Chapter 55: The Crooked And The Psycho

"I-is there something wrong?"

Esmeralda asked, confusion knitting her brows as she watched Kaisen freeze in place, his expression akin to someone who had just seen a ghost.

Quickly recovering, Kaisen hastily pulled his boxers up and snatched his pants, his movements hurried and awkward.

"Em, I'm sorry that I disturbed you and forced you into things you don't want to do. Forgive me. Not anymore."

He stammered, as he hurriedly pulled up his pants and grabbed his shirt from the bed.

"W-what are you talking about?"

Esmeralda's heart pounded with fear at Kaisen's sudden change of heart.

She searched his eyes for any hint of deceit but found none.

His words seemed genuine, spoken from the depths of his heart.

And that terrified her more than anything.

Was he really going to leave her?

The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and a pang of desperation clutched at her chest.

She couldn't bear the idea of him walking away, leaving her alone in the darkness.

"You didn't force me into anything. I'm saying we can sleep together... just sleep, Kaisen-kun..."

Esmeralda's voice trembled as she reached out to him, her heart heavy with worry.

Kaisen just kinda grunted in response, not really paying much attention.

He wasn't even looking at her, and that mischievous grin of his was nowhere to be seen.

It was like he'd turned into a statue, all emotion drained out.

"Kaisen-kun... I-I've so much things to talk to you..."

Esmeralda pleaded, her voice shaky as she stared at him, hoping to see some sign of life in his eyes.

And for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of something, but then it was gone.

"Em, I'm sorry. But I have to leave. Take care."

He said, his voice flat as he pulled the shirt over his head.

"B-but why, Kaisen-kun? What did I do wrong?"

Her voice cracked with emotion, tears streaming down her cheeks unchecked.

But Kaisen didn't even spare her a glance as he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, alone and heartbroken.

"I'm sorry, princess. I won't do something you don't like from now on. Goodbye."

"Dammit!"

He cursed under his breath, his frustration boiling over.

He came to a stop in front of the door, trying to calm himself down by taking deep, steadying breaths.

Huff... puff...

With a deep breath, Kaisen raised his hand and knocked on the door, his knuckles rapping against the wood.

He quickly glanced to his left and right, scanning the hallway for any patrol guards, but to his relief, there were none in sight.

In his haste to reach Alice's room, he hadn't bothered to check for anyone at all.

'Why isn't she opening the door?'

Glancing at his mental map, Kaisen confirmed that Alice was indeed in the room.

His heart raced as he observed the red dot representing her moving slowly from the corner of the room toward the door.

Anxiety knotted in his stomach as he prepared himself for whatever awaited on the other side.

'Yes. Open the door, Alice. system, what's her emotional status?'

[Current status: Fully healthy]

[Emotion: Psychotic breakdown and murderous intent]

[Love for you: 0%]

'Dammit! It hasn't changed yet'

As seconds ticked by like hours, Kaisen's nerves danced like leaves in a storm.

His heart pounded louder than drumbeats, and sweat trickled down his brow. Why hadn't she answered yet?

Frustration gnawed at him as he checked his mental map once more, only to widen his eyes in alarm at the sight of the red dot now positioned just behind the doors.

'What is this woman doing standing there? Its like in the horror movies. Fuck me.'

He knocked again, but once more, there was no reply.

And the woman, she just stood there, unmoving, like a statue.

It sent shivers down his spine, making him feel like he was about to walk into a trap set by a serial killer, waiting to strike.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.

This was ridiculous, right?

She couldn't be dangerous.

But still, he couldn't shake off the chill running down his spine.