I Was Never Yours

Grave

Seraphina POV

After spending all night buried in reports and countless other things I needed to relearn before fully taking control of my businesses again, all I wanted was a little peace. A quiet breakfast with my favorite smoked salmon, rye bread, and cream cheese.

Unfortunately, my morning was already full of surprises. The moment I stepped into the dining room, someone was sitting in my chair. And, of course, eating my breakfast.

He smiled with a familiar irritating grin, one leg crossed over the other. There wasn't a trace of noble decorum in his posture.

But then again, what else could anyone expect from a free spirit like Lucien Vermont?

He had openly admitted countless times that he hated noble customs. He said it was too much politeness, too many ceremonies, too many meaningless formalities.

That alone explained why he still wasn't married. He was nearly forty and still chasing his freedom.

Strangely enough, Father had never objected. As long as his responsibilities were fulfilled and he didn't tarnish the family name. Our family had always been surprisingly accepting of different ways of life.

"I heard you started a war without me," he teased, narrowing his eyes. "Quite bold for my little brat."

I knew that was his version of support. Wrapped in mockery and delivered with complete calm. His way of loving family had always been a little strange.

***

Lucien stopped for a moment in front of the nursery I had prepared for my baby. I had never changed it.

The room was still decorated in royal blue and gold. Every corner was filled with adorable baby items. Proof of just how desperately we had waited for his arrival.

Lucien walked toward the crib. He stared at it silently, regret written across his face.

"What was his name, Sera?" he asked quietly. "The baby."

"Aurion." The answer came out hoarse. Then the tears broke free. I couldn't stop them.

I thought I had healed. I thought throwing myself into revenge had somehow made the loss easier to bear.

Apparently not. My grief had never disappeared. It had simply hidden itself away, waiting for moments like this to tear me apart all over again.

"I'm sorry I was late." Lucien pulled me into a hug.

Something he almost never did unless the situation was truly serious. Usually, he showed concern through insults.

"I didn't know you were coming, Lucien." Vaeldric entered the room, lowering his head slightly in greeting.

"I didn't want my sister crying alone, Vaeldric. I'm not too late, am I? Even if I missed the funeral."

"She wasn't alone. I was by her side too, Lucien. You don't need to worry about us."

"Really?" Lucien paused for a moment. "I thought you were too busy dealing with your work and that business empire currently hanging by a thread."

Then he continued. "Besides, I came for my nephew. Why would I worry about a grown man who's a decorated general? I'm sure you're more than capable of taking care of yourself, General."

His gaze hardened. "Though that doesn't necessarily mean you're capable of protecting your family."

See? Sarcasm was practically a hereditary love language in House Vermont. No one could deny it.

"I'm sorry for failing to protect Sera and the baby." For once, Vaeldric genuinely looked remorseful. His head lowered as though questioning every decision he'd made up until now.

"You were too busy involving yourself in another family's affairs." Lucien's voice remained calm. "Learn your priorities, General. Or do I need to take my sister home and look after her myself since you clearly can't?"

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Lucien's attacks became more direct with every sentence.

Oddly enough, Vaeldric wasn't defensive. He accepted the blame. Accepted the truth that he had failed.

But only that. He accepted responsibility in words without actually taking responsibility for anything. That irritated me even more.

Because I knew that if he truly wanted to, he could still fix everything. Yet even now, he wasn't moving in that direction.

He was still more concerned with his work, his businesses, and Lysara. The thought alone made me feel sick. And even more, it determined to destroy everything connected to them.

"That's enough, Lucien." I stepped in before things escalated further.

"It looks like our General has plenty of urgent matters to deal with. I'll take you to Aurion's grave if you'd like to visit him."

"Of course."

We turned to leave. Vaeldric remained motionless for a few seconds, clearly calculating something.

Then he finally spoke.

"There are still urgent matters I need to handle, Lucien. Enjoy your time here. I'll do my best to return soon."

"How exactly am I supposed to enjoy my nephew's death, Vaeldric?" Lucien's voice turned cold.

"I'm different from you." Then he waved him away.

"And go, if your family isn't the thing you want to protect most." A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"House Vermont has always been perfectly capable of handling its own problems. Even without anyone else's help."

***

"My Lady, forgive me. There's something urgent you need to see." Sebastian arrived looking unusually alarmed.

He crossed the room quickly, carrying a stack of documents just as Lucien and I returned from the cemetery.

"Explain."

"Welcome back, Lord Lucien." Even now, Sebastian took a moment to acknowledge him out of respect.

"Continue," Lucien said.

"House Ashbourne has begun liquidating overseas assets, My Lady. They've also been approaching several noble families in an attempt to secure loans through private banking networks."

"Anything else?"

"Lord Magnus Ashbourne appears to be using his influence with both the Church and the Palace to resume the steel shipments and production lines currently being disrupted."

I swallowed hard. I had expected retaliation. Just not this quickly.

Part of me had assumed Vaeldric would ask for my help before fighting back. Clearly, I had miscalculated.

For a moment, I had forgotten something important. The Ashbournes were a military family. They might not be as wealthy as the Vermonts, but their influence ran deep throughout the kingdom.

"No need to panic, Sera." Lucien stepped forward and skimmed through the reports Sebastian had brought.

"Magnus has already sounded the drums of war." His smile widened.

"What did you expect? Generals don't kneel." Then he handed the documents back to me.

"It's time to play, Sera." His eyes gleamed with excitement.

"You know your brother is very good at chess."

I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders. At least I wasn't fighting alone anymore.

My family, or at least Lucien, was standing beside me. Ready to fight.

Lucien continued reading Sebastian's reports. This time, however, he didn't look angry. Or surprised. He looked excited, laughed.

I frowned. Something was strange. Either with him or with whatever he was reading.

"What's so funny?"

He handed me the document. A restrained chuckle escaped him, but his expression was unmistakably excited.

"Apparently Father has already made his move."

I flipped to the final page. My eyes widened.

LORD PAES VERMONT REQUESTS THE PRESENCE OF ALL VERMONT FAMILY MEMBERS. MANDATORY ATTENDANCE.

I stared at Lucien in disbelief. In my entire life, Father had almost never used an official mandate to summon the entire family at once.

Not even during my wedding preparations. Yet here we were.

Lucien was still smiling. "Sera."

"Do you know how many times Father has called a full family meeting in the last twenty years?"

I shook my head. I was still trying to understand what any of this meant. Was my marital conflict really about to become something much bigger?

Honestly, all I had wanted was to hit Vaeldric where it hurt, make him kneel, and then leave him for good. That was all.

"Twice." Silence filled the room.

Then Lucien said:

"The first time, an entire noble house disappeared."