The Predator’s Contract Partner
chapter-248

Lucerne swung his sword once more.

Rumble. Her head rolled on the floor. Lucerne said to Nora who followed.

“Everything I’ve been preparing and waiting for, make ready and take her. That will make me feel better,”

Lucerne said. Even if it was Nora, she couldn’t help but feel nervous.

***

Elisha slowly opened her eyes. Her throat felt like it was about to rip apart.

‘Where is this place… … .’

She studied her surroundings. It was an unfamiliar room. As she moved her body, there was a creaking sound. She was lying on an old cot. It smelled like smoke, similar to the smell of cigarettes.

Elisha slowly looked around.

“Lucerne?”

Lucerne was sitting in the room. But his disposition was strange. He seemed very expressionless and cold.

It was dark. The room had a very small window with iron bars revealing the nightfall. There was a shadow on Lucerne’s face, so it was hard to see his expression. She felt her head pounding.

“Where am I, I…….”

“This is the officers’ club. It’s a hidden office near the Duke’s estate that I rented.”

Elisha noticed that it was quiet. Since it was night, there would be no one in the club. Maybe they were the only ones in this building.

“Why are we here?”

Lucerne answered bluntly.

“I did what you wanted.”

“Yes?”

Elisha sat up. He slowly got up.

“Did you pull this stunt to kill Carola?”

“… … .”

Elisha couldn’t say anything. Lucerne, now… … . He seemed terribly angry.

“Did you notice?”

In this case, it was no use lying to him. She answered without showing her nervousness.

“I never wanted it to go this far. Once again, the picture my wife paints goes beyond my understanding. As expected, I should have realized what was really going on when you clung to me and said cute things.”

“… … Lucerne.”

“Right. I suppose it turned out fine. Carola is dead.”

“… … She’s dead? How… … .”

He came a step closer.

“I told them to save her head so I could show it off. Should I give it to you as a gift?”

Elisha was startled.

‘Like that, so easily. So quickly?’

She knew Lucerne would not jest about this.

“Did you really do that?”

“Of course. I think you’d be happier with a person’s neck than with jewelry. Isn’t this an appropriate anniversary gift?”

“… … There is no need to show it to me. If that’s the case, that’s all I need.”

He raised the corner of her mouth and smiled.

“Of course.”

Lucerne said.

“That’s great. Because you’re very understanding. There’s a funeral to be held, so we should at least have a head. The top of the neck is the most intact part.”

Elisha’s shoulders shrank. In fact, she couldn’t think of anything. Rather than being happy… she was horrified. This whole situation. Finally, she was freed from Carola… … .

‘Why do you look like this?’

Looking at his dark face in the shadows, he seemed like an ancient evil god who had come down to judge her for her foolishness. The ancient evil god was said to have a more beautiful face above all else.

Lucerne approached on foot very slowly.

Step, step. Step, step.

Every time he came closer, she flinched. Her bed was small, narrow, and flimsy. In it, she soon had her back against the wall.

However, Elisha’s nervousness was not revealed as usual. She just examined Lucerne while donning her doll-like mask.

“Look, Elisha.”

“… … .”

“Do I look like a fool?”

“… … yes?”

“Did I look so stupid that I couldn’t read your moves?”

“… … .”

“I said it very clearly.”

Lucerne growled. His momentum made her tremble all over. A lot had transpired meanwhile. However, this was the first time that Lucerne’s anger poured out on Elisha so plainly.

“Don’t injure my belongings. You’ve violated even my final and bottom line command.”

“It was the most efficient course of action. Since when—”

“Since when? Since when have you been playing into my hands?”

Lucerne laughed.

“Oh yeah. Corinne’s handsome man operation. That was fun. Do you really think Mimosa would have fallen for such a scheme?”

Goosebumps appeared on the back of Elisha’s hands.

“Corinne, Mimosa and I met at a cabin in the woods for an unfunny encounter. At that time, didn’t you wonder what Corinne had said to Mimosa that appeased her?”

Lucerne leaned her body towards Elisha.

*

‘Here. Please receive this letter.’

‘Oh my, I can’t believe you came prepared with something like this. Lady Elisha wasn’t lying when she said that Corinne’s feelings were clear. He said he liked me.’

Mimosa opened the letter. And in an instant, her face bleached white. What Corinne gave was not a love letter. Inside, the names of Mimosa’s family were listed. Everyone, even the most distant relatives.

‘My master told me to tell you that from today onwards, if you don’t follow our orders, everyone here will be punished one by one from top to bottom.’

‘From now on, you can do whatever the madam tells you to do. And, you will have to report it to us as well.’

*

Elisha’s whole body quivered.

‘To be honest, there are times when I want to believe in you.’

‘If trust grows between us… … .’

Lucerne came to the Duke’s castle and was extremely affectionate. He wrapped his arms around her and cooperated with all her plans. She thought maybe she could get revenge for him and herself. Little by little, she felt they were truly getting along, sharing the same goals, and just a little bit—

However, he double-surveilled Elisha through Mimosa. Laughter broke out.