Chapter 3
Whence did you come, and what have you done, our Young Master? What could have happened to make you appear so cheerful? I sense a subtle difference in him compared to his usual self.
Resuming my seat on the plush rug, I cradled my cherished box of chocolates in my arms. Benya, on the other hand, regarded it with a perplexed expression, seemingly baffled by its emergence.
"That... Why do you stash your chocolates under the bed?"
"Don't insult my beloved midnight snack."
"I'm not insulting it, but why do keep it there..."
"I’m not hiding it; I just feel like doing so. There's something delightful about the notion of resting atop a mound of chocolate. This, you see, is Vibrato's Special, gigantic-sized chocolate."
I didn't want to reveal my tendency to squirrel away my favorite treats, especially those that could serve as emergency foods.
Thus, I laughed cheerfully, removed the vibrant packaging, and offered it to this guy before me.
"Eat up. You think I might have added something strange to it?"
"No, I was merely curious what else would come out from down there."
I was curious as well.
He might be flabbergasted if I divulged that I also stowed bundles of lollipop baskets, biscuit tins, and stacks of canned goods there. I joked back while opening my portion of chocolate.
"Perhaps a pitiable, handsome lad lurks there, intimidated by your voice."
It was intended as a joke, but for some reason, this snake-eyed fellow didn't laugh. So, I appended candidly:
"Naturally, regardless of his attractiveness, a man who trembles before you won't appear the least bit manly. If I end up old and alone, it will be all because of you."
"Who's trembling before me?"
"Don't feign innocence; it doesn't suit you."
As I hit his knee, his subdued chuckle ensued.
A laugh that seemed slightly more relaxed than his customary demeanor. Hm. I expected you to return sullenly, if not as noticeably as Lethias'. At the very least.
"Oh, there's something I wanted to ask you about."
I swallowed the piece of chocolate I had popped into my mouth. My temples prickled, and I swiftly tensed.
Are you finally going to interrogate me about everything? The long-anticipated barrage of questions...
His subsequent words were not the type of questions I had anticipated.
"What do you think about attending the Hunting Festival together?"
"The Hunting Festival? That particular Hunting Festival?"
"Yes, that Hunting Festival."
I blinked and leaned forward, regarding Benya as he offered his composed response. I had intended to inform both Lethias and Benya before contacting Alfonsina. So, you're planning to bring me along...
"Very well. But why? Who suggested bringing me, too?"
"No one suggested we include you, it's just that... Because I don't want to be there all alone."
Damn, would anyone take it seriously when you assert that you'll be all alone? What a sly devil.
The Crown Prince, a figure of unparalleled beauty, evidently didn't inform them that he had invited me as well...
"Of course, if you're not interested..."
"I'll go. We should go. I can't just leave you on your own, can I? You can count on me."
I responded swiftly, grinning widely.
I couldn't fathom why Assad and Benya had proposed courses of action not featured in the original narrative, but the fact that Benya extended the invitation before I even asked was a source of my delight.
It felt as if we were becoming genuine allies...
"I always place my trust in you."
"So, I suppose you'll end up betrayed, then?"
His pale blue eyes, leaning in my direction, glimmered and formed a smile. A laugh, tinged with both bitterness and sweetness, was rich with emotions. For a brief moment, I felt ensnared and disarmed.
"You’re really quite something. You always manage to surprise me."
No, it's you. From that tower to this very day, you've consistently left me astonished. With wonder and delight.
Suppressing the words that swirled within me, I extended my hand and gently rested it on his cheek, as if guided by an invisible force.
Unexpectedly, Benya didn't flinch. Instead, he brought his hand to touch mine, holding it briefly before pressing a kiss to the racing pulse on my wrist, as if it were something immensely precious.
My heart raced, the air around us seemed to warm, and the rhythm of my heartbeat became swift and powerful, so intense that its origin could hardly be discerned.
In the next moment, he released my hand and rose to his feet.
"I should check on Hyung. It's late. Get some rest."
Is he implying that he's going to secretly check if Lethias is drinking? I followed suit and stood, feeling a sense of reluctance.
"Yes. You should rest early too. If I work as much as you do, I'll die from overwork before turning 30."
"I’m thinking about going into hibernation when winter comes."
I bid him farewell with a smile. Despite this, I only accompanied him to the door's entrance.
Once Benya departed, I returned the remaining chocolates to their place under the bed, embraced Miss Wendy—curled on one side of the pillow—and settled beneath the soft sheets.
I knew I ought to brush my teeth, but I couldn't muster the motivation. Sleep didn't go to me immediately either.
My wrists remained warm.
Even though I attempted to convince myself that it was a trivial thing, I couldn't help but dwell on Benya's actions—the way he'd kissed my wrist and the manner in which he gazed at me.
The unspoken, tender smile nestled within those eyes.
The relationship between the two of us in the original novel...
Well, if I remember correctly, it was very lunatic and erotic. A relationship like a chariot running while on fire, having each other so twistedly that no one was happy to the end.
Perhaps that's why I never believed Benya could gaze at someone like that. So pure and gentle, as though gazing at something softer and more valuable than the most beautiful fantasies.
* * *
High-rise offices with walls made entirely of glass, offering a stunning view, are the dream of many workers.
A place where you can gaze upon the Python Bank building with a single glance, showcasing its elegant silver curve amidst a sea of red and cream-colored structures, along with the magnificent frontage of the hotel on the west side.
Viewed from a distance, it appears as if a silver serpent has coiled itself and is keeping watch over the Imperial city.
“... Is this debt accumulated over 5 years? Not 15 years?”
“You know how they value their blood relations. They had a tough time finding substitutes for their precious sons to go to war. After the war, all the channels through which money was flowing to them were blocked... Their shares were already vulnerable, even without this situation.”
One might think that their collateral family, unable to find replacements for their precious sons, had a certain eerie atmosphere around them.
But they managed to propose yet another substitute for their children’s war involvement.
The Cherkesha Empire held a strict authoritarian stance on matters of patriotism and war, especially among the aristocracy.
Evading the draft required significant compensation to be paid both to the imperial family and those who were drafted in place of their own family members.
Furthermore, since the passing of the late Duke and his wife, the family had largely abstained from any actions involving each other for about two years (during the time we were imprisoned).
Instead, they had been squandering the Serpente estate. The resulting financial downfall was, in a way, a natural outcome.
Additionally, their practice of nepotism-style management, where repaying debt was substituted with free labor by enlisting their children and repeatedly borrowing while using their shares as insurance, was becoming outdated as they grew increasingly estranged from the original family.
“I suppose that’s how they got involved with Fibonacci.”
“No matter the reason, dealing with dirty money comes with consequences. Our goals may seem aligned now, but if things go awry…”
“But isn’t this essentially dealing with dirty money?”
“The way we operate is quite distinct. We began by making clean money dirty from the start. It’s not even comparable.”
I smiled as I closed my leather-bound notebook, responding to Yann’s grumbling remark.
Valentina, seated on a plush white sofa across my desk, looked at her brother disapprovingly and spoke in my stead.
“Why are you here?”
A large iron lighter clattered loudly onto the marble floor. Yann promptly picked it up and answered with a puzzled tone.
“What do you mean, why? I'm the brain behind our triad alliance.”
“Who are you to declare yourself the brain whenever it suits you? And this is a non-smoking area.”
“Noona, let’s be honest. Didn’t you actually need me? Right, Sasha? As the brain of our alliance, in case of an emergency…”
“You sat down proudly, claiming to be the brain. Then, if things go south, won’t you just run to your friend and spill all the details?”
“No, what do you take me for...! Why would I do that?! This is all for my friend! Knowing how to risk a certain amount of secrecy for an unknown friend is true loyalty!”
I may not understand the depths of that loyalty, but he had a point. I indeed needed both of these siblings. Having two allies with aligned goals is better than having just one.
Moreover, Yann had fewer behavioral constraints compared to Valentina, as he wasn’t bound by a specific mission tied to my safety.
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