Cold Man And Miss Stone
57. After This is Done

"Sir, we found them."

Argantana immediately flinched from her chair. For two days the man had not closed his eyes for a moment just to wait for the notification.

"Bring them in front of me immediately."

"Good."

But their opponent Samuel. The boy had something that would die just for the sake of looking after him. And Samuel's not a fool.

"It could have been a trap" his assistant said. "That guy may be planning on fishing you."

"No problem. Prioritize following in their footsteps."

"Good, Sir."

...*...

"They ate the bait, Emilia."

"That's good." Emilia moved her chess pieces quietly. "How long did they come?"

"Nothing ninety minutes left."

The place wasn't as whole yesterday, especially by Nine's computer devices. All valuables were moved elsewhere. "Go."

Nine moved according to his orders. But as he passed the table, he raised the blue chess piece, taking Emilia's clear chess piece.

"Sister."

Samuel who was supposed to be moving it was just pissing off. Of course Emilia knew she was deliberately withholding an extermination for that move. He didn't want to take a quick step for Emilia.

"I don't like using check steps." Emilia replied by taking a blue chess piece. "Senior says the only checkmate is checkmate."

"I'd rather take all the chances, checkmate or checkmate." Nine shrugged her shoulders. "See you."

"Yes." Yeah."

The man left, leaving Samuel with room to immediately say, "Emilia, should he be your guardian? I have someone better take care of you."

"Stop talking nonsense." Emilia grunting. "I can't believe there's anyone better than Senior's foster child in this world."

"Then I?"

I forgot he was also Senior's foster child. "Then why did you refuse to obey Senior?"

Obviously Emilia switched the conversation, but it was not a question of origin either. From the beginning Emilia wondered why this man refused to obey Mahesa, even though the majority of his organization was the gift of Mahesa.

Of course not for free he was given. Just why did he refuse to pay her with loyalty?

Emilia did not answer. Let's just say he doesn't know much about Mahesa.

"Mahesa is an asshole, but he has .. I don't know, maybe a heroic soul? I'm not."

Emilia looked at the man in front of her. Just now, he admitted it himself?

"Mahesa wants to destroy the world—that's what she said. But he's basically trying to make the world better. Dismantle arbitrary power. He made himself a single king, but he would never let anyone die in the cry of suffering. Didn't you?"

So the point is he doesn't care about others suffering while Mahesa secretly cares.

It felt like Senior suddenly became good because of that remark.

"You know why Mahesa didn't force me?"

"Senior is not a forger."

"Someone moves at her will, Emilia. Like you were following me because of Ahkam." Samuel touched his hand without permission. "He can't have Oto if I, the base of Oto, don't want him. That's why he used you."

"Then, you're going to join the war in the future just because of me?"

"Yes." Yeah."

Emilia jerked. Either because it was a silly and stupid talk, or because Samuel said it without any doubt at all.

He knows the world situation. Mahesa Mahardika is now actually gathering troops from different sides for the coup. But he was willing to involve himself just because he wanted Emilia?

"I've never wanted anything in my life." Samuel pulled Emilia's hand to his lips. Gently peek the back surface of that hand. "I get what I want easily. And that's arrogance. That's self-awareness."

"...."

"I found my wish from you, Emilia. Therefore, I want you. Only thou. Even if I have to sell myself to Mahesa."

This is shitty talk. I don't know why Emilia is uncomfortable.

Rushing he withdrew his hand, intending to order Darto and Mutia to prepare. They need to check the preparations before Ahkam's men come.

"Emilia." But Samuel prevented it. He pulled on Emilia's shoulder, breathing smoothly on her face. "I promise you one thing."

Emilia's mouth is dry.

Samuel smiled a little. "I'll say it later. Once this is done."

God fucking. Emilia did not like the pounding in her foreign heart. Whatisit?

...*...