Alarming words

POV: Serena Laratje

With a shallow smile, my counterpart looked at me silently for a moment. He was still sitting at his desk, which stood between us.

I indicated a slight bow, but didn't speak a word.

After all, it wasn't me who wanted this meeting.

I also found it outrageous that I had to wait more than half an hour, although I arrived at the specified time.

Had even appeared much earlier because etiquette wouldn't allow otherwise.

"I'm sorry. I certainly hope you didn't have to wait long."

I didn't even want to respond superficially to his words.

Unless the older man had forgotten how to read a clock, he already knew very well that I wasted almost 45 minutes of my own time because of him.

"You wanted to see me."

A statement. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Would you like to sit down?"

He didn't respond to my words either, causing me to unceremoniously place myself on the chair that stood ownerless in front of his mighty desk.

I hadn't even glanced to my right, although there was a small sitting area including a table for meetings like this... usually.

I already noticed right away when entering the room that nothing was prepared, let alone then placed on the table.

Was also not sure why otherwise a chair was left completely out of place in the middle of the office.

"Can I get you anything?"

"No, thank you."

I looked out the window with an expressionless face, because Serena's father still didn't want to come out with anything.

I couldn't have cared less.

I might as well keep quiet for a few minutes and then say goodbye with a simple excuse.

Either he spoke to me properly or leave it altogether. I will certainly not respond to his silence and ask him because, after all, it wasn't me who wanted this conversation.

My counterpart also came to this conclusion, as he now tried to get my attention with a quiet cough.

But even now I didn't even bat an eyelash.

He might as well talk to me.

"Some alarming words reached my ears."

Only now did I give my undivided attention to the older man, who seemed a little upset.

I couldn't have been more indifferent.

Therefore, instead of responding, I waited patiently.

Again there was silence for a few seconds, which neither of us tried to break.

"I've been told that you want to leave the estate. Your family."

I had to force myself not to smirk. Of course, he was addressing the far more shocking news right away.

After all, there were only two facts that could be found out while spying on the conversation between Isabelle and me.

One was that I wish to attend an accredited school. The other one was that I no longer wanted to be part of the Laraje family.

It would now be up to me to deny the latter immediately and vehemently. After that, it would be easy for Serena's father to get rid of the supposed useless idea about attending a school.

Otherwise it would give the impression that there is some truth in my desire to leave the family. Not only within the estate, but also to the outside world.

After all, my counterpart described it very cleverly. It would be logical to assume that the said words were rumors from outside the estate.

Accordingly, there was only one answer that would be appropriate and correct in this situation.

Wrong thought.

"It seems to me that I have been forestalled in my request."

To my own surprise, I couldn't even feel anything like satisfaction when I caught sight of the almost horrified face of Serena's father.

I didn't give my counterpart time to reply, who regained his composure to my own surprise quickly.

"I want to be removed from the family register. Just wish to be allowed to leave the estate as a free person."

I waited a few seconds, however, not a single sound left Serena's father.

"Neither my title of nobility, valuables, right of inheritance or other powers are necessary or even important."

A shallow smile conjured itself on my lips.

"I simply don't want to be a part of this family anymore."

For the first time, I found the silence that followed disturbing.

"Since I will soon be 16 years old and the application will require several weeks for approval, it would be more beneficial, especially for the reputation of the Laratje family, if it were done now."

For the first time I could see an emotion in the face of my counterpart.

True, it was only a slightly furrowed brow, but it was better than no reaction at all.

"At the latest, I will leave the family as a fully mature person at the age of 19. It would be one-sided in that case."

His brow furrowed even more, however, this didn't bother me at all. Without faltering, I continued to speak.

"With my almost 16 years, there are some excuses that can be used. However, not when I'm of age."

"No."

It was rare for Serena's father to get louder. While it wasn't significant, it was still noticeable. His voice had already been clearly more excited than usual with this one word.

The silence was heavy, pressing even on my mind.

Now, however, it was my role to express my displeasure to the outside world through my facial expression. But even then, nothing will change the current situation.

I could see the tense jaw very clearly even with the generous distance between us.

My counterpart wouldn't say another word about it, let alone change his mind.

A fight that had already been lost before it even began.