Chapter 26 : Academy Shopping
Grim sat at the dining table, his imposing figure radiating a cold, commanding presence. His black eyes swept over the room, sharp and unreadable.
Grim's mother, her white hair gently framing her soft, concerned face, passed him a plate.
"Aurelia?" she asked, her voice low but anxious.
Grim's gaze flickered briefly before he responded, "Mother, you should head upstairs. Take some food and go see Aurelia."
She looked at him for a moment, her eyes searching his face, but he offered nothing more. With a resigned nod, she rose from her seat, picked up a plate, and walked upstairs, her slender frame tense with worry.
Now, only Grim, Raven, Lyra, and Seraphine remained at the table. The air felt thick, their presence shifting between tension and calm.
Raven ate his breakfast, his black eyes more relaxed than usual. As he ate, he glanced at Lyra and Seraphine occasionally, making sure they were comfortable. His touch was gentle when he passed them food, his care evident through his actions rather than words.
Lyra, her strikingly beautiful face framed by white hair, seemed lost in thought as she looked over at Grim. Her eyes widened slightly when she noticed faint love bites on his neck, hints of red marring the pale skin.
Leaning closer to Seraphine, she whispered, her cheeks dusted pink, "I think... that's a lot of love between my brother and your sister."
Seraphine's golden eyes blinked, her own blush deepening as she nodded with embarrassment. "It... seems so."
Their whispered conversation broke when Grim's voice cut through the air, cold and firm. "You all are coming with me. Get ready, Lyra. Seraphine." His black eyes bore into them, leaving no room for argument.
Lyra and Seraphine exchanged a nervous glance, then nodded without protest.
Grim's gaze shifted to Raven, his expression unreadable. "You're coming too."
Raven met his brother's eyes this time, the usual fear dulled by the belief in his newfound ability. But he still agreed, his curiosity piqued. "Where are we going?"
"You'll see when the time comes. Go and get ready," Grim replied, his tone brooking no defiance.
With a sigh, Raven pushed himself up from his seat. Lyra followed him, heading toward their rooms to prepare.
Grim stood, his gaze briefly trailing after them before turning his attention to Seraphine.
"Come with me," he said, his voice softer but still carrying its commanding edge. Seraphine nodded, following Grim to Room 101, where he intended to check if the house staff had properly cleaned and arranged everything.
---
Room 102 (Grim's Room)
Grim's mother quietly pushed open the door to Grim's room, her gentle hands balancing the plate she carried.
The room was dimly lit, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. Her eyes quickly found Aurelia, still lying on the bed, her crimson hair spread out like a fiery halo against the pillows.
Her beautiful face looked peaceful, her golden eyes closed, but there was something vulnerable about her. Her elegant black dress, the same one she had worn yesterday, was clinging to her slender body, appearing uncomfortably tight.
Worried, Grim's mother approached the bed and placed the plate gently on the side table. As she neared Aurelia, her concern deepened. Her eyes caught the faint traces of love bites on Aurelia's neck, her delicate hands, and even her face. Marks of passion were scattered across her skin, telling a story that made the older woman's heart clench with worry.
She reached out, her fingers trembling slightly, and loosened Aurelia's dress where it seemed most restrictive. But as the fabric shifted, her concern only grew. Love bites marred her pale skin, a testament to what had transpired between her and Grim.
"Aurelia...?" she called softly, her voice a gentle tremor.
Aurelia's golden eyes slowly opened, her gaze unfocused for a moment before recognition dawned. "Mother..." she murmured, her voice weak but affectionate.
Grim's mother's expression twisted with worry as she gently supported Aurelia, her white hair falling over her shoulders as she leaned closer. "Sit up, dear. Let me help you."
Aurelia tried to sit straight, but her body trembled with fatigue. Noticing her struggle, Grim's mother carefully gathered her into her arms, holding her like a child. Aurelia's head rested against her breast, the warmth of the embrace soothing her.
Tears welled in Grim's mother's eyes as she looked at the girl before her. The evidence of her son's actions was everywhere, and her heart ached with both worry and guilt.
Aurelia noticed the tears trickling down the mother's cheeks. Her slender fingers reached up, gently wiping away the droplets. "Please don't cry, Mother. I'm fine. I... I wanted this. I'm just... tired."
The words seemed to offer little comfort to Grim's mother. "I'm going to scold him for what he did to you. And I'll never let him near you again." Her voice shook with both fear and protectiveness.
Aurelia's lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. "You don't have to do that. It's not his fault. I wanted it."
Even so, Grim's mother's expression remained clouded with concern.
"Mother..." Aurelia's voice was softer now, a gentle plea. "I'm hungry. Won't you feed me?"
Mother let out a strained chuckle, her worry easing just a little. "Yes, of course." She reached for the plate and began feeding Aurelia with her own hands.
Aurelia's golden eyes never left Grim's mother's face, a warmth blossoming within
her that she hadn't felt in years.
And Mother, her own black eyes shining with tender concern, continued to care for Aurelia with the love in her heart.
---
Grim pushed open the door to Room 101, his sharp gaze sweeping across the space. The room was already spotless, the house staff having completed their work efficiently. Without a word, he nodded in approval and spoke in his deep, cold voice.
"You should go and get changed," Grim said, his black eyes fixed on Seraphine before moving to the sofa and sinking into it. His head rested against the back, eyes closing as he seemed to drift into his own world of silence.
Seraphine, feeling the weight of his presence, nodded quickly and hurried upstairs to change. Her crimson hair shimmered under the light as she walked, her golden eyes still slightly wide from the intensity of Grim's aura.
Inside her room, she slipped into a half-skirt and a white hoodie, something casual yet comfortable. She took a moment to glance at herself in the mirror before heading back downstairs. As she approached the living room, Grim's eyes snapped open, his senses sharp as always. His gaze landed on her, and the air around him thickened, turning icily dark.
