"CASSIUS! WAKE UP!" a voice shouted.
Cassius rolled over, grunting as he grabbed his other pillow and slammed it over his ear to muffle the sound.
"CASSIUS!"
Clearly, it didn't work.
Suddenly, feet pounded up the stairs. Cassius yanked his covers over his head.
"Young master…! I have never seen such disobedience."
It was his personal maid.
The same one his father had bumped into.
They had been close since they were both young.
Cassius sighed. "What is it?" His voice was hoarse.
Avery tilted her head. "Young master?"
His eyes had no light. That had become the usual after the incident.
"Yes?"
"…Never mind."
Cassius's voice shuddered. He knew what she was thinking, but he had nothing to say.
Avery cleared her throat. "Young master, you'd better get ready. It's your birthday! Your siblings all returned from the academy, including Cedric!"
Cassius's head snapped up. He shot out of bed, pushing his blond curls aside as he headed toward the restroom, grabbing a simple button‑up and black pants with the boots used for travel and combat.
The kind knights usually wore.
Avery spoke again. "Young master, can you please speak when I talk to you?"
But Cassius hadn't heard a word since she first said young master.
"...Young master?" Avery asked again, this time curious.
Cassius was staring into the mirror, realizing he was already in his mid‑teens.
Suddenly, the demon appeared through the mirror, staring at Cassius and trying to tempt him. It flashed images at him, but Cassius ignored them, pulled on his clothes, and brushed past Avery as he headed out, grabbing a sword on his way down the stairs.
He turned to her. "Avery, just leave me alone. You know how I am."
Avery's expression hardened. "Yes, but sometimes—"
"Sometimes?" Cassius muttered.
"Sometimes you act nice to me."
Cassius turned away. He hadn't meant to hurt her, but hurt was all he felt.
Avery sighed and bowed, obeying his command.
Cassius walked off and headed to the training grounds to practice his father's fighting style. It was the only thing he had ever truly tried to learn.
The one thing his father had taught him.