Beguiling: A Frozen Heart

The prettiest peony in the palace.

The great hall buzzed with laughter and lively conversation, nobles from all across the realms gathered to seek favor with the powerful family. Cadmus stood near the edge of the room, a wine glass in hand, half-listening as yet another lord tried to sell the virtues of his daughter.

"Lovely girl, well-bred, and... quite accomplished in music," the man was saying, his voice filled with eagerness as he cast subtle glances toward Cadmus. The ears on his head, not so subletly, laying flat against his head. Foxes. Always eager and always sneaky.

Stephan leaned over, clearly enjoying Cadmus's discomfort. "Quite the offer, brother," he whispered. "What do you say? Think you'll take this one?"

Cadmus sighed, downing the rest of his glass in one fell swoop and placing the glass in the mans hand. Disrespectful and degrading, like it was in his nature! "If I hear one more proposal, I might throw myself out a window."

"Don't let me stop you, I assure, me and my future wife with give you the grandest funeral of all the times."

The atmosphere, though lighthearted on the surface, carried a thick undercurrent of tension. Every noble present knew what was at stake. An alliance with the brothers meant power, influence, and the protection of their kingdom's future. And of course these nobles were none the wiser to the treaty in place, who would attend the 'party' if they were!

Just as another group began to approach them, the large double doors of the hall suddenly burst open, the sound echoing through the space. The chatter died instantly, and all eyes turned toward the entrance.

A figure stepped in, towering and cloaked entirely in a massive, flowing cape that billowed behind him like a storm. It was dark and heavy, swallowing the light around it, and seemed to ripple with each step. The figure's face was like staring into the void, even though you saw nothing but black, it felt like if you continued it might suck your soul right out of your body. His long, dark hair was the only part of him that remained visible, spilling out from beneath the mask and trailing down the length of his back.

Sephtis.

The eldest brother, long absent from public view, walked into the hall with an aura that demanded attention. The nobles shrank back as he passed, his presence an unspoken command for silence. It was as if the air itself thickened in response to his arrival.

Cadmus stood frozen for a moment, not quite sure whether he was relieved or unnerved by Sephtis's sudden appearance. "He's here?" he whispered under his breath.

Stephan narrowed his eyes, watching Sephtis approach. "I didn't think he even knew about this."

Ryu frowned, his usual carefree demeanor replaced with something closer to dread. "Why now, of all times? Mother said she didn't tell him. He's enough dragon as it is..."

He stood in the middle of the hall, like a statue. Not breathing, not moving, some could even argue not alive. And who wouldn't want to take advantage of that? The nobles flocked towards him like crows, and he was the bloodied carcass they wanted to devour. The spoke, but who could tell if he could even hear him?

Ryu, his usual stoic face was anything but that, crossed his arms tightly. "He's after something. I can feel it."

Sephtis had not acknowledged a single person in the room since entering. His stillness was unnerving. Even the nobles, who had moments ago been falling over themselves to get his attention, began to falter under the weight of his silence.

Then the sound of trumpets began to play, a perfectly orchestrated orchestra. Every note was on time and perfect, not a moment too soon, nor a moment too late.