The air was thick with tension within the Luxveil mansion as Selena stood before her vanity, gazing reluctantly at her reflection.
The sunlight filtering through the ornate drapes cast a warm glow across her features, highlighting the subtle contours of her face, yet this beauty felt like a stranger to her—an illusion that adorned the shell of her identity.
"Get ready," her father had commanded earlier, his tone heavy and uncompromising.
"We are visiting Young Master Leo, and you must look the part."
The very idea of conforming to another's expectations filled her with disdain.
Dressing in a seductive outfit was a bittersweet irony—she had always been the refined, reserved daughter of nobility, polished and poised, yet never once handed over to the whims of seduction.
The vivid memory of her father's expression haunted her—his urgency laced with desperation, the weight of their family's reputation resting upon her shoulders like an unbearable shroud.
She had wanted to resist, to argue against the travesty of being paraded like a prize possession instead of a woman of depth and intellect.
But the flicker of uncertainty in her father's eyes silenced her rebellion.
Reluctantly, she reached for the crimson gown that lay draped over the chair, a mesmerizing garment that hugged her body in all the right places, its satin sheen whispering promises of allure that she found repugnant.
The fabric felt foreign against her skin, the warmth of it suffocating as she slipped into it, her heart pounding in resentment.
As she applied the makeup—each stroke of the brush feeling like a betrayal against her essence—her reflection morphed, and she could hardly recognize the vixen staring back at her.
Her lips, now painted a daring shade of red, seemed to mock her very being with each glance, further blurring the lines between power and submission.
She was fortifying her femininity at the cost of her spirit, transforming her into an object of desire, a mere trinket to be examined.
"Enough of this hesitation," her father urged from behind her, cutting through her spiraling thoughts like a knife through silk.
"We cannot afford to appear weak. Not when our future depends on this meeting."
Finally, with a clenched jaw and a heavy heart, she relented to the weight of his expectations.
"Fine," she murmured, a silent agreement forged under the looming shadow of family duty.
Once she was prepared, she descended the stairs, each step echoing with the thundering beats of her heart—a grim reminder of where they were headed.
The path to the Aetherwind residence felt interminable, like traversing the fabric of a different world altogether.
Glistening roads wound through the lush countryside, vibrant wildflowers bowing to the gentle caresses of the wind, as if nature itself seemed to mock her burgeoning anxiety.
As they approached Leo's new estate, her chest tightened at the sight of the colossal gates that loomed ahead—vast and majestic, they beckoned with an aura of prestige that set even the most stalwart heart quaking.
These gates were the threshold to a realm where she felt distinctly inferior, a stark reminder of their shifting fortunes.
Upon drawing closer, the sight of a guard stationed at the gate sent a chill crawling up Selena's spine.
He was a hulking figure, his stance resolute, emanating an air of authority that seemed to vibrate through the atmosphere.
At his side hung weapons pristine and polished, and Selena's eyes widened as she realized that he was no ordinary guard—he was of the Fourth Realm, a realm of power and prowess that sent a cold sweat coursing down her father's back.
Selena noticed how her father's confidence dwindled, his shoulders sagging beneath the burden of their impending shame as he stole glances toward her, his brow knit in concern.
"Do you see that?" he whispered, his voice barely rising above the rustling leaves.
"Even the guards here… they are more formidable than our entire estate."
"Father, we can't turn back now," Selena muttered, her heart racing.
A strange mixture of horror and determination filled her—she could not allow fear to dictate their path.
With a deep breath and a flicker of resolve igniting within him, her father stepped forward, drawing himself up despite the weight of trepidation whispering in his ear.
He squared his shoulders and approached the guard, who regarded him with an impassive expression that amounted to little more than stone.
"Excuse me," he called, his voice shaking only slightly, "we seek an audience with Young Master Leo."
The guard merely stared, the flicker of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, and after a moment of scrutiny, nodded.
"You may enter," he said, his voice deep and unwavering.
"But remember, Young Master Leo is a busy man. He does not tolerate disruptions."
With that, he stepped aside, swinging the massive gates open to reveal the opulent villa that lay beyond.
