Mira shrugged, her smirk never faltering. "Think of it as a small price to pay for your freedom. After all, Adrian doesn't seem like the kind of man who'd treat you poorly. You could do far worse, you know."
Lira bit her lip, her mind racing. The idea was humiliating, infuriating even. But if agreeing to this bizarre request was the only way to secure her future, did she really have a choice?
Mira leaned forward, her piercing gaze locking onto Lira's. "Well? What's it going to be, little sister? Do you want my blessing or not?"
Lira looked away, her cheeks burning as she wrestled with her emotions. This wasn't how she'd imagined things unfolding, but Mira's unrelenting pressure left her with little room to maneuver.
Lira swallowed hard, her gaze flickering between the floor and her sister's unwavering expression. Her voice came out as a whisper, barely audible over the tense silence. "Let's say… I agree. What about Adrian? Will he agree to this? And his privacy… he's not the type of man who'd just let something like this happen."
Mira's smirk softened, but her eyes gleamed with a mixture of mischief and determination. She leaned back, her arms crossing lazily over her chest. "Leave that matter to me," she said smoothly. "I'll handle it. Trust your big sister, Lira. I'll do my best to make him agree."
Lira frowned, skepticism lacing her features. "And if he doesn't?"
Mira chuckled softly, her confidence radiating. "Then I'll rely on my other skills. Don't you know your sister's capabilities? My stealth is second to none in this kingdom." She tilted her head, her tone turning almost playful. "If Adrian doesn't agree, he won't even know I was there."
Lira's face twisted, a mixture of anger, sadness, and helplessness. She clenched her fists at her sides, her shoulders trembling. "You're… you're unbelievable, Mira. You're willing to stoop this low, to manipulate your own sister, all because of some twisted curiosity?" Her voice cracked, and tears welled in her eyes, spilling over as she lowered her head. "I thought… I thought I could count on you to support me. Not… not like this."
Mira's smirk faltered, her confidence wavering as she watched her sister's tears fall. For all her bravado, something inside her twisted painfully at the sight of Lira's broken expression. She hadn't intended to push this far—or at least, she hadn't expected Lira to take it so hard.
"Lira," Mira began, her voice softening as guilt seeped into her words. "I didn't mean to—"
A soft knock on the door cut through the tension, startling both sisters. Mira turned her head sharply toward the sound, her posture stiffening. "Who is it?" she called, her voice regaining its usual edge as she quickly composed herself.
There was a brief pause before the door creaked open, revealing a servant clad in the Everhart manor's signature uniform.
The young woman's head was bowed respectfully, her tone quiet but steady. "Pardon the interruption, Lady Mira, Lady Lira. Master Adrian has requested your presence in the main hall."
Mira's eyes flicked to her sister, who hastily wiped her tears away, though the redness around her eyes betrayed her emotions. Lira didn't say a word, her gaze fixed on the floor as if trying to will herself invisible.
Mira sighed inwardly, her guilt resurfacing as she glanced at Lira's slumped figure. She didn't know what Adrian wanted, but perhaps this interruption was for the best.
"Very well," Mira said, her voice firm as she rose gracefully to her feet. She offered Lira a hand, her expression softening just enough to hint at an apology. "Come on, little sister. Let's not keep him waiting."
Lira hesitated before taking Mira's hand, her grip weak but present. Together, they stepped out of the room, the weight of their conversation lingering heavily between them.
In the meeting room, turning the time a bit back, Adrian stood by the tall window, as Mira left the room.
His calm demeanor belied the whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind. Satisfied with the outcome of his earlier discussion, he turned to the maid stationed outside the meeting room.
"Fetch my family," he instructed her. "I'd like everyone to convene here promptly."
The maid nodded, bowing before hurrying off to relay his command. Adrian resumed his place at the center of the room, the faintest of smiles tugging at his lips.
It wasn't long before the soft shuffle of footsteps and quiet murmurs signaled the arrival of his summoned family members.
One by one, they entered, each carrying their unique air of grace and strength. Isabella, the regal matron of the Everhart line, moved with practiced poise, her gaze as sharp as it was warm.
Seraphina followed, her mage robes swishing softly, her piercing blue eyes alight with curiosity. Sophia, with her dual blades resting on her back, stood at the ready, her presence commanding yet calm.
Eve entered quietly, her shy demeanor contrasting with the arcane power that hummed faintly around her.
Rosalyn was next, her beauty accentuated by her confident stride, while Christine practically bounded in, her excitement radiating from her wide smile.
Last was Chris, standing slightly apart, her expression neutral.
Once everyone had taken their place, Seraphina stepped forward, her fiery red hair catching the sunlight streaming through the window.
Her tone was measured, but the curiosity in her gaze was unmistakable. "Well, Adrian," she began, "what is the outcome of your meeting with Countess Mira? I trust it went well?"
Adrian chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair as he considered his response. "It went better than expected," he said, his tone confident.
"Mira and I had a good discussion. Our personalities align well, and as far as the matter of marrying Lira is concerned… everything I asked for has been agreed upon."
Everyone gasped at this revelation as the demand that Adrian had, no one had expected it to be fulfilled so easily. His demand was excessive, and he could get Countess to agree so easily. They could not believe what they were hearing.
Amidst the varied responses, Christine's reaction stood out. Her face lit up with admiration, her blue eyes sparkling like the stars in a clear night sky.
Clapping her hands together, she declared with unrestrained glee, "As expected of Big Brother! Not even a Countess can resist his skills!"
Adrian couldn't help but chuckle at Christine's enthusiasm, though he maintained his composure as he glanced at the others.
"It's not about resistance, Christine," he said with a faint smile. "It's about understanding one another's needs and negotiating accordingly."
Seraphina crossed her arms, her piercing gaze fixed on him.
"Negotiating, is it? I can't say I'm not impressed, Adrian, but this does raise questions. Being a Countess, inheriting her family at such young age, she has to be a cunning and calculative. What exactly did you promise her?"
"Well, I agreed to be her teacher," Adrian declared while scratching his cheek, finding the situation amusing.