That morning, the corridors of the Atlantis School of Magic looked like a river filled with light. Sunlight streamed through the tall stained glass windows, painting the floor with soft moving shades of blue and gold—like a dream that didn't want to end. Amidst the bustling students, a girl walked slowly, as if the whole world was created to make space for her: Rinoa Alfrenzo.
"Rinoa!" called Ellis, a young girl with pigtails, half-running with breathless enthusiasm. "Guess what? We're doing practical spell work today!" She tapped Rinoa on the shoulder, her excitement barely contained. "I heard we're learning to levitate things! Can you believe it?"
When Rinoa turned around, it felt as if the world was forced to slow down. "Really? That sounds awesome! I've been waiting to try that," she replied with a grin. "I just hope I don't send my book floating into the ceiling like last time."
Ellis giggled, "Right? That was hilarious! But I'm pretty sure you'll do great this time. You always do!" Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes blinked in admiration. Rinoa smiled-a simple smile, yet enough to ignite hope in anyone who saw it.
"So, what's the first spell we're practicing?" Rinoa asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I think it's called 'Levitas'," Ellis responded, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "We're supposed to focus really hard and then just—whoosh! The object goes up!"
"Let's hope I can keep it in the air this time," Rinoa chuckled. "What are you going to try lifting first?"
"Maybe that giant textbook! Or, I could try that bench over there," Ellis said mischievously. "Imagine the looks on their faces!"
"Just don't let it drop on someone, okay?" Rinoa teased, her laughter blending with the joyful chaos around them.
"Ah, Ellis." Rinoa's voice was soft and low, carrying a warmth as if they were long-lost sisters reuniting. With that one greeting, the atmosphere shifted to one of familiarity and comfort. Behind her charm and beauty, Rinoa never boasted; instead, she always tried to instill confidence in the women around her.
"Hey, did you catch the practice for spell casting today?" Rinoa asked casually, leaning closer. "I swear, Professor Luvi's new technique is wild!"
"Yeah, I did!" Ellis replied, excitement creeping into her voice. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole binding spell. It's like everything just… clicks once you figure it out."
"Right?" Rinoa laughed, her eyes sparkling. "And don't even get me started on the potion class! I totally messed up that invisibility potion. You should've seen the look on Beatrice's face when my hair turned green!"
"Oh man, I can only imagine!" Ellis chuckled. "At least you didn't make it explode like Jackson did last week. I heard it covered half the classroom in sparkles."
"True, but that made me think: we should totally work on our practicals together!" Rinoa suggested eagerly. "We could practice the binding spell and you can show me your potion tips."
"I'd love that!" Ellis agreed, her face lighting up. "We should meet up after school tomorrow in the library?"
"Definitely! Just don't get lost in any more fairy tales on your way there," Rinoa teased, gently stroking Ellis's cheek like an older sister would to a younger sibling. Ellis simply looked down, smiling, allowing her thoughts to drift into the laughter and shared moments they had yet to create.
Rinoa Alfrenzo—everyone in Atlantis knew her name. Smart, graceful, strong, and beautiful. However, she was also known for her assertiveness, which sometimes made people hesitant, even fearful.
That day, Rinoa walked confidently toward the corridor leading to the 49th floor, a quieter, more solemn place that felt heavier. In front of a large wooden door marked Floor No. 49, a young man was waiting. His silver hair and sword-shaped earring dangled from his left ear. He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, looking patient yet hopeful.
"Good morning, Rinoa," the young man greeted with a forced smile, as if trying to mask his anxiety.
"Morning, Senior Lenz," Rinoa replied, slightly frowning, as if maintaining a distance with her deliberately formal language.
"Why do you keep calling me senior? We're in the same class!" Lenz shook his head, frustration creeping into his voice. "I mean, we both nailed that last practical magic test, right?"
"Yeah, but you're still older," Rinoa replied, smirking. "If we start dropping titles, who knows what kind of chaos might break out? Remember Kevin tried calling himself 'the Great' last week?"
