Adrian's P. O. V

Another knock sounded on the door, interrupting my thoughts.

“Come in”, I said, tiredly, not bothering to look up.

Old Stewardess Agness stepped into the room, a polite smile on her face. “Your Highness, the Patriarch requests your presence in the dining hall”.

I grumbled. “Tell him I'm not hungry. I won't be joining them”.

Old Stewardess Agness didn't bat an eyelid. “The patriarch anticipated you might say that, Your Highness. He said if you refuse to join the family breakfast, he'll have to resort to… force instead. And I'm sure none of us would want that”.

I scoffed, thinking to myself. The same force I...