The Snow Queen

“It was a miracle that I passed the high school graduation exam.”

“I didn’t expect you to have finished high school. I had anticipated that your family background would be good, though.”

In response to my words, Messara asked, “How did you know that?”

“How could I not know? Just by looking at your physique, it’s clear. To be as tall and well-built as you are, it’s practically impossible without parental support. There’s that saying that if you eat well when you’re young, you grow tall and strong.”

“Yes…”

Messara slowly swallowed the shashlik and trailed off. There seemed to be a hint of anger in his demeanor. I couldn’t tell why, but it felt like I had made a mistake. Messara soon shrugged and said, “That’s all in the past.”

“In the past?”

“He passed away a long time ago. He died in a car accident when I was twenty.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Messara did not continue with personal stories. I felt a sense of dismay.

It wasn’t my intention.

I slowly rubbed the edge of the bathtub. Even if it wasn’t intentional, I felt sorry if Messara was hurt by my words.

I splashed hot water on my face. I lightly slapped my cheeks, trying to clear my foggy mind. I decided not to think about the past anymore. My life had been ruined long ago. What difference did it make to long for and suffer over it? No one would see or know.

It was the season for dancing. There were seven festivals in a little over a month. As I brushed through those seven nights, I would repeat the same thoughts. I wanted to see Messara.

Even if it was from a distance, just once.

꙳•❅*ִ

“I have something to discuss. Are you free tonight?”

“No, I have an appointment.”

Sideburns was being persistent again. I flatly refused.

The more I saw him, the more frustrated I became. If I ran to Rilize and brought up our tangled story, my blood would boil. It was ridiculous to be hanging around the headquarters doing nothing. On top of that, for the past few days, he had been barging into my office and making it stink. I was at my wit’s end.

How should I deal with this guy…?

I leaned back in my chair and flicked the whip playfully. It seemed to provoke the guy with the sideburns even more. His face turned red, and he twisted his body. It was almost comical.

He cleared his throat.

“Uh, anyway, it’s an important matter. It seems that you and I need to have a serious discussion. There are security issues to consider.”

Who do you think you are to mention security?

I let out a derisive laugh.

“If it’s about security, this office is the best place. There are no listening devices, and no one is watching. Let’s talk here.”

“Hmm, I guess that can’t be helped. The truth is, recently, the Gryphon Company asked me for a favor. Just to explain in case you don’t know, Gryphon…”

“It’s a domestic nuclear power construction company, right? What’s the point?”

His surprise at my cold tone was evident. I glared at him while still flicking the whip.

“Isn’t it enough for Lady Arisa to relay the message directly to Lord Wolfscott, just like at that bar party before? Our business isn’t nuclear power construction. What would a foolish commoner like you have to do with a highly technical industry?”

I intentionally taunted him. I already knew everything. Numerous lobbyists were contacting government officials to secure the contract for the catacomb nuclear power plant commissioned by the government. The most targeted individuals were Lord Wolfscott and Lord Manen.

Since two years ago, only a handful of people had been allowed to freely enter and exit Lord Wolfscott’s office, and I was one of them. Thus, the flies trying to scheme behind the scenes had long since come to find me, either rubbing their palms together or bringing cookie boxes as gifts. In fact, lobbyists had already visited me long ago. Companies from Germany, France, South Korea, Japan, and even domestic companies like Gryphon had all come to me, eager to curry favor.

Upon review, it turned out that Gryphon was a shoddy company. I had already set them aside as a candidate, yet now they had approached the guy with the sideburns. Our information indicated that they had already received their “cookie.” What an audacious kid, already tasting bribery.

I smiled coldly. For now, I decided to see how the sideburns would play this out.

“I knew you were regretful about the last incident, but that’s all in the past. The bar assignment was Stasoff’s stubbornness. I opposed it. As for the ‘Ten Eunuchs’ story, I apologize cleanly now. That was my rashness.”

Only when the flames were licking at his feet did the guy with the sideburns apologize. It seemed the taste of the cookie was quite sweet.

“Since you know about Gryphon, I’ll get right to the point. The bidding for the power plant is coming up soon, and I was wondering if Japonica could give Gryphon a strong push. It would be beneficial for the national economy to commission a domestic company, wouldn’t it?”

“In short, you want me to arrange a meeting between Lord Wolfscott and Gryphon?”

“Precisely.”

“Lady Arisa should do it herself. As I mentioned earlier, I don’t believe this is an issue for a mere commoner to get involved in.”

“I’m asking you out of consideration for you. Didn’t you get scolded by Japonica back at the bar? If you arrange a meeting with Gryphon, perhaps Japonica will forgive you.”

