Rise Of The Rightful Heir

Laxus stepped into his father's study, his confusion clear. Darwin Kinkaid stood by the large oak desk, his expression unreadable.

"Father, why did you call me here?" Laxus asked.

Darwin looked at him with a stern gaze. ""You're here because there's a change in plans. Linne will marry Luther next week.""

Laxus stared at his father, not sure if he had heard him correctly. ""What? That can't be true. Linne and I are supposed to marry soon.""

"It is true," Darwin replied coldly. "It's been decided."

Laxus’s hands clenched into fists. ""But I love her. This isn’t fair!""

"Fairness has nothing to do with it," Darwin said, his tone firm. "This is what needs to happen."

Laxus shook his head in disbelief. ""You can't just order this. We were supposed to be married. Why would you do this to me?""

"This isn't up for debate, Laxus," Darwin replied. "It’s final."

Laxus’s voice wavered with frustration. ""You can’t just take away my future like this. Linne is mine!""

Darwin’s eyes narrowed. ""This is about more than your feelings. You will do as you're told.""

Laxus stood there, his anger growing as he realized how powerless he was. ""You don’t care about what I want. You never have.""

Darwin’s expression remained cold. ""This is not about you, Laxus. It’s about what’s best for the family.""

Darwin Kinkaid had always ruled his family with an iron fist. His word was final, and no one questioned his authority. But when he commanded Laxus Kinkaid to hand over his fiancée to his brother Luther, Laxus couldn’t bring himself to comply.

Laxus had always followed his father’s orders, doing everything asked of him without protest. But this time, it was too much to bear. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, anger simmering just below the surface. If anyone else had made such a demand, Laxus wouldn’t have hesitated to throw a punch that would send them straight to the hospital. But this was his father.

"Why Luther?" Laxus thought, his mind racing as he unintentionally spoke his thoughts aloud, his frustration boiling over.

""It’s always Luther, isn’t it, Dad? Luther here, Luther there. Am I not part of this family too?"" Laxus asked, his tone laced with bitterness. ""Why does he get the family fortune? All the praise for my efforts, and now my fiancée? Why does he always end up with everything without lifting a finger? Just why?"

He pointed an accusing finger at his father, trying to justify his feelings of injustice. ""Father, I’ve always done everything you’ve asked. I’ve gone out of my way to meet your demands. Why this unreasonable request?"" Laxus pleaded, hoping to make his father see reason, but Darwin remained unmoved. His decision was already made.

Laxus stood there, unsure of what to do next. Should he beg his father, refuse him outright, or confront him? One thing was certain, he wasn’t going to accept this decision without a fight.

""Please, Father, listen to me. We’ve already started planning our wedding. The cake is ordered, our attire is bought, the honeymoon is booked, everything is set. The wedding is only a week away,"" he pleaded.

""In that case, there’s no need to buy more items for the wedding. We’ll use it all for your brother. Continue the preparations, Laxus,"" Mr. Darwin instructed nonchalantly.

Laxus couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Not only was he being told to give up his fiancée to his brother, but now he was also expected to plan the wedding that should have been his own. The thought of it all infuriated him even more.

""Linne will never agree to marry Luther. She loves me, and you know that. She will never agree to this!"" Laxus declared with resolve and confidence. He and Linne had been together for almost three years, and he was certain she wouldn’t go along with his father’s absurd decision. After all, his father might have been able to force him to give up Linne, but he couldn’t force Linne to marry Luther.

Mr. Darwin laughed quietly. "Son, Linne has already agreed, which is why I’m telling you this."

""That’s a lie, Father! You’re trying to fool me into believing you!"" Laxus roared back, refusing to believe it. He knew his father could resort to deceit to get what he wanted.

Mr. Darwin stood silent through Laxus’s ranting, only replying afterward. "Why don’t we call her to confirm that?"

He spoke with such confidence that it made Laxus uneasy, as if his father knew something he didn’t. 

""Send in Linne. I want her here right now,"" Mr. Darwin said into the phone on his desk.

Laxus felt a pang of dread in his chest as he listened to his father. He was surprised to learn that Linne was already at the mansion. Why hadn’t she told him she was there?

But it didn’t matter. He was sure Linne would refuse his father’s decision.

Linne entered the room gracefully, standing beside Mr. Darwin and Laxus. Her presence calmed Laxus’s anger, as it always did.

"Linne, I need you to—" Laxus started, but stopped when his father gave him a stern look. He didn’t dare say more.

Mr. Darwin cleared his throat and turned to Linne. "Linne, tell Laxus who you’ll be marrying next week."

Laxus looked at Linne, hoping she would deny it. But she didn’t meet his eyes. Instead, she looked at the floor.

Finally, she said, "I’m really sorry, Laxus, but I’ve agreed to marry Luther."

Laxus froze, unable to speak. 

""Linne… but… how? Why? Were you forced? You can talk to me,"" he asked, his voice trembling. Tears filled his eyes. "Did I do something wrong?"

Linne said nothing, still staring at the ground.

"Linne," he called softly.

"Linne, answer me," he repeated, his voice desperate.

When she stood silent, he snapped. "Look at me, dammit!" he shouted, his voice full of pain. He had believed she would stand by him, but she had confirmed his worst fear.

Tears streamed down his face as he looked at her. 

""How much did he pay you, Linne? What did he offer to make you accept?"" Laxus asked, his voice shaky as he approached her.

Linne turned away, avoiding his gaze. ""I’m sorry, Laxus. I can’t continue with you," she said.

"But why?" he asked, reaching out to her.

"I’m sorry," she repeated, stepping further away.

"Linne…" His voice faltered.

"That’s enough!" Mr. Darwin snapped. "You will not humiliate my daughter-in-law in my presence."

Laxus was stunned, unable to believe what was happening.

Linne bowed to Mr. Darwin and left the room without looking back. Laxus watched her leave, then turned to his father, tears streaming down his face. Anger and betrayal surged within him.

Mr. Darwin cleared his throat. "Now that this is settled, double the wedding plans—"

"You have the nerve!" Laxus interrupted, shouting. ""You’ve never cared for me. You just control me like a puppet. Now you want me to plan my brother’s wedding? I won’t do it!"" He stormed out of the room, ignoring his father’s calls.

Laxus headed to the garage, got into his car, and drove off with no destination in mind. Tears blurred his vision as he drove, his heart heavy.