Norax and Lady Selindra Noctis, Mistress of the house noctis, were alone in the meeting chamber.
The heavy doors closed behind them, sealing the silence inside.
Selindra took a few slow steps toward him. Her heels echoed softly on the marble floor.
"Did you enjoy the meeting?" she asked, her lips curved in a playful smile.
Norax let out a tired sigh.
"How could anyone enjoy something so troublesome, my lady?" he replied calmly.
Selindra tilted her head, then suddenly placed both hands on her cheeks like a curious child.
"Ara~ I thought you enjoyed it," she said lightly.
"After all, you were the one who took control of the entire discussion I think go in your favour"
Norax did not answer right away. His expression remained neutral.
Selindra straightened, her tone shifting.
"Proxy war," she said slowly. "Do you even understand what that means?"
She took another step closer, her gaze sharp.
"When you agreed to this, you essentially accepted becoming a slave to larger powers that means you are not going to stay silent"
Norax finally looked at her. His eyes were calm, almost indifferent.
"And for your information," Selindra continued, "your organization is still new. Why take such a risk? It's because you have some kind of Trump card"
Norax crossed his arms.
"I already explained that during the meeting," he said.
"I am a merchant. And I am also the leader of Blue Crescent."
He met her gaze directly.
"So of course, I think in both directions—profit and survival."
Selindra narrowed her eyes slightly, studying him.
"I only have two questions for you," she said.
Norax nodded once.
"Ask."
The silence returned, heavier than before.
Lady Selindra exhaled slowly, the playful air fading from her face.
"My first question," she said,
"is about the proxy war you proposed. From one perspective, it is a clever move. But tell me—can you truly win?"
She lifted her gaze to him, sharp and calculating.
"If you lose, certain… complications may arise for me in the capital because i was the one holding this meeting"
Norax looked at her in silence.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
He let out a quiet sigh.
"There is a fifty–fifty chance,"
Norax said in a calm, cold tone. "The result cannot be determined yet without fighting"
Selindra raised an eyebrow.
"So basically," she said lightly, "the youngest here does not wish to tell me everything."
She leaned against the table, her fingers brushing over the documents scattered across it.
"Alright," she continued, waving her hand. "Forget the first question."
She glanced at him again, her expression suddenly soft, almost teasing.
"Fifty percent, you say?" Selindra smiled sweetly.
"That's quite reassuring—for someone our youngest's age compared to what i know it's not like you are weak or something"
Her voice was gentle, her actions playful, but her eyes never stopped observing him.
She smiled brightly and leaned closer, lowering her head slightly as if teasing a younger brother.
"My second question is a little tougher," Lady Selindra said.
"If you win the proxy war… who will you serve after that?"
Norax looked at her calmly.
"If you're worried that I'll join another kingdom," he replied, "don't be. That won't happen."
She stared at him for a moment, then suddenly asked,
"Do you know, by any chance… are you the Empress's secret child?"
Norax flinched like a startled cat.
"What?!" he snapped.
"Why would you curse me like that?! If someone hears this, my neck will be gone!"
Selindra burst into laughter.
"Well, you do resemble her far more than her own children," she said lightly.
"You may not know this, but the Empress and I were friends back in the academy she was clever like you."
Norax frowned.
"How would I know that?" he asked. "I wasn't even born at that time."
He looked at her seriously.
"Do you know, Lady Selindra," Norax said slowly,
"I never wanted to be the leader of any organization."
His voice softened.
"I just wanted a peaceful life. One home. A decent job may be married to a beautiful woman and have two kids. "
He sighed inwardly.
Selindra looked at him closely.
"Then why?" she asked softly.
"If you don't want this… why are you doing all of this? "
Norax froze.
Silence spread between them. The air turned heavy.
Norax lowered his gaze for a brief second, then straightened his posture.
His back was straight, one hand placed calmly over his chest. His eyes were steady—no smile, no hesitation.
"Why do you ask?" Norax said.
