53. Their parents' call

"Steven, where were you?" Kendrick exclaimed, his frustration evident in his furrowed brows and the sharp edge to his voice. As soon as he spotted his younger brother entering the palace, urgency surged through his entire being. He hadn't expected Steven to be out at this late hour, and the sight only added to his mounting concern.

Steven met Kendrick's gaze, mirroring his frown and displaying a mix of weariness and apprehension. The weight of their unspoken worries hung in the air, visible in the creases that formed between Steven's brows.

"I had some work," Steven responded, his voice tinged with defensiveness, though he averted his gaze, unable to hold Kendrick's piercing stare. The words held a hint of unspoken meaning, hinting at the burdens he carried.

"This late at night?" Kendrick raised an eyebrow, his frustration giving way to a genuine concern that lurked beneath the surface.

"Yes, it's nothing important," Steven replied, his tone flat and distant, as if trying to distance