Translator and Editor: Maru and Aki

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Chapter 7

She seemed to be a woman of noble birth. Even if you put the same size of gold next to her, you couldn’t help but look at her.

Just like the dawn light that drove away the darkness.

Tidwell concluded that her distinct aura came out because she was an aristocrat, but in reality, he already knew.

The fact that such a person was rare among aristocrats.

Not to mention, this was the underworld social gathering. A banquet to celebrate the alliance between two syndicates.

Although people were dressed like a nobleman on the outside, they were a natural beast. They were humans who survived by gnawing their opponent’s neck.

Among those brute people, there was actually a person who had this kind of attitude and aura?

‘If there’s someone like that, I want to learn everything about her.’

Tidwell was confused.

The footman said there were no suspicious people or guests who didn’t bring the invitation [password].

In addition, the woman wearing a peacock mask was too natural.

However, he couldn’t just catch her and remove her mask, so he had to wait and see.

His doubts weren’t gone, and his sharp nerves kept yelling that she was dangerous.

Therefore, Tidwell wanted to watch her until the end of the banquet.

If only a drunk man hadn’t held that woman’s wrist.

“Why don’t you take my glass? We’re a family now, and I’ll be disappointed if we can’t do that!”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Just one glass, one glass!”

“Let go of me first….!”

“What are you doing here?”

What do you call it when aristocrats act foolishly like this? Is it chivalrous?

Tidwell thought as he held the woman with a peacock mask in his arms.

***

Tidwell had many reasons to step up.

It was an alliance of two violent syndicates. If the alliance was broken, they would become dead set against each other immediately. So if there was a disturbance in this state, it would inevitably lead to internal cracks.

Since Herod was watching closely when the disturbance happened, it was better to stop it from his side.

It was Tidwell’s conclusion.

“What’s so good about making a scene like this? You’d better stop.”

“I’m so-sorry, chief!”

“Don’t apologize to me, but to her.”

When Tidwell brought out his unique authoritative tone, those who tried to force a drink to the woman quickly lowered their tails, apologized, and moved away.

Even if this was a masquerade ball, everybody would know who the man behind the wolf mask was.

In order to prevent any disruption between the two syndicates, the heads of each syndicate decided in advance to wear certain masks.

Tidwell was a wolf, and Herod was a lion.

So it didn’t matter how much the two people changed their hair colors with a wig. But if there were people who didn’t recognize them, it only meant one thing.

“Herod?”

An outsider.

Tidwell lowered his gaze.

It was the voice of the woman wearing a peacock mask. A soft voice, as if stepping on a cloud.

Tidwell badly tried to dismiss the feeling of deja vu, but it was a force majeure.

“Thanks for your help.”

“…No problem.”

How could he pretend to be clueless about the voice that shook his mind before?

‘Sister.’

Tidwell clenched his teeth, and then calmed down.

How could this lady, who should be playing with roses in her residence, come here? How did she know about Herod? What about the invitation?

He wanted to ask a lot of questions, but his conclusion was only one.

He must kill her.

‘She’s the woman I must kill anyway.’

There was no reason to hesitate. The aftermath might be a little annoying, but it was better than being merciful to future trouble.

Tidwell, who made up his mind, spoke softly.

“Now that you have calmed down, why don’t we go outside?”

“Ah. Shall we?”

Why is my sister so gullible? Don’t you know what I’m going to do if you follow me?

Tidwell briefly thought so, but then shook it off.

Her lack of awareness of danger was not a problem, rather, it was something that he should be glad of.

“I know a quiet place. Let’s go.”

Tidwell quickly loaded the gun hidden in his arms.

***

Tidwell’s agony to kill Ravia right at the moment was extinguished when they arrived at the quiet garden.

“I’ll tell you in advance. I’m Ravia Leontine.”

Because Ravia introduced herself by taking off her peacock mask.

“I’m sorry to betray your courtesy, but I’m an outsider.”

“I was expecting it.”

“No wonder you’re so courteous.”

Ravia nodded as if she finally understood.

