Nyx woke to the soft glow of morning filtering through the curtains. For several seconds, she remained still beneath the covers, staring blankly at the ceiling as her mind slowly surfaced from sleep. The room was quiet, the familiar surroundings almost deceptively peaceful.
Then she remembered she was back in the past, in her room with a fractured arm and... her mother’s trust.
Nyx sighed and reached for her phone on the nightstand. She unlocked the screen and checked the time—a little after seven in the morning. She had slept better than expected. Scrolling through her notifications, she paused when one caught her attention:
Bank Notification: Incoming Transfer — $500,000.00
Nyx blinked, then opened it to see the sender. A faint, amused smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Edmund hadn’t explicitly promised to increase her allowance or provide her with access to more money after everything that had happened yesterday, but he had apparently decided that transferring half a million dollars would be the easiest way to demonstrate the sincerity she demanded. Nyx wasn’t complaining. Considering what she intended to do with the money, she had no intention of wasting a single cent.
She set the phone down for a moment before remembering something else: the Living Space.
Nyx closed her eyes. "System."
The familiar mechanical voice immediately sounded inside her mind.
[Good morning, Nyx. How was your night?]
"It was fine, thanks." She shifted against her pillows, glancing at the cast on her arm. "I wanted to ask you about the resources needed for the Living Space. Can finished diamond, gold, and silver jewelry be used?"
[Yes. Processed forms of compatible minerals can be used.]
Nyx’s eyes brightened.
[However, the quantity required is substantial.]
Her excitement dimmed slightly. "Right. Of course." She nodded to herself. "At least I can use them."
[That is correct.]
That was still good news. Jewelry was easier to acquire. If the System accepted finished forms, she wouldn’t have to search for unprocessed materials before Realmfall; she could simply buy whatever she could get her hands on. Diamonds, gold, and silver—Nyx mentally added them to the growing list of resources she needed to acquire.
"Show me the System interface."
The System responded immediately.
[Realmfall Apocalypse Survival System]
[Host: Nyx Arden]
[Status: Activated.]
[Temporal State: Pre-Realmfall.]
[Realmfall Event: 29 Days, 16 Hours, 31 Minutes Remaining.]
Nyx stared at the countdown. The number looked far more ominous than it had yesterday.
She rubbed her forehead with her good hand.
Nearly thirty days. She needed food, water, medicine, weapons, vehicles, fuel, clothing, tools, construction materials, seeds, communication equipment, and countless other supplies. Now she had another priority: the Living Space. If she could restore even part of it before Realmfall, it could completely boost her survival chance.
Nyx closed the interface. There was no point lying in bed thinking about it.
She got out of bed, headed into the bathroom, and began her morning routine.
She washed her face, brushed her teeth, and changed into comfortable exercise clothes. Her fractured arm made some movements awkward, but she had already learned that getting frustrated with her physical limitations didn’t make them disappear. After tying her hair back, she left her room.
The corridor was quiet. Nyx walked a few doors down, stopped outside Lucian’s bedroom, and opened the door carefully.
The curtains were still drawn, leaving the room dim. Lucian was fast asleep, sprawled across his bed with one arm hanging loosely over the edge.
Nyx stood there for a moment. He looked younger when he slept, the usual seriousness in his expression replaced by the peaceful vulnerability of a fourteen-year-old.
Nyx’s expression softened. She quietly closed the door again. Let him sleep—he deserved it.
She returned to her room, changed into a simple pair of running shoes, and headed downstairs.
She wasn’t foolish enough to push herself too hard. Her mind had spent three years surviving the apocalypse, but this physical body hadn’t; it had been living a comfortable life right up until yesterday. So instead of attempting anything strenuous, Nyx started with a brisk walk around the estate grounds.
After several minutes, she gradually increased her pace into a light jog. The morning air was cool against her face, and the quiet rhythm of her footsteps helped clear her mind. For the first few minutes, everything felt fine. Then her breathing grew heavier.
Nyx frowned and slowed down as her legs felt strangely heavy. So this was her current physical condition.
Nyx exhaled and resumed walking. She would have to rebuild herself one day at a time.
After completing several laps around the grounds, she returned inside slightly sweaty and breathing harder than she would have liked.
Nyx had just reached the staircase when she noticed Camilla coming from the opposite corridor.
The older woman spotted her, and her expression immediately tightened. Camilla looked away and continued walking as though Nyx weren’t there. Nyx didn’t particularly care and continued toward the stairs.
"Nyx."
Nyx stopped and glanced over her shoulder. Camilla had turned around.
