Cassian Ashford disliked unpredictability.
Unfortunately—
House Silvercrest had become extremely unpredictable.
The young heir of House Ashford sat quietly in his family’s private study while reviewing market reports.
Every successful Silvercrest investment shared one horrifying characteristic.
Perfect timing.
Too perfect.
“They purchased grain before the northern crop failure.”
Cassian narrowed his eyes.
“They acquired warehouses before maritime instability.”
His assistant nodded nervously.
“Yes, Young Master.”
Cassian leaned back slowly.
Nobody could predict economic fluctuations this accurately without extraordinary information.
Or extraordinary intelligence.
Either possibility interested him greatly.
Especially because one strange detail repeatedly appeared during investigations.
Lady Wisteria Silvercrest.
A child.
Which made absolutely no sense.
Naturally…
Cassian became curious.
Meanwhile—
At House Silvercrest—
Wisteria was fighting for her life.
“Absolutely not.”
“But little sister—”
“No.”
“It’s just one banquet.”
“That’s already too many.”
Leonhart dramatically collapsed onto the sofa.
“Our adorable sister refuses noble society!”
“Because noble society is exhausting.”
Arabelle looked mildly offended.
“As a noble, I feel insulted.”
“You should.”
Orion nodded seriously.
“She has a point.”
Evelyn gently brushed Wisteria’s silver-lilac hair.
“You cannot avoid social gatherings forever, dear.”
Watch me.
Unfortunately, all escape routes failed.
Several hours later, Wisteria stood inside the grand Silvercrest ballroom wearing an elegant lavender dress while silently questioning existence.
Nobles filled the hall with fake smiles and calculated conversations.
Honestly…
Corporate networking events from her previous life had felt exactly the same.
Just with fewer corsets.
“You seem unhappy.”
Wisteria turned.
A young boy stood nearby holding a glass of juice.
Dark ash-brown hair.
Steel-gray eyes.
Sharp posture.
Sharp mind.
Cassian Ashford.
Wisteria immediately recognized danger.
This one observes too much.
“Noble parties are inefficient,” she answered honestly.
Cassian blinked once.
“…That might be the most intelligent statement I’ve heard tonight.”
Interesting.
Most children would pretend to enjoy the event.
Wisteria studied him carefully.
“You’re analyzing me.”
Direct hit.
Cassian nearly smiled.
“And you noticed immediately.”
“Your eyes keep calculating things.”
“…That’s strangely accurate.”
Before Wisteria could respond, Leonhart suddenly appeared like an overprotective attack dog.
“There you are!”
Without warning, he lifted Wisteria into his arms.
Cassian watched silently as the feared military prodigy instantly transformed into an affectionate older brother.
“Our little sister is adorable, isn’t she?” Leonhart declared proudly.
Wisteria looked dead inside.
“Please put me down.”
“Never.”
“Brother, I am speaking respectfully.”
“And I am ignoring respectfully.”
Cassian unexpectedly laughed.
A genuine laugh.
Wisteria narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Oh no.
He thinks this is funny.
Dangerous man.
Cassian looked at Leonhart calmly.
“You spoil her excessively.”
Leonhart looked offended.
“There is no such thing as excessive affection.”
“There absolutely is,” Arabelle said while appearing beside them.
“Impossible.”
“You bought her seventeen stuffed animals last week.”
“She looked at them sadly!”
“She was sneezing because your gifts covered half her room.”
Wisteria quietly watched her siblings argue while Cassian observed the scene carefully.
Warm.
Chaotic.
Ridiculous.
But genuine.
Cassian noticed something strange then.
Wisteria looked happiest when surrounded by her family.
Not ambitious.
Not prideful.
Protective.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Before leaving, Cassian glanced toward her one final time.
“You’re fascinating, Lady Wisteria.”
Wisteria immediately sensed future stress approaching rapidly.
And somehow—
Her instincts were never wrong.
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