Chapter 1 I've Long Since Wanted to Die!

"Hey there, gorgeous, want a drink?"

Carol felt a tap on her shoulder.

She furrowed her brow and looked back.

In the dim tavern light, Carol saw a scruffy-bearded middle-aged mercenary eyeing her greedily.

She sighed, raised her middle finger, and said without turning back, "Go home and drink with your mom... And I'm not for sale."

Amid the surrounding laughter, the mercenary left with a sullen face.

After dealing with the annoying situation, Carol turned her gaze back to the distance.

*In truth, she wasn't against men's advances, so long as she deemed the man making them worthy.*

Like the boy sitting at the bar right now.

*He could be called a "boy" because judging from his slender build and the occasional profile glimpses, he was young, perhaps even a fledgling.*

Empty bottles surrounded the boy's table, and though tipsy, he kept drinking.

*It was as if he was trying to drown out some unforgettable trouble.*

The kicker was the boy's ink-black, gorgeous hair.

Even though a little messy and wavy, it was a sign of noble blood from the Saint Laurent Empire.

She didn't know which family he belonged to specifically, but judging by the finely made deerskin boots he wore, the boy seemed quite well-off.

He was the perfect candidate to become "prey."

In fact, this was the third day the boy had spent in the tavern.

Based on her observations over the past few days, Carol had pieced together a rough idea of the situation.

The boy likely had a falling out with his family, ran away in a huff, only to find the world outside cruel. Yet, his pride wouldn't let him admit defeat, leaving him trapped and turning to alcohol for comfort.

To her, this inexperienced young noble was a succulent and tender lamb ripe for the taking.

Thinking about it sent a thrill of excitement through Carol.

She drained her wine glass, then rose and made her way to the bar with an elegant stride.

"Won't you buy me a drink?"

She sat down beside the dark-haired boy with ease.

The boy wasn't overly surprised; he snapped his fingers toward the bartender, "Bring a glass of Amber for the lady."

Amber was the most expensive drink in the house, costing ten silver coins per glass, ordered only by fools.

Carol chuckled charmingly at this, "I'm Carol, what about you?"

"Is it that important?"

*Not exactly cold, but not as easy to hook as imagined... Was it a noble's restraint?*

Receiving the drink passed by the bartender, Carol sipped lightly, then gently swept her pink tongue across the corner of her lips, her knee subtly brushing against the boy's thigh.

The time after drinking was the easiest to lose oneself.

Just as Carol was about to speak, the boy preemptively opened his mouth.

"Since you're drinking, I have some questions for you." He set down his glass. "Miss, today is your third day watching me quietly from the corner."

"If possible, please provide a reasonable explanation."

*Busted?*

Carol, who had been slightly smug, now sounded the alarm in her mind.

But, given the situation, she couldn't be exposed just because of a simple inquiry.

So Carol tilted her head slightly, letting her chestnut hair cascade down, half-jokingly, half-seriously said, "Because... you're handsome?"

It was the truth.

To be honest, the boy before her was the kind to instantly leave a favorable impression on someone at first glance.

With striking looks, noble demeanor, his eyes a gleaming blue, and a tear mole adorning the elongated corners of his eyes that added a touch of delicate allure rather than detracting from his beauty.

The only flaw was his pronounced dark circles, likely from too much womanizing and a weak constitution.

*But that played right into her plans.*

Hearing Carol's explanation, the boy wore an expression that screamed "Ha, women," and averted his gaze.

*Brat...* Carol's mouth twitched as she read his look.

But she quickly feigned a pitiful expression, "You... you don't think I'm selling myself, do you?"

The "so-cute-it-hurts" look could melt the hardest of hearts into gentle sympathy.

But the boy in front of her... was clearly not an ordinary person.

"Aren't you?"

At this, Carol's expression turned sour.

*Only she knew that all her years clawing her way through the slums of this border city had never landed a man in her bed.*

Before she could retort, the boy spoke again.

"We're all selling ourselves, truthfully," he said calmly, "Only everyone sells different things."

This quelled the rising anger in Carol's heart in an instant.

Not only that, after pondering it for a moment, she even found it philosophical.

*This guy...*

Feeling toyed with, Carol was a bit flustered and adjusted her dress hem, her cheeks reddening slightly, murmuring, "Since you put it that way, don't you want to buy me?"

The dark-haired boy gave her a wary glance, "Human trafficking is illegal."

