chapter 08
Faced with Dietrich’s sharp, piercing gaze, I opened my mouth in fear.
If I wanted to live, I had to keep struggling.
“S-stay calm and listen to me. It’s true you’re overwhelmingly in first place, but… there are two others tied for first with you.”
Before I knew it, the blade of his sword was right in front of me.
He, who had been radiating a dangerous aura, paused for a moment and then arrogantly gestured with his eyes—as if telling me to continue.
“Your face is truly outstanding, but I’ve judged countless handsome men. I’m basically an expert. There have been two people so far who are just as good-looking as you. If you saw them, you’d understand. Their styles are different, but their level of attractiveness is similar. It’s honestly hard to rank them.”
“I find that impossible to believe. That there are two more people in this world with looks on this level? Absurd.”
His explosive, baseless confidence left me momentarily speechless.
But as I looked at Dietrich raising one eyebrow crookedly, I found myself nodding inwardly.
It wasn’t baseless confidence. His face itself was the evidence.
‘What an annoying guy.’
Still, I was telling the truth.
I had kidnapped two men who were just as handsome as Dietrich.
One was Melphis, and the other was our Ren.
Their vibes and facial features were different, but their beauty was on a similar level. It really came down to personal preference.
But for Dietrich, who hadn’t seen them, it wouldn’t be easy to believe me.
Just then—
With a loud crack, part of the ceiling collapsed.
Through the massive hole, someone swiftly entered.
Thick smoke filled the air, blocking my vision in an instant.
Immediately, someone wrapped an arm around me from behind.
As the smoke cleared, the intruder’s face was revealed.
“…Ren?”
The man, half his face hidden under a hood, had bright green eyes glowing intensely.
A familiar color. It was definitely Ren.
He was glaring at Dietrich, radiating killing intent so dense it felt like it could melt everything.
Even though it wasn’t directed at me, the overwhelming aura made my legs weaken slightly. He even felt a bit unfamiliar.
‘Don’t provoke Dietrich!’
I was grateful he came to save me, but if Dietrich got triggered and swung that sword, we’d both be dead.
There was no way someone like me—with only half-baked abilities—and Ren, who was just physically strong, could stop him.
‘Pull back your killing intent.’
I patted and stroked Ren’s arm, but nothing changed.
In the tense situation, I gathered courage and turned toward Dietrich.
But instead, he looked… intrigued.
The sword he had summoned had already disappeared from his hand.
“Lady Vivian, could it be that this man is one of the ones you mentioned?”
“Don’t talk to Lady Vivian—mmph!”
“Hahaha, yes! That’s right. It’s him.”
I quickly covered Ren’s mouth before he could say anything explosive and smiled awkwardly.
“Wait.”
Dietrich reached out toward Ren, emanating a strange aura.
‘Is he going to attack?’
I froze in fear—but he simply pulled down Ren’s hood.
Then he nodded in admiration and slowly began clapping.
“Your eye for beauty… is certainly exceptional, my lady.”
“R-right? I told you! He’s just as handsome as you, isn’t he?”
“Of course, I’m slightly more handsome… but I can’t deny that his beauty is extraordinary.”
Oh? Wait. Isn’t the 분위기 actually… pretty good?
At this rate, as long as Ren didn’t open his mouth, we’d definitely survive.
I immediately shot Ren a look telling him to stay quiet. He fell silent and withdrew his killing intent.
However, the strong arm wrapped protectively around me didn’t loosen.
Carefully watching Dietrich’s expression, I spoke cautiously.
“…Then will you let us go? Since I told you the truth?”
“Hm? I never intended to kill you in the first place.”
“…What? Then what about earlier…?”
“I was just teasing you because your reaction was amusing. For someone who made the front page as a criminal, you’re quite naïve, my lady.”
“Ahaha… haha…”
An awkward laugh, breaking like a goat’s bleat, slipped out of my mouth.
I knew he was strange, but was he actually insane? Why would he make such terrifying jokes?
But Dietrich, apparently thinking I was genuinely laughing, laughed along cheerfully.
“Well, anyway, my business here is done. I’ll be heading back now.”
“…!”
That was the best news I’d heard all day.
My lips nearly shot up to the ceiling, but I forced myself to stay composed.
“Do you know the way out? I can guide you.”
“I already know the way. More importantly…”
Why. What now. Don’t say anything weird—just leave already.
Nervous that he might change his mind, I anxiously waited for him to continue.
“Next time we meet, instead of calling me ‘you,’ I’d like you to use my name. ‘Dietrich.’”
“Yes! Of course!”
