Warm-water port

chapter three

There was brightness in the street lights passing past.Light and darkness were coming and going in fidgeting hurry.

No one was supposed to sit in the same car as Simon, but because I was special, traveling with him was no rarity.

I was wearing a gown Simon had chosen for me, with a long skirt that reached the floor. Delicate lace, soft silk, and gorgeous embroidery made up this intricate, delicate white gown.

The only thing I could say about the gown was that its hemline made it easy to hide some weapons.

Simon was sitting next to me, looking out the window abesent-mindedly.

In the past he would have told me what he and his father had talked about, but this time not a word was said. I wasn't bold enough to ask without authorization, after all, I was also a minor character who needed to look up to Simon to survive, and those special auras were only part of what the outside world saw.

This time we're going to the biggest auction in Italy, where billionaires from all over the world gather, not only the powerful in politics, but also various bigwigs in the underground society. The top intelligence agencies of every country are keeping a close eye on the place, but no one dares to do anything while the auction is being held.

I know that although Simon is very good at socializing, he actually doesn't like this kind of expensive celebrity. He would be willing to attend this auction on behalf of his father because he wanted to find clues to Ema's blood. The thieving group DEAD HOUSE would most likely show up at the auction site. He would not let go of such an opportunity.

As soon as we entered the venue, I was alertly walking ahead of Simon looking around, doing my job as a personal bodyguard. That is, until my wrist was grabbed by him and then gently swept into his arms.

"Just be my girl today. I'm hungry, let's fill the belly first."

"Yes, boss."

He stopped and looked at me without a word.

"Um . .yes,Simon."

He smiled.

I went to the restroom before starting my meal. The female guests at the sink were chatting away as they touched up their makeup.

"What's the name of that girl Simon has in his arms?"

"Who knows what it's called, probably just a dutch wife."

They giggled unabashedly.

"She's about to fall out of favor, Simon's marrying Lana, the daughter of the Vannadi family."

"If we're compared to Lana, then we really don't stand a chance."

It seems taht the majority of the auction's people were indulging in this Simon fiancee's gossip.

For the sake of unnecessary trouble, I waited for them all to leave before walking out. A woman then came out from inside another door.

As I could see from the mirror on the sink, it was a particularly striking looking beauty. A light champagne-colored gown with a slim fit perfectly outlined her body lines, and a skillfully designed cascading tulle at the hemline, inlaid with countless pearls, as if she was set amidst a river of sparkling stars, exuding an elegant and noble aura.

She was just beside me, a mesmerizing scent emanated from her body.

I could tell by looking at the jewelry on her body that she was Lana.

My fingers than moved more smoothly than humans,but in this moment,I stiffened.

The gorgeous record player was set up like a work of art, with mesmerizing songs coming out of it. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was a picture of the city at its most bustling, and I couldn't get Lana's face out of my head.She's obviously one-in-a-million of beauty.

I used my knife and fork with the grace my etiquette teacher had taught me, blending in perfectly with the upscale restaurant atmosphere.

Simon drank one morsel of wine among glass stemware.The silver knife and fork reflected his mesmerized eyes.

"I feel like a Stray Dog walking in the dark most of the time, but only in your presence do I feel like an attractive male. The Knight's Sword takes on a different sharpness in the hands of different holders. When I first met you..."

It bothered me that I couldn't see where this conversation was going.

What exactly was my master trying to convey? Human words will always seem like a heavenly book to me. his speeches always brim with all sorts of rhetorical metaphors and platitudes.

"Ema,will you leave me someday?"

"I won't disappear on you.Never."

Simon stood up and got down on one knee in front of me.

"Ema, I want to be your knight, to be that sharpest of swords, to cut through everything that stands in the way of us being together."

"......"

I can't exactly read human emotions. But I could feel the starlight shining in his eyes at the moment, as if a few of the brightest stars of a meteor shower had fallen into his eyes.

There was a wonderful emotion coming over me, and I was very curious about what it really felt like to love someone.

Maybe it would be nice to become a real Ema...? If I could have Ema's memories, I might be able to experience the feeling of loving someone as well.

The sound of a floor-to-ceiling window shattering rang out, scattering shards of broken glass all over the place, followed by the screams of girls.

The man made his entrance wearing a huge white cape, he caught the attention of everyone in the room, but for some reason I felt like he was looking at me.Our eyes met and the look in those cerulean-blue orbs was foreboding.

"It's show time!"

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, smoke began to envelop the surroundings, and the bright moon outside the window failed to help.

The smoke dispersed in the night's darkness,making his good-look lit visage stand out.

He grabbed a woman, a woman who still looked familiar to me.

It was Ms. Lana.

Ms. Lana's face was pale and her thin body was shaking.

Without any hesitation, I started my plan of attack. I took out the pistol hidden under the hem of my skirt and found his blind spot and aimed at him.

However, to my surprise, the moment before I fired, a playing card flew in and knocked my pistol away.

He didn't even look at me! What terrible accuracy!

"Miss, do you want to trade yourself for her?"

I was about to bend down and pick up my gun when his voice came closer to me.

I looked straight back without fear. "Yes, you let her go."

"I give you full marks for self-sacrificing resolve."

He did let go of Ms. Lana and turned to hold me captive in his arms.

The cloak fluttered in the wind, wrapping me and him both inside.

Instead of waiting for him to harm me, I attacked him with a more concealed knife from the other side of my skirt.

His hands were unusually sensitive, and he actually dodged my sneak attack with ease.

He landed on my other side with a magnificent flip in the air and gently took my hand.

"What a creative ways to strap knives.Now I like you better."

He bent down like a gentleman and kissed the back of my hand reverently.

I'm speechless at the incredulity of this situation.

“The beauty of you intoxicated me.I think I've got a lock on what I'm going to steal.”

He looked at me,nose to nose. Be that close,I can tell,his eyelashes are thick and pupils sparkle like jewels.

"First your heart, then your values."

He gently wraps his arm around my waist, hundreds of meters in the air behind us.

"You let her go!"

I saw the panic in Simon's eyes.

"Let her go!Neil!Otherwise I will never forgive you!"