Chapter 28: A Thief in the Library!

Chapter 28 - A Thief in the Library!The blond brat—maybe fourteen, tops—had that smug little grin plastered on his face, the kind you only make when your target dodges a stone you really wanted to land. And just like that, Raedon's memory kicked in. Yep. This little turd was exactly who he thought he was. Apparently, the kid had a thing for goblins and wanted one like people want a puppy, but his dad, some high-ranking priest in a stupid church, was dead set against it. "Owning a goblin is a sin," or something equally dramatic and self-righteous. So, with no goblin of his own to kick around, Henry had latched onto the next best thing: his neighbor's goblin. Raedon. Every chance he got, Henry turned Raedon's life into a circus of insults, thrown crap, and sneaky pranks. And since his father's influence reached all the way into the royal family's back pockets, no one dared to discipline the little church-blessed gremlin. Not even Alice or Alex. After all, Raedon was just a goblin. Who gives a damn if he gets bullied? But before Rae could growl something creative and profane, a voice floated over the wall—melodic, breathy, and borderline apologetic. "Henry! Come back here! I told you to stop bothering our dear neighbors!" And then she appeared. A woman. No—a MILF. Jiggling her way through the backyard like sin in sandals, one hand trying and failing to keep her overly generous chest under control as she chased after her son. Raedon blinked. His inner goblin stirred. Brown hair, neatly combed. Green eyes filled with fake warmth. She was more well-groomed than even the damn heroes, and somehow, even in her modest dress, she'd managed to hoist her generous assets into the spotlight like she was presenting holy offerings. "I was just playing here, ma. I wasn't doing anything to the goblin, I promise." Henry whined, pulling his best innocent-little-bastard act. "Goblin?" the woman repeated, blinking. "Oh... that unholy creature. Hmm." Her eyes drifted to Raedon—and just like that, her fake warmth died. Her face soured like spoiled milk, enthusiasm flatlining on sight. A thick vein popped on Rae's forehead. "Here I thought it was the hero," she sighed. "What a waste." She grabbed Henry by the head like he was a sack of disappointment and turned to leave. "Come along now. Remember what your father told you: unholy creatures. Don't mingle with them." As they walked away, Henry glanced back and gave Raedon a slow, smug slicing gesture across his neck. Rae stared after them, growling low. "What a bitch," he spat. "Bet she would've bounced extra and jiggled those holy milkers if Alex was standing here instead." He glared down at the rock again, the one that had nailed him. "All of them only care about pretty boys and shiny titles. I'd pay to see the look on this pious cow's face when she finds out her dear, sweet Alex's wife is getting absolutely wrecked by this 'unholy creature.'" His irritation was simmering. Another rock, another insult, another reminder that no matter how strong he got, he was still just a goblin in their eyes. Eventually, he let out a deep breath, cracked his neck, and turned away. "Not today," he muttered. "I'll save this grudge for dessert." He strolled toward the kitchen and called out lazily, "Saaaar! Maaadame..." Silence. No one in the kitchen. No one in the lower floor. Just the faint hum of nothing and Raedon's rapidly souring mood. "Tch. Fine." Already pissed, he decided to at least pretend to look for the man of the house. After all, when Alex was around, Raedon had free rein of the place like some weird pet-slash-servant. So, why not? "Saar! Raedon here! Deporting bor dooty!!" He yawned mid-sentence and wandered inside. Still no answer. 'Everyone must be upstairs. Hmph. What a stupid, non-punctual man.' He was about to take another lazy step when something caught his eye. A room. Not just any room—the study. The one nobody ever visits. The one that was just for a show since nobody in here was too keen to pick up a book and read. Suddenly, a memory flickered to life. Alice's words from yesterday. His eyes lit up. 'Wait a minute...' He rubbed his hands together like a cartoon villain. 'I can use this opportunity for myself.' His eyes darted around the empty hallway. No witnesses. Just the distant sound of a baby crying upstairs—music to his goblin ears. That meant Alice was up there. And so was Alex. Perfect. 'Just a few minutes. If I'm lucky, that's all I need. He he he...' Raedon tiptoed toward the study door, slipped inside, and gently closed it behind him with the silence of a seasoned thief. Just then—the front door creaked open. In walked Emily, flushed and glistening with sweat, her dress clinging to every curve like a second skin. Her morning walk had clearly done its job. "Alex? Have you already gone?" She called out, dabbing a towel at the nape of her neck. No reply. But then—a soft thud echoed from the study. Something had fallen. Emily raised an eyebrow, paused, then relaxed. "Oh? Are you in there, Alex? Needed to check something before the hunt?" She asked casually, starting down the hall. "There's something I need to talk to you about. It's about that damn goblin of yours." She swung the towel over her shoulders and walked toward the study. The door creaked open. And her eyes widened as she froze mid-step—because the sight that greeted her was definitely not something she was thinking about. . . . [A/N: Guys, do comment and sent in powerstones, if you liked this. There's more to come.]