Awakening Domination System: But I'm a Slave?-Chapter 35: Hunt Begin [1]

"Who’s the second?"

Renard didn’t answer right away.

Instead, he let his eyes drift across the room.

Lingering on every servant, every quiet figure trying not to draw attention.

Then he stopped.

His grin widened as he lifted a single hand and pointed at the boy, standing near the pillar.

"Him."

Alaric blinked.

For a second, he thought he heard it wrong.

But no.

Renard was still grinning in that smug way of his, like it was a joke only he understood.

Selene’s brows furrowed slightly, barely noticeable to anyone who wasn’t watching closely.

But then, her expression smoothed. Calm again.

"As you wish, milord," she said, her voice poised as ever, dipping her head in a polite nod.

Renard stood, adjusting the cuffs of his coat before turning around.

Then he glanced back over his shoulder.

"I want to say, please take care of that girl," he said, voice light, almost casual. "I don’t care how you treat her... but should not be any scars on the face, okay?"

He chuckled, the grin spreading wider.

"I don’t much like ugly toys."

The words hit heavier than the air they rode on.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he waved his hand and continued walking.

Then. His guards moved into formation, two at the front, two at the back.

He raised his voice a bit, motioning at Kai and Iris, as he stepped ahead.

"Come. Both of you."

Alaric glanced toward Iris who stood quietly, head slightly lowered, the same blank stillness from before.

Alaric exhaled through his nose and stepped forward.

They moved out through the tall iron gates, boots tapping against the stone path that curved through the outer courtyard.

The estate behind them loomed quiet, golden sunlight catching on its walls and ivy-wrapped balconies.

A few attendants trailed behind, keeping distance, while Selene walked ahead, calm, composed, every step measured.

She’d come to see them off, flanked by a maid and two stewards.

The carriage waited at the end of the path, dark wood, silver-trimmed, with Renard’s crest etched on its side.

Just as Renard stepped up to enter, he paused.

Turned.

And looked back at Selene.

"One more thing, Lady Selene," he said, voice easy, relaxed. "Since I’ll be clearing out your woods for you, helping protect your lands."

He smiled faintly.

"I think it’s only fair I borrow a few of your men."

Selene tilted her head slightly. "You mean our guards?"

Renard nodded once. "Nothing excessive. Four would do. Consider it an extension of your goodwill."

There was a short pause.

Selene studied him. Briefly. Eyes unreadable.

Then she nodded.

"As you wish."

Renard’s gaze swept across the small group of armored guards stationed nearby, and with a flick of his hand, he pointed them out, one by one.

"You, you, that one."

He looked at the last man, a younger one barely past twenty.

"And you."

The four stepped forward wordlessly, falling into position near the second carriage.

Renard turned with a pleased smile.

"Perfect."

Renard stepped into his carriage, humming under his breath.

But just as he opened his mouth, about to call for Iris, to order her in beside him, his eyes flicked to the side.

There she was.

Still standing too close to Alaric.

Like always.

That faint grin returned to his lips again.

He turned slightly, waved over one of his personal guards.

"Take both of them to the other carriage," he said casually, voice low.

The guard saluted and moved without question.

Alaric didn’t say anything as the man gestured for them to follow.

He just looked at Renard’s carriage once, then turned and stepped into the one that had been assigned for him and Iris.

Inside, the space was cramped, the cushions stiff.

Iris took the window seat.

Alaric sat in the middle.

Beside him, a younger guard with tired eyes.

Across from them, the other three guards sat, alert, armored, silent.

The doors shut with a heavy clunk.

Then the carriage rocked, and they began to move.

Iris didn’t speak. But her shoulders tensed.

Her hands gripped the folds of her skirt, knuckles pale.

Alaric glanced down, then slowly reached out and took her hand in his.

Just a gentle squeeze.

No words.

She exhaled, eyes still on the window.

"...Thank you," she said softly.

Alaric blinked. "For what?"

She looked at him.

Her voice was quiet, but steady.

"For being with me. Even now."

Alaric’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"It’s not like I asked to be here."

Iris let out a faint breath.

Almost a laugh, if there had been any humor in it.

"Still... it’s better than going there alone."

She looked at him.

"Though... I’m a bit sorry for you too."

"A bit, huh?"

Her gaze shifted away, but she didn’t pull her hand back.

"Well... I said it before. With you coming, I’m... less scared."

Alaric didn’t respond.

Just sighed quietly and let the silence settle between them.

Across from them, the three guards sat without speaking. The older two exchanged a glance.

One of them, grey haired, looked between the boy and the girl.

Their hands still loosely joined.

He exhaled, slow.

His expressions twisted into something. Pity?

Alaric was a young man. He’d probably end up as a servant.

Labor. Maybe guard duty if he was lucky.

But the girl?

No one needed to be a genius to guess what was in for her.

And the reason Renard brought Alaric along was clear as day.

Anyone could see how close they were.

How she leaned just a little toward him.

How she didn’t flinch from his touch.

Even if they were just friends... to people like Renard, that meant something more.

It gave him a game to play.

And wasn’t it obvious.

Why he brought them both?

Why he hadn’t separated them right away?

Why he allowed this brief moment, this illusion of safety?

Because when the time came.

When he finally put her in front of the boy and ripped that safety away—

He’d be able to watch it all.

The way the boy would plead.

Beg.

Break.

And to Renard, that was worth more than any coin.

Then the older guard looked away.

Their fate was sealed.

And there was nothing left for anyone to do... but accept it.

Back at the Glimor estate—

The corridors had quieted. The noise of departure had faded.

Selene sat alone in her study, back straight, hands resting gently on the arms of her chair.

The fire in the hearth burned low, casting long, flickering shadows across the shelves stacked with ledgers, old scrolls, and sealed letters.

Outside, the wind rustled the garden trees.

She didn’t look up from the parchment in front of her. Her eyes skimmed over the inked lines.

Then she spoke.

Softly.

Calmly.

"Sari."

There was a shift in the air.

Then without any footsteps or sound.

From the far corner of the room, a slender figure stepped forward, hooded in black, face shadowed.

Selene set down her quill.

Still not looking.

"Keep an eye on the boy."

The figure gave a single nod.

Whoosh!

Then she vanished.

As if she’d never been there.

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