It had been a month since Al moved into the Virellano family estate. Time passed like a calm stream, yet beneath its surface, unseen whirlpools stirred.
Unlike the first three days, which were full of family intrigue and drama, the stakes for the integration mission had given him a certain peace in recent times.
Except for Sarah, who occasionally snuck in little jabs at him, or David, who played subtle tricks through the servants, everything else remained calm.
It was enough to let Al relax and go about his activities freely. And enough to irritate Sarah with the reality that she still had to be patient for a year—a year in which Al might not even be kicked out.
But the most frustrated of all was, of course, David. Thanks to the wager, seeing Al as a threat to his status in the Virellano household had become intensely annoying for him.
Al lay on a plush swing in his dimension room, jotting down a few things on a sheet of paper, with a pen that floated and moved on its own before him.
"Huammm…" he let out a long yawn, signaling the creeping sleepiness.
"Finally… done." He muttered, ending whatever task he had been doing.
He stopped his magic and adjusted his posture on the swing.
Staring at the ceiling, he picked up the paper—a long record of everything that had happened since he arrived. He rolled it up, letting it hover above his palm.
And Wroshh! The paper ignited instantly. But instead of turning to ash and smoke, it became a surge of energy, shooting off into who-knows-where.
"I'd rather fight a giant dragon than write this much, huff… hope… you read it carefully." he muttered with a hint of complaint.
With that, his eyes closed. He fell into a deep sleep, as if he'd been up all night.
---
Elsewhere, in a sleek, modern room dominated by silver-black tones, furniture brimming with advanced technology.
The energy entered the area, reaching four figures seated around a circular table. Shadows hid their faces, but it was clear they were four women, each with distinct builds and hair colors.
One had jet-black hair, another golden-brown, one with green gradients, and the last with predominantly blue hair. They sat elegantly, as if each held a significant position in the room.
They all smiled, anticipating the arrival of the energy. The black-haired one stood, raising a hand to receive it. The energy split in her palm, sparking a beautiful reddish glow.
The energy vanished, replaced by letters that appeared to burn, floating to reconstruct what Al had written.
Al's voice followed the letters. Each letter disappeared once his words were spoken, forming new words according to what he said.
"A month has passed here. It's been difficult meeting you all and the others lately, but don't worry—I'll be there soon." Al's voice opened the message.
"By the way… I thought life here with my real family would be easy. Turns out, it's far harder than I imagined. I think I owe two of you an apology for assuming what you did was easy. Experiencing it myself… it's incredibly frustrating."
The four women focused on the text, listening to the message conveyed. And it continued.
"He mentioned me." said the golden-brown-haired one.
"I'm not sure it's you, but he definitely mentioned me." said the green-haired one.
"No… I'm definitely the one he mentioned!" shouted the blue-haired one.
The brown and green-haired women turned and shook their heads at the blue-haired one.
"You're the least likely to be mentioned among us. Haha." they said in unison.
The blue-haired one could only protest in frustration at their denial, while the black-haired simply chuckled at the minor chaos.
Al's message went on:
"This is what I've experienced over the past month. I hope you pay attention and notice what's important for our greater goal."
"By the way, before I continue, I don't know how you spy on me and learn so much, you crazy woman, but please stop it. I don't like being watched. Huff. I've said it before."
Hearing that, the three women looked at the golden-brown-haired one.
"I guess you used that device to spy on him. No wonder you were desperate to get it." said the blue-haired one.
"She always does as she pleases." added the green-haired one.
The black-haired one just shook her head in dismay.
But the brown-haired woman didn't feel guilty; she crossed her arms and lifted her chin, proud of herself.
The message continued, recounting Al's experiences as a wealthy child for a month, sharing secondary information about the top family in Eastern Indorosia.
Al described the first three tense days with his family—being accused without evidence of harassing or hitting servants, and how the Virellano boy seemed eager to see him gone.
He went on about their treatment: being assessed, staying in separate buildings, not yet publicly known, and so on. He also recounted the wager he made with them for the next year, which luckily aligned with their goals and mission.
After the wager, his life was calmer, and his parents and siblings finally learned more about him. Especially that he really attended HIHS, they surprised—but luckily, no further issues arose.
