The Patriarch's straight face finally crumbles as his face squeezes into a grotesque frown. He grits his teeth, eyes staring down at me like I'm a loyal dog who just bit him.
"What did you say?" He asks, his voice layered with disdainful spite.
I lean back into my chair, my lips widening.
What did I just do? Am I foolish?
I might be, but.. I don't regret anything I just said.
"I asked what the hell did you just say!!" He roars, and as he does so, an aggressive gust of wind blows against my face from his direction, making my bangs flutter wildly.
"I said I haven't forgotten anything. I have all my memories intact." I reply, my voice bolder, lacking that shakiness or stuttering that Ralyn had.
"What?"
"Did I stutter?" I reply.
His squeezed face relaxes immediately. It softens even, and his lips curl into a wide, wild smile as he leans back on his chair. He raises his head, a soft chuckle leaving his lips. "You. Where did you learn to talk like that?" He asks as he brings his head down.
I don't reply. I just stare at him.
"Are you really Ralyn? Did you, instead of losing your memories, gain a pair of balls?" He asks with a cold smile on his lips. "Are you so eager to die?"
A man who's supposed to be the refined head of this family is cracking such a vulgar joke? Balls? And they call me disgusting.
"Die?" I reply, resting my elbow on the armrest of my chair and my chin on my fist. "Let's be real. You can't kill me. If you could, you would've done so a long time ago."
There was something I thought felt off in Ralyn's diary.
"You still need me." I declare.
It's the fact that no one killed or even hurt him throughout his stay here. They all just avoided him. If the Patriarch really wanted him dead for being a stain in his family, then he'd have killed him long ago.
Then why hasn't he done that since? Why has he left him alive until now? I'm guessing it's because of this tournament, but I'm not really sure. But whatever that reason is, I'm betting on it.
"Did you learn to speak like this from your eldest brother?" He asks, his tone evident of his surprise.
"What brother?" I ask. "I have no family."
He doesn't reply. He just stares at me for a while. Then he holds his white goatee and caresses it.
"Do you know that I could kill you with a flick of my finger?" His voice is low now.
"Then stop telling me that you. Do it. I do not fear death. I have lived a life far worse than death." I reply with a soft voice.
Two lives, actually.
"I see." He nods as he replies. "Get out."
"??" The expression on my face must be an inquisitive one.
"Leave my office. Go back to your quarters."
I nod. "I will do so. But, I have to ask you, do you still remember what you said to me? That if I come in dead last in the tournament, you'd kill me. And if I get a position other than last, then I'd be stripped of the name Steelheart and be banished?" I ask as I stand up.
"Yes, I do remember." He responds.
"I hope you keep to your words. And know that I'll be training with Dinan from tomorrow, to prepare for the tournament, as I have not received any form of training since I was born."
"The word of a swordsman is his blood. And, regarding your training.." His eyes flash with barely concealed amusement, "It would be of no use. Your opponents are children your age who have high Chi and have been training since they were five. It means they can wield tein."
I frown.
What is this 'Tein' he speaks of? I will ask Dinan tomorrow.
"It doesn't matter. I'll take it that I have your permission," I bow my head slightly as I turn to leave, "Patriarch."
I walk toward his door, and as I place my hand on the door handle, I hear his voice behind me:
"I thought less of it this time, but know that the next time you threaten this family, I'd end you then and there."
I let out a scoff.
Saying that means you think that there's a possibility that I will be able to do what I said I will do.
I open the door, and I walk out, closing the door behind me.
I immediately fell on my butt, breathing heavily as I rubbed my face with my hands.
What the hell did I just do?
As I'm about to rant and insult myself, more fragments of Ralyn's memories stream into my brain.
This time, they're less painful. They play calmly in my vision. And I see everything that I read in my diary.
Ralyn's diary, I mean.
I clench my fist, standing up immediately. "Yeah," I mutter. "What I did wasn't that bad."
I continue walking away from the hallway.
Tomorrow, I'll begin training with Dinan. Then, I'd.. how many days left til the tournament? I think it's..
As I'm lost in my thoughts, I'm suddenly interrupted by a bump on my shoulder.
I turn back immediately, and I see the one who bumped me. He's dressed in a fine black leather suit, and he's just walking toward the Patriarch's office like nothing happened.
I want to call his attention and tell him that he hit me, but a smile tugs at my lips. And I shake my head. I'm in a good mood, plus it's just a little shoulder bump. Nothing much.
Then I turn to continue walking forward.
"Disgusting." A low voice rings.
I halt immediately. "What?" I mutter, turning my neck to look at the one who called me disgusting.
He's standing at the front of the Patriarch's office, shooting a disdainful glare at me. His lips curled into a grimace.
His left hand is tucked behind his waist, his right hand knocking gently on the door as he swoops his black hair to the side.
Who the hell is he?
I clench my fist and my teeth at the same time. My blood is rushing at an unusual pace, zig-zagging through my veins with primal speed.
The moment I decide to approach him, he opens the Patriarch's door and walks inside.
I let out a resigned exhale.
It's okay. I'll still see him around.
I walk out of this quarter, heading to my quarter.