| HIDDEN IN SECRETS |

chapter nine

THE TRUTH SPILLS OUT

•

The night ended in tragedy... for Damien at least. It was an embarrassing sight for the hosting family's son to have become drunk, at only the age of fourteen, too. And to faint before his parents, right before being bestowed a great honour!

It was Astoria Greengrass who was offered to put the star up and light the tree. Not long after, many of the families had left. From dozens at their home, it then turned to four. Silas and Duvessa were sure that all the parents were judging them, and their kids laughed. It would be quite the talk for a while and they could only hope that it did not spread worldwide throughout the wizarding community.

Later into the night, when Verena was sure that Damien had sobered up a bit, she went into his chambers to see him. Damien had two sides to him. He was mostly cheery with a good spirit. He was passionate about things he was interested in. But there was a serious side of him; a side that made him bottle up his emotions. He acted out many times, and Verena knew that it was his way of saying something happened.

She entered his room. He was sitting near the window, simply staring outside. Verena took a seat across from him, and for a moment, there was a comfortable silence. It was a beautiful night. The stars shone brightly in the night, illuminating the sky.

"Viola Richmond broke up with me," he said, emotionless.

Verena would have made a joke, but knew he was obviously affected by it, even if they had only been dating for less than a year.

"Why?" she asked.

Damien shrugged. "She's a half-blood, isn't she? She knew Father would never agree to our relationship. She decided to break things off before we got too attached."

"I'm sorry," said Verena, looking pitifully at her brother. She didn't understand how he was feeling but knew he was hurting.

"Thing is, I don't know if I even loved her," he said. "It's this stupid firstborn heir thing. I'm expected to carry on this name, this bloodline, even if it means giving up everything I do care about."

It seemed like Damien hated it. Verena had always been warned to honour the Salvador name. And here he was, despising it.

"I think Daphne's rubbing off on us," Verena admitted.

"Do they love each other, Mum and Dad?" asked Damien. "Or did they get set up by their parents? You know they're doing the same to us."

"Yes, they do love each other. I'm sure of it," Verena said. "Damien, you're only fourteen. Okay, you have years until you marry. As you say, live a little because now is exactly the time to do so. And if no girl finds you attractive, I'll keep my name whenever I marry."

Damien scoffed and said, "That isn't your job."

"Right now, it's neither of our jobs," Verena told him. "We can have fun, make mistakes – be kids before we're too grown-up for that."

"How do you suppose Daphne does it?" Damien asked. "She doesn't believe in the blood ideals, but she's forced to keep it a secret."

"Daphne is one of the strongest people I know," said Verena. "Although she keeps it a secret, at least she knows herself. Not many people can say the same."

"And you?"

"I don't know," she replied. "But I've got years to figure it out."

"Good to know I'm not the only one feeling this way," said Damien, smiling at his sister.