Winter Cage

The voices drifting up from downstairs pulled Eren's attention away from the book lying open in his lap.

He had been staring at the same page for nearly ten minutes without realizing it, his thoughts wandering as snowflakes drifted lazily past his bedroom window.

The Hawthorne Estate stood on the northern outskirts of Wintermere, where winter never seemed to end. Snow blanketed the mountains and rooftops for most of the year, turning the town into a sea of white.

Eren had always dreamed of seeing somewhere warm, where flowers bloomed year-round and the sun lingered long enough to melt the cold.

"The important guests are here."

The maid's words echoed in his mind before she had even come to fetch him.

Curious, Eren slipped off the bed and padded quietly toward the door, pressing his ear against it. The voices downstairs were muffled, but he managed to catch a few words.

"...the engagement..."

"...the Ravenscroft family..."

"...Eren..."

His stomach tightened.

A sharp knock interrupted his thoughts before the door slowly opened.

"Young Master," the maid said with a gentle smile. "Your father would like to see you."

Eren nodded, smoothing the wrinkles from his cream-colored sweater before taking a deep breath. He followed her downstairs.

As he stepped into the sitting room, every pair of eyes turned toward him.

His father stood beside the crackling fireplace, his posture as rigid as ever. Across from him sat a graceful woman with chestnut hair, dressed in a navy-blue gown that reflected quiet elegance rather than extravagance.

Beside her was a young man in a perfectly tailored black suit. He sat with impeccable posture, his expression calm, almost indifferent.

"Eren," his father called. "Come greet our guests."

Eren stepped forward and bowed politely.

"Good afternoon."

The woman's face brightened with a warm smile.

"So this is Eren." Her eyes softened as she looked at him. "You're even more adorable than I was told."

A faint blush spread across Eren's cheeks.

"Th-Thank you, ma'am."

"I'm Victoria Ravenscroft."

She gestured toward the young man seated beside her.

"And this is my son, Sebastian."

Eren lifted his gaze to meet Sebastian's.

Sebastian offered a brief nod.

"It's nice to meet you."

"You too," Eren replied softly.

An awkward silence settled between them. Sebastian didn't seem interested in making conversation. His phone buzzed against the table, and he glanced at the screen before standing.

"Excuse me. I need to take this."

Without waiting for a reply, he stepped onto the balcony, closing the glass door behind him.

The room grew quiet.

Loki Hawthorne took a slow sip of his wine before speaking.

"As you're already aware, Bearers are exceptionally rare. Women may also bear children, but a child born from two men inherits only dominant bloodlines. That is why Bearers have become so valuable among the noble families."

Victoria smiled knowingly.

"I understand completely. My mother-in-law was a Bearer herself."

She laughed softly.

"And my husband certainly inherited the finest qualities. Damian is an alpha among men. You wouldn't believe how many families envy us after hearing that my son is marrying into the Hawthorne family."

Loki allowed himself a satisfied smile.

"I'm pleased to hear that."

"You have my word," Victoria continued, setting down her teacup. "Eren will never want for anything. Once he becomes part of our family, I will personally see to his happiness."

"Thank you, Lady Ravenscroft," Loki replied. "I only want him to have a bright future. His mother would rest peacefully knowing that."

Eren lowered his head in silence.

They weren't talking about his dreams.

They weren't asking what he wanted.

They were discussing his future as though he weren't standing only a few steps away.

"Eren."

His father's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Come with me."

Eren quietly followed him into the hallway.

Once they were alone, Loki folded his arms.

"Don't get any foolish ideas."

Eren blinked.

"You are marrying into the Ravenscroft family because it is your duty. This marriage is not your opportunity to chase childish dreams."

"Yes, Father... I understand."

"Do you?"

His father's eyes hardened.

"You have been protected your entire life because people like you are rare. The outside world is not as kind as you imagine. If word spread beyond these walls, countless people would seek to use you for their own gain."

Eren lowered his gaze.

"Yes, Father."

"When you marry, your responsibility will be to your husband and the Ravenscroft family. Nothing more."

Without another word, Loki returned to the sitting room.

Eren remained standing in the silent hallway.

After a long moment, he wandered toward the tall window overlooking the front gates.

Beyond the estate, Wintermere bustled with life despite the endless snowfall. Students hurried down the streets with scarves wrapped around their necks, laughing as they made their way to school. Shopkeepers brushed fresh snow from their storefronts while children chased one another across the town square, their joyful laughter carrying through the crisp winter air.

School...

He had dreamed about it for as long as he could remember.

He wanted crowded classrooms, difficult homework, friends who would drag him to lunch, and the simple freedom of walking outside without someone following close behind.

Instead, his childhood had been spent behind the walls of the Hawthorne Estate, surrounded by private tutors, guards, and locked gates.

Everyone called him precious.

Everyone insisted they were protecting him.

Yet all Eren had ever felt was trapped.

His fingers tightened around the sleeve of his sweater.

Maybe...

Maybe marriage would be different.

Maybe becoming Sebastian's husband would finally allow him to step beyond the estate gates.

Maybe...

For the first time in years, Eren allowed himself to hope.

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