This was ridiculous. I could see through the sideburns’ intentions. If he played the fool and irritated Lord Wolfscott, he was planning to use me as a buffer.

“Hmm.”

I tapped the table with my fingers.

Sideburns shrugged his shoulders, gesturing for a quick answer. He still hadn’t pulled himself together. I should have ripped out Stasoff’s guts with my own hands. If I had, that bastard wouldn’t be acting so insolent right now.

Anyway, I had a different opinion on this matter than Sideburns. But there was no need to reveal my true intentions to him so easily.

“I understand. It will take a few days. Please tell Gryphon to wait until I can give them an answer.”

“Can you do that?”

Sideburns was overjoyed.

“Yes. Now, please go. I have a lot of work to do.”

I waved him off with a sarcastic smirk inside. Sideburns kept glancing back at me with a regretful expression. If I wasn’t careful, a whine would soon escape that thick mouth of his.

Suddenly, something surged in the back of my head. I whipped the desk with a crack of the whip. A sharp, smooth sound rang out.

Sideburns spoke as if he was about to wet himself.

“W-what is it?”

“It’s nothing. Just a damn fly buzzing around.”

I spat the words out through gritted teeth. Sideburns hurriedly scrambled out of the office.

After locking the door and smoking a cigarette, I called for Cooperhead. There were two hours left until the end of the day. I planned to review the Manen research while watching video footage.

“…I don’t know. I’d need to see some unusual behavior to say anything.”

Cooperhead grumbled as he downed his scotch. I was beyond tired of this too. For over an hour, Manen had been drinking on the screen. It was disgusting. We had reviewed thirty-six videos chronologically, and without exception, the pattern was the same. He enters the ballroom, downs some drinks, engages in small talk, greets people, and then promptly leaves. That was it. No unusual behavior at all.

On the screen, Manen was shaking hands with people. It looked like he was about to leave the ballroom. I lit another cigarette and sank deep into my chair. Cooperhead kept yawning and muttering.

“Director, I’m curious about something. Do you think someone like Manen can even feel sexual excitement?”

“You’re out of your mind.”

“Yeah, that’s like asking if an eighty-year-old woman can still get it up. One more question.”

“What is it?”

“Doesn’t looking at the department heads turn you on? We’re men too, you know.”

“If you want, I can give you a show.”

“Never mind. Ugh…”

Seeing him spout nonsense like that made it clear how bored he was. Cooperhead scratched his eyes and shifted in his seat.

I glanced at the clock. It was 6:45. I decided I would leave at 6:50.

What was it? My gut was screaming that there was something to catch in this video. There was definitely a connection between Manen’s party antics and Ryeong. Otherwise, there was no reason for him to frequent parties he didn’t even seem to enjoy.

Parties…

After looking into it, I found that Manen had transformed into a party animal about ten years ago. And it was ten years ago that he had stopped visiting 42nd Street altogether. It couldn’t be a coincidence.

I recalled what the shamans had said about Ryeong’s successor. Maybe ten years ago, Ryeong had passed the torch. I ashed my cigarette and played the next video.

It was from a national founding anniversary party. Manen was drinking wine and chatting with acquaintances. Lord Wolfscott’s sour face was also visible. Even we, in our masked uniforms, were caught on camera. It was an awful sight every time I saw it.

Lord Wolfscott and Manen exchanged a formal handshake. Lord Wolfscott left the ballroom, unable to hide his displeasure. Manen began making his rounds around the room. He shook hands with everyone, not missing a single person, exchanging a few words now and then.

That damned handshake… he was tireless about it. I muttered under my breath, flicking my cigarette. Now, Manen was shaking hands with a low-ranking noble. It was as if he was possessed by some handshake demon.

Before I knew it, my cigarette had burned down to the filter. I stubbed it out and lit another one. On the screen, Manen was still engrossed in his handshakes. He even shook hands with the servants, giving them a pat on the shoulder. At this point, it felt like I was rewatching the same film on repeat.

Cooperhead whined, “Directooor…” while shaking his leg. I was fed up. If I watched for five more minutes, I might lose my mind. At this rate, you could call it a hobby of his to shake hands. Maybe he was one of those perverts who gets an orgasm from rubbing palms. After all, hadn’t he insisted on shaking my hand as well?

…

I froze for a moment. It was like a jolt of electricity surged through my body. It felt like an arrow had pierced the back of my head.

Cooperhead, sounding half-asleep, pushed an ashtray toward me.

“Director… could you just go? It’s time to clock out.”

“The handshake.”

“Huh?”

“It’s the handshake.”

