Lucius and Antonius burst into the drawing room, their expressions clouded with concern.
"We heard shouting! What's going on?" Lucius demanded, his sharp gaze darting between Guiliana and Claudia.
Guiliana sighed, rubbing her temples in an attempt to ward off an oncoming headache. "Claudia has decided to marry Vanitas," she said, her voice tinged with exasperation.
The room fell into a heavy silence, as though time itself had paused. Lucius's face twisted in disbelief, his eyes darkening. Antonius blinked in stunned silence, the weight of the words settling between them.
"What?!" Lucius's voice was a low growl. "Are you out of your mind, Claudia? Him?"
Antonius' face etched with concern as spoke up, his tone softer. "Claudia, darling, this is sudden. Have you truly thought this through?"
Claudia sat poised, unflinching under their scrutiny as she met their gazes. "I have, Father. My mind is made up."
