NOVEL NEXT CHAPTER 127 - Eris Ivanovich 1.
Footsteps echoed through the empty corridor as Alex walked toward the chambers attached to the ballroom.
The air grew warmer as he approached, and the faint scent of lavender and cedar lingered, calming his frayed nerves slightly while the sound of the ballroom remained muffled.
As told before, the chambers near the ballroom were reserved for private meetings and resting guests—and one of them now had someone Anos had dropped.
He was delayed because of things that went down, so he had to hurry there. But as he neared the corridor next to the ballroom, his gaze remained unfocused as his mind still reeled with the thoughts of what had just transpired.
'So, this happened because we both said the things we had been keeping to ourselves?' Alex questioned Sophie, who had explained to him the new information she got and the reason for her being able to materialize in the real world.
[Yes, that seemed to be the case.] Sophie's reply came, her voice pondering as she continued, [It was a condition we had to fulfill in order to enable this function, and I have an inkling that this wasn't the only locked function.]
Alex hummed in acknowledgment, his mind drifting back to the moment before.
Sophie could materialize in the real world now. She could live like a real person—she had the presence of a real being.
But the problem was that she could only stay like that for about ten minutes. After that period had passed, she would be forcefully dematerialized—like it happened some moments ago.
'How would we increase your time in the real world?' Asked Alex as he wanted Sophie to stay materialized and live like a normal human should.
[I believe it would increase as you grow stronger.] Sophie replied after giving it some thought, making Alex nod, adding another thing to the long list of reasons for him to grow stronger.
"One thing at a time," he muttered, reaching the corridor filled with the chambers attached to the ballroom.
He glanced at the numbered plaques on the doors, knowing that there were more important things to do right now.
He searched for any sign or clue on the plaques. Anos had told him that someone was waiting for him in the chamber attached to the ballroom, but he hadn't been specific, leaving Alex to figure it out on his own. Typical Anos behavior.
"Guess I'll just check each one," he muttered, reaching for the handle of the nearest door.
He was calmer now. Sophie being able to materialize was the best news he could have, as her warmth, even for one minute, was enough to calm him.
But before he could turn the handle in front of him, a faint sound reached his ears—a low, melodic hum, almost like a lullaby. It came from further down the hall.
The surprising fact was that even with all the noise from the ballroom—although muffled—Alex could still hear this humming. It was a mind-grabbing melody—one that could only be heard by those with keen senses and good control over mana.
Curious, Alex followed the sound, his hand instinctively brushing against the hilt of Verathian attached to his waist. The hum grew clearer as he approached a door at the end of the hallway. Unlike the others, this one was unmarked, its dark wood surface smooth and unassuming.
Taking a deep breath, Alex knocked lightly. The humming stopped abruptly, replaced by a pause that stretched long enough to make him second-guess himself. But before he could turn away, the door creaked open.
Standing in the doorway was a young woman with striking features. Her black hair cascaded down her back, framing a face that was both cold and beautiful. Her piercing purple eyes fixed on him with a look that was anything but welcoming. She wore a dark, elegant gown that contrasted sharply with her alabaster skin, giving her an almost ethereal aura.
Alex was shocked to see her here.
"What do you want?" she asked bluntly, her voice devoid of warmth.
Alex blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her abruptness. "Eris Ivanovich?" he asked.
It was Eris Ivanovich—the daughter of Anos he had asked for and also the blood sister of Keryu Ivanovich, one of the novel's protagonists.
Eris's eyes narrowed slightly as only one person could know her name here—the one she was supposed to meet. So, she stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter. "Come in. My father asked me not to disrespect you," she said flatly. "Otherwise, I wouldn't bother."
It was clear that she had no interest in Alex. It was a rare sight, as no matter who it was—especially females—they wouldn't treat Alex like this, just because his looks were too pleasing for them, yet here she was, a girl who didn't even bother hiding her dissatisfaction.
Still, Alex stepped into the room, the door closing behind him with a soft click. The chamber was modest compared to the grandeur of the rest of the estate, with a simple sitting area and a faintly glowing chandelier overhead. Eris moved to a chair by the window, sitting gracefully but with an air of disinterest.
"Your humming," Alex said, breaking the silence as he stood near the door. "It was beautiful."
Eris frowned, her purple eyes narrowing. "Thanks," she said curtly, her tone making it clear she didn't care for the compliment.
An awkward silence fell between them, the weight of her cold demeanor filling the room. Alex remained standing, his gaze steady as he watched her. Eris, on the other hand, seemed determined to avoid conversation, her eyes fixed on the window.
Moments stretched into minutes, neither of them speaking. Eris's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of her chair before she finally sighed, blinking as if breaking free from her thoughts. "Who are you?" she asked, her tone still laced with irritation.
Alex took a step forward, inclining his head slightly. "I'm Alex Drakathor. Your father sent me here as well. He probably thought it was a good idea for us to meet."
Eris nodded once, his name not ringing any bells in her head, her expression unreadable. "Well, I don't think it is. I don't want to talk to you, so you can leave now."
Alex's lips twitched into a faint smile, and he nodded. "Alright. Goodbye, then."
He turned to leave, his footsteps measured and calm.
Eris blinked, her eyes widening slightly as she processed his response. "Wait, wait!" She called out, her voice sharper than before. "You're just leaving? Like that?" She asked with a frown.
Alex paused, glancing back at her over his shoulder. "Of course. I can't talk to someone who has no interest in talking to me, even after the goodwill I've shown."
Eris's jaw tightened, her fingers gripping the armrest. Emotional turmoil flickered across her face as she struggled to find the right words.
She didn't know what goodwill Alex was talking about, but he wasn't really wrong. This meeting did give her a chance to breathe some fresh air instead of just being trapped.
Finally, she said, "Stop." Rubbing her forehead with a sigh, she questioned, "Why did you want to meet me?"
She got straight to the point, not wanting to appear ungrateful or show any interest in long talks.
But then she frowned as she saw Alex's expression.
Alex had turned fully to face her, his expression soft. Eris could see several flashes in his eyes as if he knew something about her—as if he could see through her. It was unsettling.
"What?" She growled in irritation, seeing a reflection of her heartless father in Alex, as he was the only person who had made her feel this way.
Shaking his head with a sigh, Alex breathed, "I just found you pitiful."
Those words froze Eris momentarily, stunned and speechless. Alex's eyes told the truth. She could tell that his words were genuine, but that just made it worse. Those words hit her like a slap, reminding her of her powerlessness.
"Pitiful?" she echoed, her voice trembling with both anger and confusion. Why did he talk like he knew everything about her? That irritated her more than anything. "What do you mean by that?"
Alex sighed, feeling her anger in those words, his gaze filled with a mixture of sadness and resolve. "I know your future, Eris."
Eris froze, her body stiffening as his words sank in.
'What did he say?' Elis thought, her purple eyes locked onto his—dumbfounded and uncertain—as the room fell into a heavy silence, the tension palpable as her mind raced to comprehend what he meant.