Chapter 4: Part 5
It wasn’t time to use the fireplace. But, right now, a brilliant blaze burned there before Sateriasis’ eyes.
He lit the fire himself.
While Lukana, Carol, and Gumina watched, Sateriasis took a portrait and tossed it into the fireplace.
As they watched the fire spread to the canvas, the black discoloration removed the picture drawn there.
The picture was the one that should’ve been in the mansion’s attic, the portrait depicting his older brother, Cherubim.
The women were told not to go above the first floor of the mansion. But, for some reason, this portrait was decorating Gumina’s room. Sateriasis hadn’t brought it there, of course.
Once Gumina was interrogated, she confessed that she commanded Carol to look for that portrait.
(To think she prioritizes Gumina’s instructions over mine&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip; a mind of amazing loyalty despite receiving my l.u.s.t spell)
Without showing any nervousness, Carol calmly stood in place watching the painting burn.
“Maybe I’ll reapply the spell again later,” Sateriasis thought. It may be better to keep the door for the stairs leading to the first floor strictly locked.
He was angry but not because Carol broke the rules and went upstairs. It was the fact Gumina demanded Cherubim’s portrait despite being brainwashed.
Sateriasis felt incessant, overwhelming disgust when looking at the portrait. Even though he obtained Gumina, that never subsided.
That’s why he put the portrait back in the attic so he wouldn’t have to lay eyes on it.
And yet—.
(I should’ve done this from the start. A picture like this should be “burned to ashes”—)
Suddenly, Sateriasis realized he muttered I.R.’s favorite phrase in his mind and made a bitter smile.
Even as the painting burned, Gumina neither got angry nor cried.
(Yes. She’s all mine. She cannot rebel against me, as it should be)
“Gumina, come here.”
At Sateriasis’ call, Gumina obediently walked up to him.
He pulled her into his embrace right before his eyes and kissed her lips.
“You’re so cute, Gumina.”
The childhood friend who once made a fool out of me.
The woman I loved more than anyone else; hated more than anyone else.
“You should only look at me. Forget about things like that man.”
Sateriasis’ eyes began glowing red.