Two problems solved

"Wait," Mya tried to call but a voice came from the stairs which said, "As my wife said, we want no part of your world, brother-in-law," and both of them turned to the stairs where footsteps echoed, and down came Sebastian.

His silver hair was now black and his green eyes had no gleam in them anymore.

"Would you look at that, the husband is actually home," Aziel stated dryly while Mya sighed in relief that her husband was finally home.

"We aren't slaves to fate or some silly tradition. Unfortunately, I am not in the mood to entertain you, brother-in-law. Take your coat and leave," Sebastian picked up his coat and threw it, which his brother-in-law caught effortlessly.

"Your mood has nothing to do with me, stay out of this night creature," Aziel stated and resumed his way to the guest room.

"Take one more step towards where she is and you won't have a home to call yours," Sebastian threatened with a smile.

His words got Aziel to stop and he turned around, "That's a bold threat, brother-in-law. Are you threatening to break the peace treaty you signed?" he asked with a mocking smile.

"Try me," was all Sebastian said as he walked to his wife and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"This has nothing to do with you," spat Aziel.

"She is my daughter. I will be sure to pass your gift, take your leave, Aziel," Sebastian repeated.

"How professional of you," Aziel scoffed. He wondered how the night creature got here in the first place as there had only been four present in the home. The man had always been one to achieve the impossible, so he knew his threats weren't empty, and provoking him even further would be foolish.

"I will be back. See you later, sister," he gave her a sly smirk before disappearing in a rush of fire.

"What a troublesome relative," Sebastian commented before turning to his wife. "Are you okay?" he asked. Concern evident on his features.

"Yes, I'm fine," she replied and he pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Don't do that again, Mya, please," he pleaded, his voice coming out desperate.

"I won't, I don't like to almost die," she joked and he chuckled.

Sebastian unwrapped his arms around her and asked, "What's the situation?"

"Elaina is unconscious from an awakening and Alex is finding it difficult to control his instincts," she summarized.

"Hmmm, it is bad," he said in thought, "I will check on Alex, please stay with Elaina," he told her and she nodded.

She walked to the guest room and glanced at her husband, who smiled at her before she entered and closed the door behind her.

Sebastian saw the darkness that was slowly flowing down the stairs as he went up and his eyes moved to the hallway that was as dark as a starless night even though it was morning.

"It's like a horror movie," he said to himself. Knocking twice on Alex's door, he opened the door and entered the dark room.

The lights were switched on but were overshadowed by the darkness coming from the boy sitting at the edge of the room with his knees drawn to his chest.

Alex was so locked in his world that he didn't notice when his father entered and sat next to him.

"Son," he called and Alexander raised his head in surprise.

"Father?" his gray eyes which were usually dull were now glowing and they met with his father's gentle ones.

"How did you- the darkness!" his eyes widened and he turned to his dark room, "You shouldn't-"

"It won't hurt me," he turned back to meet his father's gentle smile and he relaxed against the wall.

"How have you been?" Sebastian asked his son. His eyes moved to his fists which were clenched tightly to the point they had turned white.

"Good, most of the time," he answered.

"That is good to hear. Did you enjoy the midnight ball?"

"Yes, I did," Alex replied, knowing that the invitations were his father's doing.

"But you didn't willingly dance with anyone other than your sister, did you?" Sebastian commented. Alex's second dance had only been because of his mother's matchmaking efforts.

"It was satisfying with her alone," he placed his head on his knees.

"You've never had a girlfriend, have you?" his father asked out of the blue and when he didn't answer, he burst out in laughter.

"And you are so handsome at that," he said mid-laughter, and a small frown formed on his son's forehead.

"Don't make assumptions, Father," he stated with a frown.

"You really haven't," Sebastian deduced and he couldn't stop laughing.

A smile crept up Alex's lips and his tightened fists slowly loosened unconsciously.

"My handsome son," he stopped laughing and the two of them sat in silence, a comforting one.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Sebastian broke the silence after some time.

Alex stretched his legs out and rested his head on the wall, "I don't know when it started, but I saw her throw a steaming bottle out of her hand. She lost consciousness soon after, but before she did, she looked at me strangely, like she could see my darkness." he stared at his hand as he spoke. "I carried her to the guest room afterward,"

"I take it, you got hurt?"

"Yes, on my arms. The burns weren't healing so Mother helped me," he answered.

"I see. Did anything else happen?"

"It also happened at the midnight ball but I wasn't there with her, Kaede was. But I don't think he noticed at least not that way," he added.

"Duke Carmen's son?"

"Yes,"

"I see," Sebastian said in thought. Duke Carmen was an efficient worker. He was one of the few dukes on the upper echelon.

He looked at his son who held his head down.

"Thank you for taking care of the women in the family. You have done well, my son," he praised but Alexander's fists tightened and the darkness that was almost gone returned, this time darker.

"I failed, Father. I couldn't help Elaina, not once but twice, and even now, I couldn't help Mother," his fists tightened even further. He figured out how his mother brought his father here. Not only did it break his heart but it also made him feel useless. He had become another problem adding to her desperation.

"Don't say that, Alexander," he felt his father's hand on his head, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"Being pessimistic is not good for you. You aren't invincible nor can you be everywhere at once, everyone is allowed to be weak sometimes." he started.

"I have to thank you for saving Elaina's life twice and while I do not support your mother's actions, it saved us from your uncle, Aziel. Do not beat yourself down, Alexander. Thank you for protecting the family in my stead," Sebastian smiled warmly at his son.

Alex's eyes brightened and he looked away from his father, "You don't have to thank me, Father," he mumbled and Sebastian ruffled his hair in return.

"You are fine now, Alexander," Sebastian said to him and Alex noticed that his room was bright and all the darkness was gone.

"How?" he asked

"All you had to do was calm down and correct the line of your thoughts," Sebastian answered.

His body had gone on the defensive when the burns weren't healing, thinking he was in danger then the sudden healing had confused his system even more. His instincts had interpreted the situation as dangerous and hence released the darkness. It was a defense mechanism.

He pushed himself off the ground and asked, "Can you hide it? the darkness I mean,"

"I should," Alex answered while staring at his father's tall figure.

"Great. Let's go check on your sister," he smiled and stretched his hand out for his son to take.

_