The Daemonhart Estate — Morning
The silence in Draco's room was sacred. Only the rhythmic scrape-scratch of a charcoal pencil broke the stillness. Draco sat barefoot on the cold marble floor, holding the pencil firmly in his left hand. Around him lay unfinished canvases and dried ink pots, illuminated by a single beam of light filtering through heavy velvet curtains.
His fingers moved in swift strokes, sketching a shadowed forest of twisted trees and a figure curled among the roots—faceless and voiceless.
Knock. Knock.
The door creaked open, and Cedric—the eldest—peeked in, dressed in his Lorien Academy uniform. "We've got ten minutes, Draco. Breakfast. Don't make Mother wait."
Draco looked up. "I am coming," his voice echoed directly into Cedric's mind. He nodded once, and Cedric walked off.
The Dining Hall
A grand chandelier hung above the long obsidian table. Lord Kael reviewed a floating scroll of ancient script, while Valeria sat flawless and cold at the end. Kendrick shoveled eggs into his mouth, while Fredrick bragged.
"You're all going to be late," Valeria snapped. "In a city of humans, punctuality is the only thing they respect."
"The driver is already out front," Cedric said calmly.
Lorien Academy — The Secret
The sleek black Cadillac glided to a stop at the gates of the prestigious human school. Students paused to stare at the wealthy "aristocrats." Draco stepped out last, wearing gloves and carrying his sketchbook in his left hand.
During the mid-day break, Draco found a scrawny, coal-colored cat near the old stone walls. He suppressed his demonic aura so as not to terrify it. "Here, little one," he projected a soft thought. The cat rubbed against his leg.
Cedric approached. "What are you doing with that stray? We're supposed to keep a low profile."
"I am keeping it," Draco's mental voice was like stone.
Cedric sighed. "Fine. But keep it hidden."
The Drive Home — The Discovery
The school day finally ended, and the siblings gathered at the gate where the Cadillac waited. The silence of the ride home was suddenly shattered by a tiny, high-pitched meow.
Fredrick's head whipped toward Cedric. "Did you hear that?"
Kendrick glanced around suspiciously. "What was that noise?"
Cedric tried to cover with a cough, but the cat meowed again. The driver's eyes flickered to the mirror. "Is everything alright back there, my Lords? I hear a strange noise."
Suddenly, the kitten scrambled out of Draco's bag. The driver gasped, swerving in surprise before bringing the car to a sharp halt. "A... a cat? In the Master's car?"
Kendrick lunged for Draco's bag. "What are you hiding, mystery boy?"
Draco pulled back, his eyes flashing.
"Give it here!" Kendrick pried the bag open, and the kitten jumped onto the leather seats.
"Please, don't tell," Cedric urged the driver. Fredrick, surprisingly intrigued by the small beast, chimed in, "Yeah, don't be a snitch. It's just a cat."
"I'm telling Mom," Kendrick threatened with a smirk. It took Cedric promising to do Kendrick's homework for a week to buy his silence. The driver eventually sighed and nodded, and the ride became cool and professional once again as they entered the estate.
Training Grounds — Sunset
Behind the manor walls, the masks came off. To keep their demonic blood active, the siblings sparred daily. Draco stood apart until it was his turn, gripping his practice blade in his left hand.
Kendrick charged, but Draco moved with unnatural speed, disarming him with a fluid spin.
Fredrick stepped up, irritated. "Try that with me, mute freak." Seconds later, Fredrick was flat on his back, the wind knocked out of him by Draco's precise strike.
"Enough!" Kael called from the balcony. "Dinner is ready."
The Dining Hall — The Old King
Lord Hector sat at the head of the table, his crimson eyes studying them. "Good training. Your awareness of your true nature is sharpening."
The bickering started—Fredrick accusing Cedric of cheating—until Draco's mental voice cut through. "You are all too loud," the command made their heads ache.
Silence fell. Fredrick smirked. "By the way... Draco brought home a stray cat. From the human school."
Valeria froze. "A what? Do you want the humans to think we are beggars?!" She turned to Hector. "Father!"
Hector looked at Draco. "If he wants it, he may keep it. Provided he can tame it."
Valeria slammed her napkin down and stormed out, Fredrick following like a shadow.
Midnight
Kael sat behind Draco, gently braiding his son's black-and-white hair.
"Why does Mom hate me?" Draco's voice whispered in his father's mind.
"She doesn't, Draco. She just fears the world seeing us as anything but perfect." Kael changed the subject. "What will you call him?"
Draco looked at the sleeping kitten. "Teddy. Short for Tedrick. A silent tribute... like me."
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew a mysterious letter into the room: "The voice you seek is not lost... Come to the Forsaken Hollow."
Kael crumpled the paper. "It's nothing," he lied.