4 CALM DOWN MR. ROME

chapter 4

Mhok had always been used to waking early, often before dawn. Since settling into the Arseni mansion, his routine had slowly shifted into a steady pattern. Instead of exercising indoors, he began running laps around the estate each morning. After working up a sweat, he would head to the mansion’s gym for strength training.

The gym itself had been built with Alof’s help. A few days earlier, Alof had noticed Mhok running around the mansion in the early hours and invited him to use it. Mhok had been quietly surprised. He hadn’t expected the Arseni family to provide such benefits to household staff, let alone a gym filled with expensive, high-quality equipment.

After finishing his workout, Mhok returned to his room to shower and change before heading to the kitchen to begin his work. His days were slowly falling into rhythm.

That morning, however, something felt different.

Holding his coffee cup, Mhok sipped slowly, his gaze lowered as he subtly glanced behind him without leaving any trace. Over the past few days, he had noticed unusual attention. Besides the cautious looks from other family members, there was a particular presence—gray eyes watching him from a distance.

He frowned slightly but said nothing.

Being stared at like this was strange and mildly irritating. There was no obvious malice, yet there was clear hostility. He considered confronting the person directly, wondering whether a conversation might clear things up. But judging from the guarded gaze, it would likely turn into an argument.

At the very least, he wanted to tell the other party that their tracking skills were terrible. He had noticed almost immediately. In such a confined mansion, it was impossible not to.

After some thought, Mhok decided to pretend he hadn’t noticed. Someone as impatient and impulsive as Rome wouldn’t be able to tolerate silently following someone for long.

Finishing his coffee, he placed the cup back on the tray and headed upstairs to the library. The Arseni mansion had a small private library, and the young master had told him to study whenever he had free time. If possible, Mhok hoped to skip a grade. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to keep up.

At the time, he had raised his eyebrows silently, questioning whether it was really that easy. But when the other party challenged him with, “Can’t you do it?” he had no choice but to agree. These brothers were truly troublesome.

He selected two books covering senior high school material. If he wanted to skip ahead and enter college, he would need to at least pass the final exams of the third year.

He had just turned around a bookshelf when a loud crash echoed through the library.

Mhok was startled and immediately hurried back, already thinking of the person who had been following him all morning. He wasn’t particularly worried about the other party’s safety, but completely ignoring a young master would certainly cause trouble.

As he approached, he heard low curses filled with irritation.

A tall figure stood near the fallen books. Rome looked restless, long dark-gray hair hanging down as he impatiently brushed it back. A pile of thick, heavy books lay scattered on the floor, clearly kicked over by accident while he had been following too closely.

“Are you all right?” Mhok asked, scanning him for injuries.

Rome flinched slightly before straightening, crossing his arms and lifting his chin with feigned arrogance. “What can I do? Humph.”

The gray eyes flicked toward Mhok repeatedly. The sight made Mhok feel both mildly annoyed and faintly amused.

“I mean, are the books okay?” Mhok said calmly, crouching to gather them and arrange them neatly.

“What? Are you looking for trouble?” Rome snapped, staring at him. His face remained expressionless, though a trace of a smile flashed in his eyes.

“I’m not,” Mhok replied evenly. “These books are rare and expensive. Of course I care about them.”

As he brushed dust from the covers, Rome scowled. “You should care about me first, not the books.”

“But you said you were fine,” Mhok answered without looking up.

Rome stared at him intensely. Mhok noticed the hostility but chose to ignore it. This wasn’t the first time he had been watched with suspicion. At least the Arseni brothers’ gazes carried vigilance rather than outright contempt.

That was one reason he had accepted the position so easily.

Mhok lifted the books and turned to return them to the shelves. Suddenly, a large hand reached out and took nearly half from his arms.

“Can arms that thin carry so many books?” Rome mocked. “Since you’re so small, I’ll help.”

“I didn’t ask for help,” Mhok said, displeased, though he didn’t take the books back.

Still—being called “small” was unacceptable.

Rome snorted softly but kept holding the books, following closely behind. His face was clearly unhappy, which puzzled Mhok. If Rome disliked him so much, why follow him everywhere?

Mhok took a slow breath to steady himself. There was no reason to be upset over something so childish. Although Rome was only a few months younger, his behavior was far more immature.

“What are you doing here?” Rome demanded stiffly. “This is the family library.”

“Master Thee allowed me to come,” Mhok replied calmly, continuing to organize the books.

Rome didn’t let it go. Standing beside him, he puffed out his chest. “This library has books in many languages. I can read three. How about you?”

Mhok glanced at him briefly. “Five.”

Rome let out a short laugh and coughed awkwardly to cover it, folding his arms with visible dissatisfaction.

Once the last book was placed, Mhok finally turned around. “Master Rome, you’ve been following me for days. What do you want?”

“Who’s following you?” Rome snapped, slamming a book onto the shelf.

“Then why are you staring at me?” Mhok asked calmly. “Your footsteps are loud. I noticed you on the first day.”

Rome fell silent, arms folded tightly. Seeing his reaction, Mhok almost found it amusing. He turned to leave, picking up another book.

“Where are you going? We’re not done.”

“I’m continuing my work,” Mhok said. “Since Master Rome doesn’t want to talk.”

“I’m keeping an eye on you,” Rome said stiffly. “Is that a problem?”

“Have I done anything suspicious?”

“Not yet. But I don’t trust you.”

Mhok stopped and turned, meeting his gaze seriously. “I never asked for your trust. I only take responsibility for my words. If I say I serve the Arseni family, I will never betray that.”

His tone was firm. “If I ever lose that resolve, I’ll leave immediately.”

He continued sorting the books. “If you have questions, ask directly. If I know, I’ll answer. If I don’t, I’ll say so.”

Rome’s frown slowly eased, his sharp eyes softening.

“Is there anything you can’t do?” he asked suddenly.

Mhok raised an eyebrow. “I’m only a year older than you.”

“There are things you can’t do that I can,” Rome insisted. “Can you drive?”

“Yes.”

“Use a gun?”

“Yes. I’m your bodyguard.”

Rome clenched his teeth. “Then tell me your weaknesses!”

Mhok laughed. “Who would tell others that?”

Rome froze, his irritation easing as his gaze lingered on Mhok’s smiling face.

“You said you’d answer if asked,” he muttered, much quieter.

“If I can,” Mhok replied calmly.

He put away the final book, glanced at Rome with a faintly provocative smile, and said, “We’ll be together for a long time. You can take your time watching.”

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