Episode 4 — Bloodline
264 Words
The private dining hall of Blackthorn Estate resembled a royal courtroom more than a family dinner.
Long black table.
Crystal chandeliers.
Silver cutlery.
And enough silence to suffocate.
At the head of the table sat Lucien Vespera, the man who ruled half the country through politics and the other half through fear.
Age had weakened his body slightly.
Never his eyes.
Those remained sharp enough to cut flesh.
Seraphina entered confidently, though tension immediately crawled beneath her skin.
Kael already sat beside Lucien silently.
As always.
Perfect posture.
Perfect control.
Perfect son.
Except everyone in this room knew Lucien never truly treated him like one.
“You’ve become reckless,” Lucien told Seraphina coldly.
She smiled mockingly. “Nice to see you too, grandfather.”
His expression darkened.
“You returned to this house to repair your image. Not destroy it further.”
“I didn’t realize I worked for your campaign.”
“You carry the Vespera name.”
“And that name destroyed my parents.”
Silence exploded across the table.
Even servants froze.
Lucien’s eyes became deadly.
Kael spoke before things escalated.
“That’s enough.”
Seraphina turned toward him sharply. “Stay out of it.”
Kael’s gaze hardened slightly.
“You’re emotional.”
“And you’re empty.”
Another dangerous silence.
Lucien suddenly laughed quietly.
Cold.
Cruel.
“Interesting.”
Seraphina frowned.
Lucien looked toward Kael slowly. “She’s the first person in years who speaks to you like that.”
Kael remained expressionless.
But beneath the table—
His hand tightened slowly into a fist.
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Episode End
- Writer
