A boy blankly stares in front of the mirror. His dull eyes show no emotion as he scans the now neat and formal outfit he is wearing.

His bluish silver hair was neatly brushed to the side. His dull light blue eyes, droppingly, stared deeply into one spot.

He couldn't help but inwardly sigh. He softly stroked a deep, horrifying scar on his left temple. He was lucky enough to survive that fall.

Knowing the identity of the voice, he couldn't help but feel a tingle of pain around the scar. He continues to rub it in annoyance but doesn't show it on his face.

Tap Tap

Caesar calmly walked towards the door and opened it widely. The man stopped on his feet and happily turned towards him.

"I was worried about you! Where did you run off without reporting to this father of yours..?"

Caesar coldly turns his back towards him and walks towards the stairs. The man hurriedly tried to catch up to him and grabbed his shoulder forcefully.

"Caesar, please. Talk to this old father of yours before you depart!"

He panicked and held his son. He couldn't bear the heaviness in his heart after that incident! He needs to at least convince him so that plan he held his life at stake for can't go to waste.

Meeting his son's eyes, he shivered. His eyes were as dead as marbles, almost as if there were nothing behind them.

He roughly let go of his arm from his father's loose grasp. 

"My apologies, your grace. But I must go."

Caesar quickly turned his back against him once again and hurriedly left the main mansion.

"No..."

The man clenched his fist angrily as his heated, red eyes stared at the now closed doors.

.

.

.

Caesar finally took a breath once he was in the carriage. He closed his eyes and tilted his head against the window of the carriage behind him.

'How troublesome...'

He silently muttered as he drifted to sleep.

.

.

.

"We've arrived, young lord."

Hearing the declaration from outside of the carriage, his eyelids fluttered open. He calmly got up and stepped out of the carriage.

He raised his head to see another grand mansion in front of him. He can feel overwhelmed already by staring at it.

"Whew..."

He exhaled gently and gracefully and elegantly walked towards his destination. He stretched his hand and gave the invitation to the knight in front of the gates.

The knight respectfully bowed as he opened the gates with his companion. Caesar blankly stared at the few guests who were out in the garden. He passed by without greeting the bowing guests and finally arrived at the banquet hall.

"You've finally arrived!"

A young man greeted him with wide arms, Caesar blankly glanced at him and successfully escaped his incoming embrace. The young man pouted at his friend's avoidance but grinned at his final arrival.

Caesar crossed his arms against his chest, inwardly glaring at the young man, and spoke.

"It is my duty to join this wonderful celebration of yours, Lord Austin."

Hearing his indifferent words, Austin groaned at his formal speech.

'Seriously, this boy just won't want to get close to anyone.'

He heavily exhaled with difficulty. He smirked and wrapped his arms around Caesar's shoulders playfully. He ignored the strong disgusted gaze that was stinging his face.

"Shall we enjoy the celebration of me finally officially debuting as an adult into the social world?"

Caesar's face darkens at Austin's dark and deep chuckle. How did he become friends with an active and crazy guy who was three years older than him again? Aren't the main characters of the banquet usually busy greeting other guests?

He dizzily held his temple in frustration as he was dragged around.

.

.

.

"...Hah."

Caesar finally escaped from Austin's grasp and is now near a pole near the corner of the hall. Before he could even cool his head off of all the talks with the other nobles he dragged himself to, he could hear the instruments slowly making music.

A smooth rhythm was softly played as it was performing a piece of lively and composed music. He dully looked up to see the nobles asking out for the ladies' hands. He stares at them as they start to elegantly dance following the rhythm of the beat.

Amongst them, he could identify Austin due to his unique shimmering red hair in the center dancing with a lady with peony hair softly swaying as she dances. He could properly guess that she was his fiance.

Sometimes he doesn't understand why they need to waste their time dancing at these events. To have all forms they need to achieve flawless dance, they would need to have the body, action, space, time, and energy in common.

He slowly sipped the juice that was given by a waiter. If he thought about it, he felt lucky he hadn't debuted to officially be a part of the noble society yet.

"Having difficulty adjusting here, young duke."

Caesar slightly widens his eyes in surprise but returns to his expressionless facial mask. He nearly spilled his drink at the sudden voice next to him!

He gazed indifferently at the waiter and placed the glass back on the tray that was held by him. The waiter gazed back at him, smiling.

'He's brave?'

Although he is taller than his peers, that man was still two head taller than him. He felt uncomfortable feeling that way. He leaned his back against the pole and respond.

"It indeed doesn't suit my taste."

The waiter, still giving his successful professional smile, placed his hand on his left chest. Caesar isn't sure why but he seems to notice his smile blossom even more.

'Is he trying to scam me...'

He softly murmured, inwardly frowning at the possibility. He didn't like that sparkly smile of his. The waiter slowly opened his mouth as he spoke.

"If it isn't a bother, would you like to take a breather at the garden or the terrace?"

"Uhm..."

Caesar gave an affirmative answer by nodding his head. The waiter asked if he needed some dessert as he took a break but refused.

"Water only."

Hearing his request, he led him to the terrace before closing the door as he walked away to get him water. Hearing his footsteps slowly flooding with the other footsteps of the guests, he went into deep thought.

He hadn't heard the lock go off. Even if it was locked, he is at least skillful enough to now be able to go over the railing and make a run for it. He unconsciously rubbed the earring on his right ear. 

Right. He isn't completely free from the voices. If it weren't for this item that was given from the temple.

After all, he was lucky enough to be able to survive because the envoys that were on their way to the capital were staying at an inn within their territory.

Knock

"Come in."

The door opened softly after getting his permission. The waiter walked in with a glass of water and placed it on the small table. Caesar followed his every move with his eyes as he closed the door and stood in front of him, bowing.

"I have a favor to ask you, young duke."