Solis Feels Strange

No one spoke in the car as they drove home. When they reached the estate, Solis called everyone and left strict instructions that if anyone from the family tried to contact him or Noir, or tried to visit, they were to refuse flatly. If pressed for information, they were to state that Solis felt unwell and Noir was looking after him. Under no circumstances were either of them to be disturbed, no matter what reason was given. And no package was to be admitted from them, either.

All the staff and security members confirmed their tasks. Once Solis was satisfied that everyone understood, he dismissed them and asked Noir to accompany him to his bedroom.

Noir obeyed silently. He knew Solis was feeling itchy and uncomfortable after the unpleasantness he had just experienced. So, without raising any questions, he helped Solis take a quick shower and then put him to bed to rest.

Solis said he couldn't sleep, though, so Noir opted to massage his legs.

Silence reigned for some time…and ultimately, it was Solis who broke it.

"I'm sorry," Solis said softly. "You weren't able to see the mushrooms after all…"

Noir shook his head and grinned at him. "I got the information I wanted," he said. "Your stepmother is behind it all. Your half-brother Martis and your half-sister Luna are too stupid to devise elaborate ruses or hatch nefarious schemes. They don't like you and it's out in the open. What I suspect is that they don't hate you as much as they think they do, either, and most of their dislike is either caused or encouraged by your stepmother. Even I was nearly taken in…if I hadn't been carefully looking for clues, I'd have thought she's just a pitiful woman who tries very hard to be in her cantankerous stepson's good books." He sighed. "It is most difficult to deal with people of this category…they are exceptionally devious and masters at manipulation…"

Solis stared at Noir with a complicated expression on his face. "You really are something, Prince Noir of the Ray Kingdom," he whispered. "It took me twenty years to see her true face…and it took you less than twenty minutes to do the same."

"You were raised by her since you were a baby – I'm amazed that you were even able to figure it out after twenty years," Noir said. "I am just a neutral outsider here, and besides, I've seen people like her before. I've even had to deal with them." There was a stark look in his eyes that made Solis's chest hurt again.

"Thank you," Solis said quickly, trying to distract Noir from whatever he was thinking. "You stood up for me so beautifully today…no one has done that before."

Noir smiled at him and patted his hand affectionately. "Who would I stand up for if not my boyfriend?" he said lightly.

Something twinged in Solis's chest, giving him a floaty, light-headed feeling.

"I'm glad that your half-sister spoke up when she did, though," Noir continued, completely unaware of the turbulence in Solis's chest.

Solis was pulled back to the ground. "What…?" he asked incredulously.

"Your stepmother would have been able to find out that your legs have improved and that the neurotoxin has been eliminated if we stayed there any longer," Noir said. "Solis, I'm afraid she's not a simple woman. She must have learnt her arts at the sect of a demi-god, just like me…do you know anything about her background…?"

"I'll give you all the information I have," Solis said with a frown. "We can investigate more after that as required."

Noir nodded. "Luna's husband…what is his relationship with you?" he asked.

Solis raised an eyebrow. "We were classmates in high school," he said. "He's always been unable to tolerate me."

Noir shook his head. "I think it's the opposite," he said. "He was staring at you with covetous eyes."

Solis laughed. "Don't you start thinking like those romance drama characters," he told Noir, poking the man's forehead playfully. "Lars doesn't covet me, he covets my business empire. I was a simple businessman before Father left Chaos Demon to me."

Noir raised an eyebrow. "Simple businessman?" he mocked. "That's not what it says on the internet."

Solis gave him a strange look. "You were searching me on the internet?"

Noir didn't deny it; rather, he admitted it cheerfully. "Naturally. I want to know everything about you – not only the little titbits of information that you choose to drop once in a while."

Solis's eyes glowed. "Why?" he asked. "Why are you so interested in me?"

Noir blinked at him like an innocent baby. "Because you're interesting," he said simply.

Solis felt that floaty feeling hit him again.

This time, he chose to deliberately change the topic. "And what did you think of Jovis? He's quite taciturn, but he's the cleverest of us all. He didn't speak a word today," Solis said, watching Noir carefully.

Noir frowned. "There's something familiar about him, but I don't know what. He is certainly a complicated person, and I have no idea if he is a friend or a foe to you," he said. "He may be the only one aware of your stepmother's true face…but whether he supports her or not…I'm afraid I have no idea. He's not openly hostile to you, but I saw no trace of affection, either."

Solis sighed heavily.

Noir felt his heart soften as he looked at this magnificent but injured man. Solis really had a difficult life, didn't he?

Noir reached out and patted Solis's arm again. "I know it's not very sensible of me to tell you not to worry when things are like this," he muttered. "But what I can tell you for sure is that you have me by your side and I'll try my best to support you and protect you." He raised his hand in a gesture of a solemn oath. "As long as I'm in this world, I'll stand between you and any dangers aimed at you, Solis."

The floaty feeling completely overtook Solis this time. He couldn't do anything to stop it at all!