"Wow, my eyes must be seriously inflamed," said Penelope, raising an eyebrow. Her voice dripped with exaggerated sarcasm, every gesture a theatrical masterpiece. "Who would've thought that the Helios Vale himself – heir to Aeternum Pharmaceuticals, creator of every life-saving drug on this continent, and loyal husband to his laboratory – would actually walk in the daylight? And far from his beloved temple of test tubes and stainless steel, no less!"
Helios stood across from her, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised to match hers. He watched the performance in silence until the very end—then burst into hearty laughter. "I'm happy to see you too, Penny. Truly. You missed your calling as an actress."
She grinned and pulled him into a hug without hesitation. "You have no idea how glad I am that you're here!" After a moment, she pushed him back slightly and gave him a critical once-over. "You look terrible. Please tell me you're here on vacation—only vacation. I won't accept anything else."
Helios rolled his eyes and gave an exaggerated sigh. "Yeah, yeah. I'm on vacation. For a few days, at least."
Penelope blinked in disbelief. Then she turned to Dante, who had been standing quietly in the background. "Did he really just admit he's on vacation? I heard that right, didn't I?"
"He did," Dante replied with an amused smile.
Penelope squealed in excitement. "Oooooh we have so much to do! You do realize I'm going to take full advantage of the fact that you're finally visiting me again, right?!"
"We won't be staying too long, actually. I want to visit a few places that interest me," Helios said with a smile. But when he saw the disappointed look on his friend's face, guilt tugged at him. "But until we leave again, I'm entirely at your disposal."
"I wouldn't have accepted any other answer," she said sharply, planting her hands on her hips. "I've lost count of how many years I've begged you to take a break and visit me!"
"Fourteen years, maybe?" Helios mused.
Had it really been fourteen years since he'd last been this far away from home—and his lab?
"Fourteen years!" Penelope sighed. "And all because your childhood ended way too early!" she scolded. Then she grinned. "So, we're going to make up for everything you missed as a sweet little boy!"
"Spare me, Penny," Helios groaned. "I don't have the energy to keep up with you. I still need my strength for the rest of the trip."
"Excuses, excuses! Don't worry, my little princess—I'll take good care of you!" she laughed mischievously. "And stop talking like that—you sound like an old man!"
Helios snorted. "I'll stop when you stop acting like a six-year-old."
Penelope shot Dante a serious, almost suspicious look. "Is he always this defiant?"
"He's been a bit... hard to handle lately," Dante replied dryly, a trace of weariness in his voice.
Helios smirked and gave him an overly innocent look. "And here I thought you'd be happy I finally took some time to play with you."
Dante scoffed. "If that's what you call playing, you have a serious problem."
"What a shame." Helios gave him a sugary sweet smile. "Because I've got so much more planned."
Dante looked like he wanted to respond but ultimately decided against it. A pity—Helios would've loved the excuse to push him just a little further. Although his frustration had eased a bit after that small murder incident with Dante, he still couldn't shake the desire to keep provoking him.
And it wasn't a lie—he did have more planned. Helios was genuinely looking forward to testing a few more things on Dante, and he secretly hoped Dante was just as curious about what he still had in store for him.
The thought alone put him in an unreasonably good mood. Dante gave him a confused look, which slowly shifted into dawning realization.
"We should head inside," Penelope said. "I'll show you where you'll be sleeping, and then we should start getting ready for dinner. My parents will definitely want to see you, Heli."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked ahead—apparently assuming further words were unnecessary as long as they simply did what she said.
Helios and Dante followed her. As they stepped into the Sinclair estate, Helios looked around with the eyes of the boy he used to be. His gaze wandered across the familiar hallways, the high windows, and the sunlight pouring in like liquid gold across the marble floors. Everything was just as he remembered, and yet it had been so many years since his last visit that it felt like stepping back into a long-forgotten past.
While Penelope walked ahead with purpose, leading the way to the guest wing, Helios came to a halt beside a large marble statue resting on a wide pedestal. Too small to hide an adult—but just big enough for two mischievous children who had once snuck a plate of cookies from the kitchen. They'd hidden behind the statue, giggling into their hands, trying not to burst out laughing while the Sinclair butler roamed the halls in desperation, calling their names.
They'd gotten the scolding of a lifetime that evening—and stomachaches too, since the cookies had been straight out of the oven.
