003:Birdbrain

Liam sat in the backseat of the car, mind distant as he stared blankly out the window, bored to his wits’ end. He had initially planned to stop by the club and drown his now-miserable life in alcohol, but instead he’d been greeted by the sight of the blonde male in the driver’s seat of a sleek black Rolls Royce. No words — just a gesture to hop in.The ravenhead absentmindedly traced his fingers over the metallic collar around his neck, a constant reminder of his now-bound fate.

LIAM

It’s been over half an hour since this drive started, and this guy still hasn’t said a word to me. I mean, who in their right mind picks someone up without giving a destination? For all I know, this could count as kidnapping.And why is this collar so damn tight? Am I an animal or something?Maybe even being banished to the wasteland would've been better.

*. *. *

Adam glanced in the rearview mirror, noticing Liam’s obvious boredom. He still didn’t speak, his own mind occupied.The car passed through a grand gateway into an enormous, lavish estate before rolling to a stop. Adam unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out — clearly expecting the other to follow — but Liam stayed put, arms crossed, not planning on leaving anytime soon.

“Get out of the car.”

“No. I don’t take orders from anyone. Especially not from a certain someone who can’t bring himself to own up to anything that isn’t righteous enough or whatever.”

No sooner had he finished than the collar tightened sharply around his neck and released a small electric shock that made him jolt upright and scramble out of the car.God, I hate this collar, he thought as he hurried after the blonde already heading toward the mansion entrance.

LIAM

If you thought the outside looked good, then you should’ve seen the inside.The place screamed rich with a capital R. Marble floors, expensive paintings, a gold-white theme… everything. Forget a mansion — this place was a freaking castle.Now that I think about it, the blonde hair and amber eyes really do give him royal vibes. Guess good deeds really do pay off.

“Whatever it is you’re spacing out about,” Adam said without looking back, “hopefully it’s about finding the scroll.”

I rolled my eyes, choosing not to start another pointless argument — then I saw something that instantly derailed my thoughts.

“No. Freaking. Way. You’ve actually got statues of these?”

I reached toward one of the golden statues, but a hand caught my wrist mid-air.

“Do you always have to touch everything you see, kid?” Adam snapped.

Surprisingly, he continued, though his eyes held something like… contempt?

“The hallway honors those who made history. The right side is past senior archangels. The left side is the twelve demon emperors. Every archangel assigned to Earth has replicas.”

Great. Just what I needed — a whole flock of birdbrains scattered around Earth.

“Personally, I prefer the demon ones,” I said, lifting my hands as if framing a sculpture.

“They’re more artistic. I wonder how my statue will look a few centuries from now. Definitely obsidian — brings out my good side.”

While I was admiring my imaginary future statue, a black-haired man in his early forties approached and greeted Adam. I wasn’t listening, except for Adam’s final instruction,“Show him to his room. Then bring him to my study.”Cold. Emotionless. Was this really the same guy I spent a night with? Either alcohol works miracles, or I’m losing it.The next few minutes were spent touring the mansion with the butler — Mr. Yoon — who showed me the guest rooms, indoor gym, home theater, swimming pool, gaming cave, and everything else you’d expect angels to brag about.

Mastering the place would take time. We stopped at a door at the end of a deserted hallway.

Great. So I’m being tucked far away.Guess any sparks from that night are officially dead.But why am I even bothered? It was a one-night stand… right?

As if sensing my mood, Mr. Yoon looked at me kindly.

“It is an honor to have you here, Second Prince. The young master would have given you the tour himself, but he had urgent matters. Despite his cold exterior, he truly has a heart of gold.”

Yeah. A heart that doesn’t melt. That much is obvious.

Later, I stood before Adam’s study door, forcing down my irritation as I knocked. At his “come in,” I entered.

“Sit,” he ordered.

Before I could refuse, the collar tightened in warning, forcing me to drop into the chair opposite him. He didn’t look up, eyes fixed on documents, leaving the desk between us like a wall.I sighed, pulled out gum, and occupied myself — mentally planning my tour of the mansion. Gaming room first. Then the home theater. And somewhere in this giant palace, there had to be a secret snack stash.

When Adam finally finished, he pushed the files toward me.

*. *. *.

Liam opened the top one, raising a brow.

“What’s all this?”

“That will be your background information when you enroll.”

“Enroll where exactly?”Adam handed him a student ID.

“Dukesspear Academy.”

“Let me stop you right there,” Liam said flatly. “First of all, I’m not a teenager. Demon years or human years — I’m twenty-one. I just have good genes. Second, ‘Dukesspear’ — or Duke-beer, Duke-whatever — sounds like some rich snob school. Hard pass.”

He tossed the documents aside and blew a gum bubble, letting it expand slowly.Adam stood, walked around the desk, and sat on the edge right in front of him.

“Firstly, you don’t act your age. Secondly—”He leaned in, and with one swift motion, popped the gum bubble with the tip of his finger before continuing,“That was an order, not a request. Enrollment forms are done. You’re now a foreign exchange student spending the rest of the year in Seoul.”

Their faces were inches apart. Liam became painfully aware of how much hotter Adam looked up close — especially with those gold-rimmed glasses. The proximity wasn’t helping.

Snap out of it, Liam. You can’t fall for his pretty face. He’s a jerk, remember?

“And try not to stand out too much,” Adam added.

“Can’t promise anything,” Liam said smugly. “But I’m always up for a challenge, birdbrain.”Adam frowned.

“It’s Adam.”

“I know. But I prefer birdbrain. It’s more… visual.”

“Don’t test me, kid.”

“Wasn’t planning on it, birdbrain.” Liam winked.