Noctem

family

Back at the luxurious estate of the Kurogane Clan, Y/N's family seethed with anger and worry. The heirloom tapestries that adorned the walls emitted their usual glory, but tonight they felt more like chains that bound. The atmosphere was thick with tension as the eldest clan members convened in a wide, marbled hall, and the flickering candlelight fought to push back the encroaching shadows.

"Where could she possibly be?" growled Takashi, Y/N's eldest brother, pacing the length of the room. His voice was taut, resonating with frustration and disbelief. "How could she throw away our honor like this? We need to bring her back!"

Kyouka, their mother, sat at the head of the table, her elegant demeanor barely masking her turmoil. "This isn't just about honor, Takashi. It's about her safety!"

"But she's made her choice," Takashi snapped, his temper flaring. "She chose to run away instead of accepting her duties to the family. We have to remind her what our name stands for!"

"It's not just that, brother," interjected Mei, their younger sister. "It's about her happiness too. Maybe she needs time to realize what she really wants."

Before anyone could respond, the heavy doors swung open, and Zero strode in with an air of authority. The atmosphere shifted palpably, and all eyes turned to the handsome, brooding figure. With his striking features and undeniable poise, he was every bit the embodiment of the hero the clan had hoped Y/N would marry.

"I'm here to find Y/N," he stated, his voice calm but carrying an edge of urgency. "She deserves to understand the consequences of her actions. The longer she's gone, the more dangerous this will become for her."

"Dangerous for her?" Takashi challenged. "What do you care? You should be angry with her for abandoning your marriage!"

Zero's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability crossed his face. "I do care. I loved her before this arrangement ever came about. We need to find her, for her sake and for our families. She's not lost; she's running toward something."

Kyouka rose from her seat, her voice shaking but firm. "And you think you can just waltz in here and act entitled? You were the one who signed that contract, Zero! You were supposed to protect her, to keep her safe, but you were part of the plan that pushed her away!"

"Forcing her into a marriage won't make her happy!" Zero shot back, his voice rising. "If she's truly gone, if she's with someone else... She deserves the chance to feel valued for who she truly is."

The tension swelled, a fierce storm brewing within the clan. After a moment of silence, Takashi finally spoke, weighing his words. "If you truly care for her, then help us track her down. She may be reckless, but we all know she's tenacious-she won't just sit idly by."

Zero nodded, the fire of determination igniting within him. "Then let's start looking where she wouldn't want to be found."

As the clan united in their search for Y/N, the heavy burden of both familial duty and personal emotion hung in the air. They agreed to search the underground, unaware that Y/N was already forging her own path as Noctem.