SPELLBOUND

Bloody shit! Kione almost cursed out aloud the moment his gaze fell on Gideon who was apparently just a couple of steps next to him. What the hell!? What was he doing here as well?!

Kione had actually escaped from the hall of pleasure, leaving the ladies in there without a word. It was because in the middle of his heated session with the girls, he had started to see Vera's face superimposed over theirs. And he nearly got shocked to death when one of them asked him, 'who's Vera, My Lord? It's so unlike you to utter a woman's name in bed.' His blood ran cold when he heard that comment coming from one of them.

And when it had finally dawned on him that he had actually began calling one of them 'Vera', Kione started to become so distracted he had to force himself so hard just so he could erase her image from continuously popping up in his head and to focus his full attention on the ladies who were before him. But it was all a futile effort as he tried but yet failed incessantly until he could only give up and hurriedly left them. He was so frustrated, angered even. How did he end up being so pathetic like this? Why the hell was this happening to him?! This was plain ridiculous! Were the heavens trying to mess with him? Was his suffering the subject of humour for some gods out there? Though he does not believe in gods, what is happening to him right now is really testing his resolve.

He kept scolding himself, cursing himself in his mind as he squatted in front of the castle's door, as though something foolish was driving him mad. And just as he finally managed to calm down, Gideon, of all creatures, was the first to appear before him. Oh Lord, please spare me… he muttered under his breath as he stood slowly and greeted his lord – though the greeting was done very unwillingly and with a slightly awkward look on his face.

"You're leaving, My Lord?" Kione spoke first, trying his best to act normally as how it usually was between them. He could see the deep frowning lines between his brows, and it seemed as though he had just battled within to stop himself from charging straight into a dangerous fit of rage. Now what had happened to cause him to be angered to this state? And now that Gideon had seen him, his gaze gleamed with a new wave of anger again. Now, now… can trouble not come and stop this nonsense already? He honestly was getting tired of all this drama! It should be the ladies who loves entangling themselves in daily dramas, not him!

"You're leaving her again? I hope you had warned her this time not to wander around all by herself." Kione did not know why there were those words that had just flew out of his mouth. Why would he care in the first place? Why could he not think of other topics other than her? Had he become dumb now? "You know even the castle isn't safe for a powerless girl like her –"

"Because of the predators lurking there, headed by you." Gideon cut him off and Kione barked out a short laugh.

"Well…" Kione shrugged, "I know I can't deny that. But isn't it your fault too for leaving such an inviting prey unattended, not even leaving an order for the servants to watch over her and protect her? You can't just put all the blame to the predators especially when you yourself are guilty of negligence." His words were true and sharp, not giving anyone any second chances.

Gideon's aura blazed at Kione's piercing words, and his eyes grew intense as he threw him a vicious glare. And for goodness' sake, Kione did not even feel regret nor a single bit of hesitation despite the deadly glare Gideon was already throwing at him.

"What made you think that you can fool me with your acting? And this more so doing it twice? Stop trying to provoke me, Kione. You should know me better than that. You know I can only tolerate anyone… ONCE." There was a heavy warning of danger in Gideon's dark voice as he said that and Kione could not help but let out a quick chuckle as he shook his head at his very outraged friend.

"I'm not trying to provoke you at all, Gideon, believe it or not." He said that somewhat wearily as he threw his head up and helplessly looked at the clear blue sky. A disbelieving smile slowly curved across and graced that aristocratic and fine-looking face of his. Somehow, a logical explanation finally came to him. He was always that type of man who never hides his feelings and desires. If he wanted something, he would go ahead and take it if it was available for the taking. Also, he was always very vocal about his actions. He always believed that hiding his feelings and emotions were pure idiocy. Why would he want to hide his feelings in the first place? He always believed that letting it all out was a million times better than hiding them. Hiding what you feel and burying them inside would only cause yourself to be so emotionally constipated and more often than not, ends up causing an even bigger trouble. And he could not afford more trouble than this. It was better for him to address this issue right here and now, facing it head on than trying to run away from it. Or else, it will just continue to haunt him. And he refused to play the fool drowning himself in torturous silence, all because of the confusing bit of feelings he could not spill out.

Letting out a tired and long-suffering sigh, Kione's face looked a little better and more relaxed now as he had finally found a way to solve his current dilemma.

"You can laugh at me… but…" he continued then turned and look at Gideon, a forced smile on his face. "I think I'm already bewitched by her."

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