"True, but it sounds cooler than just 'Lenz'," he chuckled, shrugging off the tension. "Speaking of magic, did you practice that new incantation we learned? I still can't get the hang of the teleportation spell."
"Same! I end up zipping around the room instead of actually moving anywhere," Rinoa laughed, shaking her head. "We should totally work on it together later."
"Definitely! At least if we mess up, we can blame it on each other," Lenz said, his tone lightening. "And hey, maybe we can sneak into the library first? I heard they have some cool ancient texts on elemental magic."
"Sounds like a plan! Just don't let the librarians catch us," Rinoa teased, raising an eyebrow. "Last time, they had me sorting books for hours because I returned one late."
"We'll be quick! Just grab and go," Lenz replied, determination in his eyes. "It'll be an adventure!"
"Alright, but you're buying me snacks if we get caught," Rinoa said, smirking as they moved toward the door.
"Deal!" Lenz grinned, his mood lifting as they stepped inside together.
"It's so cold! Aren't we both residents of the 49th floor? Why call me senior? There are no seniority rules in this school," Lenz protested, his tone wavering between jest and disappointment.
Rinoa sighed, her eyes fixed straight ahead. "Sorry, I'm just not in the mood to entertain boys today. I'm feeling lazy."
Lenz chuckled softly, but there was a wound behind his laughter. "Your words are sharp too. But that's what I like about you. How about we go out for dinner tonight?" he flirted, winking. "I mean, it's the best way to relax after a tough day of practical magic class, right?"
Rinoa only smiled sadly, ignoring the invitation. "You know, I was really hoping to nail that potion brewing homework instead... but here we are."
At that moment, the door to the 49th floor creaked open. A well-dressed man emerged, wearing a tie and thin glasses that made him look older than his age. His face was calm, his movements elegant, resembling a noble born to lead.
"Lenz, don't bother Rinoa," he scolded. "She doesn't want to be disturbed today, especially not by your flirting."
Lenz scoffed, "Tch! Hernandez!" "You know she's just trying to focus on her studies. We have that practical exam coming up; it's not all about dinner dates!"
Hernandez lifted a red rose, offering it to Rinoa with utmost respect. "Rinoa, only I deserve to accompany you."
Without much thought, Lenz swatted the flower from Hernandez's hand. He picked it up, gazing at it for a moment, then dramatically covered it with a handkerchief and pretended to pray as if the flower were his deceased lover. "I'm just saying, maybe we should stick to spellcasting and not bouquet tossing, huh?"
"What are you doing?" Hernandez snapped.
"Praying, of course." "For better grades!"
The two were on the verge of a fight. Lenz grabbed Hernandez by the collar, but Hernandez calmly retaliated. "Ever thought about joining the dueling club instead? Might give you better practice than flirting with Rinoa!"
They tugged at each other, challenging one another like two children competing for a toy. "I'm just trying to get Rinoa to join us for a study group! Practical magic needs teamwork!"
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Hernandez's gaze turned sharp, his tone icy. "Living beings breathe, grow, and then die. Everything alive will be buried someday. That's the only certainty in life, Lenz."
Lenz frowned, "How many times have you repeated that? You've never even answered about the incident ten years ago when your family burned the remnants of the Gamma people…"
The atmosphere in the room grew tense. Hernandez fell silent, his eyes igniting with a dangerous glint. "It seems I'll have to break your bones to make you quiet."
"Go ahead! Maybe I'll just freeze you in your tracks!" Lenz shot back, his confidence rising.
"Nice one, Lenz! But remember, magic doesn't solve everything," Hernandez countered, a smirk forming on his lips.
Suddenly, Lenz's hand turned blue and swollen. "Whoa, did you see that?" Lenz exclaimed, glancing at Hernandez. Ice blossomed from his skin, wrapping around the wound before it shattered and vanished—like it had never happened. Hernandez smirked.
