(Dining Table)
Warm light from the chandelier spilled over the long polished table, making the neatly arranged dishes glow softly beneath it. Steam rose from bowls of soup and freshly served food, while the scent of home-cooked meals softened the atmosphere.
The servants moved quietly in the background, refilling glasses and replacing empty side dishes without disturbing the family's conversation. The faint clinking of cutlery and porcelain filled the space, gentle and familiar.
Anthony sat at the head of the table, dignified and composed as always. Jaena sat beside him, elegant even while placing food onto her children's plates. Dolores sat quietly besides Jude, still a little stiff despite the warmth around her. Llana sat between Adrian and Sebastian, just as she always did whenever the whole family gathered. Adrian looked much livelier now, leaning slightly toward her as if he had been deprived of her presence for years despite of only a few day.
Sebastian, on the other hand, quietly added more food to Llana's plate, his movements calm and natural.
"Eat more," he said gently. "You look thinner."
"I'm not," Llana replied, though she still accepted the food without complaint.
"You are," Adrian quickly agreed, frowning as he looked at her face. "Are you really eating?"
Llana laughed lightly. "Of course. I'll die without food. I'm not a plant."
Her official debut was approaching, both as a solo artist and as a member of TWICE. Everything about her would be scrutinized. Her body, her health, her image, even the smallest change in her appearance.
She had neither gained nor lost weight, but that did not mean she could relax. She could not risk disappointing her fans with a performance that fell short because of a sudden shift in her condition.
"By the way, congratulations again, darling," Jaena said with a small, apologetic smile. "I'm sorry your father and I couldn't attend. You know our identities are too complicated."
A hint of regret lingered in her voice. As a mother, she had wanted to see her daughter perform with her own eyes.
"It's okay, Mom. I understand," Llana replied gently. "And I also prefer everyone to remain hidden."
Their family background was far too high profile. If people found out who they were, the internet would explode. Worse, it might even cast doubt on her debut.
Jaena smiled softly before turning to Dolores, who had been quiet the entire time.
"Dolores, how are you, darling?" she asked, casually placing more food onto her children's plates. "Does Maria know you followed Llana here?"
"Ugh… y-yes, Aunt," Dolores answered shyly.
She had known the Kim family since she remember, yet their presence still made her nervous. Even though they treated her kindly and cared for her like their own, she could not help but feel tense sitting with them like this everytime. They just way out of her league. It's like heaven and earth.
"Don't you have classes?" Anthony asked.
"U-um, no, Uncle. We're already on break," Dolores replied politely.
Anthony nodded once. "Do you not want to transfer here instead?"
Dolores hesitated, her fingers tightening slightly around her utensils. "I really want to, Uncle, but I haven't asked Mama and Papa yet."
Jaena glanced at her before speaking, her voice gentle.
"Llana will be very busy soon and may not be able to accompany you all the time," she said. "You might feel lonely here without anyone with you. It may be better not to rush your decision."
Dolores lowered her gaze, quietly considering her words.
Anthony then turned to Llana. "How is your album, honey?"
Llana swallowed her food before answering. "The physical copies are still under production. It should be released in about a month."
Anthony nodded, then shifted his attention again.
"What about your company, Sebastian? I heard you landed a big deal with a company from China."
Sebastian looked up and answered calmly, briefly explaining the progress of his recent project.
After that, Anthony turned to Jude. The conversation flowed smoothly between them, moving easily from one topic to another.
Adrian on the other hand stayed quiet. His grip on his cutlery tightened slightly as he lowered his gaze. The faint clink of metal against porcelain was swallowed by the conversation, unnoticed by everyone.
He felt ridiculous for even waiting to be noticed. His stomach twisted uncomfortably with jealousy.
A bitter feeling followed before he could stop.
Who was he kidding? When had his father ever truly paid attention to him?
He was only noticed when he did something wrong.
"I heard on the news that the government signed another agreement with Abyss," Llana suddenly said. "Congrats, Brother Adrian."
Llana's voice cut through his thoughts, light and warm, as if she had simply slipped into the conversation without effort.
For a moment, everything else seemed to fade.
He had always been second to everyone, the one left behind, the one no one thought to look at twice. No matter how hard he tried, no matter what he did, he was always just… there. Unnoticed.
Except by one person.
Llana.
The thought hit him harder than he expected, tightening something in his chest.
Adrian swallowed the lump in his throat and blinked away the sting in his eyes, forcing it back before it could show.
By the time he lifted his head, the mask was already in place, his usual cheerful smile slipping on like second nature.
"Thanks, love."
"Llana."
Anthony's voice broke the brief silence.
She looked up right away. "Yes, Dad?"
"You'll need to clear three hours in your schedule starting tomorrow," he said, setting his cup down neatly. "You're starting self-defense training."
Everyone visible paused.
Llana blinked. "Self-defense?"
"Yes." His tone stayed calm. "Your debut is coming up. More exposure means more risks. I won't have you unprepared."
He paused for a moment, then added, his voice a little lower, "There have been consecutive murders recently, possibly from an opposing party. Two of the victims are connected to the Kim family. You can't rely on your bodyguards all the time."
The weight of his words settled over everyone.
Llana stilled, her fingers lightly resting on her utensils as she processed it. He wasn't wrong. She couldn't always depend on others to protect her. There would be times when no one would be there.
And her background was far from simple. If her family had enemies—which was inevitable—then she could easily become a target. Someone they could use to get to them.
"…Alright," she said after a short pause, giving a small nod.
Jaena glanced at her, concern flickering in her eyes. "Three hours might be too much with her current schedule. You know her health isn't that great yet. She's still recovering."
Llana almost smiled to herself. 'I might not even have time to sleep after this.'
This brief break was probably the last bit of rest she would get. After this, she'd be juggling her time between TWICE and her solo work, with barely any room to breathe.
"She'll manage," Anthony said simply.
Llana gave a small nod, though she winced slightly. '…Probably.'