CHAPTER 174: TO ADOPT RIN?

The D’Amaris mansion stood at the edge of the upper district, its huge building glowing faintly under the moonlight. The carriages outside had gone, and the guards at the gate bowed as their master returned.

Marquess D’Amaris stepped out, his expression calm but heavy with different thoughts. His dark green cloak trailed behind him as he adjusted his gloves. The butler, an older man named Albrecht, greeted him at the entrance with a polite bow.

"Welcome home, my lord," Albrecht said with a gentle smile. "How was the game?"

The Marquess removed his gloves slowly, handing them over. "As always, it ended in blood and money. The nobles enjoyed the cruelty more than the game itself."

Albrecht nodded knowingly. "Did you make any purchase, my lord?"

"No," D’Amaris said quietly. "I had no intention to. I only went because the Duke sent an invitation. The entire thing was a farce."

The butler smiled faintly. "It’s good to see you haven’t changed."

The Marquess gave a small hum and began walking toward the stairs. "Where’s Seraphina?"

"She attended a tea party with the other ladies of the court," Albrecht said as he followed beside him. "She should return any moment now."

"Good," the Marquess murmured. "Prepare dinner for us. I’ll dine with my daughter tonight."

Albrecht blinked slightly at the sudden request but quickly bowed. "At once, my lord."

.

.

Inside his chambers, the Marquess removed his coat and placed it on the stand. He sat down at the edge of the bed, running a hand over his face. His mind drifted back to the arena... the white-haired boy who spoke to him without a hint of fear or arrogance.

Rin.

That name echoed in his thoughts.

Rin was not like anyone he had ever met. He wasn’t noble, not by blood or title, yet he carried himself with a quiet confidence that surpassed every aristocrat he had known. When Rin spoke, even the air around him seemed to listen.

The Marquess frowned slightly, remembering the way Rin had looked at him. His look was steady, unflinching, and calm. He couldn’t shake the thought that if he were told to kneel before that boy, he wouldn’t hesitate.

"Strange," he muttered to himself. "Why would a commoner carry such a presence?"

He leaned back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

"If he were my son... perhaps I could be proud."

But then the thought of his daughter crossed his mind... her temper, her vanity, the endless pride she carried like a crown she didn’t deserve.

He sighed heavily. "If only she had half of his heart."

For a long while, he sat in silence before finally pushing himself to stand. "I should take a bath."

He spent the next half hour washing away the exhaustion from the day. The steam eased the stiffness in his muscles, but it couldn’t quiet the thoughts running through his mind.

When he finished dressing in a clean, dark robe, Albrecht entered quietly.

"My lord, the young lady has returned."

The Marquess nodded. "Prepare the dining room."

.

.

The long dining hall in the mansion glowed warmly with golden light thanks to the chandeliers that sparkled above. The scent of roasted meat and wine filled the air. When the Marquess entered, Seraphina rose gracefully from her chair and curtsied.

"Father," she greeted with a soft smile, her posture flawless. "You wished to dine with me tonight?"

He nodded. "Is there a problem with that?"

She blinked in surprise, then smiled again. "No, of course not. I was just surprised."

He gestured for her to sit. "Then let’s eat."

She sat and placed her hand on the table. She never thought her father would wish to eat dinner with her. When she heard the news from his butler after returning from the boring tea party, she wanted to bail out but she couldn’t.

’I hope he has nothing to discuss with me,’

The maids moved quickly, serving the food and pouring wine into their glasses. For a few moments, silence hung between them... broken only by the soft clinking of silverware.

But the peace didn’t last.

As one of the maids leaned forward to refill Seraphina’s glass, a few drops of red wine splashed onto her cream-colored gown.

The girl froze.

Seraphina’s eyes widened, and in an instant, she stood, her hand striking the maid across the face. The sharp sound echoed through the hall.

"Do you know how much this dress cost?!" she yelled, glaring at the terrified maid. "It’s imported from the Northern Empire! Limited edition! You... worthless fool!"

The maid trembled, her head bowed. "F-forgive me, my lady... It was a mistake,"

"Mistake? Let me show you what a mistake is when I forget my hand on your filthy face!" Seraphina snapped, raising her hand again.

"Enough."

The single word froze the room.

The Marquess’s voice was calm, yet it carried an authority that made even the guards outside tense.

