Part 05.

The following night, Dante was already waiting at the place they had agreed on—a secluded spot not far from the Laurent Mansion. That night was supposed to mark the beginning of Violetta’s escape.

However, unbeknownst to them, the Veyron family was also on their way to the Laurent Mansion. Lucian was coming to pick up his bride-to-be.

Inside the mansion, Violetta quietly made her way down the hallway. She was dressed simply and carried a small bag she had prepared beforehand.

“There’s no time left. I have to leave as soon as possible.” Violetta glanced left and right. “I just hope no one sees me…”

She had barely taken a few steps when a woman’s voice came from behind her.

“Where are you going, hm?”

Violetta froze. Slowly, she turned toward the source of the voice.

“Seraphina?”

Seraphina stood several feet behind her, a triumphant smile spreading across her face.

“Trying to run away?”

“What are you doing here?”

“I should be the one asking you that. Where do you think you’re going without permission?”

“Move.”

“It’s not that easy, Violetta.”

Seraphina raised her hand.

“Guards!”

Two guards immediately appeared at the end of the hallway and grabbed Violetta by both arms.

“Let go of me!”

“Take her back to her room.”

“Let go of me, you bastard!” Violetta struggled desperately against their grip.

“Seraphina! Do you think you can do whatever you want?”

Seraphina merely laughed. “I can do far more than you think.”

“I won’t let you stop me!”

“Unfortunately, you don’t have a choice.”

“Seraphina!”

“Lock her in her room. Don’t let her out until the Veyron family arrives.”

Violetta glared at her with hatred. “You’ll regret doing this!”

Seraphina stepped closer and whispered, “You’re the one who will regret it.”

.

.

Outside the Laurent Mansion, Dante was hiding behind a row of bushes, his eyes fixed on the main road.

“Why hasn’t Violetta arrived yet?” He glanced at his watch. “She should be here by now.”

A few moments later, a convoy of black cars entered the mansion grounds. Dante immediately tensed.

“Damn…” He recognized the Veyron family crest. “Lucian is here.”

Dante clenched his fists. “Violetta, hurry…” he muttered under his breath.

From a distance, a girl wearing a long cloak with its hood pulled over her head approached him. Dante immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

“Finally…” He stepped out of his hiding place. “Violetta!”

The girl did not answer.

Dante hurried toward her and immediately pulled her into his arms.

“I was so worried about you.”

There was no response.

Dante frowned. “Violetta?”

The girl remained silent. Dante finally released her and studied her face.

“Why are you so quiet?”

His hand slowly reached for the hood covering her head and pulled it back. The face revealed beneath it made Dante freeze.

“Seraphina?!”

Seraphina gave him a faint smile. “Why?”

Dante stared at her in disbelief. “You…”

“You look disappointed.”

“Where is Violetta?”

“What? Are you disappointed because I’m not Violetta?”

“Answer me, Seraphina!” Dante grabbed her by both shoulders.

“Where is Violetta?!”

Seraphina merely laughed. “Calm down, Dante.”

“Don’t play games with me!”

“Violetta is somewhere safe.”

“What did you do to her?”

“She’s waiting for her future husband.”

Dante’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“Lucian is already here, isn’t he?”

“Seraphina!”

“You shouldn’t have bothered trying to help Violetta escape.”

“Bastard!”

Dante released her with a rough shove. “If anything happens to Violetta, I will never forgive you.”

Seraphina raised an eyebrow. “Are you threatening me?”

“I’m serious, Seraphina.”

“And what exactly are you going to do?”

Dante fell silent.

Seraphina smiled smugly. “You can’t do anything, Dante.”

Dante glanced toward the mansion. There was no time to waste. He had to tell Lucian the truth.

However, before leaving, Dante had to make sure Seraphina would not get in his way. With one strike, he knocked her unconscious before carrying her toward the mansion.

.

.

Inside the main bedroom, Violetta had already been dressed like a princess. The elegant gown made her look completely different from the girl Dante was used to seeing.

