"Must I repeat myself, Lord Snow?" Lai Yuan, my secret protector, firmly commanded. He shook his head, fixing his sterling eyes upon me. "You may hold the blood of the Snow, but you now carry the blood of a celestial.

  Touching my eyes that had turned to silver due to my master's blessing, I clenched my fist.

  "Now, how are your injuries?" He asked patiently.

  "Fine,'

  'Then hold your head, high Lord Snow. Just like you, I too carry the celestial blood, and the Celestial King would have our heads if he saw us so down." Lai Yuan firmly announced, straightening my tie. "even if you face defeat, hold your head high."

  "Yami he."

  "Say no more. You are still accumulating to our bloodline. And with your already sinful blood of the Hells, you are to turn into a true monster. Yami will be nothing in the future. Same with Arsene Snow."

  Meeting Lai Yuan's stern gaze, I nodded with a solemn grimace when a sudden knock echoed—startling me for a bit.

  "Enter," Lai Yuan commanded.

  Stepping through the doorway, my gaze landed upon my dear fiance. Smiling with the warmest smile I had ever seen. "Are you ready, dear?"

  "Always,"

  "Good, because he is here." She said, causing a great stir to echo in my heart.

  Holding onto my shoulder, Lai Yuan shook his head, "Remember, killing is not our goal. We need to find out the truth."

  "Come. Nira is already there." Crossing her arm with mine, Larisa did not show a change in emotion, showcasing a poise I wish I held.

  Taking the lead while she followed in my arm, I took a deep breath as the sounds of music began to ring within my ear. It was soft and gentle, making one wish to forever stay in a sense of peace.

  Witnessing the chamber doors open upon their own free will, a chilling ray of frost permeated my heart. Clinging to my soul, like nats to a flame, I felt a cold eternal icy flame melt any last hopes I had for Arsene Snow.

  Arching my lips into a chilling smile, Larisa and I made our debut at the small gathering Yu Lan had prepared. She had invited many important guests from all around the Swords Coast. Even Karsa, the corrupted serpent, was here.

  "Is your grandfather making an appearance," I requested, maintaining a graceful appearance.

  "Grandfather loves these little gathers. He will definitely show. Chilling the hearts of those weaker than him is his past time games." Larisa elegantly replied back as the masses held their gaze upon us.

  "Richter, thank you for coming!" Yu Lan exclaimed, holding a glass of ruby-red wine that smelt of spice and amber. Almost as if matching her wine, Lan had an elegant strapless red dress that seemed to capture all the attention.

  "But of course. I would never miss such an opportunity."

  "And your injuries?" She muttered, sipping her wine; she shot me a sharp stare that shook my demeanor.

  "Perfectly healed."

  "And here I thought it would be a few weeks," A deep, almost soul-sucking voice filled the room, devouring the joy away. Holding a slick smile in his six-piece suit that seemed to resonate with the Dao of darkness itself, I shuttered at the monstrous demeanor that demanded attention.

  His hair was ashen like had remembered, and his eyes a vibrant gold, shimmering with the sins of my kingdom.

  He approached with a woman that took the breath of the party away. Never before had I seen one so perfect. It was as if a master artist was drawing a painting. She was a goddess without an equal.

  "Arsene, let me introduce you to——"

  "No need, Yu Lan. This is, after all, my elder brother," Arsene replied, with a smile that didn't quite meet his eyes. His smile was a bit warm and a bit hallow. A bit like a devil, Master Drar had told me about.

  Finding a frown I could not lift, I gazed heavily upon Arsene Snow, holding onto Princess Yura.

  Larisa held my arm tighter while her words entered my soul. "Keep calm. We are not here to fight."

  "We are not brothers. Not after what you did." I expressed, gritting my teeth, finding myself unable even to control the hatred rising in me. No matter how I tried to control myself, there was a devil upon my shoulder clawing at me.

  Skimming his gaze over me, Arsene acted like my words were like air, "And this must be your lovely what?"

  "Fiance," Said Yu Lan. Glancing sternly at the Princess, who seemed to carry a smile that only enhanced her beauty.

  "Oh, how interesting. Shame. " he said, shaking his head, "So many are going to die by the end of this wedding. I wonder, what side will you join, dear brother?"

  "You are outmatched. We have Mid Gods and High Gods. What do you have?"

  He smiled, shaking his head, turning to Yu Lan, who seemed only to stare and then to me. He did not answer, to my surprise.

  "Richter, I am quite disappointed," Yura claimed, pursing her lips. She sighed. "How I woe the day, you realize, what it means to be against a devil. It would seem, Tian Wang, much less Drar, has yet to teach you."

  "Princess."

  "Did I allow you to speak? May I ask what your status is?" Yura fired off, not even bothering to take a glance at Larisa. Whose expression turned a bit pale.

  "I am Dukes Sultans, Grand——"

  "So you have no status aside from crawling your way out of someone's legs. Has the king granted you land? How about your grandfather? Are you a knight? An earl? No, just someone with no power."

  "Well, I didn't see that coming." Arsene slightly muttered, shaking his head.

  Holding Larisa tighter, the hate only grew the longer I stared. Has Yura, the ice goddess, been corrupted by Arsene as well?

  "Lord Snow, why don't you take a walk? Such an amazing party; one needs to expand their horizons." Lai Yuan hastily mentioned. Steeling my heart, that was thundering with rage.

  "Come now, Lai Yuan?" Arsene quickly said. "Can't we brothers talk? Yura, why don't you talk with Sir Yuan? I am sure you too have much to speak about."

  "Fine, you still need to tell papa the good news. Kay!"

  The ashen devil smiled, nodding his head as if his hands were not stained with blood. "Come now, brother. Let's catch up?"