Inside his room, Nullen changed into his casual attire, tossing his school uniform onto the chair. As he pulled off his shirt, he felt the slight weight in his slacks pocket, the small box Iridea had given him.
For a moment, he had forgotten about it. The absence of his Emotex Watch was strangely unsettling.
With a sigh, he walked to his desk, retrieving the small box. He flipped it open, revealing the lapel pin inside. The gem embedded in it glowed, with swirling, dancing colors, a mesmerizing display of hues that shifted and blended seamlessly.
Nullen's eyes narrowed.
He had seen gems light up when absorbing emotions, but this one was different. It was as if the colors were alive, moving even when the pin wasn't absorbing anything.
He held it up, the gem catching the light. A faint, warm color of gold, soft shades of lavender, and hints of pink glimmered within.
"Not too flashy," he murmured, turning the pin over in his hand. "Convenient for school."
A knock on his door snapped him back.
Nullen opened the door to find his father, Magnus Vir, standing there, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Yes, Father?" Nullen asked.
"Your mother needs someone to accompany her today," Magnus said, his tone calm. "There's a charity gala, I can't go, so could you join her?"
Without a second thought, Nullen nodded. "Alright. I'll just get changed."
Magnus nodded, a subtle gesture signaling his approval. Nullen turned away, walking back to his desk.
Magnus's eyes fell on the small box on the desk. Curiosity got the better of him, and he reached for it, flipping the lid open.
Inside, the lapel pin shimmered with its swirling colors. Magnus's brows knitted together.
He had seen countless gems in his life, but this one was… different. Usually, a gem only emitted light when absorbing emotions, yet this one danced with colors as if it were alive.
"What are you doing?" Nullen's cold voice cut through the silence.
Magnus closed the box and straightened. "Just looking." He turned to his son, his eyes briefly scanning Nullen's bare wrist. "Where's your watch?"
"I changed charms," Nullen said, taking the box from his father's hand. He pulled out the pin and attached it to the collar of his shirt.
Magnus's eyes followed the movement, the gem now nestled against Nullen's chest, colors still swirling faintly.
"Where did you get that?" Magnus asked, his tone sharp but curious.
"It was a gift," Nullen said, keeping his answer vague. He had no intention of telling his father it was from Iridea. That would only complicate things.
Magnus opened his mouth to ask more, but before he could, Mrs. Vir's voice echoed through the hallway.
"Magnus! We're leaving now!"
Magnus pressed his lips into a thin line, giving Nullen one last look before nodding. "Alright. Take care of your mother."
Nullen nodded, his expression blank. "I will."
Magnus watched them leave, his gaze lingering on the pin gleaming against Nullen's chest.
---
As Nullen and Mrs. Vir left, Magnus remained standing in the room, his eyes fixed on the empty box on the desk.
A colorful gem that glowed without absorbing emotions…
Magnus's fingers drummed against the desk, his mind spinning with possibilities. If a gem could hold such colors without absorbing emotions, then what else could it do?
And more importantly who had given it to Nullen?
Magnus's jaw tightened.
"I'll need to keep an eye on that pin," he muttered, his voice low. "Something about it… isn't right."
---
The grand hall was adorned with cascading floral arrangements and sparkling crystal chandeliers. The air was thick with the scent of expensive wine and perfume as the elite mingled and exchanged polite smiles.
Mrs. Vir looped her arm through Nullen's, her expression poised and serene.
"I'll just speak with the event organizer," she said, giving Nullen a gentle pat on the arm. "It's for the donation allocation discussion."
"Sure, Mom," Nullen replied, his voice flat.
Mrs. Vir excused herself, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor as she moved through the crowd.
Left alone, Nullen scanned the room, his gaze cold and indifferent. He grabbed a glass of wine from a nearby server and wandered toward the quieter side of the hall, away from the buzzing crowd.
---
"Hi, Null. You're here too."
The familiar voice made him pause. He turned to find Iridea, standing with her arms crossed, her hair styled in soft, cascading waves. She wore a fitted, black satin gown that shimmered under the chandelier lights, exuding a sophisticated yet sharp aura.
Nullen took a slow sip of his wine, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Just like how you're here too," he said, voice cold.
Iridea's lips curved into a smug smile. "I'm here to represent my family. They're busy with some urgent business matters, a deal with the Aurelith Mining Consortium."
Nullen nodded, the gesture more out of politeness than interest. "Good for them."
Iridea's smile faltered for a split second before she recovered, leaning closer, her eyes glinting mischievously.
"Is that how you treat your fiancée, Null?" she said, emphasizing the word fiancée with a playful lilt.
Nullen's jaw tensed. "What do you mean?"
Iridea tilted her head, "Why do you act so cold around me?"
Nullen's eyes darkened, his grip tightening around the wine glass. "Says the one who doesn't even want to be engaged to me," he said flatly. "Playing the perfect couple just to keep up appearances, huh?"
Iridea's smile stiffened, but she quickly masked it, brushing an invisible speck of dust off her dress. "Well, it's a charity event. Wouldn't want people thinking we're not getting along."
Nullen raised a brow, his gaze icy. "Acting like we're close? Just because it's convenient?"
Iridea's eyes narrowed slightly, but she quickly changed the subject, her gaze drifting to his collar.
"So, I see you're wearing the pin," she said, her tone more casual. "Is it to your liking?"
Nullen glanced down at the lapel pin. It gleamed softly, the colors swirling faintly, a mesmerizing blend of hues.
"My new charm isn't ready yet," he said, his tone dismissive. "Just using what I have."
Iridea's lips curled into a smug grin. "I infused it with my colors. Every time you wear it, remember it's from me."
Nullen's eyes narrowed, his expression unimpressed. "Should I congratulate you for that?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"A simple thank you would do, stone-hearted brute," Iridea shot back, her tone sharp.
Nullen's lips twitched, the closest thing to a smirk. "Thank you then, princess," he said, his tone void of any warmth.
Before Iridea could respond, a voice called out from behind her.
"Iridea!"
They both turned to see a group of influential guests approaching, smiles plastered on their faces.
Iridea straightened, her smile instantly turning sweet and polite. "Excuse me, darling," she said, the word darling laced with sarcasm. "Duty calls."
Nullen just watched her walk away, the lapel pin gleaming softly against his collar.
"Duty calls," he muttered under his breath, swirling the wine in his glass before taking another long, slow sip.