*Carol fumed.*

*This kid was playing dumb, right?*

Considering tonight's plan, she bit down on her silver tooth, dropping the pretense, "I mean, buy me. I'm yours tonight."

Unexpectedly, he reflexively covered his pockets, "I'm broke."

"It won't be expensive."

"Miss, I'm not the kind of jerk who takes strangers home on the first meeting, don't insult my integrity."

"Free..."

"But on the other hand..."

...

*Of course, all men were alike.*

Once inside the tavern's second-floor guest room, Carol outwardly took in the room's simple furnishings, but internally she declared with conviction.

Thinking of his clumsy, laughable excuses filled her with disdain.

Thus, Carol feigned a smile, "Weren't we supposed to see the cat that can backflip?"

She expected him to give a sheepish grin, then reveal his lecherous face.

To her surprise, the dark-haired boy pointed to a black shape curled by the bed, "Look, over there."

Looking where he pointed, Carol was stunned.

A small black cat was yawning as it rose from the bed, elegantly stretching, and then turning its emerald eyes toward them.

The boy snapped his fingers, "Little Black, show the lady a trick."

*Auntie...* Carol's face darkened and she was about to retort, but saw the cat give a responding "meow."

Then she watched in disbelief as the small cat performed a backflip in a way that defied common sense.

*No way, it can actually do that???*

She had thought "my cat can backflip" was just something sleazy men said to lure women to their rooms.

To her shock, it unfolded right before her eyes.

*Had the world gone mad?*

Carol's temples throbbed, feeling everything tonight was beyond prediction.

*I can't.*

*Can't keep bantering with this kid, or her blood pressure might explode.*

So Carol wasted no time, stepping forward and with a quick move, she pushed the boy onto the bed.

Watching the dark-haired boy lying there, Carol saw shock on his face for the first time tonight.

Her lips curled in satisfaction at his reaction.

Then Carol pretended to lose her balance, falling with an "Oops" into the boy's arms.

The situation took a hard turn.

*Little did he know, he was so easy to handle?*

Carol had confidence in her charm.

She looked down, noticing how close they were, able to feel each other's breath.

Looking into his ocean-like blue eyes, Carol was at a loss for words.

*Even her heartbeat quickened.*

*Up close, he seemed even more handsome...* *No, don't get distracted!*

When she finally regained her composure, she heard the boy say with slight difficulty, "This... this isn't right, is it?"

"What's wrong?"

"We haven't bathed yet."

"That's okay, I'm not picky."

The boy shook his head, "I meant, you haven't bathed."

Carol: "..."

She gritted her silver tooth, took a deep breath to steady her pulsating temples.

*Don't take it seriously.*

*Taking it seriously means you've lost.*

So, the next second, Carol zeroed in, letting out a well-acted scream.

"Ahh!!!"

"Boom—"

Simultaneously, the wooden guestroom door was busted open.

A hulking man barged in, holding a revolver.

He first moved the "trembling" Carol to the side, then looked at the dark-haired boy lying on the bed.

But there was a hint of unease in his eyes.

Clearly, this was his first attempt at such a deed.

Still, the hulk tried to look as fierce as he could, pressing the boy down with the gun pointed at him.

"Don't move!"

Seeing this, Carol pretended to wipe her tears, "S-sorry, I didn't think things would turn out like this..."

Typical responses to such situations were panic first, and then a desire to sweep things under the rug.

Especially from nobles who especially valued their reputation.

But the boy didn't show even a hint of panic, merely asked, "Are you her husband?"

"Of course!" the hulk forced out with cool composure, "You slept with my... my wife, give me one good reason not to shoot you dead!"

Upon hearing this, instead of defending himself, the boy sighed with a troubled look.

"I can't think of one."

The hulk was dumbfounded, "What?"

"I can't think of any reason you shouldn't shoot me." His expression was utterly sincere, "If you're truly her husband, then honestly, you should just shoot me."

This left the hulk speechless.

He turned to Carol, seeking silent help.

*Idiot...* Carol cursed internally, keeping up the appearance of misery, sobbing, "This, this is my husband, Andre. He's... he's killed before... you really shouldn't defy him, he will shoot."

"Yeah, I'd totally shoot!"

The hulk snapped back, tightened his grip on the revolver, and swallowed.

"You really are a big help," upon hearing this, the boy's face lit up with joy, "Come on, I've long lost the will to live!"

In the next instant, the boy grabbed the barrel and pressed it against his forehead.