[Kieran is coming back from abroad. Beware.]

The beginning of the letter was enough to make Sorin furious, he doesn’t return from his training for another year. Sorin had been too rash, he had indulged himself too much that he had ignored the consequences of his decisions.

The bold, ominous letters that Neve used didn’t help calm his nerves. The archmage really knows how to deliver a message.

[I immediately rejected his family’s proposal for marriage, I believe that it might be the reason why he’s returning. Some of the elder mages despised me for my decision but it feels good to reject their orders. Even if you were the one who told me to.]

Sorin could imagine Neve’s monotonous voice through the letter, dripping with smugness, that she had finally disobeyed direct orders. Especially, something as important as relations with a powerful nobility.

[I’ll write again soon. Keep your promise or I’ll reveal your true nature.]

The letter in his hands quickly dissipated into a bright light before disappearing into nothingness. He stared at the empty air, trying to process Neve’s warning.

A wave of frustration washed over him, Sorin had allowed his judgment to be clouded by his foolishness. He should have done this slower.

“I’m cornered.” He whispered bitterly to himself.

If he faced Kieran sooner, he doesn’t know how he’ll act. Could he hide all his emotions with his facade? He knew that the tiniest thing could make him slip.

He couldn’t even hide it from Lili.

The familiar chittering snapped him out of his thoughts as he felt the small demonic beast crawl on his arm.

The demonic beast’s appearance had changed a little bit. It grew bigger, and its exoskeleton changed into a crimson color. The legs had become sharper with more defined joints.

Sorin’s expression brightened up “Are you trying to comfort me?” he cooed at the demonic beast “You’re growing so well, let’s thank Viktor and Eviana for taking proper care of you guys.” he mused.

The demonic beast started making a rattling sound from his palm as if it was responding to his words.

“It’s no doubt that Kieran will visit me as soon as he arrived. We’re good friends, after all.” He poked the beast’s fangs, chuckling at its reaction.

Sorin better prepares himself for the worse.

----------------------------------------

It’s been two months nearing three since Neve’s last letter and the season changed to fall. The trees around the manor had become warmer shades of ochre and red.

Sorin welcomed the chilly weather, a great way to distract himself from the arrival of his beloved ‘friend’.

After a long wait, Kieran decided to visit Sorin. As the Saint, it was his responsibility to welcome nobility like Kieran.

Sorin prepared for the event meticulously, with new clothes and a small banquet for his ‘friend’. It was similar to what he would do in the past.

“Your Holiness, your hair has gotten longer.” Lili hummed behind him as she brushed Sorin’s raven hair with her fingers. Sorin frowned as he stared at the mirror, moving a stray strand of hair away from his face.

“Does it look bad?” he asked worriedly.

Lili shook her head and smiled warmly “Nope!” she exclaimed happily “It suits you.” she took a silver ribbon from her pocket, and showed it to Sorin.

“Maybe we should tie it?” she suggested.

Sorin gave her a knowing look “I know you’ve planned this for a while.” he sighed. It was easy to know what her intentions were, judging from the fact that she doesn’t buy any accessories for herself.

Lili pouted “Please! You’re the only one I could do this with.” she begged him but Sorin couldn’t even answer as she had already started working with his hair.

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Her hands were delicate as she brushed Sorin’s hair, despite her gentle hands, she was able to tie it to a neat low ponytail. Brushing down his bangs with her nimble fingers.

Sorin stared at his reflection for a second to get a good look at his hair, it feels better. The back of his neck felt light and air “How nice, Thank you.” he beamed at Lili.

The clothes he chose were different. He was used to wearing the temple’s cloak but Sorin only wears it now when it was necessary.

He wore an intricate white coat over his satin waistcoat and trousers. The only color that stood out was the red gem on his cravat.

It was more formal than what he used to wear but it was fitting to a meeting such as this. He was meeting Kierana as part of his duty not as his friend.

Sorin needed to show his detachment.

Felix stepped inside the room, wearing his maroon uniform. Then he gawked at Sorin “Whoa. You look great.” he gasped out. Lili huffed in pride at his words “Of course! I took time and effort to make him as handsome as possible.”

Sorin adjusted the cuffs of his coat “Lili’s skills are unmatched.” she complimented his attendant.

“Well, if it’s for Lord Kieran, I know you’ll put in a lot of effort.” Felix shrugged his shoulders, a teasing smile on his face.

Lili glanced at him and then at Sorin “He better appreciate my work.” she mumbled, still confused as to why Sorin raised an eyebrow at Felix’s words.

