Auren's eyes narrowed at his daughter, irritation already building in his throat. He wanted to get home and rest, not meet his daughter in his room, speaking like she knew where he had been.
"What kind of silly question is that?" he asked sharply.
Seraphina only smiled wider. That sly smile she always used when she wanted to annoy him.
"Oh? So you admit it?" she said lightly, tilting her head. "You went to the brothel... didn't you?"
Auren stared at her in disbelief. "Seraphina. Don't start."
She stood, brushing off her long nightdress as if she were preparing for a performance.
"Please," she said, walking toward him, "you left the house dressed like a commoner. You came back with your hair a mess, shirt wrinkled, neck..."
"Stop," Auren warned. "Did you follow me? Were you stalking me?"
She laughed softly.
"Relax, Father. I didn't follow you. I just guessed. And... I was right."
Her smile turned even cruel than before.
