"It's been a long time since we've last seen each other…"
"…Yes."
In a pristine, extravagant room, a man with sharp features, golden hair, and eyes that gleamed like molten metal sat across from a young woman who shared the same striking traits.
His gaze was cold, unflinching, while hers stayed lowered, fixed on the cup in her hands.
"How have you been?" he asked.
"..."
"I understand your frustrations toward me, but there are limits to tolerance, Rose."
"..."
"First you ignore my calls, then my letters, and even refuse to return to the dukedom during academy breaks. Is this your way of rebelling?" A faint, humorless smile touched his lips. "How laughable."
With each word, the atmosphere grew heavier.
The servants standing at the edges of the room—motionless, silent, yet tense—felt the chill in the air.
It was too sharp, too suffocating for this to be a simple conversation between father and daughter.