Chapter 26

ARTHUR LEYWIN POV:

'—your past...doesn't truly matter—to me now, you're perfect...nothing will ever change that'

Caera's words echoed in my mind, without an end. Every other thought or action I performed seemed...irrelevant, insignificant. Only her voice imminent.

"Grey". Suddenly, a voice cut through like a bolt of thunder, crashing and clearing away my clouded mind...shaking me out of my mental delirium.

I looked up at the man who had spoken. Corbett Denoir. "Y-Yes. You were saying?" I replied, clearing my throat and bringing my focus back to the matter at hand.

His chestnut eyes studied me closely, as he sat behind the table in his study room. Lenora was standing gracefully behind him, giving us a well-practiced smile. And, Caera sat next to me in silence, looking at her adoptive parents with an indiscernible look.

Corbett cleared his throat, grabbing back our attention. "As we were discussing about yours and Caera's academic affairs... I must ask you this, Grey". His sharp gaze turning thoughtful and serious. "What are your plans for the future? Surely, you seem to have the desire to make a name for yourself. Perhaps a place amongst the 'High Society', otherwise, I see no reason for you to throw yourself into the flaming pit". He said with a condescending tone.

I merely smirked at his not-so-polite speech. "You must be talking about my upcoming challenge at the Victoriad. Well, as you've already been informed by Caera, I see no reasons for—"

Before I could finish saying my bit, Corbett cut me off by lifting his hand up. "Speaking as the highlord of one of the most influential highbloods on the continent, let me give you a friendly warning, Grey: You're trying to enter the Serpent's Lair, unknown of its power and the danger it possess. And, if you think you can walk out with your life unscathed, you must either be delusional, or simply naive".

My eyes sharpened at his words, as I pondered deeply. It's natural for everyone to think this way, I knew that. They don't know about the abilities that I possess. Nevertheless, I was confused at why the Denoirs would care? Clearing my head, I spoke with a tone that carried a certain weight to it. "With all due respect, Corbett, why do you care about what I do? I came here out of respect—to show my gratitude for your help—and for Caera".

It wasn't a lie. His timely assistance in taking care of the Blood Grandbhel had been of immense help. It also made sure that my bait for luring Nico to the Victoriad had been set.

Shaking myself out of that thought, I looked back at the highlord in front of me. He let out a cough, while Lenora's perpetual smile, slightly faltered. "Yes. We are indeed aware of that situation. Which is the reason you and Caera have been summoned here". He stated as a matter-of-fact.

"What do you mean?" I asked, keeping my brows from furrowing. I was still confused, at why the Denoir's cared about my participation at the Event Victoriad, at my well-being nonetheless.

Corbett exchanged a look with his wife, before fixing his gaze back on me. "If power and money are what you seek, I shall give you both." He declared cooly.

I was taken aback by his words as confusion started to rise inside me. I wasn't sure where he was going with this, so I asked him the obvious question. "Oh really? And should I assume that you will be giving them to me as a token of goodwill? Without expecting anything in return?" I scoffed at the words that had left my mouth.

He held my gaze for a while, mulling over his next words. "Actually, yes and no." He replied, giving me a smile. Taking his wife's hand inside his, he looked at me with a look of resolution, before his voice rung. "Grey. How would you like to take our daughter's hand in marriage?" He finally asked.

I nearly choked on my surprise, the—unexpected—answer, or question catching me off-guard. Fighting to keep my face from turning red, I opened my mouth to question the words that I had just heard...but, another voice beat me to it. "W-what? What are you talking about?!" Caera shouted, breaking her silence as she jumped out of her seat.

"No need to get flustered, dear. And you too, Grey." Lenora finally spoke, unperturbed by Caera's sudden outburst. Flicking her gaze between Caera and me, she flashed a genuine smile. "In light to the latest circulating rumours, and heresays, about you two, the highlord and I had a discussion pertaining to this matter. After much deliberation, we have decided that this is the best course of action. For both Caera and the Denoir's future. And that includes you, Grey".

I caught Caera glancing in my direction, her jaws tensed as she held the armrest in a tight grip making her knuckles go white and pale.