Helios didn't have many childhood memories like that. But the few he had, he'd shared with Penelope. She had probably long since forgotten. Unlike him, she'd had a full childhood—friends, freedom, sunlight. Why should she remember a trivial moment like that?
Helios had always known that she'd had plenty of friends and spent far more time outdoors than he ever did. So why would she remember a little thing like that?
"Why did you stop?" Penelope had quietly returned and was now following his gaze. "Don't tell me you've taken up collecting art."
"If I started collecting art, I'd have less room for my books—and unlike a block of marble, books are still far more valuable," Helios replied. Still, he ran his hand over the statue's surface as if greeting an old friend. "I didn't think this thing would still be here."
Penelope shrugged. "Mother loves that hideous thing. Don't ask me why—probably out of pure spite."
Helios gave her a cheeky grin. "I could give you a few reasons, but I'm afraid if I said them out loud, my vacation might end sooner than expected. So I'll keep them to myself—diplomatically."
"You little bastard!" she laughed, giving him a playful shove in the side.
Helios stepped past her. "I'm assuming I'm staying in my usual room?"
"Oh yes. But there's been a slight change of plans. Loud-mouthed brats sleep in the basement now."
"That doesn't sound too bad, actually," he said with a smirk. He glanced over his shoulder to look at his best friend. He hadn't realized how much he needed this—until the moment he arrived. "I really missed you, Penny."
Her expression softened. "I missed you too, Heli."
___
Even the guest room where Helios had always stayed was full of memories. The shelves were still in the exact same places, as if no one had ever dared move them. On rainy afternoons, he and Penelope had sat here on the floor, nestled between pillows and blankets, plotting harmless pranks on the household staff—and, of course, crafting the perfect excuses to avoid getting punished afterward.
Those had always been good times, even if his childhood had only lasted three short years.
Penelope's parents had given him a warm and kind welcome. The dinner had been excellent, and even Dante had been well taken care of. They treated him less like a bodyguard and more like an extension of Helios himself. Apparently, Penelope had told them quite a bit about him—enough for them to greet him as though he were family.
They had asked Helios just about everything they could think of. It started innocently enough—with questions about his well-being, how his father was doing, and how his research was progressing. Penelope's father spoke very highly of him, saying he had always known what a brilliant mind Helios possessed, even back then. He also mentioned more than once how unfortunate it was that Helios and Penelope had never become more than friends—and that he would have gladly welcomed Helios as a son into their family.
From there, the conversation drifted toward Helios's future—his wedding plans, whether there was someone special in his life, and if so, who the lucky woman might be. Penelope's mother even offered her condolences on the death of Evangeline. Apparently, society gossip had spun the story that Helios and Evangeline had been a couple.
Helios had nearly spat out his food when that particular fact was mentioned—something he hadn't even known existed until that very moment.
But Penelope's parents had been so genuinely shaken by the loss that Helios simply played along. Penelope had looked at him with one raised eyebrow, silently, then returned to her meal without a word.
They were just... different from his own father. They loved their daughter wholeheartedly. Which made it all the more puzzling that they accepted her fiancé.
The guy was scum. Plain and simple.
Unfortunately, Helios hadn't yet figured out how to remove him from Penelope's life. Not yet.
Then again...
Maybe it was too risky. Or maybe it didn't matter. Helios had already killed so many people—why not this bastard too? He'd eliminated people for far less.
Not that he'd ever talk to Penelope about it. But he would keep it in mind—and wait for the right opportunity.
Dante complicated things. Knocking him out, putting him to sleep, even killing him temporarily—none of it worked. His body regenerated far too quickly. Sedatives were barely worth the effort.
Helios had considered using a paralytic instead of poison—something that would immobilize without killing—but Dante's physiology seemed to reject any foreign substance instantly, as if his system recognized every threat before it even entered his bloodstream.
Still, Helios remained deeply interested in finding a way to undo Dante's immortality. Or at least discovering what had caused it. The Holy Grail, so to speak. If he could hold both immortality and its antidote in his hands... the possibilities—and the fun—would be endless.
For example, one could torture someone indefinitely until their mind had no choice but to spill every last secret—while they begged for a death that would never come.
Then again, such a substance would be a double-edged sword. You couldn't just release something like that into the world. Multiple immortals would be an unpredictable disaster.
But first, he needed to uncover the secret. Then he could decide what to do with the results.
Helios stepped out of the bathroom. He was tired—exhausted, really—from the journey and the long dinner. Tomorrow morning they planned to head into the city with Penelope. Since they intended to leave early, he really needed to get some sleep.
