The Saint Wants to Rest - vanish into fiction

Ian held Vermouth back and narrowed his eyes. The senses he had sharpened like a blade during his time in Lancia were speaking to him. The subtle hostility Vladimir had previously directed toward Ian had vanished.

‘Why?’

He did not know what had happened overnight.

Vladimir bowed his waist while personally setting out top tier black tea and desserts on the table.

“For the peaceful day of you two, I have prepared some Russian tea. I hope you will enjoy it together.”

“This is sudden. Isn’t our business already concluded?”

“Concluded? It hurts my feelings to hear you say that.”

What is there to be hurt about? Caught off guard, Ian moved to the sofa and gripped a teacup. Why was a man who, until yesterday, was dying to smuggle Vermouth off to Russia suddenly acting like this? Did he put poison in the tea?

It seemed Vermouth had a similar thought. He naturally took Ian’s teacup and held a sip in his mouth.

“There is no poison.”

“Oh my, why would I put poison in the tea?”

That was true. Unless he was insane, there was no way he would try to kill Ian, who was the only one capable of producing the badges, right now. However, that attitude was so unfamiliar that Ian had suspected him despite himself. The tea he received from Vermouth and drank was quite delicious.

The accompanying refreshments were also tasty, leading him to drink several cups.

Throughout the tea time, the attitude Vladimir displayed was extremely bizarre. He did not try to draw attention to himself by talking to Vermouth as he had before. Instead, he stayed one step back, covering his mouth with a satisfied face every time Ian and Vermouth shared a conversation or exchanged glances.

Furthermore, Vladimir even gave Ian tea as a gift.

“He is an untrustworthy fellow.”

Vermouth, who had once again taken the tea from Ian’s hand, clicked his tongue.

In a normal case, it would be standard for someone to show displeasure at an attitude of suspicion and hostility. However, Vladimir nodded with an expression that was nothing short of benevolent.

“Magnificent. Such devotion, not casting aside a single shred of suspicion for the sake of your lover’s safety; it is truly a beautiful stance.”

“…”

Vermouth’s brow furrowed as if he were looking at something grotesque.

After the tea and refreshments were completely cleared away, the main business began.

“Regarding the inspection schedule for the first shipment destined for Russia scheduled for tomorrow.”

Vladimir set a folder containing the schedule and route on the table. However, there was only one copy of the documents he handed over. Normally, it was basic etiquette to prepare enough for the number of people viewing them.

‘I suppose that can happen.’

Since Vermouth didn’t usually show much initiative in such matters, it seemed he had only prepared one for Ian. Ian nodded. As he picked up the document, Vermouth naturally pressed close behind his back to check the contents together.

Unintentionally, Vermouth’s broad shoulders leaned over as if to envelop Ian’s body, and the distance narrowed until their breaths could reach one another.

“Ah.”

In that moment, a small, pained exclamation escaped Vladimir’s mouth.

When Ian looked up with a start, Vladimir hurriedly cleared his throat and avoided his gaze. However, his blue eyes were already moist with overwhelming emotion.

The act of preparing only one set of documents had been a scheme to see the picture of the two of them pressed together, sharing the paper.

‘Wh—what is with that guy’s expression?’

Ian’s shoulders trembled at the strange shivers running down his spine.

“Ahem, ahem. The Russian side has prepared a vehicle to travel to the inspection site at Incheon Port.”

Vladimir continued his explanation in a strangely excited voice.

“It is a top of the line limousine. The travel time is quite long, so shouldn’t safety and rest be the priority? External views are perfectly blocked, and the interior space is very wide, so it will be suitable for Mr. Vermouth to stay in close contact… no, to protect Saint Ian throughout the journey. Of course, the partition with the driver’s seat is perfectly soundproofed, so no matter what conversation you have inside, it will not leak out.”

“I’m sorry, but we have our own vehicle.”

“But it will not be as good as the car prepared by our side.”

It was a strange sort of pride. Still, how could he trust them enough to take a car they provided? Just as Ian was about to refuse again, Vladimir’s eyes turned peculiar. No, actually, they had been peculiar for a while now.