The grand gates of Dimitri's estate opened slowly, revealing a stretch of smooth stone path lined with lavender hedges and white rose trees. The estate was far more opulent than Chloe's manor—less floral, more structured, like its owner. Guards flanked the entrance in crisp uniforms, their expressions stern yet respectful as the carriages began to arrive.
From the first carriage stepped Chloe, looking effortlessly elegant. Behind her came Riella and Amelia, both dressed in soft pastels—Amelia in lilac, Riella in a wine-colored dress that caught the sun like flame. A few other noble ladies followed, chatter and curious glances filling the air.
Dimitri stood at the steps, dressed less like a general and more like a lord—though the dark uniform still clung to his presence. His sharp gaze swept across the group, but lingered—just briefly—on Riella. It wasn't longing. It wasn't guilt. It was something caught between caution and memory.
"Welcome," he said, voice even. "Thank you for joining us today. My friend and cousin Lady Seraphine, returns after many years. This evening is in her honor."
Chloe smiled politely. Amelia bowed her head. Riella simply nodded, studying the building's sharp angles and tall windows as if trying to piece something together.
Dimitri turned smoothly and gestured them inside, allowing the housekeeper to take over guiding them to the reception parlor. As they walked ahead, Dimitri remained behind momentarily, his eyes tracing Riella's silhouette again.
Kael appeared from one of the corridors, brushing a curl from his eyes. "Quite the crowd," he murmured, catching Dimitri's gaze.
"Just a formality," Dimitri said quietly.
Kael glanced in the direction of the women. "Still, I'd keep my eye on that one," he added, half-teasing as he referred to Riella. "She's… different."
Dimitri didn't answer. His jaw was clenched too tightly.
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The room was bathed in candlelight and golden chandeliers, casting warm shadows across the arched ceiling. Laughter mingled with soft harp music as the guests gathered for the welcoming of a long-absent family member.
The door opened with a dramatic swing, revealing a tall woman draped in a deep sapphire gown embroidered with silver thread. Her presence was both regal and unconventional. She carried herself like someone who had walked through fire and returned draped in velvet.
"Cousin!" Kael called from across the room with a smirk, pushing off a column as Dimitri looked up with a rare softness in his eyes.
The woman smiled and walked in confidently. "You boys haven't changed a bit."
"Seraphine," Dimitri said, standing straighter. "Welcome home."
Riella and Amelia exchanged curious glances. They hadn't expected her to be so… magnetic.
"I didn't think I'd see you two first," she said, embracing Kael briefly before greeting Dimitri. "Where's my charming brother? Busy pretending to be important?"
Kael chuckled. "Still fighting for control. Some things never change."
Seraphine turned her gaze to the girls. "You must be the ones Chloe keeps mentioning in her letters. The mysterious guests." Her eyes lingered on Riella for a moment, but it was impossible to tell what she was thinking. "I'm Seraphine. Cousin to these two disasters," she said, gesturing toward the twins. And sister to Leonardo.
"You're his sister?" Amelia asked, blinking.
"Only by blood," Seraphine said with a wink. "I've just returned from dressmaking school—three years of freedom, needles, and silk."
"You designed this?" Riella asked, pointing at the elegant folds of her gown.
"Every stitch. I may not rule an empire, but I know how to make a girl feel like a queen."
And with that, Seraphine joined them at the table, clearly more comfortable with the twins than her own brother.