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Chapter 6

Aвтор: Eternity
"Lord, please don't be upset. Seren is only reacting this way because she cares about you," Vera said gently. She carried herself like someone who belonged in this room.

She turned to me, offering a practiced smile. "Seren, don't overthink this. Everything we do is for the clan."

Elin remained in the doorway, head low, trying to make herself small. She had been in the clan long enough to know when to speak and when to hold her tongue. Vera was the one Raven listened to now. Elin wanted no part of the conflict.

Even if she told the truth, Raven would not hear it.

Raven stood behind his desk, his tone hardening. "Rules exist for a reason. No one comes to the main building without authorization. Since you broke that rule, I'm canceling your monthly allowance and reducing your provisions by half."

Elin opened her mouth, perhaps to mention that I had already left. "Lord, Seren has already—" Raven cut her off with a look.

"I don't want excuses. Do as I said."

Elin closed her mouth and walked out. I started to follow, but Raven called me back.

"Seren, this isn't personal," he said. "If I don't enforce the rules, no one will take them seriously."

Vera added her voice, smooth and supportive. "Exactly. Next time, Seren, just ask one of us if you're unsure. I'm generally available when the lord is occupied."

Raven nodded. "Vera always puts the clan first. She understands boundaries."

He turned his attention back to me. "You shouldn't spend so much energy on these matters. Could you take after Vera and focus on what actually matters for the clan?"

Learn from her? Learn how to step forward by pretending to step back? How to take someone else's work piece by piece and make it look natural? I did not respond.

I laughed. Calling her out was pointless. He had never been willing to see what was in front of him.

He took my silence as guilt. He stepped closer, lowering his voice as if calming a child who had finally stopped crying. "I know you've been struggling lately. I have my own challenges too."

He paused, studying my face, perhaps waiting for some sign that I was still listening. "But you've been more composed recently. That's why I've decided. The manor in the south will go to you. The hunting grounds in the west are yours to use. The family ring needs resizing. It's time for you to wear it."

"And I've already mentioned it to the elders," he added. "Tomorrow, we'll finalize our blood union. Then you'll have peace of mind."

"Blood union?" I cut him off, letting out a soft laugh.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the sealed copy of the dissolution papers. His seal was on it. His signature was on it.

I placed it on the desk between us. "Raven, you don't need to speak to the elders about anything. I've already left the clan. There's nothing between us anymore."
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