The Serpent's Revelation
Sua was preparing to head out to the garden. No matter how many times she visited, Tezman’s garden always felt new. It was vast enough never to bore her, and exquisitely beautiful.
She was humming as she made her way there when Cact stepped in front of her, blocking the path.
“Today, would you prefer to tour the upper floors of the mansion instead of the garden?”
“Is something wrong with the garden?”
Cact offered her a gentle smile as she looked at him in confusion.
“Ah, the garden is undergoing a major renovation at the moment, so it isn’t ideal for a stroll.”
“Is there anything I can help with? If you’re short-handed, I’d be happy to pitch in.”
The very idea of putting Sua to work made Cact inwardly shudder at what Tezman might say.
Besides, the extensive remodeling was because Tezman was renovating a greenhouse just for her. It was meant to be a surprise until completion, so he had to ensure she remained unaware at all costs.
“That won’t be necessary. Ah, but the mansion contains many artworks. Some are quite famous.”
The high-value pieces Michele had once purchased for tax evasion purposes still remained in the mansion. He had acquired every conceivable work of art, so there were undoubtedly several that would delight Sua.
“I’m certain you’ll enjoy seeing them.”
At the mention of artworks, Sua’s ears perked up and she nodded eagerly.
“All right. Let’s go.”
“Yes, I’ll show you the way.”
Tezman’s mansion contained a total of eight rooms, two of which were hidden from view. One was Tezman’s bedroom, accessible only through the study. The other was the chamber where the artworks and valuables were kept.
On the second floor, directly opposite the study and at the far end of the corridor, hung an enormous painting that covered nearly the entire wall. It depicted a goddess bestowing blessings. To the casual observer it would appear to be nothing more than a painting, but that was far from the truth.
Cact reached out and ran his fingers along the frame. When he pressed a hidden spot, a laser-like light projected above the canvas.
Upon closer inspection, it was a virtual numeric keypad made of light. As the glowing numbers one through nine appeared, Cact entered the code with careful precision.
> 0 4 2 3
> VERIFIED
The frame gave a soft click and swung forward. Sua’s mouth fell open in astonishment, and Cact smiled at her.
“Please, come in.”
When he opened the frame like a door, an astonishing sight unfolded within.
“Wow…”
Rows of gleaming safes. Countless jewels displayed in transparent glass cases. Paintings crowded along every wall. Her jaw dropped of its own accord. Among them were works that looked strangely familiar, as if she had seen them somewhere before.
Just how much money did a person need to own all of this? Once again, Sua found herself awed by the sheer scale of Tezman’s wealth.
“…There’s something I’ve been wondering about…”
“Yes, please ask.”
It wasn’t the sort of question a former nun should voice, yet her curiosity burned too fiercely to ignore. What kind of man owned a mansion like this and collected priceless art on top of it?
“Um… exactly how rich is Tezman? What does he even do for a living…?”
Come to think of it, she didn’t know his occupation at all. In truth, there was almost nothing she knew about the man named Tezman.
His age, his birthday, the nature of his work, his family relationships—nothing. She knew none of it with any certainty. To think she had been so ignorant. She had fallen for a man about whom she knew virtually nothing and had even abandoned her life as a nun.
Looking back, she must have been thoroughly bewitched.
“Ha…”
The water had already been spilled. There was no gathering it back up. Sua steadied her heart and spoke.
“So… what does Tezman actually do?”
She had once overheard him discussing finances with Leroy in the study. China, Germany, England, France—he had named several countries before concluding the conversation and then remained shut away in the study for hours.
From that, she had assumed his work involved finance.
“Well…”
Cact’s hesitant expression made Sua tilt her head in puzzlement.
“I believe I can answer that question for you.”
When Sua turned toward the voice, a familiar pair of eyes met hers. Golden eyes. Yet they were not quite the same as Tezman’s. These were clearer, lighter—like pale, translucent gold.
“Hello, Sister.”
Matteo approached with his golden hair impeccably styled and his suit perfectly tailored. Sua instinctively pressed closer to Cact’s side.
