As soon as he appeared, a chilling silence enveloped the space.
Just because the two families were close did not mean that all individuals were close to each
other. Rick was someone who couldn't be close to anyone on a personal level, despite the
150-year relationship between the two families. Not only was he unapproachable, but he also
topped the list of people to avoid.
While everyone became silent as if doused with cold water, Rick seemed to have casually
walked by, frowning slightly at the crowd.
His sharp and ruthless gaze seemed to say that it would be best to burn and destroy
everything, making no one dare to start a conversation except one person.
"Rick, long time no see. Did you just arrive? Where's your father?"
Richard truly had the courage to smile and start a conversation with him.
Everyone silently praised him while the two chatted naturally, ignoring the thoughts around
them.
"My father seems busy with old folks' affairs. It seems old people always have much to talk
about. I'm not interested in that."
Rick waved his hand slightly.
If you only looked at his appearance, he seemed very approachable and 'normal', but his
harsh personality overshadowed his looks. It was truly unfortunate.
What really made people feel regretful when looking at Rick was—
"Ilay! Lend me the car keys. I left my phone inside. Oh, hello everyone~."
A clear voice rang out, followed by light footsteps.
A slender and beautiful girl, who looked just about twenty, appeared in the lobby where
everyone was gathered. She called Rick's name naturally. She was Helena, the beloved
daughter of the Riegrow family and Rick's sister.
She smiled gently with a fair face and shiny curly hair that reached her waist, like a soft
cotton candy. Though she wasn't as fragile as she looked, she was still a lovely girl.
Normally, a girl like her would attract all the young men here, but unfortunately, knowing
that her brother was Crazy Rick—whom no one dared approach—made them feel sorry for
her.
There were few things more regrettable than a girl like her having a brother like Rick."Long time no see, Helena. You're getting cuter every day."
I often thought Richard was amazing, especially at times like this. I—who couldn't say a
word in front of women—admired how Richard could say such things naturally and friendly,
without any ill will or discomfort. This explained why he was always loved.
Yes, Richard was loved not only by men but also by women. It was obvious. With his
masculine appearance, personality, abilities, and background, he had it all.
However, we didn't envy him in this matter.
Richard had a very clear preference for women. He liked girls who were like cotton candy,
fragile-looking, and gentle. He always dated girls like that.
Helena, chatting happily with Richard, seemed to fit that type in appearance, but from what I
heard, Richard liked girls who were gentle and shy in personality too. So as far as I knew,
they were just friends.
"Well, I'll go find my phone. I have a call to take."
"Boyfriend?"
"Yeah. Hey Richard, I heard your new girlfriend is as cute as a little deer. Introduce her to me
sometime."
Helena shook the keys on her finger and quickly left, and Richard waved goodbye to her.
"You still have that taste, huh?" Rick said slowly as Helena went out of sight. Richard
glanced at him, a faint smile on his face.
"Yes, I'm only attracted to sweet, soft, and warm girls."
"Crazy fool."
This term didn't suit Richard—a man who liked adorable girls couldn't be called crazy. But
no one dared to say that to Rick except Richard, who just smiled without replying.
"Why? I heard you recently have a very cute lover too. I even worried we might have the
same taste."
"Why? Afraid we'd fight over the same girl?" Rick sneered, and Richard laughed along.
Hearing this, I, and probably Richard's followers, started to worry.
What if—even a small chance—they actually fought?
Although Richard might not lose, his opponent was that madman. Neither of them would
leave without emotional scars.But then I felt reassured. Richard was gentle and wise. He would find a way to compromise
rather than fight. With a personality not clinging to anything, he might be willing to let go if
the girl wanted.
While I was still worried about the potential conflict, Rick's voice echoed in my ear.
"It doesn't matter. I don't have fixed preferences, as long as I like something. And if I have to
say, I prefer faces like statues over soft cotton candy faces."
Hearing these words, I thought of one person.
A face as soft as cotton candy was Helena, but a face as beautiful as a statue, I knew only one
person. In reality, even if there were others with statue-like beauty, none were more beautiful
than that person.
Christoph. Christoph Tarten.
