Status difference

As Sial walked into the mansion, the large room felt strangely cold and unwelcoming. He strode in quietly 

Glancing around he found Evelyn sitting at a table, peeling an apple, she seemed to be better he thought 

His mind couldn't help but recall the scene at the mountain 

She looked up as he approached, a small smile on her face.

"You're back, I just received an invite," she informed him, gesturing for him to take a seat. "Have the matter been taken care of, how was it?" Evelyn asked, remembering how he left in a hurry after they came back to the mansion

Sial sat down across from Evelyn, his mind still with thoughts. He studied her for a moment before answering.

"It was... enlightening," he said then picked up a slice of apple. He decided to choose his words carefully. 

when he left the house, he only informed her that he was going to 'take care' of a matter 

Evelyn's eyebrow quirked at his cryptic answer, but she simply nodded in response.

"Oh! " she said casting her eyes down resuming the peeling of another apple.

Sial knew Evelyn was a sensitive type so he knew she had not fully believed him

"Yeah, You were brought up in Lianhua town right, Do you perhaps know this place in the town, the Aurora ?" He asked, diverting the topic 

Evelyn looked up, "The Aurora?" 

She found it familiar but strange enough she had never been there

Evelyn looked confused for a moment, but then her eyes widened in realization

"The Aurora? Yes, I know it. Wait, are you telling me you've... been there before?" She asked excitedly totally forgetting about the feeling from earlier 

Back in her home town, she had heard whispers about the mysterious and unnatural phenomenon in Lianhua Town, but she had never had the chance 

"Is that not the place that's never in darkness?! " 

Sial nodded, he was relieved to have successfully diverted her attention, he was not willing to get her involved in his messy situation 

"Yeah, you grew up there but never been there?" 

Evelyn shrugged unapologetically, a hint of sheepishness creeping into her expression. It was true, she had grown up in Lianhua Town but somehow never been to the town's most mysterious landmark.

"To be honest, I never really paid much attention," she admitted. "I heard whispers about it from the matron in the orphanage, but never had the chance."

"Do you remember how you ended up at the orphanage?" Seeing her talk about her childhood, Sial could not help but ask out of instinct 

Evelyn's expression clouded, her thoughts turning somber at the abrupt change of topic. She rarely talks about her childhood. 

"Yes," she said simply, her voice quiet. "Nobody including I knows my parent. I was found wandering the streets, alone. I was at the orphanage that took me in." She shrugged, "Why do you ask?" 

Sial slightly pursed his lips, "Nothing," he picked up the other apple that she had peeled and sliced it into pieces, "My house was the closest to the Aurora" he stated casually and handed her a slice of apple. 

Evelyn's eyebrows shot up in surprise. She looked at Sial, 

"You lived near the Aurora? That's... kind of creepy, don't you think?"

"How so?" Sial asked, his outstretched hand still holding the apple slice 

"Oh, Thank you" Evelyn threw the apple in her but It was difficult for her to understand how someone could live so close to a place that was shrouded in so much mystery and darkness.*

"Well," she said finally, "it's just unnatural, you know? A place that's never in darkness... it just feels... wrong, somehow. I don't know."

"Wrong?" Sial asked raising a brow curiously, he didn't disagree or agree. 

Evelyn shrugged helplessly, struggling to put her feelings into words. It was more an instinctual feeling than a logical one; something about that place just unsettled her to the core.

"It's just... unsettling, I guess," she said, her voice quiet. "A place with no night... it defies everything natural. It feels like... like something is wrong there, on a deep, fundamental level. 

"Ohh" 

Evelyn's thoughts appeared to return to the previous topic of why she waited for him, she abruptly stood 

"Oh, right!" she exclaimed, "The get-together! I almost forgot about that."

"What get-together?" Sial paused in his movement, the apple tested quite good 

Evelyn rolled her eyes, "They're going to invite everyone from our old class," she explained, "They will probably be showing off their wealth and status," 

Sial chuckled, "And I'm guessing attendance is mandatory?" he asked, half-joking.

Evelyn wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Not mandatory, per se, but strongly encouraged," she said. "And they're allowing plus-ones, as you can probably guess."

