The confrontation ended and the trio made their way back to the dining room. They entered the dining room, their arrival met with a round of curious glances. The room was filled with the clatter of cutlery against porcelain, the hum of quiet chitchat. The remnants of breakfast lay scattered on the table - plates of half-eaten toast, bowls of oatmeal, cups of lukewarm tea.Gilbert guided Alexa to her chair. He then took his own seat, his gaze scanning the room, finding Clement. Jean, on the other hand, resumed his place at the table without a word, his expression stern. Clement, Gilbert's trusted servant, watched from the corner of the room, his task completed, nodded subtly to Gilbert. The bowls had been switched - Gilbert's with a random uneaten bowl, and Alexa's with Jean's. Gilbert returned to his oatmeal, his spoon stirring the creamy mixture with an air of nonchalance. His eyes lit up with mirth, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Sat next to Alexa, Jean watched him, hi
The funeral procession moved slowly, an event marked by a heavy atmosphere. Amidst the mourners, Jean and Gilbert stood out. Their faces, although composed, showed no trace of sorrow. As the casket bearing their father's body was carried past them, their eyes were cold and detached.Detective Williams, the man they had hired to investigate their father's sudden demise, approached them once the funeral rites were over."My lords," he began, his voice echoing in the near-empty hall, "I've concluded my investigation." "And?" Jean prompted, his gaze fixed on the detective. "Your father, Mr. Gardier's death... it was due to natural causes. An internal bleeding." the detective stated, his eyes flicking between the brothers. Jean's face flickered with surprise, quickly replaced by a stoic mask. "Natural causes? Are you certain?" he asked, his voice steady. "Absolutely," the detective confirmed. "There was no evidence of foul play." Jean's mind was racing. He had planned and executed
The night came after Alexa shares the silly tips to Lady Renata. Now, in the privacy of Gilbert's bedroom, Alexa and Gilbert found a refuge from the world. The dimmed lights, the plush sheets, and the scent of their mingled perfumes set the stage for an evening of intimacy.Alexa, clad in a sexy silk robe, looked expectantly at Gilbert. He sat on the edge of the bed, a playful glint in his eyes."Maybe it's time for us to be very very close, my lord." Alexa said, started to undress herself."Alexa," he began, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic seriousness, "there’s something you should know." Intrigued, naked Alexa moved a bit closer to him. "Yes, my lord?" He took her hand, his grip firm yet gentle. "I want you, Alexa. I won't lie about that. But," he paused, looking straight into her eyes, "I won’t cross that line until we're officially man and wife." Alexa blinked, a mix of surprise, disappointment, and a growing admiration sweeping over her. She looked at Gilbert, her soon
Renata looked at Jean, her eyes filled with determination. "I'm not lying, Jean. Here," she said, pulling out a pregnancy test from her pocket. It clearly showed a positive result. Jean looked at the pregnancy test, his heart sinking. This was real. Renata was pregnant, and he was going to be a father. A wave of panic washed over him, but he managed to keep his expression neutral. Before Jean could respond, Renata had already swept out of the room, her head held high. She was determined to share the news with everyone in the family. The news spread like wildfire, and soon, the whole family was gathered in the living room. Victoria, Jean's mother, was overjoyed. "A grandchild!" she exclaimed, her eyes brimming with tears of joy. "I'm so proud of you, Renata!" Everyone in the room was sharing in Victoria's joy, congratulating Renata and Jean. Everyone except Jean. He stood in the corner of the room, his mind racing. He didn't want this baby. But as he looked around the room, at hi
Alexa stood in the bathroom, staring at the calendar on her phone. Her finger traced the days, stopping on the date circled in red—an ominous reminder that her period was late. Late by several weeks. “I’ll just take a test,” she muttered to herself. “It’s probably nothing.” The walk to the pharmacy felt longer than usual. Her mind raced with every step, each scenario more daunting than the last. She slid her sunglasses on, hoping to hide the worry etched on her face.Inside the pharmacy, her gaze swept over the shelves, landing on the array of pregnancy tests kit. Her hand hovered, hesitant, before she grabbed not one but several, from 10 different brands—she needed to be sure. At the counter, she avoided the cashier's eyes, her cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and fear. “Is this all for you today?” the cashier asked, ringing up the tests. “Yes, thank you,” Alexa replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Back home, the tests sat on the counter like a jury ready to del
Dionysus made his way toward the Gardier mansion, where he had been invited to stay for several weeks to attend a grand wedding. As he walked through the snow, his boots crunched beneath him. His silver hair shimmered in the winter sunlight, creating a striking contrast with the deep green of his eyes. To his surprise, the mansion's staff, who were usually indoors, had gathered outside, leaving Dio puzzled."Lots of bustling out here in the cold—don't tell me you've all been replaced by snowmen," Dio quipped.The head butler, Benson, chuckled, tipping his hat. "Oh no, Lord Dio, nothing so dramatic. Lady Renata has given us an unexpected holiday gift—a break to enjoy with our families after the frenzy of her wedding preparations."Dionysus raised an eyebrow, the surprise evident on his face. "A holiday? Before the wedding? How generous of her. Tell me, is this a tradition I've somehow missed?"The maids whispered among themselves before one of them spoke up. "It's a first for all of us