He looked at his daughter with a frown. "Sit down."

Seraphina blinked, confused. "But Father, she..."

"Sit," he repeated firmly.

Her lips pressed together as she slowly sat, glaring at the maid who ran out of the room in tears.

The Marquess sighed quietly and set down his fork. "You hit her over a dress. Why?"

Seraphina frowned. "Because she ruined it. That dress was..."

"Just a dress," he interrupted. "You have dozens more. Stop treating people like they’re beneath you."

Seraphina looked away, her tone colder. "They are beneath me. They serve us, Father. They are nothing but servants,"

He studied her face silently. There was no remorse... only annoyance.

After a long pause, he said quietly, "You should learn to be more like Rin."

The knife in Seraphina’s hand froze. Her head snapped up.

"What did you say?"

"I said," the Marquess repeated, "you should be more like Rin."

She set her utensils down with a loud clang. "Why are you suddenly bringing up that name?"

"Because I met him today," the Marquess said evenly. "He’s not like the rumours, Seraphina. He’s kind. He saved the Omegas that others threw away. He speaks with respect, even to those below him. He’s everything a noble should be."

Seraphina’s hands curled into fists beneath the table.

Her father continued, unaware... or perhaps ignoring... the storm building in her eyes.

"He’s closer to the servants than anyone I’ve seen, yet no one looks down on him. That boy... he carries himself with true grace."

Her jaw tightened. "Are you done?"

He raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

She stood abruptly, forcing a smile. "If you’re done singing praises for that filthy commoner, I’ll take my leave."

She turned to walk away....

...but a silver knife shot past her shoulder, slicing a strand of her hair before embedding itself into the wall with a sharp thunk.

The hall went silent.

Seraphina froze in place, her body trembling. Slowly, she turned back to her father, her face pale. "F-Father... did you just—"

"Sit," the Marquess said again, his voice calm but cold enough to cut the air.

Seraphina’s lips trembled. She had never heard that tone from him before. Since her mother’s death, he had always treated her like glass that is fragile, precious, and untouchable. But now, his eyes were hard, his voice unyielding.

She sat down slowly, her hands shaking.

The Marquess leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. "You’ve lost your way, Seraphina. You think power makes you untouchable, but it only exposes how weak you are. That boy... Rin... he’s stronger than you in every way."

Her throat tightened. "Why are you defending him? Do you even know what he did to me...?"

"What you did," he cut in sharply. "You humiliated him in front of others. You ordered your maid to strike him. And when he didn’t retaliate, you had him dragged to the palace dungeon."

She flinched. "I... I didn’t mean..."

"Enough," he said. "You will apologise."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

He looked straight at her. "I’ve decided. Rin deserves more than an apology. He deserves respect. I’m considering adopting him."

Her entire body went rigid. "You... you want to what?"

He spoke calmly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "If he accepts, he will become your brother."

The room felt suddenly too small. Seraphina’s ears rang.

"Do you even know who he is?" she snapped. "He’s my enemy!"

The Marquess didn’t blink. "Then learn to live with it. And another thing... stop chasing after Lucien Vortellion. He belongs to someone else. I was told to inform you,"

Her voice broke slightly. "Who said that?"

The Marquess stood, placing his napkin on the table. "Rin."

The words hit harder than the knife.

He straightened his coat and said calmly,

"Accept it, Seraphina. You’ll find someone better. Perhaps the Crown Prince. But Lucien and Rin are bound to each other, whether you like it or not."

He turned toward the door. "Do you understand?"

Her voice was faint, trembling.

"Yes... Father. I understand."

He gave her a small smile.

"Good girl." He placed a hand on her shoulder briefly... a gesture of comfort that felt more like farewell... and walked out of the dining hall.

.

The moment his footsteps faded, Seraphina’s hand clenched around her skirt. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her mind spinning.

Her eyes drifted toward the knife still lodged in the wall. Slowly, she stood, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor as she approached it.

The metal gleamed under the chandelier’s light.

Her reflection in the blade looked twisted... her smile faint, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

She gripped the handle and whispered, "Rin..."

Her voice trembled, then hardened.

"For what my father did to me tonight..." she pulled the knife free, her fingers trembling with rage, "...I’ll make you pay tenfold."

The light flickered above her as she smiled faintly... a cruel smile that never reached her eyes.