Suddenly, Al's voice deepened, making the four women listen more intently.
"There are more important things I need you to focus on, so I hope you pay close attention." he said seriously.
His voice continued.
"You've probably heard parts of this. Some time ago, Sebastian, Michaelis, and I faced people from that faction—the ones who wanted a revolution. I don't know what exactly they were doing in this area, sending someone as high-ranking as Fahruk."
Al's voice paused for a moment, then continued,
"But the bigger issue is, they know the emotional weaknesses of some of our members. I don't know how, but they knew."
The four had heard parts of this story from Sebastian before, when he had visited that same day. But hearing it from Al himself sounded far more serious.
Al continued:
"I hope you protect the other members and their secrets. Because of my family situation, I can't act fully with you all yet. So I hope the four of you control and guard them for now." he said firmly, issuing a command-like message.
The four nodded, ready to obey. They understood the seriousness of this threat and were willing to risk everything to win all their battles.
"Besides, there are unique things here. That boy David seems to be hiding something. I don't fully understand it yet, but it doesn't seem too dangerous for now."
"However… my eyes are still too weak to grasp the essence of everything. Something is protecting that boy, making it impossible to fully comprehend."
"Also, there's something ancient beneath this house. That could be an interesting side mission for me."
Hearing David's name again, the four women bristled. After learning how he tried to hurt or frame Al…
The brown and blue-haired women radiated surging energy from their bodies, while the green and black-haired remained calm, though their aura was still menacing.
Finally, Al's message reached its conclusion, ending with sweet words that calmed and delighted them.
"…I may be too lazy to face the world. But with you all, we will do it. So I hope… you'll always be by my side. As we have in the past, now, and forever. Take care of yourselves. Signed: Al."
The four were reluctant for the message to end; they were never satisfied. But the message had concluded, leaving only residual energy that could not be replicated.
Chaos erupted among them, especially the brown and blue-haired women. The green-haired one merely shook her head at the mess.
Meanwhile, the black-haired woman stood and walked to a giant window, gazing out at the breathtaking night view.
She spoke softly:
"You heard that, right?" she murmured. "It's not just his orders and attention…"
She turned, looking at the other three.
"…this is our life." she said firmly.
The chaos ended. The three nodded, smiling in agreement.
And so, this part came to an end.
A month had been quite a nuisance for Al—and for those waiting for him.
In his room, Al slept soundly. Whatever he might be dreaming of, one thing was clear: his life had been peaceful lately… unaware that soon, chaos would return.
---
Meanwhile, in a completely different world from Al's quiet night...
A thunderous roar shattered the air, bursting with unstoppable energy.
Spotlights flashed from every direction, flooding a modern combat arena packed with thousands of spectators. The air vibrated with cheers and raw energy—a world brimming with passion, power, and tension.
This arena wasn't just a battleground.
Designed like a futuristic stadium, its glass walls projected interactive holograms, and its floor could shift texture and color in sync with the fight's rhythm.
Embedded surround sound systems boomed from all sides, creating an atmosphere akin to a digital battlefield.
The crowd erupted with excitement. Loud voices shouted support, as if fueling the fire of the warriors on stage.
"YOU GOT THIS!"
"GO SIS!"
"BOOOOM!!"
The loudest cheers came from the VIP stands. There stood a sporty young girl in a black-and-maroon outfit. Her long, glossy black hair was partially braided, giving off an energetic yet feminine vibe. A small cap added a touch of charm to her look.
Beside her, a striking woman with a curvaceous figure stood confidently.
Wearing a sleeveless top that exposed her shoulders and cleavage, paired with high-waisted pants, she radiated a bold presence. Her light brown hair was tied in a high ponytail, revealing a sharp jawline and elegant neck.
Her piercing eyes remained focused on the screen in her hand, scrolling through photos of a man with a gentle smile—whether a celebrity, a lover, or just a fantasy was unclear. Her confidence wasn't just in her clothes, but in the way she carried herself.
Both were there to support the woman currently fighting in the arena.
Inside the ring, two fighters faced off.
