His tone was calm as always, but this time, there was the slightest pause before he spoke.
His sister leaned forward with a grin. "You're late."
Kaius glanced at her, one brow lifting faintly. "You're early."
She scoffed. "It's called being responsible."
A quiet huff of amusement escaped him. His mother caught it.
Her smile softened.
"Come, sit," she said, gesturing beside her.
Kaius moved to the table, pulling out his chair. As he sat, his mother instinctively reached out—as if to adjust his collar—then stopped just short.
The movement was subtle.
But Kaius noticed.
His gaze flickered to her hand for a second… before he gently adjusted the collar himself.
"I'm fine," he said quietly.
Not dismissive.
Just… aware.
She nodded, masking it with a smile.
○~☆"
Dinner began smoothly.
His sister filled the silence easily, talking about something trivial, dragging their mother into it.
His father listened more than he spoke, occasionally adding a dry comment that earned a laugh.
Kaius didn't say much—but he wasn't distant.
He listened.
Once or twice, he responded.
Kaius chose the seat at the far end of the table. It gave him space.
His mother noticed, but said nothing. It had always been like that.
His sister— Kimberly however, didn't.
She leaned forward slightly from her side, studying him with narrowed eyes.
"You've been quiet."
Kaius didn't look up immediately. He finished cutting a piece of his food before responding.
"You've been talking enough for both of us."
She scoffed.
"Wow. And here I thought family dinners were supposed to bring people closer."
"They do," Kaius replied dryly.
"Unfortunately."
His father let out a low chuckle while their mother shook her head in amusement.
"You should stop bullying your sister," Ximena Blackwood said.
"She started it," Kaius answered smoothly.
His sister gasped softly, placing a hand against her chest.
"Mother, did you hear that? He's framing me now."
"For once in your life, try acting mature. You're 24 and married," Kaius said.
She rolled her eyes, then immediately straightened her posture elegantly.
"Like this?"
Kaius finally looked at her properly before nodding once. "No. That looked painful."
A burst of laughter escaped their mother while even his father's stern expression softened slightly.
"It's good to see you like this," she murmured, almost to herself.
Kaius stilled for a fraction of a second.
Then continued eating.
Halfway through the meal, his mother set her cutlery down.
"Kaius."
He looked up.
Her expression had changed—still gentle, but more deliberate now.
"You're not getting any younger."
Kym immediately smirked. "Here we go."
His father didn't interrupt.
Kaius leaned back slightly in his chair, fingers resting lightly against the table.
"We've given you time," his mother continued. "But you should start thinking about marriage."
"You've avoided it long enough. Life doesn't wait forever, Kaius."
Silence settled.
Kaius didn't answer immediately.
His gaze drifted briefly—to his mother, then his father… then back to the table.
There was no visible discomfort.
But his fingers stilled briefly against the table.
"I will."he said after a brief pause.
Simple.
Calm.
But this time, he didn't sound indifferent.
He sounded… sure.
That was what made his sister pause.
"…Wait," she said, sitting up. "That's it? No argument? No cold rejection?"
Kaius picked up his glass, taking a slow sip.
"You asked a question," he said, setting it down. "I answered."
"That's suspicious."
Her eyes widened for a second
" Is it that girl...?"
Kaius's gaze flickered briefly before settling back on his glass.
"You overthink."
His father let out a quiet chuckle at that.
Their mother, however, was watching him more closely now.
Not because of what he said—but because of what he didn't.