Free My Heart (Zero Kiryu x Reader)

Chapter X - Solveig Kain

Chapter X

Footsteps echoed in the long hallway as the young man's feet tapped against the marble floors. The dimly-lit corridor was empty, save for the blond patrician who made his way across the perfectly polished floor, with a subtle frown hanging on his brow. He hadn't intended to visit this place so soon, but circumstances had changed and he had some matters that he must attend to. Not that he despised the monstrous mansion of the Kain Family - it is his home after all. However, he couldn't quite put up with the people who lived there, with the exception of his father and mother of course.

Soon, he heard other sets of footsteps resounding against the elevated walls of the hallway, getting louder and louder the closer they proceeded in his direction. The young man lifted his fiery eyes just slightly to look at whoever had just turned the corner onto the corridor. A small crease appeared on his forehead as his frown deepened. The two older men at the end of the hallway just happened to be among those people he couldn't possibly tolerate. Hurriedly, he averted his gaze, locking it back to where he had set his destination.

He knew all too well that the ever haughty looks of the two aged men were drawn to him as the distance between them decreased gradually, yet he purposely refrained from staring back, simply to prove a point: the point that he couldn't care less about them or their "hallowed" presence. Their curious eyes spoke of surprise, of un-expectation to see him there, he was aware. But he knew also that he would wound their ego if he would simply ignore them and dismiss their meticulous stares. He didn't even shift his steps or stand aside, but kept on advancing across the hallway. Instead of making way to the older Kains, the young man's aura compelled the two elders to abide by the side of the corridor and allow the young Kain priority to claim the passageway.

It was not like the hallway lacked breadth. It was rather long, wide, and spacious, with secondary corridors deriving from both sides and doors leading to even grander chambers. It was so broad that a crimson carpet could be spread across its shiny flooring, over which a mighty king may tread with confident steps. This young man was no king. However, he undoubtedly wanted to inculcate in the minds and hearts of these two the idea that - to them - he was just that. He was, after all, the rightful heir to the pro-monarchical family's legacy. The young vampire brushed past the two elders, sparing not even one glance at them as he walked casually toward his intended destination. He could feel their sharp gazes directed to his back and, soon enough, one of them opened his mouth and spoke: "Young master Akatsuki!"

The addressee's steps faltered and soon came to a stop. He had meant to disregard the assertive presence of the elders, yet the aristocratically-trained conscience of his coerced him to halt. That was one thing he couldn't deny - even if he wanted to. He was still dwelling under the ornamented roof of nobility. He was bound to live within the four walls of the "Haut Monde": ostensibility, egotism, hypocrisy, and well... masquerade.

He let out a forced sigh and rolled his eyes; why did he have to acknowledge the fact that they even existed? Oh, yes... right... He was supposed to put up the mask of a peer, a nobleman he didn't want to be. He tilted his head slightly to the side but didn't utter anything in response, giving a silent signal for the elders to go on with their senseless blabber.

"Young master, welcome home!"

He could definitely picture them bowing their heads in respect for his higher stand. "It is such a surprising thing to see you here, sire!" one of them said, with overstated reverence flowing from between his lips.

A scoff escaped from the blond aristocrat's mouth as he shook his head and turned around, facing the two elders. "It shouldn't be so surprising, should it? This is my home. I believe I have the right to come back here whenever I wished it." He spoke calmly, placing his hands in the pockets of his trousers.