Dancing with His Perfume

Ru's arms tightened around Heise, his face buried in the sorcerer's shoulder. The scent of sandalwood and lotus filled his senses—a fragrance that was both soothing and hauntingly familiar. It was the same perfume he had smelled the second time he was connected to the platform. The realization struck him with the sharpness and undeniability of a lightning bolt.

"The man who wanted me to stay pure was Heise."

Ru slowly pulled away, his hands resting on Heise for a while before dropping to his sides. He looked up at Heise with a poker face. A faint smile curved his lips as he bent slightly, his words genuine. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Heise replied, his tone placid but his gaze keen, sweeping Ru from head to toe as if evaluating him again. The weight of his stare was almost palpable, and Ru felt the chill go along across his body, though he wasn't sure if it was from the cold or Heise's intensity.

Ru took a step back, his boots crunching lightly on the frost-covered ground of the winter garden. He averted his gaze, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve. "I was wondering," he began, his voice hesitant, "would it be possible for me to see my friends right now?"

"Of course," Heise said smoothly, his hand lifting slightly as the wine bottle on the ground rose into the air, guided by his telekinetic power. It floated gracefully into his grasp, the deep red liquid catching the faint light. "But for that, you'll need to donate a little of your blood to my lord."

"No problem," Ru said, though his steps faltered as he paused in the middle of the conservatuary. The snowflakes drifted lazily around him, catching in his hair and on his shoulders. He turned to face Heise, his brow furrowed in thought. "But I'm curious—why didn't you take my blood earlier?"

The cork of the wine bottle popped off with a soft pop, seemingly at Heise's command. He poured a glass, the rich aroma of the wine mingling with the crisp winter air. "Good question," Heise said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. He extended the glass toward Ru. "Would you like some wine?"

Ru hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't mix anything into it." He turned fully to face Heise, crossing his arms over his chest. "You could've taken my blood when you kidnapped and hung me on the platform. Or maybe you did, but it wasn't enough."

"I did take a sample, yes." Heise gave a faint smile as he handed Ru the glass. "But I wasn't authorized to take more."

Ru accepted the glass. He fixed his eyes on Heise, seeking an explanation. "Lord Dekaris ordered you to kidnap me and take a sample of my blood. When my blood worked, he wanted more from me. Is that the story?"

"He was never supposed to force you into anything," Heise said, his voice calm but with an edge that suggested he wasn't entirely pleased with how things had unfolded. He raised his own glass, clinking it gently against Ru's.

"But he did. And so did you," Ru said, his tone firm but not accusatory. He watched as Heise took a sip of the wine, his movements deliberate and graceful. "At least tell me—is it high quality?" he asked, referring to the wine.

"Absolutely," Heise replied, his eyes glinting. "You should try it."

Ru raised the glass to his lips and took a sip. The wine was rich and velvety, with a depth of flavor that surprised him. "Good for me," he said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Heise settled into one of the chairs, his posture relaxed. "I solely exerted pressure on you for the genie's sigil," he uttered in a straightforward tone. "And yes... That pathetic attempt of yours in that cheap hotel room with that disgusting man—let's just say it pissed me off, and I couldn't stand it."

Ru's cheeks flushed slightly, but he held Heise's gaze. "I was planning to blackmail him," he said, sitting down across from Heise. "If you hadn't interfered..."

"Like you did with Mr. Thargata?" Heise asked, his tone mocking but not unkind.

Ru downed the rest of his glass in one go, the warmth of the wine spreading through him. "You've been watching my life," he said, setting the glass down with a soft thud. "At least give me a like."

"It's my job, Lirui," Heise said, taking another sip of his wine. "You know, I'm already subscribed to your life channel."

Ru couldn't help but chuckle, though there was a hint of bitterness in the sound. "So it's your job," he said, refilling his glass. "Have you watched every player's life?"

