CHAPTER 499: AN OLD ’FRIEND’ - KENDRIK BELMONT

"Now to what do I owe the pleasure?" Rio asked, knowing the man must be here for his pound of flesh.

(Guess the statements I gave earlier didn’t satiate his appetite.) He thought silently.

"Straight to the point as always. Did I mention I like that about you."

"I won’t be taking too much time, just a few simple questions. That’s all." Freddy asked, stating his wish for a short interview.

"Shoot." Rio said, curious to know what this man would say, and who wanted him to say that.

"First thing first, amazing party I must tell you. Wonderful guests." Freddy started smoothly, before showing his fangs, "But I can’t help but wonder, why didn’t you invite anyone from House Heartwell?"

Rio looked at him for a second, raising his eyebrow at this question, but though unexpected, he still chose to answer it.

"Personal reasons," he said.

"Is it true that you beat up Leon because you were jealous of him? And now you just don’t want to face them again?" Freddy asked again, pressing for some juicy details.

Rio didn’t deny hurting Leon, as by now, with Apollo’s hidden moves, various proofs of it had appeared openly. All painting Leon as a hero, trying to protect someone, and him, just being an angry and bloodthirsty maniac. Torturing a god and then a mortal.

"Leon stepped over his limits when he tried to take something that didn’t belong to him." Rio said, hinting about Aelthar’s legacy, "And that’s why I hurt him."

"As for being jealous of his talent, _ hehehe, that’s a good joke."

With that Rio ignored the man, and turned around with a chuckle. Ignoring the man who started talking about how he lost his freshers crown to Leon, and that might also be a reason.

"It’s not. I am petty. Not insecure." Rio stopped to clarify.

"You should know, we have something on you." Freddy suddenly said, his words making Rio smile.

"You aren’t surprised?" Freddy said, raising a brow seeing his reaction.

"I guessed it so, after you came to see me on your own." Rio explained, "And with those questions you asked, I became more sure."

"So you turned to leave... For what? So I’d stop the small talk?"

"More or less." Rio said, "So what are you proposing?"

Freddy sighed a moment, before turning serious, "I don’t know what but from whatever rumors and gossips I heard, it’s something big, dirty, and hot like a potato. Which is why it has all my superiors riled up and ready."

"...."

"But seeing our past relationship, and how much help you’ve provided me - I am willing to bet my career and hold everything back..."

"And in exchange you need something more juicy from me." Rio said cutting him off mid-sentence. "Something which I think is worth my life?"

"...Yes." Freddy nodded and smiled, "So, do you have something like that lying around?"

"Mhmmm, interesting offer. And I do have something..." Rio said slowly as if in contemplation, but then just shook his head. "But no. I’ll pass."

"Rio, think very carefully." Freddy said, clearly not expecting this result. "After the stint your sister pulled, you really don’t need any more attention."

Rio heard the threat, but just shrugged his shoulders and left with hands in his pockets. "Thanks for the heads up, Freddy. But no. You do what you do. And don’t worry about what’ll happen to me."

"I’ll handle whatever the storm this world throws at me."

With that Rio ignored the man and left the space. Leaving behind Freddy who just sighed in disappointment for a second, before breaking into a smile.

"Well, ruining an angel should be fun too, I guess." He muttered while walking away.

Rio saw the changes of his face around the reflection, but didn’t really care much. As he said before, the man had no loyalty, only lust.

(It seems Apollo really is feeling pressured, if he’s resorting to all of this...) Rio thought and couldn’t help but smile.

.....

The party began at late noon, and was supposed to last for a full 24 hours.

To make sure the young people participating weren’t bored or tired, there were also various little events and things planned thoroughly.

There were a few games, a genius gathering, a tea party, a hunting ground, a talent show - hell even activities like playful duels albeit aura and mana, were allowed in separate areas.

Something to arouse interest for everyone who entered.

Each event was advertised with promising rewards for people who topped these things by the time this party ended.

Rio listened to a guy in simple robes recite a poetry, causing clouds to churn and cranes to dance - a natural response given only to generational works.

Amy was happily enjoying the various sweets, with Myra and Erza both following her steps. No doubt who’ll win the first prize for feasting.

Rebecca was probably still feeling a little guilty or conflicted, which is why she’s been hesitant to stick closer to them like any other day.

Till the time, the night grew darker, Rio didn’t really participate in anything. He just surveyed here and there. A few times, bumping into his old ’friends’ Kendrik and Alfred, who did their best to avoid him. To not lose their minds in anger, and do something unforgivable.

But the more they did this, the more itch Rio had to tease them.