I responded enthusiastically on the outside, but inside—
As if I’d do that. Am I crazy?
Nonsense! Who said we’d ever meet again?
Even if we crossed paths, I’d do everything I could to avoid him.
But unaware of my inner thoughts, Dietrich nodded in satisfaction.
Then he leisurely left the control room.
Still holding Ren’s hand, I immediately started dancing in excitement.
“He’s gone! He’s finally gone! Ren, we survived today!”
Ren, who had been awkwardly stepping along with my dance, stopped me.
“More importantly, Lady Vivian, are you hurt anywhere? What happened?”
With a worried expression, he held my cheeks and turned my head side to side, carefully inspecting me.
As if he wouldn’t miss even the smallest scratch.
“I’m glad you’re not hurt. But how did that man get in? I’m sorry—I should’ve stayed by your side…”
“Oh, don’t even start. If you’d been with me, we might’ve both died. The target we captured earlier turned out to be that Dietrich Belvedus. You know him, right? When he opened the door and walked in… I thought the Grim Reaper had come for me.”
I excitedly summarized what had happened.
Ren listened silently, but his expression gradually darkened.
“Still, it’s a relief he turned out more normal than expected. The hideout’s a bit wrecked, but we didn’t get killed, right?”
I was happily humming and dancing a “survival celebration” when suddenly—
The door, which had been closed, opened again.
There was only one person who could do that right now.
A chill ran down my spine.
Stiffly, I turned around.
It was Dietrich. Fortunately, judging by his indifferent expression, he hadn’t seen my dancing.
“I just realized I destroyed this room earlier. Is there another room?”
“…What?”
I tilted my head in confusion.
He suddenly reappears and says this?
“Don’t you usually keep kidnapped handsome men locked up for a month? I shouldn’t be an exception.”
“…What?”
I take it back. He’s not normal at all.
* * *
The dining room of the hideout.
While eating, Vivian let out a deep sigh as she looked at the man sitting across from her.
“…Is it good?”
“It’s decent. Your subordinate seems quite skilled at cooking. As expected, handsome people are capable too.”
Dietrich speared some food with his fork and put it in his mouth, smiling smugly.
“Haha… yes…”
Vivian replied stiffly.
‘How did things end up like this?’
She couldn’t believe she was calmly sitting here, eating with him.
She recalled the events of the past few days.
It all started with Dietrich stubbornly insisting on staying here.
Instead of going home, he claimed that he, too, should be locked up for a month like the other handsome men.
So Vivian reluctantly gave him a guest room—along with a key.
‘If I didn’t, he might just break the door again…’
At the time, she just wanted to save on repair costs.
But after a few days, she realized it would’ve been better to just lock him up.
‘Even if I gave him a key, why does he keep coming and going?! Is this a hotel?!’
Vivian wanted to grab him by the collar and demand answers—but held back. It definitely wasn’t because she was scared.
During those five days—which felt like five years—Dietrich relentlessly bothered her.
He joined her at every meal.
When she went out to scout for handsome men, he blatantly stood behind her and watched with her.
He even came by out of boredom and asked her to repeat the compliments she’d given his face before.
‘Ugh, I’m exhausted. I hope this month ends quickly…’
The thought of spending three more weeks with him made her head throb.
‘He’s seriously a weirdo. Though… maybe still better than Melphis.’
Dietrich was strange, but he couldn’t compare to Melphis.
That guy was insane enough to disguise himself and come back every few months asking to be kidnapped again.
Even when asked why, he’d just dodge the question with nonsense.
In Vivian’s kidnapping career, Melphis was by far the most troublesome—ranked number one.
The narcissistic looks-obsessed guy came in second.
‘Yeah… compared to that, Dietrich seems like an angel.’
At least there was a guarantee he’d leave after three weeks.
Vivian sighed at her bizarre situation.
Just then—
The door burst open, and Ren urgently called out.
“Lady Vivian! Sorry to interrupt your meal, but a handsome man has appeared.”
“It’s fine, I was just finishing anyway.”
Vivian quickly stood up.
But suddenly, Ren stepped closer and lifted her chin.
Their faces drew close.
Then his thumb brushed across her lips.
“There was something on them.”
Ren smiled gently.
“You’re not a child, but you didn’t notice. Thank you.”
“Taking care of you is my happiness, Lady Vivian.”
As if guiding her outside, Ren naturally wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Then he subtly turned his head and shot Dietrich a cold glare.
“…Oh?”
Seeing that, Dietrich let out a quiet exclamation, as if he’d found something interesting.