"Damn Smith," Lenz muttered. "Why do we even have to deal with this kind of magic in class? It's so unpredictable!"
"You should be thankful! It's part of our practical magic training," Hernandez replied, crossing his arms. "Besides, it makes the lectures bearable. I'd rather crack jokes than listen to Professor Eldrin's boring theories."
"True, but sometimes I wish we could just have a normal day. Like a field trip or something, instead of this constant rivalry," Lenz sighed, shaking off the ice remnants.
However, revenge only heated the atmosphere further, and Rinoa could only sigh. "You guys seriously need to chill. Focus on your spells, or we'll be the ones failing this class," she warned, raising an eyebrow at both of them.
"Yeah, yeah, we know. But it's hard not to get caught up in the heat of the moment!" Lenz said, throwing his hands up in frustration.
Yet, Rinoa remained resolute. "Fine, let's practice together later. But no more of this rivalry talk. Just pure magic practice," she suggested, looking between her friends.
"Alright, we'll see who can conjure the coolest spell! But just so you know, I'm not going easy on you!" Hernandez grinned, ready for the challenge.
"Challenge accepted! Just try to keep up!" Lenz replied, a hopeful glint in his eye.
Rinoa just shook her head with a small smile. "Boys and their magic challenges. It's like a never-ending duel of pride."
From the end of the hallway, an old man appeared. "What's with all the noise?" he called out, adjusting his round glasses as his dark blue robe billowed slightly. He glanced at his three students and added, "Didn't I tell you to keep it down? Or do you all prefer being frogs?"
"Frogs? Really, Professor?" Lenz smirked, crossing his arms. "That's a bit much, don't you think?"
"Just imagine the lessons we could learn!" Elbert chuckled, his tone light. "Ribbiting spells and all that."
Hernandez rolled his eyes. "As if we're learning anything today except how to be loud."
"Hey! At least we know how to make a scene," Rinoa chimed in with a playful grin. "But I think we should save the theatrics for our practical magic class, don't you?"
Elbert leaned against the wall, a knowing smile on his face. "Practical magic? You mean when half of you forget to cast the right spell and end up blowing things up?"
"Shh!" Rinoa glanced around, a hint of worry in her voice. "Not so loud! I don't want a repeat of last week."
"Come on, that was epic!" Lenz interjected, laughing. "We made the potions room smell like a bakery! Who wouldn't want that?"
"Except we didn't get any pastries," Hernandez pointed out, shaking his head. "Only a heap of trouble."
Rinoa stepped forward, slightly curtsying while lifting her long skirt. "Good morning, Professor Elbert," she greeted gracefully, her smile steady despite the banter. "Ready for today's class?"
"Rinoa, could you lift your skirt a little higher? I can hardly see your shoes!" Elbert teased, his tone half-joking, half-testing.
"Seriously?" Rinoa raised an eyebrow, but couldn't help a smirk. "What's next, Professor? A lesson in fashion?"
"Oh, that's definitely a course I'd teach," Elbert retorted, a twinkle in his eye. "But for now, let's focus on magic, shall we?"
Rinoa held her breath but managed to keep her composure. "You know what lies behind your strange questions, don't you? Lessons on courage and dignity?"
"Exactly," Elbert nodded, his expression serious for a moment. "Facing a world that can be shameless comes with its own challenges."
"Well, at least let us choose our challenges," Rinoa replied, her tone firm but with a hint of a smile. "Maybe with a little less frog transformation and a bit more practical magic?"
The tension broke suddenly when a gust of wind appeared from nowhere, nearly knocking them off their feet. "Whoa! Did you see that?" Rinoa exclaimed, her eyes wide as she glanced at Elbert. "What was that? I didn't even cast anything major!"
Elbert merely chuckled. "Sorry, sorry, you know how old folks are. But Rinoa, don't carelessly use wind hypnosis. Not everyone is as strong as Ellis," he warned, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, but give me a break! Ellis has her own magic style," Rinoa shot back, crossing her arms. "She won't get freaked out. Besides, her defensive magic activates on its own when she's in danger. She might even thank me for the push!"
