Chapter 98: Seraphina Everhart
Adrian's mind raced as the fierce-looking man and the woman with blazing red hair entered the room.
For a moment, he struggled to place her, but then it clicked. This was Seraphina, his father's sister—his aunt.
Seraphina stood before Adrian, an embodiment of fiery allure and arcane elegance. Her blazing red hair framed her face in soft, sultry waves, each strand catching the light as if it were alive with embers.
The vibrant color, so different from his own platinum blonde, made her seem almost otherworldly, a force of nature wrapped in beauty.
Her piercing blue eyes, deep and mesmerizing, held a captivating intensity, drawing Adrian in with every glance.
There was wisdom there, but also a playful spark that hinted at mischief, a sharp contrast to her composed exterior.
Her royal mage attire, though designed for her esteemed position, seemed to accentuate her feminine curves in ways that stirred something in Adrian.
The robe, fitted snugly around her waist, highlighted the gentle flare of her hips, and the high slit along the side revealed a tantalizing glimpse of her long, toned legs with every subtle movement.
Her chest, generous and full, pressed against the fabric, creating a teasing hint of what lay beneath. The silver embroidery along her neckline only drew attention to her graceful collarbone and the delicate curve of her neck, an elegant yet undeniably enticing feature.
The way Seraphina carried herself, with an effortless grace, made her even more alluring. Her every step was fluid, her body moving in perfect harmony with the magical energy that surrounded her.
Even the simple act of brushing a strand of fiery hair behind her ear seemed to have an intoxicating quality.
Her figure, both powerful and feminine, stirred something deep within Adrian—something primal. As she stood there, her presence exuding both power and seductive grace, he couldn't help but feel drawn to her in a way that defied reason.
Seraphina was not just beautiful; she was magnetic, a woman whose very essence commanded attention, and for Adrian, she was impossible to ignore.
Adrian realized something unsettling. Both he and Sophia bore no resemblance to their father. Their platinum blonde hair and red eyes mirrored Isabella's features entirely, almost as if their father hadn't contributed anything to their appearance.
Adrian, a man from modern Earth with basic knowledge of genetics, found this odd. Shouldn't both parents have influenced their children's traits?
The thought gnawed at him, but he quickly dismissed it. Some species in this world could bear offspring alone, the process being too taxing, resulting in a permanent decrease in mana and physical abilities.
Such a method was rare and avoided. Besides, Isabella was human, so it should not have been possible for her.
Still, the idea refused to fully leave his mind. Why had he never thought about this before? Why did his aunt's appearance stir such deep-seated questions about his own origins? As his mind spiraled, Isabella, noticing his stunned expression, grinned mischievously.
"What's wrong, son? Did your aunt steal your soul?" Isabella teased, her tone light but her eyes observing him closely. "You used to say you'd marry her when you were little."
Adrian managed a calm outward response, his voice smooth as he replied, "Is that so?" But inwardly, his thoughts betrayed him. "It would be great if she would marry me," he mused, feeling a slight twinge of heat rise in his chest as his eyes briefly flicked back to Seraphina.
As if she had heard his inner thoughts, Seraphina turned toward him, a smirk playing on her lips. Her gaze locked with his, and for a moment, it felt as though the room had grown warmer. "I don't mind," she said, her voice rich and teasing.
"I still remember your promise, my dear Adrian. It looks like I won't have to force you to fulfill it." Her words were laced with a teasing tone.
Adrian's heart skipped a beat. The way she said his name, the way she looked at him—it was as if she were challenging him to step up and claim what he once declared in childhood, now with adult intentions.
Before Adrian could respond, the sound of a soft gasp caught his attention. Lira, who had been standing close to him, seemed momentarily stunned as her eyes darted toward the fierce-looking man next to Seraphina.
Recognition washed over her face, and without hesitation, she screamed, "Uncle!" Her voice carried a mix of relief and surprise, her eyes wide as she rushed toward the man.
The stern expression on the man's face softened slightly as Lira reached him, her arms wrapping around him in an affectionate hug. He patted her head gently, his features relaxing as he acknowledged her.
Adrian's gaze shifted to the man. Seraphina introduced him, "This is Baron Isner, Lira's uncle."
He was a fierce-looking man, tall and broad-shouldered, with an air of authority about him. His dark hair was streaked with silver, and a scar ran down the side of his face, a testament to the battles he had fought. But despite his rugged appearance, there was a gentleness in his eyes as he looked down at Lira.
Adrian couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity. "Baron Isner?"
He was puzzled for a moment, having assumed that Lira's uncle would carry the same surname as her father, Count Blackthorn. But then the pieces started to fall into place. A different surname meant that Baron Isner had chosen a different path, separate from the main family.
In this world, the firstborn son inherited the family title and name, while younger siblings had two choices: leave the noble house and become commoners, or join a branch family and take on various roles to serve the main line.
For Lira's uncle, it seemed he had taken the former path, leaving his family and becoming a commoner before eventually earning his own noble title through service to the royal family.
Hearing Adrian's mumbled thoughts, Baron Isner glanced at him and spoke, his deep voice resonating through the room.
"Yes, you're thinking right. I left my family, became a commoner, and then, through meticulous service to our royal family, I earned my title." His tone was firm but not unkind, and there was a quiet pride in his words.
"I must also express my deep gratitude to you for rescuing my niece," Baron Isner continued, his gaze now fixed on Adrian.
"She is the apple of our generation's eye, as only my brother has a child, while the rest of us siblings are either childless or unmarried, like myself."
Adrian inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. "It was an honor to help," he replied, keeping his tone respectful.
But inwardly, he noted the affection in Baron Isner's voice when he spoke of Lira. She was clearly precious to him, and Adrian could sense the depth of the family bond.
Baron Isner's expression darkened for a brief moment as he continued, "Rest assured, the traitor who leaked her position has been caught. It was none other than my fifth brother's wife, who was a distant cousin of Count Vortigern."
He clenched his fists, his voice growing colder. "To think my family would marry someone from Vortigern's bloodline—it makes me practically sick."
At the mention of Count Vortigern, a shadow passed over the room. Adrian had heard whispers of the count and his treacherous ways, but to hear that Lira's family had been connected to him in some way clearly disgusted Baron Isner.
Lira, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "Uncle," she said softly, her voice steady but tinged with emotion, "thank you for coming." She looked up at him, her eyes shining with gratitude. "I didn't expect to see you so soon."
Baron Isner smiled, a rare and fleeting expression that softened his otherwise stern features. "You are family, Lira. Of course, I came as soon as I heard."
As the conversation between uncle and niece unfolded, Adrian's attention wavered between them and Seraphina, who was still watching him with that same teasing smile.
Isabella then asked Adrian to leave the meeting room and show his aunt around the estate, allowing her to handle the talks with the Blackthorn and Isner families for the alliance.