One was a young woman in a yellow-and-black athletic outfit. She moved swiftly, supported by strong legs.
Her tight top covered her chest and waist without restricting movement, paired with flexible pants that followed her every step. Her opponent, a burly man, stood shirtless in combat shorts, muscles rippling with every strike.
Their match was fierce. Punches and kicks exchanged rapidly. Attacks met counters, strength clashed with technique. They moved like warriors dancing on the battlefield, searching for openings.
But in the end, the woman broke through the man's guard and finished the fight with a rising sidekick to his chin—a clean, decisive win.
And on the giant screen, the face of the victorious fighter was displayed, along with the name: Vianna Virellano – Martial Arts Champion, B-Rank Martial Artist Championship.
"She really is amazing."
"I bet it won't be long before she enters Rank A."
"With that level of strength, I'm sure she can compete among the Rank A fighters."
"Not only is she beautiful, but her strength is absolutely top-tier."
Cheers and words of praise erupted from the audience, all directed toward Vianna. But the loudest of them all was…
"YEAAAH! BIG SIS VIANNA WOOON!!"
shouted a young girl, waving her hands high in the air with unrestrained excitement. It was none other than Lysha Virellano—her younger sister.
The victorious fighter—Vianna Virellano—hoisted the championship belt over her shoulder. She smiled and waved to the crowd. The arena erupted in cheers as she walked proudly across the ring.
Though sweat dripped from her body, her smile remained radiant. Her eyes shone not just with victory, but with an unshaken determination.
But the cheers wouldn't last forever.
Behind that smile, fate had already shifted course.
And that night, their path was heading toward something far greater.
---
Not long after, behind the arena, in an exclusive lounge for fighters...
Three women stood in a small circle, deep in conversation despite their occasional laughter.
Vianna, the fighter, was still in her combat gear, now layered with a light jacket.
Beside her, the long-haired girl—Lysha Virellano—clung proudly to her sister's arm.
The third was the woman with the ponytail and poised elegance, her eyes glancing anxiously at a holographic watch—Nayala Valendra.
The three of them were clearly in high spirits, but a hint of tension lingered in their eyes.
"Let's head to the airport now," said Nayala, her tone betraying the urgency beneath her composed expression.
The other two giggled, teasing her for always being overly serious. Still, they moved with purpose—light steps, but firm direction.
Where they were headed, not many knew.
But time would soon bring them to a crossroads.
And standing at one of those crossroads was someone they hadn't yet accounted for: Al.
Whatever lay ahead, one thing was certain—
These three would soon cross paths with him.
---
That morning, warm sunlight slipped gently through the gaps in Al's curtains. He was still staying in that same room despite the wager.
The reason was that on the eighth day since Al had been living in the Virellano residence—around three weeks ago—he'd been called by his parents.
They told him that after seven days of investigation, there was still no positive progress regarding the harassment case. So, Al's status remained in the gray zone.
Even so, Edward still offered him a room in the main house. Unfortunately, Al turned it down—
Mostly because he didn't want too much interaction with Sarah and David. If he stayed in the main house, those two would surely seize any chance to slander him again.
Today was Sunday. Even though he could enjoy his morning sleep every day, Sunday mornings always felt special. Probably because he could sleep for as long as he wanted.
He pulled the blanket up, staying wrapped in it until noon—or maybe even evening—indulging in that rare, precious moment known as 'sleeping for no reason.'
But this morning was different.
Knock knock knock…
A soft knock at the door made him grimace.
Before he could pretend not to hear it, a servant's voice followed.
"Young Master Al, you are requested to come to the dining room. Today… you're allowed to have breakfast with the family."
Those words sounded strange to his ears.
Allowed? Like a child just promoted to the next level, he murmured inwardly.
But he didn't reply, only muttering quietly to himself before slowly rising. His face remained as expressionless as always, but his mind busily asked:
What's happening today?
It was also a sign that, after a month, Al was still eating separately from them.
Has my father's trauma finally healed after all this time? Why is there someone so sensitive… hm. Or is there something else? I don't like this feeling, he complained inwardly.
And so he followed.
As he stepped into the main dining hall—a spacious room with a long table draped in white cloth and a crystal chandelier hanging above—everyone was already present.
