He stood in front of the double doors, staring for a second before shoving them open and stepping inside.
The dining hall screamed wealth—massive windows letting in soft light, polished floors reflecting the chandelier above, and walls lined with overpriced drapes. The faint smell of bread and meat did little to calm the edge simmering in his gut.
He walked toward the table, four chairs, three already taken.
His eyes locked onto the man at the head—black hair, black eyes, face carved out of stone.
Mark Evros Myrr.
Cassian's father. One of the four dukes of the capital.
Mark's gaze softened slightly. "You're late."
Cassian ignored him, sitting down.
Nobody said anything. They all knew better—ever since he'd come back from that hellhole, everyone walked on eggshells around him.
His eyes shifted to the woman next to Mark—black hair, black eyes, drop-dead gorgeous but with a look that could cut steel.
Sophia Evros Myrr.
Cassian's mother.
She leaned forward, concern written all over her face. "Cassian, are you alright? Sylvia told me you were screaming earlier in your room."
'That Fucking bitch,' Cassian thought, clenching his jaw. "I tripped and hit my face," he lied, tone flat and uncaring.
He gave her a slight nod toward the girl sitting beside her. A signal. Both parents caught on, nodding back.
Great, now he had a debrief session to look forward to.
His gaze moved to the girl beside his mother. Black hair, black eyes, the same family features but twisted into something sharper, cuter.
Elisa Evros Myrr.
Cassian's twin sister.
And one of the [heroine] of the goddamn game.
She looked at him with a mocking smirk. "Loser brother… tripping in your room like a total ghost you are now."
Cassian glanced at his hands—pale as death, nothing like the creamy white his parents and sister had.
Before the kidnapping, he'd looked just like them. But now, curses had twisted him into something else entirely.
Of course, nobody outside this room knew. His abduction, his freakish cursed body—it was all locked down. Only the four dukes, his mother, and the royals knew.
Sophia's sharp gaze flicked to Cassian's hands, then back to Elisa. "That's enough Elisa. Apologize to your brother. Now."
Elisa's eyes filled with tears as she lashed out. "You always side with him! Ever since he came back from 'Training', it's always Cassian this and Cassian that."
"And you still won't even tell me why he looks like a corpse."
Sophia and Mark said nothing.
The silence only fueled Elisa's rage.
She turned to Cassian, her voice filled with venom. "I'M SORRY for saying you look like a ghost."
Her eyes searched his face for a reaction. He gave her a slow nod.
"Hmm. Okay."
She glared harder, then turned back to Sophia, jabbing a finger at him. "And he doesn't even react anymore! He's like a robot."
She stomped her foot, practically snarling, before sitting down and attacking her food like it had personally offended her.
Mark and Sophia exchanged amused smiles at her antics.
A few minutes of silence passed at the table before Mark broke it, addressing both Elisa and Cassian.
"As you both know, the Awakening Ceremony is in one month," he said, his voice steady and authoritative.
Elisa's face lit up with excitement, any trace of her earlier anger gone. "Yes, Dad! I can't wait!"
Cassian gave a small nod, his expression unreadable.
Mark continued, "You should both start training immediately. After Awakening, you'll be preparing for the Academy entrance exam."
"Okay, Dad, I'll train properly," Elisa replied with enthusiasm, practically bouncing in her seat.
Cassian, as always, just nodded. Even without being told, he'd already planned to train. He had no choice in the matter.
Once the meal was finished, everyone stood at the same time. Mark and Sophia exited through one door, their movements synchronized and graceful. Cassian and Elisa left through another, heading toward the training room.
As they walked, Elisa couldn't resist mocking him again.
"Just wait," she sneered. "When I awaken a better bloodline and class, Mom and Dad will only cherish me. You'll be left aside like a rotting corpse."
Cassian stopped in his tracks.
Elisa, noticing his sudden halt, smirked, thinking her words had finally hit a nerve.
Then, without warning, Cassian shoved her against the wall.
His strength was pathetic, but the surprise of the attack worked in his favor. Elisa's back hit the wall with a soft thud, and her eyes widened in shock.
He leaned in, his gaze cold and piercing. "Listen here, you shitty fuck," he hissed, his voice low and venomous.
"You want their attention? Take it. I don't give a damn. Just don't get in my way."
Elisa's eyes instantly brimmed with tears at his harsh tone, and a single tear slid down her cheek. Yet, she clenched her fists and managed to ask, "W-what about your attention?"
Cassian blinked, caught off guard. "What?" he snapped.
"What about your attention?" Elisa shot back, her voice cracking. "Ever since you came back from 'training,' you don't play with me. You don't spend time with me. You just ignore me."
Cassian tilted his head. "Fuck off," he spat. "Do you think I care about your feelings?"
Elisa's bravado crumbled completely at his words. The tears flowed freely now, and her lip trembled as she tried to hold back a sob.
Cassian straightened up, his expression hard and unfeeling. "I'm saying this again, don't get in my way, you shitty fuck."
Without another word, he turned and walked off, leaving Elisa behind in the hallway, her silent sobs echoing softly in the still air.