Chapter 198: [198] Jackal

Jackal was sleeping on a stack of gold coins that towered up several inches above the floor.

A perfectly good, well dressed bed was just by the side of the room, but somehow, he preferred the coarse texture of gold pricking his back.

The room was at peace, his chest slowly rising and falling, a small smile on his lips that broadened whenever he would fuddle coins.

That was until the door swung open…

And a bucket of chilling, cold water was emptied on his head.

“Haaaa—!”

Jackal suddenly sprang up to his feet in panic. For a second, his grey eyes narrowed into reptilian slits, just before they widened, his eyes searching the room.

The moment they landed on the culprit, he stiffened like a log.

Standing at the door post, a stoic look on her face, hands on her waist, and an empty bucket by her side was none other than Ciera. His maid.

She was a young woman, barely nineteen, yet it did not show in the way she carried herself.

Her pale blue hair was tied up in a tight knot, her front bangs the only thing to have escaped them, and her hazel eyes stared down at him in a condescending manner.

Ciera was the person who cleaned up after him and somehow miraculously made sure he did not do anything to permanently destroy his life.

But it came with a few caveats, one being that nasty temper of hers.

She sighed and stepped into the room, wrinkling her nose. “You reek of alcohol.”

Offense number one. Jackal sat up straighter.

She cautiously walked into the room as though she was stepping on heaps of trash. Which was rather offensive, the only thing here was gold.

“You only sleep this long after using your cognitive function skill.” Ciera looked suspicious. “What did you use that amazing

skill for this time?”

“Is it really an amazing skill?” Jackal leaned back on one of his arms then smiled.

“The higher cognitive function is not as great as you think. The kingdom is on the verge of being overrun by the undead.”

His hands glided over the gold coins, a solemn look appearing on his face. “Yet, no matter how much I think, there is no path to salvation.”

“All formulas, all routes… they all lead to death.”

Thwack!

Ciera stamped her feet on the floor, causing Jackal to flinch.

“Stop dodging the question, Alex. Where were you last night?”

Sweat began to roll down his face.

“Wait, don’t tell me— You went gambling again didn’t you?”

She got closer to him and dug her hand into his hair, rubbing it vigorously. When she pulled out her hand, it was stained red.

“And is this dye??”

Parts of the red dye had given way to a dark grey colour that matched his eyes.

Ciera slowly shook her head. “You’re the prince of Donia. As much as I appreciate you not exposing your identity, isn’t this going too far just for gambling.”

Alexander rolled his eyes.

“Cici—”

“Don’t call me that.”

He pouted then folded his hands across his chest.

“Does being a prince mean I can not have fun like any other person? I’m still a human you know?!”

Ciera’s eyes narrowed at the last part, then her frown deepened.

“Everything is just so damn boring! The only time I can actually feel the thrill of adventure is in the tavern with my drinking broth—”

“You just want more gold don’t you?” Ciera cut him off, her voice icy.

It was scary how accurate she was with her deductions. Then again, considering that he slept on a pile of gold, it wasn’t a difficult guess.

She stared at him the way a mother would look at her troublesome child.

“One day, you’re going to gamble away something important. God help me then, it will be my head on the chopping block.”

The moment the words came out of her mouth, it was as though Alex had been dumped in a pool of icy cold water.

Memories of last night began to play in his mind, each one worse than the last.

Casually, he dug his hand deep into the pile of gold.

Ciera caught the motion immediately. She grabbed his hand and yanked it out, her eyes immediately locking on his fingers.

Instead of seeing a reflective piece of jewelry staring back at her, all she saw was his bare, naked fingers.

The blood drained from her face.

“Where is the royal ring?!”

“Ehehe… about that.”

Thump!

Before Alex realised what was happening, he was lying flat on his back. Ciera sat on his abdomen, trapping him between her legs, while her hands wrapped around his neck, restricting his blood flow.

Yup, that right there was the anger he was talking about earlier.

“The king will have my head!!” Ciera yelled, a look of panic creeping onto her features.

“R-relax…” Alex croaked. “I can’t breathe…”

Her grip on his neck lightened, but she did not let go.

“Why shouldn’t I kill you now? I am going to die either way.” She paused in a sudden moment of realisation, then in a calmer tone said, “Well, I guess this is not enough to kill you…”

Once again, she frowned. “But a punishment is surely in order!” Her delicate hands squeezed tighter.

Alex smiled mischievously. “I’m sure ninety nine percent of men would consider this a reward rather than a punishment…”

Ciera’s cheeks blushed red, yet, even as embarrassed as she was, her grip only tightened.

“Ekk—! Alright, alright! I’ll get it back!”

Finally, she let go of his neck, but continued sitting on him…

Alex took in a long needed breath of fresh air then smiled smugly. “I have a genius plan to get it back.”

Ciera stared at him for a moment before she sighed and got off him. Alex preferred the state he was in a few seconds ago…

“Go and get a shower, I’m coming with you.” She declared.

She walked up to the door, about to open it when she stopped and glanced over her shoulder.

“By the way, how much of that reaction did you fake?”

As realistic as he had been, Ciera knew that there was no way she was actually strong enough to even mildly inconvenience him.

After a few seconds, she smiled.

“All of it huh?”

“Acting human, does it feel a little strange sometimes?”

Alex stroked his jaw in feigned thoughtfulness then shrugged. “Not really. It’s not hard when you put your mind into it.”

Ciera smiled.

Then she frowned. “You have five minutes.” She said before slamming the door shut.

Alex sighed. “Such a wicked woman.”

How was it possible that he was very intrigued by a woman like her?

“Ahhh—!” He breathed out and fell back to his pile of gold coins.

“I wonder if there is any man suffering just as I am—”

“You better not be sleeping!”

He immediately jumped to his feet and disappeared behind the door to his bathroom.

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