I'm looking for Elias Drevan
1759 Words
A year had passed since the death of Elias Drevan.
But what haunted Kael the most wasn’t just Elias’ brutal death—it was what happened after.
The woman Elias had planned to marry, the woman he had loved so deeply, was now engaged to Dorian Drevan.
His older brother.
Kael had expected grief. He had expected mourning. But instead, the Drevan household moved on as if Elias had never existed.
And the explanation they gave for his death? A pathetic excuse.
According to the official autopsy report released by the Drevan family:
“Elias coveted the wife of his older brother, Dorian Drevan. After seducing her and could not have her, he drowned himself in alcohol and got into a reckless accident that left him blind. Overcome with shame, he ended his own life.”
Kael had heard many lies in his life. But this?
This was the most insulting one yet.
Did they expect him to believe that?
Elias—who had spoken with nothing but love about that woman? Elias—who had spent years seeking nothing but honor? Elias—who had once said he would give up everything for her?
Kael knew his friend. That wasn’t him.
And even if the world was willing to swallow the lie, Kael wasn’t.
A year had passed, but the fire inside Kael hadn’t dimmed.
Returning to Veyrosia now, he knew one thing for certain—
He would give his brother-in-arms the justice he deserved.
And if it cost him his life?
So be it.
"Sir," Dain said. "Elias' older brother, Dorian Drevan, is getting married in ten days. The Drevan household is lively today. The entire city is talking about it."
Kael’s fingers instinctively curled, his knuckles were turning white.
"...Is that true?" His voice was calm, but beneath it, there was a storm.
"Yes, sir," Dain confirmed. "The preparations have already begun. The Drevan estate is holding a grand banquet tonight to celebrate the upcoming wedding."
Kael let out a slow breath, his jaw tightening.
His hand drifted to his index finger, where a simple jade ring rested against his skin.
It had been given to him by Elias Drevan as a token of friendship. His grip on the jade tightened.
"...A grand wedding, huh?" His voice was quiet.
He lifted his gaze, his expression was unreadable.
"Then, naturally, I have to pay a visit to the Drevan family.... To the Drevan household!"
.
.
.
The Drevan family is the supreme leader of one of the four major families in Veyrosia.
Their influence stretched far and wide. Their domination over the real estate industry cemented them as an untouchable powerhouse.
They have power, wealth and control all over the Veyrosia.
No other family in Veyrosia came close to their standing.
And in ten days, the city would witness a grand spectacle—the wedding of Dorian Drevan, the heir of the mighty Drevan household.
For many, it was a day of joy. A grand celebration. A moment to revel in the prestige of the most powerful family in Veyrosia.
From early morning, the Drevan estate was bursting with activity.
Servants rushed back and forth, tending to extravagant decorations. Laughter and conversation filled the air as guests arrived in waves. Red and gold banners fluttered along the massive courtyard walls.
The estate was alive with festivities.
And then—
A jeep rolled up to the entrance. Kael stepped out first, Dain Feryn followed right behind him, his sharp eyes scanning the scene.
Before them, four to five workers were busy hanging lanterns, chatting as they tied them to the pillars of the estate.
The sight made Kael’s blood boil.
His fingers curled into a tight fist. Elias' body isn’t even cold yet… and they’re here celebrating.
He exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "Elias hasn’t even been on the ground for a year," he muttered. His voice edged with fury, "and they’re already throwing a goddamn party."
Dain looked over at Kael, his expression was unreadable.
"Should I go inside and take out the main people in charge of the family? That way, you can start your investigation properly."
Kael turned his eyes toward Dain. His eyes were dark and calculating.
Then, he smirked.
"Dain," he said quietly, "do you know when people are the most afraid?"
Dain didn’t hesitate.
"When facing their death."
" No, it's when they are desperate for death, but they can't die," Kael replied.
Without another word, he turned and walked through the entrance of the Drevan estate.
Dain followed immediately.
The Drevan estate was known to be a place with strict discipline, and the butler Johnson made sure everything was in perfect order.
He stood near the entrance, he was starin the workers as they carefully hung up a grand signboard sent by the city mayor.
"Be careful with that," the butler barked, he was monitoring their movements. "If you break even a single lantern, you’ll be paying for it with your wages! These were personally chosen by the old lady herself."
The workers nodded fearfully, making sure to handle everything with the utmost care.
Johnson was satisfied with their work, then he turned—
And his eyes landed on two unfamiliar men walking toward the villa.
