Chapter Text
His jaw tightens. “A Zaunite.”
“In MY house,”
“That too for years.”
The living room goes quiet; the only sound is that of Caitlyn playing with her toys.
“She’s not just a Zaunite,” you snap. “She’s....”
“Don’t.”
His voice cracks like a whip.
“I love her.”
Your heart is pounding so loudly you’re certain everyone can hear it.
“You think this is about romance?” he explodes. “This is about reputation. Alliances. The council. Do you have any idea what people will say if they find out my daughter is consorting with a Zaunite?”
“We did not build this family’s standing so you could throw it away for a woman from the Undercity.”
The word woman is said like an accusation.
Something in you hardens.
“She has more integrity than half the men who sit at your precious tables.”
The slap doesn’t come.
The silence does.
Heavy. Thick.
Tobias tries, voice shaking, “Dad, it’s not like she’s hurting anyone.”
“Stay out of this.”
Tobias flinches but doesn’t fully retreat.
You step closer to your father.
“You don’t get to decide who I love.”
“I absolutely do.”
“No, you don’t.”
His anger shifts then from explosive to lethal.
“I have tolerated your stubbornness. Your defiance. Your indulgences. But this?” He steps closer, lowering his voice. “This is humiliation.”
“It’s not humiliation. It’s my life.”
“You are part of this family.”
“And that means I stop being a person?”
“It means you have obligations!”
“And you have control issues.”
The words hang there.
Tobias inhales sharply.
Your father’s face goes cold.
“You will end this relationship.”
“No.”
“I am not asking.”
“I am not obeying.”
For a moment, it looks like he might truly lose control.
Instead, he straightens.
Calms.
That’s worse.
And then Cassandra speaks.
She has been seated the entire time, hands folded neatly in her lap, expression composed. Watching.
“Screaming won’t solve it.”
The room shifts.
Your father exhales sharply. “Then what will?”
She stands slowly, smoothing the front of her dress. She walks toward the fireplace, thoughtful.
“This isn’t just about disapproval,” she says calmly. “It’s about damage control.”
You stare at her. “There is no damage.”
“There is perception,” she corrects gently.
Tobias mutters, “Here we go…”
Cassandra ignores him.
“If rumors spread, it weakens alliances. Makes the family look unstable.”
Your father nods slightly, pacing more slowly now.
“So what do you suggest?” he asks.
Her eyes move to you, not unkind, but assessing.
“You counter the narrative.”
“How?” your father presses.
She tilts her head slightly.
“You announce something stronger.”
Your stomach tightens.
“A formal engagement,” she continues smoothly. “To someone respectable. Someone visible. Someone tied closely to Piltover’s enforcer leadership.”
Silence.
Your father stops moving.
Tobias straightens. “What?”
Cassandra’s voice remains even.
“Marry her to the leader of the enforcer division. Or someone within that circle. It sends a clear message: loyalty to Piltover. Unity and control.”
Your heart drops into your stomach.
“You’re talking about me like I’m a statement piece,” you say, stunned.
Cassandra meets your gaze.
“Sometimes survival requires symbolism.
Your father is no longer yelling.
He’s thinking.
You see it happen, the anger cooling into strategy.
“A union like that…” he murmurs. “Would silence the council.”
“It would end the rumors,” Cassandra agrees softly.
“It would erase Sevika from the narrative,” your father finishes.
You feel like the floor has shifted beneath you.
“I’m standing right here,” you say.
“And you will thank us later,” she replies.
“No.”
Your father looks at you now.
Calm.
Controlled.
Decided.
“This relationship ends.”
“NO.”
“You will not see her again.”
“You don’t get to….”
“You will marry someone I choose.”
The words are no longer shouted.
They are final.