Chapter 7 : whispers and shadows

Mona and Stellar had only just left, yet their words still echoed in Ryo’s mind, twisting like thorns. The talk before their departure gnawed at him, refusing to let go.

/Beginning of the flash back

Lady Rose leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. “A little problem, he said? That’s one way to put it. I didn't know Keller was aware of his existence ” Her eyes sparkled with amusement, though everyone else at the table was on edge.

“who is he?” asked Ryo.

“The founder of Blue wave deliveries” He’s an old family friend, more like an uncle.
She straightened up, a shadow of doubt crossing her mind.

Who else is already aware ?

Elowen’s jaw tightened. “see... You’re being far too casual about this. That ‘problem’ could wipe out half a city if left unchecked.”

Mona flicked her spoon like a conductor’s baton. “All the more reason to keep him close. Think of it as… damage control. Or better yet, an opportunity.”

“Opportunity?” Elowen barked.

“Yes. An infected who hasn’t lost his mind, still walking, talking, and eating banquets like the rest of us? That’s rare. Agencies would pay fortunes to get their hands on him. Kingdoms too.”

Ryo froze mid-bite, the piece of bread in his mouth suddenly tasting like ash. So I’m basically a prize pig at auction now? Great.

Lady Rose tilted her head, studying him. “Except he’s not for sale.”

The words fell like steel on stone. Even Elowen’s scowl softened for a moment.

Stellar coughed lightly, cutting through the tension. “Regardless, Mona’s right about one thing—infected don’t usually last. The fact that he’s lasted this long means either the beast inside him is dormant… or it’s adapting.”

Ryo felt a chill crawl down his spine. Adapting? That sounds way worse.

Andrea entered quietly with a tray of tea, her steps careful. She placed the cups down and bowed before slipping out again, though not before stealing a worried glance at Ryo.

The silence lingered until Mona clapped her hands together. “Anyway! Enough doom and gloom. We couriers live on borrowed time every day, and we still manage to laugh, don’t we, Stellar?”

Stellar raised an eyebrow. “You laugh. I mend your bones.”

“Semantics,” she said with a grin.

Lady Rose chuckled softly, but Elowen was unamused. He stabbed a piece of meat with his fork and pointed it toward Mona. “Finish your delivery and leave. Sunwhisper Manor is not a tavern for stray couriers.”

Mona smirked. “Oh, Sir. If I wanted tavern food, I wouldn’t be sitting at this lovely table. And besides—” she leaned forward, her gaze flicking between Ryo and Rose, “—my delivery isn’t finished yet.”

/End of the flash back

Ryo lay back on the bed, staring at the carved ceiling beams. Adapting… dormant… an opportunity. None of those sounded good. If anything, they sounded like labels you’d slap on a dangerous experiment.

Through the walls of his bedroom, he could hear the inhabitants of the house talking.”

Repair crews are already at the hall, Lady Rose. Though… they did say it looks less like damage and more like an earthquake.”

Rose yelled, “Unbelievable, no one is allowed to blow up anything else tonight.”

Andrea, chuckled “Maybe bind him like you used to, it's safer for everyone.”

“I heard that,” Elowen groaned, “Honestly, why must I be punished for structural weaknesses in architecture?”

“You punched a wall,” Rose snapped.

Ryo stifled a laugh. He didn’t mean to, but the bickering was almost comforting. These people were dangerous, yes, but also strangely… normal.

Before he knew it, he had fallen asleep, the shadow of the beast surrounded him.

---

Morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of Sunwhisper Manor. Ryo rubbed his eyes, only to realize Andrea was in his room, polishing a dagger with frightening care.

“You polish that thing more than you breathe,” Ryo muttered.

“you think ?” she asked while hiding her blushing face.

Rose yawned loudly, and entered the room hair tangled in every direction. “Ignore her. She just likes shiny things. Yesterday she tried to polish Elowen’s boots while he was still wearing them.”

Andrea walked in carrying ledgers and didn’t deny it.

Rose stares at her sweeping gown, Scratching her head “We leave in two hours. The singles’ gala will not wait for idiots.”

Elowen showed up behind her bandages wrapped around his ribs, his sister had hit him during the night “I refuse to go. The last time I attended, some noble’s daughter tried to duel me with a candlestick.”

“You provoked her,” Rose snapped.

“She insulted my posture.”

Ryo nearly choked. This family is chaos incarnate.

They all went down to the dining hall, where a sumptuous breakfast awaited them.

Andrea clapped her hands. “Think of it this way: free food, free music, and possibly free gossip.”

“Or assassination attempts,” Elowen added casually.

Rose froze at the doorway, her expression sharp. “Do not joke about that.”

The table went quiet for a beat. Ryo sensed the shift—beneath the laughter and bickering, danger was never far.

Ryo broke the tension with a grin. “Well, if someone does try, I’ll just make Stellar or Mona my shield.”

Elowen grinned.

So he can smile?  Ryo was surprised

Rose exhaled and waved her hand. “Enough. The hall may be ruined, but our dignity will not be. At this gala, we smile, we mingle, and above all—no walls destroyed. Clear?”

Everyone nodded, some more reluctantly than others.

Ryo adjusted his collar, a knot twisting in his chest. A gala full of strangers, politics, and hidden blades… and I’m the outsider at the table. Perfect.

The carriage wheels rolled into place outside. Everybody was ready, the time had come.

---

“An infected still alive and in good condition?” a female voice asked.

“I’ve heard rumors… he supposedly lives in the Sunwhisper Manor,” declared a handsome brown-haired man through the door.

“Interesting.” The young woman lifted herself, her long fuchsia hair glistening against her bare skin under the golden reflections of the bathroom lights.

“what if we paid him a little visit?”