Become A Character Who Dies Within Three Chapters

Louis wasn't afraid of G either—he knew both were nothing more than the same kind of playthings.

But G's rank was a little higher than his, if only because, at the very least, G was actually helpful.

He took his time bathing before finally stepping out. He admitted it; he didn't want to see Athena at all. He was afraid she'd force him to drink her saliva again.

Still, it wasn't as if he came out empty-handed. At least he had found a faint clue: Joshua and Athena. Athena treated Joshua as a younger brother, but Joshua's attitude toward her… wasn't all that clear.

After all, the kid was at that rebellious age, impossible to pin down.

Louis chuckled, running his wet hair back before swaggering out of the bathroom.

G remained exactly where he had been, unmoving. He wore a gray suit, stretched taut over his massive muscles, the fabric straining against him.

In addition to the muzzle, a black collar was strapped tightly around his neck, a tiny bell fixed at its center.

If Athena added a tail and a pair of ears, she would have turned him into a dog.

Thinking of his nickname and then of Athena suddenly summoning him, Louis couldn't help but feel an ominous premonition.

He frowned as he got dressed, ignoring G's watchful eyes.

G frowned in turn at the young man who so shamelessly bared his body. This one really knew no shame. Someone like that hardly deserved Master's favor.

"All right, let's go."

Louis dawdled for nearly an hour before finally stepping out the door.

G shot him a cold look before slowly leading the way.

They passed through the corridor and descended to the first floor, arriving at the dining hall.

The Aurellan family's primary residence seemed to house only two Aurellans—Athena and Joshua. Other Aurellans might visit to discuss business with Athena or play with Joshua.

The mansion's dining hall was vast, sunlight pouring through the stained-glass windows in colors brighter than crystal chandeliers.

Athena was already seated at the dining table. Today, she wore yet another black outfit with modest tailoring, the silver-threaded details glinting under the light. One leg crossed over the other, she held a teacup delicately in one hand, sipping at leisure.

At the sound of footsteps, she tilted her head slightly, her long, narrow eyes glinting beneath her hime-cut bangs.

As for him, today he wore a white shirt paired with gray high-waisted trousers that cinched tightly at the waist, copper buttons lined neatly on either side. The shirt collar flared into layered ruffles, its plunging V-neck daringly cut and tied with subtle corset-style lacing.

The corners of Athena's lips curved upward. She set her teacup down, crooked a finger at Louis, and said softly, "Come here."

Louis's legs seemed to falter beneath him at Athena's call. He quickly hurried forward, but his steps halted just as he reached her side. Then suddenly, he bent down, his chin brushing ideally against Athena's finger.

Athena lowered her gaze to Louis. Just as he lifted his eyes and met hers, he panicked and looked away, his gaze darting about like roasting peanuts. His face flushed rapidly, burning hot.

He pressed his lips tightly together, as if embarrassment might make him explode!

Athena couldn't help but stifle a laugh, her finger still unmoving.

At last, Louis had no choice but to raise his eyes to her. The corners reddened, and his mouth forced out a word of surrender: "Touch me."

"Ha ha ha."

Athena looked at Louis and burst out laughing. She lightly scratched his chin, then gently stroked his face, brushing over the scab that had formed on his lip.

"Adorable. At least Joshua is occasionally useful."

Clearly, Athena believed this clingy behavior of Louis's was due to being frightened by Joshua yesterday.

Louis awkwardly turned his head aside and sat down beside Athena with relief as if his task was complete.

G, watching from the side, frowned deeply. He thought Louis a fool for daring to act alone without the Master's command! And then he recalled Louis's demeanor when alone with him—opposite to what he displayed now.

Ha, a two-faced brat.

Athena rested her chin on her hand, tilting her head as she gazed at him, lips curved lightly. Her smile was always so casual, so beautiful—were it not for those narrow eyes that rarely showed emotion, many would mistake her for someone gentle.

Louis looked at Athena and said softly, "I'm hungry." Then he accused her, "Last night you didn't give me anything to eat."

Athena flicked her eyes toward G, who immediately went off to prepare food.

"Didn't I already call you up for lunch today?" She paused, then added meaningfully, "Besides, yesterday, I thought you'd already eaten your fill at Joshua's place."

When Joshua's name was mentioned, Louis's entire body tensed. His hands, resting on his thighs, trembled faintly.

Pitiful, Athena thought. Her kitten needed training—at the very least, he shouldn't be frightened so easily. She wanted a well-behaved kitten that never clawed her, but must always know to claw outsiders.

Louis pressed his lips together, clearly unwilling to speak to Athena any longer.

Just then, Athena suddenly touched his stomach, startling him. His eyes grew hazy as he looked at her.

Athena chuckled. "As I thought—completely flat. You must be starving. Go on, eat."

No sooner had she spoken than G wheeled in a food cart, swiftly arranging the dishes on the table.

Louis stared at the richly colored spread, looking like drool might spill from his mouth any second.

Athena smiled and said, "The finest chef in Zone 5 crafted these dishes. I guarantee once you taste them, you'll be hooked. Go on, try them."

Her words were hardly any different from Joshua's. Hooked once I taste them? That sounded ominous. These freaks always enjoyed making things difficult for him.

Louis looked at Athena expectantly, and only when she nodded for him to eat did he finally start cutting into the meat, stuffing it into his mouth in hurried bites.

Athena couldn't help but gently pat his head. "Poor thing, you really were starving."

Athena rested her chin on her hand as Louis ate, watching him.

She noticed that although he seemed ravenous, appearing to devour his food, in reality, he chewed each bite for a long time before swallowing, never rushing to cram his mouth full.

"Truly a kitten," Athena remarked again.

Louis glared at her in protest, but beyond that, he had no way to express his displeasure at such a ridiculous, saccharine nickname.

"Full already?"

Seeing Louis put down his knife and fork, Athena arched a brow. In a soft voice, she said, "I thought you were starving."

Look at that—he'd only finished a single steak, while the table was still piled with countless dishes.

Athena reached out without hesitation, prying Louis's mouth open, her finger brushing lightly across his fangs.

Forced open like that, Louis could only glare at her in frustration, his hand suddenly shooting up to bat hers away.

Athena's lips curved. "Think carefully before you act—unless you'd like to play with Joshua again."

At that, Louis froze. His hand shifted instead, clutching Athena's wrist, eyes gazing at her with pleading hope.

Athena couldn't help but laugh at how quickly Louis's expression flipped, faster than the turn of a hand. She released his mouth, took a napkin from G, and at the same time gave instructions:

"Send the leftovers to Joshua's slaves as a reward."

"Yes, Master," G replied.

Athena looked at Louis, who was still busy wiping drool from the corner of his mouth, and smiled. "That's right, Louis—I also have a welcome gift for you."

No sooner had she spoken than G presented a jet-black box tied with a blue ribbon, the wrapping paper sprinkled with glitter like shards of starlight in the dark.

Louis looked at Athena in surprise and hesitation, but she had already taken his hand and set it upon the box. In a soft voice, she said, "Go on, open it. I'm sure you'll love it."

Ha… I'd really love it if it were Sylus's memories.

Louis cursed silently to himself, but outwardly, he only feigned doubt, staring at the gift box before him. His fingers curled slightly, and at last he followed Athena's lead, resting his hand fully on the box.