Chapter 3: There Is No Time
Before Oliver stood Sir Fen Bolton of the Bolton family—one of the most respected and feared noble houses in the kingdom—he stood tall, his black ceremonial robes flowing down like liquid shadow. His sharp, hawk-like features made him appear as if he were always scrutinizing his surroundings, and his piercing silver eyes locked onto Velma with an intensity that betrayed his displeasure. His dark hair, streaked with faint silver strands, was slicked back neatly, giving him the appearance of a man who never allowed disorder to touch him.
"Velma," he said smoothly, his voice carrying the refined weight of nobility, yet holding an underlying command that few would dare ignore. "Come. There are many in my family eager to meet you. Soon, they will be your family as well."
Velma frowned slightly, her arms still loosely wrapped around Oliver. "Sir Bolton, my brother needs me right now."
A subtle shift crossed Bolton's face, the faintest flicker of irritation that disappeared almost as quickly as it had come. However, Oliver—who had spent years as a slave under men far worse—recognized it for what it was. The faintest ripple in the Aether around Bolton sent a cold shiver down Oliver's spine. It was almost imperceptible, even to Velma who had began awakening her bloodline, but to Oliver, who had been conditioned to sense the anger of his former masters, it was a suffocating presence that set his instincts on edge.
For a split second, Oliver's fingers twitched. He had seen this kind of hidden wrath before. It was the same kind of anger his captors had when they were denied something they believed belonged to them.
But Bolton could do nothing—not openly. Velma was a princess, and no matter how powerful the Bolton family was, she outranked him in status. That was the only reason why his anger didn't manifest into something more dangerous.
Knowing this, Oliver carefully stepped back from Velma's embrace, forcing his face into a neutral expression. "I'm fine, Sister," he said softly. "You should go."
Velma hesitated, looking at him with worry. "Are you sure?"
He nodded firmly. "I just needed a moment. I'll be alright."