Chapter 5: The Weight of Crimson Shadows

The Grand Duke stepped closer to Ethan, extending a large hand to pat the boy's head. "Now, tell your father... who exactly are you talking about, dear?"

Ethan flinched, immediately slapping the Duke's hand away. He glared up at his adoptive father with raw anger flashing in his eyes. "It's none of your business."

The Duke paused, then casually smiled it off, retracting his hand. "Oh? So my little prince can actually get angry at his father? Fascinating."

"Right now, I don't have any time to waste, Father," Ethan said coldly, his voice steady despite the fear in his chest. "So, you should leave."

The Duke's smile faltered, his eyes narrowing as a dangerous glint flashed within them. "Oh? And who could be more important than your own father?"

Ethan stood up straight, meeting the man's terrifying gaze. "Someone who could never be matched by a monster like you."

Without waiting for a response, Ethan turned on his heel and walked right out of the bedroom. The Duke stood entirely still, watching the boy's retreat with a chilling expression.

Left behind in the room, Solin stepped forward with trembling knees. She bowed her head as low as it could go, tears threatening to spill. "I-I am so sorry, Your Grace! It's entirely my fault! He will—"

He took a menacing step toward her, violent, dark flames of magic erupting around

his silhouette. Solin looked down at the floor, her entire body shaking in absolute

terror. For a brief moment, memories flashed behind her eyes—her trembling hands

stained with blood, the Duke's brother coughing on his deathbed, asking her for

forgiveness. The guilt burned inside her, even as she said nothing.

He took a menacing step toward her, violent, dark flames of magic erupting around his silhouette. Solin looked down at the floor, her entire body shaking in absolute terror.

"If you value your life," the Duke hissed through the shadows, "make sure this kid never finds out the truth."

"Y-yes... Your Grace," Solin choked out.

With a sudden swirl of dark energy, the Duke vanished into thin air using his magic.

The moment he was gone, Solin's legs completely gave out. She collapsed onto the

floor, weeping bitterly as she whispered into the empty room, "Why did you have to

leave us alone with this monster, my love...?"

---

Meanwhile, Ethan was sprinting through the grand corridors, desperately trying to find the kitchen. He had lived in the mansion for less than a day and didn't know the layout.

"Where are you, Iris...?" he muttered frantically under his breath. "Why can't I find you?"

He checked several large rooms, his panic growing with every closed door. Finally, as he rounded a corner near the back servants' hall, he froze. Iris was collapsed on the cold ground, completely unconscious.

Ethan rushed to her side, dropping to his knees. He placed a hand against her forehead and gasped. "Ah... you are absolutely burning up!"

Determined to save her, the five-year-old boy hoisted her onto his small back. Gritting his teeth against the weight, he began to walk.

Iris stirred slightly on his back, her consciousness drifting. She leaned into his neck, whispering in a daze, "Who is it...? It feels so warm..."

"Iris, just hold on a little bit longer," Ethan replied, his breath hitching. "You're going to be fine, I promise."

Spotting the nearest empty guest bedroom, Ethan carried her inside and gently laid her down on the soft bed. He quickly poured a glass of water from a nearby pitcher and helped her drink.

Iris's eyes fluttered open, clarity slowly returning to her gaze. She blinked in surprise. "Ethan...? Why are you here? Wasn't my mom with you?"

"You dummy!" Ethan shouted, his anger boiling over from pure worry. "What on earth were you doing working in the kitchen when you're this sick?!"

Iris looked away, her voice small. "I... I was trying to make food for myself because Mom was busy taking care of you. It's fine..."

A sudden wave of intense protectiveness washed over Ethan. He reached out, gently holding her hand. "Iris, your health is the most important thing in the world to me."

Iris looked up at him, a heavy sadness filling her eyes. "Ethan... you don't understand the reality of our lives. You don't know the suffering my mom and I have to go through. This work... It's our duty just to survive."

"Then we will fly far away from this world together!" Ethan insisted fiercely.

Iris offered him a faint, tired smile. "Please... say something that can actually happen, Ethan."

"I am serious!" Ethan pressed, his eyes shining with absolute devotion. "You are my best friend. My very first friend. You are precious to me, Iris."

Iris's smile widened, but the strain suddenly caught in her throat. She began to cough violently, and a small splat of bright crimson blood landed right onto the palm of her hand.

Ethan's eyes widened in absolute horror. "Blood... Iris!"

Iris stared at her hand, completely shocked by her own state. Ethan leaned in closer, his hand moving automatically out of panic. His fingers accidentally brushed against the wet blood on her palm.

The moment the fluid touched Ethan's skin, a bizarre phenomenon occurred. His skin

seemed to act like a sponge, completely absorbing every single drop of Iris's blood

directly through his pores. Ethan stared at his hand in shock, a wave of confusion

crashing over him. How was this possible? He tried to remember if anything like this

had ever happened before, but his mind came up blank—he had no idea what he had

just done, or how. A prickle of fear ran down his spine, leaving him silently wondering

what other strange things his body might be capable of.

Iris gasped, suddenly sitting up straight. She touched her own forehead, her eyes wide with bewilderment. "Ethan... how? My fever... It's completely gone! How did you do that?"

But Ethan couldn't answer her.

He staggered backward, freezing in place as a familiar, terrifying sensation flooded his body. His eyes snapped from yellow to a deep, glowing, predatory crimson. The primal bloodlust was roaring back to life inside his mind, tearing away his self-control.

Terrified of what he might do to her, Ethan turned and bolted out of the room.

"Ethan! Wait!" Iris screamed from behind him, rushing to the doorway.

Ethan sprinted down the deserted corridor, tears of panic blurring his vision. He tightly clamped a hand over his own mouth, whispering frantically, I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Iris... but I cannot stay near you right now.

He finally collapsed against the wall of a secluded hallway, gripping his knees as he panted heavily, fighting for breath. Slowly, the terrifying red color faded from his eyes, returning to his natural yellow.

He sank to the floor, leaning his head back against the wall. Suddenly, a dark, twisted laugh erupted from his own throat. "Hahaha... Hahahahaha!"

Ethan flinched, slamming his hand against his own neck, trying to choke out the sound. "Shut up! Who... who are you?!"

Instantly, the left side of Ethan's face contorted into a malicious smirk, and his left eye flashed a demonic crimson once more. A second voice, deep and mocking, echoed out from his own lips.

"I am a part of you, little hybrid," the voice purred, dripping with dark amusement. "A part of you that is growing stronger with every single drop of blood you take. Bye for now... but I will be coming back very, very soon."

"Wait! Stop!" Ethan screamed.

With a sudden gasp, the crimson light vanished, and control returned to his body. Ethan was left sitting alone in the dark corridor, trembling all over.

---

The Grand Duke's Office

The heavy oak doors creaked open as the Duchess, Bety, quietly slipped into the room. Her face was twisted with cold determination as she marched straight toward the Duke's grand mahogany desk.

She began tearing through the drawers and scattering the documents, her eyes scanning every page frantically. "Ah... where the hell is that man hiding it? Where is it?!"

Suddenly, her fingers caught on a hidden compartment beneath the main drawer. She pulled out a heavily sealed piece of parchment.

Bety broke the seal and began reading the document line by line. As her eyes reached the bottom of the page, a malicious, triumphant laugh echoed through the empty office.

"Hahaha... Hahahahaha!" Bety cackled, clutching the paper tightly to her chest. "You are going to deeply regret this, Duke. Your little game is officially over."

---

[Chapter 5 Ended - To Be Continued]