【2】 Betrayal!
“They married the wrong girl. But the right kind of silence is more powerful than the loudest betrayal.”
The lounge was dim, sun-filtered through gauzy curtains, and so quiet that the clink of a spoon against a porcelain teacup sounded sharp enough to cut skin.
Celeste Kaelix’s fingers curled around her teacup, her eyes razor-sharp even as her voice remained composed.
Celeste Kaelix
Perhaps someone would like to enlighten us as to why the girl at the altar wasn’t Claire.
Across from her, Vivienne Queens stiffened but didn’t respond right away.
She adjusted her pearl bracelet with trembling hands, trying to mask her discomfort behind practiced poise.
Reginald, on the other hand, didn’t even try to be polite.
Reginald Queens
*jaw clenches*
Claire left a note and ran away just hours before the ceremony.
Reginald Queens
We didn’t have other options, in order to save the reputation of both the families.
Victor Kaelix
So you substituted another daughter like this was a boardroom deal?
Vivienne Queens
She is our daughter too. Our blood. You are blaming us as if you didn’t get a Queen’s daughter.
Victor’s gaze slid toward Aria, who sat behind her mother, still in the wedding dress that felt heavier by the minute.
Victor Kaelix
She stood at that altar under false pretenses.
Reginald Queens
She said the vows and married your son.
Reginald Queens
She did what Claire should have done.
Celeste Kaelix
Do you take us for fools? We were promised Claire. We reviewed her record and her background.
Celeste Kaelix
She was the perfect daughter-in-law of the Kaelix family. Aria isn’t the part of the deal.
Aria Queens
[Why do I feel like something is fishy?]
Aria Queens
[Why are they making it such a big deal? Me or Claire, did it really matter so much?]
Xaven finally spoke, his voice calm but stripped of all warmth.
Xaven Kaelix
It doesn’t matter, mom.
His parents stared at him with shocked expressions.
Celeste Kaelix
You can’t be serious. This was a calculated betrayal. You should’ve stopped the ceremony—
Xaven Kaelix
We are married now, end of the story.
Xaven Kaelix
I won’t tolerate anyone talking shit about my wife.
Aria Queens
*eyes widened*
Aria Queens
[He took a stand for me?]
Xaven Kaelix
And her family.
Aria couldn’t believe her ears.
She just stared at the dark grain of the wood table in front of her and bit the inside of her cheek.
Aria Queens
[God, what does this man want?]
Aria Queens
[I didn’t expect something like this from him.]
Zara Kaelix had been unusually quiet throughout the exchange, perched on the armrest of a velvet chair.
Her legs were swinging slightly as she absorbed the sharp words volleying across the room.
Zara Kaelix
You didn’t run. Claire did.
All attention turned to her, but she wasn’t done.
Zara may be the carbon copy of her mother, but her words and thoughts were very much different from hers.
Zara Kaelix
And you didn’t lie. They forced you into that dress. It wasn’t your own decision.
Zara Kaelix
That’s obedience, not betrayal.
Celeste Kaelix
*inhales sharply*
Zara, don’t interfere—
Zara Kaelix
*cut off her mother*
You did nothing wrong, Aria.
Aria lifted her gaze at the girl and tried to smile.
It didn’t quite reach her eyes, but Zara smiled back anyway, lopsided and sincere.
Aria Queens
You’re the only one who understood me, you know? *mumbles*
Aria Queens
[And maybe Xaven too...a little?]
Zara Kaelix
You are my only sister-in-law.
In a room full of cold stares and suffocating pressure, Aria almost laughed.
Knox Rivare
God, Zara is so sensible.
*mutters*
Xaven Kaelix
*glares at him* Don’t eye my sister, assh°le.
Knox Rivare
I am just admiring her.
Knox Rivare
I mean, her intelligence! 😅
Celeste Kaelix
Just so you know, I will never accept her as my daughter-in-law.
Celeste’s words directly hit Aria, but she wasn’t so weak to let it show.
Aria Queens
Thanks, mother-in-law.
Aria Queens
I won’t waste my time on trying to impress you. ☺️💢
Celeste Kaelix
What? How dare you insult me like that!!
Aria Queens
By my mouth, respectfully.
Celeste Kaelix
*stands up from her seat with frustration in her tone*
Celeste Kaelix
That’s why, I accepted Claire.
Celeste Kaelix
Because you are a mannerless brat, who spends her entire time dancing.
Celeste Kaelix
The daughter-in-law of the Kaelix family doesn’t do such vulgar professions.
Aria Queens
Classical dance is the most beautiful form of dance, which is directly connected to gods and our history.
Aria Queens
It’s not just a profession. It’s my devotion.
Aria Queens
I talked back because I have self respect. It doesn’t mean I lack manners.
Celeste’s eyes slid to her son, her mouth immediately close.
Xaven Kaelix
Mrs. Aria Xaven Kaelix is my wife now.
Xaven Kaelix
I won’t tolerate anyone’s words against her.
Xaven Kaelix
She can do whatever she wants. No one can say no to her as long as her name is attached to mine!!
Celeste Kaelix
*eyes twitches in anger*
Aria Queens
*smiles internally*
Aria Queens
[At least, he respects me. That’s enough.]
AUTHOR
Stay tuned for the next chapter ~
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