Behind her, Lenz chimed in, "So, you're saying we should take more risks? What if we get in trouble?"
Hernandez laughed, "If that's the case, I want to join you forever, Rinoa! We could be a legendary duo, right?"
"You guys are ridiculous," Rinoa said, rolling her eyes. "Just watch me now!" She summoned her magical power again, grinning. "Let's show them what real sorcery looks like!"
Elbert nodded. "Just be careful. Magic is unpredictable, especially with a crowd."
"Nah, it'll be fine!" Rinoa replied with excitement. She recited the incantation in a calm yet powerful voice:
O thou wind cast on earth,
Give bless and anger on unforsaken land,
Destroy all evil spirit,
Free the freedom of justice.
Call the wind, O thou wind cast on earth—
"SAND STORM!"
The wind mixed with dust roared, enveloping the room like a desert storm. "Whoa, did you see that?" Rinoa exclaimed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I think I overdid it a bit!"
"No kidding!" her friend Sam replied, dodging a flying chair. "But that was so cool! You really made the classroom come alive. What's next, a tornado?"
Rinoa laughed. "Nah! Just trying to keep things interesting for our practical magic lesson. You think Ms. Orla would let this slide?"
"She'll probably lose her mind!" Sam said, looking around at the chaos. "But you know what? I think we just set a new record for the craziest class ever!"
After a few seconds that felt eternal, the storm subsided. "Alright, time to clean up before she gets here," Rinoa said with a mischievous grin. "We can totally blame it on the 'wind' effect, right?"
"Good idea! Just tell her it was a, um, magical mishap," Sam chuckled as he started picking up scattered furniture. "But seriously, Rinoa, you should teach a class on how to conjure chaos!"
Rinoa clapped her hands, a smile returning to her face. "All done. Nothing left, not even a ghost has stayed. Time for school!"
Amidst the chaos, Rinoa stood tall. "But you know," she said, leaning closer, "I really love our practical magic lessons, even if they get a bit wild."
"Same," Sam replied, nodding. "It's like every day is a new adventure, and there's never a dull moment with you around."
She laughed lightly. "An ordinary day would never truly be ordinary with Rinoa Alfrenzo in it," she joked, striking a pose. "Let's make this a memorable one!"
As the wind in the Atlantis hallway began to calm and the atmosphere returned to tranquility, Rinoa's thoughts drifted far from the school's bustle. "You know, some would think an Alfrenzo would fit in well," Lady Marian remarked one evening during dinner, her eyes piercing through Rinoa. "But you don't seem to understand the privilege of this family."
The house always felt empty to Rinoa. "What do you think you're doing with your hair?" Hector's voice boomed from the doorway one afternoon. "It's too wild. You're not a child anymore, Rinoa." The chill of his tone echoed against the grand walls, making her wish to shrink into nothing. "You won't make friends looking like that," he added dismissively.
"I'm just being myself," Rinoa whispered, barely audible. "Why can't you accept that?"
"Acceptance has nothing to do with it!" Hector barked, his frustration palpable. "This family has standards, and it's about time you learned them."
In the dining room, Rinoa always felt like a guest. "Be more graceful, Rinoa," Lady Marian would often instruct, her tone silky yet sharp, like a knife gliding over butter. "We have guests. You don't want to embarrass Hector, do you?"
"No, Mama," Rinoa replied softly, her heart sinking. "I just... I never meant to—"
"You don't have to mean anything, dear," Marian interrupted. "You just need to learn your place."
"I wish you would treat me like I belong," Rinoa said, the words escaping before she could hold them back. "I am family."
"Family?" Marian's laughter rang hollow across the room. "You need to earn that title first."
"You know, I don't understand why Mother keeps bringing her around," Lionel scoffed, glancing at Rinoa with disdain. "It's not like she belongs here, right?"