"Go and change that," Grim's voice cut through the air like a blade.
Seraphine's breath caught, her body trembling slightly. His aura was suffocating, like a shadow threatening to swallow her whole. Without arguing, she spun around and quickly rushed back to her room, her heart pounding.
This time, she swapped the skirt for a full black pant and kept the white hoodie. Gathering her courage, she stepped outside again.
Grim's eyes found her immediately, his expression unreadable, but the dangerous aura had faded. Without another word, he rose from the sofa and walked toward the door. Seraphine followed him silently, her cheeks still faintly flushed.
Outside, Raven and Lyra were already waiting. Raven's usual black attire highlighted his sharp, handsome features, his white hair falling messily around his face.
Lyra looked beautiful in her white dress, her delicate features framed by her silky white hair and expressive black eyes.
Grim, still dressed in his tracksuit, ignored the cautious glances his siblings threw his way as he stepped outside. The air around him was heavy, like a storm about to erupt.
As they reached the Luxe Haven entrance, Grim headed straight toward a sleek, black luxury car. Its polished surface gleamed under the morning sun, giving it a regal and intimidating appearance.
Raven and Lyra exchanged a surprised look, their eyes widening.
"Since when did you have a car like this?" Lyra asked, curiosity evident in her voice as she stared at the magnificent vehicle.
Grim ignored her question, his gaze sharp as he unlocked the car. He slipped into the driver's seat, his expression as stoic as ever.
Lyra hesitated before getting in, her slender frame sinking into the front seat beside him.
Raven and Seraphine climbed into the backseat, their curiosity unspoken but apparent in their eyes. The interior was luxurious, the leather seats soft and cool against their skin.
Without another word, Grim started the car and drove off. The tension in the air remained thick, his aura an unyielding force that pressed against them.
After a while, the car pulled up in front of an elegant shop displaying the insignia of the Royal Academy.
The building was grand, its exterior exuding wealth and prestige.
Grim stepped out first, his cold black eyes scanning the surroundings. His siblings and Seraphine followed, uncertain and cautious.
Raven, however, couldn't help but notice the way Grim's posture seemed even more intimidating than usual.
Lyra and Seraphine trailed behind Grim, their gazes flickering between him and the massive shop entrance.
Raven walked a few steps behind them, his eyes sharp and curious.
The guards at the entrance eyed them with suspicion but made no move to stop Grim. His very presence seemed to command authority. As they passed through the doors, a group of staff members immediately greeted them with polite smiles.
"What can we do for you?" one of the female staff members asked, her gaze lingering uneasily on Grim's stoic expression.
"They're joining the academy next month," Grim said, his voice calm but forceful. "They need clothes and all the necessary study materials. Provide them each."
Raven, Lyra, and Seraphine stared at Grim, eyes wide with shock.
"Wait… What?" Raven asked, confusion etching his face. "What are you talking about? Why are we joining the academy?"
Grim's eyes snapped to him, black and merciless. "You're of age. It's time for all of you to get ready for the academy."
Raven wanted to argue, but the ice in Grim's gaze silenced him. Instead, he let out a frustrated breath and nodded. Lyra and Seraphine were similarly stunned, but they obediently followed the female staff members to the women's section while Raven followed the men's.
As Lyra and Seraphine walked together, their confusion mirrored in their expressions. Lyra whispered, "We'll ask Mother or your sister when we get home. Let's just do what Brother asks us to."
Seraphine nodded, her crimson hair falling softly over her shoulders. "Yes, let's do that."
Inside the changing area, Lyra picked up the academy uniform with an unhappy frown. The uniform's design consisted of a white shirt, a short blue skirt, and a white blazer.
"Brother is going to be angry," Lyra muttered, her golden eyes flicking nervously toward the skirt.
Seraphine looked at her with confusion. "Why?"
Lyra sighed. "The skirt. It's too short. Brother will not allow us to wear this outside."
Understanding dawned on Seraphine's face. "So… that's why he was angry at me earlier."
Lyra nodded. "Why don't we ask them for pants instead of skirts? The shirt and blazer are fine."
They approached the staff members and made their request, but the woman replied with an apologetic smile, "I'm afraid we can't do that. This is the uniform, and we have to follow the rules."
The two girls exchanged worried glances and decided to approach Grim. As they stood before him, their faces tense with unease, Grim's gaze landed on the skirts. His expression immediately darkened.
He turned his cold eyes to the staff member. "Give them pants instead of skirts."
"I'm sorry, sir, but we can't—"
The woman's words died in her throat as Grim's aura shifted. The air around him grew heavy and dark, suffocating.
"I'm not asking you," Grim said in a voice that could have frozen fire. "I am telling you."
The staff member stammered, her face pale as she scrambled away to fetch the requested clothing. When she returned with women's white pants, the girls quickly changed.
The combination of the white pants, blue shirt, and white blazer looked elegant and refined. Grim nodded in satisfaction.
Raven soon emerged from his changing room, dressed in his uniform. The black pants, white shirt, and black blazer suited him perfectly, his white hair and dark eyes giving him a dangerously handsome appearance.
Grim paid for everything, then handed Lyra a card. "I have some work. Go home yourselves. If you need anything, buy it on the way and after you use it give that card to mother."
With that, Grim left, his figure disappearing into the black car as it roared away.
Raven, Lyra, and Seraphine stood outside the shop, processing what just happened.
"What now?" Raven asked, his gaze flicking between the girls.
"Let's do some more shopping," Lyra suggested, her tone determined. "For Mother and Sister in law."
Raven and Seraphine nodded, and the trio made their way toward the nearest mall.