Morning arrived with a gentle breeze and the rich aroma of coffee drifting from the main dining hall.
It was Tuesday, and for the first time in weeks, Harun, the head butler, knocked politely on Al’s bedroom door.
"Young Master Al, the family has requested your presence for breakfast this morning."
A few minutes later, Al appeared in the dining room, his hair still slightly messy but his expression calm as usual.
The rest of the family was already seated in their respective spots. Aurielle was reading a report on her tablet. Sarah was using a silver spoon to check her reflection. Lysha was absorbed in her phone.
Edward, the father, spoke up first.
"Al... David told me you actually enrolled at HIHS?"
Al sat down, pouring tea into his cup.
"Yes, Father. Didn’t I already mention that before?"
His tone was flat. But somehow, his answer made Edward seem annoyed... although he quickly masked it with a thin smile.
"Hm... Forgive me. I didn’t believe it back then. But I heard you got a scholarship from the Alasia Group Foundation?"
"Yes. It’s a scholarship for selected orphans. I suppose I was lucky enough to be chosen."
Edward let out a long sigh—relieved. Perhaps because Al wouldn’t be a "burden," or maybe because his status could now be leveraged for business purposes.
"Told you," Sarah scoffed, flipping her hair. "No way an orphan gets into an elite school without pure luck."
Al chuckled inwardly.
When did she ever say that?
His gaze then happened to catch David sitting beside Nayala. Their aura was close and cozy, like always. David looked rather cheerful, while Nayala gave a nervous smile as she sipped her juice.
And Al... decided to have a little fun.
"Father," he said casually. "Is it allowed in this house for minors to engage in... hmm... more adult activities?"
The entire table froze. Forks stopped midair. Vianna nearly dropped her spoon.
David choked, coughing violently as if trying to eject his lungs.
Nayala panicked, her eyes darting to Al in absolute shock.
The expressions around the table turned sharp. Almost everyone assumed Al was asking permission to do something inappropriate.
Aurielle: "What do you mean by that, Al?!"
Sarah: "Oh my God... you still haven’t dropped that lewd— I mean, wild streak of yours?!"
Vianna: "You don’t even have a girlfriend, do you?"
Lysha: "Al... your question is... sudden?"
Edward: "Al... explain yourself!"
Al blinked at them all, confused.
"I-I was just asking. I didn’t mean anything by it!"
In his mind, he was just having some harmless fun making David squirm. But instead... the backlash turned toward him.
David looked down, his face still flushed. Anxiety started to rise in his chest:
Did Al... see me and Nayala last night?
But he quickly dismissed the thought.
No way. Al’s room is far. My guards didn’t report anything. No movement. Besides, my room is heavily protected by shadow guards... There’s no way Al knows...
And yet... that small smirk on Al’s face—
—it unnerved him. Like Al did know everything.
The air at the table remained tense, like everyone had swallowed a heavy lump in their throat.
Al fell silent, watching the ripple effect of his words—narrowing eyes, heavy sighs, subtle glares.
He realized he might’ve gone too far.
With an innocent expression and a hint of guilt, he raised his hand and spoke softly, voice slightly apologetic.
"Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean it like that..." He scratched the back of his head. "I was just curious, that’s all."
All eyes were still on him, expecting an explanation. Al quickly thought of something.
"At school... my friends talk a lot about scandals in rich families. Like, there’s a rumor about a student who got the maid pregnant..." He looked down, feigning embarrassment. "So I thought... maybe that kind of talk was normal? I was just trying to make conversation. I don’t usually get to talk with you all. It’s been... 17 years, hasn’t it? Sorry."
That line—and the soft, sincere way Al said it—was enough to cool down the blazing tension.
A long silence followed.
The faces that had just been burning with anger now turned into a mix of confusion, awkwardness, and a hint of guilt.
Because after 17 years apart, and finally reunited, they still hadn’t truly interacted as a family.
Aurielle leaned back in her chair and sighed. Vianna shook her head, covering her face with one hand.
Sarah raised her eyebrows in disbelief.
But... the strongest reaction came from David, who let out a deep breath and wiped the cold sweat off his forehead.
Al’s explanation might’ve been ridiculous—but it saved him from disaster.
David quickly stood up and grabbed his bag.
"I’ll... head to school early."
Without waiting for any response, he made a hasty exit.
His footsteps were the signal that defused the explosive atmosphere in the room.
Edward and Sandra exchanged glances. For a brief moment, there was something like guilt in their eyes.
Al also stood up, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
"Well then, I’ll return to my room," he said, walking away slowly.
But just before leaving, he turned and asked:
"Oh, by the way, Father, Mother... can I not be woken up early starting tomorrow?"
Edward frowned. "Why?"
"Actually, I attend afternoon classes. So... being woken up in the morning isn’t necessary."
Sandra narrowed her eyes. "Why are you only saying this now, Al?"
Al looked at his mother for a moment, then lowered his gaze. His voice was soft.
"I’ve tried saying things a few times before... but you never believed me, right?"
He gave a small, genuine smile. "So I thought... maybe it’s better to just stay quiet. Sorry, Mom."
Sandra fell silent. So did Edward.
Al gave a polite nod. "Then I’ll be heading back now."
He walked away, leaving the dining hall now empty... but not silent.
There was something lingering in the hearts of his parents—a slow but steady sense of guilt, realizing that all this time, they had never truly listened to Al.
And maybe now... it was time they finally did.