"The wardrobe stylist will be coming over once she’s free," Camilla said, her tone noticeably reluctant. "Either today or tomorrow."
Nyx raised a brow.
"Your father also said you could take the new car," Camilla added, pausing slightly. "The one that was purchased two weeks ago."
Nyx looked at her for a moment, then pulled out her phone. "Tell the wardrobe stylist to prepare clothes for Lucian as well."
Camilla’s expression immediately soured. "I was talking about you. I don’t see why Lucian needs anything."
Nyx’s fingers stopped moving. Slowly, she raised her eyes, her expression completely unfeeling. "Lucian is also his son, isn’t he?"
Camilla’s lips pressed into a thin line.
Nyx’s voice remained flat. "And he can fucking afford it."
Camilla’s expression darkened.
Nyx slipped her phone back into her pocket. "Oh, and thank him for the car." A faint, almost pleasant smile touched her lips. "I know you were looking forward to using it."
Camilla’s face stiffened. Nyx didn’t wait for a response; she turned and walked away, heading back upstairs to stop outside Lucian’s bedroom. She knocked once, got no answer, and opened the door.
Lucian was still asleep. Nyx stared at him for a few seconds before walking over to the bed.
"Lucian." She poked his shoulder with her good hand. "Wake up."
He shifted. "Five more minutes..."
Nyx’s lips twitched. "Absolutely not." She gave his shoulder another gentle shake. "Wake up, sleepyhead."
Lucian groaned and pulled the blanket over his head.
Nyx laughed quietly. "We’re going out."
The blanket moved, and one dark eye appeared. "Going out?"
"Yes."
He slowly sat up, blinking sleepily with his hair sticking out in several directions. "Where are we going?"
"You’ll find out."
Lucian stared at her for another second before sighing. "Give me twenty minutes."
"Fifteen."
"Twenty."
"Fine." Nyx turned toward the door. "And Lucian?"
"Hmm?"
"Wear something good." She walked out before he could respond.
Back in her room, Nyx showered and changed into something more suitable for going out. She chose a dark green silk top with an asymmetrical drape and a wide neckline. The fabric fell elegantly across her frame, while the asymmetrical design gave the otherwise simple piece a distinctive appearance. She paired it with high-waisted, wide-leg trousers in a matching dark tone.
Once dressed, she stood in front of the mirror and adjusted her hair. Her dark green hair was parted neatly down the middle and slicked back, keeping it clear of her face.
Nyx studied her reflection—much better.
She sat down to put on her shoes, carefully working around her injured arm. She had just finished fastening the second shoe when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
The door opened and Lucian stepped inside. He had changed into a clean shirt and trousers, his hair still slightly disheveled despite his attempt to tame it.
Nyx looked up, a small smile appearing on her face. "You’re ready."
She stood, picked up her shopping bags, and adjusted her grip with her good hand. Then she reached out and caught Lucian lightly by the wrist. "Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"You ask too many questions."
Lucian sighed, but he followed her anyway. They stepped into the hallway together, with Nyx walking a few paces ahead while Lucian followed beside her.
They had barely stepped down the stairs when another figure appeared from the other side.
Livia.
She slowed when she spotted them, her gaze immediately dropping to Lucian before moving to Nyx. Her eyes lingered briefly on Nyx’s fractured arm, and the faintest smile touched her lips.
"Well," Livia said lightly, stepping closer. "It seems some people have gotten quite comfortable making demands around here."
Nyx continued walking.
Livia fell into step for a few seconds, her voice carrying that familiar sweetness that didn’t reach her eyes.
"I suppose it must be nice," she continued, "having someone agree to all your demands just for an engagement you don’t particularly want. Some people really do know how to make the most of being favored."
Lucian’s expression tightened.
Nyx didn’t even look at her.
"I suppose it must be nice," she replied calmly, "having so little going for you that other people’s matters are the most interesting thing in your life."
Livia’s smile disappeared.
Nyx continued toward the staircase without slowing.
"You should try finding a hobby, Livia. Jealousy is a rather boring personality trait."
Her voice remained almost pleasant.
By the time Livia recovered enough to respond, Nyx and Lucian were already several steps ahead.
Livia remained standing in the corridor, her face tightening with anger as she watched them disappear.
Her hands curled into fists at her sides.
She hated Nyx.
She hated the way Nyx no longer reacted to her, hated the casual indifference in her voice, and hated even more that every attempt to provoke her seemed to end with Livia being the one left embarrassed.
She stood there for several seconds, her expression twisted with dislike. Then she turned sharply and walked away.