Chapter 14
She had agreed to it because she thought it wouldn’t matter anyway.
The only reason she had signed and kept that childish contract was just in case—because having it could be advantageous to her.
She had no intention whatsoever of indulging a six-year-old’s silly pretend play.
On the other hand, Nina, who had no clue about Lavian’s wicked inner thoughts, began to seriously mull things over in her own way.
Most of the information Nina had came from her foresight, so she had to be careful. If she spoke too freely, it might lead to misunderstandings or suspicions.
So she had to start carefully.
“This is a secret, okay…”
“Hm?”
When Nina lowered her voice conspiratorially, Lavian leaned in, pretending to listen seriously.
“You know Duke Chernia?”
“Who? Oh, your uncle?”
“Yeah.”
“What about that guy?”
As the unexpected name came up, Lavian looked surprised. Nina swallowed hard and finally revealed a secret she’d kept tightly hidden.
“It’s actually a wig.”
* * *
The city of Rojas was even more vibrant than usual in celebration of the New Year.
A man sat alone at a normally bustling outdoor table of his regular bar, watching the lively square. He murmured sweetly, as if whispering to a lover.
“You’re beautiful again today, my Rojas.”
This man was none other than Dite Frank, the Captain of the City Guard responsible for maintaining order in the city.
With his elegant platinum-blond hair, amethyst-colored eyes, and flawless face, he looked more like the poster boy for the bar than the head of city security.
Tall, broad-shouldered, and dignified in his dark uniform, he looked every bit like a prince from a dream…
Except for one glaring flaw: the tight pants peeking out from under his old-fashioned uniform coat ruined everything.
“Captain! Captain!”
As his subordinates desperately called for him, Dite snapped out of his romantic daze and rose to his feet with a sharp, commanding gaze.
“What’s going on?”
“It’s true, sir!”
The guard who had run ahead was gasping as he reported.
Dite turned pale.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes, sir! We’ve received multiple witness accounts of the leader of Anubis being spotted near the shopping mall with a young girl—”
“You mean… my mortal enemy Lavian became a father before I did?!”
Thud.
Dite collapsed in despair, while the faithful guards exchanged awkward glances.
‘Of all things to compete over…’
“That’s not quite it, sir. She’s apparently Merci’s little sister.”
“Me—what? Merci? That gigolo had a sister?”
“Who are you calling a gigolo…”
“What?”
“N-nothing. They say she’s Merci’s sister. There might be some circumstances, but anyway, that’s the situation. So please, relax. And maybe, uh, change your pants…”
“Quiet, let me think.”
Dite waved them off, and the guards fell silent, exchanging glances of misery.
Their commander, who rivaled the famously handsome Merci of Anubis in looks, could have been a source of pride for the team.
But Dite’s fashion sense, which even former commanders had given up on correcting, turned their pride into dust.
Of course, no one could criticize the attire of a superior officer who was also heir to the noble Frank family.
The guards of Rojas, famed for being able to take down even ghosts, had endured through floral print shirts, cat-ear hats, and golden fur coats.
But even for them—
‘This is just too much…!’
Dite elegantly crossed his legs in skin-tight pants that revealed every line from ankle to waist.
The guards all desperately resisted the urge to gouge out their own eyes.
“Damn it. What a shame. If she were Lavian’s daughter, she’d definitely be ugly like him…”
“Excuse me?”
“Tsk, you idiots. If she’s Merci’s little sister, she must be adorable.”
“Ah, yes. That makes sense.”
“I can’t just sit back.”
“Huh? Again, why…?”
“Ugh, you morons!”
Dite’s beautiful purple eyes glinted dangerously.
“If that psychopathic Lavian is going around shopping with her, she must be an exceptionally cute kid.”
“Well… I guess that makes sense.”
“As Lavian’s only worthy rival and as the city guard captain, I, Dite Frank, must see for myself what kind of adorable child could make that punk strut around like that.”
He could’ve just said he was curious, but the guards wisely held their tongues.
“Right, let’s move out quickly.”
“You can go, sir, but could you… maybe change your pants first?”
“What? You guys worry too much. What could that gang boss possibly do, even if he gets jealous?”
“Jealous?”
“Of course! That punk could never pull off this trendy look the way I do. He’ll be boiling with jealousy. Heh. I’ll properly embarrass him in front of that kid.”
As their superior confidently strutted ahead, his tightly wrapped backside swaying, the guards held back a collective cry.
‘We’re the ones who’ll be embarrassed, you idiot!’
* * *
“Ahem, so, you see…”
“……”
“I really didn’t realize that giving you celery juice was such a big deal for a kid. I’m really sorry. This is your big sister’s way of apologizing.”
With that, Mira grandly stretched her arm toward the glittering spa hall behind her.
As Nina looked on in half confusion, Lavian interjected coldly.
“You paying for it?”
“Are you crazy? You think I’d cover this on a rat’s tail of a salary?”
“Then why are you showing off in front of the kid, embezzler?”
“It’s not embezzlement! I just kept a little leftover change! That’s because our boss squeezes us dry with those pathetic wages!”
“If I expose exactly how much you skimmed, that’s half a year’s pay docked. Unless you plan to get a part-time job here, get the hell—go away.”
“I don’t want to! I’ll just work here today. What course do you want, cutie?”
Mira’s red eyes sparkled dangerously as she asked Nina.
She looked like a butler sniffing at the nape of a puppy’s neck.
“Look how grimy she’s gotten… Hoo~ Sniff sniff. Wow, even dirty, she smells amazing.”
“What the hell are you doing…”
“Boss, you try it too. She smells divine. Sweetie, what do you usually eat?”
As Mira clung to Nina and sniffed furiously, even the weak-hearted staff started feeling something was seriously off.
Not wanting city guards storming his precious business in broad daylight, Lavian forcibly pulled them apart.
“Damn it… Ahem. You’re banned from approaching the kid. Get lost.”
“Why am I always the one banned? I even apologized! Cutie, you understand my heart, right?”
Nina didn’t really understand, but she obediently nodded anyway.
“Mm-hmm.”
“See?”
“See what?! Are you leaving or not?!”
“You evil bastard! Just ‘cause you’re the boss?!”
“Watch your mouth in front of the kid, you lunatic!”
“Like you’re one to talk, you psycho boss!”
As the two of them shouted loud enough to bring down the grand hotel, Nina deliberately ignored them.
Thankfully, a staff member in a neat gown approached at that moment.
“Welcome to Aether Spa. Please follow me, and I’ll guide you to your reserved course.”
This was clearly her first time experiencing something like this, so Nina hesitated and glanced back at Lavian.
But seeing the two of them still growling like fighting dogs, she quickly turned her back to them.
“Okay, I’ll count on you.”
“You’re such a cute customer.”
