As he looked at Selena, Jonah couldn't help but think about how much she had affected him. He had always known that he had a sister out there, but he had never expected to feel such a deep connection with her. It was as if he had found a missing piece of himself, a piece that he never knew was missing.
Selena nodded slightly, still looking a bit dazed. Jonah knew that look all too well. He had his own epileptic episodes, and he remembered the feeling of disorientation and fatigue that always followed. His episodes were not as bad as Selena's, but he could empathize with her. He would take special care in helping her through this part of her life until it was better controlled. Unless she was unlucky like Grandpa.
As he watched Selena, Jonah's mind began to wander to the what-ifs. What if Gunn hadn't connected the dots? What if they had gone forward with the arranged marriage to the Reinholds? Would Selena, now that she had taken her place in the Lowrie and Park family, go through with the arranged marriage?
Jonah frowned, his brow furrowing in concern. He knew that Liam and Jakob, the Reinhold brothers, seemed to like Selena, and his friends liked her too. But what if it caused a divide? What if Selena's presence disrupted the delicate balance of their family's relationships? The thought made Jonah sweat.
He knew how important it was for them to stick together, especially considering what his grandfather had been grooming him for. As the future leader, Jonah was supposed to guide and protect his family and friends. His grandmother, Jin-ae, had been training him for the 'Protector' role, born to protect his sister.
As Jonah pondered the importance of unity, his mind turned to another crucial factor: Selena's extraordinary abilities as a "seer" or "prophetess". He knew that she would soon be embarking on a path that would require great care and support, and he couldn't help but think that McKenna's presence would have been a disaster.
"McKenna's impulsive nature would have put us all in danger," Jonah thought to himself. If she had claimed to be psychic or something, the vassals would have started acting differently. They might have even betrayed us." He shuddered at the thought, knowing that the family's secrets were too valuable to be compromised.
Jonah was certain that McKenna didn't know about the family secrets. She had been kept out of the loop, and he was grateful for that. But secrets had a way of slipping out, and Jonah couldn't shake the feeling that McKenna might have somehow discovered something she shouldn't have.
He turned his attention to Selena, wondering if she had noticed anything unusual about the family yet. Selena was really smart and seemed way too mature to be 14. What the hell had happened to her that she did not act anything like a regular girl? She had no interests other than in self-improvement, no favorite bands, celebrities or crushes. She did like to sew, and she did like fashion; however, her tastes were grown up in comparison to other girls.
Perhaps it was meant to be, considering the responsibilities she would soon bear on her shoulders. She did not have the benefit of the guidance he had. He knew how to use the gift already.
Jonah's eyes narrowed as he watched Selena, trying to read her expression. But her face was serene, giving away nothing. Jonah's thoughts swirled with questions, but he knew that he would have to wait and see how things unfolded. For now, he would keep a close eye on Selena, making sure that she was safe and supported as she navigated the complex world of their family's secrets and as her protector throughout life as his duty.
Selena sat quietly in their mother's embrace, oblivious to the weight of the secrets and responsibilities that were about to be thrust upon her. She had no idea what she was in for, no inkling of the complex web of family secrets and ancient traditions that would soon envelop her.
As Jonah watched her, he couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. He knew that Selena was strong and capable, but he also knew that she was unprepared for the challenges that lay ahead. She had no idea what it meant to be a part of their family, to carry the weight of their secrets and traditions.
Jonah's thoughts turned to the path that Selena would soon embark on, a path that would require great care and support. He knew that she would need guidance and protection, and he was determined to provide it. But as he looked at her, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was sending a lamb into the lion's den.
Selena's eyes met Jonah's, and she smiled, unaware of the storm that was brewing on the horizon. Jonah's heart went out to her, and he knew that he would do everything in his power to keep her safe, to shield her from the secrets and responsibilities that would soon be hers to bear. But as he looked at her, he couldn't help but wonder if it would be enough.
Jonah reached into the side console and retrieved a pair of sunglasses. They were his grandmother's iconic Jacqueline ONassis glasses, but they were special - the lenses were tinted with a color that helped alleviate symptoms of sensory overload. He handed them to Selena, who must have left them in the car earlier.
"Here, these help," Jonah said, watching as Selena put on the glasses. She shared some similarities with his grandmother, particularly her nose and eyes. Despite her dark hair and full lips, Selena's features seemed to take after the Lowrie side, giving her a distinctly Caucasian appearance. Jonah, on the other hand, had a more mixed appearance, with Asian features except for his eyes.
As he looked at Selena, Jonah felt a surge of gratitude towards Gunn. If Gunn hadn't been so vigilant, if he hadn't pieced together the truth and brought Selena back to them, who knows what would have happened? But despite the relief he felt, Jonah couldn't shake off the feeling that there were still secrets lurking in the shadows, waiting to be uncovered.
He knew how crucial it was to maintain strong bonds with the pillar families, especially considering his grandmother's plans for him. As the chosen leader, Jonah was supposed to guide and protect the families until Selena awakened to her true potential. According to tradition, his grandmother would present Selena with the first gift, a powerful ability passed down through the female heirs. Jonah possessed a similar gift, but his reach was limited and unclear, much like his father's.
The reach for the gift was painful. The gifts were notoriously stronger in the female heirs, and Selena's were foretold to be powerful. They were a result of 60 years of careful planning and cultivation by the former greatest Saju and Agnes Kinsman.
But Jonah's thoughts were also consumed by the impending meeting between Selena and Grandma Amelia. He knew that Grandma Amelia, with her weird way of talking as if she knew everything and her high expectations, felt odd at first when his grandmother reached into him.
Selena had no idea what she was in for, and Jonah couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for his sister. Little did Selena know that her life was about to take a dramatic turn, one that would challenge everything she thought she knew about herself and her place in the world.
As the Rolls-Royce glided smoothly out of Cumbernauld Airport, Selena gazed out the window at the breathtaking scenery of the Scottish countryside. The busy streets of Cumbernauld gave way to rolling hills and verdant fields dotted with clusters of trees and sparkling lochs.
As they drove through the central belt of Scotland, Selena marveled at the picturesque villages and towns they passed through. The thatched roofs and stone walls of the old cottages seemed to blend seamlessly into the landscape, as if they had grown organically from the earth itself.
The hills rose and fell in gentle waves, their slopes covered in a patchwork of green and brown fields, divided by dry stone walls that snaked across the landscape like giant's fingers. In the distance, the misty peaks of the Highlands rose with their rugged beauty, a testament to the wild and unforgiving power of nature.
As they approached the outskirts of Glasgow, the scenery shifted, and the hills gave way to the urban sprawl of the city. But even here, amidst the bustling streets and towering buildings, there were glimpses of the natural beauty that lay just beyond the city's edge.
The Rolls-Royce continued on its way, carrying Selena through the heart of Scotland, past the sparkling waters of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The scenery was a constantly shifting tapestry of hills and valleys, lochs and glens, each one more breathtaking than the last.
As they finally approached the estate of her grandparents, Selena felt a sense of wonder and awe at the sheer beauty of the Scottish landscape. She had never seen anything like it before, and she couldn't wait to explore every inch of this enchanting country.
As the Rolls-Royce pulled up to the Lowrie estate, Selena's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Jonathan climbed out first, followed by Eun Ho, who helped Selena out of the car. Jonah climbed out. He grinned, hearing his sisters gasp.