LIAM
"I thought you were an army commander. Why are you investigating murder cases?" I arch a brow as I follow Kian through the bustling streets of Oblivarae—which is almost getting on my nerves because I have not had much experience of getting exposed in public, "Shouldn't the intelligence department handle this kind of job?"
I snap my mouth shut as I see the corner of Kian's lips curving up into a smirk and realize that I have shown a glimpse of what I actually am. Guess I should keep my good-for-nothing mouth up. It will be the death of me.
"Lain, guess you are way more intelligent than you let on." Kiam stares at me intently, his eyes narrowed and his lips curled up into a smirk, amusement dancing in his crystal clear blue eyes.
I shrug, "I am an adventurer, collecting intel is just another typical Monday for me" I look over my shoulder, gesturing at Fred, "Why is he following us?"
"He is my guard dog to be precise." Kian replies, his getting-under-my-skin smile never yielding. I wish I could smack it off his with my own hand. "This is his job to follow me around and protect me."
I scoff, "The thought of a man like you"—My eyes rank over his muscle-packed body—"Is… umm… amusing I must say." This time I don't bother to hide the mockery and sarcasm in my tone.
And to my pure annoyance, it only seems to amuse him even more, "Oh yes, yes," He chuckles, making me want to choke him, "I do not need any protection. Fred is just a show-off. He is my executive officer."
That makes sense. Because it's the executive officer's first and foremost duty to keep the commander alive and take every blow for them. My executive officer, Kelly—the dumb face of a petite woman flashes before me— I shake my head violently as if doing so will make me forget her face. That woamn is an absolute nightmare. Yes, she has some impressive skills with that whip of hers and she is wicked fast, mixed with her agility… but she has no brains. She is so damn noisy that sometimes I just want to run away from her or choke her to death so that she stops talking.
But Fred is mostly silent as if trying to blend himself in the air and make his presence invisible, which is the polar contrast to Kelly. I just wish, no, I would even beg Kelly to keep her mouth shut like this. The less she talks, the better. Her mouth will make me lose my mind—if not ruin my life.
"You did not answer my question." I pin Kian with a stare, "Why are you investigating a murder case?"
Kian's jaw tightens, as he glances at me briefly before returning his gaze to the street ahead, "My fiance was murdered. This is why I am investigating this case myself."
I keep quiet for a moment before opening my mouth again to—of course, screw myself more than I already have—say, "You don't seem like one of those guys who mourns over such small things. You are half-lying. It is fine if you don't want to tell the truth, but do not lie to me."
So, Liam, you have officially screwed yourself. A big hand for me.
Kian's smile widens to a full-bloomed grin, his eyes looking at me like I am a newfound treasure that is entertaining him beyond any measure. "Lain, you really are a sharp fellow, aren't you? How amusing. I really like it." It is as if he just can't take his eyes off me like I am some kind of mystery his brain is itching to solve. Well, to him, I indeed am, "And as for the truth, yes. I am investigating this case, partly because of my fiance. And if you want me to be honest with you, then I'd say that this case has caught my attention." His eyes are gleaming like diamonds. "I am sure, the case will pique your interest as well once you see the crime scene."
I'd like to slap myself so hard that it bruises. Because I catch myself staring at Kian like I never did before. The man is truly a sight to behold and I cannot control my inner greed to take in his every curve and contour. The awe of his beauty is almost overpowering my hatred. Almost.
I still will take a good chance to kill him—if there is any in the first place. There is no way I am letting the murderer of my brother roam free like this. He should die. He has to die. He deserves to die. I will kill him. At this point, I don't care about Oliver anymore. All I know is if I am to die, then I will kill this man first then go to hell myself. The grief of Eiden's death will never let me live in peace unless I avenge him.
The rest of the walk, I am struggling to death to keep my mouth shut. Guess, I have been rubbed off by her from the partnership of all those years. I should indeed look for another executive officer.
"We are here," Kian announces and I start to scan the outlook of the house, my face tight with seriousness.
The house is large, with a well-kept front porch. This is one of those households who like to show off their riches and be over-proud about it. Not much difference from the house of noblities in our kingdom. And from the nameplate beside the towering metal gates, it is the house of one of the former military generals.
"So, your fiance was one of those father-promised fellows?" I ask him as two guards open the gates, salute Kian, and lead us inside.
"What does it mean?" Kian quirks his eyebrows, his eyes slightly wide as he studies my face, "father-promised-fellow?"
"It means, that your father promised his old friend that he would marry you off to their daughter." I take in the surroundings, not minding him as he is burning a hole through me, "Tell me if I am wrong."
Kian's eyes widen another fraction, "How do you know that? This is supposed to be kept confidential."
"It is simple if you look at it." I shrug, entering the hall through the main doors, "It is almost close to impossible that you would marry this house's daughter without any benefit since this house's owner is an ex-military man. He has nothing to offer you since you have already ascended the throne. And there is zero chance a man like you would fall in love with someone. So the conclusion is: The owner of this household is an ex-military man. And by the look of this house, seemingly he was a higher-up. This means he was acquaintanced with your father, who was the previous commander of the imperial army. Every person over the continent knows about this. They just had a great relationship this is why they wanted to use their children to make the bond stronger. There is another thing: your fiance's father must have seen this deal's benefit. So this is how it is. Your marriage is nothing but another father-promised fellow." I smile at him, which doesn't reach my eyes.
Kian's jaw visibly drops to the floor, making a surge of satisfaction and pride shoot through my whole body. It is so fun to make him this surprised.
"Damn…" He quickly got himself together, his eyes never leaving me, "You figured out all this just by reading the nameplate? This is commendable, I must say."
"I appreciate it." Has anyone ever heard their enemies commending them? Guess no. But mine does.
A middle-aged man, with graying hair, comes out from the inside of the house. Followed by a sodding woman, she is trembling violently. They are seemingly the parents of the victim. The victim's father—I didn't memorize his name because I don't think it will be any of my use—shakes Kian's hand out of courtesy. It is evident that he is in an extremely bad mood, his eyes are red, and his face is pale. Not surprising since you wouldn't go around singing and dancing if your daughter dies.
"Who is he?" Kian's fiance's father—from now on I am calling him Mister A because it is not really comfortable to say 'Kian's fiance's father' every time I mention him.
"An assistant." Kian answers shortly.
Mister A's eyes scan me, "I see. Please come in." He doesn't give me a reaction whatsoever.
I have always liked the things that are hard to get or hard to convince. Even in battles, I have always preferred opponents who are stronger than me. I can say that it has turned into some kind of kink of mine. I have always wanted to do things that nobody can do. Impossible and difficult things have a soft spot in my heart.
Mister A and Mistress A lead us inside the house, it is just as big as I anticipated. We enter a room which seemingly is the victim' room. And the moment I lay my eyes on the scene. I know, just what Kian meant. I think I might actually like this case. But I will definitely not thank Kian for that.