A Villain's Survival Guide

With Raine excused, Leomaris and Rosay were left within those walls. For the next agonising moment, not a word was uttered between the two. The uncomfortable silence held on long enough until Leomaris spoke.

"What do you want?"

He hardly glanced in Rosay’s direction. He’d shifted his position along the way, settling in a spot that gave him the best chance of escape if she tried anything that threatened his life.

"What’s with that attitude? Can’t you show a little respect for your older sister?"

The words rushed out of Rosay, untamed, as though a hyena had suddenly found its voice.

And that was exactly what troubled Leomaris, her current personality was every bit the proof that she’d make an attempt on his life.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

His eyes found her piercing red ones.

"Can you change to the original Rosay already?"

His expression stayed unreadable. He paid attention to her posture, the elegance, and unhurried manner in which she carried herself. It told him everything he needed to know.

"You clearly came here for an important conversation. If you want my respectful cooperation, change your personality... go back to the original Rosay."

Rosay’s expression contorted with anger immediately, and the sight terrified Leomaris, nearly forcing him clean off his sickbed.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

"Huh? Are you trying to say my personality is disgusting?"

"If that’s how it came out, then yes... I most certainly am."

Rosay burst into laughter at Leomaris’s confidence, but when it ceased, her raw personality dissolved with it.

What replaced it was something almost calm, almost pleasant, just noble enough in its bearing as she tossed her golden hair behind her with unmistakable pride.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

"Happy now?" She said with a smile.

He gave her his full attention, making certain she wasn’t putting on a show. He’d witnessed her acting prowess in front of their father before, and he wasn’t about to fall for it.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Once he’d confirmed her personality was genuine, he exhaled a relieved sigh, heart hammering violently against his chest.

"We can talk now."

"What brings you here, big sister?"

The pride Rosay had carried moments ago died down, leaving her looking somewhat innocent, quite the feat for someone who Leomaris was mentally accused of murder and attempted murder.

"I heard the one who killed the terrorist came from your direction. Do you know who it is?"

’Shit... it was her. She tried to kill me.’

His heart hammered as sweat broke across his face.

"It was you? You tried to kill me?"

"Huh?" Confusion crossed Rosay’s face immediately.

"Why would I do that? Do you know what Father would do to me if I tried something like that after assigning you a mission?"

Those words were enough. Logic clicked into place.

The Runerth family had a strict rule against killing each other directly, schemes and the use of second or third parties, however, were acceptable.

But in his particular situation, where Godfrey had given him a last chance to prove his worth, it fell to Rosay to guide him, just as Samael had once guided her. If Leomaris died, she would be held responsible.

Rosay furrowed her brow. "Do you think so lowly of me?"

With an awkward smile, Leomaris shrugged.

"Why would I not? With your notorious personality, it was easy to believe."

She exhaled in disappointment, propped her elbow on her thigh, and massaged her forehead as though her head was burning just from the effort of thought.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

"Do you know the person?"

A frown from Leomaris. The question marked the start of his apparent concern.

"Why do you ask?"

"I suppose you’re not going to answer my questions just because I asked."

Rosay straightened up, her usual intimidating aura already beginning to vanish.

"I believe there’s a traitor within my faction, not in this academy but among those running my drug business as well. I just need to confirm if you actually know who delivered the final attack."

He felt it. The pressure of being cornered. The helplessness coming off Rosay in waves. She was in a pickle.

"Yes, I do."

Suddenly, as if wary of the very air itself, Rosay’s head started snapping in every direction. She stood, checked behind the curtains and the window, and even threw open the door to make sure no one was spying on them.

Confusion fixed on his face, Leomaris watched as she walked to the steel gas pipe on the wall, grabbed it, and broke it without hesitation, the gas flooding the room with a disturbing hiss.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

"We can talk freely now." She said with a smile and took her seat.

Even the blind could have recognised the confusion on Leomaris’s face.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

"What’s wrong with you? What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into?"

Rosay’s expression darkened.

"I can’t trust any of my colleagues right now. You’re the only person I can turn to."

"Huh? That’s new."

"I know, right? Me, asking my doomed younger brother for help..."

Leomaris’s expression grew slack. "Oh, really?"

"Come on, I’m just joking." Rosay sighed. "Are you going to help me?"

Those words sat with Leomaris for a moment, and despite how badly he wanted Rosay as an ally, he couldn’t see it happening anytime soon.

"I don’t think so, big sister. I’m being targeted on campus right now, and you know my situation with Father."

The words had barely left him before Rosay spoke, as if she’d been waiting for precisely that moment, cutting in before Leomaris could draw another breath.

"Emerald, correct? I’ll tell you exactly why she wants you dead. And I’ll also introduce you to the underground community in a way that will help you build your network."

The offer was a welcome one, it could take some weight off his shoulders. But it was the desperation in Rosay’s voice that truly had his attention. It was untamed and raw.

The kind that only came from someone staring down their last resort. Leomaris was going to exploit every bit of it for a better deal.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

’This can work... as long as she doesn’t activate her second personality.’

He wore a practiced expression.

"That’s a bad offer. I don’t need to know why Emerald hates me, I already know she wants me dead. That’s enough. And I already have a plan for entering the underground community."

Disappointment darkened Rosay’s expression. She held it for a moment, collecting her thoughts, then spoke again.

"I’ve been in this business longer than you, Leomaris. But I get it, I’m the one in a dire situation here. So how about I add this..."

She leaned back into her seat. The expression darkened, and the commanding, intimidating presence she always wore slipped back into place. She spoke amiably and calmly.

"...I will kill Father."