I sent a quick message to Ethan and rushed back to my car, intending to follow Roy. However, by the time I got there, Roy was already out of sight. I had no choice but to wait for Ethan to track Roy’s whereabouts. I had no idea what Roy was thinking or where he might take Neil. The only thing I knew for sure was that they couldn't fly, since I had all of Neil’s documents. I began to feel that Ethan was taking an unusually long time. I couldn't tell if it was just my anxiety or my growing dependency on him as my only hope.Finally, Ethan responded. He said that both Roy and Neil’s phones were turned off, making it impossible to track them via GPS. He had traced Roy's car, but it had mysteriously vanished after leaving the university area. Nevertheless, Ethan didn’t give up. He started checking the CCTV footage and road cameras outside the university area to see if he could find any clues about Roy’s car, but he needed time. Suddenly, I remembered the pink-haired boy who might still be
Lisa found evidence similar to what was around Roy's mansion. After dispelling the magic, she discovered another car. Without delay, Lisa contacted our mutual friend Ethan. By the time Harry and I emerged, Ethan had already traced the car—it belonged to Mike.Lisa and Ethan each contacted their magician friends to remove all the involved spells. Eventually, the car reappeared on various CCTV cameras across the roads. Ethan sent over some surveillance footage showing Neil being taken away by Mike. Neil was seen unconscious in the back seat, lying alone in a deep sleep.Armed with Ethan's information, we made our way back to Neil's hometown. By the time we arrived, it was nearly morning. I was running out of patience. Without further ado, we stormed into Mike's house, not considering the legal consequences of trespassing."Where's Neil?""He's not here with me," Mike shrugged indifferently, seeming to anticipate our visit."Let's search the place," Harry suggested."You can search till
Neil's fever had subsided, but he remained unconscious. The doctor suggested it could be exhaustion or that his subconscious perceived sleep as a refuge. It was a psychological state; if he felt in danger, the latter could indeed happen. I couldn't imagine how distressed and frightened Neil must have been. From being bullied by Roy, to Mike's ordeal, and finally falling into the hands of students at the same university, he had been continuously tormented. Neil was truly pitiable.I didn't want to delay any longer. I didn't want Neil to feel unsafe even in his sleep. I wanted to bring him back to Ryan Castle immediately because there, I could also utilize my abilities to enhance his protection. In these unfamiliar surroundings, my capabilities were limited. I consulted with Harry's doctor about potential issues during the journey and emergency measures. Additionally, I had Ethan to arranged for our family doctor to be on standby at Ryan Castle. I wanted to ensure Neil's condition only
I sat at my desk and started flipping through the folders while Ethan began his briefing. This particular meeting felt different; I was in such a good mood that I felt like I could fly, and Ethan, sitting across from me, seemed to share the sentiment. But I didn't let on."The first thing, the guy who helped Master R…""Ethan, I don’t mind you calling him whatever you want.""That punk?""Too polite," I shook my head, dismissing the mildness of the term."That little bastard?""Is there a difference?" I rejected the idea again."Actually, I have a more uncouth thought, but it’s a bit…""Say it.""Asshole.""Go on," I tapped the desk, giving Ethan my approval."The magician who helped that asshole is same like the one who framed Mr. Neil Wesley last time. They're both from the same rogue organization that usually serves the underworld or asshole like him.""Birds of a feather flock together.""Exactly. That day, Lisa tracked him down. She initially just wanted to give him a scare, but
"Please stop shouting. You're severely disturbing the peace of the castle.""Ethan, you're quite something now. Not calling me 'Master Roy' anymore, huh? Seems like you've chosen your side.""I'm merely prioritizing the safety of the castle. Anyone who threatens it must be dealt with first. So, please, calm down and leave immediately.""Calm down? My fiancé was abducted, and he's right here in this Ryan Castle. And you, one of the accomplices, still dare to act smug!""The matter between you and Mr. Neil has escalated beyond a personal issue and now concerns his safety. Even if I am an accomplice, it's to protect Mr. Neil, not to abduct him as you claim. If there's any abduction, it's actions like yours with Mike that have put Mr. Neil in danger.""I had no idea Mike would do that, and he's already been punished accordingly. I punished him for Neil. If you don't believe me, I can bring him here.""There's no need.""I'm serious. He exposed Neil's video, so I exposed his within his ent
