Chapter 10

Ivnes stared at the whiskey bottle, now empty of its golden liquid. Then, she glanced at the half-full bottle of dark amber whiskey and sighed.

Maybe it was because she had downed such high-proof alcohol back-to-back, but her vision was starting to spin.

She frowned and slumped into the sofa, and Edwin sat down beside her.

As he sat, the whiskey in her crystal glass swayed, nearly spilling over. Ivnes frowned at the sight.

Still, with him blankly staring at her like that, she figured he’d say something irritating if she didn’t do something, so she raised the glass to her lips. Edwin, almost mimicking her, tilted his glass and took a sip.

Ivnes exhaled, the sharp pine scent filling her nose, and left her drink half-finished.

Across from her, Edwin met her gaze as he drained his whiskey. Her vision was blurred, yet oddly sharp—it was disorienting, making her think she really was drunk now.

He was drinking while looking straight into her eyes. She watched the thick column of his throat move with a gulping sound, cast in dark shadows by the moonlight.

“You didn’t finish, My Lady.”

He smiled, and Ivnes, with a sigh, downed the rest of her drink. Seeing this, he smiled brightly, as if pleased, and scooted closer. She could feel his thick, muscular arm brush against her left shoulder.

“You still smell nice, My Lady.”

“What kind of scent?”

Ivnes set down her glass but didn’t avert her eyes from his.

“I’m not sure. Something sweet.”

“You… smelled like alcohol…”

Her voice trailed off as she leaned in to smell him again—but now, perhaps from the alcohol, she couldn’t catch the scent of booze anymore.

“Try from closer.”

His eyes looked vividly red as she leaned in.

As she neared his neck, there was a soft, warm scent she couldn’t place.

“I can’t really tell.”

“Then may I try, My Lady?”

As he said that, Edwin took her hands, pressing her down against the sofa. Her body slid from the backrest down to the seat cushion.

He leaned in, inhaling near her neck.

Ivnes stared blankly at the ceiling, feeling his breath graze her skin. Warm and soft, it touched the space between her ear and jaw, making the fine hairs on her nape stand on end.

“My Lady.”

He called to her, then slowly moved down toward her collarbone.

“Lady Ivnes.”

Though he clearly wanted her attention, she remained indifferent, staring at the ceiling.

His low voice tickled her collarbone, but…

Combined with the alcohol, it all felt distant—unreal.

“Lady Ivnes.”

Finally, he smiled down at her. Ivnes suddenly thought that his arm, stretched beside her, felt like a prison bar.

And the fact that his thin robe had come loose…

“My Lady?”

It was annoying. She reached out, closed his robe, and tied the loosened sash.

“You’ve got a nasty drinking habit, Edwin.”

She pushed his shoulder, and to her surprise, he stumbled back easily, looking flustered—then quickly laughed and sat properly next to her.

“Aren’t you curious about my ability?”

Ivnes hesitated. If she said yes, would he actually tell her?

For some reason, she felt like he’d just dance around the answer and annoy her further.

“…I’m curious.”

Still, she was curious.

“I’m glad.”

He smiled, slid his hand behind her back, and helped her sit up. Then, he gently smoothed her mess of hair back into place.

“What’s your ability?”

She asked sharply, and again he smiled.

“Shall I play the piano?”

“Right now…?”

It’s five in the morning.

She meant to say that—but…

“…Alright.”

For some reason, she agreed. When he took her hand, she stood.

Using the interior hallway that connected her bedroom, Edwin led her to the adjacent music room where the piano was kept.

She stumbled a little, but Ivnes didn’t worry. This was a familiar place, one she knew well. Though with her blurred vision, it all felt strangely unfamiliar…

No, maybe it felt that way because she was moving with Edwin.

“Edwin, how do you know this place so well?”

At her question, Edwin flashed another bright smile but didn’t answer. Instead, he guided her to the piano bench.

Ivnes found herself seated, watching him.

Edwin sat beside her and opened the lid over the keys.

“It hasn’t been tuned in over half a year.”

“It’s fine.”

Ivnes glanced at the keys and spoke.

“Edwin, how do you know I can play the piano?”

“Who knows? I also know you can play the violin, cello, and viola.”

“How?”

“Who knows.”

He dodged again and stood, moving behind the piano to open its frame and secure the lid.

Somehow, he found a duet sheet music tucked nearby—one Ivnes had forgotten about—and placed it on the stand.

“This piece is for two players.”

“Let’s play together, My Lady.”

“When did you learn to play piano?”

“You taught me.”

She really thought he must be drunk.

Back when she used to play, she was around fifteen—busy with debutante balls. There was no way she could have taught anyone then.

And now, she’d only known the current, mad Edwin for about a week. She couldn’t have taught him.

Still… she didn’t say it out loud.

The alcohol was hitting her hard now—everything felt tiresome, irritating. She figured it was better to just go along with whatever he wanted and get it over with quickly.

“I’ll do it.”

“Yes.”

The piece had a unique tempo—slow at first, then gradually faster. Edwin sat to her left, and she sat to his right, playing the higher notes.

Then he suddenly began to play wildly, at his own reckless pace, and she grew annoyed. But if she stopped playing and let him finish alone, he’d just pester her to play again.

So she matched his erratic tempo, fingers moving with precision.

Her elbow occasionally brushed against his firm arm, but it didn’t feel unfamiliar. The veins running across the back of his hand, the way his eyes never left her—not the keys—and that predator-like expression on his face…

It should have been the first time she’d seen it.

And yet, it didn’t feel unfamiliar at all. That was what felt strange.

Suddenly, he stretched his right arm across her, wrapping around her waist, and reached beneath her hand, taking over her part of the melody.

Without missing a beat, Ivnes shifted to play the left-hand part alone. With their hands now crossed, it felt like she was wearing a straitjacket.

Once again, he played faster, wildly, without restraint. Her wrist began to ache, and she frowned, sighing.

She tried to endure it, but his chaotic playing pushed her patience to its limit. Just as she was about to stop, he gripped her tightly, almost binding her in place.

“I want you to die in the most painful way possible.”

His voice, low and cold, slipped into her ear like a whisper, lips close enough to touch.

Ivnes turned her gaze to him. His irises burned red, unable to hide their bloodlust.

“But you’re far too compliant… I want to break you.”

Ivnes laughed at him.

“Go ahead and try.”

Even with her indifferent response, his eyes lit up like a madman, inflamed with obsession.

Bang!

He slammed the keys, discordant noise filling the room. Ivnes shot to her feet, stepping back from the piano. Her vision spun violently.

Then, with another jarring clamor of dissonance, she was shoved down onto the piano bench.

She had a rough sense of Edwin’s strength, but now she felt like a rabbit before a black panther.

And yet… maybe because of the alcohol, she didn’t believe he truly meant to kill her.

“Kill me, Edwin.”

She took his hand and placed it against her neck.

A flicker of surprise flashed through his eyes. The red glow of his irises dimmed, turning black and uncertain.

Ivnes gripped the back of his hand, pressing it harder against her throat. She could feel his heavy, pounding heartbeat through her palm.