Chapter 12: “The Redwyne Return”

The Redwyne estate buzzed with uncharacteristic activity as servants scurried to prepare for the return of Lord and Lady Redwyne. Stephanie's parents, absent for most of her life, had decided to grace the household with their presence—a rare occurrence that sent the staff into a frenzy of polishing, dusting, and panicking.

Stephanie, however, was less than thrilled.

"They'll ruin everything," she muttered, pacing the length of the sunroom. "They'll take one look at Aizen and decide he's 'unsuitable' or some nonsense."

Aizen, seated on the windowsill with Vermis disguised as a book in his lap, raised an eyebrow. "I am unsuitable. I'm a servant."

"You're perfect," Stephanie snapped, stopping mid-pace to glare at him. "And if they try to send you away, I'll—"

"Burn the world?"

"Exactly."

Aizen sighed. "Stephanie, they're your parents. Maybe they'll surprise you."

She snorted. "The only thing they'll surprise me with is how quickly they leave again."

The Arrival

Lord and Lady Redwyne arrived in a carriage pulled by four enchanted stallions, their coats shimmering like liquid silver. Lord Redwyne was a tall, stern man with steel-gray hair and a gaze that could freeze lava. Lady Redwyne, by contrast, was a vision of elegance, her rose-gold curls (so like Stephanie's) cascading over a gown of midnight blue.

Stephanie stood at the top of the stairs, her expression carefully neutral. Aizen stood a step behind her, his posture impeccable.

"Stephanie," Lord Redwyne said, his voice deep and commanding. "You've grown."

"Father," she replied, her tone flat. "You've… arrived."

Lady Redwyne stepped forward, her smile warm but distant. "Darling, it's so good to see you. And who's this?" Her gaze landed on Aizen.

"This is Aizen," Stephanie said, her voice sharp. "My personal servant."

"A servant?" Lord Redwyne's eyes narrowed. "I wasn't aware we'd hired a new one."

"He's been with me for years," Stephanie said, her tone daring him to argue.

Lady Redwyne studied Aizen with a curious expression. "How old are you, boy?"

"Eleven, my lady," Aizen replied, bowing slightly.

"Eleven," Lord Redwyne repeated, his disapproval palpable. "And already serving as a personal attendant? Unorthodox."

Stephanie's grip on her wand tightened. "He's mine. End of discussion."

The Dinner

Dinner was a tense affair. Lord Redwyne grilled Aizen on his duties, his education, and his "unsuitable" closeness to Stephanie. Lady Redwyne, though less overt, watched the interactions with a calculating gaze.

"Tell me, Aizen," Lord Redwyne said, cutting into his roast pheasant. "What are your long-term plans? Surely you don't intend to remain a servant forever."

Aizen set down his fork. "I serve Lady Stephanie to the best of my ability, my lord. Beyond that, I haven't given it much thought."

"A lack of ambition is a dangerous thing," Lord Redwyne said, his tone icy.

Stephanie slammed her goblet on the table. "He's not lacking in anything. He's the best servant in the estate—better than any of the idiots you've hired."

"Stephanie," Lady Redwyne chided gently. "Your father is only looking out for your best interests."

"My best interests?" Stephanie's voice rose. "You haven't been here in years! You don't know what's best for me!"

The room fell silent. Even the enchanted candles seemed to dim.

The Ultimatum

Later that night, Stephanie stormed into Aizen's room, her face flushed with anger.

"They want to send you away," she said, her voice trembling. "They think you're a 'distraction.'"

Aizen set down the book he'd been reading. "I figured as much."

"You're not going," she declared, her eyes blazing. "I won't let them."

"Stephanie…"

"No!" She grabbed his hand, her grip tight. "You're mine. I don't care what they say. I don't care what anyone says. If they try to take you, I'll—"

"Burn the world?"

"Yes!"

Aizen sighed, pulling her into a hug. "I'm not going anywhere, okay? I promise."

Stephanie buried her face in his shoulder, her fists clenched. "You'd better not."