Chapter 197: Deal

The next morning, I pulled on a pair of plain black trousers and a simple dark blue t-shirt, and walked downstairs. The house was already warm, smelling like freshly brewed coffee and toasted bread.

Raymond was standing behind the kitchen counter, his white apron tied neatly over his suit. He was flipping golden pancakes on a large iron skillet with precise, rhythmic movements.

“Good morning, Young Master Woo Jin,” Raymond said, bowing his head slightly without losing his flipping rhythm. “I trust you slept well?”

“I slept fine,” I said, walking over to the counter and leaning against the edge. “Did anything happened last night?”

Raymond paused for half a second. He flipped a pancake high into the air, caught it smoothly on his spatula, and laid it flat on a ceramic plate.

“Nothing,” Raymond replied smoothly, his tone calm and polite. “Nothing that required disturbing your rest.”

“Good,” I nodded.

TAP. TAP. TAP.

Soft, rhythmic footsteps echoed from the tiled corridor outside the kitchen.

Viora stepped into the room.

Her right hand slid smoothly along the edge of the doorframe, her fingers lightly trailing over the polished wood to guide her path.

Her head tilted slightly upward, her ears twitching as she caught the sound of my breathing and the sizzle of the iron skillet.

“Good morning, Raymond. Good morning, Woo Jin,” Viora said softly, a bright, peaceful smile lighting up her face.

“Good morning, Miss Viora,” Raymond greeted warmly. “Breakfast is nearly ready.”

Viora didn’t stop near the door. She walked straight into the room, her bare feet gliding over the cool tiles without making a single sound. She didn’t use a cane, and she didn’t rush. Her hands stayed slightly lifted in front of her waist, her palms open, feeling the warm air rising off the kitchen counter to gauge her distance.

She reached my side, her elbow lightly brushing against my arm.

“You smell like lavender soap,” Viora whispered, leaning her head slightly toward my shoulder.

“That is because I washed my face five minutes ago,” I said.

Viora reached out with her hand. Her fingers brushed against the sleeve of my shirt, sliding down until her small palm found my hand. She laced her fingers through mine, squeezing lightly.

“You didn’t answer my coin challenge properly yesterday,” Viora noted, her purple eyes looking toward my chin with quiet, playful amusement. “You carried me inside to avoid giving me my prize.”

“I carried you inside because…” I replied. “Because I wanted to.”

“That is a secondary excuse,” Viora countered instantly, her chin lifting with quiet pride. “The agreement was that I pick your dinner outfit if I won. Since you ran away from the deal, you owe me a favor today instead.”

“I didn’t run away,” I said. “I carried you in my arms. That’s the opposite of running away.”

Before Viora could answer, the side door of the kitchen burst open with a loud BANG!

Carmilla strolled into the kitchen, holding a half-eaten green apple in her hand. She had messy morning hair, wearing an oversized red hoodie and checkered pajama pants.

Right behind her, Leo came charging in, swinging a long wooden spatula like a broadsword while wearing a shiny silver cooking pot on his head like a knight’s helmet.

“Attack!” Leo yelled out at the top of his lungs, pointing his spatula at the refrigerator. “The dark guild dragon is hiding in the milk fridge!”

“Leo, stop screaming at the appliances,” Carmilla yawned loudly, taking a noisy crunch out of her apple. “It’s eight in the morning. My ears are bleeding.”

Little Mia walked in behind them, wearing a pair of giant fuzzy rabbit slippers that made a loud SQUEAK sound with every single step.

“Bear wants sweet pancakes,” Mia announced solemnly, stopping right next to Viora’s legs.

Viora let go of my hand. She didn’t look down with her eyes, but her ears tracked the squeak of the rabbit slippers perfectly. She bent down at the knees, her skirt brushing the floor, and extended her right hand into the open air until her fingertips lightly touched the top of Mia’s head.

She slid her hand down to pat Mia’s hair gently. “Good morning, little knight Mia. Did Bear sleep well?”

“Bear protected the living room all night,” Mia said proudly, holding the glittery bear up.

“That is very brave of Bear,” Viora smiled sweetly, her thumb brushing a speck of remaining glitter off the bear’s felt ear.

“All right, children,” Raymond’s firm, pleasant voice cut through the noise. “Table seats, please. Hot pancakes are served.”

