Heading back to his chambers after parting ways with the old man, Midas remained lost in thought.
For 27 years, he had lived without knowing his true identity. Now, out of nowhere, someone suggested he was of royal blood.
He couldn't bring himself to believe it. The cold, hard Lord Xzander, his father?
He'd heard quiet tales of his ruthlessness as no one dared to speak of him openly ; Lord Xzander, the Dread Sovereign of Gandon, a figure of terror and absolute power. Standing at seven feet tall, his presence commands both fear and reverence. His eyes glow a haunting crimson, and his face, though once handsome, is now marred by deep scars and a permanent scowl, a testament to countless battles and dark rituals.
Xzander's armor is rumored to be forged from obsidian and enchanted with dark magic, making him invulnerable. It is adorned with runes that pulse with a malevolent energy, absorbing the life force of those who dare to oppose him. His weapon, a colossal black blade named "Hellscythe" is said to consume the souls of its victims, granting Xzander their strength and knowledge.
Midas folded his arms across his chest, shrugging in doubt. He wondered what he really would look like. No one saw his face except his men from the elite 1st division, so he heard.
At the entrance to the Neon's building, Midas increased his pace in thoughts of meeting an early rest for the day's disdain.
He and Rivera lived in the East wing of the Neon's building. The matriarch resided in the North wing, while the Neon sons occupied the South and West Wings respectively.
Mira was left to abide in the shadow room, a not-so-exquisite area, but she never complained. Who was she to?
Frankly, they were even too kind, letting her stay since Father passed.
As he reached the pavement leading to his quarters, he spotted his wife and her brothers actively murmuring among themselves at the entrance, blocking it.
A cold, soapy feeling filled his stomach. He inhaled deeply, not casually but out of exhaustion, not ready for more drama.
He walked towards them with a steady gait. No one spoke.
Then, out of nowhere, Rivera slapped him. Real hard, with a resounding effect. You could hear the sound like a hot bang.
"You have done some pretty stupid things tonight.
"Bold of you! Yucking my yum all day." she growled.
Midas respiration rate raced ahead of normalcy. With bloodshot eyes, he raised his hands, fists balled, and landed a punch on his other palms instead. He knew he wouldn't hit a woman.
"Aaaargh," He panted, breathing roughly.
"What were you thinking?" Both brothers reacted, thundering simultaneously. Pulling their swords, they pointed them at his neck. The air was close and heavy.
"Let me give you some pretty simple instructions, you saucy sod," Arthur started acidly.
"Stay mute."
"Be dead."
"Remain unseen."
"You are irrelevant, so are your ideas. Just keep them to yourself and stop going around sharing them out loud."said Zephyr, wagging his sword at Midas provocatively.
"We could have that town you so highly speak of flushed out and enslaved," they both threatened.
Triggered, Midas drew his sword. He wouldn't take any disrespect towards the people who saved him.
His turn to flush.
Moving two feet backwards with a poised stance, he clinked their swords down, chipping in some more moves as they stirred into a brief fight. He had them defeated, their sword fallen to the ground.
Arthur's stare was uncomprehending. He had always despised Midas prudence in swordsmanship.
"The next time you raise your sword at us will be your last alive."
"You should be smart enough not to poke the bear," Zephyr snorted, trying to save his shame.
Rivera chewed her lips in embarrassment. Ignoring their talks, Midas eyes were fixed on her florid face.
Moving some more, he attempted to enter his chambers. Rivera blocked him sharply.
''I won't have a dog sleeping with me."
"You're the wiliest dog I've ever met."
"Go to the woods where you belong." She turned away briefly from his stare.
The way she sounded was grossly improper.
He assessed her a little too long, like he could tear her down with his stare. She got alarmingly uncomfortable.
"You heard the lady, dog,'' Arthur saved, laughing loudly into his sleeve. Midas didn't talk.
He flicked moisture from behind his ears, turning away in sour arrogance.
"Won't you take all your junk with you," Zephyr called after him.
Without turning back, he headed off.
Light shone from outside the tacky tent he had just built, one of the many skills he had learned from his people.
He sat upright, peeping through to see what was coming. Upon seeing the figure approaching, he felt relaxed for several distinctly miscellaneous reasons.
Feigning sleep, he laid back down in pretense.
Soon, the drape opened and a splendid scent of candlelight wafted inwards.
