“So did you find him?”

The man kneeling under Kiries’ feet could not immediately answer. He frantically looked around and found a hole to escape.

But at that moment, he encountered quiet yet creepy red eyes.

“I asked if you found him.”

“Well, that’s…”

Kiries smiled deeply at the man who kept hesitating and couldn’t answer properly. Cool energy was smeared on the corners of his mouth.

“I don’t think I will hear a good answer.”

He picked up the gun that he put on the table. He pointed the gun at the man’s head. Before he could beg Kiries to pardon his life, a wild shot burst out. And the man fell forward.

Watching the terrible scene, the members turned away, swallowing their saliva.

Kiries slowly went in front of them with his gun.

“Don’t think that you won’t die like he did.”

“……….”

“Because it could be your future.”

Kiries walked back to the man’s body.

“Clean this up.”

Kiries kicked the body under his feet as if it were dirty. As soon as the words were finished, the men next to him cleaned up the body.．

“What about La Chapelle?”

It was about a nektar dealer who did business with Count La Chapelle. Zero, who was watching, replied immediately.

“We’ve decided to hold a sculpture auction soon and proceed with the tie deal.”

“I’m glad there’s one guy who’s working properly.”

Kiries flopped down on a chair. He thought it was going well, but the problem was somewhere else.

‘I missed Schaden….’

At the party held by Count La Chapelle last night, he followed a man who introduced himself as Schaden.

But after the party, he disappeared like the wind and Kiries lost him. He added so many members that it didn’t matter if he was caught following him, but it still turned out to be in vain.

‘I should have assigned it to Eclette.’

What’s the point of regretting it now?

Kiries waved his hand telling them to get out.

Only then, after leaving the room, sis the members breathe a sigh of relief. But Zero didn’t go out and looked at Kiries.

“Do you have anything to say?”

“I booked a ballet performance ticket and a restaurant as you’ve ordered the other day.”

Zero carefully handed over the two tickets to Kiries.

‘Swan Lake.’

Kiries took the tickets and loosened his tie. When he unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, his frustration subsided.

“And there’s one more thing.”

“What is it?”

It was a letter bearing the seal of Count La Chapelle. Kiries tore the envelope as if he was annoyed, and when he saw the contents, he smirked with a puzzled look.

“I don’t even know the woman.”

He threw the worthless letter into the fireplace and lit a cigarette.

“What did it say?”

“He wants me to get engaged to his daughter. Who do you know is a friend of mine, but also a business partner? None. Business is just business.”

There was little reason for planning the project with Count La Chapelle. However, Eclette advised him that he would succeed if he did business with Count La Chapelle, and most of all, he was easy to deal with. He’s not even aware of that.

The things he said the night before came to his mind belatedly.

“Where is Eclette?”

“She should be resting in her room by now.”

“Call her.”

“Yes.”

“No. I’ll go.”

‘I told you to decide which award you want, but why are you not listening?’

So, Kiries was going to visit her and give the prize himself. He wanted to punish her for not listening, but he also wanted to have a good time after a long time.

Kiries walked to Eclette’s room with a smile on his face. He planned to give Eclette a mission to follow Schaden’s lead.

At that moment.

[Then can you come over?]

He remembered what she said last night, her voice clear while leaning towards the man’s chest

Kiries stopped walking and stood in place

‘It was an eyesore.’

For some reason, hid mood sank to the bottom. He remembered Redwood’s face smiling at Eclette. His slightly lowered eyes and small whispering smile. He suddenly got irritated.

[It looked cheap]

Despite what he said, Kiries couldn’t figure out why he said that to Eclette.

Hr just remembered that he was angry at the moment because the scene was displeasing.

This feeling will only exist for a short time anyway. It will be a temporary feeling, and watching a ballet performance will solve it quickly.

Kiries went to her room thinking that he wanted to eat Eclette’s favorite cake after a long time.

(T/N: What’s with the cake that you all keep mentioning it?)

***

“Are you crazy? How did you get in?”

Eclette pushed Redwood’s back to see if anyone was around.

However, Redwood looked around as if he was welcome at the mansion  and said leisurely.

“It’s so big that I could get lost.”

“That’s not the problem right now!”

Unlike Eclette, who was frantic, Redwood was relaxed. She tried to kick him out quickly, but she was only dragged away.

“If you’re really Schaden, you’re in the most dangerous place right now.”

It was more difficult to make him understand because he was a lunatic with no common sense. Even if he wasn’t Schaden, he was in a situation of danger..

And so, in a soothing voice that even children could understand she said

“This place is very dangerous for you Redwood, so you should leave, okay?”

“Are you staying here? I’d like to see your room while I’m here.”

“Redwood!”

Without realizing it, Eclette hurriedly covered her mouth.

Not knowing how much trouble Eclette felt, Redwood decided to explore it.

“Do I have to go this way?”

“No, that way.”

Eclette pointed to the garden’s exit. It meant get out.

However, Redwood shook his head lightly and walked to the other side to enter the mansion.

Eclette wanted to scream. In the end, she decided to comply.

“Haaa…. So if I show you my room, will you leave?”

“Will you show me?”