I hurriedly stubbed out my cigarette and lit another one. My hands were shaking as I flicked the lighter. After lighting up, I washed down the burn in my throat with scotch. It was the handshake. It had always been the handshake. In all the videos we’d reviewed, Manen had never skipped the handshake. Even if he didn’t drink, even if he stayed silent throughout the party, the handshake was the one thing he never missed.

I remembered 007. Manen was like a 007 agent attending parties to gather information. But he didn’t need cameras or bugs. All he needed was a handshake.

On the screen, Manen was still shaking hands relentlessly. Nobles with tattoos, knights—it didn’t matter. He rubbed palms with everyone.

I recalled the first time Manen insisted on shaking my hand. The way his eyes scanned me, as if assessing me. And then the second time, at the Italian restaurant, he had demanded a handshake again.

Why didn’t I find it odd when he insisted on shaking hands twice? It was obvious. Handshakes were just that common. Like how forks and knives are necessary at a meal, handshakes were an inseparable part of life.

What about Manen’s actions during the countdown period? He suddenly called accountants for dinner and attended the 25th-anniversary party of the Broadcasting Union. Finally, the mystery was solved. It was all for the handshakes. What a brilliant method it was. While I spent all my resources, time, and manpower to gather information, Manen simply finished all his exploration by making a quick round of the banquet hall.

I gasped.

“Ha.”

Cooperhead seemed to have noticed something from my reaction and stayed silent. He stared at me with a tense look. I gulped down the remaining Scotch. Ray was right. His comparison was spot on. Like a student who tops the class with just an hour of study compared to one who does so after studying for ten hours…

A chill wrapped around my body. Manen had asked to shake hands with me twice. Someone who usually never gave us a glance suddenly reached out to me as soon as the countdown started. What if I hadn’t been stubborn at that moment?

A rare sensation ran down my spine. It was fear.

I tried to calm myself. I had uncovered that the purpose of Manen’s actions at the party was to shake hands. But this wasn’t enough. I needed to find out how Manen’s handshake was used on Ryeong.

I poured more Scotch into my glass. Regaining my composure, I slowly sipped the Scotch. It was exquisite.

Just wait and see, old man.

In the end, I will be the one laughing last.

“We call that ability ‘Orchitonica.’”

“There’s a common spell where people make dolls from wax or straw and write names on them to cast curses. However, with Orchitonica, no ritual is needed. All you have to do is think of it, and everything happens.”

“There are many types of Orchitonica. Some can see through things with their eyes, while others can touch objects and read their records… But I’ve never seen the true Orchitonica…”

I replayed the shamans’ testimony file repeatedly, focusing on the part about “touching objects to read their records.”

For Manen, handshakes were a critical action. What if we considered them a kind of ritual? Then, how was the handshake connected to Ryeong? I came up with a few hypotheses.

First, Manen and Ryeong are the same person.

Second, Manen’s handshake is essential for Ryeong’s magic.

Both hypotheses pointed to one common element: the handshake. Next, I thought about the benefit Manen gained from the handshake. The answer was obvious—information. Just looking at his actions during the countdown period made that clear.

He reads information by touching people’s hands.

I sank deeper into my chair. The heavy ticking of the clock filled the room. It was midnight. I had been holed up in my study, lost in thought ever since I got home from work. A pile of memo papers was stacked on my desk.

The conclusion was clear. Whether Ryeong was Manen himself or an unknown figure hiding somewhere, he was undoubtedly a highly skilled sorcerer. But he wasn’t a god. He hadn’t reached the level of “seeing through everything with just a glance,” as the shamans described.

For nearly a year now, during the purge of Manen, the battle between him and me had been evenly matched. I recalled Cotbica’s death. Why didn’t Manen stop Cotbica’s death? The answer was simple. Manen hadn’t shaken hands with me.

After I proposed the assassination of Cotbica to Lord Wolfscott and received his approval, the meticulous work was handled by the department heads. All Lord Wolfscott did during that time was roam around the banquet hall, waiting for white wine. That’s why Manen couldn’t prevent Cotbica’s death.

I clasped my hands together and closed my eyes. A chuckle escaped my lips.

This could work—I could pull this off without lifting a finger…

First, I needed to prohibit all the department heads, except Sideburns, from any contact with Manen. We never allowed anyone to approach us, anyway.

The more I thought about the time when Manen asked to shake hands with me, the more my blood boiled. That arrogant old man. Did he really think he could peek into my mind?

Still, there was one thing that bothered me. Based on my assumptions, Manen needed a handshake to gather any information. Yet, he somehow figured out the media company plan. He even pinpointed the exact date and time of D-Day like a ghost.

Was it a coincidence? Or perhaps, could he see the future? Maybe. There was that witch who predicted my romantic endeavors would end successfully, wasn’t there?

