Episode 23
The war had begun.
Lucien Blackwood's vow to destroy his brother was no longer a threat—it was a declaration. The Blackwood estate, once a sanctuary of wealth and power, was now a fortress under siege. War loomed on the horizon, and Aria stood in the eye of the storm, caught between the man she loved and the family he swore to protect.
---
The Calm Before the Storm
Aria didn't sleep much after Lucien's confession. Each hour seemed to stretch on forever, the weight of what was to come pressing down on her chest.
She couldn't shake the image of the battlefield. Lucien, ruthless and unforgiving, leading his troops into a war that would tear apart everything they had built.
He hadn't been the same since the attack.
He was colder, more distant—his mind consumed by strategy, by vengeance. But every time his gaze lingered on her, there was something else—something that hinted at the man beneath the devil's mask. The man who had fought for her, for them.
And yet, as the first rays of dawn illuminated the Blackwood estate, she couldn't help but wonder if that man would survive the war. Or if the devil would claim him for good.
---
War Preparations
The Blackwoods had one advantage in this war: they had the element of surprise. Emerson had made the mistake of underestimating the loyalty of the Blackwood family.
Lucien had always been a shadow—an enigma. Now, he was the warlord who held the strings of an empire built on blood and loyalty. His command over the mansion was absolute, and his control over the Blackwood network even more so.
The mansion had transformed into a war room. Maps were pinned to every wall. Plans were drawn. Soldiers were briefed.
Aria couldn't help but watch in silence as Lucien orchestrated everything from the front. His mind worked like a machine, calculating each move with precision. No emotion. No hesitation.
"I'll make them regret ever crossing the Blackwoods," Lucien said one night, his voice cold as ice. "And they'll learn why no one threatens what's mine."
---
The Battle Begins
It didn't take long for Emerson's forces to make their move.
Aria was in the garden when she heard the explosion. It was deafening, followed by the sound of shouting and footsteps. The Blackwoods had been attacked—this time, with a force large enough to breach the mansion's outer defenses.
In an instant, Lucien was there, his presence overwhelming.
"Get inside, now!" he barked.
But Aria didn't move. She couldn't. She stood frozen in place as she watched Lucien and his men rush past her, weapons in hand, preparing to face the invaders head-on.
It was happening. The war had begun.
---
The First Clash
The battle raged through the night.
Lucien was everywhere—leading his forces, executing his strategy with military precision. He was a beast unleashed, a warlord who commanded the respect of everyone in his army.
But Aria couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't just about winning a war anymore. Lucien wasn't just fighting for control of the Blackwood empire; he was fighting for his own soul.
The longer the battle stretched on, the more Aria saw the toll it was taking on him. His face was a mask of blood and dirt, his eyes burning with fury. Yet, every time he caught a glimpse of her, there was a flicker of something else—something softer. Something that reminded her of the man she fell in love with.
She had to be strong. For him.
As the hours passed, Aria found herself in the heart of the mansion, with the sounds of gunfire and explosions ringing in her ears. She moved cautiously, following the path of destruction left by the war.
---
An Unexpected Encounter
It wasn't long before she crossed paths with someone she never expected to see: Emerson Blackwood.
He stood in the doorway of the east wing, his eyes cold as stone.
"Aria," he said softly, his voice carrying a weight of sorrow. "You shouldn't be here."
She froze. The sight of him—the man who was once family—was enough to make her heart race with uncertainty.
"You…" Aria began, her voice shaking. "You're the reason all of this is happening. You've come back to destroy everything."
Emerson's expression faltered. "No. I've come to reclaim what was stolen from me."
---
The Truth Revealed
Aria's mind raced. The truth about Emerson had always been shrouded in secrecy, and now, face-to-face with him, she felt the truth slipping into place.
"Lucien… he's not the monster you think he is," Emerson said, his eyes dark with regret. "He's been nothing but a weapon. A weapon forged by our father, made to fight battles that were never his to fight."
Aria's heart pounded. "What are you saying? Lucien… he's fought for everything. For the Blackwoods. For the people he loves."
"No," Emerson interrupted, his voice low. "Lucien fought to prove something to our father. To show that he was the heir. But that's not why he's here. He doesn't know the real truth."
"What truth?" Aria asked, confusion clouding her thoughts.
Emerson stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers.
"The Blackwoods' power isn't just in bloodlines or wealth," he said. "It's in the curse that has haunted us for generations. The curse that binds us to this mansion, to this family. And it's that curse that Lucien is too blind to see."
---
The Curse of the Blackwoods
Aria's world tilted on its axis.
"What do you mean?" she whispered.
Emerson's eyes softened with sadness. "The Blackwoods have always been bound by a blood curse. A curse that demands a price for power, for wealth, for control. The curse… it's what's turned our family into monsters. It's what has driven Lucien to become who he is."
Aria felt the room spin around her. "No… that can't be true. Lucien would never—"
"Lucien's soul is already lost," Emerson said, his voice breaking. "And if you don't stop him, if you don't stop this war, it will consume him completely."
The truth hit Aria like a ton of bricks. The man she loved, the man she had trusted, was caught in a cycle that he couldn't escape from.