“What’s that stupid look on your face?” Xu Yang quipped, while fixing the golden cufflinks on his sleeves. They matched his hair, Zhen Xue thought faintly. Both a bright color, as though plucked from the sun itself, much like his brother who wore them. The closed ballroom doors loom ahead, music leaking through the cracks of the doorframe, carrying a harmonious melody of violins, chattering voices, and glasses clinking together with the event already started. 

Was he making a face? Probably, he realized, lips twitching beneath his metaphorical mask. He could barely contain the urge to plummet into chaos and laugh in hysteria. 

Fifteen years of this bullshit, constantly being pushed around and used like a puppet. Nothing to do all day except wander around the empty hallways, fiddle with his thumbs, and play with his inventions, while waiting for the plot points to take place. He couldn’t even scroll on social media for memes to find comfort. That type of technology didn’t exist, though he wished now it did. A stupid thought, but one that gnawed at him during his endless days of confinement. 

Zhen Xue chuckled to himself, a dry laugh that earned him a crazed look from Xu Yang like he’d lost his mind. 

He ignored him, barely standing still from the giddiness that made his toes curl. He could already imagine the scenario he longed for about to take place. How he would no longer be an extra character, barely spared a glance, stuck in a limbo while waiting for the main characters’ arrival. With some careful planning, tonight was setup to rally the players for a common goal of heroism.

And for a rare occasion, he would play the largest role among them: the astute antagonist. “Hell yes. I’m ready for this,” he chimed with a haughty grin, bouncing on the heel of his shoes.

Xu Yang broke into a laugh from the surprise of his curse, tension fading from his features. He smiled fondly, as though infected by his unusual behavior. Before saying more, Zhen Xue watched him shake his head, pushing open the doors with both hands. “By the gods, I don’t know what you’ve done now, and I don’t think I want to know.”

Not waiting around, Zhen Xue stuck his tongue out at him before merging with the crowd. Those gathered were mingling among themselves, adorned in imported fabric from the North that reflected a myriad of colors. 

With a hidden smile on his lips, Zhen Xue snagged a glass of champagne from a server. He muttered his thanks, sipping the bubbling liquid before spotting out the four biggest nuisances in the room. 

For tonight to be a successful event, the neighboring kingdoms had to attend. 

The Shadowhearts of the Autumn Court, the Grimbanes of the Winter Court, the Fenhallows of the Summer Court, and the Norwoods of the Spring Court. Zhen Xue thought it was wonderful none of them got along beyond pleasantries.

These kids didn’t know what they were doing. Playing tag on a battleground of chess would make them pawns in a larger game. It was only through their ancestors’ efforts that their name bore any weight. Even though their ancestors commanded unparalleled respect, love, and power, their legacy had become one of manipulation and greed. 

Judging from their glances at tonight’s prize, nothing changed in that regard, but this was exactly why they got invited… To doing what they do best. Drawing unwarranted attention. 

Zhen Xue smiled delightfully as he watched them fall into his hands like pawns.

“Better be careful who sees that,” Xu Yang warned quietly, stepping beside him. His gaze flickered towards above the staircase to a pair of doors left ajar. “The birds are always watching and looking for every opportunity to migrate in our backyard.”

Of course, he knew that much. He’d been living in this house long enough to know the ears that go unseen, including the new ones planted by their esteemed guests. “At least they flock together,” he huffed under his breath. “If they end up in one place, perhaps we can settle our score.”

Xu Yang nearly choked with laughter. “You mean when we were in sixth grade?” 

It was by law that the future heirs attend school together. Zhen Xue tried not to think about those days too much, but at least he got to leave the palace for a short while. Xu Yang was speaking of that one time the heirs ganged up against him and stole his clothes while he was in the bath. 

As though to interrupt the spur of that memory, Grimbane’s heir tripped over a pile of skirts. His entire glass of wine fell right into the future queen of the Autumn Court.

“Ah, that’s such a tragedy,” Zhen Xue said with an entirely straight face. “I almost want to hand him another glass.”

The small quirk of Xu Yang’s lips was unmissable. “His suit could use some color too,” he remarked thoughtfully.

Zhen Xue laughed, glad that he wasn’t sipping his drink or he would’ve choked. Even though he wanted to keep enjoying the view of these dimwits, there were more pressing concerns. His gaze flitted through the crowd, frowning that he didn’t spot who he was looking for. 

He’d been expecting to find the dashing main heroine as she prepared to apprehend the artifact that could topple the world. That was what happened in the original novel. 

Why hasn’t she made an appearance? 

Boreas and Apollo weren’t around either, he realized with a sigh. Must he do everything himself? He placed the glass down on a tray nearby, grabbing a macron before heading through the throng of people. 

If not for his divine contract with the gods, the artifact would’ve exploded much sooner, releasing centuries’ worth of unstable mana. He explicitly told Boreas and Apollo not to leave the core unattended, yet they were missing in action. 

Did they not understand how crucial their role was for tonight?

If the core exploded, it could destroy Zhen Xue’s only chance of finding the truth behind his family’s death. It would consume not only himself, the entire kingdom of Cassanova, but potentially Lumaria, or rather, the world itself.