Kyle was approaching, clearly appearing conflicted and confused, as the wrinkles on his forehead showed. It seemed he had just come out of the front door, walked through the garden, and approached them from behind, making the space momentarily fall silent.

The one who broke the silence was Richard.

“Sorry, Kyle, although you invited me, today isn’t a good day. I’ll come back as a guest another time. I’ll take my leave now.”

As soon as Richard finished speaking, he immediately turned around without hesitation and walked straight into the house where Christoph stood at the door. Without saying a word, he grabbed Christoph by the elbow and forcefully pulled him outside.

“…………!”

Christoph, caught off guard by the sudden pull, only managed to steady himself after being dragged several steps across the yard by Richard’s strong grip.

“LET ME GO! I WON’T GO WITH YOU!”

Christoph shouted furiously, his voice filled with anger, and swung his free arm toward Richard. Richard did not dodge. In fact, it seemed he had no intention of avoiding it, and he took a harsh, violent punch directly to the face.

However, just as Christoph prepared to react again, Richard swiftly grabbed Christoph’s other wrist.

“Richard! Christoph is my guest.”

Kyle spoke up, unable to continue watching the brutal altercation. Richard briefly glanced at Kyle.

“So, I’m not a guest of the Riegrow house, huh? Are you planning to kick me out?”

Kyle remained silent.

In truth, Richard was asserting that both he and Christoph held equal standing in the Riegrow household. In fact, the person who truly fit the role of ‘guest’ in this house was Richard himself.

Christoph struggled with all his might to free himself from Richard’s grip, as if trying to break his wrist. Gasping heavily, Christoph turned to look at Kyle.

“Kyle, you decide. I have no intention of staying with Richard. Choose: welcome him and let me leave, or keep me here and send him away.”

Christoph awaited Kyle’s response.

Everyone knew that Christoph had no right to speak like that. None of them were unaware of that, not even Christoph or Kyle.

Yet, regardless of Kyle’s answer, it would help Christoph avoid further trouble.

Faced with an undesirable choice, Kyle silently gazed at Christoph. His profound eyes slowly shifted to Richard and stopped there. Finally, his gaze briefly brushed over the top of Taeui’s head before sinking into thought.

But it wasn’t that he was thinking. Kyle chose silence.

He did not pick between his relationship with Tarten or kicking Christoph out, nor did he want to drag anyone into this conflict.

Kyle’s silence was a choice, not a hesitation, and his calm gaze toward everyone conveyed this clearly.

Suddenly, Richard laughed. It was a smile no different from when he was angry. Then, he turned back to face Christoph. He took a step forward, standing directly in front of Christoph.

“Christoph. Let’s go home.”

A calm voice echoed.

It was not like the previous tone when Richard had been angry or agitated. This time, it was serious, gentle, almost tender.

“Come home with me. No one will blame you for anything. You just need to take the position prepared for one of the heads of Tarten.”

As Richard spoke, he extended his hand toward Christoph.

This was the last chance Richard was offering. There would likely be no other opportunity where he would extend such a gentle hand with a soft voice again. This was the last time.

Christoph looked down at the hand for a moment, then lifted his eyes to meet Richard’s gaze.

“Goodbye, Richard Tarten.”

Christoph said quietly.

Richard’s gaze, once soft as he looked at Christoph, turned cold. “I see” – He muttered, as though he had already expected the outcome, and withdrew his hand. As his hand retreated out of Christoph’s reach, Richard lifted his head.

“I understand your decision. Fine, I will give up calling you back to the position prepared for you in Tarten. I won’t come back here to cause trouble anymore either.”

Richard declared decisively, then took a step back. His cold eyes locked onto Christoph, as he continued,

“But don’t forget, Christoph. The moment you abandoned Tarten, you became its criminal, not its master. I—and Tarten, will no longer consider you family.”

“……Do as you wish.”

“The next time we meet, we’ll be strangers.”

Richard looked away from Christoph. Then, without hesitation, he turned his back, gave Kyle a brief nod of farewell, which Kyle returned with a bitter nod.

As Richard walked away, just as he reached the edge of the courtyard, he stopped as if remembering something and turned around. His icy gaze shot straight toward Jeong Taeui.

Just as Richard reached the edge of the courtyard, he stopped as if suddenly remembering something and turned back. His icy gaze landed directly on Jeong Taeui.

“Oh right…… I heard that while I was away in Berlin last night, Rick woke up. By the time I returned to Dresden, he had already killed twelve people—unfortunate enough to cross paths with him—half of whom were Tartten brothers. Then he vanished from Tartten. I heard he went to Berlin soon after, but it seems he didn’t stop there, did he? Strange, isn’t it?”

