If Athan could curse aloud and as much as he could, then he would''ve done it a long time ago; however, this wasn''t an excellent place to do so.

    He couldn''t help but recall what Mystique mentioned about the fair warning as he just took it on a lighter note—in good faith, he wanted to laugh thinking about it literally.

    In the hallway, with arrays of portraits and armor statues for the passersby to be in awe, he sauntered and followed closely from the head butler''s enthusiastic responses.

    It always bored him to listen to the prosperity and the long history of the Edelweiss that carved deep within the manor. For so long, he already knew them. However, there was someone that caught his attention.

    By the end of the hallway was another man with a cape in white-and gradients, fluttering and his white leather boots that strode against the sheen ceramic floor. The voluminous cobalt hair had a low ponytail, which only had his long fringes reached by the chest.

    Chin up had his features like a pointed nose and lime eyes that glared at those who were beneath him. Even from afar, he knew that outfit was exquisite: a waistcoat and trousers that matched the motif of his cape adorned with gold buttons and linings.

    For the first time in forever, his gut churned from the aura of intimidation he got from him.

    It wasn''t a simple man, as he perceived.

    Yet, he failed to recognize who this person was…

    Almost as if he popped out of nowhere.

    Athan furrowed as he took a closer look; he was as tall as him, and even with the grand layers and flared cape, he had didn''t hide the great and well-maintained physique he had.

    Through a quick stop, he bowed. "Greetings to the Dysnomia—"

    Somehow, with no reason aside from the aura of intimidation he felt,  he decided to mock him for all he cared.

    "You must be a noble of foreign lands as you don''t seem to have such manners, eh?"

    His words made him halt his tracks and contested each other''s gaze.

    "...Pardon me, Your Highness."

    "You need to work on that." Athan didn''t want to wait and walked away without the need to hear his replies.

    To him, he learned it wasn''t worth his time.

    One thing for sure, from the subtle gaze and demeanor, he wasn''t the enemy that he would''ve to face in the future, nor the hidden confidants.

    The guards stood in front of the large two-way door, and with the insignia he had, they nodded curtly and opened. He squinted through the flash of morning light when he now found himself in one of the great rooms that the manor provided.

    The ceiling was high, with chandeliers that hung and dripped with beautiful gems and diamonds.

    "Your Highness, please have a seat."

    The man''s deep voice almost howled like the ones in a deep chasm—mystifying and intriguing.

    His gaze cut off from roaming the familiarity of the interior design as he took a glance at the direction of the voice.

    In a great set of couches, arranged in such a style that overlooked the other side of the pasture lands through the arched windows, the man—in slick auburn hair and honey-dipped skin tone—sat upright and sipped his cup of tea. He had a single-breasted gray suit that revealed the white inner vest and an ascot necktie pinned with an emblem that signified his identity and prestige.

    One of the well-known nobles in the circle of nobles claimed to favor the Imperial faction rather than anything else with regards to politics and economics.

    Another strong vampire individual wielded the power of the land.

    He placed the tea and finally had his mint-hued eyes beamed at him.

    The one that sat across the console table was the man who ruled the marquisdom of Edelweiss, Edmund Luke Edelweiss, and he was somehow.

    "I wasn''t expecting such a meeting with Your Highness."

    "I do hope it doesn''t bother you that much, Marquiss Edmund." He smiled back at him.

    "Of course, although it should be my line," Edmund replied amicably; he beckoned one of the maids to serve more treats and beverages for the meeting. "It would''ve been rude of me to make Your Highness wait. I just happened to have another esteemed guest who I''d have to entertain beforehand."

    With a hum, Athan eyed sideways as he thought of also a young man, who he had yet to know as he had no idea who he was…

    "Was it the one with cobalt hair and lime eyes?"

    "Absolutely, Your Highness. The Grand Duke of Forsberg visited one last time…"

    However, his further introduction of the man he met earlier already cast doubt in his head.

    "While I do know about the Grand Duchy of Forsberg, I think it was my first time seeing him."

    Athan''s words had Edmund looking at him quizzically. After which, the latter rubbed his stubble chin and gave it a thought of the former''s response.

    "Perhaps it''s vague in your memories. I was so sure you two were once best of friends, around the childhood years..."

    ''...What?'' Athan pondered; he kept up a straight face, but deep within his skin had his muscles tensed from his claims. ''I don''t think I had—''

    Matthew always stuck up to him through thick and thin and never in his life recognized this mysterious person.

    From the sincere tone, unwavering gaze, and supportive nature of the Marquis, it almost baffled him if he was making up stories, even though there was no good in lying to him.

    ''Once best friends in childhood? Something is missing…''

    "If you don''t mind me asking, what were you two talking about that it took me some time to wait?"

    There were always a few methods that would work when things don''t get his way.

    Entitlement and guilt-tripping was his ace.

    Somehow, Edmund got stumped with lips parted as he tried to find words to speak to him.

    "I sense some hesitation," Athan added, he sighed and watched the scenery beyond the windowpanes, and he played the scroll in his grasp. "Here I am, since the Marquis of Edelweiss is in my good graces, I thought I should do him a favor and personally give it to him."

    "But Your Highness—"

    Then, he stood with deep regret on his face. "I suppose it''s time for me to leave."

    "Wait!" Edmund sighed futilely. "What we talked about was his request to hold ''Grand Auction'' rather early."

    ''Huh?! It wasn''t Mystique?!''