Chapter 46 : Family Talk
The door swung open, and Aurelia and Grim stepped inside, a wave of warmth enveloping them. The hallway stretched ahead, leading directly to the living room, where soft lighting cast a golden hue over plush furniture and elegant decor.
Beside it, the dining room buzzed with quiet energy, its sleek table surrounded by Lyra, Seraphine, Raven, and their mother, their dinner plates cleared as they lingered, eyes fixed on the newcomers.
Aurelia paused, her crimson hair framing her face as she turned to Grim, her loose black dress swaying slightly. "Why don't you go and wait in the living room? I have something to discuss with them. I'll bring them there."
Grim's black eyes met hers, a flicker of understanding passing between them. He nodded, his black tracksuit as usual accentuating his imposing frame. "All right."
With a measured stride, he crossed into the living room, his presence a quiet storm. Aurelia remained at the dining room entrance, her golden eyes sharp behind her spectacles. The air shifted, a sudden chill slicing through the warmth, silence falling like a heavy curtain.
All eyes turned to her, her strict demeanor cutting through the room. "Raven. Seraphine. Come outside," she commanded, her voice icy. "Let's move to the living room."
Raven's brow furrowed as he glanced at Seraphine. "Do you know something about why she's calling us?" he whispered, his tone laced with confusion.
Seraphine's golden eyes darted nervously, her hands twisting in her lap. "Sister has always loved me, but she's been strict with me too. We should go and listen to her."
Lyra pushed back her chair, rising. "Let me come with you—"
Mother's hand closed gently around Lyra's wrist. "Why don't you let them go? There's no need for you to be involved."
Lyra's gaze shifted to her mother, her own nervousness mirroring the tension in the room. Something was brewing, a storm beneath the surface.
Raven stood, offering a reassuring smile. "It's all right. Let's just go. I don't think it's anything urgent."
He took Seraphine's arm, guiding her toward the door. As they reached it, she hesitated, her voice dropping to a shaky whisper. "Raven, I think they're going to talk about our relationship. I don't want to go."
"It's all right," he said, squeezing her hand. "Nothing's going to happen." His words carried a confidence he didn't fully feel, unaware of the full weight of Aurelia's personality.
Seraphine's worry deepened, but she followed him into the living room.
The atmosphere there was frigid, a frost settling over the space.
Grim lounged on the sofa, his long white hair spilling over the cushions, while Aurelia stood beside him, her loose black dress contrasting her stern expression. Even Raven felt a shiver, the room's chill amplifying the tension.
It was like facing Seraphine's mother, but with Grim's piercing stare adding to the unease—his black eyes fixed on Raven as if he were an insignificant insect. The couple's presence was formidable, their beauty heightened by the matching rings glinting on their fingers. They exuded a danger that hadn't been there before.
"Come, sit," Aurelia ordered, her tone brooking no argument.
The command carried an undeniable weight. Raven and Seraphine exchanged a glance before settling onto the sofa opposite them, the silence thick between them.
"Now then, why don't you start explaining?" Aurelia said, her voice cold and unyielding, the air freezing around her.
"Sister," Seraphine began, lifting her eyes to meet Aurelia's. But the indifferent, strict gaze she encountered silenced her. She couldn't hold the contact and dropped her head.
Raven reached for Seraphine's hand, offering a nervous laugh. "Sister-in-law, you don't have to be so strict—"
Aurelia's gaze snapped to him, cutting off his words. He faltered, unsure how to proceed.
"I don't want you to explain anything to me," she said, her voice a blade of ice. "I will not allow this."
Grim's hand found Aurelia's, a subtle gesture of support. "Why don't you sit?" he suggested, his tone softer but firm.
Aurelia's eyes softened for a moment as she sat beside him, crossing her arms. "This is not the time for you two to do this. Grow up first."
"Sister," Seraphine pleaded, her voice trembling.
But it fell on deaf ears. Raven straightened, his voice steady despite the tension. "Sister-in-law, I know you're worried and mad at me, but please be at ease. You don't have to worry—I'm going to treat her best."
Aurelia's expression remained hard, though she studied them both. After a long pause, she sighed. "Seraphine, this is the first and last time I'll allow this. There will be no next time if I'm not pleased with something."
She took a deep breath, glancing at Grim. He nodded, his voice low. "Raven, out."
Raven's eyes widened as he looked between them. He stood, hesitating, then left the room.
Grim turned to Seraphine. "Aurelia, why don't you go outside?"
Seraphine's heart sank. The last thing she wanted was to be alone with Grim. As Aurelia rose, Seraphine's pleading eyes begged her to stay, but Aurelia's strict resolve held firm. She exited, closing the door behind her.
The room grew heavier, the air thick with suppression. Seraphine shrank back, the sensation akin to facing her father over a partner discussion.
