"What good is a man who doesn't let his brain function well?" a voice snickered, one that I recognized to be my Father's, spoke with bluntless, earning a laughter across the dining room.

I was seated in between him and my mother, so I could make out the faint irritation laced in his voice. But then again maybe, it is because I just knew him very well.

I then lifted my gaze to observe the insignificant people around. None of them seems to be aware that my Father is actually undervaluing them. With these thoughts in my mind, I mentally shook my head. Disappointment soon creeping unto me.

'What utter fools.' I noted to myself, pertaining to everyone present.

Scanning the room further, my brows arched as I saw a young maiden—probably 2 years younger than me, seated on the adjacent of my opposite chair.

She was looking down, not minding her surrounding's one bit as she gladly ate her dessert placed in front of her.

Her mother later called her attention, in which her eyes lifted and a graceful smile formed on her lips. Her mother then dabbed a kerchief on the corner of her lips, making the girl giggle in delight.

Nothing much is interesting about her. Except for the fact that she had a beautiful silver hair that perfectly matched her small heart-shaped face.

But since I was bored, I then decided to deduce some information about her from what I have observed.

One, she is an 'Ares'.

Two, she is introverted.

Three, she is quite knowledgeable who preferred reading.

Four, her birth month is in April.

And five, she has an ability.

My gaze which seemed to have lingered on her for too long, went back on the plate before me. My father was long silent, whilst the others continued to entertain themselves in hushed chatter.

I then hastily finished my meal without the others noticing. I practically went back in drowning myself with my own thought, until my mother went to burst my own bubble.

"Dear, would you mind getting me a glass of water?" My mother asked me, making me leave my seat soon after.

"Yes, mother." I replied shortly, followed by my footsteps padding on the marble floor, exiting the dining room to enter the kitchen.

Inside the kitchen was nothing less glamorous to the dining hall. The interior was depressing, despite the amount of times my parents attempted to cover it up.

As I got closer to the cupboard, my eyes kept their focus on the first layer of it. I eyed a specific glass that my mother would prefer from the transparent cover, as she seemed to have forgotten to get herself a glass while the guests had it.

Finally, as I managed to close the distance, I tiptoed a bit to reach the highest layer with my hand stretching out. With the smallest gap left for me to reach, I halted immediately as soon as I saw a streak of a glittering silver from my peripheral vision.

I instantly snapped my gaze at her, retracing my footsteps before. I squinted a bit to have a proper vision, and there—a girl hiding in the shadows was caught.

There she was. The young maiden from earlier and the Ares' sole child.

She was hiding in the corners of our kitchen, specifically on the darker side where the light failed to illuminate. A book was placed in between her hands, that which made a grin to paste on my lips.

I knew it, she loves reading. And to think that she hid in the corners where no one would approach her easily eliminated the count of numbers of the information I have deducted.

"What book are you reading?" I asked as I neared her place.

The girl immediately looked up, and her doe eyes widened at the sight of me. She was just a little shorter by a few inches. So when I kneeled down to face her, her eyes were locked straight with mine.

'How strange.' I thought, as her eyes blinked back at me with a blueish hue. If I had only seen it earlier before, then maybe I'd actually take an interest.

My gaze dropped on her book, expecting to actually see nothing. And trully, no sign of her book laid before her. Of course, she hid it. I saw the faint movement of hers a while ago as she slid it behind her.

I grinned once again, finding the scene funny enough. When once again my eyes met hers, I was met with an icy glare from her with her eyebrows furrowed that only stirred a wave of laughter to surge from me.

She was indeed funny! And no, it wasn't because of her expression. But because I know for a fact that for the 2nd time, she once again hid her book. This time, a distance away from the two of us.

Geez, she was quick, indeed. But nothing prepared me from the words she soon uttered.

"If you knew where the book is, then what's the point of waiting for me to respond regarding with the book I was reading?" Her pout laid bare, as one of her brow raised in question.

So she was aware that I knew of the places where she placed her book. How knowledgeable, undoubtedly!

"What's wrong with waiting you tell me that you were reading a fictional mystery book?"

I asked, feigning innocence.

Her blue orbs blinked, with her lashes brushing over her cheeks in complexity. She then pressed her lips in a thin line at my response, before finally, she stood up.

