The next day, Lina woke up bright and early. She was frightened to open her eyes and look into Kaden's first thing in the morning. He was watching her like a hawk. She screamed. He had rolled his eyes. After reassuring her that he had only just woken up, the two got ready for their morning.

  When Lina was preparing to leave her house, the sun had barely risen. There was still a haze in the air, the sky a dark blue. She was dressed more modestly than usual, showcasing a long silky emerald dress with puffed princess sleeves and white heels. Slipping on her pearl earrings whilst walking down the staircase, she caught his curious stare.

  "Where are you headed to?" Kaden asked, their eyes locking for a brief second. Finishing with her earrings, she handed him strings of tiny pearls that formed an elegant necklace.

  "Please?"

  "Only beg me in bed." Kaden took the necklace. He slid her soft hair to the side and clasped the pearls in place. At the sight of her slender neck, he couldn't resist kissing her pulse. Her breath hitched.

  "You have concealer on your lips now," Lina mumbled, standing on her tippy toes, even in heels. She wiped the make-up off his lips. Grateful for her expertise in makeup, she had hidden every remaining visible mark.

  "My question stands," Kaden replied.

  Kaden grabbed her wrists, yanked her close, and kissed her on the lips, despite wanting the truth from her. Before she could respond, he pressed his mouth to the side of her head.

  "To my Grandparents."

  Kaden raised a slow brow. His grip tightened on her, his other arm squeezing the curve of her hips.

  "Would you like me to come?" Kaden inquired.

  "No," Lina responded. "But I'm taking a few of your people."

  "Good." Kaden awarded her with another peck on the cheek. She let out a soft laugh that tickled his chest. Enjoying the melodious sound, he bent down for another kiss, but she quickly dodged him.

  "A few more seconds of standing here, and I'd need to redo my makeup," Lina teased. Using her thumb, she wiped his mouth again. She needed a new setting spray, this one wasn't working well.

  "You'll call me if anything happens," Kaden warned her. He kept his hold on her, refusing to let go until she gave him the response he wanted.

  Lina leaned back to look up at him. There was uncertainty in his eyes, but she nodded. Reaching up, she ignored how tense his restraint was on her. Instead, she fixed his tie, soothing out the silk.

  "Of course," Lina said. "You're my knight in shining armor, after all."

  "I'd rather be the dark knight on an even darker horse," Kaden retorted, grabbing her hand to kiss her fingertips. She was wearing chamomile lotion, the calming scent immediately washing over him. Flowery scents always mingled well with her. The juxtaposition was almost humorous.

  Lina was daisies and butterflies, whereas Kaden was blood and gunpowder. They were worlds apart, but when collided, joined perfectly——

  "Hm, I didn't think I'd see you awake before the afternoon," Rina commented in a stifling voice, watching her Granddaughter pretend to not hear.

  Rina gestured for the maids to place a porcelain bowl rimmed with gold infront of her Granddaughter. As much as Lina displeased Rina, she was still a Grandmother, and she always wanted her grandchildren to eat.

  "You used to lock your doors when sleeping here, refusing to wake even by the persistent housekeeper," Rina recalled with a strict frown, her mouth puckering like she had eaten something sour.

  "Where's Grandfather?" Lina asked, lifting the morning tea to her mouth. Today was chrysanthemum, her favorite. Smiling at the soft and light taste, she ignored her Grandmother's scolding voice.

  "What is my Granddaughter doing here this bright and early? You rarely show your face during breakfast," Lawrence questioned whilst stepping into the breakfast room.

  Lawrence went downstairs and was pleased by the unexpected presence. He rarely saw her anymore, not since her discovery of his actions.

  "Now that you're both here," Lina said in a calm voice, placing her tea cup down. "Have a seat, Grandfather."

  "This is my house, you needn't tell me to sit," Lawrence retorted with a fierce snort. He sat down without guidance.

  Instantly, a maid elegantly stepped forward to pour him a hot cup of tea. Now that he had gotten older, coffee no longer suited his palette. Instead, he received energy from multiple pots of warm and freshly brewed tea.

  "I have something to tell you," Lina told the two of them, but was interrupted by Lawrence holding up a hand.

  "We do not bring business to the breakfast table," Lawrence reminded her. "I trust you still remember?"

  Lina slowly turned the spoon in her bone-broth porridge. She always hated rice porridges, especially congee [1]. From eating too much of it as a child, the texture now left her stomach queasy. Almost as if Rina remembered, the bowl was taken from her and a different platter was served to her.

  "You wouldn't like this rice porridge," Lawrence said. "Here's your french toast."

  Lina opened her mouth, but he was already placing the fruits and maple syrup in front of her. How long had it been since she last ate breakfast at their table? When she was a kid? Yet, he still remembered her preferences.

  Lina stared at the sliced strawberries and bananas resting on her perfectly cooked brioche french toast, which was stacked on top of each other. When she sliced through the toast, matcha custard oozed out beautifully. Just the way she liked it.

  "Your taste has not changed, you're still a child," Rina dryly said, watching her Granddaughter take a delighted bite. The nostalgic scene hurt her eyes and gripped her chest tightly. How could she place the priorities of friendship over her only Granddaughter?

  "Eat slowly, no one is going to take the food from you," Rina added. "Though, that heinous mother of yours might."

  Lina swallowed hard, the fork clattering loudly onto the table. Then, she gazed at her Grandparents in the eye, smiled, and held back her irritation.

  "Grandmother," Lina addressed. "Grandfather."

  "That's my title, don't use it too much," Lawrence dryly remarked.

  Lawrence brought the piping hot tea to his mouth, the chamomile soothing his lungs. He breathed in the floral scent, feeling his chest expand. Lawrence sipped the tea.

  "I've decided to withdraw from the Yang Heir Race."

  All hell broke loose.