Elise stared back at the current Ian who was still a human.

Her lips parted, "Can you see me—"

MEOW.

Elise's eyes snapped and she turned back to see the black cat that went through his legs. Ian leaned back on the bark of the tree, sighing, "Now enough of you. I have saved you from my brother's attack. By now you should learn enough now that mingling with humans is a big no. Go off. Shoo," Ian waved his hand, leaning again on the bark of the tree as if he had something important to do. 

Elise followed his gaze, walking closer to stand under the tree he sat on and watched afar, seeing the tall tower on the opposite side of the ground. 

"Meow," the black cat cried for him again.

Ian stared back at the cat while the cat did the same stare to him. 

"Fine," Ian sighed, jumping down from the tall tree as if it was nothing, surprising Elise as he stood right beside her. He suddenly narrowed his eyes, "What is this sweet smell?" Ian looked around, staring at the position where Elise stood at but he cannot see her, therefore he ignored what he smelled and left the place.

Days passed and Ian walked ahead inside the mansion as if he owned it without caring the gazes other sent to him. 

Finding his father who was dressed as glamorous with necklace of diamonds and rings of jewels and to accompany him, the woman sitting beside her father which Elise could tell was his step mother also had the same gaudy appearance. Compared to them, Ian was a breath of fresh air with his simple attire without unnecessary jewels or necklaces like them.

"Father, I have completed the task you gave me," Ian said, letting the servant beside him to take the scroll he had acquired and after reading the content his father nodded. 

"It's beyond perfect my son," praised sire Ivan and Ian smiled but standing beside him, Ian could tell the disgust that appeared on his eyes. "Tell me whatever you wish for your achievement. Is it land, jewels, or house?"

"I don't need either of that, father. I only wish—"

"To meet his mother," the lady beside him spoke, "I am certain we don't need to ask what he wanted, do we? There is only one wish if you ever ask Ian what he wish for."

Hearing the name, Sire Ivan's face hardened. "I have told you that it is better if you limit your meeting with your mother. She is strange."

Said the one who marry her, thought Elise. She didn't like Sire Ivan just by looking at him. Seeing the man who was bald and on the heavier side, she wondered if this man was truly Ian's father as he didn't share a single similarity with Ian which might be a great thing and also a bad thing.

Ian didn't answer. There was still smile on his lips but Elise didn't imagine how his hand clenched tighter. 

"My mother is lonely and she is alone, I wish to accompany her," answered Ian firmly, like a rock that wont be able to be moved.

Sire Ivan sighed, he stared at Ian who held his gaze with a passive expression. "Fine, I shall allow you but remember not to spend too many time with her. I don't want her to teach you stupid things like those superstitious words she said."

When the servant called Sire Ivan, the man had to leave. Ian didn't see the need to stand inside the room with his step mother when the woman walked beside him and then stood before Ian to make him stop on purpose.

Without blinking, Ian made his other way which had the woman's smile to twitch and she stopped him again, "I think it is better if you listen to my words, Ian. I am your father's favorite woman and also your mother whether you like it or not."

Ian stared down at her. Despite looking very young, perhaps still around the age of seventeen, he had been taller compared to the people whom Elise had seen in the room. "So you know how I feel about you, Lady Sarah. I need to walk, please step aside."

Ian had only made another step when Lady Sarah stood in front of him, blocking his way like a child. She pulled a wide smile, "I like that," and the woman raised her hand, touching the side of Ian's face using her hands where her fingernails were cut in a very sharp way that would draw blood if she had dipped her fingernails on Ian's skin. 

Elise wanted to pull the woman's hand away as seeing her sharp fingernails had her anxious.

"I like how you say please," Lady Sarah said, "Tell me please more and I'm sure I will like you more."

"But I don't like saying please," said Ian firmly, looking back at the woman with his grin. Even before he was a human, Ian was very confident and fearless. He said what he want to say, holding back none and still look elegant as he does it. "I like it better when others beg to me or kneel down."

Lady Sarah's smile shortened, "There is other way if you want to look more adorable to my eyes," the woman said, and she took a step forward to whisper, "If you come to my room during nighttime, I am sure you would gain more likable point from me."

Elise shuddered at her words, her eyes wide. Did this woman meant her words?

It sounded like a joke to Elise. Lady Sarah was Ian step mother, even if she wasn't his birth mother, what she offered was blasphemy. By appearance, Lady Sarah seemed to be much younger than Sire Ivan, perhaps is counting age, she was still early on her twenties, around five or four years different compared to Ian but that doesn't allow her to invite Ian. She was married and Ian was her son.

Ian raised his hand, laughter bubbles from his lips. "Do you know, Lady Sarah? Your son called me a man whore," Ian stared at the woman's eyes where his eyes then narrowed coldly, "I don't disagree. Maybe I am one but I choose the woman I sleep with and you, tsk, are no where near the woman who I will sleep with even on the verge of my death."

Lady Sarah's eyes widened. Ian continued to chuckle as he left the place, hearing the suppressed scream of frustration from Lady Sarah who yelled, "You will regret this!"

Ian rolled his eyes remembering the touch of the woman, he pulled his handkerchief, wetting it with water from the water fountain he passed by and wiped his cheeks. He then stared at the handkerchief, "I'm sorry you have to suffer. It was disgusting isn't it?" He asked the handkerchief in pity as if it was alive and the victim of Lady Sarah's touches.

Ian then made his way toward the tower he had been staring every day, Elise followed him but during the time she had followed him, Elise noticed how he stopped, staring at the path and her eyes followed.

Sire Ivan stood in front of the open hallways, speaking with a man who was dressed in a formal but simple white clothes. Elise at first didn't notice anything strange from the man. She didn't until she saw the bright golden eyes the of the guest.

"Sir Gabriel," Elise heard the name of the man from Sire Ivan that had her eyes to widened. 

Has she possibly walk into the secrets that were forgotten?

******

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