The news of his sudden marriage had been… unexpected. To her. The new Young Madam Velyne. A woman from nowhere, with no pedigree, no position.
Elara stopped in front of the large mirror in the hallway, inspecting herself. Her gaze was hard, cold. She was beautiful, confident, everything a woman in her position should be. But beneath that polished exterior, a storm was brewing. Kael's marriage had unsettled her, and the sight of him standing with Seren at the event had only confirmed the chaos that was brewing within her.
Her thought went back to the night of the event when Elara first saw them together, her breath caught in her throat, though her face remained perfectly composed. She'd arrived at the event just as Kael and his new bride made their entrance, and despite the crowd, despite the noise and chatter of the gathered elite, her attention had immediately been drawn to him.
Kael stood as always, commanding, unapproachable, like a statue of ice. But this time, something was different. He wasn't alone. Seren Velyne, a woman she had never seen before, stood at his side, a vision of elegance in a dress that screamed wealth and new money.
It was then that Elara felt a flicker of something she hadn't experienced in a long time—discomfort. The unfamiliar woman looked so out of place, yet so at ease beside Kael. Elara's eyes narrowed slightly, studying the way Seren held herself, the way she tilted her head as she spoke to him. There was no fear in her—only a confident assurance, as if she belonged there, beside Kael, in that world Elara had always believed was her domain.
When they crossed paths later in the evening, Elara had to admit that Seren's grace under pressure was impressive. But the way she'd addressed her—Miss Seren Velyne—as if she were already one of them, one of the powerful, influential elite... Elara had barely contained the smile that tugged at her lips.
"Well, well," Elara had greeted, her voice smooth and easy. "Young Master Velyne. And this must be your lovely wife, Miss Seren Velyne."
Seren had been polite, but Elara could tell she was watching her, measuring her. She was new to this world, but she wouldn't be for long. It was only a matter of time before she became a player in the game Elara had mastered long ago.
But it wasn't Seren's words that caught Elara's attention—it was Kael's expression. When Elara had looked up at him, expecting the familiar cool detachment, she had found something else.
A flicker. A shadow of something she couldn't quite place.
And now the fear of Kael's change is now slowly making her panic.
"She must not let her win" she thought as she made her way to Velyne Mansion.
The morning after the grand event was quieter than Seren expected. The Velyne estate, a place of controlled efficiency, carried the subtle hum of its usual routine. Maids moved about their tasks with precision, and the household staff operated in seamless coordination.
Seren sat in the sunroom, a book in her hands, though she hadn't turned a page in several minutes. She was still replaying the previous night—the sharp glances, the hushed whispers, the way Kael had subtly placed his hand on her back as they navigated the world of the powerful.
And, of course, Elara Hollingsworth.
Seren knew a woman like that wouldn't just disappear. The way Elara had looked at her last night had been anything but indifferent. It had been… measured. Calculating.
The sound of approaching footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. A maid entered, bowing respectfully.
"Young Madam, Miss Elara Hollingsworth has arrived."
Seren blinked. Already?
"She's here to pay respects to the Master," the maid added.
Kael's grandfather.
Seren shut her book. That was a plausible enough reason—Elara's family had long-standing ties with the Velynes. But Seren doubted this visit was purely out of respect for an elder.
"She's in the drawing room," the maid continued.
Seren rose from her seat, smoothing her dress. "Where's Kael?"
"The Young Master is in his study. Shall I inform him?"
Seren shook her head. If Kael wanted to deal with Elara, he would come on his own. For now, Seren would see for herself what this visit was truly about.
When Seren stepped into the drawing room, she immediately spotted Elara. The woman was seated gracefully, sipping tea as if she belonged there.
"Miss Elara," Seren greeted smoothly, taking her seat across from her.
Elara looked up, her lips curling into that polite, unreadable smile. "Young Madam Velyne" she replied, her tone even.
Seren tilted her head slightly. "I wasn't expecting visitors this morning."
Elara placed her teacup down with careful precision. "I didn't come unannounced, I assure you. I thought it would be appropriate to visit Grandfather Velyne after such a grand occasion."
