Early the next morning, I was jolted awake by the noise downstairs. I rushed to the hallway on the second floor and peered down. Elara was kneeling in the living room, her eyes rimmed with red.“I’ll never get married!”Magnus, Lysander’s father, cracked his whip against the ground, his voice thundering with rage, “Elara, you’re in no position to make demands of the Thorne, of me.”Lysander stepped forward, his tone cautious. “Dad, please. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”Hearing his words, Magnus flew into a fury. He glared at Elara and brought the whip down directly on her. She let out a scream of pain, and just as the second lash was about to fall, Lysander suddenly lunged forward, shielding Elara with his own body. Elara trembled, her voice thick with anguish. “Brother! Does it hurt? I’m so sorry. This is my entire fault for putting you through it. I won’t get married... unless you are my groom…”Magnus looked pale with fury, and snapped sharply, “Hold your tongue!” He
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