~Present~
The group made their way to the castle's main sitting chamber, where Thea sat by the fireplace, adding more wood. Atlan silently exited the chamber, his face uneasy, only to return dressed in a fresh, baggy robe and black pants.
The silence that followed was oppressive. Everyone sat down, staring at the fire as if awaiting its words.
Eleanor, clutching Ares' hand, felt the weight of the awkward silence and decided to break it with a direct question. "So, the man who approached you was your stepfather... Azrael?"
Ares sighed, his face grim. "I still find it irritating that Mother is the master of all my misfortunes."
Kaito chuckled teasingly, "You were such an innocent baby boy."
Atlan struck the demon's stomach with his elbow. "Don't tease him."
"Ow!" Kaito cried out, clutching his stomach.
"Oh! That hurts." Thea laughed, covering her mouth with her palm.
