Death, Devotion, Dissonance

'Well, he doesn't look too bad,' Evin thought as he stood up to bow.

Viscount Borna had everyone sit down, and introduced everyone. It was mostly a formality, as everyone was vaguely familiar with each other. The only thing that Evin learned was the name of Arelyn's boyfriend (Renor or something), but soon enough, the name slipped away from Evin's mind. Besides, the man's only purpose there seemed to be to scowl at children, so Evin found it hard to think highly of him.

"Ah, but to think my young Bella would come home one day with another…" the Viscount commented.

"Dear, please don't encourage your daughter to make relations before she's fifteen." Elufay interjected, not bothering to hide her scowl. "And a commoner, of all people."

Evin quickly realized he didn't like this woman, and looking around, everyone but the Viscount himself seemed to agree with him.

"Don't be so strict, dear. I myself found my first love when I was but a teen, and both my wives were commoners as well," Velpin chided smilingly. "And if I learned one thing during that, is the fact that the more you try to separate young lovers, they more they tend to get attached to each other."

"There's a big difference between a male and a female, dear," Elufay still didn't seem happy, but Evin felt that few things made the woman feel joy.

"I'm not sure what you're talking about, but if you're worried about Evin's background, then you shouldn't be so concerned. He's considered one of the brightest mages among the new generation, his spell-casting rivaling that of the average Academy graduates, even!"

Evin did not blush at the praise, but it still felt good to hear it. "You flatter me too much."

"And you are too humble," Velpin laughed joyfully and continued. "Now tell me, how did you two even end up together?"

"We've been friends since the Academy started, my lord," Evin replied politely. "Oddly enough, an unfortunate accident brought us closer."

From then on, it was mostly the two of them talking about casual topics - their hobbies and interests, and some stories the Viscount wanted to share… The rest seemed content to just speak in their small circles and didn't seem so interested in Evin's talk.

But Evin wasn't so concerned with this. The viscount turned out to be someone who was adept at conversations, easily keeping the talk fresh, and even more easily digging out Evin's own interests and likes. At one point, Evin even found himself blabbering on about his increasing interest in Runes, talking as if he was a child showing off his new toys.

Technically, he was still a child, but Evin liked to think he was more sophisticated than that thanks to the Voice's wisdom permeating through his brain. But the Voice always said that some amount of childishness could be excused. It was undeniably true that Evin had only lived for 10 years.

However, the Viscount never made Evin feel like a child talking to an adult. He seemed to take Evin's talk as seriously as he would any other conversation and that make Evin terribly honored.

But soon Evin realized that he was being swayed by Velpin's charm. Some people were just hard to argue with, and Velpin seemed like such a person. The man reminded him of Arza in a way.

But Evin knew what his end goal was. So, although he was polite, he built a wall around himself and kept his responses friendly, but formally distant. It was easy for him to do so, mostly because of how often the Voice imposed its mind upon Evin's. Every time it did so, Evin's mind changed so greatly, he even had some trouble recognizing some thoughts as his own. Especially so when Endra was just beginning to do so. This knowledge seemed to help Evin change his state of mind rather easily.

So, when Evin changed his mindset, he became much more observant of the broader situation inside the family. Simply put, the family didn't feel like a family at all, with everyone sticking to their own small groups, looking like they couldn't wait to be rid of this dinner.

Arelyn was engrossed with her betrothed, Olevyn was speaking with her stepmother, and Bella was mostly catching up with Komarokh. But all of their talks, except Bella and Komarokh's, sounded much more depressing in Evin's ears. It was hard to listen to.

Arelyn's conversation consisted mostly of the exchange of sweet nothings between the two lovers. Evin felt like they were just trying to pretend that everything was okay, so they didn't have to worry about whatever problems they were facing in real life.

Elufay and Olevyn's conversation sounded more like the conversation between a hateful tutor and her meek student. Most of it consisted of Elufay barking orders and Olevyn saying yes or simply nodding.

It was a glaring contract compared to the joyful and engaging conversation that Evin was having. The question was, did the Viscount have these kinds of talks with his own family? From what Evin was seeing, he didn't.

So, why was the Viscount having so much fun with him?

'The answer's easy. He is simply putting on an act for me,' Evin concluded. 'But why?'

<It's nothing so complicated and calculative as you're imagining,> Endra suddenly interjected. <The Viscount's simply starved for conversation. And since his family doesn't provide him with one, he's even willing to entertain a 10-year-old like you to sate himself. It also explains why everyone in the family is here, and all the formalities that occurred before the dinner.>

<Can you read my mind?> Evin found himself replying.

<Not really. I can just guess you.>

<But why are you always right? Isn't that a bit suspicious?>

<Not really… It's just because I'm overly familiar with you. You'll understand if you switch places with me,> the Voice replied nonchalantly and disappeared.

Evin was left pondering upon his words, before the Viscount resumed the previous conversation…

Eventually, the dinner ended, with Evin being escorted to a guest room. Of course, they weren't going to put Evin with Bella. That was just inappropriate. But after a few minutes, Bella appeared in his room through the windows.

"So? What do you think of him?" Bella asked.