"Dear sir, I truly am left dumbfounded that you haven't brought a damsel here with you in the manoir. More often than not, I would see one sticking close to you, especially over the weekends," Yukio's personal butler vocalised as he set down the dishes on the dining table for his frowning master to consume.

"Hush up." Yukio's brows were knitted and regardless of the varieties of viands splayed out in front of him, his mind was elsewhere.
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All his life, he had been doted on by his parents. Even those that he had not met yet, they would shower him with commendation even if all he did was just breathe. Everything he needed and wished for, it was spoonfed to him, and up 'til now, nothing notable had changed.

He enjoyed the attention. He liked the fact that everything revolved around him as if he was the Sun. He took pleasure in the gifts, the laudations, the appreciation people provided him for the little things that he achieved. It was so surrealㅡ the sensation was unimaginable and he loved every tid bits of it.

But that was when he was still a young child. As he slowly became an adolescent, it just became so infuriating that e'ry move of his was scrutinized... That he must act accordingly like a proper noble would, or else he'd risk the chance of being frowned upon. The gratification he had lived through steadily turned into resentment, and the chagrin of his eventually evolved into impassiveness.

He was so accustomed to it, that the looks of reverence and compliments he received from his peers meant absolutely nothing to him. He received them so often that it had lost its meaning, especially since it was all because of his appearance and status. But he needed to smile and thank them each time, or else he'd be labelled as an elitist.

And no matter what he longed for, it'll be provided to him in less than no time... All he needed to do was just request for it, and within an hour and even less, it'd be given to him. It was due to his outward aspects and reputation that they were so subservient. Because of that, never had he ever felt true success. 

Others would envy his state of life, but he was just so sick of it. Excitement was stripped away from him the moment he got used to all these things, and no matter how hard he'd tried to at least feel a little bit of it, his efforts were all in vain.

He felt so empty. Like all of his emotions were sucked out of him by a vacuum. But he had to hide that and still remain as the Yukio that would have anyone bowing at their knees.

His father taught him that. That he must do everything to maintain a good image. Groom himself to be the most stunning man in defiance of where he went, do applause-worthy acts so that other would think highly of him. 

That way of thinking ticked him off.

Appearance this, authority that. He was just so fed up with it. 

Those women that tried to seduce him and have him on top of them... They got what they deserved. They only wanted him because of his outer shell and because he was at the bottom of the tome. They were all so shallow, only caring about insignificant things like those and the very thought of it maddened him to no end.

Haha... They had it coming for them. Those with that kind of mindset qualify for being annihilated. They were polluting the Earth with their mentality, and of course, he was just doing his part as a human to cleanse this world and one way of doing that was wiping off their existence here in this planet. And of course, no one suspected him at all. Why?

It was because of his ravishing looks and social standing.

He'd thought that he'd live his whole life like this 'til the moment he breathes his last intake of air, until you came along.

He had been the one to offer to take you to the clinic when you collapsed in the middle of the hallway. The deed was such a hassle to him. Why did he have to do this? He could've just ignored you and went on with his daily life, but of course, his father's teachings were stuck inside his mind.

He was about to stand up from the stool beside the bed you were on and leave quietly, but as he noticed you stirring from your sleep, he decided to just stay. Ross... You were a noble as well that was high in the ranks. If he could just leave a mark on you by being your saviour, his work would be done. 

He always saw your face on the corridors, but he never really paid any mind to you. He would've approached you because of your title, but decided against it once he saw your lovestruck gaze on him. Would you be his new victim, then?

He still could remember your eyes to this date. You looked so affrighted, as if what you were staring at was a monster. Where did your crush on him go for you to gape at him like that?

"Are you alright? I saw your unconscious body lying just outside your classroom... Everyone was panicking so I took the liberty of carrying you to the clinic... I could stay with you here if you want me to. I know how boring it is to be alone," he hoped that you would be shameful enough to turn down his offer.

Yet your next performance just frazzled him. "Sure, you can stay here. But I don't know if it'll be fun for you since you'll just be alone," and you just ascended and left him there all alone, him leering at the door, unbelieving of what had ensued. Did that really happen? Was he dreaming? He pinched his cheeks, yet the pain told him otherwise. No. He was a hundred percent awake...

First, the way you goggled at him, and second, this? 

He felt his heart thumping loudly in his chest and he clutched on it. Was his heart really beating this fast? 

For the first time in years, he finally felt alive.

He tried approaching you yet your responses were the same. You'd peep at him pejoratively, with such abhorrenceㅡ A normal person would have felt hurt by this. But him? He'd never felt this ecstatic before.

