Hearing Gorgon's relaxed answer, Dominic felt like someone showered him with a bucket of ice water. The fear that was gripping his heart made him come to a decision - to shut up and drive. For a second, he thought about the possibility of Anna avenging him if he was found dead.
Dominic drove the car for thirty minutes and pulled off once they arrived at the specified location indicated in the navigation panel. Together with Gorgon, he alighted from the vehicle and entered a modern ranch.
As they walked towards the entrance, Dominic saw a man stand at the center of the yard with one foot tapping on the ground. Seeing the familiar face, he tried to minimize his presence as much as he could.
"Master, I've brought him," Gorgon's voice stopped the rhythmic sound that was created by the man's foot. He looked at Gorgon with a frown.
"You're late," he complained.
"Master, thirty minutes should be enough for you to choose the right punishment for this man," Gorgon replied.
Van Raven smirked. His gaze shifted to Dominic, who was hiding behind his butler.
Seeing the gaze that could penetrate even the wall, Dominic shivered. He could feel his knees weakened. Thankfully, Gorgon dragged his body into the house, or else he would find himself sprawling on the ground.
"So, you're Dominic," Van Raven eyed the young man who was now sitting on a couch in front of him. He scrutinized him from head to toe.
"Your look is so-so, and your presence…" he smirked, and with perfect articulation, he uttered. "Insignificant."
Hearing the last word that was uttered with a strong distaste, Dominic suddenly felt that he was truly an insignificant man. He lowered his head and sat like a statue.
Similarly, he couldn't help but question the reason for his hatred towards him. He looked at Gorgon for answers, but the butler was already gone. Looking around, he saw him in the kitchen, cleaning a stack of plates while humming.
"How do you know her?" The question wrapped in killing intent brought Dominic's attention to the man staring at him with his pitch-black eyes.
"S-Sir, who-" he wanted to know but ended up speechless and dumbfounded by the series of questions the man asked.
"What makes you think that you're worthy of her?"
"Deserving of her?"
Dominic wanted to cry. He had no clue about the answers to this man's questions.
On the other hand, Van Raven wished to proceed with his original plan, but something inside his head made him question him for satisfaction.
"What right do you have to kiss her?" he asked. This was the thing that bothered him the most.
Dominic blinked. He was afraid, but right now, confusion defeated the former. He knew that the people in this house were powerful, but he really wished they wouldn't speak in a roundabout way.
"S-sir, may I know how I offended you?" Dominic mustered his courage to ask.
"How?" Van Raven smirked as he took a bowl from the short table in front of him. It was a temporary table placed by Gorgon to replace the one he broke earlier.
"Fill this up with your blood, and I might consider telling you the thing that angered me," Van Raven threw the bowl to Dominic, and he caught it clumsily.
"S-Sir, this—" Dominic's tears finally rolled. He looked at the big bowl as if looking at his dear life. His blood couldn't fulfill the task...
"How dare you bind her with a longing spell. You deserve death more than anything else." Van Raven couldn't help but voice out the reason for his ire.
"L-longing spell? Y-You're referring to my master?" Dominic asked. Even under pressure, his mind was quick to come up with a few assumptions, so he asked.
"Master?" Van Raven's eyes widened in anger.
"Good. Really Good! Do you think calling her your master would free you from your crime? Wait... why not? Hahaha! I can make her your master."
Dominic shivered when he heard the sinister laughed coming from the man. What more when his dark eyes studied him intently. It made him regret to be alive.
"There is one spell in this world that will bind you even to your deathbed. Do you know what that is? It's the puppet spell."
Ehh… Dominic felt like he had heard that spell's name before.
"Sir-"
"That's it. That's the most appropriate punishment for your crime."
"Sir- excuse me, sir."
"What?!"
Dominic felt like crying. He found him terrifying but tiring at the same time...
"A-are you referring to Miss Anna?" he asked, knowing that he was definitely right for the stories matched perfectly. He saw the man stared at him and realized that his pupils were now changing colors.
"You dare mention her name with your filthy mouth. Gorgon! Bring me a knife. I'm going to skin him before-"
"I admit I was wrong, but Miss Anna is free from the curse now, and look!" Dominic spoke so fast that he almost choked on his own tongue. He ripped his shirt to reveal the symbol of slavery on his chest.
Van Raven, who was standing, looked at Dominic and caught the sight of a familiar symbol in his chest.
"That's... who did this?" he asked, appearing next to Dominic. He took his hand and pricked the tip of his finger. He tasted the first drop of blood and closed his eyes.
Suddenly, Dominic felt an excruciating pain in his head. As it subsided, he detected an ominous aura in the shape of an eye inside his head. He knew that the man who was still holding his hand was looking at his memories. It was unsettling, making him vulnerable.
"Hmm… I see. Heh... Bwahahaha!" Van Raven let go of Dominic's hand as he hit the sofa while laughing.
"Amazing! She is indeed my soulmate. Now Dominic, since you're her puppet, come here and sit! Tell me how she made you submit," he joyfully invited Dominic to sit beside him, patting the empty seat next to him.
"Eh?" Dominic's jaw hit the floor in shock. The sudden change in attitude shook him to the core.
"Gorgon! Bring us some wine. I'll need him to repeat the story many times," Van Raven shouted at Gorgon, who was in the kitchen.
"Aye, sir!" he responded.
"Now, tell me everything!"