250

250
Emilia’s POV
The tension in the room was like a noose tightening with every word. I felt like I was suffocating, and I felt even more stupid for convincing Alaric to come with me to this stupid dinner in the first place.
Everytime I felt like we were finally edging towards peace, Alonso always drags us right back to square one. And Alaric doesn’t seem to mind, as far as he gets the chance to accuse Alonso of anything he could put his mind on.
“I’m afraid I didn’t order something strong enough for this conversation,” I joked weakly, holding up my half-empty glass of wine in a desperate attempt to lighten the mood.
Alonso’s lip curled into a faint smirk. “Wine won’t save you from poor decisions, Emilia.”
Alaric’s hand gripped the edge of the table so hard I thought the wood might crack. “If you have something to say, Alonso, stop hiding behind your smug little comments and say it.”
“Alaric,” I said quietly, placing a hand on his arm, but he shook me off.
Alonso tilted his head, his expression maddeningly calm. “Fine,” he said, setting down his glass. “If you insist. Emilia, you’re intelligent, resourceful, and compassionate. Everything about you suggests you could do great things. But you’ve tied yourself to someone who only drags you into danger.”
The words hit me like a slap, but I kept my composure. “Alonso, this isn’t fair,” I said flatly. “Alaric is my partner. We support each other.”
“Support?” Alonso raised an eyebrow. “Is that what you call constantly cleaning up his messes? The chaos that always follows him around like a storm?”
“That’s enough,” Alaric growled, standing up so abruptly that his chair scraped loudly against the floor.
“Alaric, sit down,” I said, my voice steady even as my heart pounded.
He hesitated, his hands clenched into fists, before reluctantly lowering himself back into his seat.
Alonso leaned back, clearly unfazed. “You’re proving my point,” he said smoothly. “This anger, this recklessness-it’s who you are, Alaric. And Emilia? She deserves better.”
“Stop talking like I’m not here,” I snapped, my patience finally wearing thin. “I don’t need you to tell me what I deserve, Alonso.”
His gaze softened, as if he were genuinely concerned. “I’m not saying this to hurt you,” he said. “I’m saying it because I care about you. You’re my daughter, and whether you believe it or not, I love you.”
“No,” Alaric interjected, his voice cold and sharp. “You’re saying it because you want to control her. You don’t care about Emilia-you care about her being useful to you.”
Alonso’s expression darkened. “That’s rich, coming from someone who’s done nothing but put her in harm’s way since the moment they met.”
“Do not blame me for what you’ve done,” Alaric snapped, his voice rising. “You’re the one who dragged her into this mess in the first place.”
“And you’ve made it worse,” Alonso shot back, his voice still calm but with an edge of steel. “Every step you take puts her closer to danger. Can you honestly say you’ve made her life better?”
“Yes,” Alaric said fiercely. “Because unlike you, I trust her to make her own choices. I don’t treat her like a pawn in some game.”
“Game?” Alonso’s voice rose for the first time. “This isn’t a game, Alaric. This is about survival. And if you can’t see that, then you’re even more foolish than I thought.”
“Stop it!” I said, slamming my hand on the table. Both men froze, turning to look at me. My chest was heaving, and I felt like I might scream if I had to listen to one more word of their bickering.
“This is exactly why I wanted this dinner,” I said, my voice shaking with anger. “To try and find some common ground. But all you two care about is tearing each other down.”
“Emilia-” Alonso began, but I cut him off.
“No,” I said, glaring at him. “You don’t get to sit there and act like you’re the only one who knows what’s best for me.” I turned to Alaric. “And you don’t get to storm out or shout every time someone challenges you.”
Alaric’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t say anything.
“I came here hoping for peace,” I continued, my voice quieter now. “But all I’ve gotten is more reasons to feel like I’m caught in the middle of a war I didn’t ask for.”
Alonso’s expression softened again, but I could see the calculation in his eyes. “I only want you to be safe, Emilia,” he said. “And with Alaric, I’m afraid that’s impossible.”
“Don’t,” Alaric said, his voice low and dangerous. “Don’t you dare try to turn her against me.”
“I don’t need to,” Alonso said, his tone sharper now. “The facts speak for themselves.”
Alaric shoved his chair back, standing up again. “I’m done here,” he said, his voice tight with barely contained rage.
“Alaric, wait-” I began, but he was already walking away, his footsteps echoing in the quiet restaurant.
I sat there for a moment, stunned and exhausted, before turning back to Alonso. He looked triumphant, which only made me angrier.
“Don’t,” I said, my voice cold. “Don’t act like this is a win for you.”
“I’m not trying to win,” he said softly. “I’m trying to protect you.”
“You have a funny way of showing it,” I snapped.
He leaned forward, his expression serious. “Emilia, listen to me. Alaric may think he can shield you from the dangers of his world, but he can’t. He’s a magnet for chaos, and that chaos will destroy you.”
“I can handle myself,” I said, my voice firm.
“Maybe,” he said. “But is it worth it? Is he worth it?”
“Yes,” I answered him coldly. “Alaric is worth it. He will always be worth it.”
Alonso sighed, sitting back in his chair. “I hope you’re right, Emilia,” he said. “But if you’re not, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I stood up abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. “I think we’re done here,” I said, grabbing my bag.
Alonso didn’t stop me. He simply watched as I walked away, his expression unreadable.
I stepped out of the restaurant, looking around. For a moment, I thought Alaric had left me and gone home. But he wouldn’t. I looked around for a little while until I was him leaning against the car, his arms crossed and his face set in a scowl.
“You ready to go?” he asked, his voice clipped.
“Yeah,” I said, my own anger simmering just below the surface.
I got into the car and slammed the door shut loudly, using my seat belt and staring out of the window. I needed the silence. I didn’t trust myself to say something I wouldn’t regret later on. Plus even if N wanted to sag something, where would I start? Alaric got in a few seconds later and started the car. He sped off not long after.