5. What I can do for you (1)

The fist hit Psyche's face head-on. He fell back. The pain soon covered his whole body, and he gaged inwardly.

"We're not family," Adolphe said.

After they had found Psyche in the barn, his siblings surrounded him. Adolphe stood directly in front of him, with Phyros standing on his right and their oldest sister, Cassia, on his left. Anna waited outside for them.

Psyche stared at the floor without a single emotion in his eyes. It was a look unbefitting for a seven-year-old. Especially one who looked like a fairy, with purple eyes and white hair.

Those purple eyes were as dark as the night sky in the city and felt just as empty.

"That is the look that I hate the most!" Phyros shouted. He threw a stone at Psyche's head out of anger.

Seeing as the youngest boy didn't whine or complain, Adolphe realized that he couldn't understand Psyche at all.

Ever since he arrived at the mansion, Psyche would act like he didn't care about anything or anyone and hide in his room for weeks. Every time any of them looked at him, Psyche gave them that frivolous gaze.

He acted like a stranger. But then, he would do something to cry for attention. Psyche stole and broke things, only to play victim afterward. That morning, on Phyros' birthday, Psyche had done something like that again.

Even though Adolphe told him to stay out of sight, Psyche still went and introduced himself as Adolphe's brother to his friends!

'And now, he's acting as if he was the victim!'

Adolphe took a step forward and threw a kick towards Psyche's stomach.

Once.

"Your father abandoned you here because he didn't want you either!"

Twice.

"And our mother doesn't want anything to do with you."

Three times.

"You're alone," Adolphe said.

Before he got hit again, Anna entered the barn. She said something he couldn't catch.

His siblings left shortly after, leaving the trembling Psyche behind.

He had a knot on his throat and an emptiness in his chest., but Psyche kept a straight face. He didn't scream in pain nor did he cry his heart out. After all, he didn't have anyone to go back to, nor would his family go looking for him.

He just laid there, knowing no one would come and help him.

*

Adolphe gritted his teeth, a vein popping on his forehead as he heard Eros' presumptuous tone directed at his mother.

"I want him."

The phrase resounded in the room like thunder, making the words perfectly heard by each of those present. The political guests and the staff of the mansion immediately fell silent.

It took a second for those present to realize the seriousness of what was happening. After all, the sons of two great legacies were interacting…in an intimate situation.

Third Heaven was a cemented conglomerate in old times. Its history ranged from the newest technological creations to the beginning of the current political system.

On the other hand, Demetriou was relatively new. A green company that quickly monopolized Silphium flower cultivation and expanded into the personal care market. Since their current financial situation was unknown to the public, the family still retained quite a bit of their reputation.

In short, both families had great power.

However, there was a reason why none of the reporters, heirs, or waiters made a sound: They all felt an inexplicable desire to please Eros.

They wouldn't have felt this way towards Iris. However, it was different to be vulnerable in front of Love. Even gods stuttered in his presence.

"Psyche."

Even Evangeline could barely find her voice to call her son, afraid that she might anger the man in front of her. All she could do was nod.

"It would be better to resolve these issues separately."

Eros observed how Psyche's expression twisted in between disappointment and amusement. He felt sorry that he couldn't explain to him why his mother was acting this way.

Since her human nature could not recognize the deity in front of her, her brain decided to think that the only thing stopping her was the reputation of the conglomerate Third Heaven's.

From her perspective, Eros was just a gullible young boy with rich parents. It was easier for her to obtain a possible partnership if she let their kid cry a little.

Of course, it was just foolish thinking on her part.

"Let this kiddo as he wishes."

"Mother?" Asked Adolphe, dumbfounded. He didn't like the idea, but he couldn't express his disgust.

"Shhh, Adolphe. Don't you think so, Miss Iris? Mm?"

Contrary to her expectations, Iris was not going to be so permissive. She tried to find a way to get Eros away from the crowd and reduce his control over them.

"Pardon this kid's rudeness, madam," she said. "Truth be told, Heaven has had its eyes on your son for a long time."

"Ah, yes?"

She frowned at Iris' words. Psyche was an illegitimate child, what would they want from him?

"Yes. We believe his face is exactly what we need for… our newest product."

"Oh, my!"

"Please, allow us to talk directly to your son about today's disturbance."

"What should we do? This kid doesn't like his face. Mhhh~ Maybe our young master could convince him…"

She truly acted like a mother who was deeply worried about her son, but Eros and Iris knew the truth: Evangeline was trying to appeal to them even if she didn't know of it herself. She was even willing to sell her son to get on their good side.

Iris' disgusted expression resonated with his own.

For as long as he could remember, he always caused the same situation when in front of most humans. However, the reaction was greater than normal due to his ongoing awakening.

Normally, his powers wouldn't be revealed against his own will. But now, not only was he feeling things he never experienced before, but also he was amplifying other people's emotions without meaning to. He was sure that his guards felt a bit agitated too.

It wasn't something new. However, this time he was worried about someone.

The lights reverberated Eros' figure, and Psyche lost himself looking at his hips, arms, and neck.

'Blonde, blue and silver,' he thought, 'and pink.'

When he examined Eros's face, he was amazed to see that his cheeks were covered in a faint rosy blush that matched his lips.

Psyche giggled, covering his mouth.

Through his lashes, Psyche sought the god's gaze in vain. Eros ignored his eagerness. He knew of the effects his presence had on humans more than anyone else.

'He is a human.' He thought.

The revelation left a sour taste in his mouth, causing him to move anxiously. Did his remaining feelings explain what had happened earlier? Or were all of his conflicted emotions caused by Eros' influence?

'Was it just human greed?'

'No.'

He felt a whirlwind of emotions inside of Psyche. Not only that, he could read his thoughts on his face as clear as water. The number of impure images was enough to bring a light blush to Eros' face.

'He doesn't look like the type to be so imaginative, either. Ahem.'

Unfortunately, he could also tell the sudden rush of blood on him was due to the effects of being in his presence. It was enough for Eros to decide that he wouldn't lay a hand on Psyche.

'Not like this.'

Eros looked towards Evangeline. His face was serious and a light frown decorated his eyes.

Taken aback, she took a deep breath and inhaled Eros' scent. She felt as if she needed to remember every single detail about the man in front of her.

"You," he said.

"Sorry?"

"Tomorrow morning. Third Heaven's main building."

"Tomorrow?"

"Make sure he shows up."

Eros had engraved Psyche's every movement since the first time he landed eyes on him. He was sure of it. Fear did not lie.

'He said that he would be locked up.'

With one last despective look towards Evangeline, they both left the mansion.

'This is the only thing I can do for you.'

Watching Eros's back as he left, Psyche closed her eyes. Once he opened them again, a drunken light washed over his gaze.

Before he could think things through, Psyche ran after him.