chapter 5

lilic sat stiffly in the drawing room, hands folded neatly on her lap. Across from her, Leor lounged in his chair as if he owned the entire estate. Which, to be fair, he basically did. His golden eyes—so much like their father's—were cold as they stared at her, as if she were an eyesore he couldn't wait to be rid of.

"You're still here," he said at last, voice sharp and flat.

Lilic blinked. That was… not a warm greeting.

She forced a smile. "Welcome home, dear brother."

Leor scoffed. "Don't act as if we're close."

Lilic sighed internally. Well, that's one way to start a conversation.

Leor set down his teacup with an audible clink, eyes still fixed on her like she was an insect he had yet to squash. "I thought you'd be gone by now."

Lilic tilted her head. "Gone where?"

He smiled, but it wasn't kind. "Anywhere that isn't here."

Ah. So that's how we're playing this.

She exhaled slowly. "Yes, well, much to your dismay, I'm still alive."

Leor's fingers twitched slightly. "For now."

Lilic's forced smile widened. "Oh? Planning something, brother dearest?"

He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, gaze unyielding. "I don't have to. You won't last long. You never do."

Lilic's heartbeat quickened. He really, truly hates me.

Not just in the distant, apathetic way he had in the novel. No, this was real. Personal.

She had expected coldness. Maybe mild irritation. But this? This was outright loathing.

She swallowed, but kept her expression neutral. "How lovely to see you again."

Leor let out a humorless laugh before leaning back. "We'll see how long that sentiment lasts."

..............................

Dinner was painful.

Lilic sat quietly, chewing carefully, while Leor did not attempt to hide his irritation at her mere presence. He barely acknowledged her existence, except when he needed to send a glare her way.

Hadrian Aster, their father, glanced between them. "Leor, how was your journey?"

"Productive," he answered smoothly before casting a pointed glance at Lilic. "Though I see things have… not improved here."

Lilic did not react. She was being civil. She was being so civil.

Hadrian set down his knife. "Lilic has been conducting herself well."

Leor raised a brow. "Is that so?"

Hadrian's eyes darkened. "It is."

For a brief second, something unreadable flashed across Leor's face, but it was gone as quickly as it came. He exhaled sharply before returning to his meal. "I see."

Lilic blinked. What was that?

Hadrian had… defended her?

Leor looked less than pleased by it. His grip on his fork was a little too tight, his posture tense.

Lilic stared at her food. This is a disaster.

She had wanted to live quietly. To be unnoticed. But now, for some reason, she was caught in the middle of something much worse than she had anticipated.

And Leor? Leor wanted her gone.

Later that evening, Leor sat across from Hadrian in the study. Their conversation had been strictly business—estate affairs, trade negotiations, political alliances. All topics Leor was well-versed in.

But as their meeting came to an end, Hadrian set his glass of whiskey down and regarded his son with a quiet intensity.

"Leor."

Leor looked up. "Yes?"

Hadrian's gaze was steady. "Treat Lilic more kindly."

Leor's expression didn't change, but his fingers curled slightly against the armrest of his chair. "She is nothing but a nuisance."

Hadrian exhaled slowly. "Regardless, she is still your sister."

Leor scoffed. "Only in name."

Hadrian's sharp gaze darkened. "That is enough."

Leor clenched his jaw but said nothing.

Hadrian leaned forward slightly. "She has changed."

Leor frowned. "People like her don't change."

Hadrian studied him for a moment before picking up his glass again. "You would do well to watch her more closely."

Leor didn't respond, but something about the conversation left him unsettled.

As he left the study, Hadrian's words echoed in his mind.

Treat Lilic more kindly.

Leor scoffed under his breath. That will never happen.