CHAPTER 28: A FATHER'S MISTAKE

a goat that have a body of a human being holding a rose with red eyes can be seen at asmodeus and levistus cars that symbolize the crest of phantom's knight, by the time they reaches Infront of the academy's gate, they already saw a woman in her 30s with long brown wavy hair wearing a black masquerade mask inlaid with different gemstones. she's also wearing a black off-shoulder split open dress and still holding a baton that have a crystals embedded on it.

the limousine stop as levistus opened the door for asmodeus who was donning in pink v-neck evening dress and pink half-mask with red and silver patterns and various colored crystals submerge on it, came out. their guards who was holding a rifles and wearing the phantom's knight mask which is the goat, also went out in another car before surrounded asmodeus and levistus to protect them.

so headmistress, couldn't help but to felt awkwardness, but regardless, she just speak. "it's our pleasure to meet the deadly six of phantom's knight, asmodeus."

asmodeus just gaze at her expressionlessly, so levistus just answer in her stead. "our pleasure as well."

when the headmistress notice asmodeus doesn't give her an attention at all, her lips just twitched, "then.. please follow me." she said lastly, and When they arrived at the gate, they began to make their way to the gymnasium where the dark banquet was being held. As the headmistress opened the door, hundreds of students, including guests and VIP guests, could be seen inside, each of whom was wearing a masquerade mask and a stunning outfit. Their gaze was drawn to them, and they couldn't help but whisper to each other, especially when they noticed the pendant of a black snake with a pink pupil and a human body while holding a black baccara rose, it was the symbol of phantom's knight deadly six, asmodeus.

'the phantom's knight..? who would have thought..'

'and they even send their deadly six.. this is unusual to them.'

but asmodeus didn't mind them because even her have no idea why did their boss send her rather than the elite members of ars goetia, although this has something to do with Chauncey's assassination, but it's not like she would join on them in killing him.

crystalle didn't even tell anything, which is why, asmodeus decided not to make a move and just go with the flow until she receive an orders coming from their boss.

Since that area was reserved for VIP visitors, they proceed upstairs to the balcony. and when they got upstairs, there were only two vintage tables on each side, each with four baroque chairs, four table napkins arranged into a lovely rose, four wine glasses, four silver plates, various tableware, and a bottle of champagne in the middle, with a bronze panel on it with the name of the organization, the phantom's knight from the right, and then an organization called "winter chalice" written on it.

'winter chalice..? those silver hair guys?!' levistus gasp as soon as he saw this name, the winter chalice organization is a mafia family, and among the top ten organizations in subterranean society. Despite having only five members, they have enough strength to compete with other strong organizations like phantom's knight and black butterfly.

"as much as I wanted to stay.. I still have to greet the other guests, so please enjoy the night to the fullest." but soon after, headmistress decided to take her leave as she started to walk downstairs, when she was gone, asmodeus sat on the chairs and let out a sigh, meanwhile, levistus just poured some champagne to the two wine glass and give the other one to her.

asmodeus simply smiled, "this feels like a date, wasn't it?"

"spare me with those date please, I already have a lover."

"what's wrong with that?~ it's not like she will saw us, and who's that person you're talking about anyway?"

"can't tell." levistus simply replied, and then short after, levistus couldn't help but look at a group of people with silver hair who were all dressed elegantly in tuxedos, gowns, and masquerade masks. He was especially drawn to the tallest man among them who was wearing a black tuxedo and a blue masquerade mask and looked to be in his mid-twenties, just like levistus. and then their eyes met, the man looking closely at him, a curious smirk forming on his lips. Levistus should simply avert his look while drinking his champagne.

"he would literally see us, you know." he whispered, so asmodeus just frowned, when levistus notice his confuse face, he just close his eyes.

"nothing." in the end, asmodeus nods.

"but still.. the winter chalice, huh? geh, the atmosphere becomes heavy because of them."

"refrain your mockery. they were just beside us."

"doesn't matter, let's just enjoy ourselves tonight, all right? after all.." asmodeus look below where there are guests and students, some of them are holding a wine glass while having a talk with others, and some of them was just eating on the buffet table. and when levistus look at his pocket watch, he said seriously.

"It's time."

by the time he said those words, the gymnasium's door opened, and there they saw those potential students that they've been waiting for, the class zero.

all of them looks elegant and stunning, so the others couldn't help but to gaze at them, but one thing that caught their attention the most was the girl who was donning in red strapless high low dress with black masquerade mask, and beside him was the handsome guy with long black hair, which is his partner. one of the members of winter chalice stood up and went beside levistus that makes his eyes widened, the man stare towards elyze direction, it was the tallest guy who have an ocean-blue eyes.