Shifting my focus back to the highlady, I looked at her with an impassive face, a contrast to the mixed emotions that I felt on the inside. My heart was beating over-time.

"As you already know Caera is rather know for her rebellious nature. Even during the years of her attendance at the academy as a student". Lenora stated, looking between Caera and me. "We had hoped that she would change her ways, to put into use—the proper etiquettes that she had been taught—to act as a highblood lady that she is. But...she seems to revert back to her natural tendencies, more so..."

My eyes flicked to Caera, to study her reaction. Her head was hung low, shoulders slumped down. Curtain of navy hair masked her facade as she sat unmovingly. Typical Caera, I thought, before focusing on the highlady who continued her speech.

"She has been dodging the suitors left and right. Our blood has looked all across Alacrya for able men, both powerful and wealthy, yet, no one seems to catch my daughter's interest. Vritra forbid, if only a deity descended upon our lands to try his hand..." she shook her head with resignation.

"Then why me?" I asked back, still confused at their intentions. Though I wasn't sure how I felt about this sudden turn of events, I was curious as to why they've chosen me.

My heart was beating fast, while several thoughts popped up my mind, randomly. But I fought to keep them all at bay...till I had dealt with this matter at hand.

"Like we've stated earlier, the rumours about your relationship has reached the tables of the high society...and hardly anything goes unspoken or turned into a scandalous mess among the society filled with prominent highbloods. Truthfully we've waited long for our dearest daughter here, to talk to us about it. To share with us her personal interest over you, so we could have made this decision eons ago". Lenora said, while studying both our reaction.

Her personal interest!? What are they even talking about? I questioned inwardly. Out loud, I asked Lenora. "Then why were you so adamant on taking Caera away when you—deemed—that I wasn't useful to you, or your blood?"

It was the truth. The Denoirs were very eager on pulling Caera out till I had informed them about my plans for the Victoriad, albeit roughly.

She gave a knowing smile. "See, that was never our intention, Grey. We just wanted—and always want, what's best for our daughter."—she paused, exchanging glances with the highlord—"When you had made the declaration that you will take part in the Victoriad, we were perplexed. Doubtful, even. But, after hearing about Scythe Seris Vritra's words of confident, and the faith she seem to have in you...we surely are hooked".

I wasn't too surprised that Seris spoke about me. But I didn't know how much she had spoken. Shaking that thought away, I asked another question. "And what? You then thought I would be a better option?" I scoffed, letting out a laugh to mask my embarrassment.

"Certainly. Your connection with our patron, the scythe—it seems to be more complex and rather close—and not to forget your lack of interest in revealing these facts as if they aren't worthy of any mention, it shows that you possibly have bigger connections than that. Perhaps even a Sovereign?" Lenora said with a glint in her eyes.

These highbloods...always looking to climb the social ladder. I thought, shaking my head with a laugh.

"You know you both are crazy." I said out loud, looking at both the Denoir's. While Caera uncomfortably shifted in her seat. Still silent.

Corbett then responded, seemingly unperturbed by my lack of respect for the highlord and the highlady. "We're just parents, Grey...we're only looking out for our child."—he paused, squinting his heavy eyes into me—"Besides, do you not both like each other? If I'm even to believe a part of the rumours...I see no reason for a man and a woman to stay inside a single lodging for days in end, if not weeks. Surely it must be something serious is it not?"

"I'd hope so, otherwise that is simply inappropriate." Lenora added.

I stiffened at those words. Because...they were true. And Lenora noticed it, giving me a smirk.

"We're not trying to jab, nor condone your actions...both of you."

"To put it simply, I want you to quit with this...challenging business, and take up a job from me. Even though we believe in our patrons words that you will indeed come victorious in the victoriad, we do however, think it's unfair for our daughter to go through such ordeal." Corbett finally said, making my eye brows twitch.

He wasn't wrong in that: Caera doesn't deserve to go through this. If I won or not, eitherway, Caera will be put in danger. Even though she promised not to leave my side, I couldn't be so selfish. I thought.

Lenora continued, as she took in my crumbling face. "Like my husband said, you will gain the power and wealth, equal to what you will be winning if you do participate in the Victoriad. However the potentials of danger and death, will be nonexistent."

