IITYVA 33

Chapter 33

‘Did he notice I was trying to change the subject?’

Just as Akes was about to take a step back with that thought in mind, Millen swiftly reached out and grabbed his hand.

“I know you’re shy, As, but if you don’t want to lose your brother, you should hold hands, right?”

A gloved hand gripped the small bare one tightly.

From that firm grip, Akes immediately understood why Millen was so insistent on holding hands.

A chilling cold seeped through the leather gloves.

It was Laalone, a deadly poison. Even the smallest skin contact would cause full-body paralysis within ten minutes.

It was the most commonly used poison among noble families—and therefore, also the first one they’d developed resistance to. There was no way he wouldn’t recognize it.

‘So he dares use me to threaten Einra?’

Akes’s lips twisted upward in a mocking sneer.

That bastard must think this cursed child’s body is Einra’s weakness.

A dark murderous intent simmered in Akes’s red eyes, but he suppressed it calmly.

Even in a child’s body, he could snap an average man’s neck with ease. But killing or seriously injuring Millen—who was a local noble’s son—would be troublesome.

His grieving parents would no doubt dig into their son’s mysterious death.

And escaping was also not an option.

If Akes fled before the poison made contact, that would be one thing. But after being poisoned—if he still managed to escape unharmed—Millen would definitely find that suspicious.

And he wasn’t the kind to keep his doubts to himself.

Either way, once word got out among nobles that “As” wasn’t just any normal child, it would only be a matter of time before they started asking questions.

Who knew what kind of trouble that might bring?

Akes personally didn’t care, but Einra definitely would. She’d worry and take precautions.

So rather than taking drastic measures…

‘Involving the constables is probably the best move here.’

The constables were a lawful authority that acted based on cause and evidence. Bringing them in would be the safest and most legitimate way to resolve the situation.

But…

Akes’s red eyes dimmed.

His Limone—a device imbued with communication magic—had been disabled by the mana-suppression spell cast by the assassin he handled yesterday in the courtyard.

Using aura to communicate was also impossible.

He hadn’t told Einra yet, but the side effect of nullifying the curse had rendered him unable to use aura altogether.

‘…All I can do is hope Einra brings the constables here.’

Or wait for the effects of the suppression spell or the curse’s side effect to wear off.

Grinding his teeth, Akes thought bitterly—

He despised this frail body that could only weigh Einra down.

“Sorry I’m late.”

Finally, after an entire hour, the private room in Delish Café opened.

I stared coldly at Millen as he strolled in and sat across from me, perfectly relaxed.

‘Didn’t he say he was already at the café waiting?’

And he shows up an hour late?

With that face?

My opinion of Millen had already plummeted into the negatives, but today it crashed through the floor into negative infinity.

“We have something to talk about, don’t we?”

Millen spoke nonchalantly.

I curled my lip into a smirk as I imagined grabbing him by the collar.

“No. I waited this long just to see when you’d bother to show up. Now that I’ve confirmed you’re rude enough to keep someone waiting for an entire hour, I think I’ll be leaving.”

With a curt nod—purely out of politeness—I stood up.

As I moved past him, his calm voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Don’t you want to see As?”

“…?”

I froze.

“No one else knows where cute little As is. Only me.”

What… did he just say?

Millen scanned my stunned face with satisfaction and smiled sweetly.

“I’ve tucked him away somewhere only I know. If you don’t believe me, go ahead—check the bookstore, search around the village.”

“What the—”

“Oh, but you’d better watch your pretty little mouth. Of course, if you don’t want to find As ever again, I won’t stop you.”

He added the words like he was doing me a favor.

My fists trembled with rage.

But first, I had to confirm whether he was telling the truth.

I quickly sent out Quiel to check the bookstore.

Every scout returned with the same report—no sign of As.

The village? Nothing.

Millen really was the only one who knew where As was.

That arrogant attitude, like he had me completely cornered.

As, nowhere to be seen.

It could only mean one thing.

‘…That bastard Millen kidnapped As?’

And now he was trying to blackmail me with it?

My clenched fists shook in fury.

I glared at him and hissed through gritted teeth.

“…Where is As?”

Millen shrugged with an infuriating smirk.

“Who knows?”

“What the hell are you planning?”

“That hurts, you know. I became a kidnapper for your sake.”

“…What?”

Stunned, I stared as Millen stood up with an exaggeratedly wounded expression.

“This all happened because you kept playing hard to get, Einra. I was planning to take it slow, but then I heard you were leaving for the capital tomorrow?”

“…”

“So I had to act. I used up a whole bottle of this stuff just to grab that brat. Do you know how expensive this was?”

He held up a tiny glass vial, no bigger than a pinky.

“There’s no one else trying to woo you who’s spent this much, you know.”

He sounded proud, like he expected me to be flattered.

“It’s not something money alone can buy. But thanks to my prestigious education at the Atlanta Academy, I managed to get some.”

His face oozed with smug pride.

“I was going to use it on you, originally. But I changed my strategy after getting some advice.”

Millen sighed dramatically and stepped closer.

“But this isn’t bad either.”

He suddenly grabbed my chin with one large hand and tilted my face upward.

Even as I glared at him like I wanted to kill him, he simply smiled, as if I were amusing.

“Worried about As? Don’t be. If you marry me and give me kids, I’ll let him go unharmed.”

“…”

“Let’s say… three kids? Yeah, three sounds right. Give me three children, and I’ll release little As safe and sound. How about it? Simple, right?”

His voice was full of conviction, like he actually believed I’d say yes.

As if there was no way I’d disobey if it meant saving As.

By that point, my sanity had long flown off to the far reaches of Andromeda.

“…So you’re done talking now?”

“Yeah, I—what?”

The smile on Millen’s face disappeared.

Seeing the doubt in his eyes, I stared straight into them and enunciated clearly.

“I said, are you done spouting your bullshit, you worthless bastard?”

“W-what…?!”

Startled, his grip on my chin loosened.

I didn’t miss the chance—I smacked his hand away with force.

“What? Want me to repeat myself? Or should I escort you to the local doctor to get your ears checked?”

If Harnern had seen me now, he’d probably have clicked his tongue and said:

‘You’re screwed. Once Einra snaps, she’s worse than me.’

Normally quiet and mild, but when I lose my temper, I become an uncontrollable freight train.

Everyone who knew me—even my classmates at the Academy—knew that all too well.

Unfortunately, the idiot standing in front of me did not.