Astralyth Online

Chapter 77 – Etiquette and Defiance

As Madelyn and Sarah made their way through the quiet streets toward Sarah’s house, Madelyn noticed the shift almost immediately. The closer they got, the more Sarah’s usual brightness dimmed, like someone slowly turning down the lights. Her steps became heavier, her smile less real. It hurt to see.

Madelyn tightened her grip on Sarah’s hand, giving it a small, comforting squeeze. “It’s going to be fine,” she said softly, trying to push some real reassurance into her words.

Sarah glanced at her, her green eyes a little clouded, and offered a smile that didn’t quite reach them. She squeezed Madelyn’s hand back. “Yeah. But that doesn’t mean I like it,” she admitted quietly. “It feels like… like I’m guiding you into a trap.”

Madelyn smiled back at her as warmly as she could, bumping her shoulder lightly against Sarah’s. “Can’t be that bad, right?” she teased gently, trying to lift the mood.

Sarah huffed a laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing a fraction. “Yeah. I’m probably just overthinking it.” She flashed a more genuine smile this time, her hand squeezing Madelyn’s again. “And that’s supposed to be your thing anyway, not mine.”

Madelyn giggled softly at that, and they continued down the street, still hand in hand. She could feel Sarah's fingers twitch slightly in hers now and then—small, nervous movements she didn’t comment on. 

Instead, she just stayed close, offering silent support with every step.

They made it to Sarah’s house not long after. As they walked up the steps to the large front porch, Sarah quietly let go of Madelyn’s hand. Madelyn felt a pang of sadness at the loss of contact, but she understood. From what she knew about Sarah’s parents—especially her mother—this wasn’t the kind of place where two girls holding hands on the porch would be greeted with open arms.

Sarah’s house wasn’t just big—it was massive, more like a small mansion than a family home. The exterior was sleek and traditional at the same time, all carefully manicured hedges, tall pillars, and polished wooden doors that gleamed even under the soft afternoon light. It looked like something out of a magazine, all pristine and coldly beautiful.

They stepped inside, carefully slipping off their shoes in the enormous welcome hall. Madelyn had been here before, of course—back when she was Benjamin—but even now, it still amazed her. The hall stretched high above them with vaulted ceilings and a chandelier that looked like it could crush someone if it ever decided to fall. The floors were polished marble, so clean they reflected their outlines faintly. A long staircase wound up toward the second floor, its banister dark and glossy like old wood preserved perfectly through the years. Everything about the house screamed wealth, tradition, and careful appearances, like stepping into a museum where you weren’t quite sure if you were allowed to breathe.

Sarah led the way through the wide hallway and into the living room, Madelyn following close behind. The room was just as immaculate as the rest of the house—bright and elegant, with tall windows that let in the late afternoon light, expensive-looking furniture arranged with cold precision, and not a single thing out of place. Sitting in a high-backed armchair by the fireplace, with a small porcelain cup of tea resting on a table beside her, was Kira. She looked every bit like a queen on her throne, poised and unreadable. In her lap was a closed book, the title clear in gold lettering along the spine: Guiding the Adolescent Mind: Raising the Perfect Child.

Madelyn swallowed, feeling her nerves spike. Great. Perfect.

Kira set the book aside and folded her hands neatly in her lap. Her eyes—sharp and assessing—moved from Sarah to Madelyn with slow precision.

“Good afternoon, Sarah,” she said in a tone so measured it almost didn’t sound like a greeting. Then her gaze fixed fully on Madelyn. “And you must be Madelyn.”

Madelyn forced a polite smile and stepped forward slightly, feeling awkward under the weight of Kira’s scrutiny. “Hello, Mrs. Weston. Thank you for having me.”

Kira gave a nod, nothing more. “Of course. I like to meet the people my daughter chooses to spend her time with.” There was no warmth in her voice, only a calculated politeness that left Madelyn feeling colder than she had outside.

