ââ¦Let me ask you one thing.â The deal was established, but Noah still held reservations. She grabbed Adrianâs arm, pointing to the restraint that was fastened to her neck, and asked. âThis, do I really have to wear it around my neck?â
The chains werenât thich, but the material was metal, so it was heavy and painful. However, before those, somehow Noah couldnât get rid of the shame of wearing what looked like a dog collar.
Adrian replied, chuckling softly. âNo, not necessarily. You can have it on both wrists, or you can wear it around your ankles.â
âBut why did you put it on my neckâ¦?â
âThatâs what I like.â Adrian jiggled his keys playfully. His green orbs, gazing at her neck, darkened for a moment. He then pressed his finger on the chains, causing Noah to cough. When she glanced at him, Adrianâs lips were almost watering.
âAnd⦠quite handy.â
ââ¦â¦â
âI donât think itâs a bad idea. What do you think?â
âShut up, you pervert.â Frustrated and annoyed, Noah kicked Adrian in the shin.
*
Kyle wasnât very fond of the chains on her neck. After the chaotic trial, they left and headed to Eleonoraâs home, and Kyle only glared at her neck the whole time while they were in the car.
However, Noah was preoccupied with another matter, moving on from the shame of her dog collar. What would it be? The little bastard sitting on her lap, staring at her with big, round eyes. As Muell was about to fling his arms around her, Noah coldly refused, looking the other way. Seeing tears brim in his eyes made Noah guilty and weak.
âNoah, youâre angryâ¦?â
Silence.
âIâm sorryâ¦â
Noah assumed that the childâs apologies didnât really mean that he understood his mistakes. She knew it was time to make a change in her teaching methods. No matter how much she said, âDonât do this,â âDonât do that,â it was still futile.
So, what do we do⦠She glanced at Kyle, who sat beside her, still staring at her wrists and neck alternately.
â¦Oh, I have a good idea.
âYou know, sir. Can I ask you a favor?â
âWhat is it?â asked Kyle, who still hadnât taken his eyes off the chains.
âItâs about Mu. I donât think my teaching methods work. I want you to help me.â
âHow?â
âIâd like to have him tour around the Bureau of Investigation.â
âHuh?â Kyle asked, finally lifting his head, and looked at Noah.
âI thought he couldnât understand because my instructions were only talk. If he needs to learn the rules and laws between humans, heâd better see them with his own eyes. The Bureau of Investigation is full of criminals⦠And youâre such a principled man. Wouldnât Mu have more to see and listen to when heâs next to you?â
âThatâs right.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Noah had already prepared a lame excuse lest he refused her request. But, surprisingly, Kyle agreed without much persuasion.
She stared at Kyle, who had fixed his gaze on her neck once again, and suspected he had answered without listening to her.
Kyle immediately added upon noticing, âI think thatâs better. Mu had been doing some really, really naughty things in the Imperial City for a few days and I was thinking about coming up with a solution.â
âWhat did he do?â
âHe destroyed the Majestyâs office, climbed up the highest spire in the Imperial City and destroyed it, too.â
ââ¦â¦â On Noahâs lap, Muell bowed his head down in shame, sniffing. Then, he spoke softly, his voice almost muffled. âEven though I was surrounded by all kinds of things, I was only looking for you all the time, so I went around and askedâ¦â
Finally, Noah faced the little boy and squeezed his plump cheeks. âYou troublemaker. Alright, it was a bunch of accidents. If youâre good, Iâll let you go back to your main body.â
âIâm sorryâ¦â
âNo, Iâm not going to talk anymore. You broke our promise and got into trouble, so you follow Uncle Kyle once a weekâ¦â
âPlease pay attention to the title, Miss Noah.â
ââ¦Follow Mr. Investigator, see what punishment youâre going to get for breaking human laws, and write a letter of apology, okay?â
Kyle touched Muellâs forehead, and the child stuck out his mouth with a puff. Noah pressed her palm on his cheeks, saying, âItâs no use making such a cute face. You and I, we will have a special training starting today. Do you understand?â
âAye!â
You answer well. Sighing, Noah played with Muellâs cheeks. Not long after, the vehicle that carried them entered the heart of Azet District.
Far away, Eleonoraâs mansion appeared.