After the kidnapping incident, especially after seeing her brother covered in blood, his breath ragged and his eyes burning with fury as he stood over the man he had just killed, something inside Melly changed.

It was the first time she had felt fear not because her own life was in danger, but because the brother she loved looked so broken.

Riven always smiled in front of her. He always patted her head gently and told her everything was fine. That there was nothing to worry about.

But it was all a lie.

Melly didn’t want to be someone who could only cry.

Not anymore.

Instead, she felt something she had never experienced this strongly before. A resolve. A drive to become more than just the little sister who needed to be protected. She didn’t want to keep standing behind him, watching him get hurt because of her. She didn’t want Riven to carry the burden alone forever.

She wanted to change. She wanted to be strong. Strong enough so that one day, she could stand by her brother’s side—not as a burden, but as a protector.

“This time… I’ll be the one to protect you, Riven,” she whispered to herself, her fingers curling tightly at her sides.

She straightened her shoulders, swallowed the nervousness rising in her throat, and began to walk.

Her small footsteps echoed quietly along the stone corridor, accompanied only by the soft swish of her gown against the marble floor. A large oak door stood at the end, tall and imposing, adorned with elegant carvings.

Melly stopped in front of the door.

Her heart pounded. Her breath caught slightly. But she forced herself to remain standing tall.

Then, in a sweet, soft voice filled with determination, she said:

“Lord Aiden… may Melly come in?”

Silence followed. Only the wind whispering through the window at the end of the hallway could be heard.

Then, from behind the door, a deep and steady voice replied—not harsh, but firm.

“Come in.”

Melly reached for the cold brass handle, her palm trembling slightly, and gently pushed it open. The door creaked softly as it moved. A distinct scent of old wood, parchment, and ink greeted her as she stepped inside.

Lord Aiden Rathsture’s study.

Soft light from the tall window behind the main desk bathed the room in a warm glow. Bookshelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling. A massive desk of dark wood was covered in documents, rolled maps, and royal seals.

Behind the desk sat Aiden Rathsture—a middle-aged man in a dark robe, his sharp eyes reminiscent of a hawk’s. His build remained sturdy despite his age, and the weight of his presence seemed to fill the room.

When he saw Melly enter, he raised his head, slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected the little girl to come looking for him.

But what surprised him more wasn’t her presence, it was the way she stood.

Melly stood tall in front of his desk, her small hands clenched at her sides. Her brown eyes looked forward without wavering, and though her frame was small, something was clearly different about her today.

Conviction.

Aiden studied her face, seeing the weight of something held back, and spoke in a calm but firm tone.

“Didn’t I already ask you… to just call me Grandpa Aiden?”

Melly hesitated. Her gaze wavered, as though unsure if she truly had the right to address someone as powerful as Aiden Rathsture in such a way. But after a moment, she lowered her head slightly and answered in a faint voice.

“…Grandpa Aiden.”

A faint smile appeared on the man’s face. He tapped the polished surface of his desk and said, “Come here. Sit in front of Grandpa.”

Melly nodded and walked forward. She climbed onto a carved wooden chair that was far too big for her small frame, but she sat upright, hands folded in her lap, like a proper little noble ready to speak her mind.

Aiden watched her for a long moment before softening his tone.

“Are you alright?” he asked gently, almost like a real grandfather concerned for his grandchild. “Just last night, you went through something terrible. At the time, I wasn’t at the estate… and I never imagined those people would be that bold and foolish.”

His voice hardened slightly when he mentioned those people. His eyes narrowed, the disgust in his expression making it clear how he felt toward the ones who had kidnapped Melly and tortured Riven.

He sighed, deeply.

“You experienced something that should never have happened. I’m sorry. I failed to protect you… and your brother.”

Melly shook her head slowly, her eyes falling to her knees. Her voice came out in a whisper.

“It’s not Grandpa’s fault…”

But Aiden didn’t miss the hesitation in her voice. He could tell something was being held back, something she was struggling to say.