Anyway…

I poured more whiskey into my glass and smiled slowly.

I’ll throw out some bait.

I was determined to be thorough. My instincts screamed that the handshake was the key, but I had to consider the possibility of being wrong. That’s why I needed a test.

I was glad I postponed the decision to designate the nuclear power plant construction company. When I received the report on that matter, I made the decision to hold off, driven by an odd feeling. When I saw the name of the planned site for the power plant, a tingling sensation ran down my neck. It was the same feeling I always had when I was about to catch a big fish. The whole morning, I tapped my desk while going through the report.

“Catacombe.”

It was similar to the word “Catacomb,” the secret underground tombs of early Christianity. Manen was renowned as a devout Catholic.

When the pieces of a plot come together, ideas emerge from the most unexpected places, as if guided by divine intervention. It was similar to how artists claim to be inspired. Bits and pieces that seemed unconnected at first eventually fit together, forming a bigger picture. No one would understand the feeling—the mixture of joy, wonder, and disbelief that came with it.

The moment I saw the name “Catacombe,” I knew. This was divine inspiration given to me.

A wave of comfortable ease washed over me. Before I realized it, I was laughing out loud. How could I not laugh? How could this not be enjoyable?

I raised the volume on the speakers using the audio remote. The soft sound of piano music filled the room. I sank deep into my chair, finally feeling a slight buzz.

I reached for a cigarette from the pack but hesitated. My eyes caught sight of a gray shopping bag on the stool. It contained the clothes I had gifted to Ray. I had been meaning to throw it away but hadn’t gotten around to it yet.

I took a deep drag of the cigarette smoke. A sudden thought flashed through my mind, making me chuckle. Now that a troublesome issue seemed to be resolving, was I about to get involved in something absurd again?

I accessed the Social Security Network on my computer. I knew how ridiculous it was for someone like me, the head of Guiger, to be snooping around trying to track down the current lover of an ex. But I couldn’t help it—I was a twisted person at my core. Once I found this man, I planned to summon him for a little chat, and then I’d give him a good beating and thoroughly crush his genitals.

It was fine; I didn’t plan on killing him. I didn’t intend to be that cruel to Ray. Besides, true love transcends the physical. Crushing his genitals shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Who knows? Maybe my actions would even become a turning point in their sacred love. Haha.

Finding out who Ray’s new lover was would be easy. I just needed to extract his phone number from his personal information and review the call history.

“Hm?”

The phone number section in Ray’s information was blank. I lightly tapped the table with my fingers. What was going on?

There could only be one explanation. The man must have given Ray a phone registered in his name as a gift. My excitement deflated. Muttering under my breath, I stood up. Should I hire someone to tail Ray?

Ray’s personal information showed an empty field under the phone number section. I lightly tapped the table with my fingers. What could this mean?

There was only one possible answer. That distinguished man must have given Ray a phone registered in his own name as a gift. My excitement immediately deflated. Grumbling quietly to myself, I stood up. Should I hire someone to tail Ray? I was determined to teach that distinguished man a lesson. After that, I could find a way to subtly approach Ray.

But for now, it was time to sleep. I had a lot to do starting tomorrow.

“Do you have time today?”

Sideburns’ eyes widened in surprise. It was already shocking enough that I had entered his office, but to ask if he had time? His reaction was only natural.

“Ahem, what’s this about?”

Sideburns loosened his tie, clearing his throat awkwardly.

Keeping up appearances, huh…

I scoffed internally. As I sat down, I intentionally brushed against his shoulder. Sideburns jumped as if he’d been hit with a bolt of lightning. Whenever I was with him, I often found myself under the illusion that I was some kind of irresistible figure.

“I’ve been distant from Lady Arisa lately, haven’t I? You and I, after all, don’t have a normal relationship. After I sent her off yesterday, I had a long think. Given the Lord Wolfscott’s current mood, it didn’t seem appropriate for me to dwell on personal feelings because of Manen. If you have time tonight, I’d like us to have a quiet chat. Perhaps at the Elizabeth Hotel Royal Suite, where we’ve met before?”

“Why go that far when we can talk right here for a bit?”

Sideburns immediately whispered, and I nearly whipped him with my cane.

Damn it. You’ve been starving for it, haven’t you, you hairy beast?

“I have a strict principle of separating work from my personal life. And, as for my preferences in bed, well, I like to be completely naked when I do it. What do you think?”

“Th-that’s, uh…”

Sideburns licked his lips nervously, visibly uncomfortable.

“The truth is… I have a party to attend tonight.”

“A party?”

“A masquerade ball. You know, Rilize and some other noble heirs from military families will be gathering… hmm.”

“Ah, I see.”

I chuckled softly. So that’s what it was.

