In the hallways lined with stark white walls, three figures walked side by side. The first was a burly man, his presence commanding and imposing. Beside him, a brooding man strode with an air of quiet intensity, his eyes shadowed with thought. The third, a delicate-looking man, moved gracefully, his features refined and almost fragile. Together, they descended to the lowest floor before stepping out of the grand White Castle.
Their footsteps echoed softly on the cobblestone path as they made their way to a villa just outside the castle grounds. Though extravagant in its own right, the villa paled in comparison to the castle's grandeur, appearing almost ordinary next to its towering majesty.
The burly man entered first, pushing the door open with an air of entitlement. The others followed, their movements quieter, as a servant hurried forward to greet them, offering to take anything they wished to set aside.
"Bring refreshments to the living room," the burly man ordered the butler, his voice brimming with arrogance. Without waiting for acknowledgment, he walked past the servant, entering a spacious room where sofas were arranged in the center. He dropped onto one of them, his movements heavy and unrefined.
"What was that about?" he asked abruptly, turning his gaze toward the other two as they took their seats opposite him.
"What do you mean?" the brooding man, Finnian, responded in an even tone, his expression unreadable.
"Don't play games with me, Finnian," the burly man growled. "You know what I'm talking about. Instead of opposing him in the meeting, you actually supported him by agreeing to take on a task. What's the meaning of this?"
"This is a serious matter," Finnian replied, his voice calm and measured, a sharp contrast to Gunnar's booming anger. "We can't afford to be obstinate, or we risk angering His Majesty. You need to understand the situation, Gunnar."
Gunnar's scowl deepened. "And you," he snapped, turning toward the delicate-looking man. "Kai, you didn't even speak during the meeting. Does that mean you're siding with him too?"
Kai's voice, soft and lilting, matched his appearance. "I was preoccupied with other thoughts. But Finnian is right—we need to assess the situation before making rash decisions."
"You're both disappointing me," Gunnar grumbled, leaning back into the sofa. "I don't know what's come over you. You've both changed, and not for the better." His complaints were interrupted by the arrival of the butler, who placed a jug and glasses on the table between them before retreating silently.
Gunnar poured the contents of the jug into a glass—a deep crimson liquid that gleamed under the room's lights. He sipped it slowly, savoring it like a fine delicacy, his irritation momentarily subdued.
Finnian's gaze remained fixed on him. "Gunnar, this is a grave matter. You need to keep your greed in check."
Gunnar raised an eyebrow, his posture relaxed. "Greed? I only take what's rightfully mine."
Finnian's voice sharpened. "Don't deceive yourself. Your insatiable hunger for more is evident in everything you do—from this villa, a pale imitation of the castle, to the countless luxuries you surround yourself with."Finnian said as he looked around the white huge living room.
The building may have been created replicating the castle but it was only big. Lacking any sophistication or legacy carried by the Grand castle that had stood ruling for countless millennia.
Gunnar ignored him, continuing to sip his drink with a languid air.
"Your greed was your forbidden emotion. It's why it consumes you now," Finnian continued, unrelenting. "It's also the reason you fell out with Lucian."
The glass slammed onto the table, the sound reverberating through the room. Gunnar's voice dropped, low and dangerous. "Don't say his name. He's nothing but a traitor."
"He has returned to the castle," Finnian said, unshaken. "And he supports the Prince. One way or another, you'll have to face him."
Gunnar's hands clenched into fists. "He betrayed me. He knows my disdain for the Prince, and still, he sides with him. He always has opposed me."
"You need to control yourself, Gunnar," Finnian said, rising from his seat. "His Majesty has been lenient with us, but this time, the stakes are far too high. This isn't just about you—this concerns all nocturnals. More importantly, it concerns His Majesty's own son."
Kai also stood, his quiet presence lending weight to Finnian's words. "Think of your family, Gunnar, before you make any rash decisions."
Without another word, the two turned and left, their departure marked by the soft click of the door closing behind them.
Gunnar stared at the door for a long moment before picking up his glass again. "Cowards," he muttered to himself, his voice dripping with disdain. "Afraid of a mere child. They're a disgrace to the name of nocturnals. What King, what Prince—what can they do to me?" He drained the glass, his arrogance unshaken.
Outside, Finnian and Kai walked down the road, their steps measured and steady.
"Do you think he'll listen?" Kai asked softly.
Finnian's tone was calm, resolute. "No. His arrogance will be his undoing."
Kai was silent for a moment, then glanced sideways. "Why did you start supporting the Prince?"
"I got a revelation."He said pointing upwards. "From high above." He said as a ageless looking face flashed in his mind.
"Understood." Kai said.
"What about you." Finnian asked in return.
"I also got a revelation too." Kai answered as he remembered the event of visiting his wife in the academy just before the meeting. That changed everything.
"Understood." Finnian said, a small smile breaking on his ever calm and stoic face.
"Well let us be on our way then. We will surely meet again." Finnian said,
"Until then."to which Kai agreed as both of them walked down their own different paths as their figures slowly disappeared from sight.