"Trust is not given to those who are real to your face, but to those who remain real behind your back."
____
"Where are we eating that requires us to dress formal?" Llana asked. She wasn't in the mood to wear something formal, so she simply wore what felt right.
She had on a simple white turtleneck paired with a long black skirt that flowed down to her ankles, along with black low heels and a small black handbag. Her hair was tied in a neat yet slightly loose bun, with a few soft strands framing her face.
She didn't really care. She was going there to eat, not to impress.
Her brothers, on the other hand, were impeccably dressed, both wearing identical tuxedos. The only difference was that Sebastian wore a long black tie, while the other wore a bolo tie bearing the symbol of Abyss.
They looked especially handsome in their tuxedos.
Resting on her lap was a bouquet of blue roses from Sebastian, given as a gesture of apology. Tucked between the petals was a small note that read, "I'm very sorry for what Idid."
It was 'Llana's' favorite flower.
The roses were undeniably beautiful, she loved them as well. She didn't know much about flowers. She simply liked the color blue. That was why she fell for them the moment Sebastian handed them to her. As for 'Llana', she wasn't sure why she liked them so much. Maybe the flower had some meaning to her?
All she knew was that blue roses were not real, since roses could not naturally produce that kind of pigment.
They were now on their way to the meeting place with her two older brothers, which did not surprise her at all. The two argued over who would escort her, as if she could not manage on her own. She was with Uncle Joon anyway, she's not hopeless. In the end, all of them rode in her car, seated together in the back. Adrian was on her left, and Sebastian was on her right.
"At the Caelestis Restaurant, my Princess. It's the only three star Michelin restaurant in South Korea. Of course, we need to dress to impress," Adrian said confidently, one leg crossed over the other.
"Why do we even need to eat there?" She frowned slightly. Grand places had never been to her liking. It makes her uncomfortable. "Did you notify Dolores about where we are going? She might not know about the dress code."
"Of course, dear. I specifically told her to wear something nice."
Sebastian snorted. "I don't believe you emphasized that point sufficiently, brother. I would not be surprised if she shows up wearing anything but what you so generously describe as nice."
Llana's lips twitched at Adrian's response.
Knowing the girl, something formal would not even cross her mind. She would, just as Sebastian said, settle for something "nice."
"You should have told her more directly, brother, saying just 'nice' would definitely be misunderstood" Llana said helplessly.
"That's her problem, not mine." Adrian shrugged.
"It's yours!"
____
Joon Sung-kyuk glanced at Sebastian and Adrian, who stood on either side of Llana, doing nothing. One looked indifferent, while the other looked visibly bored, as if the situation had nothing to do with him.
They had arrived earlier and had been watching everything unfold from the background without Dolores noticing.
And just as expected, The girl misunderstood Adrian's 'clear' instructions.
Seeing that the two eldest brothers had no intention of stepping in and were clearly just waiting for Llana, he shifted his attention to the beautiful young woman in front of him.
"Miss."
Llana did not even spare him a glance. Her gaze remained fixed on Dolores. "Wait." She raised her hand.
She wanted to see how Dolores would act in the situation she was facing now.
Seriously, was Dolores some kind of protagonist in a novel? She had only ever seen scenes like this in Tv series and books, the typical scenario where the main character is belittled, only for a wealthy acquaintance to suddenly appear.
Then the one doing the belittling realizes that the person they mocked is connected to someone powerful and well-known, blah, blah, blah.
Then the situation suddenly reverses, blah, blah, blah.
Then comes the kowtowing and desperate apologies, blah, blah, blah.
The familiar face-slapping trope often seen in Chinese novels, where every time the protagonist steps out, a scene like this will inevitably unfolds.
'Llana' and Dolores had known each other since childhood. They had changed diapers together, bathed together, and crawled side by side. She knew her well, and she had trusted her completely.
But that was the former Llana.
She, on the other hand, only knew Dolores through her predecessor's memories and the time she and her spent together.
Which is not enough for her to give the same complete trust 'Llana' offered without hesitation.
Dolores seemed simple, innocent, and kind.
But was she really like that when she was not around?
That's why she wanted to know if Dolores was still the same even when they were not together.
That's why she chose to wait. Because this moment would give her the answer she needed.
If Dolores handled the situation well, everything would remain as it was. But if not, Llana would slowly let her go until she eventually disappeared from her life.
It was better that way.
Because if everything Dolores had shown was nothing more than a mask, then it was better to remove her from her life before it was too late.
She did not want the memories of the former Llana of her to be ruined.
Some might say she was overthinking or being too cautious.
But just because you have known someone for a long time does not mean you truly understand them.
Sometimes, the most painful betrayals come from the people closest to you, the ones you believed would never hurt you.
Some people think this only happens in stories.
But it does not.
She had seen too many cases like this in her past life to believe otherwise.
Maybe that was why she found it hard to trust.
That's why she's lonely.
Maybe that was why she was afraid to build close relationships.
....Because she was afraid it would happen to her too.
"I think what you've seen is enough to ease your worries, my dear," Sebastian said softly as he reached out and gently brushed Llana's arm.
"Hm. Though it doesn't sit well with me, I have to agree with my undead twin, my princess. Do you really think we would allow anyone near you if their intention was to harm you? The fact that we let that little squirt in means she poses no threat to your well-being -only to your pantry," Adrian added, a smile fixed on his face.
"Yes, you're right. What I've seen is enough, and it seems I wasn't mistaken about her." Llana's face bloomed into a soft smile.
She was glad that Dolores was genuine. Despite having a powerful friend, she wasn't arrogant, nor did she use it to escape her situation.
Anyone else in her place would have used it to protect their pride.
That was what Llana wanted to see.
"Let's go," Llana said.