People turned briefly toward him, but only offered light greetings and allowed him to do as he pleased.
He saw his father and mother seated at the ends of the table. David sat on the right side, smiling faintly as usual. Aurielle and Sarah were talking quietly to each other.
Sarah then shot him a sharp glance. The two locked eyes, as if silently declaring war. Yet there was no confrontation—perhaps the war had just not begun.
On the other side, two of his other sisters—ones he had only seen in photos—were also present.
Vianna, the third sister, usually away training or competing in martial arts tournaments, now sat calmly.
And Lysha, the sixth sister, wore casual yet neat attire.
Al could sense a strong surge of magical energy radiating from Vianna. His eyes glimmered faintly red, as if analyzing his sister. A denser, more vibrant golden aura could clearly be seen emanating from her.
Mid stage Practitioner Level Martial artist class, slightly stronger than Rina. Truly a gifted individual, he thought to himself.
But the most eye-catching figure was a young woman seated beside David. She smiled sweetly and occasionally gazed at him with admiration, like a sunflower turning toward the sun.
Al narrowed his eyes.
"Oh… who's that?" he asked, causing people to turn toward him again.
"Another switched child? Who were she switched with? I hope it's with that one," he said sarcastically, jokingly referring to Sarah. He had unwittingly stirred the flames of potential conflict.
Sarah looked slightly irritated but knew her name hadn't even been mentioned, even though she and the others understood Al was mocking her.
"Al. Don't be rude," Aurielle said.
Al merely nodded.
His mother, Sandra, also spoke up:
"Al, come here. Stand up first. We want to introduce this person to you."
"To me? Why me?" Al asked, confused.
"Al…" Sandra murmured.
He only sighed and nodded, as if he understood.
"All right, Mother."
He obeyed, standing by his chair, which after a month was still positioned at the end of the table, though it now seemed slightly integrated into the other chairs. He was no longer completely marginalized as before.
All eyes turned to him, though each with different expressions—some blank, some observant, others clearly waiting for something. A reaction, perhaps? Surprise? Interest?
Sandra began by introducing Lysha and Vianna as Al's sisters. There wasn't much interaction beyond greetings—probably because of the awkwardness.
Vianna appeared more arrogant, perhaps due to her masculine streak as a fighter.
Even though she thrived in a harsh world, her beauty was undeniable. Category A. Especially with the magical energy coursing through her body, her regeneration was far superior to others.
With her aura, Vianna tried to dominate and pressure Al. Unfortunately, Al merely yawned in front of her as if it had no effect at all. This left Vianna slightly confused, but she concluded that Al was probably just an idiot.
In contrast, Lysha seemed innocent when stationary. Yet when she moved and spoke, her girlish aura became apparent. Another Category A beauty.
She was the youngest daughter in the family, still full of fiery energy, but tactically minded, having chosen social studies and law as her major.
Sandra continued, introducing the figure least familiar to Al.
"And… this is Nayala, Al," his mother added. "The daughter of the Valendra family from Vali Island. You surely know her—she's a capital city celebrity, just like your sister."
Nayala Valendera—daughter of the famed Valendra family, known as the tourism heart of Vali Island, and especially known for its women with famously graceful figures. She was a year older than Al. A solid B in beauty.
Al glanced at her.
Long brown hair, smooth sun-kissed skin, curves like a painting. Her face… indeed beautiful. But too perfect to be interesting. Too… polished. And that made him uneasy.
"This is the one we talked about back then. The girl who was arranged to be your fiancée," Edward said as he took a slow sip of his coffee.
"But considering the current situation... as you can see, I think you can guess that Nayala has, well... fallen deeply in love with David."
Nayala offered a polite smile, but her gaze made it abundantly clear—she had no interest in Al. In fact, it bordered on disrespectful.
"Nice to meet you, Al. I already know everything. But don't worry... I'll still choose David, no matter what. I... love him."
Al was amused, but he didn't bother to respond. Not even a smile surfaced at the childish declaration.
Or rather, he was holding back a laugh that would've exploded if nudged just a bit more. He kept his expression in check—lips twitching slightly—but managed to maintain a flat gaze and gave a slow, polite nod.
