"Laris, I think it's time for you to go to sleep," Kassandra said.
"But, Baby—"
"No buts."
Kassandra pointed toward the bedroom.
"March."
Larissa pouted dramatically.
"You've become so bossy."
"And you're drunk."
"Fair point."
A few moments later, Larissa finally stumbled toward her room.
"Goodnight, Baby."
"Goodnight."
Kassandra waited until she disappeared before shaking her head.
Humans were exhausting.
Meanwhile, at Ryan's mansion...
"What are you doing here?"
Ryan stopped in his tracks when he saw a man lounging comfortably on his couch.
The man looked almost identical to him.
The only difference was the playful grin on his face.
"What do you mean, what am I doing here?"
The young man sat up.
"I'm here to visit my dear brother."
He placed a hand on his chest dramatically.
"Or is it now a crime for a younger brother to miss his twin?"
"Shut up, Santiago."
"See?"
Santiago sighed.
"This is why nobody likes you."
Ryan ignored him and walked toward his desk.
"What do you want?"
"That's rude."
Santiago crossed his legs.
"I came all the way from the Vampire Realm."
"No welcome."
"No hug."
"No brotherly affection."
Ryan didn't even look up.
"Get to the point."
Santiago clicked his tongue.
"No wonder you've never had a girlfriend."
Ryan's pen paused.
"You talk too much."
"That's because you don't talk enough."
Santiago stood up and looked around.
Then he frowned.
"Wait."
"Where are the maids?"
"I sent them home."
"What?"
Santiago looked horrified.
"Then who's going to cook?"
Ryan finally looked up.
"The kitchen is over there."
Santiago followed his gaze.
Then looked back.
"Brother."
"Yes?"
"I don't know how to cook."
"Then order food."
Santiago stared at him.
"You would really let your own twin brother starve?"
Ryan returned his attention to his documents.
"Yes."
The answer came without hesitation.
Santiago placed a hand over his heart.
"You wound me."
Ryan ignored him.
Santiago immediately ran after him.
"Brother!"
"No."
"I haven't even asked yet!"
"The answer is still no."
"Come on!"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"I'll tell Mother."
Ryan stopped walking.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
Santiago immediately took three steps back.
"Just kidding."
Ryan narrowed his eyes.
"You have five minutes."
"To do what?"
"Leave."
Santiago gasped.
"Heartless."
"Cold."
"Unreasonable."
"How are we even related?"
Ryan finally looked at him.
"We're twins."
Santiago sighed.
"Unfortunately."
"Hmm."
Santiago took another bite of food.
His eyes lit up.
"Now I understand why humans are obsessed with food."
Ryan didn't look up from his documents.
"If you're done eating, start talking."
Santiago rolled his eyes.
"You're no fun."
Ryan remained silent.
Knowing his brother's patience was running out, Santiago finally got serious.
"Mother sent me here."
Ryan's hand paused briefly.
"For what?"
Santiago leaned back in his chair.
"Phoenix."
Ryan frowned.
"The Prime Minister's daughter?"
"Who else?"
Santiago nodded.
"She disappeared three years ago."
"The entire kingdom has been searching for her."
"Mother recently received information that she might be somewhere in the human world."
Ryan wasn't interested.
"So?"
"So?"
Santiago nearly choked.
"Brother, we're talking about Phoenix."
"The most talented woman in our generation."
"The girl who could control fire, water, rain, moonlight, and even the stars before she was old enough to attend the Royal Academy."
Ryan continued reading.
"Still not seeing the problem."
Santiago sighed.
"Of course you don't."
"Everyone in the kingdom knows her."
"The beautiful daughter of the Prime Minister."
"The future Crown Princess."
"Mom and dad wants you to marry."
Ryan slowly looked up.
The temperature in the room dropped.
Santiago immediately raised both hands.
"Hey, don't look at me like that."
"I didn't make the decision."
Ryan's expression darkened.
"I'm not marrying anyone."
"Tell that to Mother."
Santiago smirked.
"She still thinks you'll change your mind once Phoenix is found."
Ryan returned his attention to his work.
"Then she can keep thinking."
Santiago laughed.
"That's exactly what I told her."
Ryan ignored him.
After a moment, Santiago suddenly leaned forward.
"By the way..."
Ryan already knew he wasn't going to like the next question.
"What?"
Santiago grinned.
"I heard you have a female assistant."
Ryan's pen stopped moving.
Only for a second.
But Santiago noticed.
And smiled wider.
"Interesting."
Ryan slowly lifted his head.
"Santiago."
"Yes?"
"Leave."
"I'm staying the night."
"Santiago."
"I'm staying."
Ryan closed his eyes.
For the first time all day, he regretted having a twin brother.
"Baby."
Larissa's sleepy voice came from behind.
Kassandra turned around.
"You're awake."
"How are you feeling?"
"Are you okay now?"
Larissa smiled.
"I'm fine."
"Sorry for worrying you."
Kassandra let out a small sigh of relief.
"I'm glad you're okay."
"Now go freshen up."
"Breakfast is ready."
A few minutes later, Larissa walked into the dining area.
She stared at the food on the table.
Then at Kassandra.
Then back at the food.
"Baby..."
"Don't tell me you made all this."
Kassandra shook her head.
"I ordered it."
"Oh."
Larissa visibly relaxed.
"I was about to ask if you suddenly woke up with a chef's talent."
Kassandra frowned.
"You can't blame me."
"I've barely entered a kitchen before."
Larissa paused.
"What?"
Kassandra immediately realized what she had said.
"I mean..."
"Except since moving here."
Larissa narrowed her eyes.
"Are you serious?"
Kassandra quickly grabbed her bag.
"Ah!"
She looked at the clock.
"I'm late for work!"
"What?"
Before Larissa could say anything else, Kassandra rushed toward the door.
"Bye, Baby!"
The door slammed shut.
Silence.
Larissa stood there for a moment.
Then slowly looked at the breakfast table.
"What did she mean she's barely entered a kitchen before?"
Larissa frowned.
"How rich was this girl before I met her?"
Meanwhile, outside the apartment building, Kassandra was already running toward the road.
"Damn it."
"That was close."
Little Flame laughed inside her mind.
"You almost exposed yourself again, Princess."
"Not helping."
Kassandra groaned.
"Humans ask too many questions."