Chapter 391: Too Late

Several moments passed in silence before Donna glanced at his hand.

"Aren't you going to eat?"

"What?"

"Your skewer. You've been carrying the poor thing around this whole time. It's getting cold."

Malakai gave the skewer a long look. He still felt the urge to throw it away, but after a moment, he decided against it. Bringing it to his mouth, he took a bite.

His eyes slowly widened as the flavors spread across his tongue, and he stopped chewing for a moment.

"…Malakai?" Donna asked, staring at him worriedly. "What's wrong? Does it taste bad?"

Malakai shook his head. "No… it's really good."

"Then why are you looking like that…?" Donna paused. "Wait. Don't tell me… you've never eaten street food before either?"

Malakai absentmindedly nodded. Before his parents died, he'd eaten the best the Sanguine clan had to offer. After their deaths, however, he'd lived on whatever scraps his maids bothered to make for him.

He'd never had any money either, so buying something as unnecessary as street food had never even crossed his mind. Still, to think he'd been missing out on something this good.

Donna's eyes suddenly lit up.

"I have an idea!"

Before Malakai could ask what she meant, Donna grabbed his hand and dragged him away. She led him from stall to stall, buying whatever caught her eye and insisting he try everything.

Unsurprisingly, most of it tasted really good, and more than a few ended up being things Malakai had never eaten before.

Eventually, they left the crowded streets behind and began making their way along the quieter roads leading back to Mamush's estate.

Donna walked beside him with a bright smile, happily talking about herself and whatever came to mind. Somehow, all the earlier tension had disappeared, and she now seemed completely at ease around him.

Malakai acted like he was listening. In truth, his mind was elsewhere.

'So this is what normal people do.'

He thought back to everything that had happened tonight. The play, the different foods, walking through the streets without having to worry about bloodshed or chaos… all of it had been so simple.

And yet, it had felt… good.

'You know, you're fourteen, Malakai,' Valentine said quietly. 'You're supposed to be normal too. You're supposed to waste time, try stupid things, go on dates, find things you like… actually enjoy being fourteen for once. It's not too late to—'

'It is.'

Malakai's response was immediate, his thoughts turning cold.

'From the moment my parents died, it was already too late. I can't pretend everything is fine. I can't go around enjoying myself while the people who murdered them are still out there living their lives.' Malakai's thoughts hardened. 'I have things I need to do, Valentine. Until they're done, I don't get to have this. The sooner you understand that, the easier it'll be for both of us.'

Valentine was silent for several seconds before finally saying, '…Okay.'

Malakai slowly clenched his fists, pushing every thought of enjoying the date out of his mind. This kind of life wasn't for him. Even Donna, as innocent and cute as she was, would only end up becoming a distraction. He couldn't allow that, not until he'd achieved his goals.

"…Looks like we're finally here."

The disappointment in Donna's voice pulled him from his thoughts. Malakai glanced around and realized they were standing beneath the same tree where they'd met earlier.

"Yeah… looks like it."

Their eyes met briefly, but Donna quickly looked away, suddenly finding the ground far more interesting.

"I had a great time," Malakai said. "Thank you for tonight."

"N-no, thank you!" Donna hurriedly said. "If you hadn't agreed to come, I'd probably still be locked inside my room right now, so… really, thank you, Malakai."

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." Malakai smiled slightly. "Maybe we can do it again sometime."

"R-really?" Donna's face immediately brightened. "I-I mean… yes. I'd really like that."

She gave him one last shy glance before quickly turning and scurrying away.

Malakai watched her retreating figure, a complicated look settling on his face. For a moment, his earlier thoughts threatened to resurface, but he quickly squashed them, his expression turning cold once more.

Then, he turned and vanished into the night.

…

Donna's smile was bright enough to light up the darkness as she walked.

"Oh, Rena, it was amazing! He was even better than I imagined! And did you see his eyes up close? The Ninth Vein is so much more dreamy in person!"

Walking a few steps behind her, Rena could only sigh.

"And you heard him, right? He said he wants to do it again! Again! So obviously there'll be a second date, and then a third, and then a fourth, and before you know it, we'll be getting married!"

Rena's expression twisted.

'…How did we get from a second date to marriage?'

"Yes, my lady. But if you intend to survive long enough to marry him, I strongly suggest we get back before the master discovers you're gone and grounds you until you're thirty."

'Assuming he doesn't kill me first.'

"Right…"

Donna's excitement immediately deflated, her shoulders drooping at the reminder that she had to return home.

If only she could spend the rest of the night with Malakai!

Soon, the fence surrounding the estate came into view up ahead. But as they drew closer, Donna frowned.

A man was approaching them from the opposite direction.

He was tall and heavily built, with the unmistakable crimson hair of a Sanguine and an otherwise calm expression. There was nothing particularly threatening about the way he walked, yet for some reason, the moment Donna saw him, a chill ran down her spine.

"Ren—"

"Stay close, my lady."

Rena immediately moved closer, her expression sharpening as she watched the approaching man. However, just as they came within a few meters of each other, his calm expression suddenly broke into a grin.

Rena stopped immediately, pulling Donna to a halt beside her.

The man looked between the two of them for a moment before his gaze settled on Donna. His grin widened as he slowly licked his lips.

"Hey… you Donna?"

"I—"

"What do you want?" Rena cut in, stepping in front of Donna with a cold expression.

"I ain't talking to ya, maid." The man barely spared her a glance. "I'm talking to the pretty little lady behind ya."

"Rena."

Donna tapped her lightly on the back before gesturing behind them. Rena glanced over her shoulder, and her expression immediately darkened.

The bustling street they had just come from was gone.

'A Vita Veil.'

They were trapped.

Rena immediately pulled Donna behind her, fixing the man with a piercing glare. "I am a personal maid of Coinmaster Mamush's household. I suggest you think very carefully about what you do next. Touch my lady, and there won't be a hole deep enough for you or your family to hide in—"

"Sheesh, lady, do you ever shut up?" The man grinned. "Anyway, thanks for confirming she's the one. Grab her!"

Whoosh!

Rena's eyes widened as another figure suddenly swooped down from the trees, heading straight for Donna.

"No!"

She spun around and reached for him, but it was already too late.

The man reached Donna with a wide grin.