HE Is Too GREEN for the World shadow

continuation from previous chapter

The laughter of guests echoes through the grand hall, but Elian only hears the steady beat of his own heart. Reyan still has his hand on his shoulder, like a silent warning to anyone thinking of approaching.

Elian Aster/ A/[mc]

[Elian, quietly teasing]

Elian Aster/ A/[mc]

“You’re scaring half the people here, Rey.”

Reyan Aster /TBA

[Reyan, eyes scanning the room, his tone flat but protective]

Reyan Aster /TBA

“Good. The fewer who come near you, the better.”

Elian Aster/ A/[mc]

Elian huffs, half-annoyed, half-amused. He knows better than to argue—Reyan’s protectiveness was carved into him like instinct. Still, a part of him longs for freedom, to step into the world without a shadow hovering over him.

Reyan Aster /TBA

Before he can reply, Reyan stiffens. His gaze locks on a figure across the room. Dark suit. Calculated smile. Cold, sharp eyes. The kind of man who didn’t belong to a ballroom but to a battlefield.

Elian Aster/ A/[mc]

[Elian notices the change, whispering]

Elian Aster/ A/[mc]

“You know him?”

Reyan Aster /TBA

[Reyan’s jaw tightens, his grip on Elian’s shoulder firming just slightly]

Reyan Aster /TBA

I know his kind. Stay close to me.”

The figure raises his glass lazily, eyes flickering between Reyan… and Elian. A faint smirk curves his lips before he turns away, swallowed back into the sea of guests. Elian shivers, sensing a threat he can’t name.

Elian Aster/ A/[mc]

[Elian, hesitant]

Elian Aster/ A/[mc]

“He looked at me, Rey.”

Reyan Aster /TBA

[Reyan turns to him immediately, voice low, serious but comforting]

Reyan Aster /TBA

“Then he made his first mistake.”

Elian Aster/ A/[mc]

Elian breathes in sharply, watching his brother’s expression harden into steel. In that moment, Elian is reminded — Reyan isn’t just his protector. He’s a weapon, forged for moments like this.

But what neither of them knows is that the stranger’s eyes weren’t on Elian by accident. That cold smirk… carried recognition.

°°°

From the shadowed corner of the ballroom, Lucas leaned against the marble pillar, his glass untouched. The flickering chandelier light carved sharp edges across his face, but his eyes… they never strayed from the two brothers.

Lucas Rhys/E

[Lucas’s grip tightens on the glass, knuckles paling]

Lucas Rhys/E

“And the younger one… he looks so unaware. Fragile. Just like back then.”

For a fleeting moment, something unreadable flickered in his eyes. Memory. Recognition. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced with the same dangerous calm.

Lucas Rhys/E

[Lucas mutters under his breath, lips curving into a dangerous smile]

Lucas Rhys/E

“The game begins. Let’s see how long you two can keep standing.”

He places the glass down, turns, and disappears into the crowd like smoke — leaving behind only questions and unease in the hearts of those who felt his gaze.

°°°

The mansion was quiet. The echoes of laughter and music from the ball had long faded, leaving behind only the rustle of night wind brushing against the curtains. The moonlight seeped through Elian’s window, painting his room in pale silver. He lay awake on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind replaying the cold, unreadable gaze of Lucas.

He pulled the blanket tighter around himself as if to chase away the unsettling feeling, but it lingered stubbornly.

A soft knock broke the silence.

Elian Aster/ A/[mc]

“Come in,” Elian murmured, thinking it was a servant.

The door creaked open. Reyan stepped inside, his coat discarded, his shirt slightly loose at the collar. His sharp eyes softened the moment they fell on his younger brother.

Reyan Aster /TBA

“You’re still awake?” Reyan asked quietly, closing the door behind him.

Elian Aster/ A/[mc]

Elian sat up quickly, forcing a smile. “Couldn’t sleep. Too much noise in my head, I guess.”

Reyan walked over and sat at the edge of his bed. For a long moment, he simply looked at Elian, the way only an elder brother could — seeing past the fake smiles and straight into the unease.

Reyan Aster /TBA

“You were quiet tonight,” Reyan said finally. “Especially after meeting… him.”

Elian’s throat tightened. He wanted to deny it, but Reyan’s hand gently brushing his hair aside stopped him. That simple touch made the walls he was trying to keep up crumble.

Elian Aster/ A/[mc]

“He looked at me like—like I was something to unravel,” Elian whispered.

Elian Aster/ A/[mc]

“I don’t even know why it bothered me so much. But it did.”

Reyan Aster /TBA

Reyan’s jaw tightened, his protective instinct flaring.

Reyan Aster /TBA

“Men like him thrive on intimidation. Don’t let their eyes get inside your head, Elian.”

Reyan Aster /TBA

He reached out, cupping the back of his brother’s neck, grounding him. “As long as I’m here, no one will touch you. You’re mine to protect.”

Elian Aster/ A/[mc]

Elian’s chest ached at those words — not from pain, but from the fierce warmth of being cherished. He leaned into his brother’s hold, his voice quiet. “I know. It’s just… it felt different with him. Like he knew me. Like he could see through me.”

Reyan Aster /TBA

Reyan frowned but softened again, pulling Elian against his shoulder.

Reyan Aster /TBA

“Then let him see. He’ll still never have you. Remember, little brother, this world will try to claim pieces of us.

Reyan Aster /TBA

But we don’t bend to it. We stand together. Always.”

Elian closed his eyes, finally feeling some of the tension leave his body. Wrapped in Reyan’s protective presence, he felt safe. Yet deep in his chest, a small part of him couldn’t let go of Lucas’s piercing gaze — as though something had been set in motion that night.

And it would not stop.