The grand ballroom glittered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, the air heavy with the scent of expensive wine and tension masked behind practiced smiles. Tonight, the elite families of Aurellia gathered to celebrate the alliance between the influential Vir and Solenne families , a monumental business collaboration that promised to strengthen both empires.
The Solennes' pharmaceutical empire was now tied to the Virs' extensive network of hospitals. But as the evening stretched on, it became clear that business wasn't the only deal being sealed.
At the center of the room, Mr. and Mrs. Vir stood shoulder to shoulder with Mr. and Mrs. Solenne, their poised smiles gleaming under the spotlight. The crowd quieted as the two families signaled for their children to join them on stage.
Seventeen-year-old Nullen Vir stepped forward, his expression as indifferent as ever. Beside him, Iridea Solenne stepped up to the stage. Her hair cascaded down her back in waves of molten gold, with strands kissed by soft lavender and warm amber brown. It shimmered in the light, a mesmerizing blend that seemed unreal , as if the very colors of a sunset had been woven into her hair.
Around her neck, the Auracite pendant glowed faintly, its colors shifting erratically , a clear sign of her unsteady emotions.
Mr. Solenne took the microphone, his voice resonating across the room. "Tonight, we are not just celebrating a successful business collaboration but the union of our two families." He paused, eyes sweeping over the audience. "Please congratulate my daughter, Iridea Solenne, and Nullen Vir on their engagement."
Polite applause rippled through the crowd.
Iridea's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. "What do you mean, I'm getting engaged?" she blurted, her voice louder than intended.
Beside her, Mrs. Solenne held her arm firmly, her smile tight and strained. "Compose yourself, Iridea."
"This is ridiculous!" Iridea snapped, jerking her arm free. "Mom!" She turned to Nullen, desperation flashing in her eyes. "Hey, Nullen, say something!"
Nullen's gaze met hers, his expression cold and unbothered. "I don't have anything to say. Everything's fine on my end."
"You're impossible!" Iridea's voice trembled, a mixture of anger and disbelief. Her Auracite pendant flared dangerously, the colors swirling too fast, too intense.
The crowd murmured, their eyes fixed on the stage.
Mrs. Solenne leaned in closer, her voice a sharp whisper. "You're making a scene."
Iridea clenched her fists, her jaw tight. "You can't just—"
Before she could finish, Nullen stepped forward, wrapping his hand around her wrist. "Excuse us," he said flatly, not waiting for permission as he pulled Iridea away from the stage and through the crowd.
They emerged into the quiet, overgrown greenhouse, a forgotten corner of the Vir estate where glass panels were cracked and vines crept along the walls. The air was cooler here, heavy with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers.
Nullen released her wrist and leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "You need to calm down."
Iridea's breaths came in sharp bursts. The Auracite pendant around her neck pulsed erratically, its colors flaring and fading, struggling to contain the storm of emotions within her.
"What was that, Nullen?" she demanded, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "They can't just announce something like that without even telling us! Or maybe you knew about this."
Nullen's jaw tightened. "Why are you so surprised? You're a Solenne. I'm a Vir. This was always going to happen."
Iridea's hands trembled. "I don't want to be tied to you. Not like this!"
"Then tell them no," Nullen said, his voice flat. "It doesn't matter to me."
"That's because nothing matters to you!" Iridea snapped, her eyes blazing. "You're just… just a void!"
Nullen's gaze dropped to her pendant, the colors now spinning dangerously. He stepped forward, his expression darkening. "And you're a Dyscol, Iridea. So why don't you calm down before everyone else finds out?"
Before she could say another word, the Auracite pendant shattered with a sharp, cracking sound.
Colors surged across Iridea's skin but they didn't align with her true emotions. Pink when she felt angry. Black when she felt scared. Yellow when she felt trapped.
Nullen stepped back, his watch still glowing with a full gauge. He watched silently as Iridea sank to the ground, knees drawn to her chest, colors flickering wildly across her skin.
Nullen said, his voice calm and detached. "You're a Dyscol. Just like me."
Flashback – Six Years Ago: The Rooftop Garden
The bell echoed through the empty hallways, signaling the start of lunch break. Eleven-year-old Nullen Vir climbed the narrow staircase that led to the school's rooftop garden ,his secret haven. Nullen sank onto the bench, leaning back, eyes half-closed as he stared at the cloudless sky. This was his sanctuary.
But the silence was shattered by the sound of frantic footsteps, fast, desperate, and growing louder.
Nullen frowned, his gaze shifting to the door. The rooftop wasn't a place most students visited. He was about to stand when a sudden, blinding burst of yellow light erupted from the far side of the rooftop.
Nullen's brows knitted. A gem was depleting and fast.
The light flickered, then dimmed. Curiosity gnawed at him, and he found himself walking toward the source.
Turning the corner, he saw her.
Iridea Solenne sat curled up against the far wall, her knees drawn to her chest. Her hair spilled over her shoulders. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
But it wasn't the sight of her crying that stopped Nullen in his tracks. It was the way her skin glowed , a bright, garish yellow, the color of joy.
But she wasn't joyful. She was crying, her face twisted in grief.
Nullen's eyes flicked to the ground. Shattered pieces of an Auracite pendant lay scattered around her, the last remnants of its glow fading away.
So that's what she was hiding.
A Dyscol. Just like him.
For a moment, Nullen just stood there, watching her. A dozen thoughts raced through his mind , curiosity, confusion, even a flicker of pity. But he said nothing.
Then, as if sensing his presence, Iridea's tear-streaked eyes met his.
Nullen stayed still, his expression blank, unreadable. He could walk away. Pretend he never saw her. But instead, he lifted his wrist, showing her the full gauge of his Emotex Watch.
"Take it," he said, voice flat. "It can absorb for a while."
Iridea's lower lip trembled, her gaze dropping to the watch. Her fingers twitched as if she wanted to reach for it, but then she shook her head and pulled her knees closer to her chest.
"I don't need your help," she whispered, voice small and choked.
Nullen didn't move. His expression remained blank, but his jaw clenched slightly. He took a step closer, his shadow falling over her as he held out his watch again.
"You're not thinking straight," he said, voice firm. "If someone sees you like this, they'll know. You're a Dyscol."
Iridea's eyes darted to the door, her skin still flashing yellow despite the tears streaming down her face. Panic flickered across her face.
"Put it on," Nullen insisted, pushing his wrist closer. "You can't go back looking like that."
Iridea swallowed, her hand trembling as she reached for his wrist. For a moment, her fingers hovered over the watch, hesitant. But then, with a shaky breath, she clasped it around her wrist.
The moment the watch touched her skin. The swirling colors on her skin began to fade, gradually returning to their natural, neutral tone.
Iridea exhaled, the tension draining from her shoulders.
Nullen watched her, his expression unreadable. "Better?"
Iridea didn't respond. She stared at the ground, her hair falling forward to shield her face.
Nullen pulled his wrist free, taking back the watch and slipping it on. He turned, ready to walk back to the bench, but a small, trembling voice stopped him.
"How about you?" Iridea asked, her gaze fixed on his watch. "You're a Dyscol too, right? What do you do when…"
Nullen's jaw tightened, his eyes distant. "Don't worry about me," he said, his voice flat, almost cold. "I don't have colors to show anyway."
Before she could say another word, he turned away, his back to her, hands into his pockets as he walked back to the bench.