His brow furrowed. Then he asked gently, “So, Melly… why did you come see me so early in the morning?”

Melly didn’t respond right away. She bit her lower lip, her hands tightening in her lap. Her heart was beating quickly, but she knew—this was the moment.

After taking a deep breath, she finally spoke.

“Lord Aiden… I’m sorry, but… I don’t think I can call you that anymore.”

Aiden raised an eyebrow in surprise. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes watching her closely.

“Why?” he asked. His voice remained calm, though clearly curious.

Melly looked him straight in the eyes for the first time. Her gaze was steadier than before, and her voice, though still soft, had become more certain.

“I heard from my brother,” she said. “He told me… that Grandpa Aiden wanted to adopt me.”

Aiden didn’t speak for a moment. He was clearly surprised by the girl’s honesty. Slowly, he tilted his head, studying her with quiet interest.

“Is that so?” he said at last. “So that’s what your brother told you?”

Melly shook her head gently.

“No. He only said… that you cared about us. That you wanted us to have a safe place. But about the adoption… that’s my decision alone.”

Aiden closed his eyes for a moment, then leaned back with a sigh. He rubbed the gray stubble on his chin.

“Melly, a decision like this… shouldn’t be made so quickly,” he said gently. “Think it over again after your brother wakes up. There’s still time.”

Melly remained silent.

Aiden continued, his voice still calm, though this time laced with a careful persuasion.

“If you become part of the Rathsture family, you’ll receive the best training, a safe home, the finest education. You won’t have to worry about hunger or being lost in the outside world. Even Riven… surely he would want that for you.”

He leaned slightly forward.

“I believe your brother only wants what’s best for you.”

But Melly shook her head again, slowly.

“I don’t want to be separated from Riven,” she whispered.

Aiden let out a long breath, trying to stay composed.

“You could still see him as often as you like. Even if he leaves the estate someday, you could visit him whenever you want. He wouldn’t be gone forever.”

But Melly shook her head more firmly this time. Her eyes were beginning to water. Her hands trembled slightly on her lap.

“That’s not what I mean,” she whispered. “This is about my future. And I want… my future to be with my brother.”

Her eyes shimmered now. She looked down, but her voice was clear and strong.

“He’s the only one who’s cared for me since I was a baby. He cooked for me. He read me bedtime stories. He held me when I was scared. I can’t just leave him, Grandpa Aiden. I won’t.”

Aiden was speechless. Her words struck something deep in him. He almost opened his mouth to say that he could try to convince Riven to stay… but Ashtoria’s face immediately came to mind.

The Queen had shown a strange interest in Riven, something beyond logic.

He closed his mouth again. No. It wasn’t that simple.

Aiden rubbed his temples, then spoke.

“Then… take a few more days to think it through. You don’t need to decide right away.”

But Melly shook her head one final time.

“I’ve already decided,” she said. “I don’t want to be a Rathsture.”

Silence returned to the room. Only the faint chirping of birds outside the window filled the air. Aiden studied the little girl for a long time. He knew he couldn’t force her. Not after what had happened. He had failed to protect them in his own home, and that failure was his to bear.

With a quiet but resigned voice, he exhaled deeply.

“Alright. If that’s your decision… I will respect it.”

Melly gave a small nod. Then, after another pause, she spoke again.

“But…” she said, her voice unsure. “Even if I’m not part of your family… can Grandpa Aiden still be my teacher?”

Aiden raised an eyebrow. His old eyes narrowed, then a slow smile appeared on his lips. This little girl… so determined and so gifted. If he couldn’t make her family, then having her as a student would still be more than worthwhile.

“Alright,” he said warmly. “But only if you truly call me Grandpa Aiden. Not Lord. Nothing else.”

Melly’s eyes sparkled instantly. Her smile was small but genuine. She bowed slightly, like a little noble receiving a blessing from a king.

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep