Around the corner, a long, empty hallway stretched out. Ahin, who had taken his hand off his sword, slowly scanned his surroundings.
“Is it just my imagination?”
In this place, the third basement floor, it was almost impossible for someone to vanish into thin air. Everine, who was glancing left and right, added a comment.
“It might have been the presence of a prisoner.”
The two of them walked down the hallway and stood in front of the prison in the center. Inside the iron bars was a prisoner who had been recently captured, a notorious murderer who had made headlines.
The prisoner’s cross-eyed gaze, which had been staring blankly into space, fixed on Ahin. The man pulled his lips into a bizarre smirk.
“You look curious. Want me to tell you something?”
“Just shut up, you stink.”
Ahin, who was standing crookedly, smiled brightly. As his eyes narrowed, the man let out a snicker.
“I’ve killed a lot of people, and you, with that pretty face, look like you’ll die young. Come to think of it, didn’t your father die young too?”
The man added, referring to the late husband of Valence Grace, while he swung his legs lazily. Ahin showed no sign of being disturbed. The man clicked his tongue in disappointment at the calm smile that met his expectations.
“I’ve killed a lot of people too,”
Ahin slowly approached and slid his index finger along the iron bars. Dust stuck to his fingertip.
“And thanks to your loose mouth, your execution date might be moved up.”
At that moment, as he rubbed his index finger and thumb together, his dominant pheromones seeped into the man’s body.
“You’re going to be in a lot of pain for a while.”
The man shuddered as intense pain overtook his entire body. It was a punishment that felt like his blood vessels were tearing apart, a torture that seemed preferable in comparison.
As the man let out a strange scream, Ahin turned his back and clenched and unclenched his fist.
It was a familiar sensation.
Although his pheromones were strong enough to easily break down even a prisoner with a robust body, they had to travel through blood vessels or the respiratory system to suppress Vivi’s pheromones.
This was proof that Vivi’s pheromones were far superior.
“It’s getting late. Shall we go straight to the bedroom?”
Everine, who had stepped out of the underground prison, took out his pocket watch. The hands of the clock were approaching midnight.
“Well,”
Ahin trailed off, suddenly bringing his wrist to his nose. The damp smell typical of the prison and the scent of blood reached him.
He then fiddled with the uniform adorned with epaulets. Noticing the jacket soaked with the smell of blood, he recalled Vivi, who occasionally avoided him as if to flee in a panic.
Would she avoid him again today? He imagined the flustered little bundle rolling around desperately.
“Master Ahin, aren’t you going?”
At the questioning tone, Ahin suddenly extended his wrist.
“The smell of blood seems a bit too strong.”
“It’s a common occurrence, though.”
Everine shrugged indifferently.
Ahin briefly glanced in the direction of the bedroom, then removed his jacket, loosening his cravat and cuffs. Under the moonlight, his disheveled appearance was quite sensual.
Everine, who had stepped back as Ahin began undressing so suddenly, hesitantly spoke up.
“…Why are you undressing all of a sudden?”
“Everine, let’s go to your bedroom.”
Hearing the abrupt and incomplete statement, Everine dropped the papers he was holding, scattering them everywhere. Crossing his arms over his body, he calmly shook his head.
“No.”
A determined will was evident on his composed face. It was an unusually resolute reaction compared to his usual flattering demeanor.
“Why?”
“I don’t want to go to the bedroom.”
At that moment, the knight atop the tower rang the bell to signal midnight.
Ding- Ding- The clear sound of the bell resonated between the two, creating a palpable tension in the air.
Realizing belatedly that his explanation had been lacking, Ahin shuddered as he put his jacket back on. It was a wretched atmosphere that he never wanted to experience again.
* * *
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