By the time Sofia returned to the estate that evening, something was wrong which shw noticed immediately. The atmosphere in the mansion felt… tight. Not dangerous or chaotic. Just tense. Like the air before a storm.
The guards at the entrance stood straighter than usual when she stepped out of the car. Inside the house, the servants moved quietly through the halls, their voices lowered.
Sofia removed her heels as she walked into the foyer, rubbing the back of her neck slightly. "Something happened," she muttered.
A long day at the company had already drained most of her patience. Managing the Moretti family's businesses meant dealing with investors, partners, and the occasional idiot who believed he could outsmart a mafia empire. But this kind of tension? This felt domestic. Which meant only one thing.
Lucian.
Or Elena.
Possibly both.
She spotted Marco leaning against one of the marble pillars in the hallway, casually scrolling through his phone like he had nothing better to do.
Perfect.
Sofia walked toward him.
Marco glanced up. "Well look who finally escaped the corporate battlefield."
"Don't start," Sofia said, stopping in front of him. "What's going on?" Marco blinked innocently. "What do you mean?"
Sofia gave him a look. The kind that said don't waste my time.
Marco sighed dramatically and shoved his phone into his pocket. "You ever witness two very stubborn people collide like runaway trains?" Sofia groaned softly. "Elena and my brother."
He clapped. "Bingo."
Sofia crossed her arms. "What happened?" Marco rubbed the back of his neck. "Elena asked to start training." Sofia raised an eyebrow, asking him to continue. "And Lucian said no. Like.. Immediately." Sofia nodded slowly. That sounded exactly like her brother. "What happened next?" Marco let out a quiet laugh. "She called him Mr. Moretti."
Sofia froze. Then she burst out laughing. "Oh I wish I had seen that." Marco pointed toward the upper floors. "Then she stormed out of his office like a hurricane."
"And Lucian?" she asked.
Marco shrugged. "Currently brooding."
Sofia sighed. "Of course he is." She leaned against the pillar beside Marco. "You know he thinks he's protecting her."
"I know," Marco said. "But she doesn't see it that way."
"No," Sofia murmured. "She sees a cage." Marco studied her expression for a while, she looked tired but he knows she could get through him better then the rest of them. "You should talk to him."
Sofia looked up toward the second floor where Lucian's office was located. Her brother could be many things.
Cold, ruthless, terrifying, cruel and all. But when it came to the people he cared about… He was also impossibly stubborn. She pushed herself away from the pillar.
"Fine."
Marco grinned. "Good luck." Sofia pointed a warning finger at him. "If they start throwing furniture, you're helping."
"I will be very busy somewhere else."
Sofia rolled her eyes and headed upstairs. First, however, she went to her room. A long shower later, she felt slightly more human. She changed into comfortable clothes, tied her hair back loosely, and finally made her way down the hallway toward Lucian's office. The door was closed. So she knocked once. "Enter." Lucian's voice was calm. He had probably calmed down a bit. Sofia stepped inside.
Her brother was standing near his desk, reading through a stack of documents. He barely looked up. "You're home late." he said. "Running the family's empire is exhausting." Lucian hummed softly. Sofia studied him carefully. Her green eyes picking up every little detail on his entire body.
Lucian has always looked composed, perfectly controlled. But she knew him too well. His shoulders were tense, his jaw slightly tighter than usual. Before slowly saying. "Marco told me."
Lucian set the papers down slowly.
"I assume he exaggerated."
"Apparently Elena called you Mr. Moretti."
Lucian's expression didn't change. But Sofia saw the small flicker in his eyes. Ah... So it bothered him. That's new. Sofia walked further into the room. "You refused to let her train."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Lucian leaned back slightly against the desk.
"Because she shouldn't have to become part of this world."
Sofia nodded in understanding before she tilted her head. "Lucian." she called his name before adding. "She's already part of it, and if she has already settled with that then you should as well"
His gaze hardened slightly.
"I will not turn her into a weapon."
Sofia folded her arms, shaking her head at her stubborn brother. "You're not turning her into anything but giving her the ability to survive."
Lucian didn't answer immediately. Silence stretched between them. Finally Sofia spoke again, softer this time. "You're afraid."
Lucian's eyes snapped to hers. "I am not afraid."
"Yes you are." She stepped closer. "You're afraid that once she learns how to fight… once she learns how our world really works… she'll stop being the girl you want to protect." she looked at him for a while. "And I think it more than just protecting her" Lucian's jaw tightened. Sofia smiled slightly. "you already care about her."
Lucian gave her a flat look. "You enjoy this too much."
She chuckled "A little."
Then her tone softened again.
"You can't protect someone by making them helpless Lucian."
Lucian looked away slightly, toward the window.
The estate grounds stretched beyond the glass.
Somewhere out there, Elena was probably still furious at him.
Sofia sighed.
"You know she's not going to give up."
"I know."
"Then this fight isn't over."
Lucian was quiet for a moment. Then he said something surprising. "She cried." Sofia blinked. Lucian rarely mentioned things like that. "She was angry," he continued quietly. "But she was also hurt."
Sofia smiled faintly. "That's because she expected you to listen." Lucian looked back at her. "And if I still refuse?" Sofia shrugged lightly. "Then she'll find someone else to teach her."
Lucian went completely still. His perfect eyebrows drew together into a deep frown.That thought clearly didn't please him. At all.
Sofia shrugged, moving toward the door. Before leaving, she paused. "Oh… and Lucian?"
"Yes."
"You should probably apologize."
Lucian stared at her like she had just suggested something outrageous. "what?"
Sofia laughed softly. "Goodnight, brother." Then she left the office. Behind her, Lucian remained standing in silence.
For once, he began to wonder if refusing Elena had been a mistake.