Isabella slowly descended the grand staircase, her fingers brushing along the cool railing as she walked down in her white dress. The morning light spilled in through the large windows, casting a soft glow over the smooth floors. She clutched the hem of her dress nervously, walking toward the dining area.
As she stepped in, she froze.
At the long, elegant dining table sat Lina...looking as graceful and elegant as ever in a soft silk blouse and pearl earrings, sipping her coffee with quiet confidence. Her posture, her expression, her every movement screamed royalty.
And beside her…
Leonardo.
Sitting stiffly in his chair, one hand tapping lightly against the table, face as emotionless as usual but his narrowed eyes clearly said one thing:
He was not here by choice.
Isabella smiled shyly, trying to shake off the nerves fluttering in her stomach.
"G-Good morning," she greeted softly, her voice gentle but polite.
Lina glanced up and gave a nod, her voice smooth like flowing water. "Good morning."
Leonardo gave a curt nod, barely glancing at her.
Then the maids arrived, placing covered dishes on the table one by one. The lids were lifted, releasing the scent of warm, rich breakfast—golden toast, fluffy eggs, fruit, roasted tomatoes, soft pancakes, and buttery pastries.
Isabella's eyes widened. All of this... just for breakfast?
Her mouth watered just from the smell, but then another thought gripped her.
What if… I can't finish this?
Her stomach tightened.
She wasn't used to this much food. At home, she rarely got more than five or six bites—if anything at all. Some days, her meals were whatever scraps were left, or just plain bread soaked in water. Her body had grown used to surviving on almost nothing.
Now, seeing so many options, her hands trembled slightly.
She sat down slowly, quietly pulling the chair back. Lina and Leonardo had already begun eating—both with perfect, soundless manners. Not a single scrape of spoon. Not even a breath out of rhythm.
They looked like royalty.
And next to them… she felt like a lost village girl.
"Eat," Lina said suddenly, her calm eyes flicking to Isabella.
Isabella nodded quickly, flustered. "Y-yes."
She picked up her fork and took a small bite of toast.
Crunch.
Her heart dropped.
Why did that sound so loud?!
She chewed carefully, slowly, praying her next bite wouldn't echo like thunder. But no matter how delicate she tried to be, every sound felt magnified in the perfect silence.
Why is it so quiet?!
Leonardo didn't say anything. But she could feel his gaze flicker toward her once. Lina remained composed, not reacting at all.
Isabella took another small bite.
Crunch. Chew. Chew.
Ughhh, why am I like this?! she cried internally, her cheeks turning red. She tried to chew quieter...she really tried but it was as if her mouth had turned into a noisy drum. Her eyes nervously shifted between the two people sitting beside her who were eating like they were filming a luxury commercial.
Forget being a fairy, she thought. She was a rabbit in a fine china shop.
After breakfast, Leonardo stood up with his usual sharp movements, already fixing his sleeves and adjusting the watch on his wrist as he prepared to leave.
But before he could step past the dining area—
"Wait," Lina's calm, firm voice called out.
Leonardo stopped mid-step and turned his head slightly, clearly irritated. Isabella, sitting quietly on her chair, looked up curiously.
She still wondered where that pink-haired brother had disappeared to. He was funny, she thought. Imagine if Leonardo had pink hair too… A silly image flashed in her head and before she could stop herself, a soft giggle slipped past her lips.
Leonardo's jaw twitched. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, clearly not amused.
Lina, however, kept her eyes locked on her son.
"What now, Mom?" Leonardo asked, barely hiding his impatience. "I'm getting late."
"You just got married," Lina said, crossing her arms elegantly. "And you're already running back to work? What about a honeymoon? Are you not taking her anywhere at all?"
She raised a perfectly shaped brow. "Do you love her or not?"
Leonardo froze for half a second. That question with Isabella sitting right there giggling at who-knows-what made his blood pressure spike. He gritted his teeth, gave his mother a sharp look, then muttered:
"…Yes."
It sounded more like a threat than a declaration of love.
Lina smirked, satisfied. "Good. Then decide a place to go. You may be rich, but if you don't spend a little on life, what's the point of earning?"
Then she turned toward Isabella, her tone shifting to gentle warmth. "Since he's going to work… would you like to go shopping with me, dear?"
Isabella blinked, surprised by the offer. Her eyes widened a little, and for a moment, she hesitated. Shopping? With her? Like in the movies? She looked at Leonardo for approval, and surprisingly, he gave her a small nod without saying a word.
She quickly nodded back. "Yes…"
"Good," Lina said, smiling.
Leonardo reached into his wallet and pulled out a black, shiny card—the kind that looked expensive just from its silence. He walked over and handed it to her.
"Use it well. Password is 00090," he said, curt and unreadable, then turned and walked away without another glance.
Isabella stared down at the card like it was a golden key to another world.
"W-Wait… I don't need—" she began, flustered, but he was already gone.
Lina, standing beside her, chuckled softly. "Don't worry. He has more than enough. Even if you shop all day, that card will still work." With a graceful turn, she headed upstairs. "I'll be back in a moment. Get ready."
Isabella sat down on the fluffy white sofa, still clutching the card.
She stared at it.
So black… so shiny… so… powerful looking.
Maybe… just a little?
She smiled quietly to herself.
There's something I've always wanted… Maybe I can just buy it today. I'll pay him back later... I mean, I'm good at hacking anyway.
And with that thought, her eyes sparkled with the tiniest trace of excitement.