"You haven’t answered me. Have you never been so happy that you cried?" James turned, his eyebrows raised, fingers intertwined behind his back.
Ren shook his head almost too quickly. As if he hadn’t even thought of the answer—or maybe he didn’t want to ponder on it.
"There was no such thing in my life," he firmly stated, walking past the man.
"Is it all right for me to stay behind? What if I stab you?"
"It doesn’t matter," Ren muttered.
"What?" Failing to hear him, James asked.
"It doesn’t matter. I’ll just kill you with that knife like I killed that man... Cael."
James’ steps faltered upon hearing that. He watched Ren, who looked at him without any hint of regret, just a slight frown on his face.
Suddenly, something shifted in the air or perhaps in James’s view of the servant. His fingers burned, his blood boiling in anger.
"Y—You killed him?" His voice barely above a whisper, James finally managed to ask.
After another brief silence, Ren nodded once.
’Yes. He snuck into my—"
The air around him quickened, James slammed him into the wall, hands wrapped tightly around Ren’s neck, ready to strangle him any moment.
"You killed him?!" He demanded, as if to confirm.
"Yes," Ren locked gaze with his eyes without blinking.
"How could you?! You piece of shit!"
As the grip around his neck tightened, Ren was unable to breathe.
"What is going on here?!"
A group of guards rushed towards the two men, separating them from each other.
"Let go! Let go!" James repeated, swinging his feet and hands in the air. "I will kill him!"
Ren coughed once the hand was pulled away from his neck. He looked at James, no tears in his eyes despite nearly being choked.
"Bring him... to the general’s study room," he said, coughing to clear his hoarse voice, walking ahead of them. He never ordered anyone before. Although he could have done so, as the general’s personal attendant, as the one who carried out his orders closely.
The soldiers, although unsure, did as told. James was, after all, a criminal who betrayed their master. It wouldn’t be wrong to follow the words of his personal servant.
Sitting on the couch, James glared at Ren, who stood beside the window, leaning against the wall. He looked outside as if the weather was beautiful although the clouds had turned dark, rumbling.
"When’s the general coming? I’ll tell him that you are the one who killed my Cael."
Before Ren could answer, the door swung open. Zayden stepped in, looking at Ren, then at James.
"You brought him here?" He asked. He didn’t expect to see these two as soon as he entered the room. Dealing with people always drained his energy. However, when it came to unaliving them, he was an expert.
"Well... You did not tell me where to bring him. I apologize—"
Zayden raised his hand, interrupting him.
"Pardon?" Ren blinked. He looked at the general then at the person who had almost strangled him earlier.
"I am afraid I cannot. This person could harm you," Ren firmly argued for the first time.
Zayden’s lips twitched into a grin.
"Oh? Are you worried for me?"
Ren looked at him, his expression stating: I care for the money you promised over your life.
Zayden burst into laughter.
"I believe you truly never met the ’demon’ you accused me of being. Do not worry, you will get your money."
Without listening to what more he had to say, Ren turned his heels.
"Wait. I have a question."
Ren swiftly turned his neck, waiting for the general to ask his question.
"Where will you put all that money? I doubt you have a wife, you are too young. And children? Of course not..."
The servant looked at him, eyes suspicious as if the general would steal his money.
Zayden’s shoulder trembled as he tried to keep a face as straight as Ren.
Once he calmed down, he coughed, regaining his composure.
After the door closed behind Ren, Zayden turned to face his previous attendant.
"Is he your new servant, the one replacing me?"
The general didn’t answer. He simply took a seat across from the brown—haired man.
"If I remember, you said your mother was sick. Where did your lover come from in all this? Are you trying to deceive me again?" Although he smiled, there was no kindness in it.
"I—I lied, indeed," James slumped slightly, his gaze low.
He didn’t speak for a brief moment.
The general didn’t press, either. He simply waited for James to explain himself on his own... or else, he had other methods to make him speak.
"I have worked under the duke from a young age. It was inevitable that he would send me as a spy, someone he wouldn’t care if dead or not. But... Cael wouldn’t let me come alone. He insisted on accompanying me. So the duke sent him to work under another general, at least we would both spy on two people at once. My sudden dismissal must have left him with a lot of questions... And the duke’s order to steal the documents right after didn’t help," he paused, his gaze flickering upward, filled with anger.
"BUT THAT MAN DARED TO–"
"It seems your lover went to your room—which was assigned to my new attendant. It was only natural for my servant to attack him in self-defence. Your lover tried to kill him."
James’ eyes widened. Tears formed in his eyes but he tried to suppress them. Just the thought of how much agony Cael must have gone through before his death sank his heart.
"My lord..." he sobbed. "I... I understand but I don’t understand—I don’t want to. It’s..."
"It is fair. Had your lover killed my servant, and succeeded in his mission, wouldn’t I be at a loss? I do feel regret for your loss, but you should not hold my servant accountable for your wrongdoings. You knew very well what sneaking into MY mansion meant."
James nodded, wiping his tears.
"I... I still don’t think I can tolerate him around me. Could you please assign the task of guarding me to someone else?"
Zayden shook his head.
"I don’t have servants lined up to look after you."
And I won’t let the chance to keep him away from Eiran go so easily.
"Anyhow... You should go to your old room. You will be sharing it with my new attendant."
James frowned, opened his mouth only to close it.
"I... I’ll take my leave then," he rose from the seat, bowed and left the room.
Once he stood outside the study room, fist clenched, he headed towards the servants’ quarters.
"That man..." He muttered, silently vowing to make Ren’s life a living hell.