So… from now on, would he no longer be cruel to her? Would he stop choking her, stop using that cold gaze that frightened her until her heart clenched, and even stop treating her in ways that made her guard every single breath? Thinking of that, Rosy suddenly felt light all over. At the very least, before leaving, her life was now guaranteed; and now, even the thing she had worried about most in secret had received a clear promise. That was truly wonderful.
Captain's fingertips gently brushed over the mole at the corner of her eye. A girl this innocent made one want to cherish her and at the same time stirred an indescribable urge to destroy. He stared at her, his gaze darkening, his hoarse voice pressed low. "I won't lie to you."
Before destroying her, letting her be happy a little longer… there was nothing wrong with that.
Rosy was in an exceptionally good mood today. She ate two full bowls of rice, rubbing her now-rounded stomach, a satisfied smile written all over her face. By contrast, Captain looked anything but happy. Forced to eat only light, bland food, his mouth tasted so dull it was irritating; every bite he took was clearly reluctant. Seeing that he wasn't enjoying it, Rosy thought for a moment, then took the initiative.
"Captain, later I'll cook you a bowl of salted-egg-and-lean-pork congee, okay?"
…
Captain's POV:
I answered with a brief sound, letting it pass.
Not long after the meal was cleared, Ronan and Hunter brought Logan in. The same striking red hair, but the familiar smile was gone. His narrow, upturned eyes carried fatigue and barely concealed tension. When he saw me, his eyes suddenly lit up, like a drowning man grabbing the last piece of driftwood.
"Captain, you're alright… that's really great."
I couldn't be bothered to respond. I stood up and walked straight toward the study.
"Come here."
Logan jolted and instinctively followed. Ronan and Hunter trailed behind, their gazes on Logan's back no different from seeing someone off to the execution ground. When the study door slammed shut, the heavy sound rang out like a signal of an impending storm. I knew that outside, Rosy must have sensed it too.
Inside the study, the air was so cold it felt capable of cutting skin. I sat down, crossed my legs, and tapped my fingers rhythmically on the tabletop each steady beat enough to grind away at another person's nerves. Logan stood in the middle of the room, head bowed, exactly like a criminal awaiting sentencing.
"The news of my trip to Ravenholm," I began, my tone calm to the point of coldness, "was leaked by you, wasn't it?"
Ronan looked at Logan, his voice tight. "Did you betray Captain?"
Logan immediately lifted his head and shook it hard. "I did say it but I didn't betray him! I'm loyal to Captain; everyone knows that!"
"Then who did you tell?" Ronan pressed.
Logan hesitated, his gaze darting away. "I… I can't say."
"Wendy?" Ronan sneered. "We saw her at the hotel."
Logan opened his mouth but couldn't refute it. One look at his expression was enough for me to understand. He wasn't stupid, he was just stupid enough to think he had the right to decide things for me.
Only then did Hunter speak, his voice steady. "It's possible that when Logan told Miss William, someone else overheard. Anyone who could come and go without being detected could only be from within the organization. Those people have been eyeing your position for a long time."
As soon as the words fell, I felt the killing intent in my chest surge. Logan finally couldn't take it anymore and dropped to his knees with a thud.
"Captain, I was wrong. You can punish me however you want."
I kept tapping the table, the rhythm cruelly even. After a while, I lifted my eyes to him.
"You like reporting to Wendy so much," I said slowly, "then go be her subordinate."
Logan's face went pale instantly. Not the whip, not death but abandonment. To someone who regarded loyalty as everything, that was the most complete humiliation possible.
"Captain," Logan panicked, his voice trembling, "you can hit me, you can kill me, but don't push me to someone else. I only want to follow you."
I gave a faint smile. "Then how did you dare make decisions for me?"
Logan bit his lip and fell silent. I narrowed my eyes.
"Speak."
Ronan was so anxious he nearly shouted. "Talk, Logan! This is your last chance!"
Finally, Logan blurted it out, his voice full of agitation and stubbornness. He said Rosy had no background and wasn't worthy of standing beside me, that only Wendy was the appropriate choice. He claimed he did everything merely to "push forward" that relationship.
I laughed low and cold.
"Who I marry," I said, enunciating every word slowly, "is it your place to approve? It seems I've indulged you far too much."
Logan lifted his head, his gaze arrogant to the point of stupidity. He even dared to say the world would laugh at me for marrying an ordinary woman.
I reached into the desk drawer, took out a whip, and tossed it onto the floor.
"Ronan, take it."
The sound of the whip slicing through the air rang out; flesh was split open by the lash. I folded my arms and watched with an icy gaze.
"Let me see," I said, "just how tough your mouth really is."
Logan clenched his teeth and refused to yield. I looked at him, and only one clear conclusion remained in my mind: this man wasn't loyal—he believed he had the right to stand above me. And people like that… no longer deserved to stay by my side.