I

Tay King took a second look at his reflection in the full-length mirror and adjusted his burgundy tie and black top hat with a gold band, strands of hair escaping rebelliously through the brim. In the shadow cast by the brim of his top hat, his silver eyes looked like two stars, gleaming with intensity and determination. She heard laughter echoing outside and walked to the window beside the mirror and looked down.

The King's rooms faced the entrance and the garden was always well maintained with the help of a troll gardener and a lot of magic. Today Herman had bewitched some bushes to look like huge open-winged dragons that greeted guests as they passed through the great iron gates, limniades, small spirits from the forest around the King's Summer House had appeared and were illuminating the garden with golden light.

Carriages entered and parked on the left, while on the right Tay's parents had prepared a flat area for the landing of small airships. Tay saw the red Panther De Ville of the Bathorys entering the property at full speed, two werewolves had to jump to avoid being run over and landed hard on top of a bush in the shape of a large snake. When he parked the car, it produced a great smoke filled with dust and gravel. Tay stretched farther out, the wind almost taking his top hat off, he narrowed his eyes to get a better look at the Bathory couple getting out of the car, their usual cold features, it looked like they were always remembering something tragic. Right behind them came Elisabeth, the pretty-featured vampire daughter, that night with black hair pulled back in a bun on top of her head, her eyes red and intense as rubies, the same color as her dress, met Tay's as she knocked. the car door, then smiled. The Bathorys were part of a small group of old families, like the Kings, but who espoused anti-normal conservative ideas, so Tay wondered why they had accepted the invitation to this ball that was intended as a normal celebration.

A knock on the door interrupted the boy's thoughts as he turned away from the window and snapped his fingers, the door slowly opened. Tiago and William King entered his room. James was wearing an elegant black suit with small diamonds forming a constellation on his body, Will had opted for a blue tuxedo and black top hat. They were as they always were, elegant.

"We wanted to talk to you before we went down to greet the guests," James spoke slowly, as if he was choosing his words.

Tay's smile faded. He knew very well what his parents would talk to him about. Being a King he had gotten used to meetings and balls at his house in Penumbre or at the Summer House, and he always behaved well in all of them, in fact he stayed in the corner, trying not to attract attention, but he didn't agree with the event. that night, and he'd made that very clear several times over the past few weeks.

"We understand your reason for not liking normals." Will started to speak. "But this is just an event to get friends together on an important night.

Tay stuck his hands in his pockets and closed them into fists, he had promised his parents for a few years that he would try to control his anger and the grudge he felt for normal people, but secretly he just felt that with each passing day the bad feelings they just grew inside him, like the roots of an evil plant.

"And why not another topic?" By the gods, this is normal stuff! Arcanians don't celebrate reveal-what!

"New Year's, dear" Tiago sighed "You know that the Kings have always been in favor of the approximation of Arcanians and normals, we have no problem throwing a party with that theme, and it will be a lot of fun, after all, no Arcanian has had a party with this one before. theme.

"Yes, because it belongs to normals, so let this custom stay on the other side of the Veil." Tay rolled his eyes. "Can I at least stay in my room? I don't want to be ashamed.

'You won't be embarrassed and you won't stay in your room' - Will walked up to him with firm steps and laid a hand on his shoulder - 'this just demonstrates our position in the current election. You know that our family is important, and this dance will make it clear what we stand for and maybe that way we can stop the wrong person from rising to power and destroying the peace we've managed to create with normal people.

"Having our only child by our side is very important to us, Tay," Tiago continued for her husband, "Please…

"It doesn't matter to me, I don't support that peace," Tay grumbled and then took a deep breath, he didn't want to fight with his parents, he always felt uncomfortable with himself when he did that. "I just… you know my stance on this. For me, the Veil would be sealed as it used to be and we'd leave the normal ones there.

"Tay, don't blame an entire race for the mistake of a few," Will pleaded with that sadness in his eyes that made Tay's heart ache. "Please give them a chance.

- No dad, they've already shown what they are capable of! Tay pulled away from Will, anger burning inside him, coursing through his veins and making his hands shake. Thanks to them we have to live in hiding, they don't deserve anything they have.

Will nodded slowly, but Tay knew that his father was not agreeing with him, and confirmed as soon as he said:

"Okay, if that's what you think now, I know you'll change your mind one day, but until then, you're going to walk down those stairs and greet everyone, be nice and polite. Did you understand? His voice was steady.

"And your friends are here too " Tiago tried to lighten the situation "Darling, take our side this time, please."

Tay closed his eyes and sighed, defeated. He nodded at them, not knowing what he would say if he opened his mouth.

"One day you'll understand," Will whispered as he came over and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "We love you and we would never do anything to hurt you, understand?" Tay nodded again " Great, see you downstairs."