Chapter 34: Centuries

The Gala. The very word conjured vast halls, scrutinizing gazes, hushed whispers behind fans, and polite smiles. A social theater where every gesture would be observed, analyzed, interpreted.

After being forced to accept the invitation—and, for Blanche, an elven escort as a bonus—they took their leave.

The departure was almost chaotic. Between the last exchanges of politeness and the heavy, loaded glances, Blanche felt as though she were emerging from a whirlwind whose codes she did not understand.

Winter and Kysten took the opportunity to ask for her contact details. Her grandfather wrote them down carefully, each number inscribed with almost ceremonial precision, all the while keeping a wary eye on his granddaughter’s new escort.

The latter was staring at his phone with far too eager an enthusiasm for his liking.

He would be damned before letting his brand-new granddaughter get involved with a vampire and an elf, on top of everything else!

Blanche, meanwhile, wavered between amusement and weariness. She had never received so much male attention in such a short time—and certainly not from creatures so… complicated.

She even had to promise a dance—not to one king, but to two.

Sebastian had written his name into her dance card without giving her the slightest chance to refuse. His gesture had been swift, almost imperceptible—and yet final. He did not ask. He decided.

And yet the only king she truly wanted to dance with had remained as silent as a fish…

The thought pierced her sharply. She didn’t try to analyze it. Not now.

How on earth had they ended up here?

In the car, she sighed—again.

The interior was bathed in a soft dimness, lit only by the orange glow of passing streetlights filtering through the windows. The hum of the engine and the steady rhythm of tires on asphalt formed an almost soothing backdrop.

Night had long since fallen.

Her grandfather insisted on seeing her again during the week, even though she lived at a boarding school! Not to mention she had to make time for her father… this Wednesday.

Her mind began to blur under the weight of obligations. Each relationship seemed to demand a part of her she wasn’t sure she could give.

But Winter had insisted so much that she eventually agreed: a Thursday morning meeting, skipping the sports class taught by her mentor.

At least he was within reach.

From what she understood, she was in for a quick shopping session, funded by the Drakion king of Epsilon himself.

A plan that would delight Eva beyond measure.

The image of her friend, overexcited at the idea of choosing dresses and accessories, drew a fleeting smile from her. Eva would have turned this constraint into an adventure.

It felt strange to imagine going shopping with him, but then again… as if she had a choice—and she had nothing to wear for this Gala.

She would have asked her mother…

But knowing her, designing a dress in less than a week—even for a renowned dressmaker…

It was almost mission impossible.

“If you sigh one more time, I’ll knock you out on principle,” Kiyan grumbled as he exited the highway.

His slightly hoarse voice betrayed nervous fatigue more than real anger. His hands, gripping the steering wheel, made his knuckles pale.

He was tense too.

He had just been chewed out by his best friend, whom he was supposed to meet the following evening. And apparently, he hadn’t had much of a choice either…

Something told him he was going to get a serious dressing-down.

Blanche then thought of the Otherworld.

The very word conjured a cascade of fascinating images in her mind: unreal landscapes bathed in strange light, cities suspended in impossible skies, ancient creatures whose very names were enough to disturb her dreams.

She would be returning there soon.

A prospect both thrilling… and inhospitable, even potentially deadly.

For the first time in a long while, the unknown didn’t completely frighten her. It called to her. Perhaps because there, she was no longer just an intruder in her own life. Perhaps she would find answers… or worse, truths.

And yet, for once, she was looking forward to it: she might meet the rest of the siblings, or at least some of them.

The idea of having an extended family, faces that resembled her, gazes in which she could read something familiar… it was dizzying. And terribly tempting.

She barely held back another sigh… and still earned herself a smack.

“Stop worrying so much,” Kiyan muttered. “You’ll get wrinkles before your time.”

His drawn-out voice carried that studied nonchalance he used whenever things became too serious. The passing lights slid across his face, casting shifting shadows over his features, emphasizing the fatigue hidden in his gaze.

“You sound like you know what you’re talking about,” she replied teasingly, raising an eyebrow.

Kiyan smiled.

A real smile this time. Not an ironic smirk or a façade. His lips curved slightly, and his eyes softened with a rare warmth.

“That’s better. I prefer you like this. And for the record, I haven’t gotten a single wrinkle in centuries.”

The word hung in the air.

“Centuries?” Blanche gasped. “What do you mean, centuries?”