"But Al… you have trauma too. And it seems like it's still affecting you, dear," Sandra said with concern.
"And that bracelet has been helping you all this time. You gave it to Aurielle, so what about you? Don't you have another bracelet or something like it?" she asked.
Al shook his head.
"No, Mother. That was the only one."
"Then what about you?" Sandra asked again.
"Yeah, Al," Edward added. "Your trauma actually seems worse than Aurielle's. Should I ask your sister to return it to you?"
"Besides, she's not in such a severe condition anymore… She just needs some distance, and things should be safe enough," he added.
Al waved his hand dismissively.
"There's no need, Father. Mother," he said calmly. "When I gave it to my sister, I already understood the risks I might face. Everything will be fine."
He relaxed his shoulders.
"Besides, I know my own trauma and how to control it. And the bracelet doesn't affect me that much anymore. But it seems to help my eldest sister quite a lot. So it's better if she keeps it."
Al's reasoning sounded convincing. Still, as parents, they couldn't help but feel uneasy about it.
They tried to persuade him a few more times, but it ended the same way. Al remained firm and confident in his decision.
Eventually, they gave in.
"Alright," Sandra said.
Al nodded.
"Yes, Mother. Father," he replied. "So… is there anything else you want to ask?"
The two of them exchanged glances.
Deep down, they wanted to know more about Al—to hear about his past, the things he had gone through.
But when they looked at the time, it was already quite late. The important matters had been discussed. Al was still a student after all.
So they decided to end the conversation and told him to return to his room and get some proper rest.
"I don't think there's anything else," Sandra said. "Besides, it's already very late. You can go back to your room, dear."
Edward nodded in agreement.
Al paused for a moment, making sure everything was settled, then nodded.
He stood up.
"Alright. Then I'll take my leave, Father. Mother," he said with a slight bow. "Good… night."
Then he turned and walked toward the door.
Edward and Sandra watched him as he headed for the exit. There was a sudden urge to hug their son, but the lingering awkwardness still held them back.
Then Edward spoke up.
"Take it easy, Al. You've finally returned to where you belong. Whatever trauma or fears you carry… we'll help you overcome them," he said firmly.
"Yes, dear. From now on, live comfortably," Sandra added.
"Good night... son," they said.
Al paused slightly as he opened the door.
Then he turned back and nodded.
"Thank you, Father. Mother," he said with a faint smile. "But you don't need to worry either."
A confident expression appeared on his face as he added,
"As long as you stand on my side, forget something small like Sis Aurielle's trauma. Even bigger problems… I'll handle them for you."
Then he left.
They both stared at the closed door.
A little amused by Al's declaration—which, to them, had sounded more like bragging than anything else.
But neither of them said a word.
Still, a quiet sense of calm and relief settled in their hearts.
After all, this had been the first private conversation they'd had with their youngest son—the one who had once gone missing.
---
After making sure Al had left, Sandra wrapped her arms around Edward's arm. A lingering sense of unease still weighed on her heart.
"That child really went through such a terrible life out there. As his mother… I can't help feeling deeply uncomfortable about it," she said sadly.
Edward nodded with his usual cold expression and gently stroked his wife's hair.
"That's how it is. Fortunately, he survived and managed to grow up well until now. And it seems he has a mind of steel," he said. "Although…"
He paused for a moment.
"…he still has some strange habits he needs to get rid of as soon as possible."
His eyes sharpened.
"Because in the end… he's an elite's son, and he must become an elite himself."
"Huff…" Sandra sighed softly. "You're reminding me of that sewer issue again," she complained.
"But you're right… he needs to stay away from those lowly habits and enter the proper elite circle." she added.
Edward smiled faintly and nodded. With his free hand, he grabbed an air freshener from the shelf and sprayed it around the area within his reach.
He even sprayed the spot where Al had been sitting, trying to neutralize the lingering lavender scent.
He didn't want the smell of something so taboo lingering in the Virellano house.
"There. Much better," he said with visible relief.
Sandra looked at him, smiling faintly.
"Anyway… do you think that was really okay? Asking him to break off the engagement?" she asked.
Edward paused for a moment, then nodded.
