video conferencing room, computer stations and archive room.
There was a grand multi-level private library with thousands of books, research section, academic section, history section, political science section, international relations section, children's library, reading lounges, private study rooms, digital research room and archive.
The estate had a fully equipped private clinic with reception, consultation rooms, examination rooms, treatment rooms, emergency room, private recovery rooms, children's medical room, pharmacy, laboratory, medical storage, doctor's office, nurses station, ambulance bay and medical staff accommodation.
There were private nanny rooms, staff bedrooms, staff lounges, staff dining room, staff kitchens, housekeeping rooms, laundry complex, uniform storage, staff changing rooms, staff recreation area, employee medical room and staff offices.
There were luxurious baby nursery suites with individual baby sleeping rooms, nursery lounge, changing rooms, feeding rooms, bottle preparation area, baby bathrooms, children's playroom, nap rooms, baby monitoring systems, nanny stations and a dedicated baby family visit centre for weekly baby visits.
There was a huge family lounge complex for relatives who wanted to visit, with guest bedrooms, guest dining room, children's lounge, tea room, coffee lounge, family cinema, outdoor family terrace, garden seating, private meeting rooms and guest bathrooms.
There was a professional entertainment complex with private cinema, karaoke room, music studio, recording room, art studio, gaming lounge, children's entertainment centre and party room.
The estate also contained extensive family lounges, multiple dining halls, formal dining rooms, grand reception halls, courtyards, rooftop terraces, private balconies, private terraces, landscaped gardens, multiple kitchens, staff kitchens, butler stations, walk-in pantries, laundry facilities, housekeeping suites, private prayer room, children's playrooms, indoor children's playroom, games rooms, music rooms, art rooms and multiple entertainment spaces.
The entire estate had a complete security and privacy system with 24-hour security personnel, CCTV monitoring, perimeter monitoring, secure communications, controlled access zones, security command centre, visitor management, emergency response facilities, private security accommodation, dedicated security garages, secure staff entrances, separate service entrances, emergency access, reinforced perimeter walls, privacy landscaping and controlled vehicle screening.
A grand entrance avenue led into the estate.
There were tree-lined private roads, private walking trails, jogging paths, children's playground, picnic gardens, hidden garden courtyards, sculptures, fountains, landscaped lawns and multiple private garden areas.
The entire ₽800 billion estate was completely self-contained.
The family, their five friends, their children, extended family, guests and staff could live, relax, celebrate, study, exercise, receive medical care, enjoy holidays and spend time together without leaving the estate.
Lilith stood there in complete shock.
"Oh my…"
Her friends immediately ran toward her.
"Hi!!"
Lilith looked at them.
"What's going on?"
Her friends smiled.
Nikolai stepped forward.
"Well, Bambi, your father and I made a decision for you, and everyone in the family agreed to it."
Lilith looked at him.
"You will stay here."
"What?"
"It's very close to school, and you need to enjoy your university days. Have fun."
Lilith looked around.
Nikolai continued.
"I will take care of the girls. You need rest time for yourself."
Lilith's eyes softened.
"Enjoy your twenties, my Goddess. You deserve to live your life to the fullest, baby."
He reached for her hand.
"And I promise you will see the girls every weekend."
He smiled.
"I will too."
His voice began trembling.
"I will miss you so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so much."
Tears rolled down Nikolai's face.
Lilith chuckled.
She reached up and wiped his tears.
But then tears began falling from her own eyes.
"Baby…"
Nikolai looked at her.
"I am happy. Very happy to see you all grown up and that you're building yourself to be the woman you want to be."
He gently touched her face.
"I am by your side in every step you make, my baby."
Lilith hugged him.
"So no more bike."
She pulled away.
"What?"
"Your Baba sold them."
"What!?" Lilith exclaimed.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because Leonid said it was because of your health and the birth of the girls."
Lilith stared at him.
"That's why your cars are here for you to drive them."
She looked around.
Nikolai continued.
"And oh yeah, you can organize college parties there."
Lilith's eyes widened.
"There is 24-hour security, a huge bulletproof gate surrounding the whole estate, your friends' mansions, each for them."
He smiled.
"I built it as an additional feature too."
He pointed toward the gardens.
"And your garden is here."
Lilith looked around.
"Everything you need is here."
He reached into his pocket.
"Here are your new credit cards."
Lilith looked at them.
"Over eight accounts."
She stared at him.
"₽5 trillion each."
Lilith's mouth fell open.
"From the wedding money, deals and your training."
He continued.
"Your group and the Red Order will train you."
His expression became serious.
"The underworld is whispering about your takeover."
Lilith listened carefully.
"Your throne awaits you."
Lilith's eyes filled with tears.
"I love you so very much, Nikolai."
She placed her hand over her heart.
"You're my heart, my soul…"
She suddenly went down on one knee.
Nikolai immediately looked shocked.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
Lilith looked up at him.
"You always bow to me."
She smiled through her tears.
"So in front of everybody, I bow to you, my dearest husband."
Nikolai's heart tightened.
Lilith gently touched his feet.
"Bless you, my Queen," Nikolai said softly.
Lilith stood up.
She immediately hugged him.
Nikolai hugged her tightly.
Then they began touring the entire estate together.
They walked through the mansions.
They visited the gardens.
They looked at the pools.
They toured the library.
They saw the baby facilities.
They walked through the entertainment areas.
Lilith couldn't believe that the entire place now belonged to her.
By nightfall, Lilith was deeply asleep in Nikolai's arms.
He was wearing his pajamas.
He held her closer.
Meanwhile, back in the hidden mansion, Mila and her sisters were asleep.
