Adelyn’s voice was soft and quiet—gentle enough that Eira wouldn’t be frightened.
But when her gaze snapped toward the n, it turned piercingly cold.
So cold that, for a mont, everyone in the room stiffened under it.
Then, suddenly, one of them scoffed and spoke up in a daring tone.
"So what if we go back on our word?" His eyes locked onto hers as his shoulders lifted in a careless shrug. "We never claid to be saints who follow every damn promise we make."
"You—how can you say sothing so shaless?" Karl shot back instantly. "Haven’t you heard? Even ordinary n don’t go back on their word. If not saints, at least be n."
"You—what did you say?" The man bristled at once, anger flaring across his face as he charged toward Karl.
But before he could even lay a hand on him—
His arm was caught midair.
Firmly.
Tightly.
His brows furrowed, and when he turned—
It was no one but Adelyn.
She had stepped in without anyone noticing, her grip locking around his wrist with effortless strength.
Her expression remained calm. But her eyes—
They were far colder than before.
It felt as though sothing dark had surfaced beneath them ... sothing capable of tearing everything apart.
Karl saw her like that up close.
And even though she had stepped in to protect him—
He still stiffened, instinctively falling silent, not daring to utter another reckless word.
Adelyn stared at the man, her gaze fixed on him —terrifyingly steady.
"I never mistook you for saints," she said quietly. "But it seems ... you’ve mistaken for one."
And before he could even process her words—
She moved.
A subtle twist of her wrist. Smooth and effortless. And then—
Crack.
The sharp sound echoed through the room, making everything freeze.
The man’s face drained of color as a scream tore out of him.
"Ah—!"
He collapsed to the floor, clutching his arm, writhing in agony.
Karl and Pier froze, stunned.
For a second, neither of them could even comprehend what had just happened.
"She ... broke his arm."
"And that too ... so easily."
Their eyes darted back to Adelyn, searching for even the faintest trace of surprise on her face.
But there was none.
"And it wasn’t accidental," Pier muttered under his breath.
Karl nodded slowly. "She ant to do that from the start."
They watched as Adelyn turned her gaze toward Eira.
And just like that—
All the coldness lted away ... as though it was never there.
Her expression softened completely.
"Baby ... did I scare you?" she asked gently, a hint of concern slipping into her tone.
Eira had been glancing at the man on the floor.
But at her mother’s voice, she turned back imdiately and shook her head.
"Eira wasn’t scared."
Everyone was shocked again.
She wasn’t scared? Why?
She was a kid. Shouldn’t she be scared?
Adelyn studied her for a mont, unconvinced.
But when she found no fear in the girl’s eyes —none at all —she let out a quiet breath and accepted it.
anwhile, Karl and Pier exchanged glances.
Shouldn’t she ask them that too?
She should because even if Eira wasn’t, they were.
They were absolutely terrified.
How could soone break a man’s arm so casually ... without even blinking?
Just then—
Adelyn’s eyes snapped toward them.
Both of them flinched.
"Sister-in-law."
"Sister-in-law ... we aren’t scared, either."
They said at once, their voices laced with sudden obedience and respect.
But Adelyn didn’t acknowledge it.
Instead, she asked plainly, "Can you lend your hands?"
"H-Hand...?"
"Y-You want to break more? Can we even refuse?"
They stamred one after the other.
Adelyn closed her eyes briefly, exhaling in exhaustion.
"I ant—look after Eira for a while while I deal with them. Can you do that?"
Karl and Pier exchanged another glance.
Then, without hesitation—
They nodded.
"Of course."
"That’s easy."
Adelyn gave them a brief nod before turning back to Eira.
"Baby, these uncles aren’t satisfied yet," she said gently. "Give Mama a mont to satisfy them."
Eira blinked, then looked toward the group of n.
They stood frozen, still staring at their brother on the floor.
Her gaze also shifted to the one lying on the floor, still clutching his arm and crying.
"But that uncle is crying," she said thoughtfully. "Is he not satisfied either?"
Adelyn turned slightly.
The man imdiately shook his head frantically.
"No—no! I’m very satisfied! It’s them, not !" he blurted, dragging himself backwards in panic.
Adelyn let him be.
Then she looked back at Eira.
"He’s satisfied," she said calmly. "But the others aren’t. So ... can I continue?"
Eira nodded.
Adelyn smiled faintly.
"Good. Then how about you help Mama in this ga?"
Eira’s eyes brightened. "Eira can play too?"
Adelyn nodded. "You can. But your role is very important."
She leaned slightly closer.
"You must close your eyes ... and not open them until I tell you to. Can you do that?"
Eira nodded imdiately. "Eira can."
"Perfect," Adelyn said softly.
Then she gestured toward Karl and Pier.
"Go stand with your uncles. And rember ... keep your eyes closed."
Eira obeyed and walked over to Karl.
When she turned back, Adelyn gestured gently.
Eira closed her eyes without hesitation.
Adelyn then looked at Karl.
"Stay close to her. And make sure she doesn’t hear anything that happens next."
Her gaze flicked to Pier.
Both of them understood instantly.
They nodded. Then gently covered Eira’s ears with their hands.
Looking back at Adelyn, they spoke in unison—
"She won’t hear anything."
"We’ll follow your lead."
Adelyn held their gaze for a brief second.
Satisfied, she turned back to the n.
"As I said before," she spoke calmly, "I don’t have the entire night to waste here."
Her hand moved—
And with a single push, she shoved the table aside.
It slid away, clearing the space between them.
The n hesitated.
For a mont.
But then, when they stared at themselves, they got emboldened by their numbers.
Sneering, they said,
"Heh ... she thinks she can take all of us alone."
"She’s overestimating herself."
"We need to teach her a lesson."
"And avenge our brother’s arm."
"How dare she think she’ll leave in one piece?"
Adelyn heard every word. Yet she didn’t react.
She simply stood there.
Waiting.
But when it beca clear they were only stalling—
Her patience ran out.
"If you won’t co at together..." she said calmly, her eyes turning sharp, "I’ll co to you. And then—" She took a deep breath.
"Don’t cry later."
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