Raumaan’s voice exuded confidence. Even though he had imprisoned Jeong Jaeui, he also implied that it was done with Jeong Jaeui’s tacit consent.

Of course, no one could force Jeong Jaeui to do anything against his will, but it couldn’t be denied that these words were somewhat fallacious. Jeong Taeui scratched his forehead lightly and pondered: “Hmm.”

“Even though peaceful contemplation is something my brother cherishes, it’s clear that you—an outsider. And I—a family member. All of us have different perspectives on this matter.”

“Family…….”

Raumaan fell silent. A chill briefly passed over his face as if something had disturbed him.

Yes, family. That is an undeniable truth, a solid bond established even before birth.

Raumaan looked at Jeong Taeui with cold eyes for a moment, then calmly began to speak again.

“People can develop a new family that is even more precious than their original one. Even more precious than blood relatives they barely meet. Don’t you think so?”

Indeed, Jeong Taeui instinctively glanced at Ilay but then stopped and tilted his head in puzzlement.

“…….But what does that have to do with you capturing and imprisoning my brother?”

Jeong Taeui frowned slightly, sensing that the conversation was oddly veering off-topic. He was discussing his justifiable reasons as a family member in that event, but suddenly there was talk about “…….a new family being more precious.” …….Could it be?

Jeong Taeui suddenly had a thought flash through his mind and quickly added.

“Obviously, I can also say that I’ve found a new family that’s just as precious as my own, but that doesn’t mean my brother is no longer my family. Even if he were in a similar situation, I wouldn’t stand idly by. And if I went to find him, there’s a good chance he would largely follow my wishes.”

Jeong Taeui intentionally smiled and emphasized his words, hoping that Raumaan wouldn’t use the same tactic to imprison his brother again.

“…….”

But a strange silence ensued.

Not only did Raumaan standing in front of him remain silent, but so did Ilay, who had been following the conversation with great interest from behind.

“A commendable sibling relationship indeed. Truly, Mr. Gilsangcheon is very confident.”

Raumaan spoke softly. His voice carried a hint of anger, causing Jeong Taeui to tilt his head in confusion once more. Had he done something wrong? But before Jeong Taeui could figure out the answer, Raumaan decisively got straight to the point.

“I came here to ask for your intentions.”

Jeong Taeui wondered what this man could possibly want to ask him, and after a moment of thought, he hesitantly nodded.

“……., …….If it’s something I can provide a satisfactory answer to, I’d be more than willing.”

“I hope you think carefully before responding, but I won’t be staying here long, and time is running out. So, I’ll get straight to the point. I want you to help ensure that Jeong Jaeui will support me in the future.”

Jeong Taeui had anticipated this, but it was still a blunt and straightforward request.

This was no different from what Aziz had told him not long ago. And Jeong Taeui had made his stance clear on that. Therefore, Jeong Taeui understood.

This was an ultimatum and the final offer from this man. If he passed on this opportunity, there would be no second chance.

No further words were needed. If he accepted the offer and conveyed a few words to his brother, all the burdens that Jeong Taeui, Ilay, and others had endured over the years would be completely lifted. Not only would his face no longer appear on the wanted list, but there would also be additional perks.

Jeong Taeui lowered his head and looked down at his feet. Even after a long silence, Raumaan patiently waited without urging him.

“Does it absolutely have to be my brother?”

After a long while, Jeong Taeui sighed and asked, causing Raumaan to pause slightly.

Of course, Jeong Jaeui was an exceptional person like no other, but if one looked hard enough, there were others just as capable. Or, if not equal, they could compensate by using multiple talented people. Raumaan had the power and resources to do that.

And yet.

“It must be him.”

A straightforward answer echoed.

Jeong Taeui frowned and scratched his head. Then he glanced at Ilay.

If he could nod here and help that man escape the life of a wanted criminal, it would be wonderful.

But whether unintentionally or intentionally – how many things in Jeong Taeui’s life were truly intentional? – he found himself weighing Jeong Jaeui and Ilay on opposite sides of the scale. This made him feel very uncomfortable.

Jeong Taeui yanked at a strand of hair in frustration and clicked his tongue. He quickly turned to face Ilay and spoke decisively.

“Ilay. Let me tell you, even if you were locked up somewhere, or if you were a terrorist or anything else, I would come for you. I would also live on the run – or be imprisoned – along with you.”