Richard’s voice was mechanical, as if reporting an event. When he finished the last sentence, a crooked smile played on his lips for a moment as he added: “Strange, indeed.”

Taeui stared at Richard, lost in thought. Richard was satisfied, then glanced at Taeui but didn’t linger on it.

Ilay had left Tartten.

The fact that Ilay escaped during the night, after injecting himself with an overdose like that and killing 12 people, no longer surprised Taeui. Still, he was stunned for a few moments, then let out a long breath: “Huh……” That man had made even more enemies for himself. It wouldn’t be surprising if any of them tried to stab him at any time.

Because he hadn’t been able to contact Ilay and didn’t know his whereabouts, Taeui had feared that he might have been shot while unconscious. But now, it was clear that wasn’t the case, and at least for now, Taeui felt some relief.

After sighing, Taeui couldn’t help but mourn for the 12 lives lost, though a conflicting sense of relief washed over him. The final words from Richard echoed in his mind.

“Berlin…… Berlin?”

Taeui repeated the name, puzzled. He quickly turned toward Kyle…… Kyle, looking slightly uncomfortable, shifted his eyes and shrugged.

“He stopped by early in the morning, just for a moment. He suddenly showed up to check if you had returned…… He stayed for about an hour and then left immediately. He only came to your room and left right after, so I thought you knew.”

Taeui stared blankly at Kyle. His eyes blinked slowly, and his half-awake mind started to pull together vague memories. Even though his head still ached, and his body sluggish due to the drugs, he could clearly recall the rhythmic fragments of last night’s dream—the lingering sensations. The inexplicable soreness in his lower back…… the fatigue……

It wasn’t a dream.

“……Ha……” – Taeui raised a hand to his forehead.

Though his head had been clouded by the drugs, how could he have believed it was just a dream? That voice. That touch. And the warmth. Everything had been too real.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Taeui lashed out at Kyle in frustration, his eyes filled with fury. Kyle shrugged again.

“He didn’t say anything when he left, so I thought it was intentional…… Since he came and went without a word, I didn’t think telling you would make you feel any better.”

Even though Taeui knew that it wouldn’t have made a difference if Kyle had told him – Ilay had already left – the delicate handling of the situation didn’t entirely make him grateful. But Ilay had left so quietly…… Where on Earth could he have gone now?

Taeui had a hunch about the answer but still felt anxious and uncertain as he rubbed his temples, clinging to that faint hope. While Taeui was lost in thought, Richard looked down at him and continued speaking.

“One more thing—before I came here, I heard he was seen in Frankfurt. Rumor has it he’s looking for weapons, but no one knows what for. There’s an important forum happening soon…… I hope nothing happens. If he causes trouble again, I’m not sure Kyle will be able to handle it.”

Richard’s words, though seemingly directed at Kyle, weren’t really meant for him. Both the speaker and the listener understood the true implication behind those words. Taeui responded coldly.

“If you think provoking me will get me to walk into danger, you’re mistaken.”

Kyle didn’t respond. He merely raised an eyebrow. Taeui remained silent for a few moments before letting out a soft click of his tongue and scratching his head.

“……You do have a sharp understanding of people……”

As Taeui muttered this in resignation, Christoph shot him a fierce look. “Taei!” – Christoph’s cold, harsh voice called out his name. Richard narrowed his eyes at Christoph, seemingly having achieved what he had wanted all along.

“Why did my brother want to see me…… Oh heavens……”

Taeui shook his head and let out a heavy sigh, his deep voice carrying a hint of sadness: “How did it come to this……”

Christoph looked at him disapprovingly and clicked his tongue as though he was all too familiar with the situation. Even though the whispering was inaudible, Richard still directed his gaze toward Christoph. His cold, slightly mocking eyes lingered on Christoph.

“Christoph. We’ll meet again soon…… but this time, no one will be protecting you outside of this house.”

These were Richard’s final words before leaving. He turned his back, leaving behind a farewell of – “Good luck.” – though it was unclear to whom it was directed. Then he walked straight toward the front gate without looking back. Christoph watched his retreating figure until it completely disappeared, still staring at the empty space for a few moments longer.

“……What a mess.”

Kyle’s voice broke the eerie silence that had settled over them.

Only now, after staring at the entrance to the courtyard without any new expression, did Christoph suddenly turn his gaze toward them. His sharp, icy stare softened slightly when he realized Taeui and Kyle were standing there. Christoph sighed silently, wiping his face unconsciously with the back of his hand. Then, as if realizing something, he mumbled:

“……It’s cold.”

It was only then that Taeui remembered Christoph was still soaking wet. He sighed and clicked his tongue.

