We meet again

A week later.

I fluttered my eyes open, the bleakness of my surroundings greeting me as I squinted into the dim light. Grogginess clouded my mind, and I realized I was lying in an unfamiliar bed, surrounded by elegant furnishings that seemed almost foreign to me.

My memories were hazy, but the image of the burning mansion clung to my mind, pushing away any remnants of unconsciousness.

Blood drained from my face as I struggled to sit up, my body heavy and uncooperative. I managed to drag myself out of the bed, my legs shaky beneath me.

Just then, a young man entered with a bowl of water and a white towel. When he saw I was awake, his face lit up in surprise.

“Young Master Avaris, you are awake! Thank goodness!” he exclaimed, dropping the bowl in his haste. Without another thought, he rushed forward and pulled me into a tight hug, tears spilling from his eyes. “I’m so glad you made it out alive! I’m so glad!”

I froze, my eyes scanning the room as I struggled to process everything. My heart hammered in my chest, its beat deafening in my ears. Was this real? Or had it all been a dream?

The burning mansion... the stunning man who called himself a demon... had it all been a dream?

“Where… where am I?” I asked, my voice hoarse as I pulled away from the young man. I blinked, trying to clear my vision, still too disoriented to fully grasp the situation. “What happened, Adeus?”

Adeus, one of the servants who had chosen to stay after the tragic death of my family, held onto me for a moment longer. His relief was palpable, his shoulders shaking as he fought to keep it together. After a moment, he pulled back, allowing me to get a better look at my surroundings.

The room I found myself in was grand, decorated with taste and elegance. It was clear it belonged to someone of high rank, yet it all felt so distant to me.

Adeus dabbed at his eyes and managed a shaky smile. “Forgive me, Young Master Avaris,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I… I truly thought we’d lost you.”

Memories started to piece themselves together. I could still see the flames, the orange light dancing across the shadows of the mansion I once called home. I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the crackling sounds, the smoke, the heat, and the face of the man who had called himself a demon. Everything felt surreal, as if it was all too much to believe.

“Adeus… the mansion,” I murmured, barely above a whisper. “It burned, didn’t it?”

Adeus nodded, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Yes, Young Master. It’s gone. The fire consumed everything… everyone.” His voice faltered, as if the words were too painful to say. He hesitated, then continued, “But not all were lost, my lord. Prince Theo arrived in time. He managed to save you and the young boy. You’ve been asleep here in his mansion for a week.”

Relief and sadness clashed within me. Not everyone had been lost, yet the ones taken from me had meant nothing to me. Faces flashed through my mind—those I loved and those I despised, now gone. But knowing that Adeus was here, still loyal and steadfast, was a small comfort in this sea of sorrow.

I lifted my head and met Adeus’s gaze. “Thank you, Adeus. For everything,” I said softly.

He smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, my lord. I’ll always be here.”

The silence stretched between us as I took a deep breath.

Just then, the door opened, and a man entered. His presence filled the room with an air of authority and elegance—Prince Theo. Tall and commanding, he walked in with a smile that softened when he saw me awake.

“Avaris,” Theo greeted, his voice warm. “It’s good to see you back among the living.”

I managed a small smile in return, inclining my head. “Thank you, Your Grace. I owe you my life.”

“Nonsense,” Theo said, dismissing my gratitude with a wave of his hand. “Your brother was a dear friend of mine. This is the least I could do.” He stepped closer, studying me closely. “How are you feeling?”

“Better, I think,” I replied. The sorrow still lingered, but the gratitude for Theo’s help warmed my chest. He had saved me—there was comfort in knowing I wasn’t entirely alone.

Theo nodded, clearly pleased with my response. “Good. Actually, I was hoping you’d join me tonight. The Grand Duke is hosting a banquet, and it might do you some good to be surrounded by familiar faces.” He paused, a knowing smile creeping onto his lips. “Besides, it might lift your spirits.”

I considered his offer, surprised at the thought of socializing after everything that had happened. But, seeing Theo’s hopeful expression, I felt a flicker of something resembling happiness. I nodded. “All right, I’ll come.”

Theo clapped a hand on my shoulder. “That’s the spirit. The banquet starts at sundown. Adeus will help you get ready.”

As Theo left, Adeus was already bustling around, gathering garments suited for a banquet.

…

Prince Theo, heir of Grand Duke Torvik of Alkavine, had been a close friend of my late brother. To me, Theo was a figure of dignity and unwavering loyalty. He had stood by my side in the darkest times, both when my family was alive and now, in their absence.

So when Theo invited me to the banquet hosted by his father, I couldn’t refuse. How could I say no to someone like him?

I was dressed in a midnight-blue coat, tailored to perfection, adorned with silver embroidery along the lapels and cuffs. Dark trousers lined with silver piping, polished boots completing the look. Despite the fine attire, I couldn’t shake the sense of unease that clung to me.

As I walked toward the grand venue, Adeus by my side, I could feel his concern. He could sense my reluctance, given the tragedy that had befallen my family just a week ago. Even so, he smiled, tapping me on the shoulder. “Don’t be nervous, My Lord. His Grace will be pleased to have you here.”

I forced a smile, but remained silent. The banquet hall greeted us with a sea of faces, and I felt the weight of many eyes on me. Whispers immediately followed.

“Isn’t that the last son of Count Starweaver? Have you heard what happened to him?”

I felt the sting of their words, and a knot formed in my stomach. I couldn’t stop walking. Not here, not in the middle of this banquet.

“They say his entire family was killed by his father’s closest friend while he was away, traveling the world. He wasn’t even loved in his family. Poor boy.”

“Didn’t that so-called ‘friend’ and his family perish in a fire just a week ago? It’s all too convenient, if you ask me.”

“There’s something strange about that boy… How could he even think of showing his face here, after all that disaster?”

Their words pierced me like daggers. I felt my chest tighten, my vision blur, and my legs grow weak beneath me. The world around me seemed to fade, the voices muffling into a low hum. My head grew light, and for a moment, my eyes closed, and I was lost to the darkness.

When I opened them again, I found myself staring into a pair of piercing crimson eyes. The chill that ran down my spine was immediate. A smirk danced on the stranger’s lips as he steadied me, holding me upright with a firm grip.

“We meet again, Avaris Starweaver,” he said, his voice low and mocking.

It was the last thing I heard before the darkness claimed me once more.