Dante walked past him, muttered something, but Helios barely registered it. Moments later, the bathroom door closed behind him.
He was wearing one of Davis's shirts. He had managed to save a few of them after Davis died and his room was reassigned to another guard. At first, the scent had comforted him—it had felt like a small part of Davis was still with him. But now the smell was fading, and all that remained was an oversized shirt.
Without his sleeping pills, Helios probably wouldn't get any real rest. If you could even call what he currently experienced sleep. The pills knocked him out, sure—but he never woke up feeling truly rested.
The alternative, unfortunately, was even worse: nightmares. Reliving Davis's death over and over again.
He couldn't take it. It was breaking him. Just the thought of Davis tore another hole into his heart—and nothing, absolutely nothing, could fill it.
Especially now, on this trip, he had far too much time to think. Memories surged up relentlessly.
Beautiful, fleeting memories.
From his childhood, the early days of his career, fleeting moments with new acquaintances, his long hours in the lab... and all those memories of Davis.
Helios sat down on the edge of the bed and opened the container of sleeping pills.
He had mixed the strongest dose one could take without inducing anesthesia. Technically, it existed in a gray area, medically speaking—but he had no choice. He needed this state. Deep, dreamless sleep.
He lay down, pulled the covers over himself, and listened to the ticking of the old clock on the wall. Like a metronome, it marked time with steady, calming precision.
The bathroom door opened.
"Do we really have to sleep in the same bed?" Dante asked hesitantly.
"It's not like they've got extra cots lying around," Helios muttered, already waiting for the pills to take effect. "Besides, I've booked a few places where we'll be sharing beds as well. If you've got a problem with it, sleep on the floor."
"I don't mind... it's just—"
"Just what? You afraid I'll jump you because Davis and I used to screw?" Helios asked, clearly amused.
"Relax, Dante. You're not my type. Now lie down and shut up. I want to sleep."
The last words came out more irritated than he intended. He wasn't stressed from the day—seeing Penelope again had actually been good for him. Even the shopping trip tomorrow would probably be fun. He always had fun with her.
Still... he was restless.
He wasn't working. He had nothing to focus on. No clear task, no schedule, no direction.
Damn it, this was his first vacation—and he still couldn't shut off his mind.
And even though they were technically on a secret mission, and there was plenty to think about, apparently it wasn't enough to distract him fully.
Helios didn't feel fulfilled. He felt... empty. Useless.
"That's not what I meant," Dante said softly. "I just didn't want you to feel uncomfortable."
Helios exhaled slowly. "I don't feel uncomfortable. I don't care. I'll sleep like a baby, whether you're in the bed or not."
The pills were already kicking in. He could feel the sleepiness setting in. He yawned deeply and curled up beneath the blanket.
He heard the rustle of fabric as Dante climbed into bed. He felt the mattress shift under Dante's weight as he settled on his side, quiet and careful, leaving space between them. With his mind wandering off slowly the feeling reminded him of Davis. A mixture of pleasent habit and sadness settled in.
"Sleep well," Dante said.
"...you too."
___
"Just send it to this address," Helios said calmly as he handed the merchant the card bearing his company's information. The man accepted it with a mixture of reverence and pride, bowing several times and murmuring words of thanks as Helios was already turning to leave the shop.
Across the street, at a café directly in front of the store, sat Penelope with her arms crossed over her chest. Her expression revealed restrained impatience.
"Finally done?" she asked, her tone deliberately annoyed.
"Not even close," Helios replied coolly. "There are still a few shops I'd like to check out."
He knew exactly what Penelope had in mind—she wanted to spend the day in cafés and boutiques, maybe sip a cocktail somewhere, and reminisce about old times. If he gave in to her now, she'd run the show for the rest of the day—and he couldn't afford that.
He still had work to do—misleading his father, laying false trails—and he intended to spend the first day of his so-called vacation overwhelming Penelope with errands and distractions.
He had planned for two days with Penelope. After that, they'd have to move on.
They still had no solid leads on the secret research facility, and the location of the suspected mass grave remained a haunting mystery. Their next destination would take them to the region of Soley, and just the journey there would take two full days.
Altogether, he had given himself ten days "vacation". Once they left Penelope, only six would remain.
Maybe it would be smarter to leave the next morning.
"You're not seriously planning to buy more herbs, are you?" Penelope scoffed, her voice laced with sarcasm.
