Al was still walking backward, waving at Clara's car as it drove off, lost in thought—or maybe just a touch of regret.
"Ah… damn it! I wanted to get to know her better… but I didn't even get her contact. Ugh…" he muttered, scratching the back of his head.
He shook his head, trying to shake off the nagging feeling of missed opportunity.
"Whatever. She's in the Aria Group anyway. Dealing with someone like her is gonna be a challenge on its own," he said, continuing to walk backward… until he suddenly collided with someone.
"Ugh—" Al grunted, stumbling slightly.
He looked up.
Standing before him was a woman in her early thirties, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that somehow managed to combine elegance and authority.
Her posture was perfect, her shoes polished to a mirror shine. She didn't smile, but there was a sharp, assessing quality to her gaze.
Elvi, one of Edward's personal assistants.
Al froze, not recognizing her at all.
But when he noticed the other figures nearby—several bodyguards he vaguely recognized, a few middle-aged men in tailored suits, and finally Edward himself—he quickly put the pieces together.
This woman was likely one of Edward's business associates. Or someone who worked closely with him.
Elvi was glaring at him now, her nostrils flaring ever so slightly, her expression carefully polite but unable to completely mask her distaste.
She, on the other hand, did not recognize Al either. Her role had always centered around the business side of the Virellano family—particularly Edward's corporate affairs.
She had heard that Edward's biological son had returned, of course, but she had never looked into the internal family matters deeply enough to know what he looked like.
At most, she knew that the heir had come back. Not which one he was.
Looking at the boy in front of her, she briefly considered the possibility.
Could this be him?
But judging from his appearance… his casual posture… and most notably, the faint yet unmistakable sewer-like odor clinging to him—
Unlikely.
"Excuse me…?" Elvi said, her voice measured and calm, though there was a subtle tension beneath it that immediately told Al she was not pleased.
Still, she maintained her professionalism. She refused to let assumptions or prejudice dictate her reaction. Acting rashly in front of Edward would be unacceptable.
Unfortunately, the smell was far too sharp for her sensitive nose. Even though Al had partially dried himself earlier, the scent still lingered faintly in the air.
A wave of discomfort began creeping into her senses.
She lifted a hand, as if casually adjusting her hair—though in truth, it was an unconscious attempt to shield her nose.
Al still hadn't fully grasped the situation.
But seeing her subtle reaction, the slight tightening of her jaw, the almost invisible step back—
He finally realized.
Ah.
Right.
He wasn't completely clean yet.
"Oh… uh… hi," he said awkwardly, taking a step back. "Sorry… I didn't mean to—"
From behind them came the quiet yet firm click of footsteps against polished stone.
Edward emerged, the sharp lines of his face immaculate, his posture commanding without effort. Harun followed silently at his side, with several bodyguards standing a respectful distance behind.
Edward's sharp gaze swept over the scene. Elvi's subtle recoil did not escape him, but his expression remained unchanged—controlled, cold, dignified.
"Al," Edward said calmly, though his tone carried unmistakable authority, "it seems you've returned in… an unfortunate state."
Al winced, glancing down at his own appearance before scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
"Ah… haha… you're right, Father. It's just that I—"
Edward raised a hand, cutting him off.
"No excuses. You should know better than to present yourself this way. Even outside, people would not appreciate such behavior. The Virellano family is no exception."
Al lowered his hand and nodded quietly.
"You're right, Father. Something like this shouldn't have happened," he said calmly, sincerity clear in his voice. "I'm sorry."
He then turned toward Elvi.
"And my apologies to you as well, Miss," he added politely. "It seems I've inconvenienced you. Do you need help cleaning up?"
As Al instinctively took a step closer, Elvi subtly stepped back. The smell was far too overwhelming for her sensitive nose.
For reasons even she didn't fully understand, her sense of smell had always been unusually sharp.
However, the information she had just processed restrained her.
Al… was Edward's biological son.
No matter her personal discomfort, she could not afford to act rudely.
"N-No. That won't be necessary, Young Master," she said quickly, one hand raised in refusal while the other subtly shielded her nose.
Al immediately understood. He bowed his head slightly.
Unfortunately, that very motion seemed to push the lingering scent forward.
For Elvi, it felt like a direct assault.
"Uww—"
A faint gag escaped her before she hastily covered her mouth with both hands.
"Excuse me—" she managed, her composure finally cracking as she turned and hurried away toward the back corridor.
Al could only let out an awkward laugh. "Hihi… sorry about that…"
Edward watched the scene unfold, a faint crease forming between his brows.
I truly do not know how this child lived out there…
But judging from this… does he play in sewers like some street brat?
He exhaled quietly.
Even upon returning home, he did not think to clean himself first. And at his age. Hufft...
