It was dinner time. Using Lucien's memory, Ha Yunseo tried to navigate the large manor to locate the dining hall.
He curiously looked around, even though he had already seen the ins and outs of the large house from Lucien's memory. After all, nothing can really compare to the physical thing.
The servants who pass by slightly bow in acknowledgement and he fights the urge to also bow, as taught by his dad to show respect especially to elders.
He made sure to walk in measured steps, not too fast nor too slow. His back was straight and his chin up whenever he heard or spotted someone around.
Ha Yunseo has only ever seen western and european castles and houses on television and boy do they look more beautiful than the depictions.
Finally, he stepped into a big hall, a large dining table displayed in the middle of it and twenty chairs neatly arranged around it.
Ha Yunseo couldn't help but wonder why. It's only four of them in the family and it's not like they let their servants eat there. Even if a large gathering is held in their place or guests appear, it happens a few times and the visitors also rarely use it as they prefer hanging out in the garden or in the main hall.
Suddenly, he hears footsteps behind him. He doesn't have to turn around to know it was Lucien's mother. She walks like how Lucien does. Careful and measured steps, her heels clicking on the floor.
For a kid raised in a household where people take their shoes off at home, it felt uncomfortable for him to hear. Especially knowing that the shoes were probably used outside and they were bringing dirt for him to wipe—oh right, he was a rich man's son now. It would be the servants who cleans after them.
He turned around, displaying the usual smile Lucien would offer to his mother as he extended his hand.
When he saw her face, Ha Yunseo was stunned. She has completely dark hair, her fair complexion not hiding the natural blush on her cheeks coupled with her hazel eyes that greatly complement her features.
He has seen her face a thousand times from Lucien's memory but none can quite compare to the real thing in front of his eyes.
He blinked as Olivia Elowen, Lucien's mother... his mother now, put her hand on his offered hand. He slightly cleared his throat, grasping his mother's warm hands as he led her towards the chair on the right side of his father's supposed position—the head.
When Ha Yunseo finally settled down, Olivia pressed her hand against his forehead.
He blinked.
"Your brother has informed me you have fainted." She spoke up, her voice carrying a tone of concern.
Ha Yunseo fought the urge to shift. He felt... uncomfortable yet familiar with the touch. Lucien's mother usually does this whenever Lucien tells her he is not feeling well.
"I may have pushed myself too far." He could only say. The woman nodded, seemingly convinced as she retracted her hand before she waved to a nearby servant to bring the food.
"Are you preparing yourself for the Annual Bearing Ceremony?" She casually asked as she adjusted the slightly misaligned fork.
Ha Yunseo only nodded, trying to maintain the signature exclusive Lucien smile only reserved for his mother.
"You don't have to worry about it." She said, her tone light.
"Your brother bears the Glow and was recognised as a Markbearer. No one would dare to look down on us." She assured.
It wouldn't matter if he doesn't awaken any elements.
Olivia is a fractal. She was also a Glow bearer like Uriel, however, her Tether core is very small.
At best, she can only create a flicker of light for a few seconds before her Tether is exhausted. It was her very own crafted skill, but it wasn't recognised because people don't really deem it as a functional skill.
"Yes." He quietly says, not really knowing how to respond to it. If it were Lucien, he might act a little coquettishly, cheekily asking his mother for comfort before asking for money.
But Ha Yunseo wasn't comfortable to do it. He has already tried his best not to get away from the woman, a lost feeling coming back to him every time he stares at the woman's maternal smile.
Olivia immediately noticed. Thinking something was wrong, she gently reached for her son's hand and squeezed it gently.
"Don't worry, okay? You will do fine. I'm sure of it."
Their conversation was cut short as their food arrived.
Seeing the food, Ha Yunseo's eyes lit up, forgetting his dilemna a little while as he bare contained himself not to immediately pounce on the chicken as he waited for his mother to put food on her own plate.
His dad has always reminded him to let the elders take their own food first before grabbing his own.
"Do you not like the food?"
Ha Yunseo blinked. Oh... right.
"Mother, you can go ahead first." He grabbed the nearby tea, taking a sip.
He almost forgot. Lucien may act refined and elegant on the outside. But in front of his mother, he was just as shameless as the other children.
Olivia was a little taken aback but proceeded to put food on her own plate anyway. Seeing the woman started eating, Yunseo immediately started to fill his plate too.
He eagerly ate everything on his food, like a starved man. He can feel the woman silently nudging him, quietly chiding him but he only slowed down when he finally finished half of his plate.
Olivia watched her son, amused.
As Ha Yunseo felt the stare, Lucien's memories of how his mother took care of him resurfaces. The warmth, Lucien's laughter and his mother's smiles filling his brain and making him dizzy.
Ha Yunseo completely stopped, setting down his utensils.
Why does he feel... a little sad?
Ha Yunseo grew up without a mother.
For as long as he can remember, it was only just the three of them in their house—him, Nari and their dad. His mother was just a picture they put on their table and the grave the keep visiting before they celebrate their birthday.
His movements slowed down until he finally stopped eating, putting his fork down. Olivia stares at him, concerned.
"What's the matter, Lucy. Is the food not good?"
Ha Yunseo felt like crying.
"No..."
Olivia was about to speak more when he abruptly stood up.
"Excuse me, mother, I need to visit the restroom."
The woman only nodded, watching as his son walks away, seemingly in a hurry. She let out a sigh after the bits of his back completely disappeared from her view.
At the restroom, Ha Yunseo immediately locked himself. He felt suffocated. He felt uncomfortable. He's... lost.
Like every kid who has lost their mother, he also longed for his mother. He had always asked his dad why she left them early and his only answer was she was taken by an angel.
That his mother is in heaven and watching them.
He closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.
'Mother, are you watching right now?' He thought to himself. 'Please tell Nari and dad that I'm fine.'
Ha Yunseo stared up at the ceiling. Surely, his mother can still see him, right?
He clenched his fist, tears starting to well up in his eyes which he haphazardly wiped.
He's a 13. Soon to be the man of the house. He should not cry.
'How could he be so stupid? Putting aside his dad and Nari like that... he must return to his home before they really get worried. He knew how paranoid his dad could get.'
He'll find a way to come back to his own world.