The Devil And The Maid.

The sun lingered above the garden as laughter filled the air. It was 3:45 p.m., and the wedding celebration was still alive with joy. Nora was dancing with Aveline, the girls, and the twins in her arms, twirling and laughing as flower petals floated through the air.

A few meters away, Zayan stood with the gang—Kieran, Shaw, Resia, and the others—discussing security and arrangements. But their conversation halted as Zofia walked up to them with a cold, stern expression.

"Mr. Zayan," she said, eyes unwavering, "after your wedding, I'm taking Nora with me to Poland. It's important—critical."

Zayan raised a brow. "Why? She hasn't returned in eight years—not since she recovered all her memories."

Zofia folded her arms. "She must be presented before the entire Lilith Family. Her photo is already on the family tree. The empire—it's under her name. Everything belongs to her." Her tone darkened. "And her uncle… that bastard killed my second son. He knows Nora. If she returns unguarded, he'll kill her."

Zayan's expression tightened, arms folding across his chest. "I'll think about it," he said calmly. "I'll get back to you, Ma." He turned back to the gang.

Xandria and Sachi popped up beside him, wide-eyed.

"I love Poland!" they said in unison.

Then Resia, his Polish accent thick, leaned in. "Wait… What's your wife's other name—besides yours?"

Zayan blinked. "Nora Lilith."

Resia froze. "Hold on—your wife is a Lilith?" he asked in disbelief.

Zayan nodded slowly.

Resia's face went serious, ice in his voice. "Then she's in extreme danger. The man Lady Zofia mentioned… Don Jakub… he's the most dangerous man in Kraków. If Nora goes alone, she's as good as dead."

Zayan turned slowly, eyes locking onto Nora, who was still dancing, glowing, carefree.

"Who said she's going alone?" he said, jaw clenched. "We'll make a plan. But I'll need all of you—will you help me?"

The Black Scars Lords gave a unified nod, pledging their loyalty.

That evening, Zayan gathered Zofia and the others.

"We leave for Poland in three days—after the final events. Be ready," he instructed.

Zofia nodded and immediately began securing high-grade weapons. Each member was given a personal set for protection.

Later that night, Nora came running up to Zayan. "Z!!!" she yelled, leaping onto his back.

He caught her easily, and she giggled against his ear as cameras flashed. The picture they took together was breathtaking—pure love, frozen in time.

The next morning, Nora was awake early, sketching intensely. Her eyes focused, her fingers stained with ink. Her whispers were frantic, repeating designs and names like mantras.

Zofia joined her, frowning. "What's wrong now, brat?"

Nora didn't respond. She was deep in her art—brass knuckles, iron fans, draggers, rope-blades, water swords… each weapon was unique, laced with dark blues, purples, black, and her signature teal.

She stood, went straight to Zayan, holding her drawing with both hands. "Z! Can I make this my own set? Please?"

Zayan took the paper. The gang peered over his shoulder.

"Whoa… Are you an artist?" Azara asked.

Nora nodded shyly.

Just then, Asher walked in with Rose, and Azara's eyes lit up. "Rosieeee!" Nora shouted, hugging her tight.

"Rose studied in Poland," Zayan said quietly to the group. "She knows the Don."

Zayan turned to Nora again. "Are you sure you want this, love?"

Nora's expression turned stone cold. Her voice dropped, her real voice emerging—firm, unshakable.

"Do you want me to die again?"

The room froze. Everyone looked at her.

"Who just spoke?" they asked in unison.

"I did!" Nora giggled, twirling again. "Pretty please with an ice cream sundae and a cherry on top?"

Zayan burst into laughter, the tension in the room breaking like glass. "Fine! I'll get the set made, okay darling?"

She clapped, thrilled. "Yay!"

"Can you even use a weapon, Mrs. Nora?" Sachi asked.

"I've watched Z train for years. I know how," she grinned.

"No kidding… she's dangerous," Shaw said, hiding behind Zira.

"Scared of Nora?" Zira teased.

"She almost killed us all," Kieran muttered, and Maia burst into laughter.

The evening came—the Ball Wedding. Everything was perfect. The colors: teal, Chinese black, aubergine gleam, and gold. Zayan and Nora both wore gold and Chinese black, radiating royalty.

Zayan sent Nora's drawings to his aunt, Annabella—a high-tech engineer and weapon master. He paid her £40 million, but told Nora it only cost £5,000. (She still doesn't know.)

Later that night, Nora slipped away to the bathroom and found a small box on the floor with her name on it—Nora Lilith. Confused, she brought it to Zayan, who was with the family.

"Someone threw this at me," she said.

Zayan opened it. His face turned pale. He handed the letter to Zofia.

Everyone read it together.

"The empire belongs to me—and only me.

I will wipe you and your family off this earth

if it's the last thing I do.

—Don Jakub"

Blood stained the corners of the box.

Zayan's eyes flicked to Nora—still dancing with the twins, innocent and glowing. His inner demon stirred.

Security across their estate and the orphanage doubled. Rose and Issa packed quickly—everyone was going to Poland, except the twins, who would stay safely with Grandma and Mom.

The final events approached fast. Next up: the Tent and Traditional Wedding, followed by the Castle Wedding.

The true battle was approaching.

And this time, Nora Lilith Zayan wouldn't run from it.