Chapter 9: The Master's Rules

Thomas led the group, with Magdalene beside Shin. His scent, like moonflowers, hypnotized, drawing women like moths, but Shin remained indifferent to Magdalene's advances.

The subtle tension between Magdalene's open allure and Shin's cool detachment was palpable, a silent dance of desire and disinterest played out under Thomas's watchful gaze.

Thomas watched closely. His eyes, sharp and calculating, missed nothing. A flicker of possessiveness crossed his face as Magdalene's attention lingered on Shin, his expression darkening with each passing moment.

He seemed particularly interested in Shin's reactions, or rather, his lack thereof, to Magdalene's not-so-subtle attempts at seduction. An undercurrent of jealousy, subtle yet unmistakable, began to surface in his observations.

Shin met the household's key figures, and Thomas stressed Shin's importance as House Lichtenstein's protector. The estate was pristine, demanding perfection in every detail, yet Shin sensed an unnatural, eerie presence.

As Thomas gestured to a stern-looking man in ornate armor, he declared, "This is Captain Valerius, head of our guard. Valerius, this is Sheenrayu, our new…protector." Valerius inclined his head stiffly. "Welcome to Estate Lichtenstein, Sheenrayu. Your reputation precedes you."

Shin responded with a polite nod. "Thank you, Captain. I am here to serve." Thomas clapped a hand on Shin's shoulder, a gesture that felt more like a claim than a welcome. "Indeed, he is. And he will be treated with the respect due to his position. Is that understood?"

Each introduction to each branch of service was a carefully orchestrated display of power dynamics, with Thomas ensuring everyone understood Shin's position and the respect he was due.

Beneath the opulence, a sickness festered. The perfect facade of the estate hid a darker reality, a sense of unease that grew stronger with each step Shin took. It was a feeling that went beyond mere discomfort; it was a primal warning.

The tour stretched into the evening. Shin saw servants moving robotically, their expressions blank, their will seemingly gone, and Magdalene reveled in her power over them. The servants' hollow eyes and vacant expressions hinted at a deeper control, a subjugation that chilled Shin to the bone. Magdalene's smug satisfaction only amplified the disturbing atmosphere.

As the sun set, Thomas led Shin to luxurious quarters near the master's room, far too grand for a bodyguard. Shin surveyed the room, his gaze sweeping over the high ceilings, elaborate decor, and the balcony overlooking the courtyard. "This is quite… generous, sir," he remarked, a hint of suspicion in his voice. "Are you certain this is appropriate for my station?"

Thomas chuckled, waving off Shin's concern with a dismissive gesture. "Nonsense! Consider it an investment. A protector of your caliber deserves the finest accommodations. We value your service, and this room reflects that." His smile seemed genuine, but Shin couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than met the eye.

"Besides," Thomas added, his eyes gleaming with an odd intensity, "we want you to be comfortable. After all, you'll be staying here for quite some time." Shin inclined his head, his expression unreadable. "I understand, sir. Thank you for your hospitality."

Thomas watched Shin carefully, a calculating glint in his eye. After a moment of consideration, Shin offered a suggestion. "Sir, if I may, I would be more comfortable if you called me Shin. It would make things easier, I believe."

A flicker of surprise crossed Thomas's face, followed by a thoughtful pause. He seemed to weigh the implications of this seemingly simple request. On one hand, it suggested a degree of informality, perhaps even a subtle challenge to his authority. On the other hand, it could also be seen as a gesture of respect, an attempt to establish a more personal connection.

"Very well, Shin," Thomas replied, his voice measured. There was a subtle shift in his tone, a hint of something that Shin couldn't quite place. It was as if, in accepting Shin's suggestion,

Thomas was also acknowledging a shift in their dynamic, a subtle negotiation of the boundaries of their respective roles. "Shin, then. It's...more efficient, I suppose."

A subtle power play occurred in this exchange, a negotiation of titles and respect. Shin's suggestion, and Thomas's acceptance, hinted at a shift in their dynamic.

