Seraphina was lost in thought, forgetting to use her mind block. Her eyes met Setaro's—and he read her thoughts unfiltered. She didn't block him.
With a teasing glint, she let one slip:
"How cute. Like a Persian cat."
Setaro's eyes widened, face flushed red.
This woman… She let me hear that on purpose, didn't she?
Oddly… he felt happy.
Then he shook his head. Wait. I'm a hunk, damn it. I'm supposed to be hot, not cute. From what angle do I look like a cat?!
Flustered, he quickly looked away.
Nearby, Dimitry's expression darkened. One brow lifted. He looked like he wanted to beat Setaro to a pulp.
Setaro forced calm onto his face. He couldn't give anything away. Not now.
Then, her soft voice cut through the silence.
"Grandpa… I'm sorry. I realized too late… We live for the people we love. We live to protect them for their happiness. That's why I want to live now. For the people I love. For Dad. For the smile on Ash's face."
Dimitry couldn't help it any longer,
"Who's Ash?"
Seraphina looked up. His heart skipped. Her unreadable eyes met his, and his gaze trembled.
Forrest answered instead.
"Her fiancé."
Something in Dimitry shattered.
"Fiancé?" he whispered. His hands trembled, clenching in his lap.
Demiska, his mother, added softly, her words laced with venom:
"Asher Renan Hall. Heir to the South Mage Tower. Son of the current Tower Master, Sylvio Renan Hall. The former crown prince of the Hall family—and Seraphina's maternal uncle's son. A boy born with a golden spoon—everything handed to him on a silver plate."
Seraphina stood abruptly, eyes blazing.
"Why don't you add how he became a former prince? Because some cheap bitch turned the Council against him—accused him of rape. She framed my mother for treason. Yes, the lie eventually collapsed, but my mom was already gone."
Demiska paled. Words failed her.
Dominic, her father, closed his eyes.
The same wound.
The same pain.
Again.
Seraphina was still seething. But the memory of Asher's smile calmed her. She turned to her father.
"Sorry, Dad… I just—"
"It's okay," Dominic whispered. "You're standing up for your man… But you know he's strong. He doesn't need you to."
Her voice sharpened.
"Just like you thought, Mom didn't need it? Even the strongest person needs their partner, Dad. Whether Asher is here or not, no one disrespects him. He earned his place. You don't know what he's been through. You hate him or love him, but listen carefully—Asher is my borderline. Anyone who crosses it… I won't think twice before ending them."
Her protectiveness—her love—pierced Dimitry like a blade.
Demiska trembled.
Setaro wanted to object. Asher already had everything. A rare soul. A bond with Seraphina. Selena, a mentor. Seraphina's love.
But he said nothing.
Because deep down… he knew Asher's battles were real.
Maybe… maybe he deserved it all.
Dimitry's face darkened. Hatred boiled inside him.
Why Asher?
Why does he get her love? Why does she defend him like that?
He hated it.
He hated Asher Renan Hall.
Michael's voice cut through like a warning bell.
"Butterfly, you're crossing the line. Your father didn't mean it that way."
Seraphina closed her eyes and hugged Dominic tightly.
"I'm sorry, Dad."
He ran a hand through her hair.
"No, Princess. Dad isn't angry. Dad's proud. You did something I couldn't…" He chuckled. "Still don't like that little thief. He's been stealing you from me since you were kids."
Seraphina giggled.
"He vowed to steal me officially soon."
Dominic snorted.
"I dare him. But… I'll accept him. Reluctantly. Only because you want him."
Her eyes widened in joy.
"Really? Why?"
He smiled.
"Because he gave me back my little princess."
She blinked, then understood.
He meant her will to live.
Grandpa Nightshade cleared his throat.
"So… how's champ?"
Seraphina laughed, her face lighting up like the moon.
"He's okay…"
Her voice softened, her entire being glowing as she spoke of Asher.
Later that evening, in the Outside hall, Dimitry sat on the balcony railing, seething. A venomous fury coiled inside him, hand clenched so tightly that blood dripped from his palm.
The pain numbed the ache in his heart.
He had never hated anyone like this.
But today, he hated Asher.
Truly. Deeply.
Maybe Asher is incredible, Dimitry thought. After all… she chose him.
Demiska approached quietly.
"Hurting yourself, my son? Not getting what you deserve always hurts like that."
Dimitry frowned. She chuckled bitterly.
"How do I know? Because I've lived it. Not even a glance from the one I loved…"
Her mask cracked. A single tear slipped down her cheek.
"And that hatred in your eyes…It's the same hatred I felt. I hated Selena. She was the star I could never reach. She had it all—and the man I loved."
Then her pride returned like steel.
"Don't be useless. Get what you want—like I did. I got everything. You're weak. Pathetic. Crush everything in your way and take what's yours."
A white lion lunged—its massive form crashing onto the balcony. Demiska's scream echoed through the stone halls.
Seraphina's voice rang out—cold and lethal.
"Didn't I warn you, bitch? I warned you too many times—don't cross the line. Seems you never learn."
Her heels clicked against the floor as she approached.
Demiska lay gasping, pinned under the lion's heavy paw.
Seraphina knelt beside her, her eyes glinting with icy malice.
"How does it feel… standing at death's door?"
Then her gaze shifted toward Dimitry, his hand still bleeding.
With a graceful flick of her wrist, Demiska vanished—teleported to the hospital.
The lion nuzzled Seraphina's waist, purring. She smiled, stroking its mane.
"Go play," she whispered.
She turned to Dimitry and gently took his injured hand. Healing magic shimmered at her fingertips—warm, soothing.
"Nightshades don't bow their heads to insults. We meet them eye to eye."
She tilted his chin up.
"Head high. No begging. That's your first lesson. Own your pride. Love yourself. Only then can you expect love from others."
Dimitry nodded—almost instinctively.
A teasing smirk tugged at her lips.
"Good boy."
His ears flushed crimson.
Today, he thought, the sun didn't rise in the east. It grew with her.
She ruffled his hair and turned away, leaving him flustered, rubbing the back of his neck like a boy with a crush.
Seraphina exited the manor through the back, stepping gracefully into the garden.