The heavy doors of the estate slammed shut behind them, echoing like a war drum through the marble halls.
Meical strode ahead like a man possessed, his fury radiating off him in waves. Min-jae trailed behind, skirts swishing obnoxiously with each step, grinning like the cat that caught the canary.
"Well.." Min-jae chirped, "that went amazing. Ten out of ten. I think your friends loved me. Did you see Lord Balsick face? I thought his monocle was going to pop off."
Meical stopped so suddenly that Min-jae almost collided with his back.
"Take. Off. The. Dress."
"Oh? Already eager to get started on the 'proof of consummation' thing?" Min-jae teased, finger trailing down the satin bodice. "Kinky."
Meical's head snapped toward him, eyes like sharpened steel. "You will explain everything, or I swear I will—"
Whatever threat he had lined up died on his tongue because, at that exact moment—
"MEICAL!"
Seraphine's voice rang from behind them. She had followed them inside. Her hair was disheveled, eyes wild, the perfect image of a wronged bride.
"You can't do this!" she screamed, pointing a trembling finger at Min-jae. "He's not even a woman! This is a fraud, an insult to you, to the Empire—"
Min-jae tilted his head, still smiling sweetly. "Oh? Funny, coming from someone who slits the throats of innocent girls while pretending to be pure."
The color drained from Seraphine's face. "...What?"
Meical turned slowly to Min-jae, confusion flickering across his features. "What are you talking about?"
Min-jae's eyes hardened. The playful air vanished, replaced by something far more dangerous. "Ask her about Kaela Amagi.." he said softly.
Seraphine flinched as if struck.
Meical's gaze snapped to her. "Kaela… Amagi? She's Kaizar's Amagi's little sister, that died from an attack. Seraphine didn't kill his sister, she's innocent.."
Min-jae frowned, he hated it when they supported murderers.
"How do you know that? I saw my sister, die right before my eyes, this tramp killed my sister because she saw through her guise."
Seraphine's eyes widened as she took a step back, how did he find out about that.
No one knew, no one!
Min-jae smiled "So I'm going to take everything from her, starting with her man, her assets, until I take her very life or my name isn't Kaizar Amagi."
Meical's eyes widened, this beautiful man was Kaizar Amagi?! Everyone knew this name but no one knew his face.
"He's lying! I didn't do anything! "
Meical gave her a stare, things had taken a turn to a route he couldn't control.
"Seraphine. I have to ask you to leave, innocent or guilty, I'm married to him now. It would be considered an affair if you continue to live here." turning to Min-jae. "Come with me.."
Meical left first, leaving Min-jae and Seraphine behind. Now they didn't have any guise to hold them back.
Min-jae watched Meical's back retreating down the hall, the perfect picture of a dutiful husband shielding his new spouse from scandal. As soon as he disappeared around the corner, Min-jae's grin dropped like a guillotine.
"Well, well, well…" He turned to Seraphine, dropping the sugary tone. "The little angel finally lost her halo."
Seraphine's lips trembled, but fury sparked in her eyes. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into, Kaizar. The Empire will never accept this. You'll be ruined before you can even touch me."
Min-jae chuckled low in his throat. "Oh, sweetheart, that's the plan. See, I'm not here to win their acceptance." He stepped closer, each click of his heels deliberate. "I'm here to make sure you lose everything—your status, your lover, your life. And I'll enjoy every second of it."
Seraphine's composure cracked for just a moment, just barely perceptible, but enough to make Min-jae's smirk deepen.
"You think you can just waltz in here and destroy me?" she hissed. "You're never going to me? Meical loves me. You're a pathetic impostor."
Min-jae leaned in close, his voice dropping to a whisper meant only for her. "Funny… that's exactly what you are. And you see that man? He's going to love me twice as much as he ever loved you."
Seraphine froze. He straightened up, gave her a mocking curtsy, and strode after Meical without another glance.
This is only the beginning bitch!
He found the Duke in his private study, one hand braced against the desk, the other gripping a glass of brandy like it was the only thing keeping him sane. His coat was off, hair slightly dishevele, like a man unraveling behind closed doors.
"Done brooding?" Min-jae asked, sauntering in like he owned the place. "Or should I come back when you've worked up a dramatic soliloquy?"
Meical's head snapped up. "Sit."
Min-jae raised a brow but plopped into the nearest armchair with exaggerated grace. "Yes, dear."
The Duke's eyes bore into him, silver and merciless. "You will tell me everything, now. Who you are. What you want. And why the hell you've made me a pawn in whatever game you're playing."
Min-jae tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Mmm… okay. But you won't like it."
"Speak."
Min-jae leaned forward, his smile sharp as glass. "My name is Kaizar Amagi. My sister, Kaela, was murdered by the woman you were about to marry. And I've come back to make her pay."
For the first time that night, Meical's composure faltered. "…Murdered?"
Min-jae's grin softened but not with humor, but with the kind of cold, bone-deep resolve that couldn't be faked. "Slit her throat like she was nothing. Left her bleeding in the snow while the world praised her as 'the Empire's golden flower.' I swore on her grave I'd destroy everything she loves. And congratulations, Your Grace…" He gestured vaguely between them. "You're step one."
The room went dead silent. Meical stared at him, a storm brewing behind his eyes.
Finally, he set his glass down with a quiet clink. "The man behind the king is you right? I often wondered why the king was so proud, turns out it's because of Fox he's hiding behind his back."
Meical smiled and stood up, walking to Min-jae, placing his hands on both sides of the chair, he smiled.
"Kaizar Amagi. You should have chosen a different person for your revenge, because now that I know you're the king's right hand, I'll use you for my benefit. You wouldn't mind the right, wife?"