“I don’t want them.”
Malakai’s response came immediately.
Darke sighed. “I’m afraid you don’t have a choice, Ninth Vein.”
“What do you mean?” Malakai asked.
Darke adjusted his perfectly fitted red suit.
“It’s part of the core rules of the Crimson Hold. All direct descendants, after receiving a manor from the Sovereign, must have at least three maids or butlers attending to them at all times.”
“What kind of rule is that?”
Malakai was so baffled he blurted the words out. He couldn’t understand the point of such a stupid rule.
Darke answered, “I’ll be honest, Ninth Vein. It was created to ensure that each manor is properly maintained and kept tidy. We’re usually not strict with the rule, as long as everything is in order, which, clearly, it is here. However, it doesn’t change the fact that the rule must be followed. Some… people brought this matter to my attention, and as part of my duty, I had to act.”
“What happens if I still refuse?” Malakai asked.
“Then I’ll have to take this to the Sovereign,” Darke replied.
“And if they die?”
Malakai’s killing intent washed over the group like a freezing gust. The maids and butlers visibly shivered.
Their heads slowly lifted, eyes locking onto Malakai, and what they saw terrified them.
He was staring right at them.
An intense fear surged through them. Wasn’t he only fourteen?
That thought thundered in their minds. This was supposed to be a simple job, spying on a fourteen-year-old boy with no real backing in the clan. But this wasn’t a fourteen-year-old boy.
It felt like they were staring at death.
They gulped, the meaning of Malakai’s words finally registering.
‘Did he just threaten to kill us?’
The trembling intensified. Rumors of Malakai killing Jorge had already spread, and while many of them had refused to believe it before… now, it was becoming hard not to.
At this point, most of them were already having second thoughts.
And as fear gripped them tighter, Darke’s next words made it worse.
“Then they’ll be replaced.”
Malakai frowned.
‘So this is what they planned.’
He remembered when Darke had said ‘some people.’
It could only be his uncles and aunts.
‘Looks like there’s no choice.’
Malakai wasn’t one to waste time brooding. The reality of the situation was clear, he had no options. Even though the Sovereign had shown him some favor, the man was known for being fair above all else.
Which meant… the rule would stand.
Malakai slowly nodded. “I only have to pick two, right?”
“Yes, Ninth Vein.”
Malakai’s gaze swept across the line of maids and butlers.
Many of them flinched, lowering their eyes in fear. It was almost as if they were trying to disappear,to not be chosen.
All except two.
And the moment Malakai’s gaze landed on them, his mind was made.
“Her. And him.”
Darke turned to look at the two. His eyes narrowed slightly.
‘Is he into that?’
He didn’t voice the thought.
“Is that all?” Malakai asked.
Darke bowed. “I apologize for the interruption, Ninth Vein. Since I’ve completed my objective, I’ll take my leave. I wish you good luck.”
Malakai gave a single nod, watching in silence as Darke and the remaining maids disappeared into the darkness of the forest.
As Darke left, Malakai turned his cold gaze back onto the two he had chosen. Both visibly shivered.
It wasn’t just Malakai staring at them, Nyx was too. Her glare was colder than ice.
Standing behind Malakai, she looked like a mama bear guarding her cub.
The two bowed deeply, their bodies stiff. Then, the sound of footsteps echoed around them, and their fear intensified.
Was he actually going to kill them?
But Malakai simply walked past them without saying a single word, Nyx trailing behind him silently.
They passed through the gates and entered the manor. The heavy door slammed shut behind them.
The two gulped and, after a brief moment of hesitation, slowly stepped inside.
A few seconds later, Malakai reached his room. He closed the door behind him just as Valentine’s voice sounded.
“Are you planning something?”
Malakai walked to the side of his room and unclipped his utility belt. “What do you mean?”
“I mean your choices just now.”
“What about them?”
“Well… while I understand the second one, the first one is… odd.”
Malakai frowned. “What’s odd about her?”
Valentine let out a dramatic gasp. “Ah! Don’t tell me… Aren’t you too young though?”
Then, in a more thoughtful tone, he added, “Hmm. Come to think of it, kids at fourteen in my time were already doing some pretty crazy stuff. By the way, when do people marry in this era?”
Malakai shook his head and didn’t bother responding.
He dropped his scythe by the bed and made his way to freshen up.
Valentine’s voice followed him. “At least tell me why you chose her!”
But Malakai gave no answer. He simply stepped into the bathroom, letting the hot water wash over him as the events of the long day replayed in his mind.
…
“How much do you charge?”
At those words, the woman in the white maid uniform froze. She turned her gaze away from the mirror, her eyes landing on a man who could only be described in one word, tidy.
His hair was combed neatly, not a strand out of place. His white suit was crisp and perfectly ironed. From posture to presence, he was every inch the butler he claimed to be.
“Drop dead,” the woman spat, turning back to the mirror and resuming what she was doing.
“Hmm… vicious. I like that. Makes it more… enjoyable.”
The man’s lips curled into a crooked smile as his gaze leisurely dragged down her body.
His words hadn’t been random. He’d said them because the woman standing before him looked every bit the part of a seductress.
She wore the same white uniform as the other maids, but hers was tailored, no, designed, to show off her figure.
It hugged her curves tightly, the waist cinched just right, her skirt slightly shorter than regulation. Her blouse had been unbuttoned halfway down, revealing a scandalous amount of cleavage for a maid.
She was in her early twenties, and clearly, she knew how to use her body.
These were the maids Malakai had just selected moments ago.
