Adrian sank into the leather seat as the car moved along the winding driveway. The estate seemed endless with rolling lawns, clusters of trees, and gardens so perfect they could have been painted. Fifty hectares, and somehow every corner looked carefully planned, from the twisting paths to the fountains sparkling in the sunlight.
As the car rounded the final curve, the mansion came into view. Pale, grand, and impossibly tall, it looked more like a palace than a house, with towering windows and balconies stretching across its façade.
This was the Kim's' ancestral home. Where his grandparents lived, along with every branch of the family. Every family member had their own private quarters here, a place they could stay whenever they wanted.
Adrian watched in silence as the car pulled up to the main entrance. He smoothed his outfit with his hands before stepping out, wearing his usual cheerful grin.
"Good day, everyone~"
"Greetings, Young Master Adrian," the servants intoned, lined up along the driveway, their expressions as solemn as if they were bowing to royalty.
"Tsk~ I'm not a prince, and I don't have royal blood. Why do you keep acting like this?" Adrian clicked his tongue and waved his hand, as if trying to shoo them away.
"Are the old geezers planning to overthrow democracy in South Korea and turn it into a monarchy with them as rulers or something?" he added with a sly smirk, his sarcasm clear in every word.
"Where are my grandparents? I need to speak with them," Adrian asked the head butler as he stepped inside.
"The old master is in the living room, and the old mistress is out. Would you like me to guide you there, Sir Adrian?" the head butler replied politely.
"No need." Adrian smiled and dismissed him. He knew this place better than most, it was practically his second home.
As he made his way down the corridor, footsteps approached from the opposite direction.
"Hello, brother~! Why did you come here so suddenly?" It was his younger brother, the third child. Jude Thaddeus Balthazar.
Unlike him and Sebastian, Jude was warm and good-natured. In many ways, he was the walking definition of impartiality, treating everyone calmly and fairly, never letting personal feelings get in the way.
He was also Llana's favorite brother, which only made Adrian feel bitter. Jude became the favorite without even trying, while he and his undead twin fought for Llana's affection.
"I'm looking for someone," Adrian said, smiling warmly at his brother this time. He hugged Jude tightly, then stepped back. 'I'm looking for that rat who came running here as if this place could keep him safe,' he thought, smirking to himself.
Jude narrowed his eyes and tilted his head slightly, studying Adrian as if trying to read every thought behind that mischievous grin. He knew his brother too well. Right now, Adrian's grin stretched wide, his eyes almost slits....a look Jude recognized instantly.
This was the expression Adrian wore when he was angry and in the verge of killing someone. Its Psychotic.
Jude's brow furrowed, worry flickering across his warm hazel eyes. He stepped closer, cupping Adrian's face and gently pulling it toward him. "Have you taken your medicine?"
Adrian's grin didn't falter, he didn't move away, "Hm. Of course," he said, his voice casual but measured.
"Reason," Jude said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. He took a step back, giving Adrian some space. He needed to know why his brother was acting like this.
Adrian exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair before answering. "JD… he tried to kill Llana And he tried to ruin her public image."
"He tried to kill her?" Jude's expression turned solemn. "Explain."
Jude knew JD had never liked his younger sister, he never understood why.
But taking things this far… attempting to murder a relative over something so petty is unreasonable no wonder his brother is seething in anger.
"He put avocado syrup in Llana's Juice on the day he was invited to judge the reality show she was participating in," Adrian said, his voice growing colder with every word. His hand clenched into a fist as he imagined what could have happened if Llana had actually drunk it.
Jude's expression darkened. Llana was severely allergic to avocado—even a small amount could kill her.
"Thankfully, I always have someone watching over Llana, and they swapped out the tumbler in time. I let him slide back then but this time, he tried again, using someone else to tarnish her image through the reality show she's participating in."
Jude's jaw tightened, and the room seemed to grow heavier. "Do you have evidence?"
JD needed to be punished, but not in the way Adrian wanted.
Taking matters into their own hands, like Adrian planned, wasn't the right approach. It wouldn't solve anything.
"…No." Adrian's eyes darkened. JD was too careful, he'd deleted security footage and used gloves.
"Sigh… Grandfather's here. Let's talk to him," Jude said, exhaling.
They made their way to the living room. The old man was sitting on the couch, calmly drinking his tea.
"Grandpa."
"Old geezer," Adrian greeted with his usual grin, his tone casual but the sharp glint in his eyes made it anything but friendly.
"Jude, Adrian." The old man looked up, greeting them warmly, though his eyes flicked with suspicion toward Adrian.
