Grey's eyes widened in shock as he dropped his spear, moving closer to inspect the bracelet Michelle had just pulled out.
Why wouldn't he recognize it. Although it had appeared differently, he had seen it too many times in the photos of his dad and mum.
It was the same bracelet that had appeared hanging off the neck of the woman in every picture.
"Wasn't I clear enough? Your dad handed it to me."
"Here, it's yours now!"
She said, throwing the bracelet to him.
"What else do you want?"
Grey said, catching up mid air. She was still standing in front of him.
"Get some manners boy. Now that your dad's business is done, I can move on. I want to recruit you."
She said, her tone taking an unexpected level of seriousness.
"Not interested!"
Grey shut her off immediately, turning around to inspect the bracelet in greater detail.
"Why?"
"Sounds like something very serious. I'm not interested. I've failed the family, all I can do now is play with my spear and drink some good wine."
Grey said without turning to face her.
"That's pathetic coming from the son of Easton!"
"What did you say?"
"Keep my father out of your mouth!"
His grey eyes gleamed as he walked up to her with a threatening look.
Michelle looked down on him and chuckled, amused by the words of the kid in front of her.
'Sigh! How did you raise your kid, Easton?'
'Right, you were never really there with him, even when you were alive. Poor kid'
She held back the words which were to follow her chuckle and let outa deep sigh, looking Grey straight in the eye.
"Watch your tone kid. I knew your father for very long time and I know he wouldn't be happy to see you like this."
"Choosing to rot away? Your father wasn't a man like that"
Michelle paused, seeing the spark of curiosity that had found it's way into his cold eyes. They spoke of something Grey had never let anyone on.
'Wasn't a man like that?'
'What kind of person was he?'
Unknowingly, the edge around him had gone down, replaced with the curiosity induced by the lady in front of him.
"Easton was stubborn as hell. He didn't know how to take a loss, I guess you aren't made the same. He didn't raise you that much after all, so that's understandable."
"You don't need to worry anymore, I was mistaken."
Michelle said shaking her head slightly, turning around to take her leave.
"Wait!"
A smile spread on her face, hearing his voice from behind.
'I'm sorry I have to use means like this. Hope you forgive this old lady, Easton.'
"What is it you wanted me for?"
Grey said squeezing the bracelet in his hand. The words of the mysterious lady in front of him had struck a chord.
His father was a busy man, constantly traveling due to work. Grey knew less about his father and then he truly was than he wished to admit.
All these years and this was the first person that had ever shown up claiming to be an acquaintance of his. It was an opportunity he couldn't deny.
"Hmm? How rude!"
"Where are your manners as a noble?"
Michelle pressed with raised eyebrows.
"My apologies, lady Michelle"
"I should show to somewhere more appropriate"
Grey said with a docile tone, even going forward to give a small bow.
'He isn't that lost then.'
She smiled, following his lead into the manor.
"Get some tea for the guest. We'll be in the drawing room."
The main who had crossed paths with them bowed and hurried towards the kitchen.
'Who's that?'
The maid wondered about the identity of the veiled figure the young master had addressed as a guest.
"At least he didn't seem like he was going to last out!"
She sighed in relief. At that moment, Grey hadn't thought twice about who he gave orders, his mind was swirling with thoughts of a different origin.
"You can have a sit"
"Thank you, young one"
Grey offered upon arrival into the room, taking a seat positioned opposite hers.
Beyond this was a long moment of silence, with both parties observing each other.
There was nothing much for him to see anyways, her face and expressions were blocked by a veil and her whole self was wrapped in a faint aura of mystery.
It made her seem very elusive, like a ghost that could vanish at any moment—something he coukd lose of he blinked for a moment.
"It's impolite to stare."
Michelle broke the silence with a tone that helped Grey picture the smile she had underneath.
'I don't give a fuck, old lady'
"Here, young master"
The maid from earlier came in with two steaming hot cups of tea, offering a bow to the guest before taking her leave.
"I think we can both drop the act."
Grey said after an extended moment of silence.
Michelle who had gotten comfortable, bringing the cup up to her lips, paused and smiled sweetly under the veil.
'He's just as blunt as you are, despite spending such little time with you.'
"You wished to inquire something?"
She said, placing the cup down.
"Wrong. You wanted to recuit me. I'm asking what for"
Grey said, feeling a little put off by her tone.
"Hmm. I did make it clear that I was mistaken. Young master Grey wasn't the one I was looking for."
Grey felt the urge to break something. She had purposely said those words about his father and now she was acting all oblivious. He had lost his advantage in the conversation, or rather, he never had one.
"Haa! I offer my deepest apologies about earlier. I really am sorry."
Grey said with a deep sigh and the lady across him finally responded feeling the sincerity in his tone.
The eagerness in his eyes only shone brighter and it was quite clear what he wanted so bad.
'Unfortunately, it isn't time for you yet, little one.'
"I wasn't wrong with what I said earlier, young master. You aren't the one I was looking to recuit."
"You failed the ceremony a few days ago, and although it was just some rumor flying around, after seeing you I can tell it's true."
"You're runeless right?"
Her voice was light, yet it contained a certainty that nadr Grey freeze up.
'How did she..??!'
Grey was unable to respond, picking up the tea which had become warm. It felt like the only thing that could get his blue blood moving.
"You can't do anything for me like that. Luckily, you haf a great father, I'm sure he left somethings behind for you."
'Eh? Dad died abruptly, there was nothing b—'
"You shouldn't be quick to assume things. You've been lied to. A lot."
"It's not in my place to say, but did you ever look around? I'm pretty sure of that father of yours"
Michelle spoke in a manner which caught Grey off guard.
The words she spoke were of things he couldn't be bothered to think about, but there was something offsetting about the confidence she spoke them with.
She wasn't guessing or trying to insinuate anything, she was certain about those words.
'What is that supposed to mean?'
Grey wondered, lost on what to do with those words of hers. Where was he supposed to start?
'Was too early?'
Michelle thought, observing his expression anf aura carefully. He didn't look like he was handling it well though.
After a while, her worries turned to a sense of relief when the couldiness in his eyes cleared and he looked towards her with a still expression.
"You'll need to be clearer than that!"
"What is this inheritance you speak of?"
"You shouldn't be asking me kid. I could be wrong"
"Besides, if there is one, I doubt that man would let any one on. You're his kid, you should know things about your father that I don't. I only knew a part of him, a part I always met at work."
"Now then, it's time for me to leave."
"Wait, you can–!"
"Fuck!"
Grey cursed seeing her vanish right in front of him, it was like she was never even there in the first place.
'What is she?'
He wondered, seeing the unrumpled sofa she had sat on.
"An inheritance? What does that even have to do with me being runeless?"
'Runeless.'
That reminded him of the fact that he could not hide or escape from this. He might have been able to fake it and keep it from those in the circle, but it was only a matter of time before it became an accepted fact that he was runeless.
The rumors must have gotten fiercer. That aside, he was sure his uncle knew of this.
There was no way he was fooling the old man. And if he could see through him, it meant all the other old men back at the ceremony had also.....
'Fuck!'
He sighed and looked down at the bracelet sqeezed in his hand.
'I should check there first!'
His thoughts sharpened and he jumped to his feet, heading deeper into the manor, his feet carrying him with sense of urgency.