Shadows

Chapter 40: Unspoken Tensions

It was an ordinary afternoon, the kind that followed the rhythmic, often monotonous flow of life in the mansion. Pond had finished his piano lesson with Phuwin, and now he, Joong, and Fourth were gathered in the living room, attempting to unwind after a long day of school and their duties around the mansion. The atmosphere in the room was unusually quiet.

Joong was lounging on the couch, a rare smile playing on his lips as he talked about his hobbies. His usual confidence had returned, though it was a little softer today, as if he was trying to enjoy the little things while they still could. He was telling Fourth about a swimming competition he had participated in a few months ago, excitedly recounting the story despite the fact that neither of his brothers were particularly interested in swimming.

"Honestly, swimming is one of those things that just clears my head," Joong was saying, his tone light and carefree. "It’s like being underwater makes everything feel quiet. You know, you could even try it, Fourth. You’ve got the height for it."

Fourth laughed, leaning back in his chair with his legs stretched out. "Yeah, right. The only thing I’ll be swimming in is the pool of complaints I’ll get from you two if I even try to keep up."

Joong grinned, nudging him playfully. "Come on, you could do it! Just imagine me showing you how it's done—"

But Fourth's voice trailed off as his gaze caught something out of the corner of his eye. His attention shifted across the room to where Dunk was standing by the hallway, seemingly lost in thought, but there was an undeniable intensity in the way he was staring. And to Fourth’s surprise, the object of his gaze was none other than Joong.

Dunk wasn’t moving, just watching Joong with an unreadable expression. His posture was stiff, and there was an air of quiet intensity around him that made Fourth's stomach twist. He had always known that Dunk was the kind of person who kept his emotions hidden beneath a veneer of coldness, but this was different. There was something else there—something deeper.

Joong, unaware of Dunk’s gaze, was still talking animatedly, his usual charm in full force as he went on about his love for swimming, despite the teasing he’d received from his brothers. He didn’t seem to care about anyone else’s opinion; his voice was full of life, carefree, and light.

But Dunk’s stare didn’t falter.

Fourth frowned. He knew Dunk was always distant, always cold, but there was something unsettling about the way Dunk was looking at Joong. It wasn’t like him to linger in such a way, not unless there was a reason. Fourth’s gaze flickered between Joong’s cheerful expression and Dunk’s unwavering stare, and his thoughts immediately shifted into high gear.

Was Dunk staring at Joong because of the fact that he was a servant? Or was there something more? Did Dunk see him as an obstacle, or was it something else altogether?

Without saying a word, Fourth stood up, his curiosity piqued. He moved subtly toward the doorway, trying not to draw attention to himself as he kept a keen eye on Dunk.

Joong, still oblivious, was talking about a trip to the beach he'd taken last summer, animatedly miming how he’d spent the whole day under the sun. "You’ve got to try surfing too, Fourth. It’s the best. I was up all day, feeling the waves, it was—"

Suddenly, Joong paused mid-sentence. His smile faltered just for a second as he caught sight of Dunk standing there. The moment was brief, but long enough for Dunk to break his gaze, returning to his usual stoic demeanor.

"Hey," Joong said, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Dunk. "Something on your mind?"

Dunk’s expression didn’t change. He simply shook his head, taking a step back from the hallway and moving toward the exit. “Nothing.”

Joong shrugged, unfazed, and returned to his casual storytelling. But there was a flicker of something in his eyes now, a curiosity that wasn’t there before. He couldn’t quite place why Dunk had been staring at him so intently. It was rare for Dunk to show any kind of interest in anything that wasn’t about his own family or affairs. Joong had always been certain Dunk hated him, so this silent observation was unsettling in a way Joong didn’t like.

Fourth, having seen enough, relaxed his posture and stepped back into the room. He sat down on the armrest next to Joong, his gaze flicking between Joong and Dunk, who had already walked out of the room.

“I don’t like the way he was staring at you,” Fourth said quietly, his tone more serious than usual.

Joong, clearly not aware of the weight of the moment, chuckled. "Dunk’s always like that. He doesn't seem to have any interest in people, especially not me. Probably just spaced out."

But Fourth wasn’t convinced. He was quiet for a moment, considering Joong’s words, before speaking again. “You really don’t think there’s something off about it? I’ve never seen him like that before. I don’t trust it.”

Joong shrugged, pushing aside the unease that was slowly creeping up. "I don't care. He can stare all he wants. It doesn’t change anything. Besides, I’ve got my own things to worry about. Like you finally trying to keep up with me at swimming."

Fourth couldn’t help but smirk at Joong’s usual deflection. Joong, as always, had a way of brushing off everything with his charm and his confidence. But Fourth wasn’t so sure. Dunk’s behavior wasn’t something he would easily ignore. There was something behind those cold eyes, something that Joong, with his carefree attitude, wasn’t fully seeing.

And for the first time, Fourth wondered if Joong was getting caught up in something far bigger than he realized.

But for now, he didn’t say anything more, only leaning back in his seat, watching Joong talk about his next adventure with swimming, all the while his mind quietly revolted against the fact that Dunk’s gaze had not been as indifferent as Joong assumed.

The tension between the two families, it seemed, was just beginning to take on more dangerous layers.