The sun was sinking low in the sky when the Redmond family gathered for their first dinner together since James' return. Ryn, accustomed to eating alone, stood at the edge of the dining hall, watching the servants set the long table. His heart felt heavy. Normally, he wouldn't be here—Rosalia would bring his food to his room, away from the family's cold gazes and mocking whispers. But Redmond tradition dictated that when the head of the family was present, everyone had to dine together.
Ryn took a deep breath, reminding himself of the changes he had gone through, both in body and mind. This time would be different. He was stronger now, mentally tougher. He no longer felt the dread that once gnawed at him in situations like these.
He took his seat alone, opposite his brothers, Caine and Alex, and their mother, Veronica. The family head sat at the front of the table, his presence towering despite his silence. The servants stood ready to serve, each positioned beside their assigned family member. As Ryn glanced to his right, he saw Rosalia standing beside his seat, her face pale and tired but dutiful as ever.
The meal began in strained silence, broken only by the clinking of plates and the soft footsteps of the servants. But as Ryn began to eat, something unusual happened. He noticed Rosalia moving toward Caine's side of the table. She walked slowly, her eyes downcast, and stood silently beside him. A knot of confusion twisted in Ryn's gut.
"What are you doing, Rosalia?" Ryn stood, his voice louder than he intended. "Why are you going to his side?"
Before she could respond, Caine burst into laughter, his eyes gleaming with malicious joy. "Of course she's here, you idiot. Even she knows not to associate with vermin." He grinned wickedly. "She belongs to me now."
Ryn felt a surge of anger boil inside him. "What did you do?" he demanded, his fists clenched.
Caine's grin widened. "How dare you accuse me? And what if I did or didn't do something? What are you going to do about it, weakling?" he sneered, reaching out to grab Rosalia by the hair, yanking her head back roughly. "She's my property now."
Rosalia's face came into view, her eyes filled with tears. Ryn's heart pounded in his chest, fury blinding him as he took a step forward, ready to fight. But before he could act, a powerful voice cut through the tension.
"Enough!" James' voice was sharp, resonating through the hall with such force that the very air seemed to shudder. Everyone froze, the weight of the patriarch's authority settling over them like a suffocating blanket.
Caine immediately let go of Rosalia, stumbling back. Ryn stood rooted to the spot, still burning with rage but unable to move under the weight of his father's gaze. Even Veronica, who had been smirking at the spectacle, was taken aback.
James looked at them all, his eyes hard as steel. "What is happening here?" he demanded. "I will not tolerate this in my house, especially not in front of me."
The silence was deafening. No one dared to speak. James' gaze shifted between Caine and Ryn, his face unreadable. After what felt like an eternity, he spoke again.
"Both of you, leave. Now."
Ryn opened his mouth to protest, but the look in his father's eyes silenced him. Without another word, he grabbed Rosalia's hand and led her out of the dining hall, his mind racing with questions and fury.
---
In the dimly lit corridor, Ryn finally stopped and turned to Rosalia, his voice trembling with anger and hurt. "Why are you doing this? What's going on?"
Rosalia didn't respond. She kept her head down, her shoulders shaking slightly. Ryn's frustration grew. "Was I so useless to you that even you would abandon me? Did I fail you too?"
At those words, Rosalia broke down, tears streaming down her face as she collapsed to her knees. "No, Master Ryn. You didn't fail me. It's me… I'm the one who failed you."
She recounted everything, her voice shaking with pain. The day after Caine and Ryn's argument, Caine had cornered her as she was walking to Ryn's room. He dragged her by the hair into the backyard where no one could see and hurt her, his rage directed at her for Ryn's defiance. Caine had planned to use her as bait, forcing Ryn to come to her rescue so he could destroy them both—physically and emotionally.
But when Rosalia begged him to spare Ryn, Caine offered her a cruel choice: publicly betray Ryn, denounce him, and humiliate him, or watch him suffer.
"I had no choice, Master Ryn," Rosalia sobbed, her voice breaking. "I couldn't let him hurt you. This… this is the only way. I'll do as he asks. I'll go with him. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
Ryn stood there, his mind swirling with fury and helplessness. The anger inside him threatened to consume him, but then, as if by instinct, the inheritance within him kicked in, calming his mind. He took a deep breath, his thoughts clearing.
"No," Ryn said quietly but firmly. "You won't have to do this. I won't let Caine win."
---
The next morning, Ryn arrived at the family's main training grounds. Unlike the small, hidden area he had used to train in isolation, this place was vast and well-equipped. It was where the Redmond family, their knights, and soldiers all trained together. The air was thick with the sounds of clashing swords and barking orders, but Ryn's focus was singular.
He spotted Caine near the center, sparring with some of the knights. His back was turned, and without hesitation, Ryn strode forward and delivered a punch straight between his shoulder blades, sending Caine stumbling forward.
Caine whirled around, his face contorted with anger. "You little—"
Before Caine could retaliate, Ryn saw James standing nearby, overseeing the training. Caine caught sight of him too and stopped, glaring at Ryn with murderous intent.
Ryn didn't flinch. Instead, he stepped forward, his voice loud and clear for everyone to hear.
"I challenge you to a duel."