Own Time

Chapter 27

As they came into view, their clothing nearly blinded me with its brilliance. Adorned in gold from their crowns to their shoes, they sparkled with an almost unreal radiance. As they made their way to the front, I noticed a boy with a striking resemblance to the Grand Klovis, and a little girl around my age who bore no family likeness except for her golden eyes, a distinct trait of the Supreme family. Unlike the rest, these two were dressed in simpler yet elegantly refined attire, more fitting for a kwaris than a member of the top family.

The Arazon stepped forward, flanked by the Frisu and the Grand Klovis, while the two figures behind them—who I recognized as the second Klovis and the third Flovis—stood with eyes averted, reflecting their lack of favor with the family.

"Welcome, everyone. It is a great pleasure that you have chosen to spend your precious time celebrating my wife, the Frisu's, birthday with us. I guarantee this night will be one you will never forget," the Arazon declared, his gaze landing on us with a mischievous smile. Understanding his intentions, I felt an intense urge to leap from my mother's arms and reduce him to ashes.

"Just say the word, and I'll burn this entire place down in a matter of seconds," Mother muttered, her eyes vacant as she continued to munch on her food.

"There is no need for that. We need to stick to the plan," I replied, smiling at her. She rolled her eyes at them, took a drink, and downed it in one gulp. The Frisu stepped forward, and I couldn't help but scrutinize her attire. She was draped in gold from head to toe, matching the golden hair that marked her entire family, except for the Flovis, whose hair was strikingly white. Everything about her was gold, with her pale skin providing the only contrast.

"I am thrilled to have all of you at my grand celebration," the Frisu began, her eyes gleaming with a predatory light. "Seeing so many important and beautiful faces, I can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. How I wish I could skin you all to preserve my own beauty..." The crowd fell into a tense silence, cold sweat forming on their brows. "But of course, I'm just kidding. If such news got out, it would ruin me, wouldn't it? Please, enjoy a night you'll never forget," she finished with a devious smile, her blood-red lipstick making her grin even more sinister.

Her pale skin wasn't the only contrast—her personality was utterly rotten, decaying from the inside out. I shuddered with disgust, and they had only just arrived.

"Now you see why I hate being here," Mother said, setting her drink down. It seemed she was finally done eating. Despite her slim figure, Mother's appetite was immense, a fact one wouldn't believe just by looking at her.

"I bet you get indigestion, given how much you seem to eat all the time," I teased, watching her frown.

"I'm actually feeling it right now. I cannot stand the stink of their pretentious actions," Mother replied, clearly holding everything in to ensure my plan's success.

"Don't worry, Mother, I won't let you down," I said, smiling at her. She looked like she wanted to smile back, but I had told her beforehand to maintain a monstrous image for the plan.

"I know you won't, but it doesn't matter if it doesn't work. Your safety is my only concern," she said, caressing my head. Every time she did that, I felt a deep sense of security, as if she was silently telling me I had nothing to fear.

I smiled at her and continued to survey the room. The Supreme Family made their way to their enormous chairs, which seemed excessively grandiose. Clearly, the intent was to remind everyone who held the true power. There were only three chairs, leaving the second Klovis and third Flovis to stand.

The second prince wandered over to where two boys of his age were gathered, while the third flovis slipped out through a back door, unnoticed by most. The three people paid no mind to their absence.