The Ancient Genes

Scarlet House, Ocien.

Erina walked out of the car, and saw the familiar surroundings around her. She was finally back home.

"Miss, the Lord is waiting for you.." the servant informed her, breaking her out of her trance.

Erina looked at the person and nodded before walking towards the mansion.

Soon, she was standing in front of the door to her father's room. She had been through his door uncountable times, but this was the first time she felt fear.

She very well had an idea about her current situation. She just hoped that her father was on her side like he always was. But, for some reason, she wasn't confident this time around. Her father's recent behavior has made her lose her confidence in him.

Finally after hesitating for a while, Erina knocked on the door.

"Knock!"

"Knock!"

"Come in.." A voice soon followed.

As Erina entered the room, two figures entered her vision, and her body instantly froze.

Her father, the Lord, was there. But, he wasn't alone, he was being accompanied by the Lady, Talia.

"I am back, Father and mother.." Erina greeted them, and Talia gave her a nod while the Lord calmly looked at her.

"How has the competition been?" Scarlet Lord asked.

"It's been a good experience," Erina replied.

"Good experience or losing experience? Ocien's performance has been disappointing." Scarlet Lord shook his head, and Erina's shoulders trembled for a second.

Talia, who had been paying close attention to Erina, smiled on seeing her reaction, but her words sure sounded different, "Could you not be so harsh on her? She has tried her best.."

Scarlet Lord looked at Erina who had her face turned towards the ground. There was a complicated look on his face, but the words coming out of his mouth were harsh, "What's the use of spending so much of resources on her? First Wilson, and now her. Both of them have been disappointing."

Erina raised her head to look at her father in shock. She couldn't believe the words that had come out of his mouth. But, all she could see was an unfamiliar look on his face.

"Anyway, I am sure you know the reason for which I have called you back." The Scarlet Lord further added, and Erina's figure froze.

"I have prepared for your engagement."

It was the worst Erina had expected.

"But, Dad..I.." Erina tried to retort, but was shut by her father.

"It's my final decision. Or do you want to be like your brother?" The Scarlet Lord asked, and Erina immediately went silent. "If you want to be like your brother then go ahead, I will forget that I had any daughter.."

"D-Dad.." Erina looked at him with tears brimming out of her eyes, but the Scarlet Lord had already turned his eyes away from her.

"If you don't have anything else to say, then leave.."

Erina looked at him one last time as she opened her mouth, but then just stopped. In the end, she turned around and left.

"What was that, my Dear?" Talia spoke as soon as Erina left.

"I believe you are more than capable of seeing what has happened. I disciplined her," The Lord calmly replied.

"From what I see, you were asking her to follow in her brother's footsteps.." Talia glanced at him from the corner of her eyes.

"Is it?" But, the Lord continued to do his work without paying any attention to her. "Either way, I don't think you should have any problem. You are achieving what you desire for, and so am I.."

Talia looked at him for a few seconds and then shook her head, "You really do love your children, don't you?"

"Everyone does, I think you are the same.." Scarlet Lord looked at her.

"Of course, we love our children." Talia smiled at him.

…

Erina walked out of the room, and headed straight towards her as she wiped her tears.

"Hmmn?"

But, she was suddenly surprised to see two familiar figure blocking her path.

"So, you really did come back?" Max stood there with a smile on his face, Naze was beside him as well.

"Whoosh!"

Max felt a figure zoom past by and Erina suddenly leapt into Naze's arm. Even Naze was taken back for a minute. He looked at Max in surprise, and then at the girl.

He didn't know why the girl was suddenly hugging him, but well who cared. As he was about to return the hug, Max suddenly caught his arm.

He wasn't stupid to not understand the situation.

"Erina, look at his face carefully. He is not Axel.." Max forced a smile on his face.

When Erina heard him, she seemed to jolt awake. And, when she realized that Max was right, her face turned a bit red and she repeatedly apologized.

"I am really sorry.."

"No..it's fine.." Naze shook his head.

"He is Axel's brother.." Max introduced him, and Erina was once again surprised.

"No wonder, I thought that he came after me.." Erina smiled with a sad look on her face.

"Why are you guys here?" She further asked while looking at Max.

"Well, a lot happened. Should we take some time to chat? I think you should have a lot of time at hand now," Max said with a smile.

….

"Ah..you guys are even living here..I had no idea." Erina smiled as they entered the guest room. She was happy to find someone familiar at this time.

"So, did you see your Fiance's face at least?" Max asked her with a smile, and Erina's figure froze.

"How do you know?" Erina looked at Max in surprise.

"Well, it's time to explain things to you," Max spoke as he looked at Naze, and he nodded before going out to keep an eye on things.

"Explain what?" Erina looked at Max in confusion.

"Everything, things that you have always wanted to know as well.." Max further stated.

With that Max began to tell her things that she needed to know. All in order for her to be able to understand the current situation around Ocien.. Only then could she understand her role in this battle here.