He looked at Vanessa babysitting her brother, and couldn’t help but raise a sneer at Kendrik.

"Hey, Ken, have you tried this thing?" Rio said, taking a plate of starters from a passing waiter’s hands. "I remember mushrooms were your favourite."

"Here, why don’t you taste them?" Rio said, pointing the plate forward, as if trying to shove it through his silver mask.

"Enough." Vanessa said, slapping the spoon away. Glaring at this bastard mocking her brother, knowing full well, he couldn’t taste anything anymore.

"Vanessa, didn’t anyone teach you that when two heirs are talking, you should stay silent." Rio said feigning seriousness. "I mean, I know, Kendrik’s a little _ unwell, - but still, he’s the heir apparent after all."

"You can’t just disregard his position because he’s a cripple, can you?"

"You....." Vanessa shouted in anger towards Rio, before ignoring his teasing look, and turning towards her brother. Fuming in anger. "Brother, I didn’t mean to ...."

Everyone knew Belmonts were a little patriarchal, which is why despite Ken being crippled , Vanessa hadn’t been named the heir - but no one dared to point it out so openly, and mock their children like this.

Rio simply wanted Ken to jump up a little, so he can justifiably torture him further.

But knowing Rio’s motive didn’t mean his words didn’t hurt.

Kendrik still glanced at his sister in anger, and a little hatred hidden deep in his eyes. Why wasn’t it this bitch, who was deposed.

She already took his place in public, and in academy too, would she also take his ’throne’ too?

The thought was stupid, but it was something that’s been in Ken’s mind for years now. So how could he not feel angry?

Vanessa was nothing before, an annoying brat following his steps, shouting 666 -- but after he became a cripple, she’s been showing her talent every other day, as if rubbing salt on his injuries.

Rio ofc knew this villain well, so how could he not prick points which hurt the most.

"What’s with your look guys, you should smile more." Rio muttered to Vanessa before glancing at Ken’s mask ’inadvertently’ and shaking his head.Making the guy grit his teeth and clench his fists.

"I’m going to kill you, just like I killed that bitch." Kendrik thought in his heart, not daring to voice those words out as the queen of fairies and Dahlia’s mother was in this party too.

And if she heard that....

...

"Is this how you treat guests?" Alfred asked as soon as he appeared. And saw Rio mocking his partner.

Rio looked over his shoulder, meeting the prince’s gaze. "I was just offering him food. But since his owner’s here, I’ll go."

He said leaving after bumping into Alfred.

..

Kendrik looked at Alfred and simply shooed his sister away. "Get lost. And don’t come back until I call you." he said angrily.

Vanessa heard that and didn’t even dare to counter or make faces, she had long accepted and adapted to Ken’s growing anger.

She still remembered how kind and supportive he used to be, and how much he had changed in these two years.

But instead of hating him, she hated Rio more. Blaming him for all his changes.

Not aware that even if Rio did nothing, this was, and is, Kendrik’s true nature. Anything else was just a mask, which he doesn’t even care to put on anymore.

How could someone raised in so many patriarchal beliefs ever accept being below a women?

"I can’t stand this guy anymore, Alfred." Kendrik muttered once they were alone.

"Do you know how many times he has insulted me in these last few hours? Is this why you invited me here? To see my joke.."

"Calm down, Ken."

"Don’t tell me to calm down." Kendrik shouted, "I came here thinking I’ll make a deal with him, asking him to heal this poison in my body."

"But do you know what he did, what he said – the bastard burned my wrist with the excuse of checking my pulse." Kendrik complained, showing his wrist covered under his sleeves.

"Revelling as I struggled to free myself."

Alfred sighed seeing his pain, "I know what you feel. But now’s not the time."

"The hell you know man. He kicked my crutch at the stairs, I nearly fell in front of the whole damn media."

"If not for that bitch....can you imagine, what tomorrow’s headlines would’ve been."

Kendrik spoke recalling Vanessa’s last minute save to his embarrassment and couldn’t help but punch the chair.

"You called me here, but if this is all I’m here for, then I’m leaving." Ken said, trying to stand up with his stick.

"Ken, wait." Alfred said hurriedly, holding him back, "Don’t go yet."

Kendrik looked at his friend, and thought for some time. "You have a plan?" He asked curiously.

And when Alfred nodded his head, he couldn’t help but grin widely.

Imagining the scene from years ago when another one of Alfred’s plans had worked well, and that damned Rio was on his knees, crying tears of blood.

(Since I can’t kill you now, I’ll charge some interest, you bastard.) Kendrik thought with a dangerous glint in his eyes.

Using my sister to mock me, let’s see, how you feel that sting.