"Yes! You must already know the influence us Denoir's have in the Alacryan society. Perhaps even Dicathen, in the coming days. It's not a stretch to say that you will get everything you could ever desire, if you marry my sis". A voice—that I recognised as Caera's adoptive brother, Lauden Denoir, spoke. He barged into the highlord's study room with a drink in hand as he gave a teasing smile at Caera, then at me. I noticed Caera's face turning into a scowl, but it couldn't mask the visible blush in her face.

Corbett shot an glare at his son, before continuing where his wife left off. "If anyone can keep our daughter safe and satisfied, I'm sure that's you, Grey. You've shown to be resourceful and resilient in ways, that is even unmatchable to many highbloods. Most importantly, you've managed to do what all of them have failed. You seem to make our daughter happy. I commend you for that, and I—we—hope to add you as a member of our Denoir bloodline.

So, please, accept our offer. You will become the head of Central Dominion's Ascender Association. Once you marry Caera, ofcourse. We shall discuss further matters, once the deed is set and done." Corbett finished, his eyes fixed on mine with much expectance.

I took a deep breath. I felt my mind gaining clarity. While I was still struggling with the conflicting thoughts about Caera, this—this was just too much for me to handle. And I wasn't ready to deal with it.

Not right now.

Looking up at the two Denoir's, I spoke in a plain tone, while suppressing the emotions that threatened to spill out. "I'm sorry, you have definitely misunderstood things. Don't always believe in the rumours and heresays. Because, Caera and I...we're just friends".

Just as those words left my mouth silence overtook the entire space as the two Denoir's stared at each other in concern. I knew the implications my words carried—the words that I had spoken half-assed—that even myself doesn't want to believe in.

Because it was a half-truth...

I turned to Caera, who must've been affected more than me, I realised that somehow. I was about to ask how she was doing, but that's when I felt a pressure starting to emanate from her.

Corbett and Lenora noticed this, their face turning into a deep concern. "What's wrong Caera dear? Do you not like Grey that way? Perhaps did we misread the relationship between you two? How inconvenient..." Lenora muttered.

Even though I couldn't feel the mana particles lingering around Caera's body, I was able to feel the weight they carried. It was like the heat from a raging fire.

Ignoring the Denoirs, I reached out to her, to see if she's okay, though I doubted that—as I had forgotten to consider her feelings, and her decision when I spoke about our relationship.

When I put a label to our relationship.

"Just stop! You have no right!" Caera yelled, making me flinch back. She shot a fierce glare at her adoptive parents as stood up from her seat.

I reached for her, to stop her, but, she turned her gaze on me—and gave me a look—that made my heart drop and skip a beat.

My whole body was frozen stiff, unlike never before, as I watched her turn her back to us, her back to me—as she stormed off, before vanishing away from our sight.

A sharp pain stung my inside, making my breathing turn ragged and heart beat rapidly. I was affected by this more than I wanted to believe. My mind replayed the look she had given me. It was a mixture of emotions, several of which I understood, while some, I couldn't. But one, more eminent than the others.

Betrayal.

Suddenly, the emotions I had kept under bay...exploded.

Why didn't I ask her before speaking out loud about our relationship? Is it because I knew what she would say? Or, was it because I wouldn't have been able to accept her answer?

No, this isn't my fault!

I have my own duties to perform. My people to save. I could never consider such a proposal. Not right now. Not yet...

"That—was unexpected!" Lenora's voice shook me out of my thoughts. She was whispering something to Corbett while taking glances at me, I realised.

This was my fault. It was an unspoken fact between us—between Caera and I—that our relationship was 'complicated'—at best. No matter what my intentions were, I shouldn't have spoken too soon, not before discussing with Caera.

I have to make it right with her. I can't lose her too. I decided, hardening my resolve.

Ignoring the three Denoirs, I stood up and turned around to leave the room.

"Grey, where are—" Lenora started, but I cut her off.

"Please give us some time. I'll go talk to her". I said in a deep, cold voice, not bothering to turn to look at them.

Corbett's voice came next. "Are you certain? She seems to be—"

"Yeah I'm pretty sure. I'll take care of her." I replied, before God-Stepping away.