"For example," Helios replied with absolute serenity. "And by the way, it might not be the worst idea if you took a closer look at what I'm actually buying."
He sat down with her at the small table in front of the street café. Penelope, in the meantime, had treated herself to an iced latte and was watching the passing pedestrians with a look that was half amused, half exasperated.
"And why exactly should I do that? There's hardly anything more boring than herbs."
Helios ordered coffee as well—one for himself, one for Dante—and leaned back in his chair, relaxed.
He wore dark, slim-fitting jeans, a plain white T-shirt, and a short-sleeved, unbuttoned shirt on top. The look was completed with a pair of sunglasses that gave him a casual air—something people rarely associated with him. Normally, he wore tailored suits, so he had decided to go for a bit of a style change for his vacation.
Dante, on the other hand, looked just as disciplined and dangerous as ever—even if his clothing was slightly more casual than usual. Loose-fitting jeans, a tight shirt, and sunglasses as well. Practical, low-key—and still as striking as always. Muscular, handsome, intimidating. Just… less official today.
Penelope, meanwhile, radiated in a violet summer dress that perfectly highlighted her figure and presence.
The color was bold—and it reminded Helios, quite unexpectedly, of a rare poisonous plant he had studied a few months ago. In hindsight, if he compared it to Penelope, he almost found the plant more charming.
Helios crossed his legs, picked up the coffee that had just been placed in front of him, and blew on the surface before taking a cautious sip. Then he shot a challenging look at his friend.
"How about a little game?"
He had her attention instantly. "A game?"
He grinned broadly. "Remember when we used to switch roles? When you dressed up as me?"
Her eyes lit up. "Oh yeah, that was pretty hilarious. Your father always figured us out, though," she said with a fond sigh. "Those were the days."
"Think you could still pull it off?"
Penelope laughed.
"You're kidding me. We're not kids anymore, Heli."
But Helios's smile didn't waver for even a second. "I'm being completely serious, Penny."
She leaned back and took a sip of her coffee, eyeing him thoughtfully.
"Why would I do that? You know I'm always up for a bit of fun, but I want to know the reason." Her gaze allowed no evasion. "So tell me—why did you really take a vacation? You haven't taken a single day off in over fourteen years. And no, the time you got shot doesn't count."
He couldn't tell her the full truth, but he could stay close to it.
"My father's up to something," Helios said. "And I want to find out what he's doing behind my back."
Penelope pulled a slight face and tilted her head.
"And that interests you enough to start digging around? Must be something pretty big if it got you to leave your lab. You know what your father's like—it never bothered you before. So why now, Heli?"
"Maybe he's been irritating me a little too much lately," Helios replied with a smile.
Penelope exhaled slowly, then cast a glance at Dante. She seemed to decide that Helios wouldn't go any deeper into the subject.
"Haaah, okay... so you want to play detective, and I'm supposed to play you so everyone thinks you're still on vacation?"
Helios's smile turned devilish. "Not just that. I want you to do me a big favor."
Penelope raised an eyebrow. "More?"
"Don't worry—you'll like this one," said Helios. "My father deserves a little punishment. I want you to go shopping. As much as you like."
Her eyes lit up. "You know that's my area of expertise."
"Penny…" he sighed. "No clothes. No accessories. And for the love of all things holy, no home decor. Only buy things I would buy."
She made a face. "That just leaves herbs, books, and plants," she pouted.
"You can do it. I have complete faith in you."
"Ha! You and faith. Now that's funny."
"Just because I don't believe in some vague divine nonsense doesn't mean I don't believe in you and your abilities."
Penelope sighed again, dramatically.
"This is going to be a challenge—but fine. I'll do it. But only if you pretend to be me," she added with a mischievous grin.
Helios blinked.
"If I must," he said flatly.
He didn't really care. As long as Penelope did what he needed and they could move on with their mission, he'd do just about anything.
Suddenly, Dante coughed violently next to him, having choked on his coffee.
Penelope looked at him in surprise—then her smile turned positively wicked. "Guess that means we'll have to find you a pretty little dress, too."
It was only in that moment that Helios realized he might have made a mistake. Still, he leaned forward and looked at her with amused defiance, right into her cheeky, grinning face.
"Then you'd better do your best to live up to my good looks," he grinned.
"You vain little bastard," she laughed
Helios winked at her. "You love me."
She sighed theatrically. "That's exactly the problem." Then she grinned. "I'm going to turn you into the most beautiful lady in town—right after me, of course."