A “masquerade ball” was slang for a sex party attended by young, indulgent nobles. Numerous mansions owned by aristocrats surrounded Lake Tamarin on the outskirts of the capital. The noble heirs would take turns hosting these balls at the mansions, indulging in debauchery. Guiger had tried to infiltrate these events multiple times to gather intel, but it wasn’t easy. Even the servants were hired only temporarily the day before, making it impossible to gather significant leads.

I shrugged.

“It can’t be helped, then. Enjoy yourself. How about tomorrow?”

“Wait a minute.”

Sideburns paused, deep in thought.

“How about this? Tonight, I’ll extend a special invitation to you. After all, Rilize and Guiger are destined to strengthen their bond, aren’t they? If you’re up for it, I’ll bring you along tonight.”

“Hmm.”

I tried to keep my excitement in check. Every word that came out of Sideburns’ mouth irritated me—the word “special” and the tone that made it sound like he was doing me a favor. But now was the time for patience.

“All right, my colleagues and I will join the masquerade tonight. But our masks and clothes stay on. As you know, that’s part of our professional code. How does that sound?”

“Perfect. I’ll reach out to my friends right away.”

With a brightened expression, Sideburns told me the location of the ball. The time was set for 11 p.m. I returned to my office and sent out messages to the section heads. I specifically chose the unmarried men like Leopard.

It was fine. This level of investment was necessary to lure Manen. And it was a sex party, after all—killing two birds with one stone. The section heads would be pleased.

We headed to the mansion in a Jeep, with Leopard at the wheel. The car’s windows were specially treated so no one could see inside from the outside. In the backseat, Cooperhead and I removed our masks and smoked. The section heads I brought along were Leopard, Cooperhead, Lizard, Falcon, and Gabial. The others were either married or dating someone, so I left them out.

It was about a four-hour drive to Lake Tamarin. I started talking to Leopard and Cooperhead about Manen.

“This is just between us for now. Don’t share it with the other heads for the time being.”

“Who’d believe it even if you did? Manen gathering intel through a handshake?”

Cooperhead laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. Leopard remained silent. He shared the shock I felt when the media corruption plan had failed. He seemed skeptical.

I slowly swirled my vodka glass and spoke.

“Just trust me and follow along. This is a key step in proving my theory.”

“Wagging your tail at Rilize, huh?”

“Exactly. If my theory is right, we’ll win big without lifting a finger.”

I figured that during the upcoming Founding Day party, Manen would have sensed Sideburns’ secrets through a handshake. He must have picked up on everything, from my secret relationship with Sideburns to the plans he was scheming.

Sideburns was intent on merging Guiger and Rilize. As part of that plan, he had been eager to grow closer to me recently. However, by the time of the Founding Day party, my responses to Sideburns had been lukewarm at best. Right now, Manen must be carefully observing where Sideburns and I were heading.

Tonight’s masquerade ball was, so to speak, a baited hook. Whether Manen took the bait or not, I had nothing to lose. It was the perfect lure.

I smiled subtly, and Cooperhead raised an eyebrow. Leopard glanced at me in the rearview mirror but remained silent. After an hour, the moonlit Lake Tamarin came into view. We put on our masks and straightened our posture. It was time to cast the line.

We passed through the gates of the mansion and drove for another 15 minutes. Between the tall fir trees, an imposing manor appeared. It belonged to the Arisa family, and this time, Sideburns was hosting the masquerade. As Rilize’s new leader, it seemed he intended to show off his power tonight.

I scoffed as I stepped out of the Jeep. Strong men in masks and tuxedos stood at the mansion’s entrance. Their mannerisms as they opened the door and guided the guests were remarkably proper. It seemed Sideburns had recruited some well-trained thugs.

Inside, the mansion was lit by chandelier candlelight, giving it a luxurious, antique atmosphere. Nobles of both sexes, dressed in extravagant outfits, were indulging in the revelry. The servants were draped in red robes from head to toe. Both the nobles and servants wore masks. The prostitutes were easy to spot, all wearing identical masks and almost nothing else. The air was thick with the scent of marijuana. With expressionless masks, the men and women lounging about gave the place an eerie vibe.

As we entered the ballroom, a sudden silence fell. Eyes full of fear and curiosity fixed on us, the unexpected Guiger section heads. Soon after, the murmuring began. From the center, a figure in a jester’s mask spread his arms wide and walked toward us. I recognized him immediately—Sideburns.

A jester… It suited Sideburns well. Those garish colors were a blatant nod to his overtly flamboyant taste.

“Welcome, friends!”

I gave a small nod in response.

“You still carry that whip, even at an event like this?”

“You wouldn’t have recognized me without it, would you?”