She shot a quick glance at Sial, a sly smile playing on her lips.

Sial pretending not to see her smile raised an eyebrow and asked, "Ah, you want me to be your plus one…" 

Evelyn batted her eyelashes, feigning innocence.

"And why wouldn't I? I need the best company for myself," she said, a playful tone in her voice. "Besides, I have a feeling you might enjoy yourself more than you think."

Sial tried to resist the urge to laugh at her exaggerated innocence. He knew her well enough to know she had more reasons than just wanting good company for herself. Since all the classmates would be there, she was just going to be using him as a shield to get away from socializing 

"You just want to use me as your arm candy," he teased, unable to help himself.

Evelyn's cheeks flushed a faint pink, but she held her ground. She knew he was right, but she wasn't about to admit it.

"Is it so wrong to want a good-looking companion and have the limelight?" she retorted, feigning indignation.

"Hah it's not wrong," Sial also played along, "You wouldn't have to do much as you're with me, nothing more or less" 

Evelyn laughed, a hint of mischievousness in her tone.

"That's part of your charm, I suppose. You're not exactly the 'simple' type, are you?"

Sial shrugged and said half-jokingly "Yeah, because hey, I am Sial Night. The supposed Murderer of my family" He said with a chuckle. "People fear me when they know my identity 

They believe I am inhumane" 

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on her lips. 

"Well, you have a certain... infamous reputation," she acknowledged. "And I suppose the people are not completely wrong in fearing you, given your past."

Sial's expression hardened, "What past do I have?" 

Evelyn gave him a meaningful, sidelong glance. 

"Oh, come now Sial," she said, a slight edge of sarcasm to her voice. "Don't play coy. You know exactly what past I'm referring to."

Sial's expression turned cold, he dropped the table knife. His expression had a hint of disappointment, "you believe that I killed my family too?" 

Evelyn's expression softened slightly at his question. There was a hint of sadness 

"No, I don't believe you did it," she said quietly, her voice sincere. "But that doesn't stop others from believing it."

"Then what do you mean by 'given my past' " he responded, "I do not mind what others think" but I do mind what you think. He added silently 

Why does everyone think he killed his family? 

Evelyn sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. She knew she had touched on a sensitive topic, but she knew Sial well enough to know he could handle it.

"You can't deny the history that surrounds you, Sial," she said gently. "The accusations, the suspicion, the rumours... they all exist for a reason. And that's what I was referring to."

Sial nodded, "Oh, then do you still want me to be your plus one, I won't hide my identity because I am who I am, Tell me Evelyn, are you willing to be with a murderer?" If that murderer likes you? Are you willing? 

Evelyn's ears reddened, she studied him for a moment. But could not see through him. 

Maybe she was thinking too deep 

So she shrugged casually, a carefree gleam in her eyes as she replied, "What should I do! " she said seeming to contemplate, a playful sly smile playing on her lips. "You're Sial Night, the infamous murderer. And What am I… " 

Sial's hardened expression softened slightly at her playful words, But there was a hint of seriousness in his gaze now. He took a step closer to her, closing the small distance between them.

Evelyn might be slow, but she could feel the distance was… too close. She shifted a little backward wanting to widen the distance between them. However, Sial grabbed her hands. His grip was so tight that if he did not allow her to move then she would not be able to take an inch 

"Lyn, You still haven't answered my question yet" 

From a young age, when he had his training. Once he sets his mind on something he is consistent about it 

Evelyn's heartbeat quickened, but she tried to maintain her composure. "Both of us are clear that it can not work out. We have a status difference, I am just someone who managed to get something, and I have not achieved anything with my ability. Please do not say this again"

In fact, Evelyn's word was meant for Sial and herself 

"Sial, your focus has always been on your work, to help the country. You should apply to this as well" 

Sial loosened his fingers on Evelyn's wrist, but he did not let go, "Lyn, I…" 

It seems Evelyn was not totally clueless, but she did not know what was on his mind. If he confessed his feelings for her, would it make things simpler? 

He knew sooner or later he would have to do it, so why was he feeling uneasy? 

"Evelyn! Lyn! Are you around?" Amelia came at the right moment. She relieved them from the awkward moment.