During the dinner with the Virs and Solennes, the parents of both families were engaged in light conversation, discussing business, travel, and the latest social events. Meanwhile, Nullen and Iridea sat quietly, barely touching their food.
"How's school, Iridea?" Mr. Vir asked, his tone polite but distant.
"It's fine, sir," Iridea replied with a forced smile, her eyes fixed on her plate.
A brief silence followed before Mr. Vir leaned forward, his gaze settling on her. "Is my son treating you well?"
The question caught her off guard. "Sir? Oh, yes… he is," Iridea said, but her tone lacked conviction.
Mr. Solenne, noticing his daughter's less-than-enthusiastic response, spoke up. "Mr. Vir, perhaps we should discuss business matters. Let the kids get some fresh air."
Mr. Vir nodded in agreement. "Nullen, why don't you take Iridea for a walk in the garden? It's a lovely evening."
Nullen said nothing, his expression blank. He stood up, giving Iridea a look that said, 'Let's go.' She followed, her steps reluctant.
---
On the Way to the Garden
The walk to the garden was silent, the tension between them palpable.
"Why are you so quiet?" Nullen asked, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
Iridea rolled her eyes. "As if I talk much, especially when I'm with you."
Nullen said nothing, his jaw clenched. His mind kept drifting back to the pin Iridea gave him. It was once vibrant and full of colors. But now, it was as dull and lifeless as his usual charms.
That night when she kissed him goodbye, the pin had flickered briefly with a soft glow. That brief reaction was what confused him, what he was trying to understand.
---
They reached the garden, where the soft glow of lanterns bathed the area in a warm, ethereal light. Iridea walked over to a stone bench and sat down, crossing her arms.
Nullen remained standing, hands shoved into his pockets. He was staring at the garden, but his mind was racing. He needed to test his theory.
"Iridea," he said, still not looking at her.
She glanced up, eyes narrowing. "What?"
Without another word, Nullen moved closer, his eyes dark and unreadable. He grabbed her face gently and kissed her, deeply and deliberately.
Iridea gasped, her hands pushing against his chest, but Nullen didn't budge. Her Aurelith Watch started to swirl with intense colors and… something else.
Nullen's eyes gaze flicking down to his own pin.
Nothing.
No colors. No reaction. The pin remained dull and lifeless, just like every other charm he had ever worn.
Confusion twisted his expression, and he abruptly pulled away.
"What the hell was that?" Iridea snapped, her chest heaving, her cheeks flushed.
Nullen stepped back, his face blank. "Sorry," he muttered, his tone hollow. Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Iridea standing alone, her lips still tingling, her watch still glowing.
---
Nullen re-entered the dining area, his face stoic. He approached the table, eyes on his father.
"I'm heading home," Nullen said.
Mr. Vir frowned, "Where's Iridea?"
"Still in the garden," Nullen replied flatly. Without waiting for another word, he turned on his heel and left the restaurant.
---
Inside his car, Nullen gripped the steering wheel, his jaw clenched tight. Why didn't his charm react? That night in the car, when Iridea kissed him goodbye, it had flickered even just for a split second. But now, after an intentional, intense kiss, it did nothing.
"What the hell is wrong with me?" Nullen muttered, his frustration building. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something, something vital.
---
Meanwhile, Iridea remained seated on the bench, staring at the lanterns. The kiss lingered on her lips, confusing her even more.
"That guy kisses anyone who's available, huh?" she muttered bitterly.
But what bothered her more was how her own charm had reacted, swirling with intense colors she hadn't felt in years. Was it anger? Confusion? Or… something deeper?
Iridea clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "What are you doing to me, Nullen Vir?"
---
Iridea remained seated on the garden bench for a while, letting the cool night breeze calm her down. Eventually, her breathing steadied, and her heart returned to its usual rhythm. The emotions swirling inside her settled but her charm said otherwise.
Even as she felt calm, the Aurelith Watch on her wrist continued to emit a mesmerizing glow. Its gem swirled with colors, dancing like a hidden aurora beneath the surface.
With a deep breath, Iridea pushed herself up and made her way back inside the restaurant.
---
The moment she stepped back inside, Mrs. Solenne's eyes lit up. "Oh, there you are, dear. We were wondering what kept you so long."
Before Iridea could respond, Mrs. Solenne's gaze dropped to her wrist. "Dear, your gem… it's glowing."
"Oh," Iridea said, quickly rotating the watch to hide its face. The watch's design was intricate and magical, the straps woven with delicate threads of silver and gold, making it look more like a bracelet than a timepiece.
Mr. Vir's eyes narrowed, his gaze shifting to Nullen's empty seat, and then back to Iridea.
Nullen's pin had the same mesmerizing colors before , but now, it was dull, lifeless, just like every other charm Nullen had worn.
"Not to pry, but… your charm," Mr. Vir said, his tone casual but laced with curiosity. "It has the same colors as the one in Nullen's pin. Quite captivating."
Iridea swallowed, forcing a casual smile. "Oh, the pin? I gave it to him as a gift," she said, feigning nonchalance.
Mrs. Solenne's eyes lit up, a delighted smile spreading across her face. "You gave him a pin? That's wonderful, Iridea!"
The parents exchanged pleased glances, thinking the gift was a sign of budding affection.
"Yes," Iridea said, her voice tight. "I gave it to him in exchange for the watch he lent me."
Mrs. Solenne's smile grew even wider. "How thoughtful of you."
Mr. Vir continued to study her, his eyes sharp and calculating. "But now, his pin is just… dull again," he said, voice thoughtful. "It was so vibrant before. A mesmerizing array of colors, like a swirling aurora."
Iridea's heart skipped a beat. "I guess it's just a well-crafted charm," Iridea said, forcing a casual shrug, hoping to end the conversation.
But Mr. Vir's sharp eyes didn't waver. "Indeed," he said, his tone thoughtful. "A very well-crafted charm indeed."