“You’ve got your voice for that.”

I couldn’t help but smirk at Sideburns, who was already laying it on thick. He led me slowly around the ballroom.

Half of the first floor was a vast hall. The ceiling was incredibly high, adorned with luxurious gold, ivory, and brown moldings. All the furniture, curtains, portraits, tapestries, and sculptures were centuries-old antiques. True to its reputation as the home of a prestigious military noble family, the mansion had an austere and elegant air. In the cold interior, people wandered like ghosts. Here and there, men and women were tangled in passionate embraces, engaging in affairs.

As for me, being gay, I wasn’t particularly moved, but the section heads were reacting differently. These men, who were normally hard to excite, were breathing heavily. Their large builds had already attracted the sticky gazes of some noblewomen.

“Have your fun, but keep your masks and clothes on. Unzip and get it done.”

After a simple reminder, I began circling the ballroom with Leopard. The scent of marijuana and elegant music floated through the air like mist. It was unmistakably a noble’s party—debauched yet restrained. Even as they indulged in pleasure, there was barely any moaning. The sight of people coupling was strangely dry, giving off an unsettling impression. It was enough to make me feel dizzy, a rare experience for someone as cool-headed as me.

Sideburns kept glancing in our direction, looking as if he was on the verge of losing his mind. I smiled subtly. I didn’t plan on making a move just yet. I intended to let the anticipation build a little more.

As I walked slowly, I spoke.

“Does this guarantee a solid connection with Rilize?”

“Of course. Isn’t this our most intimate side? Showing it to you is proof enough. Once we join forces, Lord Wolfscott’s influence will only grow stronger.”

“And the opinions of the other Rilize members?”

“This invitation speaks for all of us.”

He was a useful fox, after all. In matters like this, he was quite capable. If only he could keep his lower half in check, I’d rate him higher.

Sideburns handed me a glass of wine offered by a servant and smiled.

“How about a drink?”

“I’ll pass, but thanks for the offer. Now, I think I’m ready to unwind myself. Is there a more private place? You already know my preferences.”

“Head up to the second floor.”

He led me up a dim staircase. Leopard discreetly followed us. After walking for some time down a moonlit hallway, Sideburns opened a door.

“Blindfold me.”

He blindfolded Sideburns with a cloth. The man was already aroused. I told him to strip slowly, seductively. Sideburns complied, speaking out of nowhere.

“Do you know why you’re so alluring?”

“I’m not sure.”

I replied indifferently. At that moment, Leopard slipped quietly into the room.

“It’s because of how you say things like that, the way you’re so indifferent yet cold… It’s sexy. Ah… so sexy.”

Stay calm.

My head spun. I wanted nothing more than to strangle him with my whip right then and there. Leopard was trembling, trying hard to hold back laughter.

I couldn’t delay any longer. I gave the signal. Leopard sprang into action immediately. As expected, his execution was flawless, like a true professional. This job was critical, and I had already instructed him to use every trick in the book to send Sideburns to oblivion.

I watched the scene unfold from my seat, though it was less enjoyable than I might have expected. An uneasy tension enveloped my entire body for reasons I couldn’t quite place.

Leaving behind the soft moans, I stepped out of the room. The hallway was empty, silent like a graveyard. The moonlight cast a lonely glow on the corridor walls. The second floor was lined with paintings and tapestries, making it feel like a gallery as I slowly walked through, admiring the artwork.

Most of the paintings were centuries-old portraits or landscapes. The forests in the landscape paintings seemed so vivid and full of life, as if their fresh green hues could spill out beyond the canvas. The fields were lush with multicolored flowers. Once, this kingdom must have had forests and fields as beautiful as those in Camille Corot’s paintings.

A strange feeling crept over me. The bizarre climate that plagued the kingdom had lasted over a hundred years now. The land was a wasteland of yellowed barren fields and skeletal conifers. To someone living in the 22nd century, the forests and fields in these old landscapes looked as fantastical as Zeus and Hera riding a chariot through the sky. They seemed like they had never existed, just figments of the painter’s imagination.

Before I knew it, I had reached the end of the hallway. Beyond the French doors was a balcony. Suddenly, I had a craving for a cigarette. I considered stepping out, taking off my mask, and lighting one, but then I froze.

I saw a red robe.

My eyes widened. A few strands of flaxen hair were fluttering beneath the hem of the robe, which had turned away from me.

What…?

I stood frozen for a moment, and then a cold shiver ran down my spine, as though a bullet had pierced through my brain.

I doubted what I was seeing. I couldn’t believe it. But then I quickly pulled myself together. It couldn’t be Ray. There was no way he would be here. It must be someone else.