Selena's breath caught in her throat as they crossed the threshold.
The sight that greeted them was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
The expansive grounds spread out before them like an artist's masterpiece, far more opulent than any residence Selena had encountered—even the Aetherwinds' previous home paled in comparison.
The villa itself was a stunning edifice, a harmonious blend of grandeur and architectural finesse, manifesting luxury in every meticulously designed detail.
"You've got to be kidding me…" Selena murmured, unable to suppress the sense of astonishment that gripped her very core.
The villa soared into the sky, adorned with intricate stonework that spoke of ancient artistry—the kind that inspired reverence rather than envy.
Servants flitted about the manor like silent wraiths, their movements choreographed to perfection, but the cracks of disdain in the air weighed down on Selena and her father like leaden chains.
One maid approached them with practiced ease.
"Please wait here until Young Master Leo arrives," she informed them, her tone curt and devoid of warmth, a stark contrast to the hospitality they had once known.
Selena felt her heart sink at the dismissive nature of the maid's words, an affront that grated against her sensibilities.
"Wait?" she echoed, incredulity etched on her features.
"Yes," the maid replied, her eyes flicking dispassionately over Selena's attire before settling on her father.
"It may take some time."
And so they waited, perched awkwardly in the waiting area as the relentless march of time slipped by their fingertips like grains of sand.
The echoes of their earlier indignance lingered, and with each tick of the clock, resentment coiled tighter in Selena's chest.
Hours unfolded before them like the petals of a wilting flower, each moment steeped in uncomfortable silence.
The opulence surrounding them, which had initially dazzled her, now felt suffocating, shrouding them in dishonor.
"Where is he?" Selena finally snapped, the impatience bubbling over her facade until it shattered.
The decorum instilled in her upbringing felt like a distant echo.
A maid briefly appeared to replenish the decorative features around the room, and with an air of indignation, Selena seized the moment.
"Why has Young Master Leo not arrived? We do not have all day."
The maid turned to her with a look of disdain shimmering in her eyes, the curves of her lips tight.
"Young Master Leo has important work to attend to," she retorted sharply, her tone dripping with condescension.
"He will come when he is ready, and both of you can wait."
Selena felt a cold fire erupt within her, each word from the maid felt like shards of glass embedded in her pride.
The audacity of her tone clawed at her, the disdainful flick of her eyes reminiscent of a servant who had once bowed in respect to her family.
"Do you realize who we are?" her father interjected defensively, but even as the words left his mouth, they felt insubstantial against the weight of their current insignificance.
"Does it matter?" the maid replied with a scornful glare before turning away, leaving them in the discontented silence that swallowed the room like the gaping maw of a hungry beast.
Selena clenched her fists, her frustration simmering to a boiling point.
How dare they treat them—her, the cherished daughter of the Luxveil family—with such condescension?
Was this the new reality? Objectively reduced to nothing?
The now-stuffy atmosphere made her skin prick with indignation, and she searched for a release, struggling to balance the tempest of her emotions.
Meanwhile, as they languished in disbelief, Leo was ensconced within his own domain, blissfully ignorant of the chaos that simmered beyond his walls.
He lounged comfortably in the lavish interiors of his new villa, a vast palace that evoked great envy and awe, basking in the sweetness of indulgences brought forth by his maid, Anne.
With her rich auburn hair cascading over her shoulders, she fed him delicious snacks, her cheeks blooming with the subtle hue of youthful blush as she leaned closer.
"You really must try this one, Young Master—it's exquisite!"
He smirked, enjoying her attentive service as she smiled brightly down at him.
But even as sweetness filled the air, Butler Wang returned to the fold, his demeanor calm but stern.
"Excuse me, Young Master. May I suggest you do not forget about the Luxveil Family waiting for you?" he reminded, eyebrow raised, as a shadow of apprehension touched his expression.
Leo rolled his eyes, a wave of impatience crashing over him as he leaned back into his plush seat.
"Let them wait for a little while longer. I am busy enjoying my afternoon, and besides, dealing with them is hardly a priority."
