Meanwhile, at Yi Seo's home, Zariel walked around. Admiring the house. While Yi Seo watched her walk here and there.
"Y'know, I didn't look closely before to see how beautiful your house is. It's really beautiful"
"Thank you" Yi Seo said.
Zariel walked around again with a hand on her chin. "How long have you been alive?" she questioned, still moving around.
"Two hundred years" she answered.
"No longer human, eh?" she chuckled. "Still how did you hide yourself from your son? He has met a lot of people in this world, how come he never met you?" she turned and faced her.
"I did well to hide myself"
"Sigh.... You're a bad person" she said and continued walking. "Just pray he doesn't hate you when he meets you. But I doubt he would"
Yi Seo lowered her eyes. That's her main fear. Being hated by her own son. "I heard he took a mistress" she tried changing the topic.
"Hmm... He loves her a lot to the point that he threatens my life sometimes. I should get a man soon, he's all grown up" she joked.
"General Park is still single" Yi Seo said.
"Who said I like him?" she snapped.
"Well he's the only demon around. And I remember when you use to watch him from your window everyday when he's training"
"Yah! That doesn't mean I like him!"
"I'm just saying" Yi Seo shrugged.
"You...." Zariel's words were cut off when they heard the beeping sound from the door. And then it opened. A tall man dressed in black suit walked in. He had faint red lips and slightly pale skin. He looked so young and innocent. Zariel starred. Who was this handsome human? He bowed at her, she blinked. And then he faced Yi Seo.
"Hi, mum" he said.
Mum?!
"You're back early"
"I just came to get some paintings. The director asked for mine" he said as he took strides upstairs.
"Oh... okay" she nodded, and faced dumbfounded Zariel.
"Who is he?" she questioned.
"He's my son" she simply said.
"You have a son?! You're married??" she exclaimed.
"No I'm not married, but he's my son"
"Adopted son, actually" he spoke as he came down the stairs. "Don't let my mother confuse you"
"Yeong Jun!" Yi Seo said.
"What? It's not like it'll stop me from being your son." He leaned down, kissed her cheek and then rushed to the door. "Love you, bye" and after bowing to Zariel, he dashed out.
"Gosh, that boy" Yi Seo chuckled.
"That human was adopted by you?" Zariel demanded.
"Human? How couldn't you see? He's no human?"
"What?"
"He's..half breed"
Zariel's eyes grew wide as saucepans. Her jaws dropped at the word she heard. "Half breed...." she breathed out and Yi Seo nodded. "So...you mean...young master's isn't the only half breed?"
"No" she answered. "I found Yeong Jun in his worse state. His family were killed, so I took him in. I felt taking care of him would be as caring for Yun Shin. But I feel guilty because all the love I showed him....I never showed to my son" she bit her lips "That's another reason why I can't face him"
"Oh dear Lord, I'm going crazy" Zariel massaged her temples dramatically "So...should I help you spill the beans? Because my mouth's itching to"
"You can't. We'll meet... eventually" she lowered her eyes, biting the insides of her lips. She imagined what that day would be like. Would he resent her?
*...*...*...*...*
Zayden had been overly excited since the previous day. Dancing about in his room and grinning like a lovesick fool. The gist got to Layana, and in wonder, she strolled to his quarters. Pushing the doors open and being welcomed by loud music and her brother dancing around. She exhaled and walked to the home theatre, turning off the music.
Zayden stopped and looked her way. "Yana!" he beamed with a wide grin "My sweet sister. Come here" he said, trapping her in a tight hug.
"Leave me. What are you so happy about?" she snapped.
"You won't believe it. She said she loves me too" Zayden replied, still holding her tightly.
"Eh?! She loves you?!"
"Yes. Oh Yana, I'm so happy"
With a frown, she pulled him away from her "Did you tell her what you are?" she asked, causing his wide grin to fade.
"No" he answered.
"So why are you rejoicing? She doesn't love you but the imposter you became" she told him.
"Does it matter?"
"Yes. What happens when you eventually open up to her? Are you sure she'll accept you?" he didn't speak. Only gazing at the floor with his fingers moving in his hair. "You'll get heartbroken in the end, brother"
"Ah... don't say that. Everything is under control." He grabbed her by her shoulders "Will you have lunch with me? Let's celebrate"
"Really?" she beamed, mainly because her brother was going to have her time now.
"Yes, yes. I'll be best brother today. Even better than Ryan"
"Hmph! You can't be better than brother Ryan. If brother Ryan was here, he would definitely not forget me because he got a girlfriend" she boasted.
"Sigh....you're so clueless, Yana. Let's go" he pulled her out, an arm around her shoulders while she smiled silly. They arrived the large dining hall after the maids served their dish. Everyone left but one stayed, arranging the dish on the table. She bowed when she saw them, lowering her head and moving away.
While Layana was happy and excitedly sat at the table, Zayden had a frown on his face. "Who are you?" he questioned the maid. "I have never seen you here"
"I'm new here, your highness. My name is Geum Ga-eul " she answered.
Zayden's eyes scanned her up and down, he felt strange. Like something was off. Still, he sat at the table. Just when Layana was about to eat, he held her hand to stop her.
"Taste it" he ordered the maid.
"Pardon?" she said in shock.
"I said taste it"
"Y-your highness, the food has already been tasted" she stuttered. Zayden looked at her, eyes burning with red flames and she nodded in agreement. Walking forward, she dished the foods into a plate. Her heart banged fiercely against her chest. Goosebumps crawled up her skin, her breathing ragged, but still she ate the food.
"It's okay, your highness" she told him. Bowed as a sign that she wanted to leave.
"It wasn't so hard, was it?" Zayden asked to stall time.
"Yes"
"How does it taste?"
"Brother, what is this?" Layana question but got ignored.
"I-it taste good, your highness" Zayden dispersed her and she made her way to the door, trying not to act like she was in a hurry. However....she began to cough. Her throat felt tight. Her stomach twisted in pain. She held tried enduring until she was out of the hall, but the door seemed too farther away. Blood filled her mouth and they gushed out. The pain in her stomach brought her down to the floor. Her eyes blurry, she could barely see.
"It was poisoned?!" Layana exclaimed, her eyes darting from the maid to furious Zayden who tried to stay calm.
"How great to spoil my day" he just said and stood. "Let's have lunch another time" and just like he was out.