Tonight, she stood beside him not as a guest—

but as his temporary secretary.

This banquet was not her debut.

Lorenzo had made sure of that.

After witnessing what happened earlier when someone dared to question her identity, no one in the hall dared to look at Scarlet again.

No curious glances.No whispers.

Nothing.

This was the authority of Lorenzo Vesper.

The Underlord of the city.

Eventually, Lorenzo leaned slightly toward her.

"You can go eat something," he said calmly. "We're about to start a meeting. You'll get bored."

Scarlet didn't argue.

A guard was assigned to follow her.

She quietly left the hall and walked toward the banquet's food court.

 In the Food Court Area

Rows of luxurious dishes were displayed across long tables.

Scarlet picked a few things and ate slowly.

But after a few minutes—

she lost interest.

Inside her mind, she groaned.

Ugh…

Too boring.

This place is so boring.

I want something thrilling now or else I bored to death.

She wandered around

absentmindedly while thinking.

Then suddenly—

she realized something she had come far from the food counter.

She turned around.

The guard who was supposed to follow her…

was gone.

Scarlet frowned.

"Where did he—"

Before she could finish—

A hand suddenly appeared in her vision.

She was pulled forward.

Her back hit the wall behind her but no pain came.

She was gently placed there as a delicate feather.

Scarlet froze and saw

A tall male figure stood in front of her.

He was head taller than her but she had a hunch he was around same age as him.

Unlike her half mask—

his face was completely hidden behind a full mask.

Before she could react—

He grabbed both her wrists and pinned them above her head against the wall.

Scarlet immediately struggled.

"Hey—!"

But his strength was overwhelming for Scarlett it was actually too much.

He leaned closer to her ear.

His voice was low and teasing. She can imagine the boy is whispering with a smirk on his face.

His warm breath tickle scar's ears made them red.

"Stray cats shouldn't wander around carelessly."

Scarlet tried to break free again.

It was useless.

He held both her wrists easily with just one hand.

Then his other hand moved.

He gently covered her shining eyes in the dark through the mask.

Scarlet felt his body shift closer to her. She was feeling the other body's warmth.

Using his shoulder, he loosened the already loose tied mask from his own face.

The mask slid off and fell to the ground.

But Scarlet couldn't see anything.

Her vision was covered.

Then his voice whispered again near her ear. It was raspy developing voice not fully deep as a matured male's one.

"This is a punishment for wandering alone here my heart."

His tone was dangerously seductive.

She thought "'punishment? Is he mentally ill?'

Before Scarlet could say anything—

His lips suddenly touched hers.

Her mind exploded.

The kiss was deep.

Passionate.

Overwhelming.

Scarlet struggled in shock.

But he didn't let go.

The kiss lasted long enough to leave her breathless.

She was in full turmoil " who is that bastard"

When he finally pulled away—

She tried to push him.

But before leaving—

he lightly bit her lower lip.

Scarlet flinched.

'is he a dog...?'

His voice came again.

"This is because you misbehaved."

And then—

He disappeared into the darkness.

Just like that.

Scarlet stood frozen against the wall.

Her brain had completely stopped functioning.

Two minutes passed.

Her face slowly turned red.

Then redder.

Then completely beetroot red.

From her cheeks—

to her ears—

to her neck—

even her hands were flushed.

Finally she slowly touched her lips.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

Then she whined dramatically.

"He stole my first kiss.....!"

Around the Corner

Just a few steps away—

hidden in the shadows—

someone was watching her.

The masked boy leaned casually against the wall, amuse in his eyes listening to her complaint.

He chuckled quietly.

"So that's her first concern."

He licked his lips slowly.

"Worth it."

Ciel Volkiere stepped away from the corner.

And silently left the crime scene.

After finishing and leaving no evidence.

But his victim was crying dramatically over ' her first kiss stolen.'