"that person.. is quite a beauty." he commented using his soft tone as though he meant something, but levistus just close his eyes and said formally.

"it seems like the winter chalice organization took a liking of her, will you going to sponsored her, by any chance?"

seeing him didn't get affected at all, he continued, "Can we sponsored her, then?"

Levistus just smile and drank some champagne, "Of course you can.. but only if she's interested to get sponsored by you, If I'm not mistaken, the class zero were so picky when it comes to getting sponsored by anyone."

the man was still smiling at him, " our organization can give them an enough benefits that she want, how can you be so sure that she will reject us?"

"well, obviously, it's because the phantom's knight was also here, which do you think she would choose?" there's a slight arrogance on his eyes, and when he notice the tall man's expression, as though he was threatening him, levistus avoid his gaze and close his eyes.

"please excuse me." he said before turn his back and went downstairs. and when the tall man, saw him gone, he smirk once again and follow him.

"guess I'll take a bathroom as well."

...

The students and visitors who were wearing various masquerade masks as if they were transported back to the world of the Victorian era where such events as royal balls and noble parties, frequently held by the aristocracy, created an opulent and dreamlike mood in the gymnasium.

People are chatting and sipping wine and other alcoholic beverages as they wait for the headmistress to approach the stage and signal the beginning of the dark supper.

Since tonight was the one time the students could not kill one another, the entire area was incredibly tranquil.

Some students, however, would rather use violence than promote peace, but they are compelled to behave because of the regulations.

Elyze was seen ascending the stairs as she watched the others conversing and laughing while spinning her wine glass as if she were looking out over the entire world.

Many girls are encircling Rohan and Rheyne as they stand in the side corner of the gym holding his pet white fox, which is the main reason why so many girls are interested in them.

While subtly watching from behind, Damion was gracefully sipping champagne.

elyze didn't give a fig about jotaro and zepphyr who were nowhere to be found.

Alongside Devian, keir was happily chowing down at the buffet table.

Of course, Chauncey Steinhart, who is with Alexandra and will be the target of their assassination this evening, was politely greeting the guests.

seeing this scene, elyze couldn't help but to smile faintly before sips some wine, "seems like all the pawns had been set."

after she said those words, she turned back, but she gasp as soon as she saw a young man in blonde hair with emerald eyes, crossing his arms and holding a wine glass. although this man was wearing a masquerade mask, elyze still manage to recognize him.

"what does mr. moran need from me?" she asked politely, so edwin just walk towards him and reveal a smile.

"I just want you to give compliment. you actually resemble a blood-red rose that is ready to be picked in the center of a garden brimming with different hybrid flowers, but no one dares because they're worried they could get harmed by the thorns.

he look at the wine glass and swirl it before glance back to her, "now I couldn't help but to wonder, who are those thorns who keep protecting you?"

there's a hint of curiosity on edwin's emerald eyes, so crystalle just shrugged her shoulder, and change their conversation.

"how is it going on your side?" she then change their conversation, which is why edwin just clicked his tongue inwardly and glance below.

"The dark banquet isn't just for newcomers; this year's student council candidates will also be introduced and have to make a brief statement explaining why they should be elected. That was the start of tonight's dark banquet "Edwin takes another look at Crystalle, whose expression is obscured by the mask she is donning, before taking a sip of wine.

"and after Caitlyn delivered a brief statement at Infront, the footage of her assaulting Aria would be released. are you happy now?"

"who knows.. someone from fynn's faction might found out what you were planning to do, so we can't be sure." elyze said simply and still swirling her wine.

but edwin just laugh bitterly, " how can I be that careless if my benefactress was a cautious and shrewd person who will do by any means just to save her own life? as much as I don't want to admit it, but we obviously know that once I messed up, you will going to end my life for sure."

hearing edwin's reply, crystalle smile, ".. seems like I really did a good job to pull you on my side."

for the second time, edwin laugh again, "Don't misunderstood me, Ms. elyze. I'm just helping you because we both have the same goal, once keir become the president of student council, that would be the end of our deal as well, there will be no next time."

elyze just shut her mouth and just keep listening to him, she already knew that, them working together isn't that permanent, that is why she prepare something beforehand. elyze knew how valuable does edwin is, so there's no way she will let him escape from her grasp, would she?

"that's too bad." she simply replied, short after, she decided to turn back and walk downstairs, but before that she said softly,

" then, enjoy the banquet, Mr. edwin."