Tidwell wasn’t the only one who was suspicious of his opponent. Ravia also stayed vigilant all day long.

It felt good to let her guard down after she finally met Herod.

Anyway, this garden was the perfect place to die if something goes wrong since Herod was the boss of this place.

So Ravia had a hunch when he invited her to go somewhere quiet.

‘If I make a mistake, I’ll die.’

There won’t be many reasons for them to go to a quiet place.

She was being suspected.

Fortunately, Ravia had no intention of hiding her identity until the end.

Now that she was here to propose, at least she should introduce herself. Since she was already caught, it was better to reveal herself first.

If someone called him ‘chief’, then there was no doubt that he was Herod.

‘But Herod’s voice is very low.’

It was similar to Tidwell’s voice. When she heard his voice, she thought he was Tidwell at first.

‘Tidwell wouldn’t be like this with me.’

Ravia neatly threw away the suspicion she briefly had.

The first objective to meet Herod was accomplished, and what was left was negotiation.

The gentle breeze tickled her cheek, and Ravia looked up at the man wearing a wolf mask.

A smile resembling the gentle breeze a little while ago arose on her face.

“I’m here to find you, Herod.”

“No, I mean, are you talking about me?”

“Do you think I would reveal my identity recklessly? Knowing I might die?”

Her voice was as soft as walking on clouds. Fresh tone and clear voice. Ravia was speaking too lightly for a woman who just endured death.

If anyone else heard of it, they would think that she was such a fearless person.

‘You’re trembling.’

But not for Tidwell. He recognized the small tremble at the end of her calm smile, her suppressed voice, and so on. She was truly risking her life to meet Herod.

Which left Tidwell wondering,

‘Why on earth?’

Is there a need to risk your life to meet Herod?You’re a princess, and Herod is the head of a criminal syndicate. He’s from a completely different world, so what’s there to gain from getting involved with him?

Leontine is not in a situation where they have a huge debt and need a loan urgently.

‘If not, do you want to kill me?’

If she managed to come all the way here, so she must know of Tidwell’s identity. Therefore, it was possible for her to find a suitable man and request an assassination.

His determination that had been shaken for a while returned. At the moment when Tidwell tried to reach out the gun in his arms,

“I want to propose a marriage to you.”

Ravia spoke dryly. And her words were far from Tidwell’s expectations.

“You might already know, but I have a brother recently. And he will take my position. So I’m no longer Leontine’s successor, and my father was planning to marry me off to someone in a hurry.”

“Didn’t you refuse all the marriage offers?”

Oops, I reflectively asked a question.

However, as Tidwell was unable to grasp the words that came out of his mouth, Ravia looked surprised.

“Seems like the rumors travel fast.”

“….I have good intelligence.”

“That’s awesome.”

It ended without any suspicion. Ravia continued with her nonchalant attitude. Her eyes were unusually bitter when she lowered her eyes.

“Aside from the fact that my marriage candidates weren’t very good, I also think that being a mistress did not match my aptitude. I didn’t live this hard to help my husband.”

Ravia’s words were an obvious lingering feeling. It was what Tidwell felt when he met her on the stairs.

‘Yeah, I knew it would be like this.’

Tidwell laughed inwardly.

Marriage, huh? You pretended that you weren’t interested in the family, but you’re thinking of getting rid of me from behind?

Someone who ran towards one goal all her life suddenly gave up on that goal? Does that make any sense?

I’m sorry for taking your place, but I can’t help it. I also have to run a long way to get that position.

With that in mind, Tidwell could predict Ravia’s next words.

Perhaps she would propose a marriage and a scheme to assassinate Tidwell. Then, take over both Leontine and Tidwell’s syndicate.

That was a good result for both Herod and her.

I wonder how far you’re going to hit the back of my head.

Tidwell laughed at the thought and asked.

“In other words, you don’t want to live as a mistress, and you want me to get your position back?”

“No.”

However, her answer was far from Tidwell’s expectation again.

“I want to get along with him. It’s a different matter from my lingering feelings.”

There was no smile on her face.

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