Belita hurried through the hall, the basket of food in her hands swaying slightly. As she turned a corner, she suddenly collided with someone, and the basket toppled to the ground. Her wide eyes looked up in horror.
"Oooh… young master Ren!" she gasped, bowing deeply, her face flushed with panic. Her jet-black hair, tied neatly with a braid on each side to frame her delicate features, shone in the light. Her vivid amethyst eyes, a striking contrast to her hair, were filled with anxiety. "This lowly maid humbly asks for forgiveness for tainting your shirt with my filth."
Ren's expression twisted in disgust as he slapped her hard across the face. The sound echoed through the corridor.
"You," he growled, grabbing her by her long black hair. "Who do you think you are?"
The commotion drew the attention of the thirty servants working in the house. They hesitated to intervene, held back by the ten guards who flanked Ren at all times.
Ren raised Belita off the ground by her hair, her feet barely touching the floor, and slapped her again. "Are you blind to see what you've done?" he sneered, slapping her a third time. "A lowly maid—"
Before he could strike again, a firm grip stopped his hand mid-air. Ren turned, his face pale as he met Bruce's gaze.
Bruce's rare golden eyes, glowing with rage, locked onto Ren. His light black hair seemed to flow in an unseen breeze, adding to his intimidating presence. The sheer bloodlust in his expression made Ren instinctively freeze.
"Hey…" Bruce said, his voice low and dangerous. "What are you doing?"
Ren felt his fear deepen. *'A lion that bares its fangs is not to be trifled with,'* he thought instinctively. He released Belita immediately, letting her drop to the floor.
"I am Ren Kozuki Hanma," Ren stammered, trying to reassert himself. "The son of Kozuki Hanma and an elder of the—"
Bruce interrupted him, his voice sharp and venomous. "I don't give a damn about who you are. Answer my question right now—what were you doing to Belita?"
Ren's composure faltered as he struggled to keep his bravado. "Damnit… all of you keep testing my patience. What does it seem like I'm doing? I'm putting this lowly maid in her place, as she deserves! Are you blind, or are you just trying to act cool?"
Bruce clenched his fists, his body trembling with anger. He raised his arm, ready to strike, when Minato suddenly appeared.
"Bruce, calm down," Minato said smoothly, placing a hand on Bruce's shoulder. "This is just a misunderstanding." His voice was deceptively light, but there was an undertone of warning.
Minato turned to Ren, his expression unreadable. "Right, Ren?"
Ren flinched, his body stiffening as he realized Minato's presence. *'Where did he come from? I couldn't even sense him!'* he thought, a cold sweat forming on his brow.
"Minato Hanma…" Ren stammered, shivering. "A-a-aa… yes… yes, of course. Sorry, my bad."
Minato gave him a strained, awkward smile. "See? All cleared up."
Bruce ignored Minato's attempt to diffuse the situation and bent down, gently lifting Belita into his arms. She was silent, her face buried against his chest.
"Three slaps," Bruce said coldly, his voice dripping with promise. "I'll make sure you receive it."
Without another word, he carried Belita away, leaving Ren trembling under Minato's watchful gaze.
---
Minato exhaled a puff of smoke, his sharp gaze fixed on Ren. "Now, let's forget this little scuffle and head to my office to talk, shall we?"
Ren hesitated, the tension visible in his clenched fists, before nodding reluctantly. "Y…yeah."
Minato's lips curled into a sly smile. "But, you know, Ren, it's never a good idea to make enemies of the next head of the Hanma family on your first meeting."
Ren's brows furrowed. "What are you implying?"
"A word is enough for the wise," Minato replied smoothly, taking another drag of his cigarette.
Ren's frustration bubbled over, his voice rising. "You'll watch how you address me. I am here as an envoy from the branch family!"
Minato tilted his head, his one visible eye gleaming with amusement. "And have you forgotten who the branch family works under?" His tone turned icy. "A frog in a well, reaching for the sun. Know your place, you vermin."
