120. Alliance
The breakfast table was glowing with a warmth none of them expected to feel again.
Uncle Adrian wiped his eyes, smiling at Aiden with fatherly affection.
"Well," he said warmly, "this Marcelline… she filled our mansion with peace without even stepping inside."
Aunt Liana nodded immediately.
"She must be truly special," she said softly.
"Anyone who can ease our Aiden's pain like that… deserves our gratitude."
Chloe leaned forward, eyes sparkling with excitement as she spoke:
"Oh she is special, Mom ! She walks so gracefully—like she's floating. And when she talks, she has that calm goddess vibe… and her aura is so elegant and pure—like, unreal!"
She pressed her hands to her cheeks dramatically.
"I LIKE HER SO MUCH!"
Everyone laughed softly.
Aiden blushed so hard his ears turned red.
Chloe noticed.
And of course…
She smirked.
"Ohhhhhh," she teased, elbowing him, "Someone blushed when I mentioned her aura. My brother is in loooooove."
Aiden coughed and accidentally dropped his fork.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Aiden groaned. "Chloe, stop—"
"Nope," she said proudly, "I will support your love story until the end!"
The room filled with laughter they thought they'd lost forever.
Then suddenly—
Chloe's eyes widened and she jumped up from her chair.
"IDEA!!!"
Her voice echoed so loudly the guards outside startled.
"Why don't we invite Marcelline for dinner?!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"That way she can spend time with us, and we can thank her properly!"
Uncle Adrian clapped his hands.
Aunt Liana beamed.
The servants chimed agreement.
Everyone loved the idea.
Except Aiden.
And Maximilian.
Both froze.
Aiden's smile vanished instantly.
Max's hand tightened around his cup.
Chloe noticed their expressions.
"W-what's wrong?" she asked, confused.
Aiden swallowed, voice suddenly small.
"What if… she comes here… and that thing attacks again?"
Silence fell like a stone.
They all remembered.
The blood.
The screaming.
The ten innocent people who died.
Aunt Liana's smile faltered.
Uncle Adrian lowered his gaze.
Chloe's excitement dimmed.
Max finally spoke, his voice slow and raw:
"We can't risk her life. Or yours."
No one argued.
Because they all knew he was right.
The warmth that had returned slowly faded into a sober quiet.
---
KYRON ENTERS --
The door opened and Kyron walked in briskly, eyes widening at the warm atmosphere.
"Whoa… did someone spray sunshine in here?" he muttered under his breath, relieved.
But he approached Maximilian and leaned close.
"Sir, President David has invited you for breakfast at his villa. He wishes to meet you urgently."
Maximilian blinked, confused but nodded.
He glanced at his family—smiling, lively, warm again.
For the first time in weeks, he smiled sincerely back.
"I'll return soon," he promised.
He grabbed his coat and left the room, Kyron following.
---
AT PRESIDENT DAVID'S LUXURIOUS VILLA --
Sunlight poured through the tall glass windows as servants guided Maximilian inside.
President David—charismatic, powerful, extremely influential—opened his arms with a warm grin.
"Max! It's been so long."
They exchanged a strong handshake and a friendly hug.
But when David pulled back, his smile faltered slightly.
"Maximilian… you look tired. Overworked?"
Max forced a polite smile.
"Yes. Just… company pressure."
David nodded sympathetically.
"Oh! Circe isn't home right now. She's busy with her growing fashion brand. And she also helps me with my finance ventures these days."
Max nodded.
"Good to know. She's talented."
They enjoyed breakfast, discussed business, politics, international markets…
Then David leaned back, expression shifting.
A little too casual.
A little too calculated.
"Maximilian," he said slowly, "there's something else."
Kyron, standing behind Max's chair, tensed.
David folded his hands.
"With our companies growing closer, and our families' long friendship…
I want to talk to you about something important."
Maximilian froze inside.
David continued gently:
"I want to propose a marriage alliance."
Max stiffened.
David smiled knowingly.
"You and Circe. I believe you two would be perfect together. Strong. Influential. Balanced."
Kyron nearly dropped the documents he was holding.
Marriage? Now?
To Circe?
The President's daughter?
Max swallowed, keeping his expression unreadable.
He took a slow breath.
Then replied carefully:
"I… will think about it."
David smiled, satisfied.
"Good. That's all I ask."
Kyron stood there, still trying not to choke in shock.
---