Kira continued smoothly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Sarah dear, would you be so kind as to make everyone some tea?"

Sarah hesitated for a fraction of a second, glancing at Madelyn with a small, almost apologetic look. Then, with a tight smile, she nodded. "Of course, Mom."

Madelyn watched helplessly as Sarah turned and left the room, disappearing down the hall toward the kitchen. The air seemed to grow heavier the moment she was gone, the faint clink of her footsteps fading away.

Now it was just her and Kira, the silence stretching thin and tense between them. Kira studied her with a calm, clinical sort of interest, like she was trying to figure out exactly what category to put Madelyn into. Good influence? Bad influence? Something in between?

Madelyn sat up a little straighter on the couch, folding her hands carefully in her lap, doing her best to meet Kira’s gaze without flinching.

Kira’s eyes sharpened slightly, her posture flawless as she leaned forward just a fraction, the kind of movement that signaled the start of an interrogation masked as polite conversation.

"So, Madelyn," she began, voice as smooth and sharp as glass. "How long have you known Sarah?"

Madelyn clasped her hands a little tighter but kept her voice steady. "We met pretty recently, Mrs. Weston. A few weeks ago, actually. We clicked right away." She gave a small smile, hoping it didn’t look too nervous.

"I see," Kira said, her tone giving nothing away. She shifted slightly, as if ticking a box in her mind. "And how are you adjusting with your new parents? I understand you were only recently adopted."

Madelyn nodded, keeping her expression soft and respectful. "Yes, ma’am. They’ve been wonderful. It’s been an adjustment, but I already feel like part of the family."

Kira tilted her head, studying her. "That’s good to hear. And what about Benjamin?" she asked, the slightest edge of curiosity slipping into her voice. "He left the Roths’ home around the same time you arrived, didn’t he?"

Madelyn’s stomach twisted, but she nodded, having prepared for this line of questioning. "Yes. Benjamin decided to study abroad for a while. He and I didn’t really get a chance to know each other well before he left, but from what I’ve heard, he’s doing fine." She smiled again, a little tighter this time.

"Hmm," Kira murmured, clearly filing away every word. "And how are you finding school so far? Academically speaking."

Madelyn allowed herself a small, confident nod. "It’s going well, thank you. I’m catching up quickly, and most of my teachers have been very supportive."

"I would expect nothing less," Kira said coolly. "A proper education is the foundation for a respectable future."

"Yes, ma’am," Madelyn said quietly, feeling like she was under a microscope.

Kira’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if testing for weakness. "And extracurriculars? Sports, arts, clubs?"

Madelyn shook her head. "Not yet, ma’am. I’m still settling in. But I’m interested in getting more involved once I’m a little more comfortable."

Kira gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "That’s reasonable. Structure and ambition are important, especially for young women."

Madelyn forced herself to nod again, even as she felt a slight pressure building behind her chest. Every word she said felt like it was being weighed, measured, judged. But she stayed polite, composed. She had to.

Thankfully, the sound of footsteps returning from the kitchen drew Kira’s attention. Sarah reentered the room carrying a tray with three cups of tea, her face carefully neutral but her eyes sharp—like she knew exactly how this had gone.

Madelyn exhaled as subtly as she could, grateful for the brief reprieve.

Sarah carefully placed the tray on the low table between them, setting down three delicate cups with matching saucers. She poured the tea with precise, practiced movements, her hands steady even though Madelyn could sense the tension just beneath the surface.

"Thank you, dear," Kira said smoothly, accepting her cup without so much as a glance. Sarah simply nodded and then took her seat—deliberately choosing a spot beside Madelyn but far enough that they wouldn’t accidentally touch. Madelyn felt the gap like a cold space between them, but she understood. Sarah was protecting her the only way she could.

Kira took a slow sip of her tea before setting it back down neatly on the saucer. Her sharp gaze turned back to Madelyn.