...

oslo, palace norway

at the top of Karl Johans gate, you could see the royal residence, filled with dazzling lights and guards guarding the whole place.

the building is in neo-classical style with a facade of stuccoed brick, while the Royal Palace Park surrounds the palace on all sides and features grassy areas, majestic trees, small ponds and statues.

inside of the royal palace, you can see a young girl wearing a white dress that have a long blonde wavy hair and emerald eyes, studying inside of her room with a sweet smile on her face. soon after, someone open the door and a maid came.

"lady Charlotte, it's time to sleep." she remind her using norwegian problems, there's a hint of disappointment on her eyes.

"is that so..? but I still want to study.." she said, the maid just smile and went to her.

"you can do it once you went up tomorrow, a little girl like you should sleep early."

"but.." the maid just put her on the bed and pit her blanket, after that, she smile once again "sshh.. I'll just tell you the story about the mysterious magician who wanders around the world, will that be ok?"

charlotte's emerald eyes started to spark before nodding to the maid, she sat beside her as she started to tell a story.

"In the land of living called 'earth', there was a yong mysterious magician who longed to wanders around the world someday and seek the whole truth.. so he decided to chase his dream by using his magic that he inherits from his father, and in such a young age, he started travelling on his own and made a name for him ,

...

"and so.. even until now the mysterious wandering magician was still seeking the truth of the world, along with his companion who's with him and at the same time.. along with his wife whom he loves so much.."

as soon as the maid finished telling the story and found charlotte sleeping soundly on her bed, she smile faintly and stand up before went to the balcony and gaze in the night sky full of stars and huge silver moonlight hiding in the dark clouds and was about to came out.

"mysterious magician.. huh?" she whispered as she opens the large window, shedding light on her freckled face, curling brown hair, and brown eyes. "I wonder if he's real," she thought, but her eyes widened when she noticed two persons suddenly arrive in the balcony; one was a man in a black tailcoat and monocle, smirking while clutching a suitcase and gold cane, and the other was a woman who looked stunning in an all-red dress.

the maid was still shock seeing them appear Infront of him and when rhonoven's gaze landed on the maid, he put his index fingers on his lips and said in soft tone.

"miss, would you like to see a magic?"

but before she even replied, rhonoven's gold cane unexpectedly transforms into a rose, surprising her. The sweet aroma lingered on her nose, and she couldn't help but become attracted to it.

'what is this..? it's so.. alluring.' she thought, but before she could lose consciousness and slowly fall to the ground, he caught a sight of him taking off his top hat, placing it on his chest, and respectfully saying,

"forgive me, my esteemed guest."

at this point, the maid already close her eyes and feel asleep, at the same time, she couldn't help but to felt confuse.

'does the story of mysterious magician that often tells by my father everytime I get sleep was just a lie... all along?'

...

seeing this scene, angeline just let out a sigh while glaring at rhonoven, as though he did an unforgivable sin to her, so he just laugh on his wife.

"let's just do our mission, ok?"

angeline just cross her arms and avoid her gaze, "Nevermind."

after that, they casually walk inside and stare to the young girl who was lying on the bed, and sleeping peacefully, when rhonoven saw this, he chuckled and started to reminisce the time when elyze was still a young child.

"she look like young crystalle.."

angeline smile faintly, "Indeed.. I still remember that night when it's passed bed time, she often go to our bed just to sleep there since her parents was always out for business and making us sing a lullaby for her.. among us, she loves to hear my voice the most, and then after that, shee will asked some unexpected question that a normal child wouldn't comprehend." she laugh while reminiscing the past.

"... that's elyze for you she was full of curiosity towards the world and the universe." rhonoven's lips curve into bitter smile. he knew that this is the reason why her parents was so overprotective to her, since she is full of curiosity, the desire from her heart was just as huge as the world, and as she grew up, those desires will keep expanding.

just like rusell claims, a human person is an abode of impulses, Desires affect how each of us thinks and behaves. Some of them operate in such secrecy that we are unaware of them. Humans differ from other creatures in that we constantly have rivers of desire flowing through us, never depriving us of life.

