Oliver opened the door and stepped into his room. The lights were off. He moved forward in the darkness until he stopped in front of a table where a letter lay.
— What is this now…
He picked up the letter, removed it from the envelope, and read it. He furrowed his brow, on the verge of anger, then crumpled the paper.
— It's always the same…
He threw the letter back in frustration; it landed in the trash can by the door, already filled with dozens of crumpled sheets. Oliver sighed, but a shadowy figure remained hidden near the window.
— Good evening, Oliver…
Startled, he turned around, spreading his golden aura along his arm.
— Who… shut up!
The person stepped out of the shadows, arm raised, revealing a young girl with gray-and-blue hair, blue eyes, and a mischievous smile. Oliver exhaled in annoyance, letting his aura fade.
— What are you doing in my room?
— Well… even after three years, you really haven't changed, Ollie.
Lara Hyperion, sixteen, pulled a lamp from her pocket and bounced it a few times before reaching the switch, lighting the room. She held it in her hands again. Oliver sat in a chair, eyes tired.
— What do you want from me?
— That's not very nice to ask… It's been three years since we last saw each other, so I came to see my beloved cousin!
She sat on a chair as well, smiling.
— So, what have you been up to all this time, Ollie?
— Get out of my room…
— No way! And starting tomorrow, you're going to have to put up with me all the time.
Oliver looked at her, a mixture of anger and helplessness.
— Damn… she's even crazier than her father, this one.
She leaped up and moved toward the window.
— I was told you'd come with Eric… but he wasn't with you when you arrived at Uncle Charl's. Did something happen to them?
— No idea… they stopped on the way before we reached the capital.
Lara opened the window and looked down. She was immediately intrigued.
— Hey, Ollie… in your plan, you weren't supposed to bring a blue-haired girl with you by any chance?
Oliver looked disturbed.
— Um… no. Where do you get ideas like that?
— Well, Eric and the others just arrived, and apparently, they brought that girl with them.
Oliver stood and approached the window. Below, Eric, Simon, and the others had just arrived. But Atela walked behind Noa, who had his coat in his pocket, which surprised Oliver, making him touch the window frame.
— It's the first time I see this girl… but I feel like I've seen her somewhere before…
— You know, I can tell she's really cute… There must be a good reason for her to be here.
The bedroom door opened, and Iris stepped inside.
— Lady Lara, what are you doing here? Your father is looking for you everywhere!
A bead of sweat formed on her forehead as she scrambled for an excuse.
— Well… I was just stopping by to say hi to Ollie, and now… I'll go greet Eric's guest. Bye!
She dashed down the hallway like an arrow. Iris stood frozen.
— Well… this girl is a real phenomenon…
A little further, Noa walked in silence with Atela. Atela finally broke the tension.
— Um… Noa?
— Yes?
— I wanted to ask… We just met. You don't know who I am, yet when I ask to meet the Patriarch, you agree without hesitation. Is there a reason for that?
Noa remained silent for a few minutes before replying:
— Yes… there is a reason… but I won't tell you for now.
Atela shook her head, closing her eyes.
— This isn't fair… every time I try to have a conversation with him, he always finds a way to end it before it even starts… it's frustrating.
Ahead of them, a man with gray-and-blue hair, looking relaxed, seemed to be searching for someone. When he noticed them:
— But… it's Noa !
He leapt toward him and embraced him. Noa didn't even try to resist.
— I missed you so much, my boy! I've wanted to do this for so long, you have no idea !
— Yes, I'm happy to see you too, Uncle Apeche…
The patriarch smiled at his young nephew and asked:
— I'm looking for your cousin Lara. Have you seen her?
But he froze. His expression changed instantly when he saw Atela. She forced a nervous smile.
— Princess Atela… hello! What are you doing here? You weren't supposed to be here.
Atela struggled to find her words. Her gaze followed Noa, who pointed down the hallway.
— Look, Lara is over there.
At the end of the corridor, Lara was trying to spy on him before being caught.
— Noa, you traitor !
Apeche immediately chased after her.
— But wait, don't you want to spend time with your old father ?
— Never !
The two disappeared at the end of the hallway.
— Well… like father, like daughter, said Noa calmly.
Atela, relieved:
— That was close…
Maelle's voice echoed in her mind:
— Affirmative.
Atela was relieved, but she said one thing:
— He… he called me "princess."
She turned to Noa, who stared at her with his cold eyes as she caught her breath.
— You really don't look like a princess.
— He didn't understand!
Noa resumed walking. Atela stood stunned for a moment before following him. A few minutes later, they were in front of a massive door.
— The old patriarch is behind these doors. Are you ready?
Atela nodded. Noa opened the door. Behind it was a bright room, with a low wall partially covered in aquatic vegetation, and small pools integrated into the floor.
In the center of the room, a man stood, dressed in white-and-gray royal garments, with a white coat trimmed with black fur, perfectly tailored. His eyes were fixed on the white blade of his katana, as reflective as a mirror, held half-drawn.
— Hello, Father…
He turned at Noa's words. Atela froze.
— Patriarch David Hyperion.