[Those voices—I thought I would never hear them again, but now, they are back.]
The moonlight fell in through the broken window into a mildly decorated room that one could mistake for a shed. A young teen slept in a rather awkward position— his limbs on the cold floor while his head rested on the bed.
He repeatedly Muttered under his breath "Ragna El' hur " as he kept on shaking.
'WAKE UP!!'
Authur's eyes snapped open, taking deep and panicked breaths, his mind scrambled to transition from the depths of slumber to reality. It felt like he had just emerged from something dark and suffocating, yet he couldn't remember what it was.
He could faintly recall hearing someone's voice but that was all.
'Knock knock' there was a knock on the door following a servant's voice.
"Young Master Authur, Dinner is in 20 minutes" the servant hurried away without waiting for a response.
It didn't matter though, he was already used to it. He was glad he hadn't missed dinner. If he did he'd either stomach his hunger or scrap for food from the main house kitchen when everyone else is asleep, as he had done so many times before.
Pushing himself up from the cold wooden floor, Rowan felt his joints crack in protest, his body rebuking him for the awkward position he had held for so long. He had been in that same position since returning to his room after breakfast. He had picked up some books to study, intent on torturing his mind with volumes of text only to end up sleeping instead.
...…
Finally dressed, he stood before a large, ornate mirror hanging in the hall, adjusting the tattered collar of his shirt, his fingers brushing against the fraying fabric. He took a moment to inspect himself. The reflection revealed a boy of about fifteen, with pale skin and dark hair tied up into a messy bun. He turned away, eyes drifting across the grand hallway adorned with expensive paintings and gilded frames. Looking at the expensive painting on the wall and then his shabby clothes, he sighed.
He had been a member of the Hurgan family for 12 years and not once was he treated like he he was one of them. Not even his name was added to Hurgan family tree.
Authur walked past portraits of his ancestors, their expressions permanently etched into stone-like seriousness. The Hurgan family wasted no opportunity flaunting their wealth that could feed generations for years to come, yet they consistently turned a blind eye to the needs of their living descendant, neglecting even to provide him with a new set of clothes.
…..
Authur stood in front of the double door, cherrily laughter could be heard through the door, he knew that the moment he steps into the dinning hall he would be met with the mocking gazes from everyone in the room, it didn't matter anyway, he was just here for the good food.
He didn't understand why they always wanted him there when they clearly disliked him.
With a deep breath, he pushed the heavy doors open, the hinges creaking under the weight of his entry. The dining hall was lavishly set, golden cutlery glinting in the warm glow of chandeliers, and the long table was laden with an assortment of gourmet dishes. The aroma of roasted meats and rich sauces wafted through the air, making his stomach rumble.
As soon as Authur stepped into the room, conversations dropped to a near silence. The laughter that echoed just seconds before transformed into snickers and whispers, like the sound of rustling leaves. He could feel their eyes on him—some filled with disdain, others with... fear.
A smirk adorned his lips then slowly widening into a sacastic smile. "I didn't know my arrival would make you all this excited" His voice echoed through the dinning hall, causing the wispers and snickers to come to a halt.
His golden eyes darting across the room, taking in the figures sitted.
'Today's dinner would be quite interesting' he thought as his smile widened further.