"Let's just hope she doesn't break anything valuable again," Cassandra added with a teasing smirk, crossing her arms. "After all, she's just a wind collector."
"You both should be grateful our mother still has a soft spot for her," the eldest brother chimed in, though his tone revealed more annoyance than gratitude. "But honestly, what good is she? She's nothing like us."
Rinoa forced a smile, feeling the weight of their words. "I... I just want to be useful," she murmured, attempting to fit in despite their cold reception.
"Useful? Good luck with that!" Lionel retorted, rolling his eyes. "You can't change your blood, no matter how hard you try."
Cassandra's laugh was sharp and cutting. "You might as well give up, Rinoa. We all know you're only here because of Father's pity. We certainly don't want you taking his name."
Rinoa's heart sank, the stinging remarks echoing in her mind. "I'm trying my best…" she whispered, feeling the invisible boundary grow stronger around her.
"Your best doesn't matter," Lionel said dismissively. "You'll always be 'the one who was saved.' Nothing more."
"Sometimes, I think she just loves the idea of us, not who we really are," Cassandra remarked, a smug smile on her face. "Can't blame her though; what's not to love?"
The murmur of voices from just beyond the door curled around Rinoa, thick with tension. "Don't let her touch anything of importance," came Lady Marian's unmistakable voice, devoid of warmth. "She is nobody… just a fleeting shadow."
Rinoa stood there, her breath hitching, feeling the chill seep into her bones as the words settled heavily in the air. How could they not see her for who she was trying to be?
"What if she really tried to claim the Alfrenzo name?" one of them speculated mockingly. "Like we'd ever let that happen. Father would never allow it."
A flicker of hope sparked within Rinoa, "He… he sees me as a daughter," she reminded herself quietly, but the laughter echoed in her mind, pulling her down.
Every whispered insult wrapped around her like chains, tightening with each syllable. "If only she had a real family," Lionel sneered. "Then maybe she'd understand her place."
The walls felt like they were closing in as the laughter faded and the reality of her solitude settled in. "I… I just want to belong," she muttered to herself, the words mixing with the darkness that enveloped her.
"You know, Rinoa, it's nice that Hector tries," Lady Marian scoffed as she adjusted her gloves, her voice dripping with condescension. "But let's be honest, he'll never see you as one of us."
"You don't understand!" Rinoa shot back, her voice trembling. "He believes in me. Isn't that enough?"
"Believes in you?" Lady Marian's laughter echoed in the air, sharp and biting. "You're just a reminder of a choice he regrets. What if he decides you've outlived your welcome?"
"He wouldn't," Rinoa whispered, clenching her fists, but doubt threaded her thoughts.
"Oh, really? Just wait until he starts divvying up the family heirlooms." Lady Marian waved a dismissive hand. "You'll see just how important you are then."
"I'm more than a mistake. I'm Rinoa!" she argued, desperation rising.
"A mistake that's still living in our home," interjected a voice from the shadows. It was one of the Alfrenzo siblings, eyes narrowed. "You think you can just step in and take what's ours? You're wasting your time."
Rinoa's heart sank. "I've worked hard," she said, trying to hold onto strength. "I earned those trophies."
"With Hector's help, of course," the sibling replied, smirking. "When will you learn that you'll never belong here?"
Rinoa took a deep breath. "Hector believes I'm family. He calls me daughter."
"How sweet," Lady Marian retorted, glancing at her sibling. "But we all know he's just trying to make up for something he can't change."
Silence enveloped Rinoa like a heavy cloak. "Maybe I'll go live with Hector then," she muttered, half-heartedly, knowing it was a dream that would never come true.
"Good luck with that," the sibling scoffed. "You'll soon realize that choices can only go so far. The Alfrenzos stick together, and it won't ever include you."
Rinoa turned away, feeling small and lost, as the whispers of doubt swirled around her. "I just want to prove I belong," she whispered to herself, but the words felt hollow under the weight of their rejection.
