Bound By The Dark Prince.

Face off

Chapter 2

Face off

I descended the stairs slowly, each step echoing through the silent dining hall. I kept my eyes forward and walked past all of them like they were pieces of furniture—irrelevant, invisible, and most importantly, not worth my attention.

And truthfully? They weren’t.

I had almost reached the hallway when a deep, icy voice sliced through the air.

“Sylvaraith.”

Oh boy. Not again.

I stopped and exhaled slowly before turning around with the most disinterested look I could muster.

“Sit,” Father commanded.

I scoffed under my breath but dragged a chair out anyway. I sat down—two full seats away from him and what felt like a thousand miles away from those two vixens.

Thaliora sat with her hands folded neatly on her lap, pretending to be delicate and soft.

Marenza, on the other hand, smirked at me like she’d won a prize simply because Father had called me back.

“Why don’t you want to eat breakfast with the rest of the family?” Father asked, voice booming with that usual authoritative thunder he loved using to intimidate people.

“Because…” I shrugged. “I don’t want to.”

Silence. Then—

“Nonsense!” he barked. The table rattled a little. “Family is the number one relationship you should cherish!”

I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw my past life.

You speak about family, but you don’t even abide by your own rules.

If hypocrisy had a face, it would be sitting in that head seat.

“Dad,” Marenza gasped in dramatic fake concern, touching her chest. “Please don’t scare her. Maybe she just… doesn’t feel comfortable around us.”

A good actress—but not a convincing one.

“That is total rubbish!” Father roared, falling right into her little act like always.

Beside me, Ria muttered, “I think this man is aspiring to be a dog.”

I nearly choked. “I agree,” I said calmly, leaning back to watch the drama like it was morning entertainment.

Father’s glare darkened. “Even if you and Marenza have disagreements, at least show respect to your mother.”

I smiled—slow, sharp, dangerous. “Mother? Yes, it’s important to respect your mother. Unfortunately, mine is six feet under. So who exactly should I be respecting?”

Thaliora’s fork clattered softly against her plate.

“She’s right in front of you,” Father snapped. “When will you accept Thali as your mother?”

“Maybe,” I said sweetly, “when the sky turns purple and mentally blind men suddenly start seeing again.”

Ria snorted. Marenza stiffened. Father blinked twice, obviously missing the insult completely.

Then it began.

Sniff… sniff…

At the far end of the table, Thaliora dabbed her eyes with a napkin, shoulders trembling.

Honestly, she should win an award.

If crying could earn money, she’d be a billionaire by now.

“I have always loved Sylva—”

“Sylvaraith,” I corrected immediately, my voice slicing clear through the air.

“My name is Sylvaraith. And it stays that way. Only a chosen few are allowed to shorten it. You are not one of them.”

A small hush fell across the table.

I stood up. “Thanks for the morning sermon, Father. I’m off to school.”

I didn’t rush. I didn’t stutter. I simply walked toward the door with grace that would make any queen jealous.

My fingers grazed the doorknob when Father exploded again—louder, more furious, more desperate.

“That is exactly why you can never represent the Vaelkor family!” he yelled. “Your sister is far more mature and respectful than you! Ungrateful child!”

For a split second, a cold, dangerous glint flickered in my eyes.

But I didn’t turn back.

I didn’t give him that satisfaction.

I walked out—head high, heart steady, completely done with their theatrics.

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