“Go take a hot bath and change your clothes.”

“It’s fine. I can handle it. Though, I should probably bathe since I feel uncomfortable…… But no matter how cold it gets, I can still manage.”

Christoph muttered to himself: “It’s fine.”

But his pale blue lips showed otherwise. Afterward, Christoph obediently went inside, following Taeui’s suggestion. His back looked unusually small, perhaps because the tension in his body was beginning to fade, or maybe because the cold was making him hunch over.

Taeui sighed softly and rubbed his forehead. Today, despite being calmer than yesterday’s chaotic events, had left him far more exhausted.

“You should rest too. There’s still a little time before dinner.”

Kyle spoke calmly. Through the fingers massaging his face, Taeui made eye contact with Kyle.

“Yeah…… Why am I so tired today?”

“I feel the same way. Maybe it’s age.”

“No, I don’t think it’s because of age……”

Taeui weakly replied, forcing a small smile. After a brief pause, he whispered in a quieter voice:

“I feel like I’ve caused trouble for everyone.”

Kyle raised an eyebrow.

“Trouble for who?”

Jeong Taeui smiled faintly but furrowed his brow and scratched his head.

For who? It was hard to pinpoint just one person because so many faces came to mind at that moment, including the man standing in front of him.

Taeui simply smiled, and Kyle clicked his tongue, then said:

“You’re the one in a difficult position. If you leave now, you’ll be at the center of a dramatic chase.”

“Ah——” – Jeong Taeui mumbled, tilting his head in thought. Whether he thought short or long, he still had no choice but to go. There was no other option.

Jeong Taeui laughed and said: “There’s no other way.”

Kyle shook his head, frowning.

“If you’re leaving because of Ilay, I’m sure he wouldn’t want you to step foot outside this house.”

Taeui nodded in agreement, but it was already too late. What bothered him the most was that Ilay had come to Berlin, but didn’t wake him and said nothing. He just left quietly. That frustration lingered.

“Do you really think Ilay doesn’t know what I’m going to do after all this?”

Kyle laughed and nodded: “Exactly.” Taeui laughed too, but then suddenly stopped.

“I think Christoph is even more worrying.”

Kyle nodded in response but didn’t say anything. It was impossible to tell what he really thought from that nod.

“Earlier, when Christoph made you choose between him and Richard.”

Taeui suddenly remembered and mumbled,

“If you had said you wouldn’t welcome Richard and kept Christoph here, maybe I could have persuaded Christoph to stay for a while.”

Although not certain, the feeling seemed very accurate.

If Kyle hadn’t chosen neutrality and silence and instead had sided with Christoph, then perhaps Taeui could have kept Christoph here, at least for a short time.

Now it was pointless to say anything, Taeui mumbled. Then, he suddenly lifted his head awkwardly.

“I’m sorry, Kyle. Maybe I said something wrong. Please don’t misunderstand, I didn’t mean anything else.”

In reality, Kyle had made the right choice in that situation. The fault lay with Christoph for forcing Kyle into a decision.

Even if Christoph didn’t intend to make Kyle choose sides, putting someone in such a position was unfair. If Taeui had been in Kyle’s shoes, he probably would have made the same choice, and it would have been the right one. That was obvious.

However, Taeui regretted that Christoph would leave the house soon.

Kyle nodded as if he understood what Jeong Taeui was saying, then unexpectedly laughed.

“Yeah…… Honestly, I tend to act based on my emotions, so if I had been in a better mood, I might have sided with Christoph. Besides, plenty of people stand behind Richard…… but not many are willing to stand with Christoph.”

Taeui laughed along and teasingly complained: “Then why didn’t you pull Christoph back and kick Richard out? You could have told Richard he’s not allowed to chase Christoph anymore.”

“I’m not the kind of person to obediently do things like that.” – Taeui shrugged and smiled softly as he said this. Then he looked at Kyle, and gradually, his smile faded.

Although it was clearly a joke, and Kyle must have known, there was no trace of a smile on Kyle’s face. Instead, Kyle smiled sadly and gently said,

“Yeah, probably because you were standing behind Richard, you didn’t see it.”

Jeong Taeui tilted his head.

He thought about how he had been standing behind Richard and hadn’t seen something. Then, something stirred in his mind – something he had seen from behind Richard.

Quietly blinking blue eyes. Tears streaming down that pale face, soaked in sorrow.

Why had he been crying?

While Taeui silently sank into his thoughts, Kyle seemed to see something else – something Jeong Taeui hadn’t noticed at the time – and murmured quietly, as if speaking to himself,

“I couldn’t let Richard leave like that.”

“Because you didn’t know what his face looked like at that moment.