Intrigue Among Shadows

He had always found Sylas to be an enigmatic person.

He liked to observe him with curiosity, but today his attention shifted toward someone else entirely.

That someone was none other than the unfortunate second son of the Di Malvento family—the young master Rocco.

"Come on, Strasbourg, it's obvious, right? He definitely sleeps with the two of them! You heard he brought in Georgio the Hyena, so I figured he'd be some expert, but... he probably sold his body to get close to him, right?"

"Ha... Are you an idiot? Young Master Rocco is only six years old. A six-year-old boy using his body to manipulate a murderer?"

"You're the idiot here. Even if he's a kid, he's a Di Malvento kid, right? Look at our Master. He's a monster, and so is that little runt. He definitely has something... 'special' about him."

Mahmoud snickered, mocking the idea that Rocco had some sort of skill, and laughed loudly.

Strasbourg narrowed his eyes at the idiot.

The rudeness of this man always irritated him, but for some reason, this time it felt different.

The murderous intent that flared up in him was far stronger and clearer than usual.

"...That's enough. Young Master Rocco is also the legitimate heir to the Di Malvento bloodline. For someone like you, a mere servant, to speak ill of him is punishable by death."

Strasbourg reflected on his first meeting with Rocco, his voice lower than usual as he recalled the memory.

At first glance, Rocco seemed like an innocent, carefree boy, far from the image of a mafia heir.

Yet, when he showed his irritation, the pressure he exuded was on par with the young master Sylas himself.

However, Strasbourg could also sense a subtle, genuine fear in Rocco's trembling—fear that was unmistakable.

The contrast between the innocent, trembling boy and the dignified heir of the Di Malvento family was striking.

It became clear to him that Rocco, like Sylas, wore many faces.

Strasbourg suspected that Rocco himself wasn't even aware of the multiple masks he wore.

"...What's this? Are you actually getting worked up over him? Has your fervor for Young Master Sylas cooled?"

"Not at all. There's no one more suitable than Young Master Sylas to inherit the Di Malvento legacy. But as for Young Master Rocco... there's something about him that I can't quite explain. He holds a strange kind of charm, something different from the passion I feel for the young master."

Strasbourg himself couldn't fully grasp the feelings that stirred within him, but one thing was clear—there was something about Rocco that intrigued him.

Until he understood the source of this rising excitement, he couldn't allow any insult to be directed at Rocco.

Strasbourg couldn't help but think that perhaps Rocco might be the new light that would illuminate the long-darkened Di Malvento family.

...

When Strasbourg came to the study room, he saw Marcus sitting at his desk working on something.

As usual, Marcus appeared to be working diligently, but Strasbourg suspected that, in truth, he was eavesdropping on their conversation.