Within the sun-drenched, peaceful walls of the Ruo Han residence, the main dining hall of the mansion was suffocating under shroud of unspoken tension.
The family was seated around the long, polished table for dinner. Riosuka sat with elegance beside her husband, her eyes occasionally darting nervously toward her children. On the opposite side, Karas sat closely to his younger sister Riru.
Aunt Mei had come for an unexpected visit and was seated at the far end of the table. Ever since the day Karas had ruthlessly scalded her hand with boiling water, she had harbored a deep resentment for her nephew.
She sat stiffly in her seat,unable to look Karas in the eye, her fingers twitching nervously against her linen napkin.
The soft clink of porcelain echoed as Karas quietly set his teacup down into its saucer.
"Pardon my manner-"
