"Well, can I take your big brother out for some time?" Sara says in a gentle tone.
Am I going crazy, or did her eyes just glow? Sara thinks, a flicker of unease crossing her face.
"Okay, but he has to come back home soon!" Luna replies with a bright, innocent smile before skipping out the door toward the garden.
"Maybe I was just seeing things," Sara mutters, her voice laced with confusion.
Inside, Helios is standing before a mirror, holding up a black suit and a red suit. "Circlet, if you have nothing better to do, you can help me choose something to wear," he sighs.
"Pick red. I like red. So, are you dressing up for your little crush?" Circlet's voice echoes mockingly in Helios's head.
"Shut up," Helios snaps. He pulls on the red suit with a black shirt and tie, adjusts his black gloves, and charges down the stairs.
"I'm back," Helios says to Sara, slightly out of breath.
"How are you this tired from running? You're a Seeker, after all," Sara says, eyeing him with a bewildered expression.
"That's not the most important thing. We need to go," Helios says, his face hardening back into his usual icy mask.
They walk to a sleek, fancy black car. Helios opens the front door for Sara; she slides in, and he takes a seat.
"Leader, I have a question," Sara says, her blue eyes flickering with curiosity as she clicks her seatbelt into place.
"Ask away," Helios replies, buckling his own.
"Why didn't you just ask the driver to drive the car?" she asks, watching him closely.
"I drive myself to the organization. I think it's become a habit," Helios says, igniting the engine.
"Lies. We all know you only drive yourself when you are late to work," Circlet's voice needles him.
Shut up. What do you want from me? Helios thinks, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.
"Nothing. I'm just here to watch a love show that hasn't even started yet," Circlet mocks.
"Leader, I have another question," Sara says, her tone turning uncharacteristically sharp.
"What is it?" Helios asks with feigned interest, his eyes locked on the road.
"You have been acting weird around me since yesterday. Why do you always look away?" Sara asks, her frustration mounting.
"Interesting... the clouds are really white today, and the sky is very blue," Helios remarks, desperately pivoting the conversation.
"Aren't you going to answer me, Helios?" Sara demands, her voice trembling with irritation as she clenches her fists.
"You never told me where we are going, Sara," Helios says, his crimson eyes focusing intensely on the path ahead.
"We're going to a party organized by the Royal Family. They only invited us because they want our Seeker organization on the Imperial Faction's side," Sara explains.
"So, are you going to tell me the way to the party?" Helios asks.
"I almost forgot about that," Sara says, pointing toward the palace.
They reach the destination and step out of the car. Helios looks on, amazed; the palace is dripping with more gold than he imagined. A crimson flag emblazoned with a black rose flutters above them as they enter.
As they step inside, every eye in the room snaps toward them. The nobles stare at them like predators eyeing prey.
Why are they looking at us like we are some kind of animal? Helios thinks, his jaw tightening in annoyance.
"You have the title of a Sovereign, but you don't even know what to do in high society," Circlet's voice sneers.
What do you want me to do? Helios retorts mentally.
"Show them. Show them that when they stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back," Circlet commands, his voice echoing with dark authority.
Helios scans the room. He activates his ability, Tyrant's Pressure, his crimson eyes beginning to glow with a lethal intensity. The suffocating aura ripples through the air. The nobles immediately avert their gazes, shrinking back to clear a path toward the centre of the room.
Helios and Sara's footsteps echo sharply against the white marble tiles.
"Thank you for the warm welcome," Helios says in an icy, sarcastic tone. The nobles distance themselves in sheer terror. Helios finally deactivates his ability.
"Where is the Royal Family?" Helios asks, glancing around the gilded hall.
"They are always the last to come to an event," Sara whispers.
Suddenly, the great doors groan open. Seven figures with piercing golden eyes stride in.
"Who are they?" Helios asks.
"The Royal Family, Leader. They are known for their golden eyes," Sara says.
"Seer has golden eyes, if I remember correctly," Helios notes, a look of surprise crossing his face.
"Yes, she does. Now that I think about it, her veil usually covers her eyes and face," Sara muses.
The doors swing open once more, but it isn't another royal.
"Didn't you say the Royal Family is always last?" Helios asks, glancing at Sara.
"They are... but there are only a few people arrogant enough to come after the Royal Family. The Seeker Clans."
A man and a woman walk into the room, both possessing raven-black hair and deep red eyes.
"They are here. The Vaelthorne Clan," Sara whispers.
At the mention of the name, Helios clutches his head as jagged memories begin to tear through his mind.
"If we go back to the Vaelthorne house, they will kill me and my unborn child!" a pregnant woman with silver hair screams in his mind.
"We can't hide forever. They are going to find us soon," a man with black hair replies.
My brain... it feels like it's going to explode. Where are these memories coming from? Helios thinks, doubling over in pain.
"You shouldn't be here, child," a sinister, guttural voice echoes from the depths of his mind.