Ren froze. He had always been on top, always the one commanding respect. To be spoken to like this was unbearable. Gritting his teeth, he bowed stiffly.
"I come bearing a message from my father, Kozuki Hanma, the head of the branch family."
Minato smirked. "Getting straight to business, are we?"
Ren straightened, his voice regaining its composure. "The message is as follows: It has been declared that the annual Sky Summit will take place once again this year. The main house should have its representative ready. As usual, it will occur on the 15th day of the year. I extend my father's greetings to the current head of the Hanma family." He paused, glancing around. "That is all. I will now take my leave."
Without another word, Ren called his guards and departed. The servants, under Narberal's orders, quietly returned to their duties.
Minato watched Ren's retreating figure, exhaling a slow stream of smoke. "What an ill-tempered brat. How does a tail dare to order the head?" His smirk grew sharper. "Well, now that the fish has taken the bait, all that remains is to carefully reel it in and slaughter it."
---
In Bruce's room, the atmosphere was far from calm. Belita sat gingerly on his lap, her cheek red from Ren's earlier assault. Bruce held a small jar of ointment, his fingers gentle as he applied it to her bruised skin.
"Does it hurt?" Bruce asked, his voice soft yet gruff.
Belita hesitated, her eyes cast downward. "A little…"
Both spoke at once. "I'm sor—"
Bruce chuckled, his rare smile breaking the tension. "You go first."
Belita fidgeted. "I'm sorry. If it weren't for my incompetence, you wouldn't have had to quarrel with the young master."
"Bell…" Bruce said, his tone firmer now. "Who is your master?"
Her gaze flickered to his, hesitant. "You are."
"As your master," Bruce said, his voice steady, "I want you to promise me something." He took her hand and placed it gently on his head. "Promise me you won't bow to anyone else but me."
Belita blinked, her lips trembling slightly. Then, with unexpected resolve, she nodded. "I, Belita, the maid of Young Master Bruce Hanma, swear on my life that I'll never bow to anyone other than my master."
For a moment, silence hung in the room. Then, realizing the intimacy of their position, Belita's face turned crimson. "C-can you let go of me now?"
Bruce chuckled softly, though he didn't immediately release her. "One more thing."
Belita looked up at him, confused.
"Stop calling yourself lowly," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "You're not as bad a person as you think."
Her eyes widened, and she quickly slid off his lap, muttering something incoherent before rushing out of the room.
---
Minato leaned casually against the wall outside Bruce's door, lighting a cigarette. He chuckled to himself, exhaling smoke into the air. "How good it is to be young."
From the hallway, Narberal's voice cut through the quiet. "You're not so old yourself."
Minato glanced at her, his expression turning bemused. "You always seem to ruin the fun in everything."
Narberal ignored his comment, her tone sharp. "Still pining after that vixen?"
The mention of Hinata made Minato's expression darken. He turned away, taking a deep drag of his cigarette. "Her name is Hinata," he said through gritted teeth, "and it's none of your business."
Narberal's gaze was unwavering. "Don't be mistaken, young master. That vix—I mean Hinata—has Benimaru Hoshino with her now. That's the bitter truth."
The cigarette fell from Minato's lips as his fist slammed into the wall, sending cracks rippling through the plaster. The entire house seemed to shudder from the force. Servants stumbled as the floor beneath them shook, and Bruce glanced up, alarmed.
"Don't give me that crap!" Minato growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You were the one who separated us in the first place!"
Narberal bowed deeply, her voice calm but tinged with regret. "This servant humbly apologizes. I only did it in your best interest, young master."
Minato glared at her, his tone cold. "Apologizing a million times doesn't change what you've done."
He turned on his heel and stormed away, leaving Narberal standing alone. Slowly, she straightened, her expression solemn.
"I know," she murmured to herself. "Which is why I'll spend every moment of my life making amends."