Chapter 9

Black the Origin

Chapter 9: The Ball

In the East, where Berhalksawn Family reigns over the continent.

The Jaiden Palace was in the middle of the full blossom years of Spring.

The brightly colored pink complements the Castle White taint.

It was the 56th day of the Year, the birthday of one of his daughters,

Artemis. Currently at her 16th year of age. The Palace has opened and hundreds of immortals are visiting the Palace, Commoners to Aristocrat.

The Berhalksawan family was known for how they treated their citizens fairly. Where theirs no discrimination. Through this, the East Continent has peacefully coexisted with each other. Every time an event at the palace was held every one continent was invited.

Though it looks like that outside in the Palace. Alkhun knew it was not inside.

He peeks down the stairway of the Palace that's separating the Private floor and the Lobby. He can see hundreds of people down on the first floor.

As he walks down the stairs he feels gazes. Hundred of gazes directed at him.

He was looking straight, avoiding direct eye contact with anyone.

"Alkhun Berhalksawan, I've heard he might be the next Prince." He can hear someone mentioned in the crowd. It was starting again.

"That's impossible... Marlo was a lot older and experienced." The other girl.

Alkhun ignores the gossip and started searching at the crowd. His mana-sensing ability was useless at this large crowd.

People way gazing at him as he paved the way to the crowd of people. The people in these palaces were not shockingly

filled with aristocrats. After all, they got the reservations first.

Thou everyone was invited to the events in the Palace. Not everyone can attend due to the limitation of guests allowed. Come first serve, it is called reservations. Aristocrat with lots of connection uses their money and name to these social events.

Fair, against discrimination? He can't see that anywhere close.

"The son of the witch was being ignorant. Acting like he owns the place." Women said that to his face when he walks past her.

"He does though." A voice of a woman was heard. That caught the attention of the guest.

Alkhun stopped and looks at the side of his eye. A commoner.

"Well, he will soon." She added and looks at ALkhun.

Alkhun always think that everyone hated him, but it wasn't really the case.

Sometimes, some people support him.

"How could a commoner--" The woman was about to talk back, but decided to shut her mouth.

He is somehow glad Aristocrat families still know their places. In this palace no one tolerates discrimination, that's the rule.

Alkhun looks back in his way and gladly saw Artemis in the Hallway talking to some guest.

He walks directly in her direction, some immortals are still attracted to his presence, but he's glad that the tension has gradually lessened.

Artemis was stunningly beautiful in his purple long dress. Complementing his white skin and brown hair makes her stand out from the crowd.

At first, she doesn't even notice him but eventually saw ALkhun walking in his direction. Artemis smiles and said goodbye to the one she's talking to. She then greeted Alkhun with a smile.

"You're late." She giggled.

"Late for what? the day's not over yet." ALkhun sarcastically with his monotone voice.

Artemis laughs. "But the main event was over already."

"That doesn't matter, it's already a hassle just to wear this formal suit." Alkhun wears a tired expression.

"It does matter, you weren't able to greet me," Artemis complained.

"Happy Birthday," Alkhun said, using his monotone voice. He sounds funny which makes Artemis giggle and pat his brother's head.

"Thank you!" Messing up Alkhun's raven hair. "You've grown up."

ALkhun spaced out letting Artemis touch him. He bit his lip, he likes it being patted. Looking at his older sister...

Alkhun who is only as tall as Artemis's torso before was now almost at the same height as her. Artemis can help but smile.

In the past few months, Alkhun and Artemis rarely talk and Bond. Being busy with their own circumstances, Artemis smiles. Alkhun never notices the changes till now.

"...certainly." He smirked.

"Yeah, good for you, just smile." He immediately regretted that. Though it's impulse he was shy about it.

"I didn't." He avoided his gaze and diverted the topic.

"How about a drink?" A pretty foolish question that makes Artemis laugh.

"You can't drink."

"You should thou--"

A piece of traditional slow music was suddenly played that caught the attention of everyone.

It is time for the ball, and the immortals begin creating a space in the middle of the lobby where people dance.

"So it is time for that." Artemis excitedly giggles.

"Time for what?" Alkhun innocently asked.

Then immortals started dancing in the middle of the pair. Alkhun can see guys lending their hands in front of women, asking them to dance. The ball has begun.

Alkhun then stared at smiling Artemis. He lends his hand in front of her, and Artemis gladly puts her hand on it. They then walk to the middle of the ball. Alkhun left arm was on Artemis's waist. Artemis's right hand was on his shoulder, and their other hand was holding each other.