After another hour slipped by, his initial amusement transformed into a hint of irritation as he mulled over the impending encounter with Selena and her father.
Eventually, the moment arrived for him to rise from his comfort.
He rose and gracefully strode toward the expansive hall, feeling the shift of power within every step.
He entered, the automatic reaction of the room's ambiance shifting toward him.
Selena and her father stood stiffly at the other end, their expressions a mix of uncertainty and suppressed indignation that amused him.
"Well, well," he drawled, a mocking smile curling his lips as he made his way toward them, "you've arrived earlier than I anticipated, but apologies—too much busywork," he stated, his voice laden with feigned sweetness.
Selena's temper flared, eyes narrowing dangerously as she stepped forward, her heart thrumming violently against her ribcage.
"Why have you kept us waiting for so long?" she demanded, the words spilling forth like a torrent.
"Miss Selena," he replied, his tone as cool as autumn nights.
"Do you really think I'll be tolerant of your attitude? The gift I extended to you appears not enough to warrant respect, it seems."
Her shocked silence was palpable; the venom of his words coiled around her, suffocating her response.
Her defenses faltered; she was left speechless, her ardor evaporating amidst the self-assured presence of Leo before her.
"State your intention and quickly," Leo continued, impatience edging into his voice, each word a new pinprick to her ego.
Her father stepped forward, swallowing hard.
"Young Master Leo, we have come to plead for leniency regarding our family. We wish to spare the Luxveil family from further ruin," he stammered, his tone weighted with sincerity but hovering just over the precipice of desperation.
Leo's face twisted into a mocking grin, delighting in their plight.
"I did not directly involve myself in your family's matter, yet the effects of your decisions extend far and wide. But what if I were to take a direct hand against your family? What then?"
The implication of his words hung heavy in the air like a storm cloud threatening rain, and both Selena and her father felt a chill cascade through their veins, fear tracing their features like ink spilling across parchment.
"W-What do you mean?" Selena's father stammered, color draining from his face as the reality of Leo's threat settled in.
"I mean," Leo said slowly, emphasizing each syllable with calculated precision, "that while you stand here now, seeking my mercy, I could just as easily be the architect of your downfall. One gesture, one command, and the legacy that you hold so dear could very easily slip into oblivion."
Selena's heart pounded in her chest, a wild drum echoing within the confines of her mind.
A terrifying image caught and held her, one that spiraled through her thoughts like an unyielding tempest.
Their family name, once representing power and influence, now precariously dangled on the edge of a knife, ready to fall at the slightest flick of fate's fingers.
"What's it going to be?" Leo taunted, an edge of cruelty lurking beneath his words as he leaned back casually, exuding an indolent confidence that felt almost oppressive.
Selena opened her mouth, the words teetering on the brink of conviction, but they faltered, swallowed by the enormity of their situation.
The silence that ensued was a deafening contrast, thrumming with an undercurrent of impending chaos.
"Perhaps you should consider the severity of your predicament before responding," Leo continued, amusement dancing in his eyes as he observed their fear reflected back at him.
"You were vilified by your own arrogance and do not forget that I'm not just an ally to be trifled with."
Her father's composure cracked, and he drew a breath laden with resignation.
"We will do anything," he interjected, desperate to salvage what remained of their dignity.
"We have made mistakes, but let us rectify them together."
"Rectify?" Leo echoed, a dark grin curling upon his lips.
The joy emanating from him felt glib, wrapped in a shroud of mockery that further unmoored her father's conviction.
Selena tightened her grip on her resolve, bolstered by infuriation coursing through her veins.
"You will not crush my family. We are not beneath you. This hubris will come back to haunt you, Leo," she asserted, her voice steady despite the flicker of uncertainty that threatened to undermine her composure.
"Oh, I would love to see you try," he said, the glint in his eyes akin to that of a predator relishing the hunt.
"You must understand by now, Selena, that every action bears its consequence, and I am not one to forget. You would do well to remember that your words have far more weight than you believe. If you seek my forgiveness, I expect humility, not indifference, and I have a condition for it."
Hearing this both Selena and her father trembled thinking what would Leo ask for
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[End of Chapter 49]