Chapter 90: Shattered Mask

Chapter 90: Shattered Mask

Creak

Where are you off to, Mr. Adler?

As Adler staggered out of the bed after staring blankly at the mirror hanging on the wall for a while, Professor Moriarty, back to her usual composed self, tilted her head with a puzzled expression and queried.

You shouldnt be wandering around in your current condition.

Ha.

But ignoring her advice, Adler still approached the mirror and finally exhaled a rough breath.

Professor.

After closing his eyes tightly and taking a deep breath, silently, he turned his head and addressed Professor Moriarty.

I must confess.

.

I have never seen you as a member of the opposite sex.

A smirk played on her lips as she silently observed his eyes, which had already turned back to their previous black hue.

Thats sophistry.

Even if we set aside all your actions until now, you just revealed your ultimate goal becoming my husband.

A frigid wave seemed to have spread along with Professor Moriartys smile.

And youre still saying that you have never liked me?

Thats

Isnt that a bit too unscrupulous?

Adler, about to speak, couldnt help pausing at the words leaking out of her mouth. They had a slightly different tone from usual, compelling him to keep his silence.

My feelings for you were admiration and awe.

Trying to wriggle out of it, I see.

Thats exactly why my eyes took on Charlottes colors, instead of yours.

Her gaze narrowed at his muttering, which seemed to lack spirit.

Unlike love, admiration and awe are often one-sided emotions that dont resonate well, even if theyre of the same magnitude.

Mr. Adler. Normally, a person who admires or reveres someone strongly doesnt wish to dye them in their own colors.

Is that so?

Overwhelmed just by watching, they dare not entertain such blasphemous thoughts.

Confusion slowly encroached on Adlers face as he heard her words.

Then, why do I?

The change in your eyes for a moment has already answered that question of yours, hasnt it?

Professor Moriarty, who found Adler more intriguing than ever, stepped toward him as he stood dangerously close to the mirror.

You have been in love with me all along.

.

You just didnt realize it. Or perhaps, you knew but have been deceiving yourself.

Murmuring those words, Professor Moriarty leaned in close to Adlers face.

If you still dont understand, lets experiment, shall we?

Um

Teaching is a teachers duty, so Ill take special care to show you myself.

In the next moment, the warmth that lingered on her lips touched and seeped into the cold lips of Adler.

How about that?

Holding Adlers tongue lightly in her mouth for a brief instant, the professor then pulled her head back and posed the question.

How does the kiss we just shared taste?

It tastes like coffee.

Perhaps, we need a bit more practice.

As Adler averted his gaze to the side, evading her words, the professors face morphed into a sardonic smile and she lowered her head ever so slightly.

Eh.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Then, Moriarty started nibbling right above Adlers Adams apple.

Pro fessor.

As her tongue softly licked his neck, confusion clouded Adlers eyes.

How about it, Adler?

After that rather unusual kiss, the professor, hands clasped behind her back, started bobbing her head side to side in her usual cute manner.

Did your heart flutter a bit?

..

The change in her tone, her habits that Adler liked, and her characteristic elusive smile all combined to stir Adlers heart.

It seems it did flutter after all.

And when a blush rose to his cheeks, Jane Moriarty, amused by his appearance, reached out her hand.

The experiment is over.

..

An undeniable conclusion has already been drawn

At that instant, as Moriarty was about to touch Adlers cheek

Stop it.

Slap

All of a sudden, the air between them turned frigid as Adler swatted away the professors hand.

?

The change in my eye is merely a coincidence.

When she was finally able to grasp the feelings hidden deep in his heart, Adler had suddenly become several times more distant.

I never expected him to close off his heart so abruptly.

Just minutes ago, he had been vying to make a good impression on her, but now she was the one desperately trying to hold onto him.

It felt as if the roles of the attacker and defender had switched.

And that makes me want him even more.

Just as the sea has its high and low tides, she had learned that love also had similar moments of push and pull.

At least thats what the books the professor had secretly borrowed from the academy library during the vacation had said.

This moment perfectly describes the destructive power of someone who has been pulling away constantly and finally decides to push back.

She wanted to completely devour the boy walking ahead of her.

Could this possibly be part of your plan as well?

She wanted to make Isaac Adler her own, in all of his facets and forms.

Well, what does it even matter.

..!?

Harboring such thoughts, she stealthily approached Adler from behind and gently brushed his nape with her lips as he was about to open the door.

Professor.

Startled, Adler shuddered and then turned around with a gaze of frigid ice.

Didnt I warn you already?

Hehe.

It wasnt the somewhat subdued, masked reaction he usually showed her. But rather, the genuine, raw response of Isaac Adler.

Sorry~

Knowing all too well why he had changed so much in such a short time, a pleased smile formed on Jane Moriartys face, her hands clasped behind her back.

Hmm.

All of a sudden, the professor turned her head towards the mirror, but soon, retracted her gaze back with a somewhat relaxed smile.

It seems I have a rather unique constitution.

The reflection in the mirror still showed her eyes painted in their usual grey hues, but now she didnt care anymore about it.

My beloved Adler.

Yes?

If what they were sharing now wasnt love, then what else could love be?

Nothing~

Having come to that conclusion in her mind, she quietly followed behind Adler with her hands still clasped behind her back.

.

.

.

.

.

Creak

So, what exactly is the request?

I still dont know.

The door to the hospital room, which had seen a great deal of traffic over the past few days, opened, making way for the professor and Adler to walk out while conversing.

All I know so far is that the clients name is quite amusing.

The name is amusing?

Adler expressed his curiosity at the professors words.

Well, how can someones last name be Garrideb?

Ah.

Ahaha, hahahaha

At that moment, as Adler, seemingly caught on to something in the professors words, heard her laugh out loud

Adler?

From down the corridor, an unexpected voice called out to him.

Have you finally woken up?

Gia Lestrade, dressed in plain clothes while holding a basket of apples in her hand, stood there with eyes filled with surprise and astonishment.

This is quite astonishing.

..!

The great Lestrade herself in plain clothes? Could it be that she took a day off to visit you?

Lestrade, who had been quickly walking forward, paused her steps once she noticed Jane Moriarty standing next to Adler.

Huh?

Immediately, her eyes turned frigid at the scene.

What are those marks mark?

The handprint and teeth marks on Adlers neck were vividly captured by Lestrades sharp and intuitive gaze.

These are merely wounds from that day

That wasnt there yesterday, was it?

Adler stammered, trying to offer an excuse, but Lestrades eyes grew far colder as she muttered in a chilly voice.

Isnt that right, Professor?

Her gaze challenged Professor Moriarty, who merely stood there with a relaxed expression, arm wrapped around Adlers waist.

What have you done to my boyfriend?

You lead such a bothersome life, Lestrade.

The hallway was soon filled with the frigid aura leaking out of the two women.