David, Jaxon, Delilah, Caspian, Iniya, Damian and Meghan were also asleep.
In Lilith's hall, the babies were sleeping peacefully.
Mila suddenly woke up.
She rubbed her eyes.
Then she yawned.
"You okay, Mil?" Damian asked sleepily.
"Hmhmhm. Milk for Mil," she said.
Iniya woke up.
"Come on, sweetie," she said.
She carried Mila to the kitchen.
Damian checked the girls.
Iniya fed Mila until she fell asleep again.
Meanwhile, in New York, Riyana was asleep.
She was lying in Sohan's arms.
She was dreaming.
She suddenly found herself standing in the middle of a dark room.
A red thread was connected to her.
Riyana looked up.
She saw people from the past.
They pointed behind her.
Riyana slowly turned around.
She saw the red thread leading toward someone.
She took a step forward into the darkness.
Her eyes widened.
It was her own flesh and blood.
Her daughter.
She was covered in blood.
"Our Tigeress."
"Our pride."
"Our Power."
"Our Jewel."
A voice echoed through the darkness.
"Riyana, you must fulfill the destiny."
"The ritual has just begun."
"Soon she will be ours."
"She will take what you abandoned years ago."
"Remember, she is connected to Her."
"Don't forget your promise."
"Or else you will pay the price."
A woman wearing a dark red saree appeared.
"No, please!"
Riyana began crying.
"I beg you!"
"Leave her out of this!"
"PLEASE!"
Suddenly, Riyana jumped out of her sleep.
"NO!"
Sohan immediately sat up.
"Ria!"
"What's wrong, baby?"
Everyone entered their room.
"Mumma, are you okay?" Ariz asked.
Riyana was trembling.
She looked around the room.
"Did you have a nightmare, Maa?" Elina asked.
Riyana nodded shakily.
Sohan immediately pulled her into his arms.
"It's okay," he whispered.
Riyana held him tightly.
But somewhere far away, inside an ancient temple, wild fire was burning.
The woman sat with her eyes closed.
She was the one who had connected herself to Riyana's dream.
"Se bārtāti peyechhe."
"She has gotten a little message," she said.
Another woman looked toward her.
"Good."
The old lady sat silently.
"Now Beneva is going to rule," she said.
Then everyone began making a strange sound.
"Lululululululululululululululululululul laulul."
Everyone made that sound.
The ancient chamber filled with the sound.
"I can rest."
"Take care of her."
"Give her this."
She handed over several boxes.
"Yes, Maa," the woman answered.
The old lady's body slowly fell back onto the bed.
A small smile appeared on her face.
She smiled in her sleep.
Everyone lowered their heads.
The physician stepped forward.
He checked her.
He became silent.
"She's gone," he said.
They cried silently.
The woman closed her eyes in pain.
They performed their last rites for her.
Morning came.
The girls were awake.
Meghan was making milk for them.
Nikolai came home.
"Hi, my loves," he said.
He gave each of them a kiss.
Lunessa giggled.
Nikolai smiled.
He hugged her softly while rubbing her back.
He pushed the stroller upstairs.
Then he prepared a warm bath for them.
Twenty minutes later, after taking his own bath, Nikolai dressed up for work.
He got the girls ready.
He held a flask.
There was a sticky note attached to it.
He read the note.
I pumped for them.
The flask was filled with milk.
Nikolai smiled.
He looked at the note again.
Then he looked at his daughters.
He picked up the huge baby bag.
It was an all-in-one unlimited baby bag.
It was filled with diapers and everything the girls needed.
Nikolai gently lifted Azenari.
She had light green eyes.
His mind immediately went to his wife.
He smiled.
"Thank you for my girls," he whispered.
He kissed each of their cheeks.
Two months later, in the month of November, on the 8th, Riyana continued having more nightmares.
The nightmares were becoming more frequent.
Sohan became increasingly worried about her.
They were on their way to Russia.
Meanwhile, Lilith's tests were going on.
She came to school early with her friends.
Despite everything Nikolai had told her, she still had a bike.
It was her last mid-semester test week.
After the test, they all came out.
Lilith went to her Taekwondo class.
"Lilith! Great to see you again," Ms. Maho said.
They hugged.
"So, this is the match we have."
Lilith listened carefully.
"We have eight opponents from different schools."
Ms. Maho's expression became serious.
"But there is one school that has the best fighter."
"Draxen Imperial Academy."
Lilith listened.
"There is a student there who is very strong."
"She breaks her opponents' bones."
Lilith remained calm.
"I just hope she doesn't break yours."
"Ms. Maho, it's fine. I will train well," Lilith said.
She continued talking with her instructor.
Meanwhile, inside Nikolai's office, the girls were now two months old.
Nikolai was taking care of them.
"All done, Sunshine," he said while putting Tasnim's diaper on.
Tasnim smiled widely.
Then she began giggling.
"Yeah, yeah!" Nikolai said.
He rubbed his nose against hers.
Tasnim giggled again.
Nikolai smiled.
He picked up another bottle.
Giselle drank all her milk.
"Boss, meeting," Adrian said.
Nikolai looked up.
"Coming."
He put the bottles in the girls' mouths carefully before leaving.
He walked toward the meeting room.
The doors opened.
Nikolai entered.
Then he saw the person waiting inside.
His expression immediately became colder than a frozen mountain.
A woman was sitting there.
She looked directly at him.
"Hi, Nikolai," the woman said with a smile.
Her name was Hecate.
She was a Northern Russian woman.
She smiled at him.
"How are you, dearest?"
Nikolai walked toward the table.
He sat down.
His expression remained cold.
"Begin," he said.
Hecate smiled.
Her manager opened the documents.
The meeting began.