"Sarah mentioned you’re into cosplaying," Kira said, her voice even, though the faint lift of her eyebrow suggested more skepticism than curiosity. "Is that correct?"

Madelyn swallowed her nerves and nodded. "Yes, ma’am. I enjoy it a lot. It’s… fun to create characters, to bring them to life. It’s creative, and there’s a really positive community around it."

Kira’s mouth twitched slightly, though whether it was a smile or something more dismissive, Madelyn couldn’t tell. "I see. Dressing up as fantasy characters," she said, the words light but carrying an undercurrent of judgment. "And this is something you intend to continue doing?"

Madelyn hesitated for the briefest second before lifting her chin slightly. "Yes, ma’am. It’s something I’m passionate about."

Sarah, out of the corner of Madelyn’s eye, shifted just a little closer—as if offering silent support.

Kira didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then she reached for her tea again, sipping calmly. "Well," she said eventually, "as long as you don’t let it interfere with more serious pursuits, I suppose it’s harmless enough."

At that moment, they all heard the soft click of the front door opening, followed by the sound of measured footsteps across the marble entryway. A moment later, a man stepped into the living room.

He looked every inch the polished professional—broad-shouldered, tall, with a neatly tailored dark suit that fit him like it had been made just for him. His dark hair was peppered with gray at the temples, adding a distinguished air rather than making him look old. His sharp jawline and confident stride gave off an intimidating kind of charm, the kind that demanded attention the second he entered a room. He had the kind of presence that made Madelyn immediately sit up a little straighter.

Without a word, he set his leather suitcase down beside an armchair and crossed over to where Kira sat. He leaned down and pressed a light, practiced kiss to her cheek—a gesture so smooth and automatic it spoke of years of habit rather than any spontaneous affection.

Then he straightened and turned his piercing gaze toward Sarah and Madelyn.

"I see we have guests," he said in a low, commanding voice, his eyes flickering between the two girls with polite interest.

Kira gestured smoothly toward Madelyn with one elegant hand. "This is Madelyn," she said. "The young lady Sarah has been spending much of her time with lately. We were just discussing her interests and background."

The man's gaze shifted fully to Madelyn, and unlike Kira’s sharp, piercing stare, his was softer—curious, but not judgmental. He smiled warmly, a smile that actually reached his eyes and eased some of the tight knot of nerves in Madelyn’s stomach.

"It’s nice to finally meet you, Madelyn," he said, his tone genuinely welcoming. "I know my wife wanted to meet you properly, and I have to admit, I was a little curious as well." He offered a small chuckle as he stepped forward, extending his hand.

"I’m Nathaniel Weston," he introduced himself as Madelyn stood to shake his hand politely. "Sarah’s father."

His handshake was firm, but not overpowering, and his demeanor gave off a calm steadiness that made Madelyn feel just a little more grounded.

Nathaniel moved to sit down beside Kira, adjusting his tie with a casual flick of his wrist as he settled in, glancing between Sarah and Madelyn with an open, interested look. "Sarah’s told me a bit about you," he added, his voice lighter now. "It’s good to finally put a face to the name."

Across the table, Kira remained composed, her fingers lightly tapping the side of her teacup, clearly still steering the conversation. Madelyn sat back down carefully, sensing that the real questioning was far from over.

Kira picked up her teacup with delicate fingers, taking a measured sip before setting it back down with a soft clink. Her sharp eyes never left Madelyn, weighing every reaction.

"Now that we’re all settled," Kira began, her voice smooth as silk but with an unmistakable edge, "perhaps we can move on to something a little more... pressing."

Madelyn stiffened slightly, feeling Sarah shift beside her, the tension between them almost tangible.

Kira folded her hands neatly in her lap. "I couldn't help but notice," she said, her tone deceptively pleasant, "that in the photo I saw on Sarah’s phone, you two seemed... remarkably close. Closer than I would expect from friends."

Madelyn felt her throat tighten. She struggled to find words, her mind racing.

