Seraphina knew her brothers well.
Forrest—capable but lazy, content in the shadows. Do not have an exact interest in the crown.
Danial—hotheaded and impulsive.
Dimitry—loyal, adaptable, and underestimated.
Grandpa Nightshade sat in silence.
These grandchildren of mine... What happened to Legacy? Is being Head of the Family just a title now?
Forrest—content to fade.
Seraphina—playing without moving.
Danial—not worth the effort.
And Dimitry? At least he understood the game.
Michael chimed in.
"I agree. Dimitry's a good choice. He has potential. If Sera's guiding him, there's no issue."
Dimitry blinked.
That's it? Just like that?
If he had voiced it himself, they would've laughed him out.
Is this what tactics look like? Everything she does is right. Everything I do is wrong.
Still... he wanted her to be valid.
Even if he was her pawn, he was happy to be her pawn.
Belonging to her… the thought made him smile.
Meanwhile, Demiska stayed silent. She'd let her guard down.
Seraphina and Dominic exchanged a glance.
Her eyes said, Told you.
His eyes smiled. The witch fell into the trap.
Her son was now in the race for the crown.
Wasn't that what she always wanted?
She wouldn't realize it until very late—this move severed her alliance with the Council.
Dimitry smiled bitterly.
My mother… she doesn't care. She wants me to get crowned at any cost.
Later that evening...
Dinner had ended. The family had dispersed.
Dimitry followed her, hesitating at the doorway before gently catching her hand.
She turned, eyebrow raised.
"Do you want to say something?"
"Why?" he asked softly, voice trembling.
"Do you think I'm capable… or am I just a pawn?"
His voice cracked—vulnerable, raw. That mer-blood in him, bred for perfection and terrified of being discarded, showed in every syllable.
She smiled faintly.
"Does it matter?" she replied.
"Smart people don't dwell on others' motives."
She flicked his forehead.
"First rule of business and life: put your motives first. Sort your own heart before trying to measure someone else's."
She remembered bitterly how, in a past life, this stupid child had helped Elizabeth and Justin rise.
"We're not saints, Dimitry. If we don't choose our battles, we'll carry burdens that were never ours—and get discarded once we're no longer useful."
She rubbed his knuckles gently.
"Information without use is garbage."
Is this why Setaro always complains his head hurts? He wondered.
He nodded obediently, eyes lingering on her lips.
And then—he kissed her.
She blinked, surprised, then caught the scent.
Wine?
Underage. Is he drinking already?
This boy needs discipline…
Her hand slipped into his hair, tilting his face.
She kissed him back, guiding his clumsy attempt with practiced ease.
He froze—then melted into it, lips trembling, hands uncertain.
When they parted, breathless, he couldn't meet her gaze. Tousled hair. Swollen lips. Trembling lashes.
She smiled at his innocence.
"Learn first, little drunkard." Her fingers brushed his cheek and slipped away.
His ears flushed red.
She chuckled and turned to teleport.
But something flickered.
Her spell failed mid-cast—she faltered in the air—
A majestic white dragon appeared, shimmering with silver and every hue of mana, catching her and lowering her gently like moonlight.
Forrest stood nearby, holding a pulsing anti-magic device.
She narrowed her eyes.
"What's the meaning of this?"
Forrest smirked, lazily chewing gum.
"Saw something interesting… Kissing your stepbrother, huh? Feeling bold, little sis?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Still less scandalous than ogling your own master. Isn't he engaged? A man—and married, no less. That's juicy."
His smirk faded. Jaw clenched.
"I'm not forbidding you, Sera," he said coldly. "I'm just saying—if you're playing with that boy… don't."
She studied him.
Her voice softened.
"Asher once told me: one-sided love survives in two ways—either it's stubborn and unconditional… or it shatters and is accepted."
Forrest looked away. She'd struck deep.
"I'm fine, you know," Forrest muttered.
She scoffed.
"Right. Is Mr. Lazy suddenly being nosy and brave? That's suspicious."
He raised a brow.
"Shouldn't that be Miss Lazy?"
She gritted her teeth.
"Mind your business. And don't get dumped."
With a flick of her fingers, the anti-magic field shattered. Then she vanished.
Forrest stared at the space she'd left behind. His hand, scorched from the backlash, trembled slightly.
"What a cruel woman," he murmured.
"Can't she show a little kindness… to her heartbroken brother?"
He paused.
"No. I'm not heartbroken. I'm not..."
He sighed, dragging a hand through his hair.
"Ugh. All because of that brat. My head's a mess."
He slipped through the back gate only to freeze.
Dimitry was sitting on the windowsill, red-faced and giggling, beer in hand.
Forrest blinked.
Dimitry beamed at him, eyes glossy. Forest tensed.
This kid was seriously something.
Before he could react, Dimitry stumbled from the sill and threw his arms around him in a drunken hug.
Forrest stiffened.
What the hell? The Nightshade brothers weren't like this.
Dimitry mumbled into his shoulder,
"She kissed me back… hehe…"
Forrest felt a chill.
Then Dimitry passed out in his arms.
Muttering a curse, Forest carried him inside and dropped him unceremoniously onto a mattress.
"Seraphina Nightingale Nightshade," he grumbled.
"Can you not clean up your messes?"
He rubbed his temple, frustration simmering.
Why does she get to walk away from responsibility, from the crown, from the chaos, while I'm still here, buried in it?
Scowling, he stepped back outside.
"Just you wait, Sera…"
He stepped into his quarters, uncorked a dusty bottle, and drank to dull the ache.
But it wasn't her wine.
Her blend—rich, spiced, kissed with wild rose and magic.
No matter what he drank, nothing tasted like hers.
He missed it.
He needed it.
And in his drunken haze, a plan sparked.
He would steal it.
Just a bottle. Just a sip.
He'd sneak into her cellar and take the love wine she guarded like treasure.
The thought made him smile in his sleep.
At the mansion gate, Seraphina whispered the magical password.
A tiny, milk-white kitten lay curled by the door, moonlike and deceivingly adorable.
Her eyes narrowed.
A transformation spell. Not powerful, but precise.
She picked the kitten up. It nuzzled into her arms with a soft purr.
"Setaro?"
The kitten purred louder. Seraphina's heart melted as she gently stroked his fur and placed him on her shoulder. His tiny paw clung to her neck.
"You're drunk, huh?" she whispered.
He purred again.
"Why did you drink, hmm? Are you sad?"
A soft meow.
"Aww, baby… what happened?"
No answer. Just warmth and silent cuddling.
"A long story, huh?"
She carried him inside.