Without sparing a second, Asher got up from his seat and turned to Seraphina. "Lead the way," he said firmly. But of course, lissa had other plans and interjected.
"Brother, really... there’s no need to take it this far," she tried to stop them. "I know I was wrong to create a scene, and the maids already said Sera might’ve taken the things to her dorms. I an... she probably took them by mistake..."
"There is no need for you to speak up for ," Seraphina cut in, her voice cold enough to send chills. "I don’t like being accused. So please, go ahead and check my room."
"I will," Asher nodded, looking straight into her eyes. "But tell ... where exactly is your room?"
He knew already. Of course, he did. But still, he asked, scanning the reactions in the room.
The maids flinched at Asher’s words.
A few of them looked away in guilt, their faces turning pale as they rembered how furious Asher had been the night he discovered where Sera was forced to stay. Still, they had not inford anything to lissa.
And why would they? It was nothing new.
"Let show you," Seraphina said as she led the way.
Asher followed silently.
"Why are you taking toward the storage?" he asked, though his voice was low, his eyes glinted with coldness in them.
"I think..." Seraphina paused for a second, her eyes blank. "I was told once that since I’m an extra, only an extra room would suit ."
And with that, she opened the door.
Dust welcod them the mont the door was opened.
It was thick and choking air made it evident that the room hadn’t been cleaned in weeks. It was dark, suffocating, and cold. The space was barely enough for a single bed.
But Seraphina walked inside as if none of that mattered to her.
"Check all you want," she said nonchalantly, turning back to look at Asher, her eyes unreadable. "And if you’re not convinced... I’ll take you to the dorms too."
She smiled faintly as if she knew it would happen soday.
Asher stepped into the room behind her, that wasn’t a room but a damn cell.
There’s no sunlight, and full of moisture.
He didn’t say a word as his eyes scanned every corner.
Last ti, when he visited here, Asher didn’t have the guts to enter the room to see. But today, he had hardened his heart.
The bed only had a thin mattress thrown over an old tal fra with no blanket or proper pillow.
A broken dresser sat in the corner, its drawers barely holding together. He opened one, only to find a few old clothes folded like they were treasures.
This wasn’t a bedroom, it was a prison!
"This is where you’ve been living?" Asher finally asked, his voice hoarse. His fists were clenched by his side.
"Since the mont I arrived," she said plainly. "But it’s alright. It’s better than sleeping under the sky, in the cold and shivering breeze.
Asher’s throat tightened. "Why didn’t you say anything?"
"To whom?" she turned and faced him.
"I’m going to burn this whole damn house down if I have to," Asher muttered under his breath.
"Do not burden with such atrocities, Mr. Asher," Seraphina said coldly, her eyes dead as she looked around the room that had beco her cage. "Either way, since there is nothing, let —"
She hadn’t even finished her sentence when Asher grabbed her wrist. His grip was firm, but not enough to make her hurt.
"Let’s get out of here," he said in a low voice. "You’re not coming back ever again."
Seraphina blinked. She was stunned for a second, but before she could say anything, a voice called from behind.
"Brother!"
lissa’s voice rang out, but Asher didn’t even spare her a glance. He simply guided Seraphina out of the room.
After placing her outside, Asher turned and went back inside the room.
He stood there for a mont, staring at the cage of a room.
Then he started gathering Seraphina’s things one by one.
"You," he growled at the maids standing stiff nearby, "take these and put them in the room next to mine."
The servants flinched at the ice in his voice and quickly rushed forward.
"What!?" lissa burst out, her eyes wide in disbelief. "Brother, are you saying that the room you kept for your studio... You gave it to her?"
Asher turned to her slowly as a calm rage was dancing behind his eyes.
"Why?" he asked. "Can’t I?" His tone was sharp but laced with warning.
lissa’s face twisted, but she didn’t dare argue again. She had never seen Asher look at her like that.
"I... I didn’t an that," she stamred, trying to control her trembling voice. "I just thought you valued your studio—"
"I do," Asher cut her off, "And that is why I’m giving it to her, and moreover... I don’t value that more than my sister."
Seraphina flinched at that.
Sister.
.
Asher didn’t look at her. He was already picking up the rest of her few belongings that looked important to Sera.
There was an old notebook, a cracked photo fra, and a few pieces of clothing.
"Not a single thing stays in this hellhole," he said. "Move everything.... Now."
The maids didn’t dare utter a word. They had never seen the Third Young Master so furious, yet so composed.
And lissa... she just stood there, her fists clenched, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from shouting.
She had always wanted that room.
The only one in the entire mansion with a glass ceiling that could open and close with just a button. It wasn’t just beautiful but the sunlight poured in during the day, and at night, the stars felt close enough to touch.
lissa had her eyes on that place for the longest ti.
She had tried everything—begging, throwing tantrums. Asher had firmly denied her.
"This room is mine," he would always say. "It’s not up for discussion."
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