"What is it this time?" Old Kim asked, his voice tired as he turned to Adrian.
"JD… he's here, right?" Adrian's grin widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. They were sharp, cold, and calculating. "Bring him to me. I need to… settle something."
"…He's here. What do you want with your cousin?" Grandpa Kim asked, furrowing his brow, sensing the danger radiating from Adrian.
"Oh, he did something… that I can't just let slide," Adrian said smoothly, his voice low, almost a threat. "Time to pay back what he owes."
Jude told everything to their grandfather. Hearing it, Grandpa Kim's chest tightened. "That kid… he dares?!"
"Now you know. Bring him to me."
"NO. He's still your cousin. You can't endanger his life." Grandpa Kim's voice was firm, knowing Adrian well, and knows his methods.
"So he's allowed to attempt to murder Llana, but I'm not allowed to do the same to him?" Adrian's eyes burned red with fury at his grandfather's words. Jude quickly grabbed his arm, holding him in place as Adrian spoke coldly, "If you won't do it, I'll take him by force."
"Uncle Lee, bring JD here. Drag him out of his room," Jude said calmly to the security captain at his side.
The captain nodded without hesitation, not even looking toward the old man for approval.
Grandpa Kim froze, staring at Jude in disbelief. He thought Jude had finally lost his restraint and was siding with Adrian's ruthless methods. Adrian, on the other hand, was just as stunned as his brother is siding him.
"Grandpa, JD committed an unforgivable sin. He tried to kill Llana. He has malicious intent. A guy like him shouldn't live…" Jude said calmly.
"You!!! Do you hear what you're saying, Jude Thaddeus Balthazar?! You can't take a life just because he attempted yours! You two are not gods. I'm not favoring him. Punish him by the law but not by your hands!" Grandpa Kim barked before he can even finished.
"A guy like him shouldn't live… without punishment. I agree, Grandpa. But we have no evidence. If you won't allow Adrian his way, I have an alternative," Jude continued.
Grandfather Kim finally calmed down. Jude's proposed punishment was fairer than anything Adrian had planned, so without even asking the details, he agreed.
Soon after, the captain of the guards arrived, dragging JD along. He was still in his pajamas, screaming and struggling wildly.
"LET ME GO, YOU BASTARDS! HOW DARE YOU—!"
He tried to wrench himself free, but no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't break the guard's iron grip
"Silence," Jude spoke calmly. JD froze. He looked toward his grandfather with pleading eyes— but instead of defending him, the old man stepped forward and brought his cane down hard across JD's face making it bleed.
" G-grandpa..." JD felt his vision blurred from the impact.
YOU ANIMAL! I DON'T HAVE A GRANDCHILD LIKE YOU!" Grandfather Kim's voice trembled with fury. "From now on, you are cast out! You are no longer allowed to set foot in this house. You dared to try to kill your own blood?!"
Before he could strike again, Jude quickly stepped in, pulling his grandfather back.
"Grandpa," Jude said gently but firmly. "Please go back to your quarters. You're too emotional this isn't good for your health."
The old man trembled, then slowly nodded."…Alright. Alright."
He truly didn't have the strength to deal with this anymore. Besides, he trusted Jude to handle the matter fairly.
Once Grandfather Kim was escorted away by the caretaker, Jude's gaze returned to JD. In his eyes, anyone who tried to harm a family, or even thought to, was no longer one of them.
If he can't be punished by the law then he'll use family's rule.
"According to the family rules," he said calmly as he recited, "Rule One: Anyone who threatens the life of a direct descendant, directly or indirectly, will receive one hundred lashes on the back."
He continued, voice steady, "Rule Fifteen: Anyone who harbors malicious intent toward the direct line will be confined to the dark room for three days."
JD froze, his eyes widening as the words sank in. "W‑what…? One hundred lashes? Three days in the dark room…?!" His voice trembled, cracking under the weight of shock and fear.
"These punishments take effect immediately. Anyone who interferes will be punished alongside him… Uncle Lee, take him away," Jude said, his voice final and unwavering.
"No… this can't be… I—I didn't mean—HELP!" JD screamed, struggling against the guards, but their grip was unbreakable. His heart pounded, adrenaline and fear surging through him.
No one came to help. No one looked at him with worry or pity. Only cold, unflinching judgment.
Who had asked him to harm the being everyone cherished most?
"Brother, I hope that punishment is enough to calm your anger." Jude turned to his elder brother, who had been silent until now.
"For now," Adrian said, finally nodding, a hint of calm returning to his sharp gaze. "If he tries anything again… even you won't be able to save him."
"I know," Jude replied, nodding firmly.