Chapter 2 A House Without A Soul!!!

Astraeus' Point Of View :

For six months, I’ve worn a mask. When my family calls, I pretend to be the chirpy, bubbly Astraeus they remember. I act like I’m okay, but inside, I am hollow. I am null. I’m a desert waiting for rain that will never come. Only Zephyr sees the truth. He’s been the one holding my pieces together.

Yesterday, our internship ended and the next moment I knew, Brother Orion called. No, he ordered me to come back home. I tried to refuse, but then I saw Lyra and my Baby Artemis’ teary eyes on the screen and my heart gave in. Seeing me soften, he quickly booked the tickets to city D of Country B before I could change my mind.

I have to do this, I told myself, tightening my grip on the shower handle. I will go back. I will wear the mask of happiness so they don't have to feel my pain. I’ll act, even if I hate it.

With newfound determination, I finished my shower and dried off. I pulled on a pair of white baggy cargo denim and a sleeveless, crimson-pink hoodie that seemed to swallow my slight frame. I let my long, silky black shoulder length hair fall loosely down my back. I wore the black shades to hide the tiredness.

I grabbed the bags of gifts I’d bought for them, loaded my luggage into my red sports car, and bid a quick goodbye to my staff. As I sped toward Zephyr’s house to pick him up for the airport, a small, flickering hope ignited in my chest. A hope that I’d survive City D and return to my quiet life here, if only my family would let me do so.

End Of Astraeus' Point Of View...

.......

Author's Point Of view :

Inside the grand, sprawling estate known as Empyrean Villa, the atmosphere was electric with nervous energy. Lyra (Astraeus's sister-in-law) was a whirlwind of movement, her heels clicking against the marble floors as she hurried from room to room, issuing rapid-fire instructions to the staff.

"Peter!"

She called out to the senior butler, her voice tight with excitement.

"You know his flight has landed, right? He must be on his way. He could walk through those doors at any second! Did you prepare his room?”

Peter, a man in his late 40s, offered a patient smile at Lyra's frantic energy.

"Yes, Lyra Mam. I personally prepared the Young Master's bedroom."

Lyra stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide with maternal concern.

"You cleaned it thoroughly, right? Not a speck of dust? You know how highly allergic Astraeus is to dust. It has to be perfect."

"Yes, Lyra Mam."

Peter assured her with a knowing nod.

"I know our Young Master's health is the priority. I cleaned every corner myself.”

Nodding in relief, Lyra sprinted toward the kitchen. She found the head chef, busy at the stove.

"George, is the meal ready?"

George looked up with a soft smile.

"Yes, Lyra Mam. Everything is prepared."

He answered to which Lyra hurriedly asked in response.

"Did you add "

"No, Mam."

George interrupted gently, knowing her checklist by heart.

"I know Young Master is allergic to black pepper, so I didn't use a single grain in the food."

Lyra let out a sigh of relief.

"Good. And the sweets?"

"I prepared Young Master’s favorite Sweet for dessert."

George informed her.

"And I went to his favorite shop for the other sweets. Don't worry, Lyra Mam. I know he hates overly sweet desserts, so I bought low sugar desserts and kept the sugar in the pie I prepared low as well."

"Excellent"

Lyra beamed. She turned to leave the kitchen, but nearly collided with a five-year-old girl running toward her, clutching a teddy bear.

"Momma, what’s going on?"

The little girl asked, her eyes wide.

"Why is everyone running around like there’s an earthquake?"

Lyra’s face broke into a wide, joyous smile. She knelt down, cupping the girl’s face.

"Artemi Baby, your Astra Uncle is coming home! We’re getting everything ready for his welcome."

Artemis’s eyes sparked with pure joy, and she began jumping up and down.

"Wow! Astra Uncle is coming back! Yay! Momma... is our Sunshine coming back with him too?"

The question hung in the air, innocent and heavy. Lyra’s smile faltered, her eyes instantly glossing over. She took a sharp breath, forcing the tears back as she looked at her daughter with a sad, fragile smile.

"No, dear... Shiloh isn't coming back."

Artemis pouted, her little voice dropping an octave.

"Why, Momma?"

Lyra didn’t have the heart to explain the tragedy of Shiloh to a five-year-old. She quickly changed the subject to distract her.

"Artemis, don’t you want to get ready? Your favorite Uncle is coming home after so long. If you spend all your time asking questions, when will you get dressed?"

Artemis gasped, her excitement returning instantly.

"Oh yes! I forgot! Momma, I’ll go get ready fast. We’re going to have so much fun, just like we used to!"

"Of course, Baby."

Lyra whispered. She called for the nanny.

"Clara! Please take Artemis Baby to her room and get her ready."

Once the nanny had ushered the child away, Lyra felt the silence of the house again. She heard a car horn outside and realized her husband, Orion, had returned. She hurried to the living area, looking for him.

"Orion? Orion, did you get the pastries from his favorite shop?"

Receiving no response, she huffed in frustration. She spotted the driver Gordon carrying a pastry box toward the kitchen.

"Gordon, have you seen Orion?"

"Yes, Lyra Mam,"

Gordon said.

"Orion Sir brought the pastries and handed them to me to place in the kitchen. He went upstairs to the bedroom to get ready for the Young Master's welcome."

Lyra nodded and headed toward the stairs.

In the master bedroom, Orion sat by the window, staring out at the driveway. He was lost in thought, his expression grim. When Lyra entered and called his name, he didn't move at first.

"Orion."

She said softly. He blinked, snapping back to the present.

"Yes?"

His voice was low and hollow. Lyra walked to him, cupping his face gently with both hands.

"What are you thinking, Orion?"

"Nothing."

He said, avoiding her gaze.

"He will be fine, Orion."

She whispered, her heart aching for both her husband and her brother-in-law who is like a little brother to her. Orion’s eyes filled with tears, and his voice cracked with raw grief.

"No, he won't. And you know it, Lyra. Stop lying to yourself. He can’t be fine. He thinks he’s the reason for that incident. That guilt is eating him alive, and it wasn't even his fault!"

A tear escaped, rolling down his cheek. Lyra tried to console him, her own voice trembling.

"We are here for him, Orion. Relax. We will be by his side."