Seren nodded, keeping her expression neutral. "A thoughtful gesture."
Elara studied her for a moment before speaking again. "Last night was quite an event, wasn't it?"
Seren smiled, feigning innocence. "Was it? I thought it was just another gathering of the wealthy and powerful."
Elara chuckled softly, though the amusement didn't reach her eyes. "And yet, it was more than that. Everyone was watching."
Seren didn't need to ask what she meant.
She set down her own teacup, meeting Elara's gaze directly. "Let's not dance around, Elara. If you have something to say, say it."
Elara leaned back slightly, as if assessing her. "You don't waste time, do you?"
"I don't like games," Seren replied coolly.
Elara smirked. "How interesting. Because that's exactly what you're part of now."
Seren didn't flinch. "And yet, I'm still here."
Elara's eyes glinted with something unreadable. "For now."
The words were subtle, but the meaning was clear.
Seren leaned forward slightly, resting her hands on her lap. "You came here for a reason, Elara. Was it truly just to greet Grandfather Velyne? Or were you hoping for something else?"
Elara smiled, but it was sharp. "I believe in tradition, Seren. And I believe that certain… relationships aren't so easily rewritten."
Seren understood then. This wasn't just about her. It was about Kael.
Elara wasn't here to reminisce about the past—she was here to remind Seren of it.
But Seren wasn't easily intimidated. She had faced Kael's cold indifference, the scrutiny of powerful families, and the weight of expectations far greater than herself.
She wasn't going to back down now.
Taking a sip of her tea, she met Elara's gaze head-on. "Tradition is only as strong as those who uphold it. And Kael has made his choice."
Elara held her gaze for a long moment before finally setting her cup down.
"A bold statement," she murmured. "Let's see if it lasts."
And with that, Elara rose gracefully from her seat.
"I won't take any more of your time, Young Madam," she said, her tone polite, but laced with something unspoken.
Seren stood as well, offering her a perfectly measured smile. "You're welcome anytime, Elara."
Elara's lips curved slightly. "Be careful with invitations. You never know who might accept them."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving behind only the faint scent of expensive perfume and a tension that lingered in the air long after she was gone.
Seren exhaled slowly, sitting back down.
This wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
Soon, dinner came.
The grand dining hall of the Velyne estate was a place of understated yet undeniable power. A long, polished table stretched beneath the glow of an intricate chandelier, the air filled with the quiet clinking of silverware and the occasional murmur of conversation.
Seren sat beside Kael, her posture poised, her expression composed. She was used to high society gatherings, but dining with the Velyne family was something else entirely. Every word spoken carried weight, every glance held unspoken meaning.
Grandfather Velyne sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding without effort. The other family members engaged in polite conversation, but there was no mistaking the way his sharp gaze occasionally settled on Seren, as if assessing something only he could see.
Kael, as always, was unreadable. He responded when necessary, his words measured, his tone neutral. He didn't fill silences with unnecessary chatter—he didn't need to. His mere presence was enough to command attention.
Seren, despite the tension, carried herself with ease. She had spent years perfecting the art of appearing unbothered, of knowing when to speak and when to observe. And right now, she was observing.
The conversation drifted toward business—expansions, acquisitions, strategic partnerships. Seren recognized some of the names being mentioned, powerful figures she had briefly encountered at the event the night before.
At one point, Grandfather Velyne turned his gaze toward her.
"You handled yourself well at the gathering last night," he remarked.
Seren met his gaze without hesitation. "Thank you."
His expression remained unreadable. "But handling a social event is one thing. Handling what comes after is another."
A test. A warning.
Seren simply smiled. "I'd like to think I adapt quickly."
A flicker of something—perhaps amusement, perhaps interest—crossed his face before he returned to his meal.
Kael remained silent, but Seren could feel his presence beside her, solid and unwavering.
She wasn't sure whether it was a silent approval or simply his usual indifference.
Either way, she didn't mind.
She was just getting started.
Not long after, Old Master Velyne reside back to his room.