Inside the grand Lockwood mansion, Lady Melissa Lockwood was entertaining an unexpected guest.
This impromptu meeting had been called by Viscount Victor Duskbane—the father of Olivia.
In the lavish reception hall, apart from the main parties involved, Melissa's elder son, Ryan, lounged on a velvet sofa, idly twirling his dagger between his fingers. His posture was casual, but his sharp eyes flickered with interest. The air in the room was heavy with unspoken tension, and the green-haired Viscount's anxious demeanor only made it worse.
Melissa, a striking woman despite her years, with long, pale blue hair and slanted blue eyes, offered a poised smile. Her expression was serene, yet there was an unmistakable edge to her presence.
"For you to come here on such short notice, Lord Duskbane, it must be an urgent matter," she said smoothly, her tone light yet carrying an unspoken weight.
Victor flinched slightly, searching her face for any hint of whether she already knew the purpose of his visit. But few in this world could read Melissa Lockwood. Her expression was the perfect mask of nobility—a practiced, impenetrable smile that never faltered.
Realizing hesitation would only make matters worse, Victor took a breath and spoke plainly.
"Madame Lockwood, I have come to formally request the annulment of Olivia's engagement to Adrian."
"Hoh~" Ryan's dagger stilled between his fingers. His lips curled in amusement as he leaned forward, eyes gleaming with barely contained mirth.
Melissa's gaze narrowed slightly before she asked, still as composed as ever, "May I know the reason for such an abrupt and unannounced decision?"
She had not raised her voice, yet Victor felt the cold edge in her words. It was not simply a question—it was a reminder. To have a proposal rejected, especially by someone of lower rank, was an insult.
But for Victor, nothing mattered more than his daughter's happiness. He steeled himself and answered,
"Olivia is not content with this arrangement. She believes Adrian, too, would not be comfortable with—"
"Oh, please, Lord Duskbane," Melissa cut in, her smile never wavering. "Speak only of your daughter. I know very well what Adrian wants."
Because Adrian wanted what she told him to want. He did not have the privilege of personal desires when it came to matters of the family.
Victor swallowed hard, nodding stiffly. "Y-Yes… Olivia feels she cannot continue this relationship any longer."
Ryan let out an audible snicker, leaning back in his seat. "Fool got rejected by a little girl… couldn't be me," he muttered under his breath.
Melissa ignored her son's remark, adjusting her posture as she elegantly crossed one leg over the other. A shift so small, yet it exuded dominance.
"We are both aware of the rules, Lord Duskbane," she stated, her voice calm yet unwavering. "The party requesting an annulment is expected to provide proper compensation, as well as a formal apology for wasting the other party's time and insulting their honor."
She did not care for Adrian, nor for this little girl, Olivia. Neither of them offered anything of worth to the Lockwood name. If anything, this so-called engagement had been a hindrance.
So, in truth, this annulment was a convenience.
But Melissa Lockwood did not let opportunities slip through her fingers. And if she were to let this engagement go, she would ensure the Lockwood family gained something from it.
Friendship between families? That was a matter of the past.
She cared for one thing only—the future of the Lockwoods.
Across from her, Viscount Duskbane hesitated, his jaw tightening. He had expected resistance, but now he understood—Melissa Lockwood never lost.
He parted his lips to speak, but a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Unexpected to see you here, Sir Victor."
The voice, familiar to both parties, carried across the hall as its owner strode in, his steps crisp against the polished floor. He moved with purpose, heading straight for the vacant seat to the lady's left.
Ryan's gaze narrowed—not at Adrian, but at the warrior trailing behind him. The female knight positioned herself diagonally from Adrian, her posture rigid, her presence unmistakably that of a guard.
For the briefest moment, Melissa's carefully crafted mask slipped. No one noticed. Then, as if nothing had changed, she spoke.
"You arrived early, Adrian."
"Aria granted me a few days of leave, so I decided to come ahead of time," Adrian replied, his lips curved in what seemed like a smile. But look closely, and one would see—he wasn't smiling at all.
Melissa's fingers curled on her knees. Something was off about this fool. When did he gain the nerve to meet her gaze so boldly? To speak so casually, as if they were equals?
And that knight—had he actually brought her for protection?
Adrian, unfazed, turned to the Viscount. "You must not have received my letter yet, have you?"
Viscount Duskbane frowned. "What letter?"
Adrian let out a quiet sigh, reaching into his coat. He pulled out a copy of the letter he had sent to the Duskbane household and extended it toward Victor.
At the same time, his voice rang through the room, steady and clear.
"This annulment isn't one-sided. I agreed to it as well."
The words struck like a hammer.
Melissa's mask shattered. Her eyes flew wide, her carefully measured composure slipping away entirely.
Ryan let out a low whistle, his eyes flicking between Adrian, who sat poised and unaffected, and his mother, whose face was frozen in pure shock.
Viscount Duskbane read the letter carefully, and for the first time in a while, his tense expression softened. At least now, he wouldn't have to worry about severing ties with the Lockwood family.
Meanwhile, Melissa took a deep breath, regaining her composure, though her eyes remained sharp. "Making such a big decision… You should have consulted me first, Adrian. Or do you not consider me your mother anymore?"
Her voice carried a dangerous edge—more threatening than motherly. Her piercing gaze made it clear that she was on the verge of exploding. But what effect did it have on Adrian?
None.
He simply rested his hands on his knees and met her stare with calm indifference. "This was between Olivia and me. We both felt uncomfortable in this relationship. I mean, we barely knew each other. It was only natural. So we decided to stop dragging it on."
Melissa's eyes darkened. He decided? The same son who couldn't make a single life decision on his own? The one who was only surviving because he had begged his cousin for a job? He actually went ahead and broke the engagement—without even asking her?!
Before she could say anything, Viscount Duskbane stood up, a polite smile on his lips. "Since the two of them have already settled things, I suppose I have nothing more to add."
With that, he excused himself.
Melissa didn't even rise to bid him farewell, her focus entirely on Adrian. However, Adrian wasn't so rude—he turned to his now ex-father-in-law and offered a courteous farewell.
Just as Victor stepped out of the house, Melissa finally spoke.
"Adrian."
Her voice dripped with barely restrained fury, carrying an almost tangible bloodlust.
Adrian turned back toward her, a smile still on his face. "Don't worry, Mother," he said smoothly. "I won't leave without a talk."
°°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Add the book to your collection.