Jeong Taeui’s sudden declaration caused Ilay, who had been watching with amusement, to stare at Jeong Taeui as if he had just been lightly struck. After a brief glance at Ilay, Jeong Taeui swiftly turned back to Raumaan and politely declined.

“Sorry, but I have no intention of forcing my brother to do something he doesn’t want to do.”

A rejection had barely left his lips when the atmosphere grew silent for a few seconds. Raumaan, remaining calm as if this wasn’t surprising, confirmed again.

“In that case, should I understand that you’re declining my offer?”

“Yes.”

“Jeong Taeui. Although I’m not fond of you, because you’re Jeong Jaeui’s brother, I’ve tried to show my utmost goodwill.”

Jeong Taeui knew well. Raumaan wasn’t the type to give second or third chances. He offered only one opportunity, and if someone missed it, he wouldn’t hesitate to crush them.

Jeong Taeui simply shrugged in response.

Yes, it would be great if he could just say a few words in peace and live a free life. But he couldn’t push someone else into hardship just for his own comfort.

Raumaan nodded slightly as if he understood. And then as if to indicate that he had nothing more to say, he turned and left with a short remark: “Then, I’ll take my leave.”

At that moment.

“Ah, by the way—although you may already know – I’ve heard that Prince Rashid has a grudge against those who supported Prince Ali. Although Prince Ali won the political battle, the situation isn’t entirely stable—…….So I hope nothing bad happens to your patron.”

The one who spoke so formally was Ilay, who had been quietly listening to their conversation earlier. Raumaan looked at Ilay with an indifferent expression, but his eyes flashed with a faint smile.

“Thank you for your concern, Mr. Riegrow. But unless there’s a surprise terror attack, you don’t need to worry about our country’s internal affairs.”

Leaving behind a sharp remark, he turned and walked straight out of the room without looking back. No one made any move to stop him.

Only after his footsteps had faded did Jeong Taeui finally let out a deep sigh. He felt his entire body relax.

“Truly, no matter how long it’s been since we last met…….”

Jeong Taeui seemed to search for the right words to express himself but ultimately failed to find any that fit, so he just let his emotions out without any restraint.

“I still hate that man.”

He stated clearly and decisively, shaking his head vigorously. Ilay crossed his arms and looked down at Jeong Taeui with curiosity. Then Ilay raised an eyebrow as if he found it interesting.

“It’s rare for you to be so straightforward in saying you hate someone.”

“Really?”

At that, Jeong Taeui couldn’t immediately think of anyone specific that he truly hated. In fact, hating someone required just as much energy as liking someone, and he usually tried to avoid it.

But he hated this man. He had thought so before, and even now, meeting him again after a long time, that feeling hadn’t changed.

“Anyway, I hate that man. Hates him.”

Jeong Taeui muttered like a child throwing a tantrum, causing Ilay to look down at him with wide eyes in surprise.

“Why?”

Why? Jeong Taeui couldn’t answer right away. Even though the feeling was clear, the explanation was hard to grasp in his mind.

After a moment of silence with his lips tightly pressed together, he suddenly opened his mouth and said.

“I feel uneasy.”

“Uneasy…….?”

“I feel like I’ll lose something precious. That’s why I don’t like him.”

Jeong Taeui tried to describe that feeling with words as closely as possible, even though it couldn’t be fully expressed in just one word. And when he said it, that feeling seemed to become clearer.

It was a fear of loss.

Loss of what?

At that point, he couldn’t determine.

But the feeling lingered in his heart, making Jeong Taeui focus on the door where Raumaan had disappeared.

Beside him, Ilay silently watched Jeong Taeui with an unreadable expression as if it was impossible to know what he was thinking. Then suddenly, Ilay tilted his head slightly and cracked his neck with a *Snap, Snap* sounds.

“Hmm……. Anyway, he’s quite brave. Given the current situation, it’s dangerous for him to leave his country.”

Jeong Taeui looked at Ilay in confusion. Ilay continued in a calm tone.

“Even though Rashid lost the political battle, that doesn’t mean the situation can’t be reversed. If he manages to capture those who were key supporters of Ali, the opportunity might come his way again. In other words, Al Faisal – or his representative – shouldn’t be leisurely traveling around at this time.”

Jeong Taeui looked astonished. But after blinking a few times, he just sighed lightly and muttered.

“That country is really complicated……. But I’m so overwhelmed by my own problems* that I don’t have the energy to worry about that.”

