Chapter 1: Prologue
Drip... drip... drip...
The sky wept.
Rain poured down like the heavens themselves wanted to bury the moment under thunder and storm.
The grand hall of House Aurélion was lit by crackling firelight and stained-glass windows, casting fractured colors on cold marble.
At the center, Gray Vireux D’Aurélion stood, drenched, bruised, and with his mouth completely shut.
Before him sat the nobles of the Aurélion line, draped in silk and smugness.
Maelis and Alina, his flawless step-sisters, lounged in their seats with sneering amusement. Behind them, at the highest seat, stood Duke Caelis D’Aurélion, his so-called father.
The man didn’t look at Gray with disappointment.
Instead, his eyes were completely filled with utter disgust.
"You were convenient once," the Duke said flatly, his arms crossed over his chest.
"But now... we have no use for a traitor like you."
Gray tilted his head, his lips curling up slightly.