“Good day, Mr. Matteo.”
Cact bowed respectfully, and Sua’s eyes widened in confusion.
“Tezman is in the study right now…”
“I didn’t come to see Tezman today.”
Matteo’s leisurely steps carried him directly in front of her.
“My curiosity about you simply wouldn’t let me stay away.”
His slanted gaze settled on her. For an Asian man, his features were strikingly handsome. What stood out most were the vivid red accents around his eyes and lips against his unnaturally pale skin.
“My name is Matteo. I am Tezman’s older brother.”
At the revelation, Sua startled and quickly bowed.
“Ah, hello.”
When she greeted him, Matteo shot Cact a look that clearly said he could leave.
“Tezman-nim—”
“I know. I won’t do anything untoward. What could I possibly attempt inside my own brother’s mansion? I only wish to talk.”
Matteo’s gaze returned to Sua.
“I want to see what sort of treasure my brother has hidden away so jealously.”
Cact lingered a moment longer, visibly reluctant, but after another pointed look from Matteo he withdrew to a respectful distance.
Once Cact had moved away, Matteo turned fully toward her.
“So, what were you curious about?”
“Well, it’s just that…”
Now that the opportunity had arrived, she hardly knew where to begin. Especially since the man before her was Tezman’s own brother.
“If there are too many questions, why don’t I simply tell you?”
They truly were brothers. The way the corner of his mouth curved up so slickly reminded her of a snake.
“I am Tezman’s older brother. Our father is the boss of the illustrious Pavard family.”
Since the word “boss” could easily refer to a legitimate business, she felt no immediate alarm.
“However, Sister.”
Before he continued—
“I never imagined I’d see a nun become a mafia man’s mistress. It must have been quite enjoyable. With Tezman.”
Mafia?
“Wait—did you just say mafia…”
“So he never told you.”
Matteo muttered softly, almost to himself, then smiled and leaned closer.
“Shall I tell you one more thing, Sister?”
Playfulness danced on his lips, laced with something far more twisted.
“Yesterday and the day before that, Tezman killed people. That’s what being mafia means.”
Killed people. Disbelief flooded Sua’s eyes as she stared at him.
“Stop it. Don’t lie to me.”
“Why would I lie to you? I’ve only spoken the truth.”
At that exact moment, Tezman emerged from the study and started down the corridor. The sight of Matteo and Sua stopped him cold. He strode forward with rapid steps, seized Sua’s hand, and pulled her behind his back.
“What is this?”
His voice was ice-cold. Matteo looked at him as though nothing were amiss.
“I haven’t visited in a long time, so I was simply having a pleasant conversation with the sister.”
“If it was only conversation, why does Sua look like that?”
“Who knows? Perhaps hearing that you’re a mafia boss came as quite a shock?”
Tezman’s eye twitched violently.
“Cact.”
“…Yes, Tezman-nim.”
“Take Sua to the study.”
“Understood.”
Cact turned to her gently.
“Sua, this way please…”
“Te-Tezman…”
“Wait for me in the study, Sua.”
At his resolute tone, Sua had no choice but to move. Tezman watched her retreating figure beside Cact for a long time. Only when she had completely disappeared from view did he speak again.
His gaze on Matteo was frigid.
“What kind of filth did you spew at our Sua, Matteo?”
Our Sua.
Coming from Tezman’s lips, the words sounded so unreal he almost doubted his own ears.
“So it really was sincere.”
“Shut your mouth.”
“But Tezman.”
Smiling, Matteo stepped closer. He gave his brother’s shoulder a light, almost friendly pat as he passed, murmuring.
“What will you do now? It seems your precious Sua had no idea you were mafia.”
Tezman’s face hardened like stone. For a fleeting second it looked as though Matteo regretted his words, but he shrugged it off. Their relationship had always been exactly like this.
“I merely told her the truth.”
It was better this way. Better than letting their mother find out later and fly into a rage.
With those final words, Matteo turned to leave. Tezman did not stop him. He didn’t even consider it.
His mind was already filled with the thought of Sua waiting for him in the study.