Would gain something, will lose someone

Sherdan hung up the phone after the conversation came to a conclusion. He then went back to the mansion's receiving lounge.

To reach the grand staircase that leads to the second floor of the mansion, one had to pass through either the lounge or the hall. Sherdan could've gone back to the hall as it was nearer, but he was sure that Anneye had already come back in there to scout the place and inspect everyone to pinpoint who she thought was the most suspicious.

Right, Anneye.

Sherdan, although he had yet to confirm it, believes that it was that woman who summoned Peiya into the mansion. If it was her, it would not be that surprising.

His great auntie had always kept several layers of secrets to herself, secrets that she buried along with her grave. Not everyone, not even Sherdan, had the ability to uncover all of them.

Sherdan pursed his lips as he strode in a hurry. There was only one thing she didn't know and one thing that Sherdan had managed to get his hands on.

The fact that she's a legitimate child of Sibal, and she would have complete control of the company once the latter died.

"You seem to be in a hurry"

Sherdan paused as he heard the voice of the man he despised most. The man he loathed as much as he loathed himself.

The man who made his past life nothing but hell on earth.

Sherdan smiled, albeit his blood was already boiling from anger.

"Great Uncle Stevan," Sherdan said, trying to keep his eyes even. He couldn't glare at him without a prepared reason, could he?

Stevan's brow perked up, but didn't comment on Sherdan's suppressed hostility.

"Glad to meet my great nephew" Stevan placed the bottle filled with wine on the table and stood up.

"The same goes with me, great uncle." Sherdan replied through gritted teeth, as he bowed his head ever so slightly as a form of showing his respect.

Stevan laughed at how his grand nephew tried, but failed to hide his hatred. Although he hadn't made his assault yet, this grandnephew of his already bore resentment.

'The instinct of a prey... or a hidden predator?' Stevan pondered.

There was only one way to find out.

A cornered animal had only one option to pick. 'To show its skin'.

"I wonder about that." Stevan stood up and went towards where Sherdan was.

He then leant in closer, and asked in a voice so devious that Sherdan couldn't help but form a knuckle.

"Did my nice grand nephew had fun? He just clipped the wings of an old man. " Stevan patted Sherdan's head, as if rewarding him for a job well done.

He had planned to get rid of that old man earlier than his supposed death, but this devious boy made it happen for him. If that was not a job well done, then what is?

Sherdan wanted so badly to laugh, but held it in. He clutch on to the last strand of his patience before moving sideways a little to avoid the other's hands.

He kept the smile on his face and mimicked Stevan's actions. He too, leaned closer and muttered.

"Your grand nephew had fun"

"So Grand Uncle should guard his own wings. "

'I'd take your freedom away from you'

Weekdays passed, and Sibal remained confined in the hospital. There was no sign of him waking up.

Sherdan sipped on his coffee as he stared at the heavy rain outside the cafe. It was Sunday, so several religious people were clamoring around the church. Waiting for the first mass to finish so they could attend the second mass.

Sherdan is not an atheist, but he wasn't devoted to God either. The God that the people pray to, and the God that placed them in this mess, Sherdan wondered which he should believe in.

Just as he was deep in thought, the bell rang. signalling that someone has entered the cafe.

Sherdan glanced at the entrance and saw that it was Lucian who entered. The other was wearing a pastel blue shirt paired with boyfriend jeans and white shoes.

His clothes sure looked refreshing to the eyes, but he was visibly haggard. It's as if he was on the verge of collapsing.

Sherdan frowned and went to where Lucian is. Upon reaching the other's place, he took his black jacket off and covered Lucian with it. Lucian's skin felt cold to the touch, and Sherdan scolded him out of reflex.

"Did you use an umbrella? Why are you wearing thin clothes when it's raining? H---what's wrong? Why are your eyes red?" Sherdan noticed Lucian's gaze, and the other couldn't help but laugh in joy, although he was almost about to cry.

Lucian avoided his gaze, embarrassed to show Sherdan his face.

The truth was that, he did felt the distance Sherdan placed between them when he asked about the gods. And after Sherdan disappeared for several days and avoided him without notice, he already decided to bear with the foreboding separation, and harden his heart.

'Once Sherdan called again, it would probably be about permanently ending things'

Lucian expected that Sherdan would be cold. He would probably tell him that he wouldn't care whether something bad happened to Lucian, or that he wanted to break ties with him, even if that meant receiving painful retribution again, separated from each other.

