Supreme Spouse System.

Chapter 552: A Friend in the Dark

A Friend in the Dark

He placed a hand on the handle.

Paused.

And then—

He opened it.

The hall outside was dim. Wind pushed through the corridor, making torches shiver.

Something—or someone—waited beyond the light.

William’s gaze sharpened.

He didn’t step out.

He only whispered:

"...Interesting."

---

William slowly straightened his posture.

His shoulders rolled back with effortless grace, spine aligning like a blade drawn from its sheath. The casual laziness faded from his stance and was replaced by something ancient, refined, and dangerous. A noble predator recognizing another.

He inclined his head just slightly—just enough to be polite, not enough to be submissive.

"Isn’t this an extreme honor," William said calmly, voice smooth as velvet, "Prince of the Skyfall Kingdom?"

The shadows at the end of the corridor flickered.

Light bent strangely.

The torches fluttered, their flames twisting unnaturally as if being pulled by invisible wind.

Then—

Footsteps.

Slow.

Heavy.

Measured.

A low voice echoed through the corridor, deep and rich with amusement.

"So... you felt me."

From the darkness, a man stepped forward.

Blond hair—clean and polished like gold under moonlight.

Sharp blue eyes—clear, playful, alive with intelligence.

Skin fair, features sculpted and handsome as if blessed by nobles’ gods.

He wore long flowing blue robes, layered silk embroidered with silver wind sigils. Each step made the fabric sway like waves. His presence was calm, princely, but coiled with quiet power.

He walked as though the shadows themselves stepped aside for him.

William’s lips curved.

"Not just felt," he replied. "I’ve been expecting you."

The blond man laughed softly.

A low, relaxed sound.

"Ah... you catch me, Count William."

William leaned slightly against the door frame, unbothered.

"That shadow trick of yours still looks pretty," he said. "Changing your presence with wind-element illusions... hiding your aura... only one family in Skyfall can do that so neatly."

The blond man tapped his chest casually.

"Duoyan blood," he said with mock pride. "Hard to hide greatness."

"That shadow trick of yours still looks pretty," he said. "Changing your presence with wind-element illusions... hiding your aura... only one family in Skyfall can do that so neatly."

The blond man tapped his chest casually.

"Duoyan blood," he said with mock pride. "Hard to hide greatness."

William gave a single nod.

The blond man’s smile widened.

"But you already know who I am, don’t you?"

William didn’t hesitate.

"Prince Robert of Skyfall."

The prince laughed—this time louder, freer.

"You’re right."

He stepped closer into the torchlight.

"So now what?" Robert asked, tilting his head. "You going to stab me or invite me in?"

William chuckled quietly.

He stepped aside and gestured toward the open door.

"Join the party."

---

They walked back together.

William led, calm and composed.

Robert followed, hands tucked lazily behind his back like he was strolling through a garden, not stepping into a room full of terrified nobles having a secret political meeting.

When the door opened again and William stepped inside, the nobles first saw only him.

Then—

They saw the blond stranger.

The room shift was instant.

Spines stiffened.

Eyes widened.

Hands tightened around goblets and armrests.

Robert followed, hands tucked lazily behind his back like he was strolling through a garden, not stepping into a room full of terrified nobles having a secret political meeting.

When the door opened again and William stepped inside, the nobles first saw only him.

Then—

They saw the blond stranger.

The room shift was instant.

Spines stiffened.

Eyes widened.

Hands tightened around goblets and armrests.

The nobles didn’t rise.

They stood.

Slowly.

Hesitantly.

Instinctively.

They didn’t know who the man was.

But they knew he didn’t belong.

William walked to his seat and turned calmly toward them.

"Sit," he said.

They sat. Immediately.

Then he gestured slightly toward the man beside him.

"This," William said smoothly, "is Prince Robert of the Skyfall Kingdom."

The silence that followed was thick enough to choke on.

Their eyes flicked off him.

Neighbor kingdom.

Foreign royalty.

Secret meeting.

Every noble’s mind worked fast.

Why is he here?

Is this betrayal?

Are we being sold?

Did Leon know?

They smiled.

Forced.

Tight.

Polished.

Robert, completely unbothered, smiled back.

Charming.

Easy.

Deadly.

William leaned forward slightly.

"Relax," he said. "He isn’t an enemy."

Several nobles blinked.

"An ally," William added casually.

Shock flickered openly now.

A few eyebrows lifted.

Viscount Renn almost forgot how to breathe.

"An... ally...?" he repeated.

William nodded once.

He turned to Robert.

"Prince Robert, please," William said, gesturing to the seat beside him, "take your place. Have some wine."

Robert’s eyes sparkled.

"Why not?"

He crossed the room smoothly and took the seat beside William. The chair adjusted slightly beneath him. He leaned back, relaxed, and reached for a nearby goblet.

Crystal glass.

Deep red wine.

He lifted it lightly.

Took a sip.

The nobles watched like prey watching a second predator enter the cave.

William also picked up a goblet and took a slow drink, never breaking his calm expression.

The room felt tighter.

Smaller.

Heavier.

Renn finally gathered the courage to speak.

"My Lord William..." he said carefully, choosing each word like stepping on thin ice. "Our nation... is already in chaos. Leon sits on the capital. King Gary is absent... and now... another kingdom’s prince sits here."

His hands trembled slightly.

"Why... bring a foreign royal into this?"

Halden whispered, "This meeting is secret..."

Duke Selmen’s voice dropped low. "This isn’t safe."

Robert tilted his head slightly, amused.

William set his goblet down slowly.

A soft clink.

He smiled.

Their anxiety grew.

He looked at them calmly.

"Because," William said softly.

And he let the word hang in the air.

The chandelier flickered again.

The wind brushed the curtains.

The torches shuddered.

The nobles leaned in without realizing.

William’s eyes darkened.

His smile deepened.

"Because chaos... isn’t something you survive alone."

He glanced sideways at Robert.

Robert smirked slightly, raising his goblet again.

William’s fingers tapped once on the table.

The nobles’ unease turned into dread.

And the Chapter ended there.