"You still don't belong here, Rinoa," Lady Marian snapped, her voice icy. "You think just because Hector put you in charge, we're all supposed to bow down to you?"
"I'm not asking for your approval, Marian," Rinoa replied, trying to keep her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. "I just want to be part of this family."
"Part of this family? You're a reminder of what we lost," Marian shot back, her gaze fierce. "Every time I look at you, I see Hector's betrayal."
Rinoa clenched her fists. "I'm not a betrayal! I'm his choice and I—"
"A choice made out of pity!" Marian interrupted, her voice rising. "You think you can step in and act like you're one of us? Look around! The way they look at you? You're just a charity case!"
"That's not true!" Rinoa insisted, her heart pounding. "You don't even know me; you only see what you want to see."
The tension in the room escalated, the air thick with unspoken words. Rinoa could feel the weight of Marian's disdain pressing down.
"You're pretending to care about this family, but you'll never be more than an outsider," Marian said coldly. "Your dreams are just illusions. You'll never lead anything."
"Stop it!" Rinoa almost shouted, her voice cracking. "I'm trying to make things better for all of us!"
The chill in the room deepened, wrapping around Rinoa like a suffocating blanket. "Better? How can you even say that?" Marian replied, her tone dripping with disbelief. "You're only here to take what's ours."
Rinoa felt her resolve waver. "I just want to prove that I can be—"
"Prove what? That you deserve a place at our table? You're not my sister. You never will be," Marian declared, finality ringing in her voice. The words hung in the air like a dagger.
A heavy silence followed, the bitterness settling between them. Rinoa struggled to find her voice, heart aching in a way that felt almost physical.
"If you all would just give me a chance..." Rinoa whispered, but the words felt small and powerless against Marian's wall of rejection.
"Give you a chance? You've had your chance. This is our family, not some charity case for you to exploit!" Marian spat, her disdain palpable.
As Rinoa stood frozen, the weight of her family's disdain pressed down upon her, drowning her in uncertainty. Each word echoed painfully, marking her as an outsider in the very place she longed to belong.
Rinoa stood before the large table, her fingers intertwined in her lap, trying to suppress her nervousness. "I never wanted to come here," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Marian's stare was unyielding. "You're just a foreign child. Do you think you deserve everything I built with Hector?"
"I don't want what you built," Rinoa replied, her heart racing. "I just want to honor my father's legacy."
"Honor? You think by moving the wind, you've earned a place in this family?" Marian scoffed, her voice laced with disdain. "Hector must have been bewitched by pity. You'll never be one of us."
"I don't have to be blood to respect what this family stands for," Rinoa countered, biting her lip to hold back the tremors of her voice. "I refuse to betray my father's trust."
Marian let out a bitter laugh, her eyes sparkling with ice. "Trust? This family is built on blood! You know nothing of what it takes to be an Alfrenzo!"
Rinoa clenched her fists, feeling the heat rise within her. "I may not be an Alfrenzo, but I came here to find my place."
"Your place?" Marian shot back, eyes narrowing. "You think you can just slip in and take what is rightfully ours? You'll never belong here!"
In the midst of that heated atmosphere, Archon—the first son of Hector—entered the main room. His steps were firm, but there was a doubt he concealed. "Enough, Mother," he said, eyes darting between them. "Father's will is clear. The choice has been made. We all know Father never acted recklessly."
"Enough, Mother." Archon's voice was heavy, the weight of responsibility pressing down. "Father's will is clear. We have no choice. You know Father never acted recklessly."
Marian's eyes narrowed, full of pain. "You actually think you're protecting us? Sacrificing everything for that outsider? What has she done to deserve this?"
Archon took a deep breath, fighting against the rising tide of frustration. "It's not just about her. It's about our future, our family. You have to see that!"
"Family?" Marian scoffed, shaking her head. "What does she know of family? She's an intruder! You're blind to the danger!"
