Earlier, in Daniel's room…
"So… it seems the Flamingo and the King are entangled in some kind of mischievous dealings. Mmm… interesting," Daniel said as he stood in the center of his room, draped in a crimson robe, a glass of whisky in hand.
Behind him stood a figure in black and gold—the Dragonfly—who had just delivered news of his discovery after tailing Ariel.
"Mmm… did you find out what the deal was about? What they were discussing?" Daniel asked.
The Dragonfly lowered his head. "Unfortunately not, Your Highness. I was about to follow Lady Ariel to her father's room, but I was intercepted by an unknown person. The man was skilled in shadow ninja arts and proved to be a formidable fighter. Highly skilled and proficient. I had to abort my mission and fight my way out. Whoever he was, he restrained himself from killing me. His skills were proficient enough to end me in seconds, but he didn't. I believe he was acting under strict orders."
Daniel's hand froze midair before he finally took a sip of his whisky, his mind sharpening at the mention of "strict orders."
"Mmm… working under strict orders, you say?" Daniel asked.
"Mmm…" the Dragonfly hummed in response.
Daniel exhaled, took another sip of whisky, then walked toward his desk. He set the glass down and turned to face the Dragonfly.
"Mmm… what do you think, Stinger? Who do you believe these people work for?" he asked.
Stinger stepped closer. "If I may be so bold, Your Highness… I suspect they work for the Duke of Lisboa."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? And why is that?"
"Ever since the Duke and his daughter entered the palace, these people have been hovering around them, protecting them. We've tried countless times to penetrate their rooms and spy on them, as per your command, but we are always fought off—either by those people or by an invisible force we cannot override." Said Stinger.
Daniel narrowed his eyes, his fingers drumming against the desk. "Mmm… interesting," he muttered.
"But it's really strange, though…" Stinger continued.
Daniel looked up at him. "Mmm… what is?"
Stinger exhaled before replying. "It's strange because… as far as is known, the only other people apart from us who possess supernatural martial arts are those bloody scoundrels from the Sect. No one else has ever been known to wield such skills—especially at this level of proficiency."
Daniel placed his hand on the table, averting his gaze from Stinger as his eyes lowered in thought.
"So you think Fortmore is involved with the Sect?" Daniel asked.
"It is only my speculation, Your Highness. But I do believe it's worth investigating," Stinger replied.
Daniel paused, deep in thought, before nodding in agreement. "Very well. Gather some shadow demons to look into it. I want to know everything about them—every detail of their background. If it turns out they are truly our enemies…" He turned his back on Stinger, facing the red velvet chair at his desk. "…don't show them any mercy."
Stinger bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."
Daniel hummed softly as he lifted his glass of whisky and took a slow sip.
Stinger bowed once more before disappearing into the shadows.
Daniel remained in place, staring into space. His golden honeydew eyes glinted with the amber light of the liquid swirling in his glass.
"If it turns out that you are truly an enemy, my dear Flamingo… then don't blame me for becoming the beast that haunts your nightmares. If there's one thing I despise in this world, it's cunning, bloody traitors. I revel in the sight of their blood dripping slowly as they slowly bleed to death. And yours… I will make sure it is more satisfying than the rest. You will truly deserve it."
He murmured the words as his lips curled into a wicked, dangerous smile. His eyes shifted from golden to monstrously red.
He gulped the last of the whisky, set the glass on the table, then whisked around and strode powerfully toward the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
Meanwhile… as the sound of the shower echoed through the room, back at the desk a blue light began to glow, shimmering brighter and brighter as the breeze from the open window swept the curtains slowly.
....
Later…
Daniel finished bathing and turned off the shower.
He walked steadily out of the cubicle toward the towel rack.
Grabbing a small towel, he began to rub it across his glistening, muscle-toned physique. His bulging muscles flexed under the dim bathroom light—from his sculpted eight-pack torso, to the broad muscles of his back, down to the sharp V-line and powerful legs.
He was about to dry his hair when suddenly he paused.
He stood still for a moment, as though listening to something.
Without hesitation, he dropped the towel and tied another firmly around his waist before stepping out of the bathroom in slow, deliberate strides.
