Chapter 18: The Scent of Madness
…Ah. Fuck.
Ethan cursed silently.
Don't get him wrong—he liked yanderes. He really did. But he had just acquired one, and now?
Another one? Not even a day later?
He exhaled slowly.
Okay Let's be honest—I'm enjoying this.
But what he hadn't accounted for was that it wasn't just Julie who had fallen.
There was another.
Jade Bloodsanguine.
She sat still, composed—but inside, she was anything but calm. The moment her eyes met Ethan's, something inside her cracked.
Something dangerous.
Something forbidden.
Her husband, Eric, had never married for love. He married to continue his bloodline.
His wives were not partners. They were tools.
Jade was no exception. She was his second wife, and only considered the "main wife" because her children were promising.
She had accepted it. Endured it.
But what woman didn't long to be adored? To be cherished? To be treated as if she mattered beyond just her bloodline?
She knew she shouldn't be thinking this.
And yet…
Looking at Ethan—at the effortless confidence, the calm authority in his every move—she couldn't stop herself.
This man.
This young man could give her what she had never had.
Then she turned her gaze to her daughter.
And she immediately understood.
Julie had fallen, too.
For most families, this would be an issue.
But the Bloodsanguine?
A mother and daughter sharing the same man?
It had happened before.
It could happen again.
Jade's mind raced.
If Julie becomes his, then I will see him often.
No—often is not enough. I must be here.
If I stay, it will be under the excuse of guiding my daughter. Yes. Yes, that makes sense.
It was madness.
But she had already convinced herself.
Her decision was made.
…
Ethan felt a chill crawl down his spine.
[Host.]
'What now?' he asked the system with growing dread.
[Are you a fan of Oyakodon?]
Ethan froze.
His body paused mid-motion, as if time itself had momentarily stopped.
Slowly—subtly—he turned his head toward Jade.
Their eyes met.
Her lips parted slightly, her expression softening.
Oh my lord. Oh my lord.
[Host, Jade Bloodsanguine's affection level is at 85%.]
[Not at the yandere level, but high enough to pursue you.]
This… could be dangerous.
Eric was an SS-rank. If he found out, it was game over.
But despite that…
Ethan's body trembled.
Not in fear.
Not in apprehension.
But in excitement.
'Damn. I didn't know I was this perverted.'
Still, he couldn't afford to be reckless.
The Bloodsanguine were an Original. They carried a bloodline—a declining one, but still strong. Their ancestor must have been someone exceptionally powerful enough to pass it down.
And that meant… Ethan had to be careful.
His family was strong, but not invincible.
At that thought, his eyes sharpened.
It's time to enter the Tower.
He had already decided. Power was the only thing that would let him keep playing this dangerous game.
His initial plan had been diplomatic—to resolve this situation smoothly, without unnecessary chaos.
But now?
Now, he had two Bloodsanguine women drawn to him.
One seeking love.
One seeking salvation.
…Let's finish this quickly, shall we?
He turned toward his father.
"Do you need me for something, Father?"
Lionnel regarded him carefully. So did Iris.
They had noticed.
The way Julie looked at him.
The way Jade looked at him.
But they said nothing.
Because they hoped Ethan knew what he was doing.
"The Bloodsanguine family is here to propose a marriage between you and their youngest daughter, Julie," Lionnel stated evenly.
"We wanted to ask for your thoughts."
Ethan widened his eyes in feigned surprise, letting his gaze linger on Julie—just long enough to seem hesitant.
Then, after a long pause, he said, "Can I speak with her alone first?"
Eric smiled.
A good sign. Ethan hadn't refused outright.
"Yes, of course," Eric said, laughing. "It's good to let you youngsters talk and come to an agreement."
Jade, standing beside him, hesitated.
She wanted to turn around and look at him.
Don't look. Don't—
Too late.
Their eyes met.
Ethan didn't smile immediately. Instead, he watched her, letting the moment stretch, as if daring her to acknowledge what she felt.
Her fingers curled slightly at her side. This is madness.
And yet—
When he finally smiled, slow and knowing…
Her heart skipped a beat.
She knew that he knew.
And he knew that she knew.
Let's not pretend.
Ethan was a kind man.
But who said kindness couldn't be dangerous?
Who said a being of kindness couldn't also be lustful?
After all… wasn't stealing a neglected woman from an SS-rank man an act of kindness?
Ethan smiled to himself.
I truly am the most kind-hearted person here. Even putting my life at risk for charity.
Jade's lips parted.
Her breathing uneven.
Her decision, final.
I will stay.
She turned, following Eric out of the room.
…
Now, only Ethan and Julie remained.
The air was thick with unspoken tension.
Ethan spoke first.
"I should tell you something."
Julie tilted her head, watching him intently.
"I already have a partner."
Julie exhaled softly.
She stood silently.
But inside, her mind was racing.
It's not as if I didn't expect it.
A man like Ethan with no partner would have been weird.
But,
I have nothing to lose.
I have everything to gain.
Finally, she stepped forward.
"That doesn't matter to me."
She reached for him.
And took his hand.
Bold.
Completely different from his shy Mei.
Her deep red eyes burned as she slowly lifted his hand to her lips—
And kissed it.
Ethan stilled.
Then, her voice—low, steady, filled with quiet devotion:
"Then take me."
"I will support you. I will give you everything I have."
"If you want something, I will get it for you."
"If you want my family, I will break myself to give them to you."
"Just…"
Her grip on his hand tightened.
"Make me yours."
"Don't treat me like an object."
"And don't abandon me."
Ethan exhaled slowly.
The system's voice chimed in.
[Host, I must inform you that Julie Bloodsanguine's affection has exceeded 100%.]
[It is no longer love. It is obsession.]
[If you accept her… you have to take responsibility.]
Ethan barely registered the words.
Julie leaned forward.
For a moment, he thought she might kiss him.
But instead—
She simply collapsed into his arms.
He caught her effortlessly, holding her close.
Her breathing slowed.
Her body relaxed.
And just like that—she fell asleep.
Safe.
At peace.
Ethan looked down at her, his expression unreadable.
A storm of emotions churned within him.
Desire? Amusement? Possessiveness?
No.
It was something deeper.
He exhaled slowly, brushing a stray strand of black hair from her face.
She had given herself to him completely.
No, not only her. Mei, Ellie, and even Jade…
He would take them.
Everything.
The Bloodsanguine.
The Tower.
The world.
Power was the only language this world spoke.
And Ethan?
He would speak it fluently.
A slow smile spread across his lips.
Not cruel.
Not gentle.
Just… inevitable.
"Alright then," he murmured, cradling her closer.
"Let's see just how far you're willing to fall for me."
Ethan is no longer the same.
A being of only kindness?
No…he would embrace another layer of himself now he has the means to pursue it.
Lust.
Lust for everything between heaven and earth.
— End of Chapter 18 —
A/N:
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