Serenith was taken aback by the atmosphere enveloping them. She was not much of a conversationalist herself, but the silence from her mother and stepbrother was palpable—a distance between them, as though an invisible wall had been erected. Perhaps her mother hadn't grown close to her stepbrother yet, or maybe there was another reason Serenith couldn't grasp.
The only one who broke the silence was Lord Regalus. His presence was both commanding and intimidating, but his deep voice carried an unexpected warmth that Serenith found surprising. He spoke extensively about the manor—its dark, layered history and the local festivals that were part of the residents' traditions.
"This manor is called Obsidian Shadows," he said, his voice resonating softly in the room. "Legend has it that this place was built by a prominent sorcerer. What do you think, Sera? Do you believe that?"
The nickname froze Serenith in place. A strange feeling crept into her heart—a mix of nostalgia and surprise. Only her mother had ever called her that. Since when had her mother shared this with Lord Regalus? In fact, her mother herself hadn't called her by that nickname in years.
The room fell silent. All eyes were on her now, waiting for a response.
Serenith drew a steadying breath and tried to keep her composure. "Ah... I think that sorcerer must have had excellent taste."
Her answer was awkward, and she wished she could vanish on the spot. Her face burned, but she fought to maintain a calm expression.
Kai, her stepbrother, narrowed his eyes and gave a faint, almost mocking smile. "I think you're easily fooled," he said, his tone laced with ridicule.
Jerk.
Lord Regalus cleared his throat softly. His lips seemed to suppress a laugh, but his eyes hinted at something else—something that sent a shiver down Serenith's spine. "The sorcerer's taste was indeed... intriguing," he said, his tone layered with unspoken secrets.
Serenith managed a faint smile. In truth, she had been paying close attention to everything Lord Regalus said. Each detail about the manor seemed to transport her to another world—a world that was unfamiliar yet captivating. But deep down, she kept reminding herself: This is only temporary. I'll return to my old life soon.
However, the more she tried to convince herself, the harder it became. There was something about this place that was slowly drawing her in... making her feel a strange sense of belonging.
After dinner, Charles escorted Serenith back to her room. Midway through, however, he abruptly excused himself for an urgent matter, apologizing as he left. Serenith nodded, assuring him that she could find her way back. After all, she had memorized the path to her room.
It wasn't difficult. Her room was in the side wing, separate from the main building. She only needed to cross a small moonlit garden, ascend a creaky staircase, turn right, and head to the end of the corridor.
Serenith was eager to rest. She wanted to freshen up and sleep. Tomorrow would be a long day—her mother's wedding day. But her hope for a peaceful night shattered when she saw who was standing in front of her door.
Kai.
Her stepbrother was already there, waiting. Serenith froze mid-step, her body stiffening. Kai's sharp gaze bore into her, as if piercing through her thoughts. From his calm yet alert posture, Serenith could tell he had been there for quite some time.
She had noticed him leaving the dining room early, but she had never imagined she would find him here, at her door.
Kai's eyes held an intensity that was impossible to ignore. When their gazes met, he spoke. "We need to talk," he said in a calm voice, yet it carried an unavoidable discomfort.
Serenith exhaled softly, trying to steady herself. Though hesitant, she stepped closer, keeping enough distance to hear him but maintain a sense of safety. Kai, however, remained silent for a moment, simply observing her, until he spoke again.
"Are you staying after the wedding?"
The sudden question caught Serenith off guard. There was no warmth in his tone, but for some reason, it triggered a spark of anger she couldn't quite suppress.
Why does he need to know my decision?
Serenith kept her voice as steady as possible. "No," she answered sharply, though her heart quivered. She had never intended to stay, but now the question left her feeling confused and annoyed—an unease she couldn't mask from her face.
Kai studied her intently, his expression unreadable. "Why not?" he asked, his voice softening, sounding almost... curious.
The question struck deeper than she expected. To Serenith, it felt far too personal. They were strangers—or at least, she wanted to believe they were.
Taking a deep breath, Serenith tried to reign in her emotions. Her patience was wearing thin. She didn't owe him any explanations—least of all to Kai. Yet something about this encounter unsettled her. Why had he been waiting for her? Was this some sort of test?
Serenith stepped closer, her gaze steady, refusing to show any weakness. "Because this isn't the life I want. I don't belong here," she said, her voice calm yet firm. The words hung in the air, heavy with tension. The atmosphere between them grew dense, charged with unspoken emotions.
Serenith realized her words were a shield. She was protecting herself. And she had no intention of explaining further. Not tonight.
Kai didn't move. His cold stare remained fixed on her, as though weighing every word she had just spoken. His eyes conveyed something inscrutable—did he believe her, or was he still skeptical?
The longer he stared, the more irritated Serenith became. It felt as if his gaze was stripping away her defenses, scrutinizing her every thought. She had had enough. Without a word, she pushed past him gently, enough to make her way to her door.
Without looking back, she opened the door and shut it firmly behind her. The soft thud echoed faintly down the quiet corridor.
Inside her room, Serenith leaned against the door, then slid to the floor, her breath heavy—not from physical exhaustion, but from the mental strain that left her drained.
For a moment, she wanted nothing more than to escape it all—Kai's piercing eyes, the weight of her circumstances, and the life that felt increasingly suffocating. I just want tomorrow to come quickly.
Serenith sat at the edge of her bed, her mind spinning with relentless thoughts. The dim glow of the bedside lamp reflected in the window, casting faint, dancing shadows across the glass. Her room was silent, but her thoughts were deafening.
She had come to this manor fully aware that she didn't belong here. Staying wasn't an option. That had been clear from the start.
Her mother would be marrying a man of immense wealth—a nobleman renowned for his global luxury hotel empire. Serenith had researched Lord Regalus before coming here. She knew this world wasn't hers.
Would there be a place for someone like her here?
For a widow with a child, no status, and no influence, marrying a man like Lord Regalus? Serenith could already imagine the whispers and judgmental stares from Regalus's relatives. Their cold, condescending gazes would scrutinize her mother as an opportunist—and Serenith as nothing but a burden.
She reminded herself of her simple goal: attend the wedding, offer her congratulations, and leave. Return to her old life, far from judging eyes and unspoken expectations.
But who would have thought that Kai—her newly introduced stepbrother—would be the one to ask such pointed, personal questions? Even her mother hadn't broached the subject.
Now her emotions churned, leaving her spirits shattered. That conversation had left a bitter taste in her mouth, one that wouldn't fade easily. But she knew she had to smile tomorrow, facing her mother's wedding day with a calm demeanor as if everything was fine.
As if she didn't feel like a stranger in this world.