"How certain are you that I were reading one?" She inquired, her delicate voice spilling melodiously.

No longer being able to contain myself, a genuine smile broke from my lips—one that even I never use to anyone.

I then stood up with ease, which further confirmed our height difference. She was six inches shorter than me, with a vulnerable physique adorned with ornaments.

"If I tell you the reasons why, will you answer some questions of mine?" I negotiated, with the purpose of confirming the information I knew of her. Surely, I can never be wrong.

Her eyes squinted in suspicion, contemplating whether to agree to my conditions.

I chuckled at that, approving of her way of not being easily fooled. One that actually thinks of the consequences before making a move.

'How remarkable.' I thought, deeply immersed with curiosity for her. Especially for the things that goes up to that mind of hers.

After a few seconds, she finally gave me a response. A straightforward 'sure' came out of her mouth that made me smirk for the nth time.

Just when I was about to reply, a voice hindered that disturbed our conversation. My mother who came looking for me, called out my name before finally pushing the kitchen doors of the room.

"There you—" she started but I cut her off.

"Mother, forgive me for taking so long." I greeted her as I bowed my head, with a tray of a warm cup of milk, and a glass of water on my hands.

"Oh my, how thoughtful of you, my dear!" my mother exclaimed after seeing the tray which I prepared for her just a few seconds ago.

My mother soon closed our proximity with a delicate smile plastered on her lips, as her eyes shone of adoration and ecstasy.

"I should've thought you'd do this, I got so worried!" she responded, reaching out for me as she patted my head.

As my head laid low, my eyes meticulously scanned the room, wishing to capture a streak of silver locks. But to my disappointment, my gaze was met with nothing, as our kitchen interior stood bare.

I sighed, slightly displeased with her sudden disappearance.

'What a shame.' I thought, as my mother took the tray from me.

"Some of the guests have left, which is why I managed to leave. Your father seems to have a great time, their laughter keeps filling the lonely walls of our manor." My mother narrated as she chuckled with elegance. Tranquility seems to have soared to her, with eyes radiating of hope and pleasure. But I am well aware how just impossible that could be.

'Oh, is he?' I disapproved mentally, not wanting to burst the little bubble my mother is in.

...

It was already past eight in the evening when our guests have departed from our abode. My mother and I, stood by the gate as we assisted each of their vehicles leave—my father long asleep, heavily drunk.

As each wheel passed, I cannot help but observe each car, wondering which vehicle the Ares family used.

Since most of it had their cars untinted, it was only a glance for me to know which is which.

My focus stayed alert, not letting each car escape my sight as it leaves. Five vehicles have already gone, and not a remnant of the Ares family appeared.

Finally, a vintage Toyota Corona emerged from the misty veil, its rounded silhouette gliding smoothly towards the gate. The soft glow of the moonlight danced across its creamy white hood, accentuating the subtle chrome trim.

But it wasn't the car that took my attention. Rather, it was the familiar silky silver tresses of a young maiden who was seated in the backseat, with her gaze down that is probably reading another book.

When all of the guests have left, our gates shut with a loud clang. My mother soon ushered me inside, to which I voluntarily obeyed.

Our manor which was previously filled with clatter and laughter, now resumed it's quiet sleep. The walls now feel as though a cage, as darkness creeped with hostility on every corner.

"Go to bed now, dear. I'll just brew some tea for you father. His head will surely ache as soon as he wakes up." My mother told me as she went upstairs to change in a sleepwear.

As my mother disappeared along the staircase, I slipped into the kitchen, expecting to see a letter on top of the table.

Surely enough, I could sight a short handwritten letter that was placed, as tiny letters occupied the clean white space despite the distance.

I then neared the table, and there I finally saw the whole of what the letter contained.

'Of what is the purpose of your inquiry, when you were certain of it all along? Your marvelous way of deducting is admirable, to which I'd like to return the favor.

You are closer to your mother than your father in any terms. But that is only what you want others to believe.' - Nych Ares

A grin immediately made its way to my lips after I finished scanning each word. Truly, she was an intelligent one. But it is such a shame that she fell in the trap I laid before her that now she is walking straight on.

"It is Nych Ares, then." I muttered, folding the letter in two.