And yet, I stood there as if rooted to the spot, unable to move a muscle despite knowing I should leave.

The red robe was hunched over, shoulders trembling as if in pain. That posture, too, was eerily similar to Ray’s.

I took a deep breath.

It can’t be…

I opened the French doors and stepped onto the balcony. A bitter cold wind hit me, but the figure in the robe didn’t seem to notice. The hand gripping the balcony’s edge was trembling violently, and even the exposed white hand under the robe looked just like Ray’s.

I swallowed hard. Stay calm, Four.

I was about to speak when I hesitated. If by some small chance it really was Ray, I would be in a difficult situation. What kind of appearance was I even making right now? I was dressed in a damn mask and military coat. I remembered Ray’s sly smile, the one he gave when he said, “I just hate the aristocracy.”

I had never felt more cursed by my job than in that moment.

I stared at the robe for what felt like an eternity. The trembling continued, and then suddenly, the robe let out a quiet breath.

Though I was certain it wasn’t Ray, I couldn’t help but be startled. Even that small sound was so much like Ray’s. No, it was identical. Could it really be him? Could it be Ray?

Cooperhead’s playful words echoed in my mind.

When coincidences stack up, they cease to be coincidences…

I silenced my footsteps as I approached the robe. Slowly, I reached out and pulled the robe away. In an instant, a cascade of golden hair spilled out, illuminating the darkness around it. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst.

The golden-haired figure flinched slightly, as if only now aware of my presence. A few moments passed. I stood frozen, staring at the back of the figure, tension racing through my veins.

Then, ever so slowly, the golden figure turned. Empty blue eyes locked onto mine. There was no focus in the gaze. No surprise, no fear. Only emptiness.

It was Ray.

It was Ray. This wasn’t a dream or a hallucination. It was Ray, without a doubt. The person I loved, Ray. Unconsciously, a name escaped my lips. “Ra…”

In an instant, something lunged toward me. The speed and force of it were overwhelming. It took me a moment to realize Ray had thrown himself at me. His grip was strong, stronger than I ever would have imagined, as he hugged my waist tightly, burying his face in my chest.

I nearly lost my mind from the sudden action. I hurriedly grasped Ray’s cheeks, trying to fix his gaze on me. I was still dressed as a Guiger officer. But why was Ray acting like this? Why was he hugging me so desperately? No, it wasn’t just a hug—it was a clear act of seduction.

Something felt off. The possibility seemed slim, but could it be that Ray had been given some kind of order?

I stared at him intently. Ray blinked a few times, his movements mechanical. I couldn’t smell alcohol or marijuana on him, yet something was unmistakably absent from his eyes. Having tortured my share of people and become quite familiar with human bodies, I knew exactly what this state meant. My mind went blank.

No way…

My neck grew cold. I didn’t know how Ray had ended up like this, but a sharp pang of pain shot through my chest.

I had spent a long time observing Ray throughout our meetings, even before I realized my feelings for him. I never missed a single one of his small habits or actions. If something bothered me, I always found a way to ask about it. But what was this? I wanted to deny it with every fiber of my being.

Ray’s pale lips parted.

“Ah… my king.”

He gave a faint smile, and that was all the confirmation I needed.

Ray was mentally unstable.

I lifted him into my arms and headed back into the corridor. If we stayed out in the cold much longer, his body wouldn’t be able to handle it. I opened the nearest door and carried him into a dark but spacious bedroom, laying him down on the bed.

What should I do…?

I hesitated for a moment. My heart longed to stay by Ray’s side, to hold his hand until he came to his senses.

More than anything, Ray wanted me. He clung to me, locking his arms around my waist and pressing his face to my chest like a kitten. “Don’t go…” he pleaded. It was hard to imagine that this was the same person who once maintained such an aloof demeanor. Every gesture, every look, and every word expressed his desire for me, his plea for me to stay.

It was the very scene I had dreamed of after we parted ways. How many times had I fantasized about Ray yearning for me? How desperately had I wished for this?

But I had to resist. I had to stand up and leave. It was the right thing to do. Ray wasn’t in his right mind right now. To embrace him in this state would be wrong.

Get a grip, Four.

I flinched for a moment. Ray was kissing me. His cold lips pressed against my mask. The sensation felt vivid even through the icy metal. Then, Ray wrapped his arms around my neck, and his familiar scent hit me, making my vision blur. In that moment, I lost all self-control and pulled Ray tightly into my embrace.

I removed my gloves and slid my hands under his robe. His skin was damp and cold. Ray’s legs wrapped around my waist. Our connection was instantaneous. As I sank into him, feeling his thighs quivering around me, he clenched tightly, pulling me deeper, groaning in a mix of pleasure and pain. His blue eyes welled up with tears.