But after Sherdan acted all concern, a wishful voice whispered in Lucian's ears.

'Maybe... there was a reason why he avoided me.

Maybe... this is not the end.

Like a hopeless romantic...'

"What is this?. You're giving me mixed signals," Lucian muttered. Sherdan's hands, which were busy fixing Lucian's entangled hair, stopped moving.

Hesitation flashed through his eyes, but the memory of what would happen to Lucian in the future emerged from his head once again. It didn't take long before that hesitation was washed away by unbridled determination.

Sherdan smiled lightly, acting like how he normally does.

"What do you mean? Let's sit. I have something to discuss." Sherdan pulled Lucian to their table and pushed him down to the chair.

"Do you want to eat?" Sherdan asked before his hazel eyes stared at Lucian's longer than usual.

Once the telepathy was activated, it could be closed by staring longer into one another's eyes, and the way to reopen it was through the same method.

Lucian stared back at him. If an outsider saw this scene, they would think the two men were having a staring contest, but only the two people involved knew the truth.

A spark ignited inside the two's head, and the telepathy was connected again.

[Can you still remember the gathering?Keep our conversation going] Sherdan reminded him, while he act naturally as though they weren't talking at all.

Lucian answered.

"Yes" [I do]

"I'd like some food" [Why?]

Sherdan then stood up before taking his wallet from inside his jacket, which was wrapped around Lucian.

"Alright, I'd order something. What do you like?"

[There was something unusual that happened in the gathering]

"I want chocolate cake, make it three servings. Can you buy it for me? It's a wish--"

"You don't have to use the 'wish' Lucian. I would gladly buy it for you for free. What else do you want?" Sherdan couldn't help but laugh as he ruffled Lucian's hair.

Lucian was surprised by this notion, and almost forgot to react to what Sherdan said in his mind.

[W-what do you mean, something out of the ordinary?]

"Alright alright. Buy me a shake too. I don't like vanilla, so anything but vanilla." Lucian avoided his head, and Sherdan only looked at how he tried to hide how flustered he was with a slight smile.

Soon...

"Wait here"

I'd...

[I saw Peiya at the gathering]

Lucian couldn't help but glance at Sherdan's direction in surprise. Sherdan only signalled him to calm down before he walked away.

[Keep your reactions to yourself.I was surprised after seeing her too.]

Lucian coughed, before he buried his head in his arms. With this, he would appear like he was hiding his embarassment. Even if Sherdan said something surprising again, Moirai wouldn't notice it.

[Maybe she's a servant you're not aware of?]

Lucian speculated, although he also thinks it was unlikely. After all, why would Sherdan say this as if it was important if he wasn't able to confirm whether she was a servant or someone suspicious.

As he expected, Peiya was truly not a servant.

[Peiya was wearing a dress suitable for the event Lucian. You know more than anyone that I wouldn't tell you this if it was not important.]

Lucian buried his head even lower. He couldn't stop himself from frowning.

[What happened?]

Sherdan arrived in front of the counter and bought what Lucian requested. After getting everything, he went back to where Lucian is.

[She was talking to Anneye]

Lucian flinched. Involving Anneye in this conversation means this is a completely important matter.

Lucian raised his head after finally controlling his expression.

[How can that b---] Before Lucian could even finish what he wanted to say, his eyes shut down in an instant.

Sherdan's eyes widen in surprise, and he threw all he's holding just to catch Lucian who's almost about to hit his face against the table.

"Lucian! Lucian!" Sherdan called out while lightly shaking the unconscious Lucian. He checked his pulse, and sighed after realizing he's not in any danger.

The other customer saw this and was about to help, but Sherdan just smiled and told them that Lucian fell asleep.

He carried him and went outside of the cafe. And the instant he was all alone, the smile vanished from his face.

Sherdan walked towards the road slowly, waiting for 'it' to finally appear.

And just as he expected, a drop of dark blue water fell from the sky and it landed on the wet floor. The swamp of water where the peculiar drop fell turned blue, and it raised from the ground as if some kind of portal.

Sherdan entered without hesitation and what welcomed him is its connecting place, only that this place had no one inside. The scene was similar to those barriers that divides the sorcerers from the ordinary humans in the movie Doctor Strange.

[Is it safe here?] Sherdan asked

{Yes}

Sherdan carried Lucian into a bench, and placed the other in it.

[Please forgive me] Sherdan leaned in closer, and let their foreheads touch against each other.

A second later, his eyes turned white.