No surprise in his eyes.
No jealousy.
No attempt to defend himself.
Just calm silence—like none of it mattered in the slightest.
And that confused everyone at the table.
They probably thought Al would be struck by her beauty.
With her sensual, ideal figure typical of Vali women—part of why Vali Island was a top tourist destination in Indorosia—
Nayala was indeed a B-tier beauty. But that was just to normal eyes.
Al didn't measure beauty by looks or curves. To him, Nayala was just another pawn on the family's chessboard.
He spoke briefly.
"Ah yes, nice to meet you too, Nala—uh, I mean... Nanala... mmm... Narala?"
Silence followed. Only the clinking of cutlery against plates was heard.
Then Vianna chuckled.
"Haha… her name is Nayala. Remember: Na-ya-la."
"What a weirdo. Seems like you're not into Nayala," Lysha added while chewing toast. "But maybe that's not such a bad thing."
David kept smiling. But in his eyes, a flicker of something unreadable appeared.
Nayala, on the other hand, looked slightly irritated that her entrance hadn't earned the reaction she expected. She flirted with David a bit, trying to show everyone that her heart was already spoken for.
But Al didn't really care. He sat down as requested, poured himself a glass of water, and observed them.
He was more focused on the delicious food in front of him and his mission, rather than being preoccupied with the women. In his mind;
So, eating here wasn't always about elegance—people could eat more casually. Meaning this family wasn't entirely strict about discipline. Good, good. Noted. he murmured inwardly.
It was a conclusion he drew after watching Lysha eat cheerfully, Vianna a bit rough and blunt, Aurielle more strict like their father, Sarah more elegant like their mother, and David more relaxed, yet always maintaining his posture while eating.
The conversation then continued among them—except Al, of course.
The dining table atmosphere felt warm, but the discussion wasn't exactly friendly toward Al.
Warm because small laughs and casual chatter floated in the air. Unfriendly because every direction of conversation seemed like arrows aimed at him—talking about him right in front of him without truly involving him.
"You're all talking about me without actually including me. I'm right here, by the way," Al commented lazily, slightly annoyed that his name kept coming up while they kept glancing his way yet never bothered to involve him.
Sarah responded,
"What?! This is a girls' conversation. You don't need to join."
She then glanced at David and Edward. "See? Even David and Dad have been quiet this whole time."
"Hm… fine, fine. Just don't spout nonsense in front of me," he said calmly, his eyes still fixed on his food.
"So, it's okay behind your back?" Sarah retorted.
"Of course. That's your business. In the end, I wouldn't know what's happening behind my back anyway. Cause I could just as easily say nonsense about you behind yours. So it's fair," Al replied, still with calm tone.
"Hmph…" Sarah was slightly annoyed but too lazy to respond further.
She turned back to the others. "Forget him. Not important," she said.
But that moment slightly spoiled their fun.
Seeing the awkwardness, Sandra chose to address Nayala's presence more deeply and began explaining it to Al.
"Oh, right," said his mother, Sandra, with a thin smile.
"Al, Nayala will be staying with us for the next week."
Al raised an eyebrow—not out of surprise, but out of… why even tell me this?
"Next week, her parents will visit. We'll discuss the official annulment of your engagement—something we've already agreed on. Don't tell me you're reconsidering after seeing her?" Edward said calmly, like he was discussing a business schedule.
Or rather, he was trying to stay calm himself to match Al's naturally calm and lazy demeanor.
Sarah leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. Her gaze was sharp.
"I'll roast you if you go back on your word. So Al, don't bother Nayala. Don't even think of anything funny. Got it?!"
Al, who was sipping his water, nearly choked hearing that.
"Hmph… yeah, I get it. But sorry, this might sound a bit rude. It's just that… I'm not interested in her, so please stop pushing me about it," Al replied lazily.
"After all, it's pretty clear. She likes David, and he feels the same." he added.
He sighed and continued, slightly emphasizing his voice,
"It'd be better for me to focus on my studies and show you all that I can truly be part of this family. Instead of wasting my time thinking about love, romance, or other unnecessary things."
