Chapter 34

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 8. Find the True Villain (2)

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Lucian opened the door and strolled in with casual ease.

His attitude—comfortable and confident anywhere, like he owned the place—had never grated on her nerves quite like it did today.

"You've been ignoring my calls all this time."

"You had that devil clinging to your side."

"...Devil might be a bit much."

Lucian raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"You still talking like that?"

He lounged on the sofa, crossing his legs, and looked at her teasingly.

"Even after seeing the true face of your 'nice fiancé'."

"Well, yeah, I saw it..."

"And you still call him nice. Hilarious every time."

This guy's always been like this. Edelaine let out a deep sigh and shook her head.

But he still shows up when I call...

Honestly, I thought he wouldn't come.

Edelaine had assumed her connection with Lucian ended five years ago that day.

Lucian was a man who held firm grudges.

She'd saddled him with a debt using info from the novel.

Info she never could've dug up without the novel.

Picking up Lloyd was the same deal.

If she hadn't known in advance when, how, and where Lucian would get hit, she'd never have crossed paths with him.

Edelaine figured he found it suspicious. But with nothing to say, she'd brushed it off vaguely. Lucian never pressed on what she wouldn't share. They called each other friends, but it was a shallow bond.

Like colleagues on a big project. More precisely, client and subcontractor boss.

So after her business wrapped five years back, she figured no more meetings. That's why she'd brushed off his complaints upon reuniting.

She'd never seen it as a lasting tie.

No reason to reach out, no reason for him to wait. Why apologize sincerely for ghosting?

Yet here he was.

Even with devilish Shane glued to her, finding a gap to slip in. Meant there was still hope. Didn't matter how he saw her—as long as she looked like a paying client.

To move without Shane, I need Lucian's help. Getting locked up every incident? Can't hunt warlocks—or do anything. Ask Jeff for aid? Nah, he's in Shane's pocket now...

Asking Lucian's help terrified her, though.

No debt leveraged now—what price would he demand?

Worst case? Human trafficking. Her unhealthy organs wouldn't fetch much anyway.

"Lucian, help me out."

"No."

"..."

Her hopes shattered instantly.

"Why! You came all this way! If you're not helping, why bother!"

Lloyd shot her a look like she was the world's most shameless person. Whatever. Edelaine decided to go bold. Bold and shameless were paper-thin apart.

But Lucian didn't blink.

"Came to gawk at the idiot who ran off without knowing what she raised."

"You've seen my face before."

"That was before you knew. Wondered if you'd be more miserable once you did."

"You and Shane both—just want me miserable."

Maybe time for a sob show, damn it.

"On that note, disappointing. You're holding up better than expected."

"Sorry to disappoint."

"No need to apologize."

Lucian propped his arm on the chair's armrest, resting his chin on his hand. His light brown hair partially veiled his pale face, making his expression even harder to read. Edelaine glared sideways, and he grinned.

"Not helping, but I could hang out a bit."

"For how much?"

"Begging for help one minute, now pinching pennies?"

"Hanging out costs more than helping with you. Jeff's footing the bill—if he goes bankrupt over me..."

Lucian eyed her like she fretted over the weirdest things, then burst out laughing—Pfft!

Fox spirit bastard.

Those hypnotic eyes defined the term. Edelaine knew his "character," so she stayed immune, but most anyone—man or woman—would fall. Once hooked, no escape. A swamp to avoid from the start.

Lucian valued people by entertainment factor. Calculated to a T. His world: fun and figures.

That's why Edelaine found him easy.

No emotional expectations, and he'd toss back consoling nonsense.

Like chatting with AI... Competent like one too...

Lucian spoke.

"Fine. Tab for now."

"Whoa, scary..."

"Looks like you could make up for stomping my face army-boot style. Plus, you told me stuff you hid from parents and brothers. Bet that burned."

"What'd I tell only you? ...Curses?"

"You curse me out?"

"...In my head."

Mind-reader too, this guy.

Lloyd handled escorting Lucian out. Edelaine tried to follow but got stopped.

"If you want to tip off parents and siblings that you called me, go ahead."

"Ah, bye. Not going far."

Lucian and Lloyd could go or hide anywhere. No surveillance could catch them—easier than breathing.

"Pass requests through Lloyd soon. Thanks."

Edelaine ducked into her bedroom, claiming bedtime. Left behind, Lucian muttered.

"Really sneaky, isn't she."

"Lady Edelaine has her sly side, but not enough to deserve your scorn, sir."

"You've learned to bark like a loyal hound."

"..."

Lloyd grimaced like he'd taken life's worst insult. Lucian laughed heartily—face that'd horrify Edelaine if she saw.

"Edelaine plotting another escape? That'd be fun."

"You'd help then?"

"Who knows... Sounds thrilling. Neck prickles just thinking."

Coming from a guy who bet lives on whims, sounded plausible.

"You're surprisingly lenient with her. Out of character."

"What do you know about me?"

"Ears and eyes—hear and see plenty."

"Sharp tongue. Should've raised you myself."

Lucian eyed Lloyd with fox-like slyness.

"You tossed me aside first."

"Watch your words. I dropped you off the cliff to climb up—Edelaine snatched you quick."

"..."

"Won't spill you were originally mine—no need to freak."

Lloyd stayed silent, but his sharpened tawny eyes spoke volumes. Lucian backed off instead of prodding Edelaine's treasured servant.

Lloyd was usually docile, but touchy on his past.

Didn't want her knowing. That Lucian taught him to kill.

She seems to know, though.

Lucian shrugged. Kid's angst wasn't his problem. Especially pointless stuff.

But Edelaine? He'd wondered long about her.

How the pampered marquis's youngest knew their underworld like the back of her hand.

She couldn't have shown up in that alley like fate without knowing.

Seemed to know everything—and nothing.

That scared little girl who'd ventured dark alleys unafraid, offering her pale, soft hand—clearly didn't grasp what the man took it meant.

So she offered again.

What filled that head?

Lucian loved fun. Intrigue. Hated boredom. Better dead than dull. Curiosity worth any risk. His on Edelaine lingered unsolved.

Whistling, he melted into shadows.

Recalling that day five years back.