When I proposed swapping Roy and Rose's business management roles to the old man, my only thought was about Rose's ambition to dominate the Werewolf Women's Association. I was certain she would do her utmost to improve both the orphanage and the private school. I never imagined this exchange would bring about such a change in character. It seemed this decision was even better than I had anticipated, and hopefully, it would lessen the suffering endured by the children. If Neil found out, he should be very pleased.I ascended to the second floor and encountered the servant who led the way. As before, our meeting was not in the study but in the indoor garden. The old man sat in the same spot awaiting my arrival, pouring tea when he saw me, reminiscent of our previous encounters."Let's get straight to the point," I said as I sat down, not wanting to waste any time."Sure, explain the recent situation," he replied."Going through it step by step would be too time-consuming. Just tell me w
One turn, another turn, and then a third—we've lost our pursuers. Now, Ethan's most pressing task was to floor the accelerator and get us to that remote location as quickly as possible. We had been driving for such a long time that I feel a bit dizzy. I even suspect my constitution has weakened; I never used to get car sick.I glanced back at Harry, who was leaning against the window, struggling with nausea. Even Neil, who had been sleeping on my lap, woke up and complained of an upset stomach. Harry and I were too proud to admit our discomfort, but as soon as Neil voiced his unease, he immediately drew the attention of both Ethan and Lisa."Here, take this," Lisa said, handing us something that looked like pills. We swallowed them without asking any questions, and miraculously, the discomfort vanished instantly. "I didn't expect it to start this soon," Lisa remarked to Ethan."I suppose it's because many unruly magicians have been pestering her over the years," Ethan replied."Perhap
"Ryan, this bug tastes really good!" Despite not quite understanding Neil's taste for bugs, I indulgently ruffled his hair."In that case, how about these..." Harry took the opportunity to push more bugs towards Neil."Try this one, it's quite nutritious." Maria's expression was somewhat complex, unsure if she was testing Neil's tolerance for bugs or genuinely trying to introduce him to beneficial food. Neil didn't hesitate and picked up a piece to taste."This one is delicious too!""How long did it take you guys to get used to this?" Harry teased Lisa and Ethan playfully, prompting Lisa to immediately give him a thigh-pinch attack."Are they really that tasty?" I wiped Neil's mouth, still somewhat skeptical of his assessment."Mm." Neil nodded, continuing to eat the bugs."Weren't you scared just now?""Scared of live bugs, not these. They're really good!""So as long as it's turned into food, you won't be scared of even the scariest things? Should I turn Roy into food then?""Hey, d
The second story depicted the bittersweet pain of unrequited love. The boy had secretly harbored feelings for his childhood friend for years but never found the courage to confess. He watched helplessly as the person he loved found someone else, all the while remaining at a distance, silently protecting them from afar. It wasn’t until one day, when the other finally noticed his feelings, that the boy panicked and ran away, preferring to live with the quiet ache of unspoken love rather than face the pain of loss.Neil, sitting beside me, had started sniffing softly, clearly moved by the boy’s quiet and humble affection. He instinctively clenched my hand, and I felt a pang in my chest. I could see that he understood the deep sadness behind that unvoiced yearning. It was as though he too had felt that kind of unexpressed longing, and it tugged at something within me.The third story was about a love that spanned across age, where th
Ethan continued, “Afterward, Maria seemed to try and find KY again, and she managed to track him down once. But seeing his resolve, she ultimately taught him a spell to hide his tracks, and they never had any contact after that. Ken Yimo had disappeared from our world completely, silently concealing his presence, burying his pain and his past deep within himself.“At that moment, a new realization struck me, and I muttered softly, “No wonder he’s always been so low-key. He must have used magic to hide himself.” Once, I had thought his reticence and mystery were signs of coldness and indifference, but now, knowing the truth, I couldn’t help but feel a silent understanding.Ethan replied, "Yeah, I didn’t think of it at first either. But looking back, when he found out you were a werewolf, he didn’t seem surprised at all—more like it was something he’d seen many times before." His word
At that moment, I noticed two figures standing in the doorway—Harry and Ken Yimo. They seemed to be quietly listening to our conversation. A surge of anger rose within me, and I decided to ask Neil another question, one that I knew would make Ken Yimo hear it more clearly. I leaned in slightly and, in a soft voice, asked, “Do you ever get mad at your dad? Do you ever feel frustrated with him, like he’s making you really tired?”Neil shook his head, smiling as he said, “No, Daddy loves me a lot. I like him too, and a little tiredness isn’t a big deal.” His eyes met mine, sincere and pure, as though there wasn’t an ounce of resentment in him.My heart tightened at his words, and seeing his smile, I felt a pang of sorrow deep inside. I gently laid him back on the bed and softly said, “It’s alright, Neil. Sleep for a little longer. Once you’ve had enough rest, we’ll talk som