"Enough, Al," Edward said coldly. "I will explain the situation to her later."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"By the way... her name is Elvi. Much like Harun, who serves as the head butler of this household, she can be considered my executive assistant. In corporate matters, her position stands directly beneath mine."
Edward's gaze sharpened slightly.
"As you are the prospective heir, I intend for her to mentor you in business affairs in the future. That, however, is for another time. For now, focus on getting along with her. And do not trouble her unnecessarily."
"...Especially not like this."
Al remained composed, listening carefully. There was no panic in him—only acknowledgment.
"Understood, Father," he replied calmly.
Edward gave a small nod. Not wishing for Al to linger any longer in that state, he gestured for him to leave.
Al complied immediately.
With that, he turned and walked toward the private residence wing, muttering under his breath, "Well… at least I didn't make Father uncomfortable. Just… Elvi… she's going to remember this for weeks…"
After Al disappeared from sight, Edward turned toward the remaining staff.
Soft whispers had already begun circulating among the suited men and bodyguards.
Edward's gaze turned glacial.
The atmosphere shifted instantly. No words were needed; the pressure alone was enough to silence them.
"I am aware that the boy behaved foolishly," Edward said evenly. "And like you, I believe he was in the wrong. I did not defend his actions."
He took a slow step forward.
"But…"
His eyes hardened.
"He is my son. I trust I will not hear anything unpleasant about him from any of you."
The warning was not loud.
It did not need to be.
The subordinates straightened immediately, tension visible in their expressions.
"Understood, Master Edward," they replied in unison.
Edward gave no further comment and turned toward the main house, Harun following closely behind.
Once they were out of earshot, Edward's shoulders relaxed—just slightly.
"Ugh…"
A faint, strained sound escaped him.
Harun stepped closer. "Is something the matter, sir?"
Edward waved a hand lightly without looking at him, signaling that it was fine.
He continued walking with steady composure.
But inwardly—
Damn it. I'm feeling nauseous as well.
---
Al had arrived at his residence.
As Al approached, he noticed that the first floor was already immaculate, clearly prepared for him.
The front door slid open automatically at his approach. He stepped inside and paused, taking in the space.
The first floor had been decorated with careful attention.
A sofa set, coffee table, and a small entertainment console were neatly arranged in the living area.
A compact, fully stocked kitchen sat against one wall, gleaming with polished counters, a refrigerator, a microwave, and a small induction stove.
Near the back, a set of weights and a treadmill hinted that Al's physical training needs had been considered.
"Wow… they actually set all this up," Al muttered, walking slowly across the polished floor. He touched the sofa tentatively, marveling at how soft it felt. "Not bad… not bad at all."
He moved toward the stairs leading to the second floor.
As he ascended, he took note of how every detail was functional yet tasteful. There were no flashy decorations—just clean, practical spaces.
On the second floor, his room awaited. A neatly made bed, a medium-sized wardrobe, and a desk with a few neatly folded papers and a small lamp were all that filled the space.
The curtains were new, the walls freshly painted in a calm, neutral tone with subtle patterned wallpaper. The carpet had been removed, leaving the floor smooth and easy to clean.
Al let out a quiet sigh, flopping onto the bed. The room was far from extravagant, but it was enough. Comfortable, practical, and fully ready for him to settle in.
Then he noticed a folded note lying on the desk. He picked it up carefully and read it aloud:
"Al, for now, this is what your father and I have decided to provide—just until you can adapt to your new life here..."
"...The first floor has been equipped with basic living, cooking, and exercise facilities. Your private room upstairs has been prepared for rest and personal space..."
"... For anything additional, including clothes or other personal needs, coordinate with Harun. We will try to provide it as best we can, though we are not yet fully aware of your preferences. Consider this your first step here. Welcome back to your true family."
—Mom and Dad
Al chuckled softly, placing the note back on the desk.
"They could've just said that directly," he murmured. "But… this isn't bad at all. Comfortable enough for me—even if it's probably not as grand as my siblings' rooms… hmph, thanks."
He wandered over to the window, peering out over the manicured estate grounds.
The gardens stretched neatly in the late afternoon light, and he could just see the main mansion in the distance.
Al turned back to the room, pacing slowly.
He began mentally cataloging the layout: the sofa and entertainment area on the first floor, the small kitchen tucked neatly in a corner, the exercise equipment along the wall… all functional, all ready for him to start living independently.
Despite the chaos he had caused earlier, the space felt surprisingly welcoming.
Finally, he returned to his bed, sitting cross-legged and staring at the ceiling.
He let his mind wander for a few minutes, reflecting on Elvi's expression, Edward's dignified reprimand, and the subtle weight of being part of this family.
"Yes, yes… I need to be more careful," he muttered to himself. "But at least… they aren't completely impossible. Just… strict. Professional. And… they care, in their own… Father-way, I guess."
With that, he decided to properly clean himself—the very cause of the earlier chaos.
---