Nathaniel, sitting back in his chair, raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything, allowing Kira to continue taking the lead—as was often the case. His posture was relaxed, but there was a slight furrow in his brow as he glanced briefly at Sarah, and then back to Madelyn. He wasn’t pushing, but he was listening carefully.

Sarah cleared her throat, sitting a little straighter but still maintaining her careful distance from Madelyn. "We are close," she said, her voice steady but firm. "Madelyn is... important to me."

Kira’s expression didn’t waver. "Important," she repeated slowly, almost tasting the word. She turned her gaze directly onto Madelyn. "And what exactly does that mean, Madelyn?"

Madelyn could feel Sarah stiffen beside her, her hand curling slightly against her knee, fingers twitching like she wanted to reach out but knew better under Kira’s calculating gaze. It made Madelyn’s heart ache.

Sarah had been strong when they were facing Madelyn’s parents—strong in a way Madelyn hadn’t known how to be yet. When they had walked into the Roths’ living room, practically glued to each other, Madelyn had panicked, tried to pull away, but Sarah had just held her tighter, grounding her. She hadn’t hidden their bond, hadn't been afraid to show it, even when Madelyn’s nerves had screamed at her to shrink away.

And now, it felt like it was her turn to be strong.

But how would Sarah’s parents take it? Madelyn’s mind raced. She knew the kind of people they were—traditional, controlling, judging people who valued appearances above all else. Even now, sitting in their massive, cold living room with its expensive furniture and sterile perfection, Madelyn felt the weight of what was expected of her.

But she also knew what mattered more. She turned her head slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of Sarah out of the corner of her eye. Sarah wasn’t looking at her—she was staring at her knees, her whole posture tight, defensive.

Madelyn’s chest tightened. She couldn’t let her face this alone.

She straightened her back, forcing her hands to relax in her lap. Her voice, when she spoke, was soft—but there was a quiet strength behind it.

"It means," Madelyn said carefully, meeting Kira’s gaze without flinching, "that I’m in love with Sarah."

For a heartbeat, the room froze.

Kira’s fingers twitched ever so slightly in her lap, the only crack in her otherwise perfect composure. Nathaniel’s eyes widened just a fraction before settling back into neutrality, his hands folding calmly together.

Sarah lifted her head sharply to look at Madelyn, her green eyes wide in disbelief—and something else. Something that made Madelyn’s heart stutter for an entirely different reason.

Silence stretched, thick and heavy.

Madelyn didn’t drop her gaze. She held it, even when every instinct screamed at her to look away, to apologize, to retreat.

It was very clear that Sarah's mother did not approve. Her mouth pressed into a thin, disapproving line, and her body shifted forward slightly, as if she was preparing to launch into a scathing rebuttal. “Well, I suppose it’s not too late to correct—” she began sharply, the words dripping with meaning.

But she didn’t get to finish.

Nathaniel cut her off—something that, judging by Kira’s sudden wide-eyed look of shock and disbelief, practically never happened. His voice was calm but decisive, a quiet strength behind it.

“Let’s not,” Nathaniel said, his tone gentle but firm, carrying a finality that left no room for argument.

The room went still again, the tension practically crackling in the air.

Nathaniel leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on his knees. His expression was thoughtful as he looked first at Madelyn, then at Sarah.

“It’s certainly surprising,” he said, choosing his words carefully. His gaze softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “But I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing.”

Madelyn blinked, unsure she had heard him correctly.

Nathaniel continued, voice steady, warm even. “It’s good for young people to find something—or someone—that makes them happy.”

Sarah’s mouth hung open slightly, staring at her father like she didn’t recognize him.

Kira, for once, seemed completely thrown off balance. She stared at her husband as if he had grown a second head, her own words frozen halfway in her throat.

Madelyn didn’t know what to say. Her heart pounded in her ears. A part of her wanted to cry from sheer relief, another part was still too stunned to move.