He reached the bathroom door and slowly opened it, peering into the other room.
A figure brushed past the doorway, moving toward his desk.
Daniel opened the door wider, slipping out stealthily to follow the figure from behind, ready to launch a surprise attack and deal with them swiftly.
But then he paused, narrowing his eyes in disbelief as recognition struck.
'What the hell…? What is she doing in my room?' he mused inwardly, approaching her slowly from behind.
He stood at a distance, watching as she approached his desk slowly.
She looked… strange. Not at all like someone sneaking in.
Weren't intruders supposed to be wary of their surroundings, scanning the room to avoid being caught? Yet she moved without caution, as if she were in some kind of trance.
"I think they work for the Duke of Lisboa. Ever since the Duke and his daughter entered the palace, these people have been hovering around them, protecting them."
His mind flashed back to Stinger's words during their earlier conversation.
"The only other people apart from us who know supernatural martial arts are those bloody scoundrels from the Sect."
'The Sect.' Daniel growled inwardly, his eyes narrowing.
'Are you really from the Sect? Are you truly here to destroy me? Well, if you are… then I suppose it's time to say goodbye, Flamingo. It was nice knowing you. A little disappointing that I didn't get a taste of you—but who says I can't? Now that you're at my mercy, I'd rather enjoy myself first… before squeezing the life out of you.'
He smirked as he walked closer to Ariel, his eyes glowing red with both desire and the determination to kill.
He waited until she reached the desk and turned to open the drawer. That was when he decided to make his presence known.
"What the hell are you doing in my room?" he growled.
He expected the Flamingo to attack him or try to run away. But to his surprise, she only gasped, startled, and nearly toppled backward after losing her footing.
Without hesitation, he lunged forward and caught her in his arms before she could hit the ground.
He was surprised to see her covering her face, bracing for the impact of the fall. Slowly, she opened her eyes, darting them around the room in confusion.
Something he hadn't expected.
But was it genuine confusion?
Did she truly not know where she was—or was this part of her trick?
He watched as her eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of his glamorous torso. Her rosy lips parted slightly in shock as her gaze trailed along the strong bicep arms holding her.
'Tsk… Bold Flamingo', he mused inwardly as she continued to stare at his half-naked body. A rare sight, one that many never had the privilege to witness. To him, it was like a sacred grail, forbidden to be glanced upon by the mere ordinary. She is lucky.
Her eyes widened even more, this time in fear and panic, as his glowing red gaze locked onto hers. The crimson light was a clear sign—the beast within him was awake, ready to unleash hell. She had every reason to fear, for if she truly was his enemy, he would not stop himself.
But for now, he would keep it under control. At least long enough to savor the thrill of her writhing beneath him—in both pain and pleasure.
His eyes glowed brighter with desire, terrifying the Flamingo further. She began to struggle, desperate to break free from his iron hold.
He held her firmly, refusing to let her escape. She was going to get what was coming to her—her punishment for daring to cross him and play him for a fool.
"Where do you think you're going?" he growled, tightening his grip as she struggled.
He continued to hold her until her resistance faltered.
"You are in some serious trouble," he added, smirking as he watched her resolve deflate.
She finally realized there was nowhere to run.
No escape.
She was trapped.
Trapped in his arms.
Trapped at his mercy.
He wasn't going to let her go. He was going to taste her, teach her a lesson for fooling him.
Yes—he would grill her until she was chiseled like coal.
Yes—he would enjoy every moment of it.
However as he was revelling in his thoughts...
WACK!!
The sharp crack of a slap echoed through the room.
Daniel felt the burning sting pulse across his cheek as he turned in disbelief—only to see Ariel standing before him, her hand still raised from the audacious blow.
His eyes widened in shock. Gone was the delicate, fearful Flamingo. In her place blazed the furious gaze of a vulture, her face twisted with rage.
"Are you awake now?" she growled through clenched teeth.
Daniel said nothing, still staring at her in stunned silence.
"If you are…" Ariel continued, her voice rising, "…then let go of me, you royal, perverted imbecile!!"
She roared the words in his face.
'What the fuck…?!' Daniel growled inwardly, bewildered as he stared at her fierce, unyielding expression.