Help...

Like so, the first battle had been won, drawing unwanted attention from a few.

And while some people cried and jubilated about their miraculous survival and fortunate circumstances, the same couldn't be said for others.

.

Ghu Do Grand Estate.

"Welcome back, young Master!" Butler Windock said while calmly grabbing several items from the playful good-looking youth who just stepped in.

This estate belonged to the Second son of the renowned Ghu Family.

The main ancestral home was just within another side of town.

But this one strictly belonged to Master Ghu Do and his family.

And at present, Master Ghu Do and Mistress had flown to another city for a private event, leaving Young Master Sota alone to do as he pleased.

Thus, for the last 5 days, the Young Man had been staying out with his friends at exclusive clubs and attending all sorts of events too.

Well, he was always with his guards.

So his parents didn't think anything bad would happen to him.

It was just that today, the Young Master had returned home way earlier than he said he would.

And coupled with his uneasy expression, Butler Windock couldn't help but frown.

He also had his part in keeping an eye on the Young Master, reporting everything to the Master.

So he had to find out if something happened while the Young Master was out.

Or could it be that the Young Master was still onset about his run-in with that gloomy Tain boy?

That's right.

He got the scoop from the guards and knew all about their little run-in.

It was just that he was curious about what Dorian whispered into Sota's ears.

Because ever since then, the Young Master hadn't been as cheerful all day.

But tonight, it seemed even worse than it was in the day.

So what happened?

.

"Young Master Sota. The Mistress and Master called earlier on to say that they'll be arriving back first thing this morning."

"...Hmhmhm..." Ghu Sota replied absent-mindedly while shivering and looking around fearfully.

Seeing him like this only further confirmed Windock's suspicions.

Something was definitely wrong with the Young Master.

He wanted to silently investigate things, but Sota's actions were too drastic.

He had never seen the Young Master this frightened before!

Windock squinted his eyes thoughtfully while walking beside the absent-minded Sota: "Young Master, is anything the matter?"

~Tap.. Tap... Tap...

Sota's footsteps slowed down before coming to a standstill altogether.

Listening to Windock, Sota's heart skipped a beat before he hastily turned to Windock as if wanting to say something.

But then, he shook his head again in fear and shrank back in denial: "Nothing. Nothing. Nothing!... I'm just a little tired, Windock."

Tired?

Windock didn't believe it for one second!

As a highly trained Butler, how could Windock not see the fear in his young master's eyes?

Not to talk of Sota's constant trembles and dodgy behaviour.

Looking at him, no skilled person would be able to take his actions for tiredness.

.

"Young Master Sota. You are Master Do and the madam's heir and pride. 

So if anything is bothering you, you only have to say the word, and it shall be taken care of.

No one should cause you any discomfort.

So young master Sota, are you sure that there's nothing on your mind?"

Once again shaking his head, Sota quickly picked up his face, dashing up the stairs in denial: "Windock! I said nothing is bothering me. So just let me be!!!"

Windock, who had been left behind at the foot of the grand stairway, could only watch Sota make a run for it with countless deep thoughts in his mind.

Typically, if he asked things like this, the Young Master wouldn't hesitate to talk and dish out orders on teaching his enemies a lesson.

But today, the Young Master actually fled, not even giving him a chance to talk.

Alright. It looks like he would have to dig out more information about tonight's events.

He had to have his facts ready before the Master and Madam got back.

Thinking like this, he calmly instructed the maids to prepare a late light pallet of food and water for the Young Master.

While he, on the other hand, went to find the guards.

He had a daunting suspicion that whatever was troubling Young Master Sota would have something to do with what that gloomy Tian master whispered into his ears earlier on.

So what could it be?

What did he say to get the Young Master all sweaty and fearful?

Tonight was bound to be a long night for him.

And of course, the same could be said for Sota as well.

.

~Bam!

Sota slammed his door hard and quickly clapped his hands twice, activating the lights.

From there, he wasted no time in getting onto his massive bed while shivering like a chicken.

He didn't even change his clothes and could only hide underneath his blanket with his eyes deeply shut.

One would think that he was too tired and had already fallen into a deep slumber.

But his trembling body and his waking mind suggested otherwise.

Call it intuition, but ever since Sota met with Dorian, he had become more aware of the changes in his body.

He noticed how weak and tired he always was, as well as how pale his skin grew day by day.

The change wasn't very noticeable, but to him who looked at himself in the mirror daily, he knew exactly what had changed.

But the most horrifying thing was tonight's matter.

Yes. While out with his friends, he went to the V.I.P washrooms for a bit.

And after relieving himself, he tilted down to wash his hands.

But when he looked back up, the image in the mirror made him fly backwards in horror.

No! No! 

That wasn't him!

The image in the mirror that smiled unnaturally wasn't him!

Of course, the noise he caused alerted a few others outside.

And when they came in, his reflection in the mirror returned to what it should've been.

Sota's mind went blank as he finally understood why he had been having a bad feeling for several days now.

Yes! Something had been following him!

But who should he tell?

If he said anything, wouldn't they think him mad and lock him up in a mental institution?

He shut his eyes tightly, wishing his fear away.

But suddenly, the lights began to flicker.

~Druh-Druh-Druh.

Sota's chest tightened.

Help...