The morning air hums softly around the Ravenzzo estate-quiet, calm, almost deceptive. Sunlight slips through tall glass windows, washing the marble floors in gold. The kind of peace money can buy, but never fully trust.

In the luxury kitchen, the Ravenzzo brothers gather around the massive island, each of them occupying the space in their own careless way. Van lounges against the counter, scrolling through his phone with lazy amusement. Axel stands apart, arms crossed, sharp-eyed even this early. Arzhel leans against a pillar, half-present, half-lost in thought.

The house feels alive-but unhurried.

Until Nevan.

The youngest stands at the far end of the island, phone pressed to his ear, voice loud enough to echo through the hall.

"Dad, please," he says dramatically, running a hand through his hair. "I swear on my life-I care about this more than my own existence."

The others don't interrupt. They just listen. Lazily. Like this is morning entertainment.

From the other end of the line, their father's voice cuts through-firm, final.

"No means no, Nevan. You have already crashed too many rare cars. You are not getting another one. End of discussion."

Van suddenly bursts into laughter, nearly choking. "Dad," he calls out loudly, leaning toward the phone, "it wasn't twenty cars."

Nevan's head snaps up. "Van-"

"It was twenty-two," Van adds cheerfully.

Axel lets out a short laugh. Even Arzhel's lips twitch as he joins in, the sound rare enough to sting.

The kitchen fills with amusement, all of it aimed directly at Nevan.

Nevan glares at them like he's been personally betrayed by blood.

"You're all liars," he snaps, turning back to the phone. "Dad, they're exaggerating. They always do."

There's a pause.

Then-

"That's final," their father says calmly.

The call ends.

Silence lasts exactly one second.

Then the laughter explodes.

Van claps his hands, Axel smirks openly now, and Arzhel shakes his head, amused. Nevan groans, dragging his hands down his face in pure frustration.

"Ahhh-why me?" he whines, slumping against the island. "I have a car race coming up. What am I supposed to do now?" He looks around with exaggerated puppy eyes, hoping-begging-for mercy.

But like true devils, his older brothers deny him instantly.

Axel straightens, voice turning cold and serious. "No, Nevan. You should take this seriously for once. You really need to start thinking."

Nevan opens his mouth to protest, but Arzhel cuts in quietly-his voice low, rare, but commanding attention. "Axel's right," he says. Then, after a pause, adds, "But... I might have an idea."

Nevan freezes. "Really?" he asks quickly, eyes lighting up. "What is it?

Arzhel pushes himself off the pillar, completely calm. "Finish the Thanjan work first," he says. "Then we'll think about the car."

Nevan's face twists instantly. He makes a dramatic expression of suffering. "Seriously?" he mutters. "That's your great idea?"

The brothers laugh again.

And for a moment-just a moment-the House of Ravenzzo feels like a family before it feels like an empire.

-----

The discussion about work drifts lazily through the kitchen, half-serious, half-mocking. Van and Nevan are already at it again-mocking each other over unfinished deals and reckless decisions, their voices overlapping in familiar chaos.

"Maybe if you actually used your brain-" Van starts.

"Oh please," Nevan cuts in, rolling his eyes. "Coming from you?"

Before it can escalate, soft footsteps echo faintly from the hallway.

No one notices at first.

Then-slow, dragging steps descend the staircase.

Ayla.

Eyes still closed. Hair messy. Movements unsteady. She walks like a sleepwalking zombie, one hand trailing along the railing as if muscle memory alone guides her. The house is silent enough that her presence feels unreal.

She pauses when loud voices drift from the kitchen.

Without opening her eyes, she changes direction.

By the time she reaches the kitchen entrance, all her older brothers are already there. She stands in the doorway, swaying slightly, wrapped in oversized comfort clothes, her face still half lost in dreams.

In a soft, sleepy voice, she mumbles,

"Why... are you all making noise?"

Silence falls instantly.

Every Ravenzzo brother turns toward her.

And just like that-expressions soften. A rare, collective smile spreads across their faces.

"We're really sorry for waking you, baby," Axel says gently.

"Good morning, baby sis," Arzhel adds.

"Morning, little rabbit," Van grins.

"All this noise is because of this stupid boy." He nods toward Nevan.

Nevan glares at Van, then looks back at Ayla. "Oh really? That's not my fault," he says defensively. "And why are you walking like a sleeping zombie? How are you even walking with your eyes closed?"

Ayla doesn't answer.

She simply walks past them-all of them-and goes straight to Axel.

Axel already knows.

He opens his arms without a word and lifts her effortlessly, settling her onto his lap. Ayla instantly curls into him, burying her face against his neck like a child seeking warmth. She nuzzles there comfortably, completely at peace.

She's always been like this-soft, clingy, deeply affectionate with the people she loves.

"Oh look," Nevan teases. "Our baby sister still wants to sleep."

That does it.

Ayla's eyes finally open. She glares at Nevan.

"I'm not a baby," she mutters.

Then she immediately rests her head back on Axel's shoulder.

Axel chuckles quietly and starts patting her hair, slow and protective.

Van and Nevan burst out laughing.

"Yeah, yeah," Van says. "We totally see who the baby is. Can't even open her eyes from sweet dreams."

"Enough," Arzhel says firmly.

Axel looks down at Ayla. "Why are you awake so early, hm?" His gaze shifts briefly to her clothes. "And you should wear longer and warm clothes. It's still cold."

Ayla only hums in response, eyes closing again.

Nevan squints. "If that's not long," he says, turning his head away dramatically, "then I don't want to see what is."

Everyone's attention shifts.

Footsteps approach.

And there she is.

Chantrea.

She walks in like she owns the universe-wearing a short outfit and a tube top, dancing lightly to music only she can hear, casually eating an apple like nothing in this world concerns her.

Every Ravenzzo brother presses a hand to his forehead.

"Seriously," Nevan mutters. "She's older than us."

"And yet," Van adds, "she behaves like she's the youngest."

Chantrea smiles brightly. "Oh-hello, boys. What movie are we shooting here?"

"Nothing," Van says flatly.

Axel sighs, still holding Ayla. "Dear older sister," he says pointedly, "you should wear more warmth clothes "

Chantrea laughs. "You all really living in the twenty-first century. I'm at home. Relax."

She leans down and kisses Ayla's forehead. "Good morning, baby."

"Hm... good morning," Ayla replies sleepily.

"Ohhh," Chantrea teases, straightening. "Looks like someone just woke up."

She claps her hands lightly. "So-breakfast time. What are we eating?"

Van smiles devilishly. "Sorry to say, chef's on holiday."

Nevan joins him immediately.

"Yeah. So... you have to make it."

Chantrea's eyes widen. "What? Why is it always me?"

She exhales dramatically. "Fine. What do you want?"

"A simple breakfast," Ayla murmurs from Axel's lap.

Nevan brightens instantly. "Can you make pasta?"

Every head turns toward him.

Silence.

Axel stares.

Van blinks.

Arzhel sighs.

"Breakfast," Van repeats slowly.

"Pasta."

Nevan shrugs. "What? I'm hungry."

And just like that, the Ravenzzo kitchen fills with chaos again.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Votee.uuu....💗

.

Comment.....👇

.

Plsss.....byy..🐾

...