(*My nose is three meters long: is used to express one’s own difficulties to the point that they can’t worry about others or other matters = being too preoccupied with one’s own issues.)

As he turned around and muttered that he was worried about what Raumaan would do from tomorrow onwards, he suddenly found Ilay blocking his path.

“Huh?”

“Whatever happens, does it really matter? As long as we live together, even if we’re on the run or imprisoned.”

Hearing Ilay’s words reminded Jeong Taeui of what he had said earlier. The awkward feeling he had forgotten suddenly resurfaced strongly.

“Ah, well…….—yes, that’s true…….”

Jeong Taeui stammered, tugging at his hair unconsciously, while Ilay bent down and chuckled softly. Unexpectedly, Ilay leaned close to Jeong Taeui’s ear and whispered.

“Taei~ it’s hard.”

“—…….so, WHY IS IT HARD!”

Jeong Taeui shouted in surprise and stepped back.

But this time, he failed.

Before he could escape, Ilay’s arms had already wrapped around his waist. In this situation with years of experience, Jeong Taeui knew that when something happened, it was better to accept fate and not try to escape.

A peaceful evening had come to an end.

**************

“If only they could take Rick away.”

Christoph suddenly spoke after long pondering. The only one who heard that unexpected statement was Richard, who was sitting right next to him.

Richard glanced at Christoph. Christoph was still engrossed in his thoughts, nodding to himself as if he had finally organized his thoughts and began looking around, seemingly eager to share the brilliant idea he had just thought of with someone. But when he found no one suitable, he glared at Richard in dissatisfaction and reluctantly started a serious conversation with him.

“If you think about it carefully, that possibility isn’t entirely out of the question. After all, Riegrow is a terrorist in Riyadh, isn’t he? Moreover, Raumaan has a personal vendetta because his mansion in Seringue was destroyed by Riegrow himself. So, capturing Riegrow is reasonable. Don’t you think so?”

“…….Have you been sitting there staring at your plate all this time just to think about that?”

Richard mumbled, looking like he couldn’t believe it, but his sneering didn’t seem to reach Christoph.

“However, they wouldn’t use the worst method with Taei. Because they want to win over Jeong Jaeil, they won’t harm his family. At worst, they might take them as hostages to threaten him but wouldn’t cause serious harm. But Rick is different. If they take Rick away and leave Taei alone—”

“You think that pumpkin will roll into your lap by itself?”

Richard’s response was full of mockery, which slightly offended Christoph, who narrowed his eyes and angrily glared at him.

“There’s no law prohibiting that from happening.”

“Christoph, when did you become so stupid? Or are you daydreaming? You’re showing me exactly how foolish a person can become when they’re blinded.”

“I’m—”

“Yes, for your plan to succeed, first Raumaan has to come here intending to punish Riegrow, and then Rick has to be someone easily captured. Finally, as soon as Rick disappears from sight, Jeong Tay has to be ready to abandon him and change his mind. Which of these do you think is the easiest to accomplish?”

Without much thought, Richard, still expressionless, shattered Christoph’s fragile hope while remaining seated. He glanced at the person who had immediately fallen silent and continued to raise his glass to drink.

“Speaking of which, I sent someone to call those two, but he returned with a flushed face and awkwardly said: ‘It seems they can’t make it right now.’ It seems they’re busy with something urgent and more important than dinner.”

“…….”

Christoph set down his fork and stopped poking at his plate. He frowned slightly and mumbled.

“I’ve lost my appetite. I’ll go first—…….”

“I don’t know if you plan to return to your room or bother them, but sit down, Christoph. They’ll be here soon.”

Richard didn’t bother to look at Christoph but signaled with his eyes to the empty chair opposite him.

While the current master of Tarten went out to greet the guests, the young heir-to-be had prepared everything for himself. Although only immediate family members attended, the sheer number of them made the spacious dining hall crowded.

It was a late-night dinner party.

At the same time, it was also the last dinner of an era that had lasted a long time.

Tomorrow will come.

Tomorrow, around this time, the new heir of Tarten would be announced.

No one doubted who that would be. Although there had been some minor issues recently, they were not enough to shake the solid position that he had built. At most, there were only a few opinions that the succession decision might be delayed, but that didn’t happen, and tomorrow was approaching.

“You must be very happy, Richard. The day you’ve been waiting for decades is finally at hand. Can you imagine what you’ll be like at this time tomorrow?”