Lucian stood before her without saying a word, his gaze fixed on her face.

“…”

Violetta lowered her head.

“Mr. Lucian…”

“Raise your head.”

Violetta slowly looked up at him. Lucian fell silent for a moment. For some reason, her eyes looked strangely familiar.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Then stop staring at me.”

Lucian remained silent. “Your eyes…”

“What about them?”

“Nothing—”

Before Lucian could finish, a voice came from the doorway.

“Mr. Lucian!”

Lucian immediately turned around. Dante stood at the entrance. What caught Lucian’s attention, however, was the unconscious girl Dante was carrying.

“Who is she?”

Dante walked into the room. “Your real bride isn’t her, Sir.”

He lowered Seraphina onto the bed. “This is the woman you were supposed to marry.”

Lucian gave Dante a sharp look.

“How do you know?”

“I investigated the Laurent family. They deliberately switched your bride.”

Dante pointed toward Seraphina. “She is the daughter who was supposed to be sent to you.”

Seraphina slowly regained consciousness. “What…”

Her eyes immediately met Lucian’s.

“No!” Seraphina quickly backed away. “It’s not me!”

Lucian stared at her coldly. “Explain!”

“She’s your bride!” Seraphina pointed at Violetta. “From the beginning, my father and mother intended to send Violetta to you!”

Violetta shook her head fiercely. “It’s not me! Stop lying, Seraphina!”

“I’m not lying!”

“You’re the one who set me up!”

“I only did what I was told to do!”

“Enough!”

Lucian’s voice silenced them both.

His gaze shifted from Seraphina to Violetta.

“So…” He took a slow breath. “The two of you are refusing to marry me?”

Neither of them answered. Seraphina swallowed hard. Violetta did the same.

Lucian took a step forward. “Why are you both silent?”

“Mr. Lucian…” Dante immediately stepped between them. “Sir, don’t marry Violetta.”

Lucian turned his cold gaze toward him. “Why?”

Dante fell silent.

“Do you have a reason for stopping me from marrying Violetta?”

Dante clenched his fists. “I…”

“Dante.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Have you found the girl I’ve been searching for?”

The question made Dante freeze.

“Not yet, Sir.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Lucian stared at him for several seconds. “Never dare lie to me, Dante.”

Dante lowered his head. “Forgive me, Sir.”

“I told you to find that girl.” Lucian stepped closer. “Not to interfere with who my bride is.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’ve disappointed me.”

Dante said nothing.

Lucian then turned toward Violetta.

“Take my bride away.”

Dante immediately raised his head. “Sir…”

“I want this girl. Never try to stand in my way, Dante.” Lucian’s voice dropped into a low growl.

Dante fell silent, unable to find the right words. His heart pounded violently.

“Yes, Sir.”

Violetta looked at Dante with pleading eyes. “Dante…”

But Dante could only clench his fists.

Lucian repeated his command.

“Take her away.”

Dante finally lowered his head.

“I’m sorry, Violetta.”

Dante walked toward her. Every step felt unbearably heavy.

Violetta stared at him in confusion.

“You said you would help me…”

Dante did not answer. For the first time, he no longer knew whether he could save Violetta without destroying everything.

Meanwhile, Lucian stood silently behind them, his gaze once again fixed on Violetta. Something about the girl continued to disturb him.

Those eyes… Her voice… And that faint scent of pheromones that somehow felt strangely familiar.

Lucian narrowed his eyes.

“Why do I feel like I’ve met you before?”

Lucian knew that sooner or later, he would have a wife. Yet no marriage could stop him from searching for the mysterious girl who had been with him that unforgettable night.

He didn't know her name. He didn't know where she came from or who she really was. All he knew was that, somehow, that brief encounter had left an indelible mark on his heart.

Even if one day he stood at the altar and exchanged vows with another woman, a part of his heart would always belong to the mysterious girl he had never been able to forget.

Lucian couldn't explain why she had affected him so deeply.

But he had already made his decision.

No matter how long it took, he would find her.

And once he did, he would never let her disappear from his life again.