I smiled at the gossip mongers, all teeth and no warmth. "Please, enlighten me. What exactly happened?"
"N-Nothing, Señor Axel!" the first one stammered.
"Nothing?" I repeated. "That's funny. Because I definitely heard you talking about a cursed Omega. That wouldn't happen to be a graceful daughter of the De La Vega family named María José, would it?"
I received silence as an answer. Good enough.
I took a step forward. They took a step back.
"I'm going to say this once." My voice was calm, but Hugo boiled beneath my skin, itching to break free. "If I ever hear you—or anyone else bad-mouthing her again, I will personally ensure that the only job you'll ever get is scrubbing pig troughs with your bare hands."
They looked like they wanted to cry.
"Do you understand?"
"Y-Yes, Señor Axel!" they chorused.
I bared my teeth, gnashing them together. "Good. Now get out of my sight."
They scurried off like terrified rats.
Hugo let out a satisfied buzz. "Not bad. I approve."
