The silence in the room was instant. Heavy.
Aldric looked at his son—the boy he once molded into a leader, now a man unflinchingly standing his ground. Not for the crown. Not for legacy.
But for love.
And for Seraphina, it felt like watching her world crumble. The son she'd shaped to follow lineage, to uphold tradition, was choosing her—the cursed girl, the silent Omega she thought could be erased with a command.
"No…" she whispered, her voice cracking. "You don't mean that."
Casian held her gaze, unwavering.
"I do."
His voice was quiet but final. And it made something inside Serraphina twist.
Before another word could be said, Aldric finally broke the growing storm.
"Enough. Both of you."
His voice echoed with royal authority, slicing through the tension like a blade. He stepped forward, his gaze moving to his son—now seated but solid in resolve.