Fast forward to the little quarrel you two had. That's the explanation as to why he was unable to fall asleep these past few days. After that dispute, you two hadn't really talked... Even small greetings, none! He wanted you to face his way again. He wanted you to look at him with resentment... He wanted you to curse him, to swear at him, whatever it was, he longed for you to do it. Ah, he desired for it so much that now that it was gone, there was that feeling again which he despised so much. 

Hollowness.

Should he just swallow up his pride and apologize first? Yeah, that sounds fitting enough... But how would he do that when you would go the other way whenever you two would meet paths? You also blocked his number, so communicating with you was implausible.

He hated it.

He hated this.
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At the Ross' Mansion.
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Getting Enki's father's permission was easier than you thought. His mother was the only one who created a fuss so you blanched the whole time you were on the phone. Your house's status was above them, so to say that Takumi Clorénvale was exuberant for his son managed to get on your good side was a euphemism. You still held fury for his father for tormenting Enki so you didn't stay too long in the call despite the former wanting to discuss other things with you.

You groaned as you heard repeated knocks on your door. It was a Saturday, so couldn't they just cut you off some slack? 

"Five more hours..." Your buried your face on the soft pillows and you whined even more as your personal maid banged on the door harder this time. You didn't like abusing your power, but since you had authority over her, shouldn't she be listening to your orders?

"Sorry, my mistress. But your father wanted to speak to you as soon as you wake up.

"But I was still sleeping."

"Not anymore." You couldn't search for the will to try and even bicker with her, so you just let her in and sourly let her prepare you for the day. You went rigid once you discerned the fact that maybe the conversation would be about you bringing a boy over. Though he had let you off so leniently since you arrived with Enki without notice, and he wouldn't want to cause commotion in front of the boy, he could've decided that now was the best time to chastise you.

Knock knock.

"Come in," his voice was deathly still yet it was enough for you to be able to comprehend what he'd just said. You slowly entered his study and closed the door behind you. You bowed in front of him, "Good morning, father." 

"... Take a seat." He didn't even return your greeting... Now, you were sure he was mad at you! Now on the plush chair that was in front of his table, your hands were balled into fists as your head was still hung low, unable to look at him in the eye because you were a wuss.

"You were aware, weren't you? About what's happening inside the Clorénvale's?" He enquired, and you nodded in confirmation. You were still gobsmacked that he had knowledge about that, but your dread was keeping you from holding your head up high.

"Look at me." And you did, terrified to go against his command. "I'm not outraged because of what you've done. In fact, I'm proud of my daughter," the smile on his face stumped you because you hadn't ever seen him smile while he was doing his work. Yet outside of it though was a different matter. He acted so fatherly whenever he was done with all those documents, so for him to smile at you with all those stacks of papers laid out, it made you feel at loss.

"Wait, really?" 

"Yes. The actions of his parents sickened me, but due to my job taking almost all of my time, I couldn't do anything to save him. I must thank you, Y/n, for doing it on my behalf." You were unable to keep the grin from breaking out of your face. But it disappeared as soon as it came. 

"If only I met him sooner... Then he wouldn't have to go through all that..." You muttered, shoulders now relaxed since your nerves had already calmed down.

"Don't feel bad. What matters is the present, not the past, alright? You can just replace all of those appalling memories into ones worth remembering. You are now dismissed." Picking yourself up from your seat, you bowed in front of him one last time as a proper way to say goodbye. "Father... I didn't know you can be so mushy..." You promptly hustled out of the room before he could even chide you for teasing him.

Mugen Ross just pinched the bridge of his nose, heaving out a sigh because of his daughter's antics. But as much as he was jaded, he couldn't stop himself from smiling because of you. 'She is turning into a fine lady,' he thought.

All set to call out for Enki, he opened the door before you could even continue and let his name roll out of your tongue. "Good morning," you greeted him, the sides of your lips tugged outwards. His eyes caricatured for a second, before he stumbled over the same words.

"D...Don't mind me. I'm just not used to being greeted so warmly in the morning," ruffling his hair, you lightly laughed. "Let's go and eat breakfast now, shall we? You still need to teach me how to cook later."

"Ah, yes, I still haven't forgotten about that... Let's go...!" He tried to be stoked and his fluffiness just couldn't be handled by your heart.

You still had time to enjoy things for now, because on the third day of the fourth week, Ross' bereavement occurred. 

And you just happened to have three days left before all hell breaks loose.