I pushed his hips against mine, deepening our connection further. Ray’s back arched as the fabric of his robe rustled. The bed creaked with each thrust.

Burying my face in his amber hair, I kissed along his neck. His collarbone was exposed before me, and I longed to tear off my mask and taste his skin, but Ray’s grip around my shoulders kept me from doing so. He clung desperately to me. I gave him what he wanted, holding him tighter and thrusting with all my strength.

“Ah…”

Ray’s pale lips trembled. I was reaching my peak as well. I buried myself as deep as I could inside him and released, spilling into him multiple times. The moist warmth of his inner walls gripped me tightly, squeezing every last drop out of me. My vision went white as an electric wave of pleasure surged through me. A chilling orgasm coursed through my body.

For a moment, I held him close, gasping for breath. Ray’s hands fell from my shoulders as his body slowly relaxed. His legs, which had been wrapped tightly around me, loosened and slid away.

I bit my lip gently.

What should I do?

Should I wait until he regains his senses and reveal my identity? Should I explain everything to him and try to win him over again?

I couldn’t just leave Ray like this. I had no idea who the man in his life was, but if it were up to me, I wouldn’t have abandoned Ray like this. Even in the Labyrinth, Ray had been relegated to being some servant at a sex party. Seeing him in such a degrading position, I thought perhaps he and his “esteemed gentleman” were no longer together.

I absentmindedly toyed with Ray’s hair as I fell deep into thought. It was maddening to think I hadn’t noticed earlier. I had pored over his medical records, yet somehow, I had missed the signs.

Everything started to fall into place. From the first night we spent together at Leopard’s, I had sensed something off. His desperate habit of avoiding eye contact and the melancholic aura that cloaked him… While I wasn’t a psychiatrist, it was becoming clear that Ray’s eccentric fashion choices were likely part of his mental instability.

“Mm…”

Ray groaned faintly. I hadn’t pulled out yet. I didn’t want to break our connection.

Ray’s eyes slowly opened, still unfocused. Even in his daze, he seemed to realize I was still inside him, and he lightly shook his head. His hand drifted downward, unconsciously touching the point where we were joined. His gesture, though unintentional, was unusually bold for Ray. I couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.

Did he not even realize we had sex?

Ray brought his hand, wet with my semen, up to his face. His expression was one of confusion, as if he couldn’t understand what had just happened. He looked down at his hand, then back at me.

“What… is this?”

A cold chill ran up my spine. I forced myself to remain composed and pulled out of him. I zipped up my pants. It was clear Ray thought he’d been raped.

I had to understand the situation. Ray had been out of his mind for a moment, and I still wore the guise of Chief Guiger. It was only natural for him to misunderstand. But even though I knew Ray hadn’t been in his right mind, the reality of the situation was brutal. How had things turned out like this? Just minutes ago, he had led me with teasing glances and feline movements. And now, I had to stop myself from wanting to slap Ray across the face.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I swallowed my rage and glared at him. Ray’s blue eyes wavered with fear. He was scared of me.

A surge of anger washed over me, a rage I could barely contain. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to pull out my gun and shoot him, then end myself.

꙳•❅*ִ

It didn’t make sense. I had no idea where I was or why I was lying here.

But one thing was certain: I had definitely had sex with a man. His penis had still been twitching inside me moments before pulling out, and I heard the faint sound of a zipper closing.

In the darkness, I struggled to make out the figure before me. The air reeked of mold, making it clear this wasn’t a hotel.

As my eyes adjusted, I could make out the man’s silhouette. I almost screamed. He wore a death mask and a dark red uniform coat. It was Chief Guiger.

He sat motionless on the edge of the bed, staring at me. Fear paralyzed my body. I looked down at my hand again. It was sticky with semen, evidence of what he had done to me.

I shook my head repeatedly, glancing at my thighs, which were spread wide. For the first time, I fully registered the heat and wetness between my legs. I was soaked. My clothes had been pulled up to my chest, leaving most of my body exposed.

Why am I wearing this…

It was a red robe. I had no memory of why I was wearing such a garment. I tried to pull my legs together, but my body refused to move. I could only shift my eyes.

The man suddenly stood up, reaching for his gloves on the bedside table and slowly pulling them on. There was something else on the table. A whip. He put on his other glove and picked up the whip, then glanced at me once more before turning sharply and leaving the room. His heavy boots echoed as they faded into the distance.

It was undeniable. That whip. That man was Chief of Guiger, also known as Snake. My sexual partner was none other than Snake himself. Nothing made sense anymore. I tried to regain my composure, but I couldn’t wrap my head around what had happened. Why did I have sex with him? Why with Snake, of all people?