"I take a special interest in each guest," Heise said, setting his glass on the table. "There were many lives that I can watch. But I didn't have access to some of them."

"Whose life was your favorite?" Ru asked, his tone almost teasing. He leaned back in his chair, the wine glass cradled in his hands.

"Claude's, of course," Heise said without hesitation, a glimmer of something—admiration, perhaps—passing through his eyes.

Ru raised an eyebrow, then gave a soft smirk. "So you like Mr. Perfect?"

"Honestly, it's more than just liking," Heise said, his voice low and measured. His gaze sharpened, piercing through Ru like a blade. "Claude represents my personal boundary."

Ru raised his glass in a mock toast, his smirk widening. "I respect that." He took another sip, the wine warming him from within. After a moment, he added, "You saved my friends, so Heise..." He paused, his expression turning thoughtful. "If I find anything about the genie, I'll definitely let you know."

Heise studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "I'd love to believe you're that pure-hearted, but..." He trailed off, his gaze lingering on Ru. "It's hard to believe."

Ru sighed, setting his glass down with a soft clink. He leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. "I must have a bad reputation," he said, his tone playful but with a hint of self-deprecation. "I'd like to know—what did King Ru do to you?"

Heise's lips curled into a subtle smile. "Are you really sure he did something to me?"

"Yes," Ru said, nodding. His gaze was steady, his curiosity genuine. "I can sense your hostility. You don't like him. You might even hate him. Why, Heise?"

Heise rested his chin on his hand, his expression meditative, his gaze faraway as if wandering through the maze of his own recollections. The silence between them lingered, thick with unexpressed thoughts and palpable tension. Then, with a subtle movement, Heise leaned forward, his voice lowering to a whisper. "You..." He paused, his eyes narrowing as they fixed on Ru’s, sharp and unwavering. "You are absolutely captivating."

Ru blinked, taken aback by the intensity of Heise’s gaze. He shifted restlessly in his seat, his fingers automatically probing his pockets for a cigarette. Upon finding nothing, he looked at the wine bottle and his empty glass, a soft sigh slipping from his lips. He stretched slightly in his chair, trying to ease the tension coiling in his chest.

"Come on, praise me," Ru said, his tone playful yet tinged with a touch of vulnerability. He made a theatrical gesture towards himself, as though presenting himself to a crowd. "Please assure me that I'm superior to the other clones or something."

Heise offered a mysterious smile as he delved into the inner pocket of his hanfu, pulling out a beautifully crafted pipe. With a flick of his fingers, he ignited it, the flame flickering momentarily before calming into a steady glow. The deep aroma of tobacco enveloped the space, blending perfectly with the enduring notes of sandalwood and lotus. He inhaled slowly before replying. “The decision is yours to make. Once you recall everything, naturally."

Ru was fascinated by the graceful way Heise smoked his pipe. The aroma of tobacco enveloped him, exuding warmth and comfort, allowing Ru to momentarily set aside his previous unease. "Ahem!" He sat up straight. "When I recall everything... I'll be able to remember what all the clones experienced, won't I?"

"Of course you will," Heise said, his tone matter-of-fact. He extended the pipe toward Ru, the gesture almost casual but laden with meaning. "How about we start with the memories of King Ru?"

Ru hesitated for a moment, his fingers hovering over the pipe. The idea of delving into the memories of his past selves was both intriguing and daunting. He glanced at Heise, searching for any hint of deception or ulterior motive, but the sorcerer’s expression was unreadable, his gaze steady and unwavering.

Finally, Ru took the pipe, his fingers brushing against Heise’s for the briefest moment. He brought it to his lips, inhaling deeply. The taste of the tobacco was rich and complex, with a hint of something sweet and smoky that lingered on his tongue. As he exhaled, a strange sensation washed over him—the first stirrings of a long-forgotten dream.

He closed his eyes, allowing the memories to surface. Images danced in his mind—pieces of a life that belonged to him and yet felt foreign...