Nickolai's eyes widened in shock as Natalya laid out the truth of what I was—what I could do. His gaze flicked between me and the corpses scattered across his hall, his mind clearly struggling to reconcile the supernatural with the real.

For a man like him, a man who had built his empire on brutality and control, the idea of something—someone—existing beyond his understanding was unsettling. But then, something shifted in his expression. The shock melted into amusement, his lips curling into a cheeky, knowing smirk.

"Son-in-law," he said, his voice dripping with a mix of resignation and mischief, "I have no objection to you guys being together." He leaned back, his arms crossing over his chest as he looked at me with a newfound—almost fatherly—approval.

"In fact," he continued, his grin widening, "why don't you two just get married?" He spread his hands, gesturing to the grand hall around us, the bloodstained marble and the broken bodies of his men.

"Today seems like such a good day for it, no?" His chuckle was dark, amused, the kind of laugh a man makes when he's just realized he's been outplayed—and doesn't mind it one bit.

Natalya burst out laughing, her hand flying to her mouth as she shook her head. "Dad," she said, her voice mocking, "you're selling your daughter out?" Her eyes sparkled with amusement, but there was a hint of exasperation there, too. "I didn't take you for the romantic type."

Nickolai waved a hand dismissively, his smirk never fading. "Ah, come on," he said, his voice teasing, "what father wouldn't want a son-in-law who can snap his fingers and win any fight?" His gaze flicked to me, his expression turning serious for just a moment.

Natalya rolled her eyes, but her smile didn't fade. "Dad, you're impossible."

Nickolai sighed, shaking his head as if in regret. "You know what my real regret is?" he said, his voice taking on a mock-somber tone.

"That I only have one daughter." He let out a dramatic sigh, his hand pressing to his chest like he was truly wounded.

"If I had ten," he declared, his grin returning, "I'd betroth them all to him." He gestured at me, his eyes gleaming with approving mischief.

"A man who can teleport? Who can kill fifty men without breaking a sweat?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "What father wouldn't want that for his daughters?"

Natalya groaned, her face flushing a deep shade of red, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement. "Dad, you're insane," she muttered, shaking her head in mock exasperation.

Nickolai laughed, the sound rich and warm, filling the grand hall with a lightness that seemed to push away the darkness of the past few minutes.

The bodies of his men still littered the floor, but for the first time, it was like he didn't even see them. His gaze flicked to me, his expression softening in a way that made it clear—he had made his decision.

"Maybe," he admitted, his voice gruff but affectionate, "but a father's got to do what a father's got to do."

I met his eyes, my voice steady, serious. "Father-in-law," I said, the word feeling natural on my tongue, "I want to take Natalya back with me to America."

Nickolai didn't hesitate. "She's your wife," he said, his tone final, "you can do whatever you want." He waved a hand dismissively, as if the matter was already settled.

Natalya, however, wasn't so easily convinced. She turned to her father, her brows furrowing with concern. "Dad…" she started, her voice hesitant, "but what about the business? I can't just leave—"

Nickolai snorted, cutting her off with a dismissive wave. "Hmph," he grunted, his expression unbothered, "don't worry about the business. I'll handle everything." His eyes gleamed with mischief as he leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping into a teasing tone.

"Just worry about spending more time with my son-in-law." He waggled his eyebrows, his grin turning playful. "You've got to grasp him well, Natalya… otherwise, some vixen might come along and seduce him."

Natalya's face flamed with embarrassment, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "Dad!" she exclaimed, her voice exasperated, "You have to believe in your daughter!"

Nickolai chuckled, his amusement unfazed by her outburst. I stepped in before she could retaliate, my voice calm, reassuring.

"I'll help Natalya take care of the business with Isabella from America," I said, my gaze flicking between Natalya and Nickolai. "She'd get bored if she didn't have anything to do."

Natalya's expression softened, her eyes warming as she looked at me, a small smile playing on her lips. Nickolai, on the other hand, seemed to relax even further, his nodding becoming more enthusiastic as he processed my words.

"Hmph, hmph," he murmured, pecking his head in approval. "Good, good. That's good." His gaze flicked to Natalya, his expression softening once more. "You've got yourself a good man, Natalya," he said, his voice gruff but sincere. "A real man."

Natalya's smile widened, her fingers tightening around mine as she leaned into my side. "I know, Dad," she said, her voice soft, "I know."

Nickolai exhaled, running a hand over his face as if wiping away the last of his concerns. "Alright, alright," he said, his tone resigned but warm, "go on, then. Take my daughter to America."

He paused, his eyes gleaming with mischief once more. "But you better bring her back to visit, son… or I'll have to come find you."

I chuckled, my arm tightening around Natalya's waist, pulling her closer as if to seal the promise. "You have my word," I said, my voice firm, unshaken, carrying the weight of a vow that wasn't just spoken—it was felt.

Nickolai gave a final, gruff nod, his eyes lingering on Natalya for a moment longer before he waved us off with a mix of resignation and pride. "Go on, then," he muttered, though there was a hint of warmth in his voice. "But don't make me wait too long for those grandkids, son."

Natalya's face flamed again, but this time, her laughter was bright, unfiltered, as she rolled her eyes at her father's teasing. "Dad! We're not even married yet!"

Nickolai waved a hand dismissively, his smirk unrepentant. "You can have kids before getting married," he said, already turning away, though I could see the smile he was trying to hide.

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