“This is my duty as the Saint.” Sorin said nonchalantly, a practiced line that he rehearsed many times “It’s for the temple to maintain diplomatic relations with the Noirwood Duchy.”

Felix grinned at Sorin, his eyes twinkling with interest and mischievousness.

Sorin offered his hand to Lili, his partner for this banquet, her dress matched with Sorin’s white suit. An elegant white dress embroidered with red crystalline beads.

She let out a nervous breath, steeling herself before she took the Saint’s hands. Sorin brushed his thumb reassuringly on her palm “You’ll do great, Lili.” he smiled at her “Just follow my lead.”

The reception hall was filled with nobles from the duchy as Sorin watched from the mezzanine. Sorin felt thankful for the effort that everyone put in when it comes to decorating the place.

Vases were filled with orchids and lilies, ornate draperies around the pillars, and the grand chandelier was decorated with twinkling crystal lights.

The guests’ laughter and conversations filled the air as they waited for Sorin’s arrival. Time almost stood still when they saw him standing at the mezzanine.

The Eden empire’s esteemed Saint welcomed their arrival with a kind smile “Good evening everyone,” he started, using his magic to modulate his voice around the halls “I’m so glad that we can gather here today to celebrate the return of my good friend, Kieran.”

He lied through his teeth, it burned like acid on his tongue but his tone was filled with fake warmth and sincerity as he searched the crowd for Kieran.

The vibrant red hair of the man was easy to spot from the crowd. When their eyes met, Kieran beamed brightly at him.

Sorin’s breath hitched in his throat, as he forced a smile. His heart hammered in his chest, Kieran looked younger, more naive–like he wasn’t the one who planned Sorin’s downfall.

He gripped the railing of the grand staircase as he descended, his white clothes glimmered under the warm glow of the hall’s light. The silver embroidery moved fluidly with each step he took, a pristine image of the empire’s saint.

Kieran waited for him at the end of the staircase with a welcoming embrace, his eyes shone with a vibrancy that Sorin had associated with the sun.

Sorin was composed as he hid his inner turmoil with a smile, with a shaky hand, Sorin accepted Kieran’s embrace. The touch sent a jolt of disgust inside the Saint, he felt bile rising at the back of his throat.

Kieran was unaware of Sorin’s anger hidden beneath his calm facade.

Sorin would play the role of a foolish, naive Saint. One that would kneel at the mercy of the Gods, one that was gullible enough to believe that the Gods were kind beings.

Kieran’s grip on him tightened “It’s been too long, Sorin.” he greeted. Sorin was the first one to pull back, he felt dizzy but he hid it with his steady words “Indeed it has.” he replied.

For Sorin, the embrace felt hollow and cold. A mere charade.

Kieran’s expression was filled with happiness and warmth, something Sorin had lost long ago.

“How was your trip abroad?” he asked Kieran.

The red-haired man laughed at his question “It was interesting. I’ve learned so much from my studies.” he replied as he curtly took a glass of wine from one of the servants.

Sorin eyed him, he wanted to have a drink, especially at events like this but it was unfitting for a Saint like him to drink alcohol.

Sorin needed a drink or two to be able to keep up appearances.

The laughter and music that filled the air sounded warped in Sorin’s ears as he nodded absentmindedly at Kieran’s words. Maintaining his image as the man’s good friend.

“–I’m not supposed to come back this early.” Kieran’s words snapped him out of his wandering thoughts.

He focused his attention back on Kieran “But my father needed me to help with the... duchy’s affairs. It’s important for the future.” he explained sheepishly.

Sorin paused for a moment, as he carefully considered his reply, trying to act oblivious “Ah, is that so? How surprising.”

Kieran gazed at him, eyebrows scrunched together in worry “Is something wrong? You’ve been awfully quiet.”

Sorin shook his head as he lied “Nothing, I have a lot on my mind.”

“Well, you are the Saint.” Kieran chuckled.

Sorin masked a laugh as he ignored the strange feeling of guilt at the pits of his stomach. He was confused at first as to why he felt guilty.

As Sorin continued to stay with Kieran, he realized what it was–

Sorin felt guilty for the vile emotions that brewed inside his soul, at the lack of empathy he felt for everyone around him.

If he could, Sorin would destroy everyone inside the halls of his manor and listen to the cacophony of their agonized screams.

For now, he has to learn how to be patient.

He has time, a lot of time and he would not waste a single second.