“Yes, so take a look and then please go back.”

Only then did Redwood nod his head like a dog that listens well.

Looking at the scene, Eclette didn’t know whether to be happy or annoyed.

Fortunately, she didn’t see anyone on their way to her room. It was so smooth that it felt ridiculous to be anxious.

“There’s nothing much to see, but let’s take a look and go away.”

Eclette declared this as soon as they came into her room,but Redwood looked from place to place as if everything was interesting.

It was a room that he thought would have a cute style and taste. However, the room was equipped with only the necessary itemsand looked shabby and dry.

Meanwhile, a bag stuck in the corner caught his eye.

“What is this?”

“Don’t touch it!”

She quickly took the bag from Redwood’s hand.

“Are you going on a trip?”

“No.”

“Your bag was heavy.”

“You don’t need to know..”

“I asked because I was curious.”

“May I ask you something, then?”

“…….?”

“Are you really Schaden?”

As the Thetis Empire suffered consecutive defeats in the war, the imperial regime naturally weakened. As a result, criminal organizations became rampant, and Anatolia consolidated one criminal organization and expanded its scale. Soon, Schadenfreude was also planned to be swallowed.

If Redwood was really Schaden, Kiries wouldn’t let him go.

“I–”

As soon as Redwood opened his mouth, they heard a knock. Eclette’s face turned pale.

“Quickly, hurry up and hide!”

“I should at least say hello…”

“It’s not necessary, Just hide!”

Redwood tried to open the door; maybe he actually wanted to say hello. Eclette, who managed to grab his arm, took a breathe. She had to hide him quickly, but there was nowhere to hide.

A closet came into Eclette’s view as she wandered around restlessly. She quickly pushed Redwood into the closet.

“Be completely silent. Do you understand?”

“Eclette, are you in there?”

The voice heard from outside the room made Eclette’s face turn pale.

‘No! Why did Kiries come here at this time?!’

She grabbed her hair roughly and screamed silently. In the meantime, Redwood tried to leave the closet to greet him.

“I have to say hello ……..”

“No, please… stay still in here.”

She put her index finger on her. It was a silent beg to be quiet.

Redwood, who was looking down at Eclette in the closet, tilted his head to one side.

“Why should I do that?”

“If you stay quiet, I’ll do what you ask, please! Stay still.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

She heard a knock again. She quickly closed the closet door and ran to the door.

She took a deep breath and opened the door,where Kiries stoodin front of her.

“Why are you opening the door so late?”

“Come on, I was sleeping.”

Kiries frowned and came into the room. Looking at him sitting comfortably on the sofa, Eclette stamped her feet.

“Why are you standing there?”

“Ah, my legs hurt.”

“So you’re standing with a sore leg?”

Eclette kept stuttering, avoiding his eyes, which he felt was strange.

“Oh, uh… do you want me to drive you somewhere?”

“Eclette.”

Eclette became even more anxious from the tone of his voice.

‘You didn’t notice that Redwood was in the closet, did you?’

Kiries slowly approached Eclette without expression.

“Eclette.”

“…….”

“Eclette!”

“Ye‐, yes? Oh, yes! Did you call me?”

“Are you sick?”

“Why, why?”

“You’re breaking out in a cold sweat.”

Kiries, who now stood in front of her, slowly wiped the sweat off Eclette’s forehead. At the cold touch, Eclette shook him off with a horrifying surprise.

There was a heavy silence for a moment.

“Oh, I’m fine! I don’t feel sick.”

“You look sick.”

“I don’t feel sick at all.”

Kiries stared at Eclette, who spoke sternly. He felt strange for no reason when he saw her slightly lowering her golden and purple eyes, the purple one darker than the moon.

“I’m suddenly curious.”

“About?”

“Your temptation.”

“…….”

‘Did I hear you wrong?’

She looked up at Kiries with a stiff face.

“Tempt me.”

“Who are you asking for…..?”

“Me.”

Eclette’s gaze turned to the closet where Redwood was located.

‘No, why are you saying this to me now?!’

She wanted him to move on, thinking it was a joke. But Kiries was only urging.

“Why are you doing that?”

“…….?”

“Are you going to keep me waiting?”

If she could, Eclette would let him wait her whole time.

Yesterday, he told her to seduce Redwood, but now he told her to seduce him. She felt like running away.

“Mr. Kiries……”

“Kiries.”

“Yes, Kiries…..”

“What should I do if you don’t listen? I told you to choose the prize you wanted, but you didn’t listen to me.”

As the cold voice added, Eclette bit her lips slightly.

Kiries reached out slowly. A cool hand touched her red lips.

“I told you not to bite your lips.”

“I won’t.”

The lips that touched his fingertips were soft and moist. Kiries cupped Eclette’s cheek and pulled it toward him.

They got so close that they could see themselves in the other’s eyes. It was close enough for their lips to touch.

Suddenly, they heard a loud sound in the closet. Kiries’ eyes naturally turned to the closet.

“The sound came from there, didn’t it?”

“…….”

This is crazy.

A curse was stuck in Eclette’s throat. She couldn’t even say no because the sound actually came from the closet.