Between Love and Ruin

The room spun for a moment, his words hanging heavy in the air.

"Engaged?" I repeated, disbelief laced through the word.

"To the Von Grimm family," Ophelia said smoothly, her tone almost casual.

My heart sank, dread flooding through me. I had heard of them. Dad had told me about them. The Von Grimm's were the most powerful nobles in all of Germany, their wealth and influence spanning continents.

"No," I said immediately, shaking my head."

Ophelia's smile didn't falter. "Negotiations are unavailable, Maria."

"It's my life!" I snapped, standing abruptly.

Victor picked up the pistol and shot the ground below me, the sound reverberating through the room. "Not anymore!" he barked, his voice echoing in the silent space.

I stared at him, my knees shaking and my chest heaving.

Ophelia's voice cut through the tension, calm and calculated. "The Von Grimms have agreed to a union between families. It's a rare opportunity. One that ensures your position and secures our future."

Their future. That's what this was about. Not me. Not my life.

"No," I repeated, my voice trembling. "I won't do it."

Victor stood slowly, pointing the pistol at me, his towering frame casting a shadow across the desk. "You will," he said, his voice quiet but full of menace. "Because if you don't, you'll lose whatever is left of your place in this house."

I wanted to scream, to throw something, to break every pristine surface in this room that reeked of their control. But instead, I straightened, meeting his gaze head-on.

"You think this is a victory," I said, my voice cold. I didn't care anymore, he could shoot for all I cared. "But you're wrong. You'll regret this."

Victor's smirk returned, lazy and condescending. "Oh, I doubt that."

Without another word, I turned and walked out, slamming the door behind me so hard the sound echoed down the hallway.

Back in my room, I collapsed onto the bed, my hands trembling as I buried my face in them. My chest ached, my breath uneven.

They thought they could control me.

They thought I would bow to them, to the Von Grimms, to this life they were forcing on me.

I stood abruptly, pacing the room as my thoughts spiraled. The photo of my mother on the desk caught my eye, her warm smile a painful reminder of what I'd lost.

"I won't let them win," I whispered to myself, my voice shaking.

But even as I said the words, doubt crept in. How could I fight them when they controlled everything? When even my name was a leash they could pull whenever they wanted?

I sank to the floor, my back against the bed, and stared at the ceiling.

The Von Grimms.

The name felt like a noose tightening around my neck.

For the first time since my father's death, I felt truly trapped.

***

Leo's POV

I sat in my usual spot, an armchair that faced the tall windows overlooking the estate. The room was quiet, save for the crackling of the fireplace. The flames danced, casting long shadows against the dark oak walls.

"Finally," I whispered to myself. "Peace and quiet."

The heavy double doors creaked ope, and Sebastian, my father's personal aide, stepped in. His presence alone was enough to put me on edge. He didn't come unless the matter was urgent or irritating.

"Leonardo," he said, his tone stiff, as though speaking name pained him. "Your father requires your presence in the study."

I didn't move at first, letting the words settle in the air. My father never required my presence unless it was about the 'family'.

"Now," Sebastian added, "Or have you forgotten how to walk?"

I stood, setting the glass of whiskey on the side table with deliberate care. "What is it this time, Sebastian?" I asked, already bored of the conversation.

He didn't answer but the slight flicker in his expression told me I wasn't going to like it.

I followed Sebastian behind till we got to the study, he stayed at the entrance side, leaving just me to go in.

I paused at the entrance. What did father want this time?

I heaved a sigh, pushed the doors open and stepped into the study.

The study smelled of leather and old cigars, a suffocating mix that always made my jaw tighten. My father sat behind the massive desk, his sharp eyes fixed on me as soon as I entered.

"Leonardo," he said, gesturing for me to sit.

I didn't. "What's this about?"

"You can't even greet your own dad."

I frowned, he was irritating as ever. "Get to the point, father."

He leaned back in his chair, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "A union. Between us and the Everlights."