Leo sprinted toward the wooden dining table, his pot helmet rattling loudly on his head. “I get the top pancake! The top one has the most butter!”

I stepped closer to Viora as she stood up from the floor. I reached out my right arm, bending my elbow slightly so she could feel it.

Viora didn’t hesitate. She slid her small hand around my forearm, resting her fingers lightly over my wrist. She let me guide her three steps backward, her feet stepping smoothly around the low wooden chair before she sat down cleanly in her spot right next to mine.

I sat down beside her, reaching over to push her silver fork and cloth napkin closer to her right hand so she wouldn’t have to search the table. Her fingers brushed against the cold metal of the fork instantly, holding it flat against the wooden tabletop.

“Thank you, Woo Jin,” Viora whispered softly, her face turning toward mine.

Aunt Elena stepped into the dining room a minute later, wearing a sharp white silk blouse and dark trousers. She carried a thick leather folder packed with security documents for the Director Summit.

She sat at the head of the table, taking a quiet sip from the black coffee cup Raymond set down before her. Her sharp blue eyes swept over the table, lingering on Leo’s pot helmet before resting on me and Viora.

“Woo Jin,” Elena spoke, her voice cool and authoritative.

“Yes, Auntie?” I replied, putting down my fork.

“Raymond and I will be leaving tomorrow morning at dawn for the summit briefings,” Elena stated, tapping her golden pen against her file.

After breakfast ended, the dining room cleared out fast. Carmilla dragged Leo and Mia outside to the lawn to practice “defensive shield maneuvers,” which mostly consisted of Leo running around in circles while Carmilla threw soft rubber balls at him. Aunt Elena returned to her study to lock down the final estate manifests.

I stood by the large wooden sink in the kitchen, washing the empty breakfast plates.

The warm water ran over my hands as I scrubbed a porcelain dish with a yellow sponge.

STEP. STEP.

The soft sound of bare feet on the wooden floorboards came up right behind me.

I didn’t turn around. I kept scrubbing the plate.

Two soft arms wrapped around my waist from behind.

Viora pressed her front against my back, resting her cheek flat against the center of my shoulder blades. The oversized cream sweater felt thick and warm against my shirt, and the sweet scent of her wild flower soap washed over me instantly.

“You are washing dishes,” Viora murmured into my back, her voice muffled by my shirt.

“I am,” I said, keeping my tone steady as I rinsed the plate under the warm tap. “If I don’t wash them, Raymond will do it, and he already cooked breakfast.”

“You are very diligent, Woo Jin,” Viora whispered playfully, her arms tightening slightly around my waist. Her fingers laced together right over my stomach.

“You’re in my way,” I said, though I didn’t push her hands away. “I need to reach the drying rack on the left.”

“I am not moving,” Viora declared smoothly, her forehead pressing firmer into my back. “I am holding you hostage until you agree to my favor.”

I turned off the faucet, wiped my hands dry on a clean white towel, and stood still for a moment.

I turned around in her grip. Viora didn’t let go of my waist; she simply adjusted her arms, her hands resting flat against my lower back as she looked up toward my face.

Her eyes were wide and clear, staring slightly past my left ear, tracking the sound of my breath and the rise of my chest. Her pale cheeks had a faint, healthy pink tint, and a few loose strands of purple hair brushed against her temple.

“What favor do you want, Viora?” I asked, keeping my voice low and calm.

Viora tilted her chin up. She reached her right hand up, her delicate fingers lightly touching the side of my neck before sliding up to brush against my lower lip. Her touch was soft, warm, and precise.

“I want to make lunch for you today,” Viora whispered softly.

I stared at her pale, serious face for three seconds.

“Viora,” I spoke slowly. “You are blind.”

“I.. I..” Viora countered with quiet pride, her thumb lightly tracing the line of my jaw. “I can track the temperature of the stove by the heat waves in the air. I know where every knife and spoon is kept in this kitchen. And I want to feed you.”

I looked down at her earnest, beautiful expression. My heart gave a slow, warm thump against my ribs.

I raised my hand, my fingers gently cupping the back of her head, sliding through her thick purple hair to hold her steady.

“All right,” I said. “You can make lunch. But I am standing right next to you the entire time.”

Viora’s face lit up with a brilliant, sweet smile that made my chest feel completely full. “Deal.”