Who else could it be?
I held my breath. Hearing Rick, I involuntarily thought of Christoph, and then a terrifying
idea popped up.
Rick and Christoph.
When whispering those two names together, I shivered. The strongest and worst couple.
However, Rick not distinguishing between genders was clear, and perhaps only a lunatic like
Rick could control Christoph's personality.
Looking around, I saw that others were probably thinking the same. Human thoughts often
align.
Perhaps Rick also thought of Christoph when saying that or had been thinking from the start.
He mumbled to himself.
"But the problem is, since Christoph, other faces can hardly be beautiful to me."
Richard silently stood beside Rick, staring into the void, thinking about something. I saw his
face become serious, losing the usual smile on his eyes and lips.
"So you took Christoph away?" Richard whispered. Only later did I realize it was the first
time he mentioned that name that day.
Right after speaking, Richard seemed embarrassed as if he made a mistake. His expression
disappeared as quickly as it appeared, but I noticed. He raised his hand to cover his mouth,
turning away as if thinking, but his fingers clenched tightly.
"Christoph? Impossible! He came to me. I didn't take him." Rick mumbled in disbelief, then
looked at Richard. He had returned to his usual smile, looking at Rick like a close friend."One day, maybe someone will appear who makes you fall in love regardless of appearance."
Richard said gently but meaningfully.
Rick looked at Richard, surprised by his naive yet reasonable words.
"It's strange hearing those words from you."
"Really?"
Richard just smiled back, even though those words could be considered rude. Rick
whispered, clicking his tongue.
"If someone truly makes me fall for them, that would be interesting. But I'm not sure if such
a person exists."
Rick mumbled mockingly - "I'd be delighted if that person appeared."
I disliked how he mocked my idol, so I fervently prayed he'd meet such a person and go
through a mess with them.
At that moment, Helena returned after finishing her errand, handed the car keys to Rick,
smiled brightly, and left. I watched her leave with a bit of regret.
Such a lovely girl, but unfortunately, she's Rick's sister. Even if she wasn't, perhaps only
someone like Richard would be worthy of her.
"Your sister is really adorable." - Richard murmured, watching Helena. But Rick just
shrugged indifferently.
"Many people call her Beautiful Helena."
Rick's tone seemed to say, "Those fools must be blind." Richard slightly frowned, smiling.
"No, not like that. A truly beautiful face isn't like that—…"
Richard paused, his face turning emotionless for a brief moment.
In 1-2 short seconds, Richard silently rubbed the corner of his mouth, staring into the
distance as if Helena had disappeared from view.
His gaze fixed on an invisible point, unblinking, as if looking at a ghost.
But only for a moment. Richard calmly smiled again, shaking his head as if nothing had
happened.
"No, anyway, I still like cute and lovable people. Warm people like cotton candy."
He paused as if contemplating, then continued.
"Too beautiful can be disorienting and dangerous."His voice was deep and slow, serious enough to make me silent. Others were too.
In that moment, a strange silence enveloped.
But soon, Richard broke the silence with, "What's wrong, everyone?" He smiled as if telling
a joke.
His clear and gentle smile spread, making everyone gradually laugh— "Haha, right."
When everyone laughed, I laughed along, not knowing why, just because seeing everyone
laugh.
The only one not laughing was Rick.
He looked around coldly, as if seeing a bunch of fools. Finally, he looked at Richard. Richard
still smiled gently, meeting Rick's gaze, raising an eyebrow as if asking, "What?"
Then Rick shrugged and sneered, and Richard turned away from him.
Soon, the conversation topic shifted to personal matters. I had nothing special to say and
wasn't good at communicating, just sitting and listening.
Meanwhile, I noticed Rick—not a Tarten family member and not fond of socializing—had
sat down by a column in the corner and slept.
Richard had always been the leader in our group since childhood. Now, with his only rival
gone, nothing could stop him.
I wondered what it felt like when a childhood companion suddenly disappeared from the
race? But seeing Richard still calm and confident as ever, I dismissed the thought.
Anyway, now he was the only one who could stand above all of us.
He stood alone at the pinnacle.
[End Hidden Track]