Seraphine takes a seat, composed but curious about what Marquis Adrain wants to discuss. She clasps her hands together on her lap and waits for him to continue.
Adrain leans back in his chair, studying Seraphine's expression for a moment before speaking. "I've been having strange dreams in the past," he begins. "Dreams about a witch, a woman cloaked in darkness, who speaks of you and my son."
Seraphine's heart skips a beat, but she maintains her composure. "A witch, you say?" she responds, feigning surprise, though she had long suspected that the chaos order might try to intervene in their lives. But she did not expect the witch Alice was concerned about would actually come to her this fast.
"Yes," Adrain continues. "In these dreams, the witch claims to have watched you closely. She seems interested in you, Seraphine, and she wants to ensure that you stay by Damian's side."
Now, Seraphine's intrigue grows. She wonders if the witch in Adrain's dreams could be Iris Mauve, the notorious witch of darkness she heard from the book. "What does she want from me?" Seraphine asks, trying to gauge the extent of the witch's involvement.
Adrain takes another sip of his whiskey, contemplating his words carefully. "She mentioned that you possess a power that she desires," he reveals. "A power that can change destinies and influence the course of events."
Seraphine's mind races, wondering what power the witch could be referring to. Could it be Alice, her Ai companion? Nevertheless, she remains calm and focused on the conversation.
"I am not familiar with any witch or coven," Seraphine responds truthfully. "But I promise you, Marquis Adrain, I am loyal to your son and have no intentions of causing harm."
He studies her carefully, seeming to search for any signs of deception. After a moment, he nods thoughtfully. "Very well," he says. "I trust your word for now.
Moments later, Adrain takes a deep breath, looking visibly conflicted. "I must admit something to you, Seraphine," he begins. "For a long time, I harbored feelings of hate and disdain towards Damian."
Seraphine's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting such honesty from the marquis.
" Ohh..." she stammers, unsure of how to respond to this revelation.
Adrain continues, "It was my own pride and selfishness that blinded me. I couldn't see the good in my own son, and I pushed him away, treating him with coldness and neglect. I regret my actions now, but I fear it may be too late to change things."
Seraphine can sense the genuine remorse in Adrain's voice, and her heart softens for the man who is now laying bare his feelings. "It's never too late to make amends," she says gently. "Perhaps this journey could be an opportunity for you and Damian to reconnect and heal the wounds of the past."
Adrain sighs heavily, a weight seemingly lifted off his shoulders by confiding in Seraphine. "You see, the witch in my dreams... she helped me realize the mistakes I've made as a father," he admits. "She showed me glimpses of Damian's struggles and pain, and it made me understand how much I've failed him. I Shouldn't blame him for his mother's dead"
"I believe that was the witch's intention," Seraphine responds thoughtfully. "The witch may be mysterious and dangerous, but sometimes their actions serve to bring about change and growth in unexpected ways."
Adrain nods, seeming to contemplate her words. "You are right, Seraphine," he admits. "I never thought that a witch could be responsible for anything good, but I have to acknowledge that she played a part in opening my eyes."
"I think it's important for you to talk to Damian," Seraphine suggests. "He needs to know how you feel, and you both have to find a way to move forward together."
Adrain looks hesitant, almost embarrassed. "I don't know if I can face him after everything," he admits. "I feel like I've been a terrible father."
"Everyone makes mistakes," Seraphine reassures him. "But the true measure of a person is in their willingness to change and make amends. It's never too late to be a better father."
Adrain nods, seemingly taking comfort in her words. "Thank you, Seraphine," he says sincerely. "I hope that this hunting ceremony will bring about the changes we both need."
As they come to an understanding, Adrian takes the opportunity to apologize for the insults that his wife and daughter directed at Seraphine earlier.
"I have to extend my apologies for my wife and daughter's behavior at dinner, Seraphine. They are not accustomed to a commoner occupying such a role as your position." Adrian's tone reflects his genuine remorse.
Seraphine reassures the Marquis, "It's no trouble, Your Grace. I did not take their behavior to heart." Her reply indicates her resilience and ability to move past the slights from the noblewoman and her daughter earlier.
With a newfound sense of understanding and determination, Seraphine leaves the room and walks through the grand halls of the mansion, her thoughts are in a whirlwind.
She knows that the mysterious witch, who has been influencing their lives, must have knowledge beyond what she and Alice possess. She finds a quiet corner and calls Alice.
"Alice, I need to talk to you," Seraphine says with a hint of urgency in her mind.
"Of course, Seraphine. What's on your mind?" Alice responds.
"This witch, she seems to have a deep understanding of the story and is manipulating events to change its course. But how is that possible? Does she have knowledge of this world from Earth?" Seraphine asks, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Alice contemplates the question for a moment before replying, "It's difficult to say for certain, Seraphine. While it's true that she could have knowledge from Earth like we do, there are other possibilities as well.
She may have access to ancient or forbidden knowledge within this world that allows her to foresee and influence events. Or she could be tapping into some other source of power that we don't yet understand."
"I see," Seraphine murmurs, deep in thought. "But regardless of her methods, it's clear that she has a plan in mind. She brought me here, and now she's setting the stage for a confrontation with Damian's father."
"Yes, it seems that way," Alice agrees. "And considering the significance of this hunting ceremony, it's likely to be a pivotal moment in the story."
Seraphine nods. "That's why we need to be prepared. We can't let the witch manipulate events without us having a plan of our own."
"Agreed," Alice says. "We'll need to be vigilant and stay one step ahead from them."
After their conversation, Seraphine returns to her chambers and reflects on the events that transpired. With the hunting ceremony still weeks away, she considers the possibility of exploring the capital library to gather useful information for her and Damian.