As Shin settled in, he heard voices and saw Thomas's three sons, each with a strangely compliant woman. The women moved unnaturally, like entranced pets.

The women's unnatural movements and docile behavior were deeply disturbing, suggesting a loss of autonomy that made Shin's unease grow. They were like puppets, their strings pulled by unseen hands.

Thomas introduced his sons, Ronald, Charles, and Gavin, and his daughter, Abigail, who showed an immediate, hungry interest in Shin. The women of the house seemed drawn to him.

Abigail's intense, almost predatory interest in Shin was a stark contrast to the polite interactions he had expected. It was a look that promised complications. "My sons," Thomas began, gesturing to the trio with a proud sweep of his hand, "Ronald, Charles, and Gavin. And this is my daughter, Abigail."

Ronald, the eldest, offered a curt nod, his gaze sweeping over Shin with a dismissive air. "Welcome to Lichtenstein," he said, his voice flat and devoid of any real warmth.

Charles, the second son, simply inclined his head, his expression unreadable. He seemed more interested in the ornate ceiling than in the new bodyguard.

Gavin, the youngest, however, smirked, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "So, you're the new muscle, huh? Hope you're ready for some action. Things can get... lively around here."

Abigail stepped forward, her smile radiant as her eyes locked onto Shin's. There was a predatory glint in her gaze that made the hairs on the back of Shin's neck stand on end. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Shin," she purred, her voice like velvet. "I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other." Her words hung in the air, thick with unspoken implications.

Shin politely acknowledged them, but the sons were unimpressed. Shin noted the family dynamics: Ronald's boredom, Charles's indifference, Gavin's amusement, Magdalene's smugness, and Abigail's clear intentions.

The sons' reactions provided a glimpse into the complex web of family relationships. Ronald's ennui, Charles's detachment, and Gavin's cynical amusement hinted at rivalries and hidden resentments.

"You are all dismissed. I need to have a word with our new bodyguard," he stated, his voice firm, signaling a shift in the conversation's tone. The dismissal of the others and Thomas's lingering presence indicated a private and important discussion.

Once everyone's gone, the sudden shift in Thomas's demeanor, from cordial host to stern patriarch, raised the stakes considerably. "You are part of the family now," Thomas said, his voice low and demanding, his grip on Shin's hand tightening with each word.

Shin met his gaze steadily, his expression unreadable. "I understand, sir."

Thomas's eyes narrowed, a flicker of something akin to suspicion crossing his face. "Do you? Because being part of this family comes with certain... expectations. Certain rules." His grip tightened further, the pressure intensifying, but Shin remained utterly still, his composure unwavering.

"First," Thomas continued, his voice a low growl, "you will not, under any circumstances, entertain any... relations with my wife or my daughter. Is that clear?"

Shin inclined his head slightly, his gaze never leaving Thomas's. "Perfectly clear."

"And second," Thomas said, his voice hardening, "you will obey my every command. Without question. Without hesitation. My word is the law here, is that understood?"

"Understood," Shin replied, his voice calm and even. Shin's agreement was given without hesitation, but his inner thoughts remained a mystery. His composure, in the face of such blatant intimidation, hinted at a strength that Thomas had yet to fully comprehend.

Thomas stared at him for a long moment, his grip finally loosening. He seemed to be searching for any sign of defiance, any hint of the resistance he had expected. But Shin's face remained a mask, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Puzzled by Shin's lack of reaction, Thomas released him and left. Shin, flexing his fingers, found the family and Thomas quite interesting. Thomas's puzzlement revealed his surprise at encountering someone who didn't back down.

Shin's subtle finger flex was a quiet acknowledgment of the power play, and his assessment of the family as "interesting" suggested a mind already at work, dissecting the situation.

Meanwhile, Laverna, hidden, wondered if Shin was different from the other doomed bodyguards.

Only time will tell.