The master was not more than a kid—he was perhaps 14 or 15. Red-X was surprised. Not that he was so old himself—he was still 18. But this kid, sitting on the chair at the edge of the long wooden table, looked nothing like someone who'd own a castle and live only with his servants in it.

The high chair with luxurious red velvet made the master look as if he was sinking on it. His dark hair resembled Red-X's, but his eyes were green. He was handsome, and that justified the obnoxious look that he had. Red-X felt that the kid reminded him of the younger version of him—good-looking and smug. Not that he'd changed a lot, though—he only grew old, but still the same arrogant person.

They sat on the chairs on the left of the master, with him between the master and Raven. Raven had been quiet, and Red-X could tell she was wary.

The master just threw an unexcited look at his skull mask, but not asking him to unmask himself like what he'd been scared of. That kid just arrogantly asked them to enjoy their dinner, and then there was silence between them for the rest of the dinner.

Red-X lifted his mask to just above his mouth, enough to allow him to eat. He hated having to eat with his mask on, but he had no choice.

Raven ate silently beside him, and Red-X couldn't stop glancing at her. He somehow cared about that worried look on her face—the look that he could still spot even when she disguised it well.

Wait, his head interrupted as he was cutting his steak and glancing at Raven at the same time. No, you don't pay that much attention to a titan, silly. She's your enemy.

He forced himself to keep his eyes on his food, then. He assured himself that even though she was pretty, she was still his enemy. Once they got out of that place, they'd become enemies again—she was the titan and he was the thief, nothing could change that.

They'd just finished their desserts and their glasses were refilled with red wine when the master began to talk. Red-X couldn't help feeling relieved to find himself finished the food without having to talk—he didn't want to let any of them hear his real voice.

"Anyone of you has played with my family's heirloom—the crown. Am I right?" he asked, and his cold green eyes were placed directly on Red-X, who had had his mask pulled down again.

Red-X believed that kid had known everything, but not answering his question might be dangerous. Beside him, Raven was frozen, not blaming him for what he'd done, so he decided to take the responsibility.

"Some things are just simply irresistible," Red-X nodded, grinning cockily.

"Indeed," he smiled. "That beautiful crown, however, has transported you here, just like the rest of the people who have ever tried to release the crown from its box. I know you all want to come back to your place of origin, but there's only a way out."

They both waited for the master to reveal that. The master looked amused. He rested his elbows on the table and one of his hands rubbed another's knuckles. He looked like someone who was watching his favorite movie for the hundredth time but still waiting for the exciting moment to come—he'd known what was going to happen yet still got entertained when it happened.

"You, masked man, have to overcome one of your fears. The fear of loving someone. The fear of rejection," he playfully told him.

Red-X was hit by a mental slap when he announced that. No one had ever known that he had that kind of fear—the fear that caused him to always try being the perfect one. The fear that caused him to become a player at the first place.

He feigned a laugh. "You know, kid, if I was to have a fear regarding women, it would be the fear of being unable to choose which one to love. Too many choices—women want me."

He tried hard to sound as arrogant as possible. He hoped it was convincing enough, but he wasn't really sure if it could trick that kid. If the master knew he had that kind of fear, he'd perhaps known that Matthew Voltair had refused to love any girl since years ago. Since the betrayals.

"Well, well, all I know is, the crown told the truth, Red-X," he said. Red-X felt like being punched on the stomach—he'd never mentioned his nick to anyone in this house. "It demands for you to love this girl next to you, or else, you two are trapped forever in this castle."

He sipped his wine and then got on his feet, not giving Red-X the chance to utter some more remarks. He was about to leave when he fixed his eyes on them again.

"Oh, and don't try opening doors but your room. The rooms might have some nasty creatures in it," he smirked mischievously.

Red-X felt like slapping that kid—now he knew how the titans felt when he was teasing and mocking them. That kid was gone soon after that, and then the servants came in again.

Red-X threw a look again at Raven. She answered that by a confused look. He wasn't sure of what to tell her, as he, too, was baffled. Not because of what the master had said, but because of how that kid knew precisely about him.

The servant escorted them back into their room, through the vast corridors with paintings hanging on the walls. The only sound that was audible was the echo of their footsteps.

Thanks for the reviews! They're what keep me going. It's how I know that people read my story and care about it, so thanks very much for the support :D