"I am Angelus."

Saying these words, a tall, well-dressed man in green silk introduced himself to a surprised Narsus.

Although he knew that there was something unusual or special about that man, Narsus was still trying to distinguish whether that look in the stranger's eyes showed confidence or merely enjoyment. Even so, Narsus was definitely convinced that around Angelus's exquisite features there was an aura of mystery.

"Your kind words honor me, Sir Angelus. However, I assure you that I don't possess all those qualities that you are attributing to me," said Narsus, staring at Angelus's eyes.

"Please, my Lord, just call me Angelus. I am very pleased to meet you; it's an honor to me," he replied with a bow.

"Why am I considered so important?" inquired Narsus, already curious about the man's intentions.

"To tell you the truth, I am a great admirer of your career and also an art-lover. When I heard about your museum, and that you are recollecting items of Pars's art and literature, I saw in it a great chance of meeting you and maybe, even help you in this enterprise."

"Thank you again, Angelus. But how do you plan to help me?" An exchange of favors?

"After studying it, I became an art dealer. Due to my experience in this field, I know many places where you could find precious pieces of Pars's art. I know that this is a difficult task, so I am at your service, Lord Narsus."

Again, the mask was set in its place and Narsus was the most pleasant and charming person in the ballroom. However, although Narsus had a delighted look, he was examining Angelus, trying to perceive his possible intentions and anything else he could find out to answer his own doubts about the art dealer.

Not far from where Narsus and Angelus were conversing, a petrified Daryon was observing the scene with a gleam of rage in his eyes. He had seen that many times before - Narsus's performance as the perfect host - but he couldn't stop hating the stranger and even more Narsus's dedication, shown by the broad smile on his face.

Still taken by anger, Daryon returned to stand beside Arslan and Elam.

"Why did you…oh I see…Do you know that man?"

"I'm sorry, my Prince, but I don't know him nor care about him. Forgive me, but I am sick of Narsus's vulgar behavior. Elam, didn't he know that I was going there to talk to him?" asked Daryon already gesticulating and crossing his arms all the time.

"Yes, but…" was all he could manage to answer to an enraged Daryon.

"I'm sorry, Elam. Of course, it's not your fault. It's just…never mind."

"Daryon? Knowing Narsus as you do, would you expect him to ignore the man to talk exclusively to you?" asked Arslan grinning.

"No, not in these days," he assured, his eyes fixed on Narsus and Angelus.

"So don't be mad at him, he's just being polite."

"Yes, my Prince."

A deep silence fell among Daryon, Arslan and Elam as they watched Narsus and Angelus. It was only broken by the arrival of Lady Soraya, followed by a young woman.

Lady Soraya was a middle-aged woman, an old friend of Lord Vaphreze and a very important advisor of Queen Tahamine.

"Your Highness, Lord Daryon and Elam, I would like to introduce Lady Leilah. She is from Kiran and will be living here in Ecbatana to complete her education. Queen Tahamine was so pleased to meet Lady Leilah that she almost commanded me to introduce her to your Highness."

As Leilah approached, she bowed, her eyes meeting Daryon's gaze as she stood.

"Please be welcomed to Ecbatana, Lady Leilah. I hope you enjoy your stay here."

"I thank you for your hospitality, Prince Arslan," she said bowing, not daring to look at Arslan.

"Excuse me, my Prince, but may I ask of you a little favor?" she asked, leaning closer.

"What kind of favor?"

"Could you please save Lady Leilah from the company of an old talkative woman like me? It is just to ask someone of her own age and interests to accompany her, show her the ballroom, make her more comfortable among so many new faces…"

As she finished saying it, Lady Soraya turned and stared at Daryon who got embarrassed by such indiscretion.

"Should I suppose that you suggest Daryon?" asked Arslan, trying not to laugh at the situation.

"If Lord Daryon does not mind…do you, my Lord?" she asked staring at Daryon.

Daryon felt his face reddening: maybe due to that imposition or the anger burning inside him. Narsus's behavior, followed by Lady Soraya's indiscretion and then the imposition of accompanying that woman were driving him crazy.

The good aspect was that it reminded him of past days. Those times when his uncle used to introduce him to almost all his friends' daughters.