We are propelled through life by a variety of different forms of desire, including physical desires like hunger and thirst, intellectual ones like curiosity and the urge to learn new things, sexual ones like lust, and economic ones like the need for material wealth and power.

elyze almost have those desires hidden within her, and what do you think would happen if the person's desires couldn't be suppressed or if she faced difficulties in her life?

it will create a new, entirely different person out of those desires, with no remorse or other emotions. These hidden urges will expand until they consume that person whole.

rhonoven understood this so much, that's why he's doing everything what he can in order to save elyze, however.. while he was busy watching her, he forgot that he still have a son who also need his help the most the day when crystalle's parents died and when she fell into profound sadness, his son who cares to elyze deeply who's happiness was only to see her cousin living her best and normal life but then he fell into despair at the same time, when she lost her smile.

and because of those negligence, rhonoven's sons life has ruined, their life ruined. similar to a house that appears to be in perfect condition with no cracks at all but is actually full of fissures and crevices that may collapse with just a touch of the index finger.

not only rohan become distance to him, even rheyne as well. or rather, rheyne was the first one who grown distant to him.

another memory appears on his mind, it was when rheyne confronted him four years ago before they study in P.N academy.

...

flashback..

It was raining that night, two years after the deaths of Alois and Christina. Rhonoven was sitting in his office with a cigarette in his mouth when a double door opened, revealing Rheyne in front of him. Rheyne has medium purple hair that reaches to his shoulder and is styled with a hairpin on the right side.

"do you need something to me, father?"

rhonoven glance him, after that, he smile and said, " tomorrow will be your departure along with your twin brother all the way to the P.N academy, can't I say goodbye to my son?"

but rheyne just snickered, "how caring of you should I cry now?" there's a hint of sarcasm in every words coming out from his mouth, so Rhonoven can't help but feel depressed, but he decides to conceal it. He reclines in his chair and turns to face the window. Thunderstorms are rumbling from the gloomy sky while it is still raining.

"..sigh. I know that you are still mad at me, rheyne, but even so, I'm still your father, you have my bloodline—BAAM!"

Rhonoven was taken aback when Rheyne abruptly slammed the desk as hard as he could, giving his father a scathing glance, biting his lip, and yelling at him with a cracking voice.

"There is no father who would rather save another person's child than his own son, who had been lost in a sea of hopelessness!!"

rhonoven didn't reply at him.. no, he just couldn't reply at him, because he knew that he has a point, because of negligence, rohan turns into a completely different person the way how he was used to be.

"you're a powerful man, damn it.. you're a powerful man yet you... why didn't you save them?! why did you let rohan, as well as crystalle fell into despair?! why did you let them became a killer?!" rheyne slowly kneel on the ground and his hands was shaking, even his lips was trembling in fear while looking at his father, who still looking at window and not facing him.

"If you only knew the struggles I've endured since the day that Rohan soiled his hands by murdering three of his friends, all of whom were the same age as his, and their families, who were denied justice because we chose to shield Rohan and our alleged name. Every night, I'm awakened by their cries and their voices pleading with me, wondering why I did nothing. Why did I allow a killer like him to live? but I have no choice damn it! That murderer is my freakin' twin brother! and he is family! We were born, grew up, and went to school together, therefore his blood was also my blood! but why.." a small drop of tears fall onto the ground until it went on and keep continue to fall down just like a water gushing from the broken tube.

"but why must it be me..? Why is it necessary for me to look after him? Father, for pete sake! I have loathed Rohan ever since! I already despised him when we were still in the US. I detested how weak he is and how he easily surpassed me. He spends a lot of time in the hospital, only reads a few books, and never even speaks to me! I hate him for being my twin so much that I almost wish we hadn't been born in this world at all! yet because of you... because of those incident.. I lost my freedom because you abandoned him! You decided to save Crystalle rather than us, and now I must pay for the misdeeds my "kind" and "loving" father forced upon me! I have to force myself to care for him just as how much I despise him inside! I mean if I didn't do that.."

Rhonoven tightened his fist because he knew what his son was going through at the moment. The young Rheyne smiled bitterly, his left pink eye crying while the other one wasn't. Like a father and son, rhonoven wanted to turn back and console him, but his pride prevented him from doing so. Since it was all his fault, he felt he had no right to ask for forgiveness from him, at least that's what he believed.

"If I didn't do that.. I.. I.. those people he killed will hunted me forever.. so I can't just leave rohan like that and pass this burden to someone.. this guilt will keep killing me.. and torturing me to death!"

*End of flashback..*

and since then, their relationship has never been better thanks to those "heart-to-heart" talks between father and son. Rhonoven still struggles to forget those agonizing sights.

Rhonoven couldn't help but sigh in regret as he thought of those events, "If only I hadn't let my cowardice drive me away that time, were we still living in a happy and normal life like the other families do?"

at the same time he thought, 'maybe that's the reason why I can't die yet.. for I have to pay for that mistake I made towards my own family whom I supposed to protect of.'