Oliver lets a deep breath pass through his mouth, and a cloud of cold smoke puffs out. As Sophia and her parents turn to the corner, disappearing from their sight, Oliver and the Fuers turn around and head indoors. The wooden floorboards groan as they step inside together, and the front door slams shut, sending a wave of echo through the lounge.

     As his adoptive parents ascend to the second floor, Oliver stays in the lounge and stands still. He reflects on his thoughts as his gaze lowers to his shoes. Oliver feels unsteady with his emotions, not knowing how to think and react.

     Oliver senses more cold chains looping around him, caging him in despair. He sighs as he looks down. Then, he turns around and faces a window, gazing into the outdoors.

     Pondering his freedom, Oliver stares at his reflection in the window. He sees a mirrored image of himself, a dashing and handsome man. However, he knows deep down that his heart has no liberty.

     Oliver approaches the window, and his forehead lands on the glass. He closes his eyes, and his breath paints on the window. Burden loads on his back, making him feel heavy. Oliver wants to crumble and sink on the floor.

     Oliver then ascends to his bedroom, and every corner inside his room hides in darkness. Oliver jumps onto his bed and covers himself in his blanket. He turns to his side and hugs his pillow, slowly closing his eyes.

     A few hours fly by, and Oliver hears a swift and sharp knock on his bedroom door. Oliver rises from his bed, looking at the doorway. His eyes become hollow with dark circles around them. Oliver stands up, scratching the back of his head and screwing his eyes shut.

"Wait up..." Oliver yawned as he approached the door.

     Oliver reached his bedroom door. He grabbed the door handle and twisted it. He then opened the door and saw Layla on the other side. He wasn't surprised to see Layla with her usual glare while standing in a stiff position.

"Good morning," he greeted with a polite smile.

"It's nearly five in the morning!" Layla yelled. "You should be glad the Casalee family won't be coming early."

"Sorry, I slept too late last night. I shall cook breakfast at once, then," Oliver calmly said while leaning on the door.

Layla sighed and closed her eyes. "...Prepare a Muisken stew, can you?" Layla ordered before strutting down the hallway. "Also, make it less spicy! Alex had an unimaginable war with himself in the restroom last time we had that for breakfast!"

Oliver then nodded back and went downstairs immediately.

     Upon entering the kitchen, Oliver immediately grabbed the ingredients from the storage and icebox. Afterwards, he took out the tools and equipment from the drawers. He then lined everything on the counter.

     Oliver grabs a long, sharp kitchen knife, and it shines as he takes it from its set. He then takes a long, steady sight at it, seeing his clear reflection on the blade. Not long after, he dices the onions and garlic before chopping the potatoes, carrots and mushrooms. In the meantime, he lets the uncooked beef thaw on the side before slicing it into pieces.

     After preparing the necessities, Oliver used his elemental power to summon firewood inside the stove. He then snapped his fingers, causing the woods to ignite into flames. Oliver began cooking after he put a pot in place to boil the beef.

     Suddenly, a thought tingled in Oliver's mind. He turned from the kitchen and did his usual chores first; he rejuvenated the plants in the garden, broomed, mopped, and blew off the clouds of dust in every corner of the house. With the aid of his powers, Oliver never felt any slight sore in his ankle or arms.

     Once he returned to the kitchen, Oliver placed a separate pan beside the pot with the boiling beef. After it heated, he added a spoonful of butter and melted it. Oliver started to sauté the onions and garlic afterwards, then switched the boiling beef onto the pan, frying it with a pinch of salt and pepper until it turned steak-brown. Once done, Oliver added the potatoes, carrots and mushrooms, letting the vegetables soften under the heat. Then, with a swipe of a hand, he used his power again to summon and pour water into the pan.

     Oliver immediately grinds a handful of three red chillies on a stone grinder as the food cooks. Then, he adds a spoonful of muisken powder, paprika, flour and water, mixing it until it froths before pouring the mixture into the pan. When the stew begins to boil, Oliver adds a pinch of salt and a large amount of pepper to adjust the flavour. Finally, he garnishes the meal with three boiled eggs and a sprinkle of scallion before serving it on the dining table as the dawn beams through the window.

"Breakfast's ready!" Oliver announced.

The Fuers immediately entered the dining room and sat in their chairs.

     Later, only a trace of stew was left on the plate, and the wine bottle was nearly empty. Oliver took the last sip from his glass and looked at the Fuers. Feeling the sense of nervousness mixing with his dread, he took a deep breath and gathered his courage.

"Ehem..." Oliver cleared his throat. However, his adoptive parents didn't respond. So, he did it again but louder while still preserving his gentleness. "Ehem."

"Go spit it out," Layla said in a raspy voice.

"Oh, uhm, spit out what...?" Oliver tilted his head to the side as confusion made his brain heavy.

"Your disgusting phlegm," she replied after wiping her lips with a napkin.

"Oh, I was only trying to catch your attention," Oliver said kindly.

"Why so?" Alexander lowered the newspaper from his face.

Oliver breathed out through his nose loudly. "...I have something to say," he said.

"What?" Layla asked.

Oliver took another breath and courageously confessed. "I... I don't think I like Sophia," he closed his eyes and lowered his head.

Layla's face scowled as she leered at Oliver. "What!?" she growled.

"Both of us have no feelings for each other, Ma'am..." Oliver glanced at his shaky palms.

"Then, how come you two... uh... spent... like... the whole night yesterday?" Alexander asked calmly.

"...We... we just... uh... simply stroll in the park," Oliver responded with a false answer.

"Yeah. But why so long?" Alexander raised a hand and shrugged.

"Oh, uhmm... well, you see... there was a..." Oliver tried making a deceitful claim as his eyes wandered around.

"Keep it to yourself! Alex and I need you to marry Sophia and give us grandchildren. Fail to do so, you will find yourself in the streets!" Layla didn't let Oliver complete his statement as she began threatening him.

"...And the assassins are waiting for you," Alexander created a joke that almost made Oliver's heart skip a beat.

Oliver's brows furrowed. "...How dare you mention those monsters that killed my family! How dare you for having the boldness to use their deaths to scare me! You possess no emotions in your heart!" Oliver stood up, slammed his hands on the table, and yelled.

Alexander quickly stood up, almost causing his chair to fall. "Hey! Watch your freaking mouth!" Alexander yelled so loud—that his voice echoed across the neighbourhood.

"Shame on you!!" Oliver yelled.

"Damn you!!" Alexander bellowed.

Layla stood up and repeatedly slapped Alexander on his arm. "Calm down! Sit down! Sit down! I don't want our whole neighbourhood to hear your whining!" she shouted at Alexander.

"Ugh!" Alexander groaned as he rolled his eyes.

"You're a grown-up now, kid! You have no choice but to go through the natural steps of life!" Layla then told Oliver. "Alexander and I were in an arranged marriage as well!"

"But, do you even love him?" Oliver asked.

Layla gasped. Her teeth clenched, and her brows furrowed. "How dare you..." she growled. "We do love each other!"

"Really? After hitting him... like... always?" he probed further.

"Stop making the topic about me!! You were talking about yourself earlier, so go on! Tell me the whole point of why you don't love Sophia!?" Layla yelled, punching her fist on the table.

"It's because... it's better to let a person love freely than faking a desire!" Oliver replied before storming out from the dining room with tears about to leak from his eyes. "This is nothing but forced love!!"