His words left them a bit shocked.
Especially Nayala, who could only gape—not just because this was the first time someone had been rude to her, but because the person speaking was a former orphan, whose status in the family was still unclear.
David noticed this and gently tapped Nayala's thigh.
"Don't think too much about it," he said, calming her down. It was a display of affection, yet it felt like David was the more mature one, while Nayala remained slightly innocent.
That was enough to ease Nayala.
However, David himself felt a bit irritated inwardly.
This orphan brat acts so cocky.
Edward and Sandra also turned their eyes to Al after hearing those words.
Then, almost unconsciously, they looked at David and compared the two—David, who had already found his love, and Al, who openly admitted he didn't care about romance.
Normally, in situations like this, most parents would tell their children to think the way Al did.
But for Edward and Sandra, it felt natural to side with David instead—after all, he was a genius, and his love life had never once interfered with his studies.
Al observed the closeness and interaction between Nayala and David, noting that no one else seemed bothered.
Showing that much affection is still acceptable in this family. Noted, he murmured to himself, thinking about his learning mission.
Meanwhile, Sarah finally responded.
"Huh? You don't want to waste time thinking about romance and girls? Don't be such a hypocrite, Al. You even harassed the maids—let alone a girl on Nayala's level," she said casually, turning her face away with a sly smile.
"Sarah!" Sandra and Edward shouted almost simultaneously, though with slightly lighter tones.
"Yeah, yeah. I understand, Dad, Mom," Sarah replied nonchalantly.
Al stared at her, then shook his head.
"You're bringing up that fabricated incident by that liar again. I don't even know what to say to you anymore," he said, referring to David as the liar.
David stiffened slightly at the nickname being mentioned again.
Nayala looked at him, puzzled, her voice soft,
"Who's the liar?"
David hesitated a little before replying,
"Ah, I don't know. Don't worry about it, okay."
Silence settled over the room again.
Despite Al's declaration of disinterest, Nayala's mood seemed good. She smiled warmly, as if she had been looking forward to this moment.
Her face glowed—not from makeup, but from how close she was to David, the man she gazed at like a never-ending high school love story.
Aurielle initiated a conversation among the girls again.
"You seem cheerful today, Nay. By the way, why didn't you come with the family entourage? Didn't they mind you coming early?"
"No, not at all," Nayala answered calmly. "Besides, I just felt I should come earlier. Because… I…" She turned her gaze toward David. "…miss David too much," she said innocently.
"Especially after everything that's happened. I just wanted to make sure he's okay," she added, referring to David being in a bad mood because Al had returned to the family.
Al's eyes widened slightly—another childish declaration had just dropped. That familiar tickle of amusement returned.
The breakfast he was chewing was left hanging, halfway forgotten, as his mouth focused more on suppressing laughter than swallowing.
Thankfully, no one added fuel to the fire. He was this close to causing another scene.
Woah. What's with this girl? With a body like that, but she's such a hopeless romantic. My laughter might break if I hold it in too long here. Al murmured to himself, choosing to laugh quietly in his mind.
Vianna leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. She smirked.
"Classic you, Nayala. But yeah… that's always been your thing."
Lysha, who went to the same university as Nayala, chimed in.
"Fortunately, I'm not in the same faculty as her. Over there, guys would be all over her too. Luckily, she always loudly mentions David's name, haha."
Everyone chuckled softly, including Nayala. She didn't feel offended; instead, she seemed at ease, as if she was already used to such teasing.
Sarah added with a mocking tone.
"Same thing when she was still in the agency. She used to tag along with me during photo shoots. Tons of guys hit on her, but she always said her heart belonged to David, hahaha. You're that obsessed, huh?"
"Mmm… Hope someone isn't getting the wrong idea," Sarah added, half-whispering but clearly directed at Al.
"Because Nayala belongs to David. Always will."
Al merely shook his head, unwilling to get too involved in the teasing this time. Though it didn't affect his emotions much, stopping early seemed wiser. His mind stayed focused on observation.
So this family is quite tolerant of narcissistic and silly behavior. Even though Nayala isn't part of the family, I suppose I should note this data too, he concluded inwardly.