"Why do you look so afraid?" Grim asked, his voice calm but commanding. "Have you done something wrong?"
Seraphine kept her gaze down, silent.
"Well, it seems you know you did. If it were up to me, I'd never allow this. But Aurelia said otherwise, so I'm letting it go—for now. You must know and follow this." His tone left no room for argument.
Fifteen minutes later, Seraphine emerged, her steps unsteady. Raven waited outside, his concern evident.
"Is everything all right?" he asked.
She managed a small smile. "Yeah."
Grim stepped out behind her, his presence imposing. He glanced at Raven. "Brother," Raven tried, but Grim ignored him, walking past.
At the dining room entrance, their mother and Lyra stood watching. Grim paused. "Mother, it looks like my wife isn't in the mood to eat, so we're leaving. Seraphine, you're going to explain this to Lyra and Raven."
Seraphine nodded mutely.
"Don't worry, Mother. We'll be here for breakfast. See you then," Grim said, then strode toward Aurelia, who waited near the main door. They left without another word.
The air warmed as they departed, the tension dissipating from the apartment.
____
A sudden silence fell over the apartment as the air returned to normal, the tension dissipating with Grim and Aurelia's departure. Raven broke the quiet, moving to the living room and sinking into the plush sofa. The others followed, settling around him. Mother's gentle voice cut through the stillness.
"Are you both all right?" she asked, her eyes shifting between Seraphine and Raven.
"Yes," they replied in unison, their voices soft.
Raven ran a hand through his white hair, letting out a sigh as he leaned back, his head resting against the cushion. There was something off about him, a distant look in his golden eyes. So what I saw was real, he thought, his mind drifting to a dream from the night before. Or was it a dream? It felt real now. I think I have the ability to see the future. I already knew this was going to happen-sister-in-law and brother, it's just as I saw. His thoughts lingered. I also know what's going to happen until the end of the day. He stayed quiet, lost in his rest.
Seraphine's voice pulled him back. "College starts again after a week. It was supposed to begin earlier, but with the recent event-students and people being summoned to another world-it was delayed. Brother Grim told us to prepare for it."
Lyra chimed in, her tone lightening the mood. "This is going to be fun! Let's go out tomorrow and spend some time outside. Mother, will you come too?"
"Yes," Mother replied with a warm smile, her face softening.
They all nodded in agreement. Raven sat up, turning to Seraphine with a tired smile. "I'll be in my room. Why don't you rest too? I know we've rested enough today, but let's go out tomorrow." Without another word, he stood and headed to his room.
Lyra and Seraphine exchanged a glance before heading to Lyra's room, their footsteps fading down the hall. Mother rose, making her way to the dining area to tidy up.
Alone in his room, Raven lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind raced as he pieced it together. I think I just have to think about things, and I'll see them. He closed his eyes, focusing on the college and a month ahead, then drifted into sleep.
____
In Apartment 101, the mood hung heavy. Aurelia stood in the kitchen, her crimson hair tied loosely, her golden eyes clouded with irritation as she rummaged through the cabinets.
Grim sat at the dining table, his long white hair falling over his shoulders, scrolling through his phone. His dangerous presence filled the room, a quiet threat beneath his calm exterior.
Aurelia pulled out emergency food packets, the fresh ingredients having spoiled. She opened a pack of noodles, pouring hot water into it, and quickly whipped up an omelette to go with it. The aroma filled the air as she plated the meal and set it before Grim, then sat opposite him, her face still etched with anger.
Grim looked up, his dark eyes locking onto her golden ones. His expression was unreadable, but a hint of amusement danced there. "Why don't you come and sit beside me?"
Aurelia hesitated, then stood and moved to his side, settling next to him. Her pleasing presence softened the room's edge, though her crossed arms betrayed her mood.
Grim picked up the spoon, lifting a bite of noodles toward her. She accepted it, taking a small bite, the silence stretching between them as he continued feeding her until the plate was empty.
"So, why are you this angry?" he asked, his voice low. "Your angry face is making me excited."
"They're too young for this!" Aurelia snapped, her voice rising.
"Then you should have told them it's not going to happen," Grim countered, his tone steady. "But you allowed it in the end."
Aurelia's gaze sharpened. "I only allowed her because she's with your brother."
"If you allowed her because he's my brother, maybe you should rethink it," Grim said, leaning closer. "And about them being too young-tell me, what was your age when you belonged to me?"
Aurelia's cheeks flushed a faint crimson, her eyes dropping. "That was different," she muttered.
"You're quite a hypocrite," Grim teased, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Why don't you go make me some noodles too? You ended up eating it all." His laugh rumbled softly.
Aurelia stood, rolling her eyes. "All right." She hurried to the kitchen, her movements brisk as she grabbed another noodle pack. As the water boiled, she brushed a strand of hair from her face, her mind drifting remembering the past.