Onyx Magical Academy (GXG)

Chapter Six

The Duke regarded me with a mixture of concern and resolve, as if he were preparing to lay bare the complexities of my new life. "Flynn," he began, his voice steady but somber. "There are things you need to understand about our family and your position within it."

I folded my arms, bracing myself for the revelations. Just hours ago, I had been a college student, buried in textbooks and navigating the challenges of modern life. Now, I was standing in a grand chamber, facing a man who claimed to be my father in a world that felt like a strange, twisted fairy tale. "What do I need to know?" I asked, my heart racing.

He took a deep breath. "I have three wives and three sons. Each of them carries their own weight in our world, and they have grown up knowing that family is paramount, even in its complications."

Three wives. Three sons. The reality of my lineage hit me like a wave, each piece of information reshaping the world I thought I understood. "So I'm one of many?" I asked, my voice a mix of disbelief and anger.

"Yes," he said, nodding slowly. "You are my child, and you have a rightful place in this family. However, the situation is delicate. You currently reside in the territory of Baron Larkin, just beyond the dukedom's borders. We must set out for the castle tomorrow morning."

"Why am I here, then?" I pressed, confusion swirling within me. "Why was I kept away from my real family?"

"The Baron offered you sanctuary," he explained. "Your mother believed it was safer for you to grow up away from the court's dangers and the political machinations that come with it. She wanted you to have a life free from the chaos that often surrounds nobility."

I felt a swell of resentment. "And now? Now that she's gone?"

"Now, you are part of a family that wants to embrace you. Your siblings might need time to adjust to the news of your existence, but I assure you, they will come to understand your place among us," he said, his eyes earnest.

As I processed his words, a flood of thoughts rushed through my mind. Just hours ago, I was navigating college life, balancing friendships and deadlines. Now, I was thrust into a world of titles and responsibilities, where the weight of my lineage loomed over me like a storm cloud. What did it mean to suddenly be the illegitimate daughter of a duke? Would my siblings accept me? Would I ever feel like I belonged?

"What if they don't accept me?" I asked, a knot forming in my stomach. "What if they see me as an intruder?"

The Duke stepped closer, his tone reassuring. "Family is often filled with challenges, but I will be there to guide you. You are not an intruder; you belong here. I will make it clear that you are my daughter and part of this household."

I pondered his words, torn between the hope they ignited and the fear of rejection. "So, we leave tomorrow? What can I expect when we arrive?"

"Yes," he confirmed. "You will meet my wives and your brothers. They are accustomed to each other, but they will learn to welcome you. I will prepare them for your arrival."

As I stood there, the remnants of my previous life clung to me like a shadow. The mundane worries of classes and exams felt distant, replaced by the enormity of my new reality. "This is a lot to process. I've lost my mother, and now I'm being thrust into a world I know nothing about."

"I understand, and I promise to help you navigate this transition," he said. "You are stronger than you realize, and I will be by your side as you take these first steps into your new life."

As we stood in the quiet room, a sense of resolve began to replace my uncertainty. Tomorrow would be the start of something new—a chance to discover who I was meant to be. The fear of the unknown lingered, but I was determined to find my footing, to carve out a place for myself in this new world.

I was no longer just Mia from the modern world; I am now the daughter of a duke, and I had the power to shape my own destiny.