Louis and Bella were having talks with the Queen’s cafe owner.The star-studded cafe buzzed with a low, melodic hum—the clinking of spoons against china, the murmur of conversations in English, French and many other languages, and the soft jazz drifting from a hidden speaker.Rain pattered lightly against the window, blurring the city lights into impressionistic streaks of color.Benyamin, his dark hair slightly damp from the drizzle, seemingly was captivated not by the view, but by the woman sitting across from him as she told him funny stories from her past.“I’m telling you the truth,” Rebecca said. “The pigeon Elizabeth bought ate the whole croissant right off the table. I’ve never seen anything like it. Elizabeth thought the maid ate the croissant when she wasn’t looking. It led to an argument, until Elizabeth saw the pigeon go for another food item.“After that day, she let the bird go, but that bird would return to Elizabeth’s window for food. She didn’t feed that bird at all,

The next morning.Rebecca’s eyes were a bit red, and she looked drained as she couldn’t get proper sleep last night.She started to draw some designs for bridal wear to distract herself, but to her shock, she found herself sketching love-shaped and love-themed designs.This frustrated her all the more, and she tore apart those drawing papers, even though the designs were good.“What’s gotten into me?” Rebecca bit on her finger nails. “Why can’t I just forget the damn thing since last night?”She began to search online about her sleepless condition. She even paid 50 dollars to privately talk to a consultant.“What? I might be having a crush on him? That’s why I can’t sleep?” Rebecca didn’t like the answer and ended the conversation there. “These people just say whatever they want. I know about myself better than anyone else, so I should figure it out myself.”Rebecca didn’t brush her teeth or go to the bathroom as she didn’t want to look at the walls and be reminded of her dreams again

Benyamin’s hands steadily clenched into fists, and the dark smoke releasing from him started to wither the flowers and plants nearby.Just then, Riley and her siblings and cousins rushed out of the building and ran to the pool with excitement.Benyamin loosened his fists and controlled his anger.Other than Riley, everybody else jumped into the pool.Riley was surprised to see Rebecca and Benjamin talking. She smiled at Benjamin, “Hey, Benjamin, how do you keep your hair so perfect? I don’t see your hair splitting anywhere. How do you manage that?”“I trim once a fortnight,” he replied politely, even though Riley’s tone was slightly rude.“Fortnight? Pfft, who even uses that word these days?” Riley approached him and tried to lift up his shirt.Benjamin took a step back. “What are you doing?”Rebecca nearly spilled the food she was eating.“I want to see if you have abs or not,” Riley said. “Why don’t you join us in the pool? I’m sure you have a decent body, so show us what you got.”

“Why didn’t you compete with him and put him in his place?” Rye asked Benjamin.“Everything has a time and place,” Benjamin replied.“He’s right,” Uzza supported him.”He already won once, so there’s no need for him to do it again. Even if he won the second time, he might have been asked to do it for a third time.”Rebecca sighed, as it reminded her of her own past when she repeatedly asked Benjamin to fight her so she could defeat him.She did come close many times, but she was never able to soundly beat him.“If you’re not going to beat him, I will,” Rye said. “I think it’s better that I fight him rather than you or Dahlia do it.”Uzza nodded slightly. “You’re the Sovereign now, but Shadow never fully accepted it. So, you’re more fitting to fight him. But how are you going to defeat him without killing him? It won’t be easy, especially if we assume that he’s possessed.”“I will count on my red lightning as usual,” Rye confidently replied, letting out the aura through her fingertips,

“Why did she take me along if she wasn’t going to listen to me?” Rebecca snorted in annoyance as she was heading to her room.She heard faint music coming from the living room on the first floor.She slowly walked over and peeked.Benjamin was learning the piano while uttering the words, “Can you not hear the blood in my veins? Can you not feel my heart? It pulses your name. You’re the only one in my being. I am yours, as you are mine. Losing you means losing myself… my love. So, please… don’t be apart—”Benjamin stopped and looked over his shoulder.“I-I’m so sorry,” Rebecca quickly walked over. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”“It’s okay,” Benjamin got up from the seat. “I don’t know how to play, so I was just fiddling with the keys. You can play if you want.”“No, no, I was just passing by, and…” Rebecca scratched the back of her neck, “the piano is good, isn’t it?”“Uh, yeah, it’s… good, I think?” Benjamin nodded and gave a belated thumbs-up.“It’s old, but it’s good. My mom plays