A heavy silence fell over the dining hall as the words left Selphina's lips. The clinking of utensils stopped, and all eyes turned to Elvienne. Shock flickered across the faces of her brothers, while her father's expression remained unreadable—calm, yet firm.
Lord Solea sighed, setting his cup down. His voice, though gentle, carried an unmistakable weight. "Vienne, my dear, you could have at least told me about your relationship." There was no anger in his tone, only a quiet disappointment. "I would have preferred to hear it from you rather than from rumors."
Elvienne's hands clenched slightly under the table. Before she could respond, her father shook his head. "But let's stop this here. This is a family gathering. We are here to enjoy each other's company, not to stir unnecessary discussions."
His gaze shifted to Selphina, his voice turning firmer. "And you, Selphina, should be more mindful of your words. Love and relationships are personal matters, not something to be thrown into casual conversation—especially in front of a full table."
Selphina's father, who had been sitting stiffly, immediately leaned forward, forcing an apologetic smile. "Ah, my Lord Solea, please forgive her. It is my failing as a father—I should have taught her better." His voice wavered as he shot a nervous glance at his daughter. "She doesn't know any better, truly. She only meant well."
Selphina, sitting gracefully with a slight pout, lowered her gaze. "I only spoke out of concern, Uncle," she murmured, feigning innocence. "I never meant to upset anyone."
But despite her demure act, the barely-there smirk at the corner of her lips did not go unnoticed by Elvienne.
.
.
After the meal, the family gradually eased back into light conversations, and soon, it was time for their guests to leave.
Selphina and her father stood at the entrance, their postures graceful yet calculated. "It was a wonderful gathering, Uncle," Selphina said with a warm smile, yet her eyes glinted with something else. "I look forward to our next meeting."
Her father added, "Thank you for your hospitality. We shall take our leave now."
With that, their figures disappearing beyond the estate gates.
Inside her chambers, Elvienne sat on the edge of her bed, fingers absentmindedly tracing the embroidery of her dress. The echoes of the dinner conversation lingered in her mind, playing over and over.
"They were so surprised" she muttered, furrowing her brows.
" Now that I finally feel the weight, would they actually approve of my relationship with zehron? I see, I have been too careless".
Their families had always loved her, cherished her and have always given her what she wanted. But a Highborn,the second class with a Hollowborn,the fourth?
She nows feels the weight of her choices,not that she regretted being together with Zehron, but with her father's mentality, would he actually accept him?
But then she thinks of the moments spent with her father, his love clearly seen in his eyes and smile, he even accepted her relation with Lord Caelan although he despised that family, she thought to herself that it's only natural that they would welcome the person she chose.
Her thoughts drifted to how she had always been around Zehron—holding his hand, smiling at him, speaking without restraint. It had never felt like something inappropriate. It was just natural.
A slow realization crept into her mind. "Maybe it's good that this happened."
She leaned back, staring at the ceiling, a small, confident smile forming on her lips. Now that the topic had surfaced, she just had to tell her family. They would understand.
"Father might even offer Zehron a stable job," she thought, warmth spreading in her chest.
And then, for the first time, she allowed herself to truly picture it—the life she wanted. A home with Zehron, their children running around, their laughter filling the air. She imagined quiet moments, stolen glances, a life wrapped in warmth and happiness.
She hugged a pillow close, whispering to herself, "It's going to be perfect."
.
.
Morning in the Solea Estate –
Elvienne walked through the grand halls of the Solea estate, the morning sun filtering in through the tall windows, casting soft golden hues across the marble floors. Her heart pounded against her chest, but she steadied herself. Today was the day. She would tell her father, the truth.
Reaching his study, she found him immersed in paperwork, his brow slightly furrowed as he analyzed documents with a careful gaze. Seeing him so focused, she hesitated at the doorway, thinking of leaving.
Noticing her presence, Lord Solea looked up and smiled. "Vienne, come in."
She took a step forward. "I didn't mean to disturb you, Father. I can come back later."
He waved a dismissive hand. "Nonsense. It's been so long since we last talked properly. Stay." He gestured to the chair beside him.
She smiled and took a seat. For a while, they talked about simple things—the weather, how she had been, how her brothers had been pestering him about business matters. He chuckled at some childhood memories they reminisced about, his expression filled with warmth.
Elvienne cherished these moments. Her father had always been kind to her. That was why she had to be honest with him. Taking a deep breath, she steadied her voice.
"Father… I have something important to tell you."
Lord Solea noticed the change in her tone and set his documents aside. "Go on."
She clenched her hands on her lap. "What Selphina said yesterday… it was true."
His expression didn't shift immediately. "True?"
"I… I went to the Celestara Festival with someone. And I indeed, held his hand."
Her father tilted his head, a knowing look in his eyes. "I see… and are you serious about this person?"
She nodded firmly. "Yes, Father. I truly am. I love him and softly smiles.. I want to be with him."
Lord Solea smiled at her confidence. "And who is this man that has captured my daughter's heart?" Chuckles
Vienne's eyes brightened, and she spoke earnestly. "He is not rich, but he is hardworking and kind. He is strong yet gentle. He doesn't seek wealth or power, but he carries himself with dignity. He's different from anyone I've met, and I admire him deeply."
Her father chuckled. "You praise him quite a lot. It seems you have given this much thought."
She smiled shyly. "I have."
His expression remained gentle. "And where is this noble young man from?"
Taking a deep breath, she finally said it.
"He... is from the Hollowborn."
The moment the words left her lips, her father's expression changed entirely. The warmth in his eyes vanished, his body stiffened, and his grip on the chair tightened.
"Hollowborn?" His voice, once calm, now carried an edge.
She flinched at the sharpness of his tone. "Yes, Father. But—"
He abruptly stood up, pushing his chair back. "Vienne, do you even understand what you are saying?" His voice rose, filled with disbelief. "Not just someone of lower rank, but a Hollowborn? You have disgraced yourself—our family—by even considering such a thing!"
She shot up from her seat. "Father! I..
"Enough!" He slammed his hand against the table. "I thought you had more sense than this, Elvienne. Have we not given you everything? Have we not raised you with dignity? And you choose to throw it all away for a Hollowborn?"
She trembled but stood her ground. "I don't care about ranks, Father! He is a good man!"
"A Hollowborn can never be a good man!" he roared. "They are born in darkness, living in the filth of the lowest parts of this land! You think one of them could ever deserve you?"
Tears welled in her eyes, but she clenched her fists. "He is better than any of the so-called noble men I've met! He has never deceived me, never sought me for my status—he treats me as a person, not as a prize!"
Her father's face twisted with fury, but before he could respond, she took a step back. "I knew this wouldn't be easy. But I came here because I respect you, and I wanted to tell you the truth myself." Her voice wavered, but she kept her chin high. "I love him, Father. And I will not let go of him just because of rank....and
If you don't allow this...then....then I'll just run away with him"
Silence stretched between them, thick with tension. Lord Solea looked at his daughter, his jaw clenched, his hands shaking with barely contained rage.
"Run away with him, do you even realise the weight of your words? It's not as easy as you think it is Elvienne!"
" I know it's not easy, Father, but.. if it's with him...I am ready to bear anything, even if it's pain, or hardships,I...!"
" Enough."
"This conversation is over," he said coldly. " And you..running away with a Hollowborn, I will never let it happen...not untill I am alive, I will break his hands or legs, if I must..Now leave."
Elvienne stood still for a moment, then turned on her heels and walked away, her heart pounding painfully in her chest.
She had told the truth.
Now, she could only wait for what came next.