"Be careful on your way to school," Kaye said as she kissed her daughter on the cheeks.
"We will, Mom," Jinny replied.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'm always a good driver," Thane added with a confident smile.
Kaye smiled warmly as she watched her children climb into the car.
"See you later, Mom!" Jinny called, waving through the window.
Kaye stood by the gates of the mansion, her smile lingering as the car disappeared down the long driveway.
On the way to school, Jinny sat in the passenger seat while Thane drove. Every day, they went to the academy together. Thane helped his father manage the academy, while Jinny attended as a student. At school, Thane always kept an eye on her, which gave Kaye peace of mind.
"Did Ran talk to you already?" Thane suddenly asked, his eyes still fixed on the road.
Jinny gulped.
Back in the Serolf Empire, Ran had treated her differently—he had been protective, attentive, almost gentle. But now that they were home, he had returned to being distant and cold.
"Why are you asking all of a sudden?" Jinny replied carefully.
"Well, he was protective and nice to you back in the Empire," Thane said. "Now he's ignoring you again. It's confusing. Did you two fight?"
Jinny forced a small laugh. "Come on, Ran has always been like that. He was only acting that way because Mom would've been furious if I got hurt. He just did what he thought was right. Now that we're back, he's returned to his usual self. It's normal."
She looked out the window.
"He was ignoring me long before we ever went to the Empire, remember? So I'm used to it. I'm fine with him going back to acting like I don't exist."
"Is that so?" Thane murmured. "I thought the two of you were finally becoming friends. I had high hopes."
He sighed. "Our other brothers are already cold toward you. I don't understand it. It's not your fault our parents brought you into this family. Why put all the hate on you?"
Jinny's smile wavered, but she kept her voice steady. "I'm fine. I understand how they feel. As long as Mom loves me—and you're kind to me—that's all that matters."
Thane's expression softened. He reached over and gently pinched her cheek. "You're too good for them."
He turned his attention fully back to the road, and the rest of the drive passed in comfortable silence until they arrived at the academy gates.
.
.
.
At the Fuentebella Headquarters…
"Ahh, I'm bored," Harusheen muttered, exhaling a cloud of smoke into the morning air.
The brothers had gathered on the rooftop, cigarettes in hand, passing time while waiting for something—anything—to happen.
"Still no orders from the higher-ups?" Imman asked, leaning against the railing.
"They only told us to rest," Rin replied, his thumbs moving swiftly as he typed on his phone.
Harusheen clicked his tongue. "So, where should we hang out today?"
"I know a newly opened club," Ran suggested casually. "Want to check it out?"
"Nah. Not in the mood to party." Harusheen took another drag from his cigarette, eyes half-lidded in boredom.
Tohru stared at the city skyline stretching endlessly before them. "I wonder how the others are doing."
Shuu suddenly smirked and glanced at Ran. "I'm more curious about you. Why did you suddenly start ignoring your dear sister?"
Ran raised a brow. "Dear sister? I only have one sister."
Shuu chuckled. "Really? Because I clearly remember how nicely you treated Jinny back in the Serolf Empire. And now that we're back, you two don't even talk. Lovers' quarrel, perhaps?"
Ran shot him a sharp glare. "Shut up. I only did that because I didn't want to get scolded by our parents. Besides, we're finally back. Why would I still need her sticking around me? I have my own life."
The others simply shrugged, not entirely convinced.
"Anyway," Tohru cut in, "do you think Matias would be interested in becoming Uncle Mikhail's heir?"
Rin looked up from his phone. "Now that you mention it… the atmosphere between Maikell and Matias has been tense lately. You can practically feel it. I think Maikell's wary. Now that Matias is here with us, there's a real possibility that the position of next boss could be handed to him—simply because he's the eldest."
"That wouldn't be fair," Tohru said firmly.
"Exactly," Harusheen agreed. "Maikell's the one they've trained since he was young. Besides, Matias already became an emperor in his own world. Why would he take a position that was meant for his younger brother here?"
"I don't think he's that kind of person," Imman said quietly. "Let's just hope it doesn't create conflict between them."
The brothers nodded in agreement.
Ran flicked his cigarette to the ground and crushed it beneath his shoe.
"Whatever happens," he said coldly, "my support will always be with Maikell."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and began walking toward the stairwell.
"Where are you going?" Harusheen called after him.
"Going for a stroll. It's fucking boring here." Ran lifted a hand in a lazy wave, not bothering to glance back.
After a moment of silence, Tohru looked at the others. "Wanna play billiards?"
The brothers exchanged glances.
.
.
Ran strolled down the street, his eyes drifting over the colorful displays of street food at every stall. The words his brother had said earlier lingered in his mind. He shook his head—he shouldn't care anymore.
As he walked, a teenage boy approached him.
"Hi! Wanna buy some roses for your girlfriend?" the boy asked, holding out a basket of roses.
Ran glanced at the flowers.
"No thanks. I don't have a girlfriend." He waved the boy off and kept walking.
The boy scratched his head and wandered away.
Out of nowhere, Shuu appeared, draping an arm casually over Ran's shoulders.
"Rose for you," Shuu said, grinning as he held up a single bloom.
"Put that away," Ran replied calmly, ignoring him as he continued to observe the street around him.
Shuu shrugged and tossed the rose aside. "Okay, fine."
He paused, studying Ran carefully. "Seems like something's bothering you. Care to share?"
"Why would I?" Ran said, his tone flat. "You'd just gossip to the others. And besides, nothing's bothering me."
"C'mon, I know you," Shuu said, leaning in slightly. "And I promised—I won't tell anyone."
"I already told you. It's nothing. I'm just bored," Ran replied, eyes forward.
Shuu hummed thoughtfully. "Hmm… okay. Fine. But…"
Ran stopped at the entrance of an arcade.
"Thane told me some guy's been lurking around Jinny," Shuu said, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Guess she's already got an admirer. I wonder what he looks like."
Ran shot him a glance, brow furrowed.
"Curious?" Shuu smirked.
Ran's lips twisted into a small smirk. "I don't fucking care," he said, then pushed open the arcade doors and stepped inside.
Shuu pouted, a hint of disappointment on his face. His little trick—to make Ran jealous by claiming Jinny had an admirer—had failed. There was no sign of jealousy on him.
"Well, I guess my suspicion was wrong," Shuu muttered, shrugging.
But a sly grin slowly spread across his face. "If he won't do it, then I will."
With that, he followed Ran into the arcade.