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“I think they’re still pretty bratty,” I mentioned, and she laughed.

“Yes, I suppose so, Miss,” she said, the same sad tone lingering in her voice. “But, I still see them as children. I promised Sophia before her passing that I would look after them if she ever left this world.”

My moments with Alek replayed in my mind, his words practically caressing my skin. He was the best one out of all of them. Was I biased? Maybe. But was it the truth? Absolutely.

“I think you did a good job.”

“Oh, Miss, it’s kind of you to say so,” she rested her hands on my shoulders and gently rubbed them, the sparkle in her gaze shadowed. “But even I’m not capable of keeping them safe from the depths of chaos.”

ChapterTwenty-Six

ALEK SEPHTIS

Our mother’s death anniversary was less than two weeks away, such as the Christmas Ball. Yet today’s gathering didn’t relate to either subject as Sonia shadowed Christopher. He harbored a stern expression, still as stone, but with a clenched jaw that deepened his stare.

It mirrored the morning after our mother’s body was discovered, and they had announced it.

“The Human Bureau has uncovered the Mubaraks’ disappearance. News has leaked to the public.”

Kaleb’s eyes widened slightly, the color nearly fleeing from his cheeks. “How? I thought they were making all sorts of excuses to hide their disappearance.”

“It’s currently under investigation. There are no leading suspects,” Sonia said.

Noah’s laughter bounced against the walls. “The showmustgo on! This turn of events has restored the fun we’ve missed throughout the Ball preparations!”

“You imbecile!” Kaleb spat at Noah. “This isn’t for your entertainment. It’s our doom.”

“Our? Oh, Brother! A single demise is upon us, it can equally be yours or mine. Though politics aren’t for a person such as myself, I’ve been more than willing to lend my hand in marriage! Yet my sweet Bethany doesn’t seek it.” He huffed an inflating sigh.

Kaleb sneered. “Stop giving her the option to reject you.”

“I will do no such thing,” Noah rebutted. “We—”

“A decision must be agreed upon from both sides,” Christopher interjected, “If Bethany is not willing to take Noah, then we will not force it.”

“It’s saddening.” Noah slouched into his chair. “But I can do no more than do my best in hopes she’ll fall for me.”

“She never will,” Kaleb spat.

“Then so be it!” Noah shouted. “But! I’m not the only sibling who seeks marriage. Your beloved Catalina is anticipating your acceptance.”

Kaleb scoffed and muttered, “She knows better than to have such senseless expectations. Catalina is nothing more than a—”

“Enough,” Christopher’s voice resounded against the walls and stilled the room. “I possess the final decision for the marriage proposal. All who are of age, including myself, are on equal planes for candidacy.”

“How will we know you’re being fair?” Kaleb asked, his tone sharp. “You can simply choose one of us and exclude yourself!”

“I will choose whoever will be of favor to us. If you oppose it, then you can take the matter to That Man.”

Kaleb’s face flared with a fire in his gaze. “That Man has done nothing but shame our family name after being the sole survivor. His isolation of us is up until we’re of gain to him.”

Soon after the Cold War, the Sephtis lineage faced near extinction; That Man was the single bearer of the name and automatically next in succession. To cement it, he kept our mother, his newly transitioned wife, in the family manor away from harm. It ensured that both her and his future heirs were protected— through lifelong seclusion.

“And yet, we all must abide by our birthright, even if we loathe it with all our beings,” Christopher said as he stood and leveled his gaze at all of us. “Now that the Mubaraks’ disappearance has been outed, our duty is expected to be upheld.”

He vanished into the second floor, Sonia following him while the room quickly vacated. Raphael stayed behind alongside me.

“C-could I speak to you privately, Brother?” His hands fisted against his pants as he stood, his eyes averting my own. I nodded and led the way to my chamber. There was no doubt Christopher’s ultimate decision worried him. Though he wouldn’t be a choice, I was.