Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Thyme narrowed their blue eyes, looking around them.

'What's wrong?' asked Raymond, enjoying the breakfast the servants had just served.

'Is it just my feelings, or is it feels cramped in here, huh? Everywhere is full of couples. You're with Edward and Hazel. Verdict with Amanda,' Thyme took a deep breath, looking even more sluggish. Their small hand played the spoon that was used to eat warms soup in front of him. 'Should I just invite Priska? So, I won't be alone in this room.'

Raymond followed where Thyme had looked earlier, then nodded understandingly. It was true. He sat between Hazel and Edward, who were busy offering him various kinds of food, and he accepted them happily. Meanwhile, on the other side, Verdict asked Amanda to feed her breakfast which Amanda complied with her flushed face. Thyme themself sat in the end chair, alone.

'Don't think about it. It's not a big deal,' he said again after he had eaten the food. 'Verdict, how about the task I gave you?'

The verdict asked Amanda to stop feeding her, turning his body slightly towards Raymond. 'Yes. They're in the dungeon. As expected by Brother Raymond.'

'Their motive?'

'Personal reasons. Not a threat.'

Raymond looked at Thyme, waiting for their decision.

'Just get rid of it. I don't need anything like that.'

Amanda immediately put down the bowl and spoon used for feed Verdict, stood up. 'You mean, you want to kill them?'

'Yes. Is there any problem?' Thyme leaned their face on their hand that was resting on the table, looking back at Amanda.

'It is. They are human too, just like us.'

'It's easy for you to say. But not for me,' Thyme sighed, reluctantly enjoying their breakfast. 'Once betrayed, they'll do it again. That's a consequence they should have known from the start.'

'But they are all women!' Amanda shouted, for the first time.

'Since when did I pay attention to gender?' Thyme was now throwing the spoon on the table, standing facing Amanda. The look on his face looked annoyed at Amanda's innocence. 'Listen. Nothing like idealistic think like you can be used in here. Whoever is a traitor, will die.'

'I don't like the way you do!'

'Whatever. Do I care?'

'Thyme!'

Verdict immediately calmed Amanda, who was about to approach Thyme, telling his girlfriend to go back to her seat. 'Amanda, listen. What Thyme said was true. Maybe for you, all humans have the right to live. But that's not how the mafia world works.'

'I'm disappointed in you, Thyme,' Amanda rose from her chair, losing interest in continuing with breakfast.

'Where are you going?' asked Verdict.

'Back to my room.'

'I'm coming with you,' Verdict followed his girlfriend, who had walked away from Thyme.

Now, there were only four people in the dining room. Thyme called Leah—one of Thyme's confidants—whispering something in return with small nod.

'I understand. I'll do it soon.'

'Thanks,' Thyme said, then turned back to him. 'Well, now is done. Regarding yesterday's plan, do you still want to continue?'

'The decision is in your hands, Thyme. You're the head of the family, not me,' replied Raymond.

'I think I'm starting to depend on you too. But I suppose it is better to plan it in the afternoon. Quicker, better.'

'I'll go with it,' Raymond turned to face Hazel. 'How about you? Can you come? How about your wound?'

'Rest assured, this is not a big wound.'

'As Hazel said, it really isn't a big wound. She had even worse injury than this before until my uncle beat me because of that,' said Edward. 'No need to worry about us. I also ordered the nerve-relaxant medicine from my uncle. It should be arrived come this afternoon.'

'Then, all is done,' Raymond rose from his chair after wiping his mouth with the white napkin beside him.

'Where are you going?' asked Hazel and Edward, simultaneously.

'To the balcony. Smoking.'

He did not wait for them to catch up with him, and walked out of the dining room to the balcony of the second floor.

***