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— Why did they call us here? — Nael's voice cut through the silence of the room, cold and direct, like a sharp blade that didn't hesitate to make its mark. It was the first time he spoke during dinner, and his words, simple and loaded with an unyielding indifference, immediately created tension. Everyone at the table, even those most accustomed to his presence, felt a shiver run down their spines, as if the air had grown thicker, harder to breathe.
Emily, Kendrick's wife, observed the scene with a slight expression of discomfort. She, who had always known how to deal with the weight of Nael's presence, felt for a moment small before that penetrating gaze. Kendrick, her husband, was an imposing man, but Nael... Nael was something else. He didn't need words to impose his presence; his gaze alone was enough to make anyone retreat. Emily, however, knew she was different. To her, he was not just the monster everyone saw; she understood him, or at least she tried. He was Kendrick's point of balance, his invisible anchor that kept him grounded, preventing him from falling into the abyss where his own demons called.
Kendrick, with all his power and coldness, had something that anchored him. Something that kept him from succumbing to his darkest instincts. And it was Emily who played that role. She, even though she too bore the scars of her own life, carried the silent strength of a woman who had grown accustomed to the burden of being the savior of someone as lost as Kendrick. She knew what would happen if she ever lost that position, if something broke the bond between them. The abyss awaited, and any mistake she made could unleash a devastating fury.
But, no matter how much Emily knew this, no matter how accustomed she was to Nael's cold gaze, there was still something about him that made her skin crawl. It was as if, no matter how strong she was, she would never be completely immune to the power he exerted. He didn't speak much, but his presence spread through the room like a shadow, enveloping and intimidating. It was a look that spoke more than a thousand words, a look that penetrated the deepest layers of anyone who received it, as if it could read their most secret thoughts, their most hidden weaknesses.
Nael, for his part, seemed indifferent to Emily's reaction. His cold, impassive eyes fixed on her for a moment, studying her as if analyzing every movement she made, every breath she took. His gaze wasn't just empty; it carried the shadow of something deeper, something few dared confront. Emily, no matter how hard she tried to maintain her composure, felt a slight tension in her body. But, somewhere deep inside her, she knew that gaze was just another form of control, another way for Nael to assert his superiority. He had no real interest in her, but she felt that, if he wanted, he could crush her with a mere movement of his hands.
What unsettled her more, however, wasn't Nael's gaze, but the sensation that, in some way, he understood her. It was as if he knew, without her needing to say a word, the weight she carried inside. He knew what kept her there, close to Kendrick, and that disturbed her deeply. It was a sense of vulnerability she, even being so strong and used to dealing with people of such cruel natures, couldn't avoid.
Nael, for his part, seemed indifferent to all of this. He knew what he represented to Kendrick and, consequently, to Emily. But that didn't make his gaze any softer. On the contrary, he fed off the tension he caused, the way everyone felt displaced around him. He was used to being the center of unease, the breaking point. Nothing else affected him.
Dinner continued, but the atmosphere was marked by this moment of discomfort. While the others tried to talk, pretending to ignore the growing tension, each of them seemed burdened by their own thoughts. Emily, still trying to find some balance, diverted her gaze from Nael and focused on her own breathing. The silence, which had been briefly interrupted by his words, once again stretched through the room, heavy, like a fog that refused to dissipate.
At that moment, everyone knew something was coming. Something that would be revealed, something that would shatter the fragile balance that still remained among them. Nael's gaze, the coldness of his presence, indicated that nothing here was simple. And all, in some way, were about to discover how deep the crack was running beneath the surface of what seemed like just another family dinner.
As I imagined, I wouldn't hide this from you for long — said Rose, her voice carrying a weight, her expression weary and, at the same time, resolute. She looked around the table, and suddenly, the air grew denser, as if the weight of her words was enough to crush any attempt at normalcy that might have remained.
Nael, always so imposing, was the first to break the silence. His eyes, cold as steel, locked onto Rose, without emotion, but with palpable tension in the room. He didn't speak much, but when he did, his words were a sharp blade.
— Speak. — The demand in his voice was clear, with no room for hesitation.
Rose took a deep breath, as if preparing for a truth she knew would not be well received. She began, almost in a whisper, but her voice became audible to all in the room, cutting through the air with an unexpected coldness:
— Your sister will have to choose... between marrying the future capo... or marrying the eldest son of the Russian mafia.
The sentence echoed through the room, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. Rose's words landed like a mortal weight, and the atmosphere grew darker. That choice — a choice that should never have existed — threatened to destabilize the balance of everyone present. The tension was palpable.
Nayara, the Princess of Death, felt rage grow inside her like an uncontrollable fire. She was not just a proud woman; she was a destructive force, and in that moment, everything inside her was primed to explode. She stood up, her body rigid, her fists clenched, the intent to kill vibrating in the air. Her voice came out like a growl:
— How dare you... — Rage overflowed, her eyes sparking with fury that only someone with her experience could understand. She had never been the "good" one, but there was a limit, and Rose had crossed it.
Beside Nayara, Celestia also lost her composure. The mother, usually unflappable, was now consumed by the same rage that seemed to set her daughter alight. The tension between them, mother and daughter, was a dense energy, almost palpable, and everyone feared that this tension would turn into something even more deadly.
Nayara, with the presence of a true queen, fixed her gaze on Rose with an intensity that made the woman hesitate.