Meanwhile, around him, it was as if an invisible wall was closing in. Everyone was talking about Nayala as though she already belonged to David. And he—technically still her fiancé—didn't even have a voice in this discussion.
But that was fine. Al wasn't angry. He wasn't upset. He was just… observing. Watching everything unfold. Storing it in memory. Not as a hurt person, but as an irrelevant spectator in this social ring.
Vianna seemed more active in the conversation now. She grinned and leaned her head back against her chair.
"You're lucky. This week I'm home because my martial arts tournament is over. If anyone bothers you—especially this kid—I'll handle it," she said, guaranteeing Nayala's safety there.
Vianna glanced faintly at Al. She knew quite a bit about his harassment story, but she didn't dwell on it. Her mind was focused elsewhere.
This kid could hit that muscular servant with a single punch? Seems impossible. Look at that skinny frame, not a trace of internal energy, she thought, analyzing Al.
Huff… maybe the servant was just weak that day. Should I test him…? If he's really strong, then I suppose there's no problem accepting him.
Meanwhile, Sarah and Lysha were busy gossiping with Nayala, as if their conversation would never end.
Aurielle didn't speak much. She just stared at her phone, occasionally glancing at the clock. Her behavior mirrored Edward's, though faintly on Edward's face, his trauma hadn't completely vanished.
Sandra, on the other hand, looked pleased with the harmonious atmosphere. Although Al remained an anomaly, she was grateful to see him there, leaving only one more child, Elena, yet to arrive.
David was the most distinct, glancing at Al sharply several times.
This kid is tricky. I didn't expect him to be completely unmoved by Nayala. Or is he just acting? Hmm… let's see, orphan brat, he thought, plotting quietly.
Before long, Al finished his breakfast—before anyone else. He was a bit surprised by his own pace. Even trying to slow down to elite standards, he still finished quickly, even eating more than usual.
Hmph… I need to manage my timing, he thought.
As if there was nothing left to do there, he decided to leave first.
"I'm done. And it seems I'm not needed here anymore. May I go?" he asked after finishing his drink.
Sandra and Edward looked at him, then nodded.
"Yes, Al," Aurielle replied.
Al stood up, pausing for a moment to look at his father. Edward's face looked a little pale.
Edward wanted to reply, but Al spoke first.
"Father, you don't have to say that... I guess that means I still can't fully join you for regular meals, right?" he asked suddenly.
Edward hesitated, feeling awkward. Sandra nudged him lightly, as if signaling him that it was time to let Al join.
In the end, Edward shook his head.
"Sorry, Al. Forgive me. I didn't want to discuss this with Nayala here, but I think you understand. It's actually better than before. Still... Hmph. I hope I can be stronger in the future," he said softly, admitting this was his shortcoming.
Al didn't mind. Seeing his father's state, it was indeed better not to join for now.
"All right. Father, Mother, and everyone else. I'll return to my room then," he said.
He turned and left the dining table. His steps were calm, his back straight.
Yet, on the other side, people were still curious about Al's interest in Nayala. They waited to see what he would do when passing by David and Nayala.
But… nothing happened. Only sharp indifference.
Nayala stared at his back, slightly confused.
Why didn't he… look at me at all? It's like I don't exist to him.
David smiled, placing his hand gently over Nayala's.
"Don't mind him. Maybe he just doesn't feel confident standing next to someone as beautiful as you."
Nayala blushed at David's words.
But something still felt… off.
"Oh, by the way. Why is he not allowed to eat with you all?" Nayala asked.
David whispered to her Al's story, embellishing it to make Al seem even dirtier.
"Ewwww. Good thing our engagement was canceled," Nayala said, disgusted by David's tale.
The two of them then just laughed quietly, forgetting their previous annoyance.
Meanwhile, in silence, Lysha—seeing Al for the first time today—stared at the empty chair he had just occupied, thinking:
Al… that kid is unpredictable. Too mature for his age. Rebellious and hard to handle. Whether that's good or bad for this family… one thing's clear… he's gaudy.
And thus, breakfast in the seemingly harmonious family ended, with the appearance of the person who was supposed to be Al's fiancée.
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