Nathaniel sat back a little, picking up his teacup with a kind of quiet finality, as if in his mind, the matter was already settled.

Nathaniel set his teacup down gently and looked between the two girls with an encouraging nod. "Why don’t you girls go up to Sarah’s room?" he suggested, his voice still carrying that calm authority. "I have something to discuss with my wife."

There was something in the way he said it—an undertone that made it clear it wasn’t a suggestion. It was a polite command.

Sarah blinked once, then twice, and immediately pushed herself up from the couch, grabbing Madelyn’s hand in the process. “Come on, Mads,” she said, her voice a little breathless.

Madelyn didn’t need telling twice. She got up quickly, feeling the weight of Kira’s icy stare on her back as they left the room. Sarah didn’t look at her mother once.

They hurried out into the hallway, their steps quick and light, almost like they were afraid if they stayed too long, someone would drag them back.

As soon as they turned the corner and were out of earshot, Sarah squeezed Madelyn’s hand tightly, whispering in disbelief, "Did that seriously just happen?"

They entered Sarah’s bedroom, and Madelyn felt a strange rush of nostalgia. It looked exactly the same as the few times she had visited before—neat but lived-in, posters of fantasy landscapes and anime characters adorning the walls, bookshelves stuffed with novels and trinkets. The only real change was the presence of the Full-Dive pod tucked into the far corner of the room, its sleek form silently looming like a monument. The very machine that had changed Madelyn’s life forever—and, somehow, had brought her even closer to Sarah.

They lingered in the middle of the room, the quiet between them not uncomfortable, just heavy with everything that had happened downstairs. Sarah looked up at her, green eyes bright with emotion. Then, without warning, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Madelyn, pulling her close.

"Thanks, Maddy," she whispered, her voice trembling just enough that Madelyn’s heart squeezed tight.

Madelyn smiled, her arms coming up to hold her just as tightly. "Anything for my girlfriend," she whispered back, feeling the truth of the words down to her core.

Sarah pulled back just enough to look at her, a mischievous glint already lighting up her green eyes, a hint of her usual bright self returning. "As my girlfriend," she said, her voice playful but with an unmistakable undercurrent of seriousness, "you’re kind of legally required to kiss me right now. You know, for emotional recovery purposes. It’s practically in the girlfriend contract."

Madelyn let out a small, breathy laugh, feeling the tension finally crack a little. Her face heated up, the tips of her ears burning, but she couldn’t stop the smile that bloomed across her lips—soft and real and a little shy. Leave it to Sarah to turn something overwhelming into something lighthearted and comforting without dismissing the weight of it.

Sarah gave her a gentle, encouraging nudge with her forehead. "C’mon, Mads. Doctor’s orders."

Madelyn smiled again, her nervousness giving way to something stronger—something warmer. Slowly, almost shyly, she hugged Sarah closer, feeling the steady beat of her heart against her own. It gave her the final push she needed. She tilted her head up, her fingers curling lightly into the fabric of Sarah’s shirt, and pressed her lips to Sarah’s in a kiss that was somehow both softer and deeper than their first.

It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t clumsy. It was a slow, comforting kiss, filled with everything they had just gone through and everything they hadn’t said aloud—the fear, the relief, the quiet, stubborn joy of having each other despite everything. Sarah responded instantly, her arms tightening around Madelyn, pulling her just a fraction closer. Both of them blushed fiercely, but neither pulled away, lost for a few blissful seconds in a world that was just them, and nothing else.

Madelyn wished the moment could last forever—that she could stay here, wrapped up in Sarah’s warmth, feeling safe and wanted and whole. But eventually, the kiss softened, then broke, though they didn’t separate far.

Sarah leaned her forehead against Madelyn’s again, her breath a little shaky but her grin wide and real. "I could really get used to that," she murmured, her voice teasing but undeniably affectionate.

Madelyn laughed quietly, her face burning but her heart so full it almost hurt. "Me too," she whispered, feeling like she was floating.