Enchanted Bloodlines

Chapter 6: In the Name of Love or Desire?

"Just tell me, Leonard," Augustine's tone held a mixture of wariness and resignation.

"What do you want?"

Leonard's silver eyes gleamed with a glint of amusement dancing within. "Oh Celestial Lord, always so cautious. But I assure you, my intentions are not as nefarious as you might imagine."

Augustine's jaw clenched, his fingers tightening around his goblet of wine. He took a measured sip, his gaze unwavering as she regarded the man before him.

"I am listening," Augustine replied, his voice laced with a thinly veiled warning.Leonard's smile widened, a flash of white teeth against his dark attire.

"Very well, then. It has come to my attention that the Danvery family is seeking an alliance —a powerful one that could tip the balance in their favour."

Augustine's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering in his gaze, "And what does that have to do with my daughter?"

Leonard's laughter rang out, the sound rich and chilling. "Ah, but the Danverys have set their sights on Roseanne. They believe an alliance through marriage with the Aeolus would grant them access to our newfound power."

Augustine's grip on the goblet tightened, his knuckles turning white. The mention of Claudia and the Danverys in the same breath sent a surge of unease through him. The Danverys would do anything to keep their foothold or even exceed the Auclair. But, with Roseanne's alliance marriage with the Aeolus it would accelerate their plans in motion.

It has been known that Aeolus had set their eyes on the Danverys in the past and wanted to initiate any relationship with the Auclair. That is why the head of Aeolus is initially against the engagement between Diana and Roseanne. Augustine and Leonard work together to make it happen by utilising Roseanne's vulnerability to form an engagement with Diana. Yet, the Danverys have come again to initiate their plan to create a new alliance with the Aeolus. He had thought he left that chapter of their lives behind, buried in the shadows.

"They want to marry Esmeray with Aiden?" Augustine's voice held a mix of disbelief and anger.

Leonard's expression remained smug, his silver eyes locking onto Augustine's gaze. "Indeed. And they have made their intentions clear. A union between the Auclairs and the Aeolus could benefit both parties."

Augustine's mind raced, thoughts of Roseanne's well-being colliding with memories of the pain he had caused. He took a deep breath, his voice edged with controlled anger. "You expect me to even entertain such a proposition?"

Leonard's smile faded, his tone growing severe. "Definitely not, Celestial Lord. I am offering our daughters re-engagement again to intervene in their plan."

Augustine's gaze hardened as stone, vein throbbing on his forehead as his mind raced over Leonard's audacity to initiate this mindless proposition."I am not bringing my daughter into the same misery again."

"Consider it, Lord Augustine. This engagement would stabilise your reign with our support. Do you want Scion Roseanne to fall for the Danvery's trick to become engaged with the Aeolus?"

"Don't you ever say her name after the pain your family had caused her!" Augustine's eyes flash in the fire of resentment.

Leonard scoffs, "Didn't you ever responsible for that too, Celestial Lord? Who is responsible for holding the account of missing Griffin on the day he was supposed to deliver it under the agreement? And somebody spotted it around the Heroux's territory a few days later?"

Augustine's mind races with millions of thoughts, and his breathing tries to keep steady in front of Leonard. As much as he wants to deny it, Leonard is right. And that's what he hates the most.