"It would be my pleasure, Lady Soraya. Lady Leilah, shall we go?" he said it offering his arm to Leilah who, being embarrassed as he was before, only looked away from the floor when he invited her.

"Oh, it is so good! I was sure you were a gentleman just as your uncle. He would be so proud…" she said clapping. "Please excuse me, Highness, but I must leave now. Thank you, my Prince, Lord Daryon. Oh, Queen Tahamine is going to be very pleased."

As Lady Soraya left, Daryon led Leilah to a nearby balcony. When they arrived there, she finally talked to him.

"My apologies, Lord Daryon. Lady Soraya is a goodhearted person, but sometimes she is so eager to help that she does not notice the inconvenience that it may bring. Please forgive me for being such a burden to you."

"You don't need to apologize. It's really a pleasure," he said trying to make her comfortable.

Touched by her situation and her kind words, Daryon smiled, putting aside for a while, the problems and worries as they begun to converse.

Close to the place where Daryon and Leilah were, Narsus and Angelus were still talking. Soon, Narsus was comfortable, enjoying the company of someone with the same interests. During that short time, Angelus proved to be an expert in art. Undoubtedly, he was very pleasant company. However, Narsus needed to rest.

"Please excuse me, Angelus, I must leave now. Tomorrow I have a long trip ahead of me and I must rest. It was a pleasure to meet you, and if you wish, we may meet when I return to Ecbatana."

"I would be more than satisfied, Narsus."

After setting the details of how to contact Angelus, Narsus headed to Arslan's side.

"I am leaving tomorrow, my Prince. Any last recommendation about the mission?" he said standing by Arslan's side.

"No, I just wish you success and a safe return," replied the prince in a bored tone.

"Thank you…Where is he?" asked Narsus as he looked around.

"Do you mean Daryon?"

"…Yes. We were supposed to discuss some matters, but…"

"But…since you met a new friend…Sorry to ask, but who is he?" he asked with a growing curiosity.

"His name is Angelus. He introduced himself and offered his help to recollect pieces to our museum."

"What is your opinion of him?" he asked tentatively.

"He sounds like a genuine art dealer, but…" Narsus answered gesturing, as he couldn't find the specific impression.

"But?" Arslan asked, already alarmed by Narsus's doubts.

"I don't know yet. There is something about him…Anyway, I don't think we should worry about it; it doesn't seem to be something really serious. Maybe I am just uneasy about his surprise arrival," he assured the prince with a warm smile.

"If you think so…" he said shrugging.

"Where is… Who is that woman beside him?" he asked, not hiding his annoyance.

"Her name is Leilah and she is a protégée of Lady Soraya, with my mother's approval, of course. Daryon was asked to keep her company and to show the place to her", Arslan explained to an almost furious Narsus.

"What is so amusing? And why are you looking at me like this, Arslan?" Narsus asked when he saw Arslan's grin.

"Oh, nothing. You're jealous…"

"Am I what? You must be kidding. Me, jealous? Never!" he replied crossing his arms and tapping his fingers.

"All right, I must be wrong. You don't mind if a beautiful lady accompanies Daryon, do you?" he asked as he rested his chin on his hand.

"No, I do not. Have you seen Elam?"

"He already went to sleep."

"Fine, just fine. I bid you a good night, my Prince. Arslan?"

"Yes?"

"I am not jealous," he said as he left Arslan wondering about his friends' childish behaviors.

Narsus left Arslan and headed to the garden. He needed to be alone, to recover. First, Angelus' temptation of helping to get little treasures so easily, the arrangements to the trip, and then that woman - beautiful, he had to admit - hanging at Daryon's arm, smiling, smiling…That was already too much for a single night, and then came the final blow. How could he let his defenses down so that even Arslan could see what his real feelings were? Jealous? Of course, going crazy with jealousy, but it never should be seen. Was he vulnerable? Or was Arslan more sensitive?

Anyway, he didn't think about it because he was going crazy of so much jealousy. Lady Soraya was also known as a very successful marriage-maker. Her friends' daughters usually came to Ecbatana to complete their education and, if possible, get a good husband. It was almost becoming an institution which left Narsus even more anguished. He desperately needed to recover, and the garden was his best option.

