Chapter 24: Chapter 24 - Stalker

The days following the grim spectacle at the Duke's mansion were uneventful. Still sobered by the bloody incident, Spark returned to his usual frivolous self, seemingly undeterred by the lingering memory. Zhao Shi, ever the vigilant servant, resumed their daily routines with a quiet focus.

Word had it that Princess Ling remained in the state, but Zhao Shi had no reason to concern himself with her affairs. Their connection was tenuous at best, bound only by their shared origin. Life carried on as usual.

As the sun rose, casting its warm light over the city, Zhao Shi finished his morning meditation and opened the door to their residence. There, as always, was a pile of presents waiting on the doorstep.

"Another batch," Zhao Shi muttered, moving the gifts inside with a practiced hand. These daily deliveries had become routine, yet their source remained a mystery.

He placed the presents aside and began preparing breakfast, deciding on a special dish from his hometown—a taste of familiarity in a foreign land.

After breakfast, Zhao Shi approached Spark.

"Young master, there's a pile of presents today too," he informed, his tone laced with mild exasperation.

"What can I say? I'm too famous," Spark replied with his usual boastful tone.

Zhao Shi's expression grew serious. "Young master, I sense a small problem with these gifts."

"What problem?" Spark asked, suddenly interested.

"I think, young master, you have a stalker," Zhao Shi stated, his voice steady but concerned.

"..."

Spark's eyes widened in bewilderment. "A stalker? Why would you think that?"

"Maybe because the young master is famous," Zhao Shi echoed Spark's own words. "I've never seen anyone delivering these presents. It's as if they're hiding their identity like a stalker."

Every day without fail, the presents appeared at their gate, yet Zhao Shi had never encountered anyone leaving them. This stealthy delivery was unsettling to him.

Spark shrugged off the concern.

"Don't that make them my fan?" he suggested, dismissing the notion of a threat.

"Don't get me wrong, young master," Zhao Shi clarified. "But it's unusual for fans to hide like this. And they're very quick—almost too quick."

"it's just your imagination," Spark dismissed with a casual wave of his hand.

"Maybe," Zhao Shi conceded, but the unease in his eyes remained.

…

That day, while strolling around the bustling city with Spark and Yuna, Zhao Shi maintained a heightened vigilance. His eyes darted to every corner, scrutinizing each passerby for any hint of unusual activity. But nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It was just another typical day.

"Ease up, Butler Zhao," Spark said, passing him a glass. "Why have you been so tense all day?"

Zhao Shi shook his head, declining the drink. "I cannot drink while serving the young master. Also, I'm looking for a stalker."

"A stalker?" Yuna repeated, her face a mix of confusion and amusement.

"They are my fans, not stalkers," Spark insisted with a frivolous wave.

"Young master has fans?" Yuna's expression was both bewildered and teasing, her tone light.

"Are you making fun of me?" Spark shot back playfully.

"No. I didn't know young master had fans." Yuna replied, her tone playful.

"Of course, I do. I've fans all around the world. They're just shy to appear before me." Spark added with a grin.

"Okay, I believe you, young master," Yuna sighed, resigning herself to Spark's boastful antics.

"See, butler Zhao. Even she believes I've fans." Spark again boasted and took another mouthful.

As night fell, Zhao Shi's vigilance only increased. After the two had retired, he stayed out, choosing to meditate near the entrance. His senses were sharp, his focus unyielding. He paid close attention to every sound and shadow, waiting for the mysterious gift-giver to appear.

However, despite waiting for all night, there were no signs of this stalker.

Midnight passed without incident, and the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon. Just when Zhao Shi was beginning to doubt his efforts, he noticed a subtle movement at the entrance.

In an instant, he dashed towards the gate, hoping to catch the elusive visitor. But when he arrived, there was no one in sight. He turned to the side and saw the familiar pile of presents, neatly stacked as if placed by an unseen hand.

"There's no one," Zhao Shi murmured, frustration gnawing at him. Despite his best efforts, he had failed to catch even a glimpse of the mysterious stalker.

...

"So, did you find anything?" Spark asked the next morning, his tone casual as he sipped his tea.

"No," Zhao Shi replied with a shake of his head. "I couldn't even catch a glimpse."

"What kind of fan hides and is this quick?" Zhao Shi pondered aloud, unable to shake off the mystery. Whoever was delivering the presents remained an enigma, slipping past his keen senses with ease as if teleporting.

Seeing that Spark was unbothered by the daily gifts, Zhao Shi decided to let the matter rest. If his young master wasn't concerned, there was no need for him to worry excessively.

Yet, a lingering sense of unease stayed with him. He knew that in a world where power and influence held sway, the unknown could be as dangerous as any visible threat.