He lifted his chin slightly.
"Lady Selindra, before ruling others… one must first become a slave to oneself."
Selindra blinked.
"I am not doing this because I want to," Norax continued, his voice calm and cold.
"I am doing this because my desires are selfish. I want others to be happy. I want to protect what is loyal to me."
He paused for a breath.
"That is why I act—not as a leader, but as a slave to my own heart."
Selindra's eyes widened.
Not because of his words alone.
For a brief moment, she saw it—
the shadow of the Empress standing behind Nox.
She smiled faintly.
"I see," Selindra said quietly. "Then I have no right to say anything."
She tilted her head, her tone turning playful.
"If that is your responsibility…"
Then she leaned closer with a teasing smile.
"By the way—are you really not her child? A secret brother, perhaps?"
Norax's expression darkened.
"I have no relationship with the royal family," he said flatly.
"I was an orphan. Born in the underworld. A group of beggar women raised me until I was seven."
Selindra hummed.
"I see. Still, you really resemble her when she was young," she said. "You remind me of my academy days."
Norax kept his thoughts to himself.
"I'll take my leave," Nox said coldly. "I have preparations to make for war"
Selindra waved her hand lightly.
"Alright, youngest. I'll pray for your victory."
She even acted cute while saying it.
Norax stepped outside.
His steps echoed down the corridor as his expression returned to calm indifference.
Norax sat in the carriage—not his usual one, but Madam Kyra's.
The ride was quiet.
After he leaves the meeting hall he meet celstia who lean close to him A soft whisper came from the side.
"Master," Celstia leaned close, her voice low.
"Madam Kyra's assistant says… they want to meet you."
Norax's eyes narrowed slightly.
The words barely left her lips before the carriage slowed and stopped.
He stepped out into a silent area, dimly lit, where carriages from the red-light district usually waited.
The streets smelled faintly of incense and coal. Not a soul moved.
He straightened, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his dagger—though he knew he didn't need it.
"Wait… I am a mafia leader myself, aren't I?" he muttered under his breath.
Outside the carriage, Celstia stood politely, waiting. Beside her, Madam Kyra's assistant kept a careful watch.
Norax's gaze landed on Madam Kyra herself.
Her veil was still in place, hiding most of her face, but her presence was commanding.
He took a slow breath.
"Alright, madam kyar is good to see you again " he said quietly to himself.
The silence stretched as the carriage doors closed behind him,
leaving only the faint glow of the streetlamps and the soft shuffle of Celstia's steps.
Norax entered the room and saw Madam Kyra seated gracefully, her posture perfect even in the dim light.
"How is Elsie doing?" she asked, her voice calm but carrying an unmistakable weight.
"She's good," Norax replied. "She's been enjoying her time in my mansion."
Madam Kyra's eyes narrowed slightly. "Is that so… I'm glad. "
"But if you think you're safe after what you did… please reconsider."
Norax felt a little smaller under her gaze.
Slowly, Madam Kyra lifted her veil. The rose-blessed mark on her face—fading the last time they met—was now completely gone her blue eyes now visible and Black hair was smooth
Norax blinked. "So… the medicine is working. I'm glad that I sent another package of medicine"
She crossed her legs, her blue eyes sharp and piercing. "Yes, it's a miracle that my illness is gone. Slowly… but I'm truly grateful for your help."
Norax inclined his head. "So… what do you want to say? It's not the best time to meet otherwise."
" And thank you… for supporting me in the meeting."
"That was part of the alliance," she replied, leaning slightly forward.
"Now, let's get to the point. "
"Are you able to win? Because if you fail, Elwood won't waste a second before moving into the red-light district."
Norax raised an eyebrow. "Why does everyone think I'll lose? Proxy war didn't even start"
Madam Kyra smirked slightly. "So… you planned something no one knew about? No wait for this whole meeting—it was your plan? In first place"
"You're lucky Lady Noctis was the one who held the meeting," she added with a faint smile.
Norax let a small smirk escape.