Archon's gaze flickered to Rinoa—vulnerability peeking through his practiced indifference. "Father believed in her abilities, in her heart. I... I want to do the same, even if it means standing alone against you."
Marian's voice trembled with unspoken hurt. "So, you'd throw away your legacy for her? How could you do this to your own blood? Just like Hector would have?"
"This isn't about throwing anything away!" Archon's frustration burst forth. "It's about preserving what remains of our family. Can't you understand that?"
Marian's silence felt like a wall between them, heavy with disappointment. "I will never accept her, Archon. Do you really think you can just wish her in and out of our lives?"
Archon clenched his fists, the argument pushing him to the brink. "It's not about wishing, Mother! It's about making a choice for the right reasons, something you refuse to see!"
Feeling the tension rise, Archon took a step back. "Your anger isn't just about Rinoa; it's about losing Hector, isn't it?"
"Don't you dare bring him into this!" Marian snapped, her voice rising with raw emotion. "He'd never have accepted her—he'd want what's best for this family, not some outsider!"
"And what about me? Don't I deserve a say?" Archon retorted, his gaze fierce. "You can't keep holding onto the past while pushing me away! I need you to support this family!"
Marian gave a sorrowful glare, lips trembling. "Support? By welcoming her? Some things can never be accepted. Don't you see you're tearing us apart?"
Archon's breath caught in his throat. "I'm trying to unite us! Rinoa has a strength you don't understand, and it's time we embraced it! I believe she can lead this family."
Marian felt a wave of betrayal wash over her, her voice laced with a mix of anger and sorrow. "Then maybe you should think harder about what that means for us."
That night, Rinoa sat alone on the balcony, the cold wind gently swaying the garden's flowers. The air was thick with uncertainty, mirroring the storm in her heart. Footsteps approached, slow and hesitant, shattering the stillness.
"Rinoa…" Archon paused at the door, his shadow stretching towards her. "Forgive Mother. She's struggling… and so am I. She just… isn't ready to lose everything."
"You don't belong here, Rinoa," Lady Marian scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "This place was never meant for you. You're an outsider."
Rinoa's heart raced, but she steadied herself. "I am the head of this family now. I have as much right to this home as you do."
"Being the head doesn't mean you're wanted," one of the older children taunted. "You think they'll accept you? They'd rather have anyone else."
Rinoa bit her lip, the weight of their words heavy in the air. "They won't have to accept me. I'm not here for their approval."
"Then why stay?" another sibling chimed in, crossing their arms defiantly. "If you really loved Father, you wouldn't put yourself through this. You're just making it worse."
"And what if I did leave?" Rinoa challenged, her voice trembling with a mix of resolve and hurt. "You think it would solve anything? Abandoning our family won't bring Father back!"
Archon stood nearby, watching the confrontation unfold. He stepped closer, his expression solemn. "Rinoa, they're lashing out because they're scared. Just give them time."
"Time? This isn't a matter of time, Archon!" she snapped, her frustration boiling over. "They want me gone. I can feel their hatred even when they act as if I'm invisible."
"You're not invisible," Archon replied softly. "You're here, fighting for a place that should be yours."
Rinoa turned to him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "But it doesn't feel like it. Every day is a reminder that I am unwelcome."
"You have more strength than you know," Archon assured her. "You can break through their walls, even if it takes time."
But Rinoa couldn't shake the echoes of her family's rejection. "And what if I can't? What if I'm just a burden to them?"
With a sigh, she glanced around the room, feeling the suffocating atmosphere close in on her. "I wish things were different. I wish they could see me, really see me."
"They will," Archon promised, a flicker of hope in his voice. "But you have to keep holding your ground, Rinoa."
Feeling a spark of determination rise within her, Rinoa nodded slightly. "I will. For myself and for Father."
Later that night, as she lay in bed, Rinoa's thoughts spiraled. "If only they understood the legacy we have, the love our family once shared…"
She whispered to herself, "I won't give up. I'll make them see, even if it takes everything I have."