Lines Not to Be Crossed

The atmosphere had gone icy, and in the end, it was Nefer who spoke first.

“What?

Why are you looking so serious?

I was just trying to be funny.”

Fren stared at him quietly, then smiled until his eyes curved.

“It wasn’t funny.”

“Huh?

Really?

I thought it was at least a little….”

“It wasn’t funny.”

In the end, it was Nefer who backed down.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t do that again.”

Hakan couldn’t help but carefully observe Fren’s displeasure.

He had thought Fren was nothing more than a decorative doll—one who only smiled sweetly, never showing irritation.

But seeing him like this proved he had quite a temper.

‘So he really does treasure that s*ave.’

Something twisted inside Hakan’s gut.

He opened his mouth.

“Nektor, wait outside.”

“What?

Why all of a sudden—”

“Shut up and go.”

Nektor looked anxious but couldn’t disobey the order.

Once he left and the door closed, Hakan turned his head.

Fren was now beckoning for Vanessa the same way one would call a dog.

Vanessa was about to rush over eagerly.

But Hakan was faster.

Vanessa blinked in shock as his thick arm suddenly wrapped around her waist.

Pulling her closer, Hakan smirked.

“Look at him glaring like a man, at least in his own mind.”

“…Hey, what’s with you now?”

Nefer, still watching Fren’s expression, tried to stop him urgently.

But Hakan didn’t hold back.

Laughing, eyes blazing, he asked:

“Hey, answer me.

Fren, are us beastly types not even allowed to touch a s*ave?”

“…….”

“Let’s be honest.

A s*ave is lower than a beast, right?

Even if we’re not friends, this much should be fine, don’t you think?”

Hakan’s hand slid lower.

Vanessa silently stared at the large hand gripping her body.

“Her body’s firm enough.

Wouldn’t be embarrassing to keep her around.”

—Smack!

Hakan grinned wickedly as he slapped Vanessa’s backside.

The air grew even colder.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?

Don’t tell me even this is—”

Fren spoke before he could finish.

“Vanessa?”

—Kaaang!

Vanessa immediately slammed the tray in her hands onto Hakan’s head.

Nefer burst into laughter.

“Pffft…!”

But no one could point it out.

Hakan clutched his head and glared at Fren, but Fren only responded in an elegant, composed voice.

“Yes, Hakan.

Even if you call yourself a beast, you can at least understand why this isn’t allowed, right?”

“…….”

“You should leave.

We won’t make an issue of today any further.”

Even Nefer, who was laughing so hard he could barely breathe, chimed in between gasps.

“Yeah, Hakan.

Just take the offer and go.”

“…Just go?

This s*ave literally hit me in the—”

Nefer cut him off coldly.

“You need the money Fren gave you to pay off the rest of your house.”

“…….”

“You know how many people want that house?

What if someone else snatches it while you waste time here?

Oh—almost forgot.

The neighbors have been complaining a lot.

Something about how your presence is lowering the value of the whole—”

Before Nefer could even finish, Hakan stormed out and slammed the door behind him.

Finally calmed, Nefer exhaled.

“Ahh, I really love being around you guys.

If there’s ever a meeting like this again, you have to invite me.”

“We’ll see.”

“Aww, why so cold?

Come on, what are we?”

In his usual dramatic way, Nefer instantly flipped the mood, then blew Vanessa a kiss.

“Alright, I’m off!

See you next time!”

‘Please never come back.’

Oblivious to Vanessa’s inner scream, Nefer hummed a tune as he followed after Hakan.

Hakan was already marching down the stairs, storming past Nektor who had been waiting in the hall.

Nektor hurried after him.

“Are you alright?

You seem very upset—”

“If you know, then shut your mouth.”

“…I’m sorry.”

From behind, Nefer poked his head forward with an annoyingly sweet tone.

“Why take it out on your poor subordinate?

Nektor, don’t mind him.

He’s always like this.”

“You shut up too.”

“The charm of a siren is in the voice—if I shut up, then what—koff! Koff, koff!”

Nefer suddenly turned his head and coughed violently.