Cool fingers rested on the back of his neck, tapping him tenderly.
Loosening his muscles, he sat upright, staring at her, irredeemably lost in her beauty.
A pretty looking lady, thin-faced with crystal bright eyes and a pointy cleft chin.
"Looks like you need a place to crash," Mira spoke softly, breaking off the stare.
"What do you think?" he replied, scratching his head.
"That you'll get eaten by roaches." she continued jokingly.
Midas shot to his feet as part of his comic turn, returning the energy.
"I really may get eaten, save me."
"Very well then." A sweet smile tangoed across her lips.
Making her way out, she led him to her quarters.
Standing gracefully in her chambers, he watched her with interest as she kept busy making the bed. Lavender sheets, clean, unruffled.
Wavy blonde hair hung closely to her shoulders, detailing the shape of her round face.
Moving his eyes around, he enjoyed the homely ambiance hovering around the little place. She had led a pretty bare life, he figured.
"I wouldn't mind sharing" she said some seconds after, as she placed the second pillow properly.
Color deepened on her face as she figured it was inappropriate; he was married to her sister. Gnawing her lips, she looked down, knowing she was far from having him, after helplessly falling in love with him since the banquet.
Looking at her slowly with dreamy hazel eyes, he could sense her cringe.
"I'll take the couch if that's okay."
It was a thoughtful thing to say. He knew he'd already liked her. She was tempting and seemingly open-hearted. He had to gamble right.
"Oh..."
"Okay" she stuttered, feeling uneasy, realizing she'd wanted a different answer even if it was wrong.
"Let me get that cleared for you," she hurried off on elegant, bronze legs.
He sincerely hated that he'd made her uncomfortable. He thought about her as he laid down.
He liked that she didn't try talking about the banquet. He didn't want to hear it, at least not from her.
"Goodnight, Mira."
"Goodnight."
___________________________________
Mira woke up to a piece of paper by the bedside table. Reflexively moving her eyes to the couch, she frowned. He had left quite early. Unfolding the paper, it read:
Thank you.
X
She had thoughtlessly wanted more words from him. Squeezing herself under the duvet, she fretfully covered herself top to bottom.
Some time before dawn, Midas arrived at his quarters. Slowly opening the door, he swiped into the room. Rivera was still asleep, beautifully occupying the entire bed.
He quickly washed up and packed a few things, sighing between each activity as he hated he'd reached the point of acting like a thief in his own matrimonial home.
Nevertheless, his thoughts remained fixed on his singular objective: finding his roots.
Rivera drowsily woke up at the sound of the ruffling bag. She screamed a string of obscenities at him.
"Why are you here again?"
"Do you want to die?"
"Calm down Riv, I'm really sorry for everything, okay? I didn't even mean to cause any harm."
"Well, you know me, I really don't care about your sorry-ass."
"Listen here."
"You're a commoner only made relevant because you are my househusband."
"I made you, Midas!"
"Stop horsing around displaying whatever deep fake nonsense…."
"I get the message." He cut in abruptly, triggered by her excessiveness.
"Who do you think you are cutting me off while I'm talking?" She got out of her bed, walking towards him in gradual aggression.
Sighing heavily, he was consciously aware of where this was going.
"I really don't have time for this Riv.
"I said I'm sorry, okay?' he said attempting to leave. She hurried up to him, slapping him hard on the right cheek.
"You! Stay right there when I talk," pointing a finger at him, she breathed rapidly.
Flaming up in murderous rage, he looked at her closely for a few seconds, burning those eyes into his memory forever.
"Are you satisfied now?" he then continued to the door.
"Come back here at once." she commanded, taken aback by his solemnity.
No response.
"Well then, you could kiss goodbye to this so-called marriage." she threatened, hoping to stir a submission.
He simply flicked feloniously and with that was on his way. No further pleasantries required.
As far as Midas was concerned, the faster he was out of there, the better. There was no time to entertain her sauciness.
Rivera grunted in frustration, preparing in her mind to do more when he came back begging.
"Of course he'll come back groveling at my feet."
"He always does."
She affirmed in her thoughts.
At Qin station, the route leading to the exit of the 5th division, Midas met up with Lord Montgomery. They briefly exchanged pleasantries. The stable boy brought their horses along.
"You ready?" sitting on the horseback, the old man asked.
"I hope I am." Mounting his harness, he rode off.
"Hyah."