Christoph, who was about to stand up and leave the table without listening to Richard, stared angrily at him when Richard pressed down hard on his thigh under the table to keep him seated. Richard glanced at Christoph, who had just had a brief conversation with the person next to him.

“I haven’t been waiting decades just to inherit Tarten. What I’ve truly been waiting for was ruined by you. Since more than ten years ago.”

Richard’s voice grew colder as memories of the past flooded back. Christoph looked up in surprise and then immediately sneered.

That had already happened. The time that seemed to stand still since giving up the right to inherit Tarten had now receded to this point.

At that time, Christoph never imagined that he would be sitting next to this man in Tarten’s banquet hall.

Christoph looked at the glass panel outside, where the sky had already darkened, turning the glass into a mirror reflecting the scene inside. Richard was sitting at the highest table reserved for the master and honored guests. Christoph was sitting next to him, along with other family members.

In the illusion reflected on the glass, Christoph stood there, alone and isolated.

While everyone around him was conversing or busy with their own affairs, Christoph was the only one staring at that reflection as if observing the warm and bustling party from afar through the mirror.

‘This place isn’t mine.’

This place wasn’t his.

A voice that shouldn’t have been heard whispered. The murmuring suddenly grew louder, filling his ears.

But at that moment.

“Christoph?”

A low and clear voice pierced through the chaotic sounds and resonated in his ears. Once again, the name ‘Christoph’ was called.

Christoph saw the man in the glass leaning towards him with a puzzled look. He had just whispered something to his cousin sitting next to him and then noticed Christoph sitting quietly as if he had lost his soul.

The man’s gaze followed Christoph’s, and then their eyes met through the glass. In that blurry reflection, where Christoph was hovering like a ghost, another person was looking in the same direction as him. It was that person who pulled the lonely, hovering figure back into the world of the living.

Only then did Christoph realize the name of that man in his mind.

“…….No need to call so many times, Richard.”

“Tsk……. I thought you were staring at something. Don’t tell me you’re trying to become a narcissist.”

Richard sarcastically commented while still looking at the image in the glass. Christoph frowned slightly.

“I wasn’t looking at myself. And I don’t like my face either.”

Those words seemed to surprise Richard. He stared at Christoph for a moment as if accusing him of lying. Christoph added.

“Not just my face, but I don’t like anything about this body.”

No, not just the body. Even in his mind and heart, nothing pleased Christoph. Never had Christoph felt satisfied with himself—the person named Christoph Tarten.

“Ts,” Richard quietly observed Christoph, who was expressing frustration while looking at the door where the guests had not yet appeared. Then, suddenly, Richard spoke.

“Then give it to me.”

“…….?”

Before Christoph’s confused gaze, Richard, still expressionless, said something unclear whether it was a joke or serious.

“Give me everything you don’t like, whether it’s your face or your body. After all, you’re not satisfied with anything about yourself.”

Christoph silently stared at Richard. Not at the reflection in the mirror, but in reality, he turned his head and looked directly at the person sitting right next to him. Finally, he slowly turned away. The distance was just a few inches, and their eyes met.

Suddenly, Richard squinted slightly.

“Just kidding.”

“…….Your jokes aren’t funny at all.”

Christoph clicked his tongue and turned his head away.

At that moment. Suddenly, his gaze fell on someone sitting a distance away. Today, his mother’s face looked particularly pale and unusually stern.

How long had she been looking this way?

When Christoph widened his eyes slightly and lowered his head, she turned away as if she had never looked in their direction.

“…….?”

Christoph tilted his head in puzzlement, and at that moment, the door opened, and the protagonist of the evening entered.

Along with the distinguished guests, the man who had led and prospered this family for many years. The master of Tarten entered the room.

Among those who naturally stood up, indistinguishable from one another, Christoph’s gaze was drawn to someone. He stared at the old man, with his usual gentle yet stern smile, for a long time before finally sitting back down in his chair and then directing his gaze to the guest who had just entered the room with him.

These were people he had met and greeted before. They were the ones Richard had personally gone to the airport to welcome. They were indeed worthy of such treatment.

Al Faisal was a man who, even in Saudi Arabia – a place where royalty was not uncommon – was hard to find someone so close to the pinnacle of power like him. And the one following him – Raumaan Abid Al Saud – was someone who had truly seized practical power, even though he was still relatively young to be a fully mature businessman.