"I have heard that the garden of this part of the palace is simply amazing," she said smiling.

"Yes, I think it is true. Would you like to go there?" Daryon invited, more than satisfied.

Daryon smiled to himself when Leilah asked about the garden. Although he had paid attention to her, he had also followed each of Narsus's steps, and surely he went to the garden. That was a perfect chance. So, with these intentions, Daryon led Leilah to the garden.

Narsus sat on a small bench. He chose it because that grove was out of the main path, so he could try to be alone for a while.

He felt small, miserable, and incapable of changing his own fate, helpless in face of the things taking place around him.

He looked at the cloudy sky above him. There are no stars to be seen tonight. He sighed with sadness at the storm inside him, and the other coming to Ecbatana. Following the clouds passing rapidly above him, his thoughts drifted with the leaves of the garden.

Even in these moments, hope urged him to believe in a possible future. Maybe it was because he knew that losing his faith in a future by Daryon's side, there would be nothing left.

Distracted by the changes of the sky and his own thoughts, Narsus didn't notice when Angelus arrived and sat very close to him on the small bench.

"Angelus! You scared me!" he shouted, standing up.

"I'm sorry, Narsus, I didn't mean to…you were so distracted."

"I was watching the clouds," he explained, looking again at the sky, as he sat again.

"I noticed that and I env…"

"Narsus!?"

While they were talking, Daryon and Leilah arrived. Seeing Narsus and Angelus so close, Daryon's reaction was full of disbelief and anger. However, to Narsus's surprise, the anger in Daryon's eyes was quickly replaced by hurt and deception.

Seeing his beloved's reaction, Narsus stood, feeling disoriented as he realized what kind of theory the scene might have been created in Daryon's mind. The only thing that Narsus knew for sure was that he had to make clear the situation as fast as he could.

"Daryon, I …"

"My apologies, I didn't mean to interrupt you, Narsus."

"You are not interrupting anything. Let me explain, please."

"Whatever you do, it's none of my business," he said sounding cold.

"Daryon."

"Don't mind, Narsus. There's no need for explanation. I would like to introduce Lady Leilah. She is going to live in Ecbatana. Leilah, this is Lord Narsus," Daryon said gesturing to Leilah.

While Narsus and Leilah exchanged greetings, Daryon focused his gaze on Angelus who was silently observing them.

"I believe we were not introduced, sir."

"My name is Angelus, Lord Daryon. I am an art dealer," he said, bowing without losing eye's contact with Daryon.

Daryon only nodded to Angelus and then turned to Narsus direction.

"Again, I apologize for interrupting you. Shall we leave Leilah? I believe that it is going to rain soon," he said offering his arm to her.

"Yes. Excuse me Lord Narsus and sir Angelus. Good night, " she said leaving.

Daryon left with Leilah, and he also left Narsus lost in a despair so overwhelming that, if Angelus hadn't still been there, looking at him, he would have screamed in pain.

His mind was running in circles, asking the same question: how could everything go so wrong? In a moment, all was ruined; his expectations degenerated into a nightmare.

"Narsus?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry that my presence here brought you problems. That wasn't my intention."

"It was nobody's fault. Don't worry about it. Good night, Angelus, " he replied, waving as he left.

"Good night" was all Angelus said as Narsus disappeared through the paths of the garden.

Narsus left the garden, going to his room. His eyes were burning with restrained tears, and he was feeling a pressure so intense in his throat that he could hardly breath.

Dark clouds covered the nocturnal sky. As Narsus arrived in his silent room, the rain started falling on Ecbatana, and so the night became darker and the only sounds heard were the raindrops falling.

As the sun lightened a new morning, a tired Narsus mounted his horse, ready to depart through the gate of the palace.

Probably, no one noticed his sorrow and the lack of light in his eyes. That morning, he was merely a shadow of the man he used to be. There was something missing in him, something that had faded.

If he had looked carefully around him, he would have seen the shadow of someone very fond of him, once his best friend in a past, now distant.

After a long night of consideration, Daryon realized that he was unfair to Narsus. A little misunderstanding became that silly scene played by them. He still wanted to solve things between them, but he had no time left, and his pride made him just observe Narsus from the last shadows of the night. From there, he saw Narsus leaving Ecbatana.