Seven Sins System Chapter 510. Hazemoon's Mansion II

Seven Sins System Chapter 510. Hazemoon's Mansion II

Another painting, this one with an army behind me. My outstretched hand commanded legions, a twisted kind of leadership, the kind that led soldiers to their doom without a second thought. My mask glinted in the faint light, my expression hidden, but the intent clear. I was the prince of the shadow realm, a conqueror, the bringer of death. But in the background, again, a tiny figure—Red, arms crossed, her face a mixture of admiration and sadness. She’d painted herself with that strange combination in nearly every piece, like she couldn’t separate herself from those moments, like she wanted to make sure she remembered everything.

I turned to the butler, who seemed to be waiting for some comment or reaction. I could only manage a strained smile. “Quite the collection.”

“Indeed, sir,” he replied, his tone neutral but with a hint of understanding. “Mrs. Elara is… quite dedicated to her art.”

‘Dedicated,’ I thought. That was one word for it.

We continued down the corridor, and I let my gaze linger on each piece, each painting capturing fragments of my past. The battles, the wars, the bloodshed—it was all there.

But just as I was losing myself in those echoes, we reached a set of double doors. The butler knocked lightly, and after a brief pause, pushed them open, ushering me inside.

I stepped through, expecting to see Red. But instead, it was Penelope standing there, her back to the door as she gazed out a large window overlooking the moonlit gardens. She turned at the sound of my footsteps, and her eyes found mine with a kind of sharpness that cut through the dim light in the room. Her presence was striking, unexpected. Her dark red dress hugged her figure, the color a bold contrast to her pale skin. She looked every bit as fierce as Red, but with an edge that was all her own.

A slight smirk tugged at her lips as she folded her arms, raising an eyebrow at me. “Decided to show up after all?” Her tone was laced with that familiar sarcasm, the kind that wasn’t quite as easygoing as Red’s. There was something in it that dared me to respond.

I let out a mock sigh, crossing my arms to match her stance. “Well, I figured you’d send a search party if I didn’t.”

She laughed softly, a sound that was both amused and just a little cutting. “Maybe we would’ve,” she replied, her gaze challenging as if she were sizing me up. “Or maybe we would’ve just let you wander around the estate all night. See if you made it out on your own.”

I smirked, raising an eyebrow right back at her. “That’d be one way to keep me entertained.”

Penelope’s expression didn’t soften slightly, though the challenge remained in her eyes. “You might find it harder than you think. This place is practically a maze. We don’t get visitors often.” She shrugged. She didn’t need to say it; I could tell she was used to keeping people at arm’s length, except for their blood.

“Is that why Re---” I almost said that again. ”--your mom keeps it so quiet?” I asked, leaning back slightly, studying her. “To avoid people? Or just to make sure no one gets too comfortable?”

“Both, probably,” Penelope replied, tilting her head thoughtfully. “It’s easier that way. This house, this life… they’re not meant for visitors. Most people wouldn’t understand.”

Her gaze flicked to one of the paintings hanging on the far wall, and for a brief moment, Penelope seemed lost in thought, her eyes narrowing slightly as she traced the details of the scene—a battle from long ago, one where Red had seen me in my full demonic form.

There was something vulnerable in her expression, a rare glimpse beneath that confident exterior, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Her eyes snapped back to mine, and the fierce smirk was back, a shield as much as a weapon.

Before I could say anything, the door creaked open. Katrina entered, her presence just as fierce as Penelope’s, though she carried herself with a quieter intensity. Where Penelope’s eyes were sharp and direct, Katrina’s were piercing in a more subtle way, studying me as if trying to dissect every layer I wore.

Katrina’s gaze shifted between her sister and me, her lips curling into a smirk that mirrored Penelope’s but lacked the same edge of sarcasm. “Looks like I’m interrupting something interesting,” she said smoothly, folding her arms as she stepped closer. “You didn’t even offer our guest a seat.”

Penelope shrugged, unfazed. “He didn’t seem to mind standing. Maybe he’s more comfortable that way.”

I raised an eyebrow, meeting Katrina’s curious gaze. “Trust me, I don’t mind a bit of standing.” I paused, then added with a slight grin, “But if you’re offering, I won’t refuse.”

Katrina gestured toward a set of leather armchairs arranged by a low, ornate coffee table. “Please, Dr. Allen. Make yourself comfortable,” she said with a polite nod, her voice carrying a hint of formality, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of intrigue, as if she was searching for something beneath my polite facade.

I settled into one of the chairs, leaning back casually, while Penelope took the chair opposite me, and Katrina settled next to her, her posture relaxed yet alert. The sisters exchanged a glance, a silent message passing between them before Penelope turned back to me, her gaze calculating.

“So, Dr. Allen,” Penelope started, her tone casual but probing, “you’ve been spending quite a bit of time with our mom recently. Is there something we should know about?”

I chuckled, keeping my expression light. “We have… mutual interests,” I replied, choosing my words carefully. “She’s been helpful with some matters, and I’m just returning the favor. Nothing more to it.”

Katrina raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smirk that was far from convinced. “Mutual interests? That sounds pretty vague, doesn’t it?” She glanced at her sister, who nodded in agreement.