It seemed that Richard had met them many times before during his trips to Riyadh, but Christoph was facing them for the first time this time and almost laughed when talking to Raumaan a few times.

That guy is crazy, Ilay Riegrow. I can’t believe he dared to bomb a house of a man like this. Well, it must take a madman to do something like that.

Rahman, who still played the role of a loyal supporter of Al Faisal as much as possible, had silently taken over most of the practical power from his stepfather. He never expressed his opinion first, only quietly supporting his stepfather.

“No matter how well a wolf pretends to be a sheep, a wolf is still a wolf, even among a flock of sheep.”

Christoph suddenly mumbled to himself.

The voice wasn’t loud, but the sound was enough for the person sitting next to him to hear, causing Richard to pause for a moment. He turned to Christoph, still wearing a calm smile but speaking in a low, gruff voice.

“If you’re not planning to do anything crazy, then shut your mouth, Christoph.”

“Why, in your eyes, does that guy pretending to be a sheep look like a sheep? To me, he looks like a wolf—No, he looks like a polar bear with only a sheep’s skin on his nose.”

Christoph retorted nonchalantly but then suddenly frowned and mumbled something incomprehensible about there being three bears in one house: a polar bear, a mad bear, and a double-faced bear.

However, he couldn’t continue speaking.

That was because Richard’s hand, which had been placed on Christoph’s thigh under the table, suddenly slid upward.

“If you don’t shut up, I’ll make sure you can’t open your mouth again.”

“――.”

Christoph immediately fell silent, his face stiffening. He glared angrily at Richard without saying a word, but Richard remained calm and kept his hand on Christoph’s thigh.

“Richard――.”

“Ah, by the way, Christoph Tarten?”

Christoph had just opened his mouth when a voice came from across the table. He turned his head with a still furious expression. But when he realized who had just spoken, he slowly lowered his voice. It was the polar bear’s father.

Al Faisal. A successful businessman who had given up on the power struggle early on and built a thriving business. He was also one of the two heads of the double-headed eagle that always stood behind Prince Ali.

Christoph looked straight at the old man who had passed the age of 50 and looked older than his actual age, like an elderly man one might encounter anywhere.

Next to him, Raumaan poured a full glass for the old man before setting the bottle down and slowly looking toward Christoph. His gaze was calm and indifferent but sharp enough to make Christoph’s cheek sting.

Christoph silently clicked his tongue and recalled an earlier time in the forest when, while hunting down an enemy, he had encountered a polar bear. A ferocious beast that was still moving even after being shot four times straight.

“I heard from Malik that you’re an excellent marksman.”

Al Faisal smiled kindly and said. Christoph remained silent for a moment before replying.

When he glanced over, he saw Malik, sitting a few seats away, smiling at him as if he had forgotten about Christoph shooting one of his subordinates in the forest not long ago.

After a brief pause, Christoph slowly spoke.

“I’m just capable enough to temporarily protect what I want.”

“Hmm” – Al Faisal nodded slightly and smiled faintly. Raumaan and Malik, next to him, showed no reaction.

“Malik is a young man I’m particularly fond of, and he suggested that you have enough ability to train the soldiers under my command.”

Al Faisal gently hinted as if probing the other party’s intentions. While the other relatives looked at Christoph in surprise, Christoph turned to Malik. As usual, Malik’s face showed no emotion, so it was impossible to guess his thoughts.

When Christoph remained silent, Raumaan, who had been quiet until now, began to speak to support Al Faisal.

“From what I’ve heard, he currently has nowhere to go and doesn’t plan to stay in Tarten for long.”

Christoph turned his speechless gaze toward Raumaan.

There’s no way he doesn’t know. Someone was injured. It wasn’t an accident; it was intentional, and even caused by Tarten’s side. Reports like that must have been sent directly to the higher-ups. Especially when that person was trusted so much.

When Christoph glanced at Malik, Malik finally smiled and nodded.

“The person I serve always looks at people’s abilities and futures. Even if there were small mistakes in the past, if they’re not repeated, he won’t pursue them further.”

Only then did Christoph understand. This was an independent offer, unrelated to any other situation. Clearly, Christoph’s achievements, experience, and career had caught the eye of this man.

Surely Christoph would soon leave Tarten. And he had no fixed place to go. He didn’t particularly want to go anywhere specific, but there was also nowhere he wanted to avoid.