"Open up."
The watch guard nearly jumped at the deep voice he heard in front of him. He didn't even see or sense someone walking to the door! This man with a blindfold just appeared out of nowhere! The party already started about thirty minutes ago!
"Y-Yes! Right away!" The guard opened the door lightly after he finally came back to his senses. "May I know your nickname, good sire?"
The man was silent for a while before he smiled sweetly. He leans to the guard and whispers something.
The guard's eyes widened as soon as he heard. He immediately opened the door for the blindfolded man.
Right then and there, he announced, "Now entering, Syvestian of the Grimestone Family!"
All eyes immediately turned to him. The main man of the ball. Yves smiles as he enters the hall. He can see and feel well even with a blindfold.
Everyone mumbled to themselves.
"So that's the heir…"
"He looks decent at least…"
"Oh my, he's got quite a charisma…"
It was true. Yves walked inside as if he was a powerful, important guest. Great posture, unique fashion, and obviously handsome features.
"He finally revealed himself..."
"Syvestian... was it? His name."
"Yes, I think that's what the guard said."
Half of the guests were curious whether he's the real Grimestone heir that owned the famous VOID though.
"Now, where are the drinks…?" Yves mumbled to himself, not paying others any attention, but before he could even look around, he was immediately approached by a familiar man.
"My! You made it!" A grown man, roughly the same height as he is, cheered in pure delight. Yves bowed his head in respect for the man. He learned a bit of etiquette.
"You've personally invited me; how could I dare refuse the Emperor?" Yves stated as he stood straight. The Emperor was smiling widely at him as if he was looking at his own son.
The Emperor wore gold and white colors, the same colors as his white hair and golden eyes. He was about twenty years older than Samael, but he barely had wrinkles and still looks strong and handsome.
He looks a lot like Kian, Yves thought to himself. It's not the first time he's met the Emperor, but he remembers the jolly human kid from his memories whenever he sees the man.
"How have you been faring? I heard you blew up your research laboratory again," the Emperor brought up, and Yves smiled.
"It's the usual, Your Majesty. I've been doing way too much lately, and Callista is asking me to take a break for a while," he responded as his gaze towards the Emperor changed. "Somehow, it made me curious why they told me to take a break now after years of continuously working."
The Emperor, Kyro, simply smiles, but Yves can tell in his change of energy.
They're hiding something from me, Yves thought.
He's been suspicious for years.
Why did all nine children disappear in the same year? How come the Emperor did not make a move on looking for them, even though his only son was one of the missing ones? Why are they suggesting that he take a break?
They all know Yves can't sit still and that he will do his work like a reflex.
They're planning something.
Yves can sense it himself, but he doesn't plan to dig deeper than this.
"I would suggest you settle down for a while as well. I worry for the Empire's Genius' health," the Emperor responded. "After your break, you're bound to be given work again."
"I'm too used to it now, Your Majesty. I can handle myself well, since I don't have deadlines," Yves insisted. "I don't need breaks, they're only a distraction."
The men around them couldn't even join in the conversation. They were enjoying how the Emperor teases the youngster, since it's a rare sight for them. The Emperor is usually very uptight around young people.
"You're a stubborn one, aren't you?" the Emperor says. Yves grins.
"I wouldn't be a genius if I wasn't as stubborn, Your Majesty."
Kyro laughs at the young man's answer. He's right! There was no way he could be a true genius if he wasn't as stubborn!
This is the same man who saved my son in his pre-teens, he thought to himself. He's all grown up now... makes me wonder how my son is right now. Could he have grown on the same height level as this man?
The Emperor is a single father. After his wife's death, he refused to take in another wife or Empress. He reasoned that he already has a son and an excellent heir.
However, when his son went missing, he nearly lost his mind. He almost turned the whole Empire upside down just to find his only child.
Although, before he could even do that, he received a telegram from the Duke of Grimestone, saying that he found the prince.
"By the way..." the Emperor tilts his head. "Why a blindfold?"
Yves' smile fades.
"It's a fashion statement," he responded. "Don't ask anymore."
The Emperor laughs once again. He looks so done! He thought to himself.
Not long, the Emperor left the ball to take an hour break. The ball resumed as planned though.
The whole time, Yves spent his time talking to all who were interested in him. All of them... barely had anything interesting to say, but he listened anyway. He's here to socialize, not just stand around.
While he was talking to a group of people with a charming smile, all the ladies were staring at him inevitably. Even with a blindfold on, his attractiveness and charisma are visible and glowing.
What more if he revealed his eyes?!
Yves was gaining unnecessary attention, which leaves certain fools... annoyed. And of course, being the earthlings that they are, they'd do something foolish.
SPLASH!
Red wine was accidentally splashed on his custom-made clothes from behind. People gasp as the glass broke in pieces down the floor. The maid who tripped and splashed the wine wore a horrified expression.
The maidservant hurried to stand up on her own and bowed about ninety degrees to the young man. "I-I-I deeply apologize! It wasn't my intention, my lord! I don't know what's—" she was later cut off when Yves himself bent down and faced her.
He was smiling, which brought the maidservant in awe. Her cheeks showed a tint of red as she couldn't take her eyes of him.
"Don't fret over it," he mentioned as he carried the broken glass using telekinesis. He then snapped his fingers and the glass... was in one piece again. "There, all fixed."
A series of gasps were once again heard.
The rumors were true! The heir of Grimestone is not only an inventor, researcher, and writer, he's also a powerful mage himself!
"Hah! Are you seriously kneeling to a maidservant? Are you proposing to someone of the same standing as you?"
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
"Oh my, what a klutz!"
"You should be punishing her instead if you're truly a noble, good sire of Grimestone."
Syvestian rose from his position, glancing over to a bunch. A beast man only a little older than him, a female vampire clinging to him, and two extras (elves).
He raised a brow at them. Now what is up with them?