— Do you know who you're talking to? — Nayara's voice was threatening, but it was much more than that. She wasn't just defending her honor; she was asserting her place on the board. She was the future queen of the Assassins' Order, a title earned not with mere words, but with blood and sweat. She wasn't just a princess — she was a monster everyone feared, and those who dared challenge her authority wouldn't leave unscathed.
Rose, however, already knew. She knew that Nayara was more than a mere threat. She was a force that could not be underestimated. But the woman had no time to respond, as it was Nael, the quietest, the most calculated, who intervened.
— She know. Now, sit down and shut up. — For the first time, Nael's voice, usually impassive, sounded with a commanding tone, almost... concern? But nothing on his face betrayed any such emotion. His expression remained calculating, cold, as if he were analyzing everyone around him, waiting for the right moment to reveal what he truly thought.
— Continue! — Nael spoke again, but it sounded more like an order.
The silence was heavy, but soon another voice interrupted, coming from an unexpected place. Merlin, angry at Nael's attitude, stood up and spoke, his voice clearly filled with rage:
— Don't talk like that to grandma. — His words were tinged with desperation and indignation. He, the youngest of Kendrick's sons, stood up impulsively, defending Rose with the strength his body didn't yet have, but with a heart completely driven by the protection of his family.
Nael simply looked at him, his eyes fixed on him for a moment, and, as expected, nothing happened. Nael's gaze wasn't threatening; it was just empty, as if the whole world were insignificant in his perception. Merlin, even though he was angry, couldn't do anything. The power imbalance between them was obvious.
Rose, then, trying to regain some composure and calm, raised her hand, asking everyone to settle down. Her eyes were tired, but she knew it was necessary to explain, even though her words wouldn't ease the tension.
— I just ask for everyone to calm down. I'll explain everything. I promise I'll explain everything. — Rose's voice was tense but filled with a sincerity no one could ignore. She knew that what she was about to say would change everything, but the decision had already been made. There was no going back.
As the conversation continued, the atmosphere was irrevocably altered. The shadow of the choice, the tension, the rage — all of it hung in the air like a specter, waiting for the right moment to manifest in
a way that would change the world forever.
As the conversation continued, the atmosphere was irrevocably altered. The shadow of the choice, the tension, the anger—everything hung in the air like a specter, waiting for the right moment to manifest definitively. The family's future was about to be decided, and none of them knew yet how deep the abyss they were about to fall into would be.
The mood in the room was heavy, as if the air had become thick, difficult to breathe. Rose, with her voice tense and visibly shaken, began to reveal a truth that was about to destroy the fragile stability that remained in that moment. Each word she uttered seemed to tear the silence apart, like a sharp blade cutting through flesh. She hesitated for a moment, clearly overwhelmed by the pain she was about to share with everyone, but she knew there was no turning back.
— Your father... — She began, her voice trembling, almost impossible to control. A massive weight formed in her chest, as if all her hopes had been crushed at once. — He raped the younger sister of the Russian mafia boss. And as compensation, he promised to marry his oldest daughter. They refused. So, he swore that, even if it were as a concubine, she would stay with him, as long as he left her alive.
The room went completely silent, each gaze fixed on Rose as if she were the only thing that existed there. The revelation was like a bomb, exploding in each heart, leaving everyone speechless, stunned. Her words echoed, reverberating in the minds of those present, while Nayara and Celestia, initially stunned, began to react.
— I will kill him... — Nayara growled, the rage emanating from her body like a storm about to break. Celestia's furious gaze met her daughter's, but before either could react, something stopped them. Nael.
Nael, with an eerie calm, fixed his penetrating gaze on Nayara and Celestia. It was a gaze that seemed to transcend mere observation—it was as if he were stripping away their souls, calculating each movement, each thought. In that moment, it felt as though the power of his presence silenced any impulsive reaction. Nayara and Celestia, so intensely consumed by their anger, instantly calmed down, their bodies frozen by the force of Nael's presence.
Rose, taking a deep breath, continued, her voice now lower, more resigned, as if each word were an unbearable weight:
— So, as a solution, I propose that either your daughter or your sister marry the boss's son. That way, she can escape this vicious circle. And yes, I know who you are, Nayara. The Princess of the Order. Everyone knows that. That makes you even more valuable, more desired. They are willing to go to war for you. You are more valuable than you can imagine. Being the Princess of the Order doesn't make you terrifying, it only makes you more coveted. Everyone knows this, and everyone worries about it. All the organizations want to control the Order, but they all fear facing it. However, since your father promised you to him, he must fulfill it. There is a rule in the organization: do not get involved in family matters. And this, my dear, is a family matter. So the Order will not intervene.
"In a world where the skies hide unfathomable secrets and the earth pulses with ancient energies, every choice could be the beginning of a legend. Between the glow of the stars and the weight of destiny, our heroes challenge the impossible, guided by the indomitable flame that burns in their hearts. 🌌✨
Get ready to dive into a universe where cultivation is more than power — it is the essence of the soul, the path to transcendence. Will they overcome their own limits, or succumb to the forces conspiring in the shadows? The next chapter is coming to shake the foundations of this epic world! 🔥📜
Don't miss the chance to be part of this unique journey. Like, comment, and share! Let's uncover the mysteries of cultivation and write our own legend!"