The Legacy of Our Love

Chapter 19

ASRA

I woke the next morning to the sound of raised voices, sitting up dizzyingly fast from the disorientation of being ripped from my dream.

"I warned you that he would take action once he saw that article in The Prophet." Ominis hissed, his distraught evident in his tone as he spoke. "We aren't going."

"I don't want to! But your father's All Hallow's Eve ball is one of the most anticipated events of the season." Sebastian countered. "It was one thing when it was just you and I not attending, but if Devorak doesn't show up now that she's been restored as heiress, the rumors will be insurmountable."

"I don't want him near her, Sebastian!" Ominis snapped. "I don't want to be near him."

"So we keep you and her away from him, and your siblings. We stay only as long as needed to present Asra to the other families, and then we leave." Sebastian countered.

Ominis scoffed. "You know as well as I that it won't be so simple as that."

"So you would see them sink her reputation before she even has the chance to build it? This isn't just about you and I anymore, Om. This is about her future!" Sebastian challenged.

"I've already ruined her reputation by being seen with her!" Ominis exclaimed with defeat, and I pulled myself from the bed then, wrapping my dressing robe around me before hurrying into the room.

"Devorak." Sebastian nodded as I witnessed the aftermath of the heated conversation. "I'm sorry we woke you. How did you sleep?"

"Clearly better than the two of you." I replied softly, stopping before the two of them, noticing Sebastian holding what appeared to be a letter. "What's going on?" I questioned.

"We've been invited to the Gaunt Manor for their All Hallows Eve ball this Friday." Sebastian explained, Ominis wearing a dark expression as he spoke.

"Why?" I replied shortly, not eager in the slightest to meet the people who had tortured Ominis.

"My mother has written in response to Thistlesprig's article in the Prophet about your return with us to the Estate." Ominis explained. "She's intrigued at the idea of me courting someone, as she chooses to ignore and deny my relationship with Sebastian. There's one for you as well." He gestured to the table where another letter sat.

I moved to the table, unfolding the letter and quickly scanning the contents, and I could practically hear the woman's insincerity as I read.

"So we don't go." I replied simply, folding the invitation back into the letter and tossing it back onto the table. "Let them talk, I don't care what a bunch of pureblood fanatics think of me."

"It... it might not be as simple as that Asra." Ominis sighed, taking a seat on the nearest couch and running a hand through the errant strands that fell into his face as he sat. Clearly Sebastian's protests had gotten to him, causing him to fight with himself over the subject.

"Being the subject of scandalous rumors from such high society could affect your ability to find work after school." Sebastian explained. "Particularly for... well..." He gestured to me with an apologetic look.

Oh.

"A woman." I concluded bitterly.

"Yes." Ominis replied softly. "Many refuse to take on apprentices they hear ill of. Sebastian is right, it could put a significant delay on your success." He nodded gravely. "And you've already missed so much."

"I won't subject you to being forced to see your family for the first time in years for the sake of my reputation. It isn't worth it if it causes you distress." I replied as I approached him, sitting beside him and pulling his hand into mine.