He narrowed his eyes. Their clothes were too plain. Their presence was too casual.
He immediately stepped forward and blocked their path.
"Hold it right there," the butler said sharply. He crossed his arms. "This is the Drevan household, not some common marketplace. Who let you in?"
His gaze flickered up and down their appearances with disdain.
"If you go around breaking things here," he added with a sneer, "do you even have the money to pay for them?"
The disrespect was blatant.
Dain immediately bristled, he looked so irritated by the butler's action.
"Insolent." His voice was cold, and his hand moved slightly, ready to strike the arrogant butler down—
But before he could, Kael lifted a hand, stopping him.
With a calm voice, Kael spoke.
"I'm just here to see an old friend of the Drevan family."
The butler snorted.
"Kael Veye?" he repeated.
His lips curled in disdain.
"I’ve never heard of you before." His voice was filled with ridicule.
Then he scoffed, shaking his head. "Are you crazy? Someone like you claiming to have a friend in the Drevan household?" He laughed outright, looking at Kael’s simple clothing with a smirk.
"With your countryside background?" He sneered. "Stop embarrassing yourself and leave before you make a fool of yourself."
Kael didn’t answer.
He simply walked past the butler, heading straight inside.
Dain followed closely behind, but not before glancing at the butler with a smirk.
"You should be grateful," Dain said casually, "that my master isn’t in a killing mood today."
The butler became angry.
"You dare cause a scene in the Drevan household?" he shouted and walked after them. "Do you want to die?"
He hurried after them, his face was red with anger.
But before he could do anything—
A gentle female voice rang out from the courtyard.
"Is everything okay?"
The butler stopped immediately and turned toward the source of the voice.
A woman stepped out from one of the side halls. She walked toward them.
She dressed modestly, with only a touch of makeup, yet she exuded an elegance and beauty.
"The food is all set," she continued, looking at the butler. "Once Grandmother comes out, we can start the festival."
She finally noticed the scene at the entrance.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"What’s going on here?" she asked, her tone was calm.
The butler immediately bowed slightly and spoke with respect.
"Ma'am, these two came here claiming they wanted to see an ‘old friend’ of the Drevan family."
The woman's eyes shifted toward Kael and Dain, assessing them.
After a moment, she nodded.
"I see," she said. "But the Drevan family has important matters to attend to these days. No visitors are allowed."
Her tone was polite.
"You should leave."
She turned, about to walk away—
When Kael suddenly spoke.
"Are you Seraphina Elyndor?"
Seraphina paused mid-step.
Then, slowly, she turned around, her expression shifting to surprise.
"Who are you?" she asked.
Kael didn’t answer.
His gaze turned cold as he stared at the woman before him.
The woman was the same woman in the photo Elias showed him.
The woman Elias Drevan was supposed to marry.
Seraphina froze under Kael’s icy stare.
Something about his piercing eyes made her scared, her heartbeat quickening against her will.
Her fingers were trembling slightly, but she clenched them into fists, masking the fear rising in her chest.
Then, as if to push away the strange unease, her expression turned to disdain.
“Who the f**k are you?” she snapped.
Despite how sharp her voice was, there was a hint of nervousness beneath her bravado.
Dain chuckled and took a step forward.
“You were the one asked a question first. “Shouldn’t you answer before demanding names?” His voice was dangerous.
The butler, Johnson Drevan, scowled and stepped forward,
“Who the hell do you think you are—looking down on the young mistress?!” he barked, his voice booming through the courtyard.
It was clear that he was about to order the guards—
But before he could, Seraphina lifted a hand, stopping him in his tracks.
Her eyes never left Kael.
She took a step closer to her. She tilted her head slightly as if she was trying to see through him.
Her arrogance has now turned to curiosity.
“…Who are you looking for?” she asked, her voice was now calm and composed.
Kael didn’t move.
His expression remained unreadable as he opened his mouth—
And spoke. "The Drevan family, Elias Drevan."
The world fell silent.
The workers' hanging lanterns froze mid-motion.
One of them almost dropped a decorative banner but caught it at the last second, his hands shaking.
Even the butler’s expression changed instantly—his face, which was once filled with anger, now looked uneasy.
The chatter in the courtyard died down, the previously lively atmosphere suddenly crushed beneath the mentioning of that single name.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
For a full year, that name had not been uttered within the Drevan household.
Not because it was forgotten.
But because the matriarch of the family had forbidden it.
It was as if saying it aloud would awaken a ghost—a ghost they had all worked so hard to bury.
- Writer