Alexa let out a half-hearted chuckle, still clinging to the hope that this was Dio's idea of a twisted joke."Well, heartbreak is an unusual way to turn brotherhs againts each other." Dio said."Heartbroken? Gilbert?" she echoed, incredulity painting her words. "If he ever found out about this, he'd be crushed." Dio leaned back, his gaze fixed on her with unsettling intensity. "Crushed is an understatement. He wouldn't just be licking his wounds. He'd go after Jean. Gilbert's the kind of guy who doesn't just get mad; he gets even." "You're saying he'd kill his own brother over this?" Alexa's voice was a mix of shock and skepticism. Dio nodded, his lips curling into a wry smile. "Kill, elliminate, murder, butcher, you name it. Remember, I am talking about the same scary smart boy who turned his high school buddies into a cold case. Gilbert's not just smart, actually; he's a genius... with a very dark side. He's been playing this deadly game since he was a teen, and the family? They
Dio's voice held a tone of conspiracy as if they were allies plotting to survive in a thriller video game. "You, Alexa, are my ally in this.""Thank... thank you. Me too, I want you to survive, to thrive even. You had said 'welcome to game' to me in my engagement day days ago. I got it now." Alexa looked at him, her eyes reflecting the determination that his words had sparked. "Survive and thrive, huh? Sounds like a plan. But in this house, it feels more like survive or die, Alexa. You're smarter than you know," Dio reassured her. "And now, you have the knowledge to protect yourself. Use it."Alexa nodded, a semblance of calm returning to her. "And what about you, Lord Dio? What's your endgame in all of this?" Dio's smirk was a shadow of his usual confidence. "Let’s just say I’m invested in ensuring the family legacy doesn't claim my live. And keeping you safe." Alexa studied him for a moment, realizing how little she knew about the man before her. "Lord Dio, I've always wondere
Madam Victoria arrived at the same time Alexa was peering out of a window. Alexa notices her and then bows down to her."Alexa, my darling, where did my son disappear to in this middle of the night?" Her voice was a combination of worry and command for her to answer immediately.Alexa traced the choker, reflecting light, and its brightness stood out against her look of bewilderment.“I... I do not know; he left without saying anything,” she answered.Madame Victoria’s eyes slightly narrowed, a trace of disappointment crossing her face. “It’s so unusual of him to act this recklessly. Gilbert is always difficult, but he isn't Jean, who loves women and nightlife,” she noted, her eyes then settling on the choker that hung around Alexa's neck."That choker... that choker is one of our best items and it was very expensive."Alexa’s hand subconsciously touched the diamonds around her neck. “My lord Gilbert gave it to me,” she said, quietly mulling over the night’s occurrences.Madam Victoria
Gilbert stood firm and tall. His eyes straightly meet Dio's eyes. The blue eyes of him and the green eyes of Dio were staring at each other, forming a silent war between the two smartest men in Gardier's family line. The crazy thing is, they have the same height and almost the same face. Dio were just a little bit paler. And now his face is more pale due to Gilbert's 'I know what you did' words."So many things have been happening in this mansion recently." Gilbert continued, "Thus, from the murder of my father up to the death of the servant, There is a murderous game, I know. And I know you are involved."Even Dio, who was rarely unsettled by anything, felt a twinge of disquiet. He studied Gilbert, observing the chilly gaze fixed in his blue eyes. Gilbert showed no fear; he was too calm to be true."You..." Gilbert went on, his voice still monotone, "you've been uncommonly near Alexa during this whole time. A tad too close for comfort."Dionysus was about to answer, but Gilbert inter
Jean's gaze lingered on the earring Dionysus held between his fingers, a sense of recognition slowly dawning on him. "I know this earring," he said abruptly "I gave it to Renata for her 26th birthday." Alexa's breath hitched, the cold realization setting into her bones. "How could it be possible if she were after me?" Gilbert turned to Jean with a questioning look. "Are you certain it's Renata's?"Jean nodded without hesitation. "Absolutely. I remember because it was a custom design." With that confirmation, Gilbert's expression shifted to something dark, something dangerous. While holding Alexa's hand, he walked out of the bedroom to the commotion in the hallway. Then he turned to Renata, who was trying to blend into the background, now getting pale and terrified as Gilbert's murderous gaze was piercing through her doe eyes. His smile at her was cold, devoid of any warmth—a predator's grin."My lady Renata," he called out, his tone deceptively soft.Jean, who followed them behind,