Harry stood in the shadows, a subtle smile playing on his lips, his eyes radiating calm confidence. “Of course,” he replied, raising an eyebrow with that trademark mix of humor and certainty, as though he had the situation effortlessly under control. Harry was always like this—composed, astute, unwavering—seemingly born with the spirit of a fighter who refused to bow to fate. I looked at him, filled with gratitude and relief. The bond between us had long surpassed life, death, and honor; no matter the crisis, he was always there.As he turned his gaze toward Ken Yimo, a ripple of relief ran through me. Yes, Ken Yimo had indeed gone to Harry rather than taking some darker course of action. Unable to contain myself, I asked, “Ken Yimo, I’ll admit, I’m glad you actually brought Harry. Now, what about Neil?” My voice betrayed a hint of urgency, a worry that was impossible to hide. Neil’s condition had been weighi
Ken Yimo simply gave a cold smile, completely dismissing my warnings. There was no trace of pity or warmth in his eyes as he turned and walked out of the cell. I stood there, helpless and furious, watching him leave, fully aware that I was trapped here and powerless to stop him. As the heavy door slowly closed behind him, a sense of helplessness overwhelmed me, and despair and anguish surged in my chest. I was locked in this cold, isolated cell, surrounded by thick stone walls that shut out even the faintest trace of light, leaving me in total darkness. There was no way to reach out, no phone, no tool to call for help. My thoughts began to be consumed by the shadows, yet Neil's face lingered in my mind, refusing to fade. Would he, once again, fall prey to Ken Yimo’s control and cruelty, triggering another episode of sleepwalking? The thought twisted my heart with an unshakable sense of dread and fear. As night fell, darkness engulfed
I stared at him, unwilling to waste words. Instead, I asked directly, “Where’s Neil?” The question was like a weight pressing on my chest, and this man before me was the only one who could answer it.Ken Yimo’s expression was one of indifference, as he replied coolly, “Neil? He’s resting. He’s very simple-minded. As long as I tell him to stay put, he won’t wander off. So, unlike with you, I don’t have to keep him chained up.” His words dripped with a detached cruelty, as though Neil were nothing more than a toy he could control at will. My fists clenched involuntarily, and a simmering anger began to burn within me.I knew then—Ken Yimo must have done something to manipulate Neil or force him into submission. I wanted to press him further, but Ken spoke first, a sly smile twisting across his face. “Ah, but it seems that when kids grow up, they’re not so easy to keep
“I’ve had enough.” Finally, my patience wore thin. Soft tactics weren’t working, so it was time to be firm. I stood up, bundled Neil up tightly in his blanket, ignoring his struggles or pleas. Before long, Neil was sitting at the small table, his head poking out from the blanket while the rest of his body was wrapped up snugly—held there by my bear hug, replacing any other form of restraint.I should have done it this way from the start. It saved time, kept the food warm, and, most importantly, even though he was wrapped in a blanket, I could still hold him close, care for him, protect him—letting him sit on my lap and lean against me.“Wow.” Seeing his eager expression, I couldn’t help but feel a bit proud. “I know you love these dishes, so I made them just for you. What do you want to eat?”"My favorite pasta.""My favorite pancakes."
I rambled on while watching the stars twinkle silently in the night sky. The breeze caressed the woods outside the tent, and the night was as gentle as a dream. Unconsciously, fatigue crept into my eyelids, and finally I fell into a deep sleep in the stillness of the night.I didn't know exactly how long I slept until a beam of morning light shone through the transparent tent roof and shone on my face, waking me up from my slumber. In a daze, I blinked, as if last night's worries and hesitations were still swirling in my mind. But the scene that came into my eyes next completely turned all my imaginations upside down.“Neil!!! what are you doing?!” I instantly came to my senses and sat up with a jolt. Right in front of me, Neil was kneeling beside me, head bowed, with a serious look on his face as he tried to help me with my natural morning reaction. He didn't look hesitant at all, as if it was a matter of course.
My heart sank, realizing that it wasn’t just innocent childish behavior—it was a desperate search for affection, a need to please, a struggle to win more care and love from Ken Yimo. In that moment, I suddenly understood that Harry's words might have been true—their relationship was far beyond a typical father-son bond.I struggled to steady the emotions stirring within me, and looked up at Neil’s innocent face. He probably didn’t recognize the true meaning behind those gestures—their intent was not simply familial love, but a deep, almost physical craving for attention, a kind of dependence on being favored. A quiet ache settled in my chest as I wished with all my heart that he would never be caught in that dark emotional whirlpool again.I smiled softly, gently steering the conversation back to where it had started. "So, to get back to the point, I am your one and only, aren't I?" On this quiet night, I