"Love doesn't last forever as people say. There's alway an ending to things."
- Author
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"Sigh…" Joseph let out a heavy breath. "Thinking's not exactly our specialty."
"Yeah," Elias added, half-laughing. "It's always been Ray who made the plans."
A silence fell between them. A still, aching silence.
Each of their expressions shifted—loss written across their faces.
Ray's absence weighed heavier than words.
"Now that he's gone…" Wendy began, but before she could finish, the wind stirred again.
Another whisper from Stella.
This time—it wasn't just a message.It was a plan.
Almost dawn.
After carefully considering Stella's plan, they reached a decision: split up and execute it.
"I got new intel from Cornelia," Stella's whisper had said. "On Gemini 8th, Egotheon will personally come to retrieve the Dead Artifact from Gable. That's also the day of the festival…"
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The next morning, Wendy and Joseph stood before the towering gates of the Seraphine mansion.
Knock. Knock.
A moment later, Cornelia opened the door. Her gaze lingered on them for a second—then she gave a small nod, recognizing them as the ones Stella mentioned.
Without a word, she stepped aside and led them inside.
They followed her through the vast marble hall, where morning light streamed through arched windows. The silence was thick, broken only by the soft echo of their footsteps.
As they approached the dining room at the end of the hall, its doors opened.
Grisha stepped out.
He looked at them with thinly veiled contempt.
"Cornelia, who are these barbarians?" he asked, voice laced with arrogant disdain.
"They're here for the young master," Cornelia replied evenly.
"Hmph. Didn't know Gable welcomed guests who look like street scum," Grisha sneered as he passed, his shoulder lightly brushing Joseph's without apology.
Joseph clenched his jaw, but Wendy held him back with a glance.
Inside the grand dining room, Cornelia gestured politely. "Young master, your guests have arrived."
She stepped out, leaving Joseph and Wendy alone with Grisha who is seated right next to the head of the dinning table.
"Well, have a seat," Grisha said, gesturing casually toward the empty chairs.
As Joseph and Wendy moved to sit, Grisha suddenly interrupted.
"Wait. The lady—come sit here." He patted the chair beside him. "I'm being generous, honestly. If I had my way, I'd have her sit on me."
Joseph's fists clenched at his sides. He forced himself to stay calm—for the plan's sake. Wendy, without a word, walked to the seat Grisha had pointed to and sat down, her expression unreadable.
Once she was seated, Grisha leaned in with a smirk."How about an introduction? I'd like to know more about the dish I'm about to taste."
Joseph rose to his feet, voice steady but cold."Young master, I came here in response to your formal request for my sister's hand in marriage. I accepted only because of our financial hardship—and your house's power. But if this is how you treat your guests, we'll take our leave."
Grisha chuckled darkly. "You've got guts. I'll give you that. But…"
He raised his left hand, palm turned, and pointed his index finger upward. A glowing Roman numeral Ⅰ flickered above it.
"You know what this is, don't you? A blessing you peasants could only dream of. Left Index Finger Authority. Bestowed by Egotheon himself." He whispered the spell name: "Wind Bullet."
Wendy shot to her feet. "Stop."
Her voice cut through the tension.
"I'm Wendy. I apologize for my brother's rudeness." She looked Grisha in the eyes. "I'll be your concubine, just as you requested. You never intended to make me your bride, did you?"
Grisha let out a laugh, wicked and full of self-satisfaction."Ha. A clever one. Unlike your brainless beast of a brother."
He grabbed Wendy's face with one hand, squeezing her cheeks roughly.
"Wendy. A beautiful name," he said mockingly. "Don't worry. I've already ordered the guards to prepare the gold I promised. Now—leave, vermin."
Joseph clenched his teeth as he turned to leave, each step feeling heavier than the last.
He was following the plan—but that didn't mean he wasn't afraid.Afraid of what Grisha might do.Afraid of what Wendy might have to endure.
On his way out, he met Stella walking down the hall to the dinning room.
They nodded their head without looking each other.
So how did they make Grisha interested in Wendy? What was the plan to risk Wendy?