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Author's note:

Sorry for the wait, I didn't know how to write this chapter. Also, I am very busy this semester with my university.

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Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

You can do it, Nolan.

You have f*ucking lived for more than forty years already. You can't lose to a hairy child.

...Or so is what I desperately am telling myself.

It's been two weeks since my last encounter with the not-so-little devil king in the making.

Right now, my car was going through the wooded path that leads to the Rosenwood's abode.

Frankly, I'm shocked.

I knew they were filthy rich but damn!

Knowing it is one thing, but seeing it is completely different.

They were on a whole new level of wealthiness than my poor mind could ever imagine.

I swear their property was the size of a small town. The Riverstone villa seemed like a dollhouse in comparison.

Through the car window, I observed the centurial tall trees that enclosed the path as I tried to calm myself down. Although I heard that their mansion was in the middle of the property, it still took a while until I could see it.

"Welcome young master Nolan."

"Thank you for your reception."

A white-haired old butler welcomed me with a slight bow.

"I'm extremely sorry, the young master is still in the middle of his lessons so he couldn't receive you himself. The young master asked me to take you to him."

"Wouldn't I interrupt him?"

The old butler kindly smiled, as if I asked a foolish question.

"Not at all. Please follow me, young master Nolan."

The butler led me through the mansion until we came outside again and a labyrinth-like garden came to my views. However, we didn't stop. As we passed through the labyrinth, I couldn't help but ask:

"By the way, what is he studying right now?"

"Oh, the young master is in the middle of his swordsmanship lesson."

My lips twitched. Are we back to the middle ages?

Is this some kind of veiled threat?

My facade should have briefly slipped as the butler said

"As our esteemed heir, the young master has been acquiring many different abilities to be able to deal with any situation that might occur in the future. As they say, knowledge is never enough. Don't you agree, young master Nolan? "

"Ah... It's as you say"

In my case, I need to make use of all my knowledge and brains when my goal is only to survive as comfortably as possible. As the heir of the biggest conglomerate in the Federation, with enemies in every corner of the planet, he needed to be prepared for anything.

Though, I do have mixed feelings after hearing he was learning to skillfully use sharp blades against people. A villain and blades? What a great combination.

I knew I should have taken some stomach medicine before coming.

Argh.

However, I couldn't submerge myself in self-pity as, soon after our small exchange, I could hear the clashing of swords.

"We are here."

When I came through the small labyrinth I saw him.

Although my nerves were tense, I couldn't help but be captivated by the view that greeted me.

The young Rosenwood drenched in sweat as he concentrated into parring his opponent's attacks exuded an indescribable charm. Although he showed the fierceness and wildness of a dominant alpha, all his movements showed superior elegance that seemed embed into his bones.

Attack. Repel, Attack.

Uppercut. Lower cut. A repel followed by a thrust.

When he needed to deviate from his opponent's blade, only the bare minimum movements were made. A single hair thread separated the cold steel from the warm skin.

And yet, the blade never hit him.

The opponent was highly skilled but, in my eyes, Sebert was superior.

This lethal dance completely entranced me.

If this was his plan of threatening me, well...

...It surely was working.

Would I ever survive a minute against him?

I looked at my thin arms and short legs.

I'm doomed.

As I became lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice when the sparring session ended and a certain someone came closer to me.

"What are you thinking about?"

I jumped. Shivers ran over my entire body as I clamped my year

"Y-You!"

"Yes, it's me."

With a lazy smile on his face and twinkling eyes, he was obviously making fun of me.

"So you did came, uh."

"Did I have a choice?"

Instead of answering, his smile deepened as he took my hand.

"Come, I'll take you to my room."

***

The room Sebert lead me to was clear and neat. Maybe, because of the way the author described him, I thought his private space would be darker in color but, instead, its appearance was quite ordinary (maybe a little too adult-like, but that was normal for alpha's rooms in this world ). Also, I wasn't in his bedroom but the room adjacent to it, which worked as his study room.

Sebert left me here fifteen minutes ago, instructing me to wait for me while he went to take a quick shower. A maid brought me some snacks and refreshments. I sipped tea as I tried to calm myself.

Be confident, Nolan. You were once the big devil from the editorial department for God's sake!

"Sorry for the wait."

Sebert came back into the room. He was casually dressed and his hair was still a little wet. In the novel, he was always wearing a suit. I never expected to see him in such a laid back way.

"So, little Nolan, what's your answer?"

I put the teacup down.

"Before that, could you tell me what is a friend to you?"

He looked puzzled.

"Would that change anything?"

My mouth twitched.

You b*stard. You're admitting I don't have a choice on this matter!

"...Just answer me."

He slumped on the couch, looking at the ceiling as he seemed to be thinking hard about my question.

"A friend is... someone who you can be yourself, who you can have fun, argue with you when you're doing something stupid but will still be there for you when you're going something sad or hard. "

I looked at him, surprised.

"What?"

He looked a little embarrassed.

Who knew he had such a cute side?

But I can kinda understand why he longs so much for a friend. All his life, the people around him were only interested in the Rosenwood heir, not in the black-haired boy named Sebert.

I felt a little guilty. Only seeing him as a villain, how different am I from those people?

Maybe, in the future, we could truly become friends?

But for that, I need to first understand the boy before me.

"Would you trust a friend unconditionally, I mean, if that person asks you to do something without giving any explanations at all but promises you it'll bring you benefits in the long term, would you trust him? "

For a long while, Sebert stared at me in complete silence.

"...I don't know."

"You don't?"

Again, I was surprised. I was expecting a negative answer or some sassy remark.

Sebert was being surprisingly sincere with me.

"I never really met someone I could trust like that. I'm used to business-like relationships. Even those are easily betrayed in front of bigger benefits. But..."

He paused and then, look enigmatically into my eyes.

"If that person was a friend, I would give him a chance to prove himself worthy of my trust."

Frankly, I was at loss.

I never expected such sincerity from him, of all people.

I tried to open my mouth and utter those sweet lies I practiced for weeks.

My priority should be a successful escape. I shouldn't hesitate to use anyone for reaching my goal. However, I just couldn't lie to this boy who just opened his heart to me.

Sigh. I was getting soft with my age.

And stupider too.

"All right, I'll give you my answer now."

I took a deep breath and looked deep into his eyes as I solemnly said:

"Right now, I don't think I can be sincere friends with you."

"What? Are you refusing me? "

He looked coldly at me, feeling betrayed after I didn't give him the answer he was expecting.

"A give and take relationship., Business partners. Let's start with that and slowly build a trust-based relationship. "

"Trust me, Sebert Rosenwood, and not only gain my sincere friendship. I'll also help you get the world."