Looking at people's eyes it seems like they were a couple. Almost look like at the same age, with no resemblances, they're actually Berhalksawn's descendants. A lot of guys were envious of Alkhun for being able to dance cheerfully with the Princess of the AN Family.

Left, and right. Left and right. Alkhun can barely get off it. Well barely.

"Where did you learn to dance?" Artemis asked looking at his brother's expression that was preoccupied at the steps.

"Uhmm... Books" She giggled and finally caught Alkhun's eyes.

"Just Let the music brings you." She mentioned and started dancing faster and faster.

Alkhun barely keeping up, almost stepped at Artemis' feet and she would giggle. After a while, he finally get the hang of it. Then the music stopped.

"...Yey." Artemis has clapped on joy.

"Somehow became a Dancing lesson." Alkhun whisper but Artemis Heard it which makes her laugh.

"They're finally done?" Alkhun heard gossips. A lot of guys were waiting for them to dance with Artemis. Alkhun will adjust for them. Too much for today, he only comes to greet her sister.

"Artemis." She mentioned and she smiles.

"Yeah...See yah." She patted his head and seems like Artemis was stronger than him, Alkhun thought.

Alkhun then sighs and walks out of the palace with relief. In the garden, he sat at the fountain. Staring at the Full moon. It has been an exhausting day.

Despite going to the party late he still feels exhausted. There are too many people for him to handle.

"Alkhun..." A familiar voice of a young girl was heard that made Alkhun looks in the direction coming from the palace.

But there is no one.

He stands up. His certain just a moment ago, he heard Pamela's Voice, but according to his mana-sensing ability, there is no one. Was it all part of his imagination? he can't help but wonder and he can't deny the fact that he misses his little sister.

"Pamela?" He whispered when a sudden throb mon his forehead.

He can feel his head spinning in endless darkness. Until he was in a pitch-black environment, a pink-bright light coming from a young familiar girl's face. Smiling at him. She waved her two hands and turns around. Walking away from him, he can't do anything but watch light become dimmer and dimmer until it disappears. He opened his eyes.

Hiss both arms crossed at a desk. Did he sleep? He looks up, and the young girl's face again was smiling at him.

"Good Morning, Alkhun." She smiled that for ALkhun seem natural for her small face. Her pink hair was ponytailed as usual,

wearing her pink-lengthy dress. With her sakura clip on it.

'It's Pamela' Alkhun was staring at her speechless.

'Is this a dream?' He can't help but wonder.

"You slept at the library again." She pointed at him with her tiny fingers.

"Pamela, I told you not to wake me up," Alkhun said unconsciously. She laughed.

"Are you forgotten? you told me to wake you up when it's morning." She added.

Alkhun panicked, looked at the time at the library clock, and rushed to pick the bunch of books at his desk.

"Damn it! It's almost noon. Why didn't you wake me up?" Alkhun runs out of the library.

Alkhun can see his other self, running out of the library, realizing what was happening. He can feel distant.

At the front of him was the 5-Year-old Pamela waving at Alkhun's younger self and when he finally got out of the room. The smile on her face slowly dissipated in the thin air. Exposing a different Pamela Unknown to Alkhun.

It doesn't suit her, wearing such an expression. Pamela looked at the desk and started cleaning it, humming to herself. She read some books and sat next to him. Pamela then drops the book she's holding and looks in his direction. Leaning her face on the desk. Alkhun bends his head and looks directly at his sister's eyes.

"I wished I never let you go that day." Alkhun, out of nowhere, spoke his mind out.

Tears suddenly fall at the young girl's eyes.

"Eh?" She looked up and started wiping her tears.

"What was that?" She whispers. "Am I seeing things?" She then looks in his direction.

Peeking in his direction, wearing a scared expression and then relief.

"Well, at least it's not a ghost." She sighs, then laughs. "That was funny."

Alkhun looks down at the books she's reading.

'Mastering Black magic' Alkhun read, and he had chills from his back. 

'Pamela has always been studying black magic?'

"Alkhun from the future, if you are here... I just wanna say." She looks again in his direction then dark pink smoke evaporates from her.

"I love you." Alkhun grew distant, and he felt Pamela... farther and farther. Again from the pitch-black surrounding

he was alone.

He opened his eyes, and Pamela was standing in front of him.