Albert stood in the corridor outside Grey's room, his heart heavy with the burden of the message he was about to deliver. The mansion was eerily quiet, its usual grandeur overshadowed by an oppressive silence. Albert's thoughts were consumed by memories of a once-joyful boy with black hair and golden eyes, a stark contrast to the brooding figure he faced now.
When he finally gathered the courage to knock on Grey's door, the sound seemed to echo louder than usual in the empty hallway.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Young master, it is Albert," he announced, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.
"What is it?" came the cold, detached response from within.
Albert opened the door slowly, peering into the dimly lit room. Grey sat in the shadows, his golden eyes gleaming with an unsettling calmness. The boy he had once known, full of life and warmth, was now replaced by a figure that exuded a chilling composure.
What is this feeling? Albert thought, feeling an irrational urge to retreat. The icy detachment in Grey's gaze made him feel like prey caught in a predator's stare.
"Young master," Albert began, his voice trembling, "I bring news from your father."
Grey's eyes narrowed with an almost imperceptible glint of amusement. "What does he want?" he asked, his tone devoid of emotion.
Albert took a deep breath. "He... he has disowned you, young master. You are to leave the mansion immediately."
"…"
The room fell into a heavy silence. Albert watched Grey closely, expecting a reaction of anger or despair. Instead, Grey's expression remained eerily composed. His thoughts, however, were far from serene. As he recalled the memories of his actions at the academy—memories of a particularly troublesome incident—he allowed himself a small, almost imperceptible smile. Well, it's not entirely his fault this time, Grey mused.
He knew exactly how his new father, obsessed with maintaining his impeccable image, would react. Grey could still manipulate the situation to stay within the mansion, but he was already plotting his future. While remaining in the mansion would offer advantages like financial support, it would also mean living under constant surveillance, curtailing his freedom to act as he wished.
Grey had a grander plan. He intended to build his power in the outside world, away from the watchful eyes of the Raven family. He would bide his time, carefully positioning himself until he could swallow the Raven family's influence in one decisive gulp. As he envisioned his future, a dark chuckle escaped his lips.
"Heh... heh heh..."
"Then I guess I should leave, right?" Grey said, his voice smooth and composed.
With that, Grey stood up, his demeanor calm and resolute. Albert's heart ached as he saw the boy he had cared for so deeply moving forward with such a chillingly determined expression.
"Please, young master," Albert pleaded softly, tears welling in his eyes, "do not give up. There's still a chance to redeem yourself."
Grey's gaze softened just slightly. "It is fine, Albert," he said, placing a reassuring hand on the butler's shoulder. "I will manage."
With that, Grey walked past Albert and out of the room. The butler remained in the doorway, his heart heavy with sorrow as the sound of Grey's footsteps faded down the corridor. The door stood open behind him, a silent testament to the void left by Grey's departure, and the beginning of a new chapter in Grey's meticulously plotted ascent.