"We should first focus on finding him," Zayden said, making sure his voice was loud enough for Ren to hear.
Ren instantly looked up, eyes wide, searching for reassurance.
"W-We will find him, right?"
Zayden nodded, though he wasn’t entirely sure himself.
After the servant had regained some composure, Zayden’s gaze lingered on him as he sat on the floor.
"W-What is it?" Ren stammered, uneasy under the intense scrutiny.
"I never thought I’d see you ."
Ren didn’t answer. Perhaps he was ashamed. Maybe he was too consumed by trying to figure out where Eiran could be. Either way, he didn’t speak another word and stood up.
"Let’s notify the other guards. This one’s dead."
Zayden frowned, noting that they hadn’t even checked the pulse.
"How do you know that?"
Ren didn’t answer at first, then briefly pointed at the fallen man.
"There’s a knife on his chest. And it’s not moving up and down as it would. So I assumed."
Even though Zayden didn’t fully believe him, he didn’t have time to dwell on it.
"Alright, we’ll take care of him when we find Eiran."
The mansion was in an uproar the instant Zayden rang the alarm. Ren hadn’t even known such a thing existed. When the General pulled the great bell, its toll thundered through the halls, loud enough to drown even the rain for a brief moment.
Servants rushed into the main hallway, where their master had long instructed them to gather whenever the bell was rung.
Ren recalled reading about something similar in the stack of papers Hannah had handed him when he first began working under the General.
Some guests had already left once the banquet ended, but others remained—among them Duke Danman. They too gathered, uneasy whispers spreading, fear and anxiety raw in their eyes.
Was it another murder?
Zayden stood at the center. Behind him, Ren stood among the other servants, careful not to catch anyone’s eye. Even if no one recognized him earlier tonight, he wasn’t certain that someone would now.
"I sense that everyone is wondering why I have called you all this late—early, shall I say?" He looked through the window pane. It was already dawn, the sun rising outside.
Everyone’s eyes focused on him, waiting for him to get to the point. Some yawned despite themselves.
"My son has gone missing," the General’s voice was sharp now, his face devoid of any form of emotion. Not even the smile he faked in front of the nobles.
Chills ran down everyone’s spines as he locked gaze with each and every one of them. They were all suspects!
Some began to tremble in terror. They heard rumors about how this man treated traitors, or any criminals. And what could be a bigger crime than abducting his son?!
"Ha ha ha," a laugh echoed in the crowd.
Every gaze shifted toward the elderly man, brows knitted into a frown. How could he laugh during such a serious situation?
"I believe I have not told a joke for you to laugh , Duke."
"I could not help it. Pardon me," he sneered, stepping toward. "So... Your son is missing?" He repeated as if he hadn’t heard Zayden at all. Or worse, he didn’t believe him. "Perhaps he just went somewhere."
"That is precisely why I am stating he is missing, not abducted. It’s a matter of time before I find out whether he left willingly or—" Zayden didn’t finish, glaring at him, his scarlet eyes glimmering under the reflection of the first ray of sun slipping into the main hallway.
Duke Danman’s smile dropped briefly before he grinned.
"Oh, it seems as I grow old, my ears have begun to play tricks on me."
Zayden didn’t answer him. He instructed the staff members to search for Eiran throughout the mansion. Then, he sent some guards to investigate the area near the mansion—even the forest although he hoped Eiran wasn’t there.
Once the servants had left, the nobles only exchanged a glance, unsure what to do.
Should they also search for the boy?
"Wouldn’t that be a waste of time?"
"Wouldn’t it be better to just head home?"
Just as Zayden turned his back, Duke Danman called, "General."
The dark-blue-haired man shifted his gaze, an eyebrow raised.
The Duke looked at Ren, the servant who had been sticking close to Zayden from the moment he got here.
"If you have nothing to say—"
"Ah! Right. I apologize. Your servant is just so..." he grinned, gaze filled with lust.
Ren’s body stiffened under the disgusting gaze. He clenched his jaw, trying not to run away—or hit him.
Just then, a figure stood before him, shielding him from the Duke’s perverted stare. The General. Instantly, the tension he felt dropped, his jaw loosening.
"Speak," Zayden looked down at the old man, his voice calmer than the Duke expected.
He thought the General would lose his temper if someone eyed his precious partner.
But it seems he has more control than I thought...
The old man chuckled.
"I merely wanted to let you know that if you wish to find your son, isn’t it better to offer something? A reward for the person who brings him to you?"
Zayden crossed his arms. What did he want now?
"For motivation," the Duke added.
"Yeah, motivation." He muttered under his breath. Then, he looked around, finding every noble’s eyes shining with anticipation. They also looked forward to a reward for finding his son.
How ridiculous! His son was missing, and they cared about what they would obtain if they found him?! He didn’t have time to deal with these prideful people.
Just before he turned, he said, "The winner will get whatever they want from me."
The words hung in the air even when the General left.
"Wait, did he just say that?!"
"I didn’t imagine it?!" ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novｅlfire.net
"I thought I was dreaming..."
"He must truly love his son for him, out of all people to say he would give anything..."
"I mean... he is the demon who never shared anything."
"I still remember when he cut someone’s hand when he was just a child!"
Ren, who heard all of their whispers, froze.
Demon? Literally or figuratively?