Dead Soul Exorcist

49 | Archery Match

One and a half years ago.

"Kieran, don't play with your food," his father's reprimand snapped Kieran out of his reverie. He had been staring at the steak on his plate, which he had been slicing slowly without eating.

"Dravon avoids me," Kieran muttered what he had been thinking all along. His father remained expressionless, but his mother looked surprised.

"Oh, my dear," Ma gently stroked Kieran's hair. "Do you mean the boy who gave you his drawing?"

Kieran nodded.

His father, the Duke, took a bite of steak. Usually, he only knew a few of Kieran's friends, most of whom were from noble families. Kieran understood if his father didn't quite grasp who they were talking about. But his father asked, "Do you know why he's avoiding you?"

Kieran shrugged. "We were fine last week. He painted both of us in Bernard Tinge's class, no matter how much the man hates me. And we also enjoyed learning moments together in this house. The next day I went to Frostwyn to attend Jace's birthday invitation,