Seeing how sickly he looked, Hakan clicked his tongue, losing the strength to stay angry.

“He’s going to cough himself to death.

You’re like an old man.”

“…Ugh, seriously, I’m dying.

Got any water?”

“Even if I did, I wouldn’t give you any.”

Nektor immediately pulled out a water flask and offered it.

“Here.”

“Oh, thanks.”

“Hey!”

Nektor even held it to Nefer’s lips so he could drink.

Nefer gulped the water greedily while Hakan considered saying something—but decided against it.

It didn’t hurt to stay on Nefer’s good side.

‘Good.

A smart subordinate who doesn’t miss opportunities.’

He’d never had someone with such good instinct before.

Pleased, Hakan folded his arms as he watched.

Once Nefer quenched his thirst, he stroked his neck.

The three of them left the mansion in a calmer mood.

“You going to buy the house now?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll come too.

I’ll help check the contract.”

“…….”

“Why?

You don’t want me to?

Then I’ll just—”

“Who said I don’t want you?!

You better look through it properly.

If you miss even one mistake, I’ll tear it up on the spot.”

“You sure have a unique way of saying thank you.

Oh—speaking of which.”

Nefer stared straight into Hakan’s eyes and warned:

“Don’t ever act like that in front of Fren again.

You were this close to dying.”

“But that bastard kept—”

“You know what happens if Fren decides he doesn’t like you, right?

Didn’t you say you all want to get stronger and finally lift your heads up?

Then you should be crawling on the floor in front of Fren, not picking fights.”

“But he kept…!”

“You want to keep repeating that?”

Frustrated, Hakan shouted:

“No, seriously!

What am I supposed to do when that bastard keeps getting on my nerves?!

Hold on—now that I think about it, you always get on my nerves too!

You’re no different, you fish-smelling bastard!”

Hakan grabbed Nefer by the collar and shook him hard.

Nefer merely bit Hakan’s finger lightly and spoke with sugary affection.

“What can I say?

Teasing you is just way too fun.”

“You personality-ruined freak…!”

“Anyway, be careful in front of Fren.”

Nefer chuckled.

“I’m generous enough to let things slide if it entertains me.

But Fren isn’t.”

“…….”

Hakan knew that all too well.

Vanessa hitting him on Fren’s orders said everything.

‘Ugh, now I’m remembering it again and getting mad.

How is he so strong with that skinny frame…?’

He wasn’t that strong, but it was enough to piss Hakan off.

‘And his face—damn it.

Even after hitting a Lycanthrope, he looks straight at me with those bold eyes….’

The more he thought about it, the more it suited his taste.

‘With that kind of guts, even a human could run a household well.

Probably even bow to her husband properly.’

Hakan had this thought unconsciously—then immediately grimaced.

He never thought he’d understand the saying “other men’s women always look better” so painfully well.

Letting go of Nefer’s collar, he muttered:

“If only he weren’t a high-ranking noble…”

“If he weren’t, what?

You planning to wrestle him?”

“I could.”

“You still don’t know Fren.

That’s adorable.”

“Who could beat me if we fought without rank?”

“That’s true… but you still wouldn’t walk away unscathed.

He’s no ordinary monster.

He practically wiped out entire battlefields when he was younger.”

“Still doesn’t change the fact that I’d win.”

With a satisfied grin, Hakan strode forward.

Nefer could only marvel at his simplicity.

At that moment, Nektor—keeping his distance—approached cautiously and whispered:

“…Is that elf really that dangerous?”

“Don’t even get me started.

I’ve never seen a monster like him.

He only softened after meeting Vanessa.”

“You must have been together a long time?”

“Why?

You interested in Vanessa?”

Nefer cast a sideways glance at Hakan.

And like the beast he was, Hakan’s ears twitched at once.

Nektor gave a vague smile.

“I’m just curious.

I’ve never seen a s*ave treated like that.”

“Well, I heard they even eat at the same table.”

“What?

He eats with a s*ave?

He’s crazy.”

Ignoring Hakan’s shocked reaction, Nektor fell deep into thought.

Nefer couldn’t help but smirk.

It looked like something fun might happen soon.