TLAD 08

At that time, Ashratt Hotel.

“Director. I have an urgent report.”

“What is it?”

Being stationed in the Rojas Republic, far from headquarters, paperwork had been piling up, leaving him already exhausted.

Seimon placed his coffee cup onto the saucer and looked up at Andrei. The moment he saw Andrei’s expression, his face stiffened.

It was clearly bad news. And it definitely concerned Christine.

“What is it.”

“About that……”

Andrei let out a sigh, and after hearing the report, Seimon was dumbfounded.

“Go buy me a bouquet.”

“Pardon?”

“Pick only the most expensive flowers.”

Seimon headed toward the bathroom.

He needed to present himself in the most immaculate condition possible. As he threw off his clothes, his eyes glinted fiercely.

Meanwhile, Christine, who continued inspecting magical artifacts, was boiling with anger at her workplace.

Now people were even deliberately walking behind her and muttering insults like “fox,” clearly meant for her to hear.

It was absurd.

Those who had always been jealous of Christine’s pretty appearance and exceptional magical detection ability were now seizing the opportunity to spread vicious rumors.

Really.

Christine was furious. Insults directed at her were one thing—but her baby also had ears.

Still, she had learned since childhood that fighting back would only make things worse, so she endured it tightly.

Cover your ears, baby.

Waiting only for quitting time, Christine stood up the moment work ended.

With a face twice as tired as usual, she picked up her bag and was about to leave the Magical Inspection Office when—

Someone blocked her path.

“…?”

“Christine.”

It was Riart, who had spent the entire day avoiding her.

Is he insane?

After sexually harassing her like that yesterday, he still had the nerve to appear?

“What are you doing!”

Christine was already on edge because of Seimon’s will, and now this happened at work—her tone naturally sharpened.

“Who was that man yesterday?”

Riart glared and interrogated her.

Christine was speechless.

The way he acted as if he had any right to question Seimon was ridiculous.

Christine stared at him, then forced herself to calm down and replied evenly.

“……It’s none of your business. And you really shouldn’t be talking to me like this, Riart. Do you even know what kind of situation I’ve been put through today and yesterday?”

Riart ignored her completely and continued speaking his own thoughts.

“I already told everyone you’re my woman. And it’s true you were with me last night. You know you’re at a disadvantage, right?”

He smirked maliciously.

“So you should just become my lover and get rid of that reputation of being an easy woman.”

This is insane.

Christine was so dumbfounded she didn’t even want to respond anymore. In fact, she didn’t even want to look at him. She wanted him erased from existence.

“That man from yesterday—he’s just a trash stalker following you around, right? Rely on me. I’m your boyfriend!”

As Christine remained silent, Riart pounded his chest proudly.

Christine glared at him, burning with anger.

He’s completely insane.

She had once thought Seimon had ruined her life, but she had never considered him trash. At least he wasn’t as petty or delusional as Riart.

She shoved his shoulder and walked forward.

“That’s not going to happen. Don’t speak to me again.”

“You’ll regret this.”

Riart followed and tried to grab her hand, but Christine pushed him away.

“If you touch me, you’ll be the one regretting it. Don’t ever speak to me again.”

“What? Just because you’re a little pretty, you think you’re some princess now?!”

Christine let out a cold laugh.

“And what if I am a princess? Everyone deserves respect. Don’t treat people so carelessly.”

Riart flinched at the overwhelming pressure emanating from her body. He had thought she was quiet and gentle.

Cold sweat ran down his back.

He had already told everyone they were dating and even slept together—his pride was on the line.

Christine turned sharply and walked away quickly.

Riart clenched his fists.

He couldn’t give up here.

“Christine, are you really going to do this?”

“You should stop following me. Unless you want to be forcibly taken away by the police!”

As they argued, a black luxury sedan was parked in front of the inspection office at sunset.

Christine instantly recognized the owner and froze like a statue. Riart, following behind her, was confused at first—but once he realized, he turned pale with shock.

Tall frame, unbelievably handsome features that were almost frighteningly perfect, black hair, and striking golden eyes.

What—!

The man from yesterday was there.

Seimon Dayrte smiled charmingly at Christine.

“Yeah, good job saying that, Christine.”

“Seimon? Why are you here…….”

Christine was so shocked that her voice trembled.

He was waiting here, right in front of her workplace.

“Do you know him?”

“He’s incredibly handsome……”

“What’s his relationship with Christine? I thought she was dating Riart?”

The coworkers who had been insulting her whispered among themselves.

Christine felt like she was about to lose all face.

Riart, trembling, pointed at Seimon.

“W-What are you, following us since yesterday?!”

“Hah.”

Seimon frowned irritably and tilted his chin toward Riart.

“Hey, you pathetic guy.”

“P-Pathetic?”

Riart’s mouth fell open in disbelief.

Seimon gave a cold smile.

“Yeah, you. Don’t ever speak to Christine again. I’ve been collecting all my patience just to its limit.”

“What right do you have!”

As Riart raged, Seimon’s gaze darkened further.

“Shut up. If being buried alive is your preference, keep talking. Or would you prefer sinking into the sea?”

“What? Who do you think you are to interfere with Christine?!”

Riart struggled to resist the pressure and shouted back.

“Me?”

Seimon sighed briefly and walked forward slowly. From behind him, he casually pulled out a bouquet and handed it to Christine.

“Her child’s father.”

His voice remained as cold as ever, but something warm flickered faintly in his eyes.

Christine’s eyes widened as she accepted the bouquet in shock, and Seimon awkwardly looked away.

“So stop spreading useless rumors here.”

He turned and walked toward Riart. Stopping just a hand’s breadth away, he looked down at him with a chilling gaze.

“I’ll say it again. Get lost.”

The low warning carried absolute seriousness. It felt like if Riart didn’t run now, something terrible would happen.

Riart’s face turned pale as he staggered back, then suddenly screamed and ran as if his backside were on fire.

“What the—?”

“This is ridiculous.”

The inspection office workers murmured in disbelief. The moment proved Riart had been spreading false rumors.

And now, the long-speculated father of Christine’s baby had appeared—wealthy, elegant, and overwhelmingly handsome.

Their gazes shifted from jealousy to admiration.

Christine, exhausted by how easily people changed, quickly got into the car. Seimon followed and asked with a faint smile.

“Do you like the flowers?”

“……I like them. They’re pretty.”

Christine had always liked flowers.

Even when she lived in the countryside, and even in the Dayrte estate, she had personally tended a garden.

“I know. Me too.”

What does he even mean by that?

At his short remark, Christine’s heart gave a strong thump.

So this was what it felt like to receive flowers from a man.

He probably didn’t know she loved flowers this much—he likely just thought they were a suitable gift for a woman.

Christine suppressed her fluttering emotions and spoke bluntly.

“But why did you come all the way to my workplace and say you’re my child’s father? Now things got complicated.”

At her complaint, Seimon frowned.

“Then what? You expect me to just stand by and watch you get harassed by that ridiculous rumor? Because of that pathetic guy?”

Christine blinked in surprise and looked down at the bouquet.

Her heart pounded heavily.

So that’s how he knew.

Honestly, he had saved her. But she didn’t want to admit it. No—she was afraid.

She still didn’t understand why he kept helping her.

“Why that expression? Are you hurt somewhere?”

At his worried voice, Christine closed her eyes tightly.

The kinder he acted, the more painful it became.