Llana sat by the window in a cozy café near JYP, absorbed in a book. The café was tranquil, with only a few patrons quietly enjoying their drinks. She didn't bother ordering anything; her brothers would be here soon, and they always took care of that for her. It was one of their "quirk" ordering her favorite milk tea in perfect unison, which meant she always ended up with two.
As if on cue, the door swung open, and two tall, striking figures entered. Both stood at an impressive 6'2", both sharing an unmistakable resemblance, they look exactly the same if not for the different personalities no one will tell who is whom. They are an example of the metaphor' two sides of the same coin.' They shared the same appearance but contrasted sharply in personality. One was like the sun, radiating warmth and cheerfulness, while the other was like the moon, exuding a cool, distant calm. These were her brothers, twins Adrian and Sebastian
Adrian was the first to approach, his white shirt neatly tucked into his trousers, his demeanor warm and inviting. His smile was as bright as ever as he wrapped Llana in a tight hug. "My lovely princess, I missed you!" He exclaimed, squealing like a girl seeing her crush walking towards her.
"I missed you too, my White Knight," Llana replied, smiling as she hugged him back. Adrian was always the first to express his feelings, his enthusiasm infectious.
Sebastian, standing beside the two, dressed in buttoned long black sleeves rolled up to his elbows and tucked into black slacks, felt far from the same. As he took a step back, wanting to distance himself from his twin, his nonchalant expression cracked ever so slightly at the sight of the fool standing next to him.
Sebastian couldn't stand being near his twin, especially when he acted like that, like a nymph while wearing the same face. The very sight made his stomach turn with disgust.
He fought the urge to tear his brother's face apart and feed it to the dogs as punishmen--discipline. Yes, discipline.
Easily the gentlest option among the hundred ways he knew how to discipline someone.
After all, it was better to die of rabies than to die by his hand.
Noticing the two had no intention of ending their embrace, Sebastian, exuding his usual cold aura, finally stepped in.
He broke them apart and roughly pulled Adrian aside, enveloping Llana in his own embrace and pressing a kiss to her temple. "I missed you, my dearest princess."
"Hey! Why are you so rude?! I almost face-planted into the table you yanked me so hard!" Adrian complained, rubbing his arm where Sebastian had grabbed him, his voice thick with grievance.
Why does he have to suffer from having an undead twin?! Seeing that stiff as ice face of his makes him repulsive.
"Can't the two of you pretend you are on good terms in front of me, just once, please? Even kids act more mature than the two of you"
Llana broke the hug and rolled her eyes at them feeling helpless at the two. They always fight and argue whenever they meet.
"It's this ice cube's fault. Anyway, it seems like you're late today," Adrian quipped, smirking arrogantly at his twin.
"I wouldn't be if someone hadn't shoved me out of the entrance," Sebastian retorted coolly.
Llana chuckled helplessly, "You're both on time as usual, stop arguing."
The brothers exchanged one last glare before turning to the counter.
"Salted caramel with whipped cream on top," they ordered in unison. They snapped glaring at one another.
"I ordered first," Adrian insisted.
"I said it first," Sebastian countered.
They glared at each other again, prompting Llana to sigh, feeling as though she was watching her two big children.
"We'll take two," Llana smiles, her eyes turning into crescents as she looks at the barista who was trying hard to stifle his laughter.
"Is there anything else to add, customers?" the barista asked, regaining his composure.
"One Americano and two mocha cupcakes," Sebastian added.
"One espresso and four muffins," Adrian chimed in with a smile.
As they waited for their order, Sebastian turned to Llana, "How's our princess doing? I hope no one's mistreating you," he asked, sipping his Americano.
"Pfft~"
Adrian couldn't hold back a laugh at his brother who is trying to act nonchalant.
"Something funny, Adrian?" Sebastian's eyes narrowed.
"Hahaha, you're just hilarious, acting like you don't know everything about Llana when you're practically stalking her every move," Adrian teased, a smirk playing on his lips.
"I am not stalking my sister. I'm merely guarding her, ensuring she's safe from harm," Sebastian responded defensively.
"Yeah, by hiring an elite agent to guard her from afar and buying shares in the company she's under," Adrian smirked, leaning back in his chair.
"Heh, at least I do something to protect my sister, unlike someone I know," Sebastian shot back.
Adrian's expression grew smug as he leaned forward. "What do you mean? I sent Uncle Joon to be by her side. He's literally the best retired assassin—the feared demon of the underworld."
"Exactly! He's an assassin! What makes you think he won't stab you in the back? You're risking Llana's safety," Sebastian rebutted.
"Assassins might be cold-hearted killers, but they're loyal to a fault. I saved Joon's dying ass once; he owes me his life and vowed his loyalty."
"You trust him just for a fu—"
"Brother, language!" Llana interrupted before Sebastian could finish his curse.
Sebastian took a breath, calming himself. "Sorry... As I was saying, you trust an assassin—"
"Retired. Sorry, please continue," Adrian interrupted before wisely closing his mouth, blinking his eyes innocently at Sebastian, who was looking at him darkly, as if saying continue if you don't want to live any longer.
Sebastian glared at him, annoyed as He hated being interrupted, especially during serious conversations. Only a few people ever got a pass on that: their parents and Llana. "I won't tolerate any more interruptions, Adrian. As I was saying, Assassins are cunning and selfish. They only see value over loyalty. You're walking into hellfire trusting an assassin, retired or not."
Llana felt utterly helpless in front of these two sis-cons; she felt like giving them the best deadpan expression she could muster.
They were discussing her as if she weren't even here. Now she understood why the former Llana had loved them so much, yet also avoided them whenever possible. They were always bickering, always playing knights for a girl in distress—which, unfortunately for her, was her.
Watching them, she could see how exhausting it must have been for the former Llana, already worn down by sickness, to endure this constant chaos.
Sigh~
Llana exhaled softly, her temples beginning to throb. She sighed deciding to interject before things escalated further.
"Is it really wise to discuss this in public?" she asked quietly, eyes scanning the café. "Anyone could be listening."
Adrian chuckled. "This is my turf. Everyone here works for me."
Llana's eyes widened in surprise, and she thought to herself, 'This is his turf? Then why didn't they tell me earlier? I wouldn't have had to pay for my drinks!'
"You're underestimating the risk, Adrian. This isn't a game."
Adrian leaned closer and whispered mysteriously. "You don't have to worry, brother Sebby. Do you really think I'd fall for a breakable vow? Abyss."
Sebastian's eyes widened in realization. "Abyss?"
Llana raised an eyebrow, noticing the shift in her brothers' demeanor.
"Huh? What are whispering about now?"
"Nothing, love. Just my company," Adrian said, smiling warmly at her.
"Your company?…" Llana tilted her head. She remembered that Adrian had started his own independent company three years ago, which had quickly become one of the top weapon manufacturers in the nation.
"Hm. By the way, don't call me Sebby," Sebastian added, nodding to her. Though his words were casual, they weren't entirely truthful. Adrian did own a company named Abyss, known for its involvement in weapon manufacturing, but the Abyss he referred to this time wasn't something Llana could ever know about. It was darker, far more dangerous, and her brothers had no intention of exposing her to that side of the world.
Llana nodded, choosing not to question further. She sensed there was more to the story, but decided not to press the issue. She trusted her brothers.