Jean and Gilbert came to the door of Alexa’s bedroom holding their breath as they approached it steps from walls in which evil stuck inches away from her ribcages. The door opened, and it was possible to see the bed with its blanket soaked in dark crimson stains."Blood..." Jean said.Jean’s instinct yelled at him to run across the room and pull a bloody blanket, trying to see what sort of horror was hiding underneath it. But Gilbert held his arm tightly out of fear.“Tell me if all is well with her in this,” sobbed Gilbert, his voice a whimper of breath through the constriction that blocked him. His face had become ashen and colorless; it looked like blood was draining out of him like he was sucked dry by vampire-like fear for Alexa’s safety. Her death will hurt him the most than he even couldn’t look."I... I had never seen someone so vulnerable like this. He is usually excited to see blood. Well, he loved to see blood, but not the blood of someone so dear to him." Jean thought befo
Lady Renata tiptoed towards the bed, holding firmly onto her dagger with every soundless step. It was heavy with the weight of her purpose in that room. She crawled towards the edge of the bed and stood over this figure which was under a blanket. She spoke out in a rage “I trusted you, and you betrayed me? How could a wench like you dare to hurt a lady like me.” Her voice was trembling.Wasting no time Renata lifted the dagger high. She snarled “You deserved to die, bitch. The appropriate punishment for a commoner who betrays his queen is death.” and came down on her with the blade. It went through the blanket where the girl’s body lay. The dagger stabbed her once, then twice, then several times. Each thrust was pierced accompanied by an outburst of her rage and vengeance. “You destroyed my relationship with Jean! You have to die. Die most painfully. Die. Die. Die.”Renata’s breakdown had a soundtrack of muted thuds as the fabric absorbed blows. “You knife me in the back, you tricked
"Yeah, it's time to escape. Jean wanted someone who makes all his dirtiest fantasies come true. Gilbert wanted someone who would make all his dreamy true love fantasy come true. I have made them both happy until I don't know who I am anymore. Maybe I am no one. I have to end this lame life."Trembling, Alexa grabbed the long dress in her open closet. The color is deep blue, Alexa's favorite color. The dress was given by Do Sangmin, probably the only man she could love purely and truly. She now remembered the love in his eyes as she also remembered the day those monsters beheaded him in front of her eyes."I miss him so badly. But I will meet him soon."Holding the material tightly, she began wrapping it around a strong wooden beam above her. Her hands were shaking from fear of the pain of getting choked to death. "They said death is painful, but remember, Alexa, you are afraid of the pain, not the death itself. Death was just an endless sleep without a dream. Peaceful and beautiful s
Jean's arms wrapped around Alexa from behind, giving her warmth against the cold doubts that had taken hold in her heart. He whispered softly, "Come back to me, my love." His voice had a small order with some desperation in it. It felt like the whole world was just that hug, and her back against his heartbeat.Alexa said, "I... can't, really. Our relationship is a disaster... and this baby is an apocalypse to your family," her voice shaking. "I don't know what to do," she said again, with each word getting more broken than before. "It's alright. I will do everything to protect you. I will... I will sacrifice anything for the sake of your happiness. I will die for you if I have to."He turned Alexa around and slowly made her look towards him. His eyes looked deeply into hers, searching for a sign that she felt the same way with him. But Alexa, caught up in the storm of her thoughts, could only shake her head. Her big eyes showed the confusion she was feeling inside herself. She tried
Alexa stood on the brink of her life-changing decision when a sudden grip on her arm startled her. She turned around, her heart racing, half-expecting to see Gilbert's in his angry eyes. Instead, Jean's concerned gaze met her, leaving her momentarily speechless. His grip held firm, yet gentle, displaying genuine disappointment in his expression. "Alexa," he said calmly."Je... Jean. What are you doing here?""You... You are pregnant, right? And I am the father."*****Last night,After Gilbert left his room, another visitor opened Jean's bedroom door once more, and Dionysus, also known as Dio, stepped in, commanding attention with his presence. "Still alive, I see." Dio began with his creepy-villain-like voice. Jean, who had been staring at the ceiling, turned toward Dio. "Barely," He replied. The word heavy with the remnants of his earlier anger and the alcohol that still coursed through him. Dio pulled up a chair and sat down. His eyes looked serious. "You know, you have every
In the dim lights of a local dive, Jean slouched at the bar, his messy clothes standing out against the polished Gardier lineage image. Each gulp washed away the pain of Renata's second betrayal, but with every shot, his sobriety faded, replaced by raw, unfiltered anguish. Hours later, a drunk Jean stumbled into the grand entrance of the Gardier estate, swaying and casting a stark shadow against the lavish backdrop. The ever-watchful servants rushed to Jean's side, supporting his unsteady steps with their arms.It is currently 3 AM.Gilbert and Alexa were just hanging out in the living room with the rest of the fam. They all waiting for Jean to return. He disappeared and that was making everyone worry. Now, they all turned their attention to the servants who were carrying the drunk Jean. Gilbert squinted his eyes as he watched his brother's sorry state. "Dear Alexa," he whispered to Alexa. "do you mind if I tag along with the servants?"In his bedroom, the servants placed Jean on his