"I'm not sure, honestly. I thought Al would be at least interested after hearing Nayala's name. Good thing he wasn't. Or maybe… he doesn't know her? Strange, considering how popular Nayala is as an actress."
He sat down beside Sandra, his mind still processing Al's reaction.
"Or… maybe he's trying to show he's not some womanizer. Trying to create good image after what happened yesterday," he added thoughtfully.
Sandra lowered her gaze. After a short silence, she nodded.
"That's possible. Speaking of Al's womanizer image… what do the servants think about him? Especially those working under David and Sarah?" she asked quietly.
Edward fell into thought for a moment.
"I'm not entirely sure either, honey. Harun said everything is still under control. There's quite a bit of confusion about Al's sudden appearance, and… quite a few rumors from those who aren't exactly fond of him," he replied flatly.
"I honestly don't understand where they get the courage to feel reluctant toward Al. In the end, they need to remember who he is. And I hope Al can also prove that he deserves to be their master."
"I think Al's background—coming from a lower class—is what bothers them," Sarah muttered. "We both know our staff are also people with status. Their arrogance isn't that different from their masters."
"True," Edward agreed. "And that's exactly what makes this difficult. Recruiting people who are loyal, capable, and professional like them isn't easy..."
"...We can't just fire them whenever a small conflict happens. We have to think about it carefully."
He gently pulled Sandra into his arms, and the two looked at each other.
"But don't worry," he said reassuringly. "They've already been warned. Our priority as masters is still our child. If they dare cross the line, then they must be ready to face the consequences."
Sandra nodded in agreement. For them, that was simply how things should be.
"Anyway… when it comes to David and Sarah's personal staff, they're extremely loyal to their respective young masters," Edward continued.
"To be honest, I'm not even sure they would obey me more than they obey their own young masters."
"I feel the same way, honey," Sandra said softly. "But that's only natural. Their bonds with the young masters are already very strong—much stronger than the bond they have with us."
She paused for a moment before adding,
"I just hope their conflicts and competition don't lead them somewhere they shouldn't."
Edward gave a slight nod, then lowered his head in quiet contemplation.
His eyes shifted toward the large family photo hanging in front of them—a picture of the two of them with their seven children, taken before Al returned.
"By the way… now that Al is here, and David is still living in this house… what do you think about this whole inheritance competition?" he asked.
"You know…" Sandra replied. "I've never really liked the idea. It's like we're throwing our own children into a ring and making them tear each other down."
She paused for a moment.
"But… I understand why it exists. For a family like ours, it's inevitable."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Especially for the Virellano family," she said firmly. "This competition is only the first step for them. Strengthening them before they face those monsters out there is only natural."
Then she looked back at Edward casually.
"And about Al… hmph. He's only been here for two days. I do see potential in him. But I think Aurielle still has the highest chance—assuming her trauma heals soon. If it doesn't…"
Her gaze drifted back to the photo, focusing on the young boy in it.
"…then whether we like it or not, David is the one we'll have to rely on. Even if he isn't our biological son."
Edward stayed silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I think you're right. Aurielle and David both have that quality. As for the others… if they can learn to control their ego, they could also reach that level. They all have the potential."
"And as for Al…" he continued. "That kid's mentally tough—probably because of how he grew up outside. He's used to harsh conditions, so adapting to this kind of competition probably won't be difficult for him."
"Just look at him—calm, composed, confident. Even Aurielle and Sarah looked a little nervous whenever they argued with him. He definitely has potential."
Sandra couldn't help but laugh softly as she remembered the recent exchanges.
"You're right, honey. He's like an anomaly. A kid who grew up on the streets, yet he can face elite children with that kind of confidence."
"In the end, he's still our child. The Virellano DNA doesn't lie," she added. "It's just that… his conflicts with Sarah and David have been heating up. I hope they can reconcile and learn to get along."
Edward nodded.
"Sarah, our rebellious daughter—sometimes even we struggle to control her. David, cunning and talented. Aurielle, strict and tyrannical outside, yet still warm in front of her family. The other children… and now Al…"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You're right. They're our children—gifted children born to conquer this world. This… is going to be interesting."
Sandra nodded.
And so, their conversation continued.