Chapter 6 The Dangerous Game

~Luciano~

Having a bath after a long day was something I enjoyed, aside from venting that stress somewhere else.

The pool bath was one of my favorite parts of the house. It was large enough to stretch out comfortably, with warm water and a quiet view of the gardens outside. Usually, it was enough to clear my head.

Tonight, it wasn't.

My mind kept going back to Vincent.

I smiled to myself.

Did he somehow get possessed by the real owner of the chain and come to hunt me?

The thought was too ridiculous to take seriously.

Yet something about all this wasn't right.

And I intended to find out what.

I got out of the bath and stepped into my room, water dripping from my hair and wetting the tiles. I grabbed a shirt and a pair of grey sweatpants to wear for dinner before heading toward my study.

Along the way, I pulled out my phone and called Carlos.

“In my study.”

I didn't wait for a response before cutting the call.

My study had once belonged to my father, and trust me when I said I didn't have the best memories in that room.

I'd had it completely refurbished to suit my taste and gotten rid of most of the old man's things.

The poor soul must be turning in his grave.

I chuckled.

Soon enough, the door to my study opened.

“You called?”

Carlos found his way to the couch and plopped himself down on it.

We'd established something between us. In public, he played his part as my strict, professional right-hand man. When we were alone, however, he dropped the mask.

“Don't tell me this is about your new doll.”

I smiled.

“Always quick to catch on.”

I leaned back in my chair.

“There isn't something right about him.”

Carlos studied me.

“What did he do?”

“He has the chain of the boy who was reported dead years ago.”

Carlos stared at me for a moment before shaking his head.

“It's a chain, Luciano. Do you know how many chains are made to look alike?”

“It has the crest.”

I glanced down at my hand.

“Worn and out of color, but I wouldn't mistake it.”

Carlos sighed.

“Can be a fake.”

When he found me just staring at him, he raised his hands.

“Fine, fine. I'll investigate his background again. That should keep your curiosity at bay, right?”

“Do not take too long about it.”

“Yeah. Maybe if you hadn't interrupted my fun, I'd have gotten it done by now.”

“Just hurry with your whores and get to work.”

“Hai, hai, boss.”

He grinned as he got up and walked toward the door.

I watched him leave before looking at the clock on the wall.

It was almost seven.

I stood and headed toward the dining hall.

Dinner was waiting.

And so was Vincent.

Speaking of him, he was already two minutes late.

My eyes rested lazily on the door to the dining hall.

It finally opened, and Vincent came into view.

“You're late.”

“You said seven, not seven o'clock sharp.”

He was still very much prickly.

“You hold a grudge, little bird.”

“Of course. You'd be surprised to know how much of a terrible villain you've become in just one day.”

“That's wonderful.” I smiled. “Being the villain that keeps you up all night is quite an honor.”

I waved a hand at the servants standing in rows behind us, and the food was placed on the table one dish after another.

Vincent's mouth watered instantly, though he quickly schooled his expression when he noticed my gaze.

We ate in silence for a while.

But I kept studying him.

The clothes he'd chosen were certainly... feminine.

A long-sleeved crop top that fit closely against his body and a pair of short knickers that left his thighs exposed.

Who would've thought he had such taste?

Was he trying to seduce me?

“You're staring. It's rude.”

“Is everything considered rude to you?” I asked. “You also said it was rude to see the bride's face before the wedding. That was bullshit.”

I laughed.

Vincent froze.

“Wait. That was you?”

“The nosy stranger?”

“Nosy?” I found that amusing. “You're quite slow, Vincent. It took you this long to realize?”

His ears turned pink.

I'd noticed that happened whenever he was embarrassed or someone pointed out one of his flaws.

“A lot was happening, gosh. I didn't pay attention to it.”

He stabbed a pea on his plate.

“Hm. Sure.”

I took another look at him.

“Though I must comment on the rather... sexy attire you decided to put on. I thought you were against the idea of consummating this marriage.”

“W-what?”

He looked down at himself, then back at me.

His face turned even redder.

At this rate, we'd have to add him to one of the tomatoes in the kitchen.

“What about it?” he asked. “This is how I like to dress. There's no hidden agenda.”

He squirmed in his seat, though he tried his best to sound bold and unbothered.

“I see.”

I took a sip of my wine.

Then I set the glass down.

“I want to know more about you.”

“What do you want to know?”

His face lit up slightly.

If I hadn't been paying attention, I might have missed it.

“Can I ask anything?” he chimed

“Let's hear it first.”

He seemed to think for a moment.

“How long has the Volkov Empire been under you?”

And here I thought he wanted to know about me.

“Seven years. Since my father died.”

“How did he die?”

His fork paused halfway to his mouth as he waited for my answer.

I leaned back in my chair, studying him.

“Hm? You're interested in my father now?” Vincent quickly lowered his fork.

“Well, you're my husband. I have to know something about you.”

I almost laughed.

The way he used husband to his benefit, as if he hadn't been the one to call this marriage fake.

He wasn't asking because he wanted to know me.

He was fishing for information.

And I wasn't foolish enough to give him what he wanted.

I took another sip of my wine, watching him over the rim of the glass.

Two could play this game, little bird.