Damien walked alongside Calliope, ncing at Nigel with growing confusion.


    He wasn''t sure what was going on—but this was ck Spider''s territory, and Damien knew better than to ask questions here.


    Whatever the story was with Nigel, at least he seemed unharmed—the man looked disgruntled but not in immediate danger.


    Still, Nigel''s re was downright murderous as he stood by ck Spider''s side. ck Spider himself was lounging in a chair, oozing aristocratic menace. His strikingly handsome features were shadowed with a hint of malice, legs crossed and posture rxed, like some anti-hero straight out of a graphic novel.


    "Been a while," Calliope said as she strode across the room, stopping in front of ck Spider.


    Nigel, awkwardly stationed next to him, looked as though he wished he could disappear the instant he saw her.


    Calliope tipped her chin at him, nodding briefly-herposure just barely holding back augh.


    Damien was struggling too, the corners of his mouth twitching. He''d never seen Nigel like this before; he would never have imagined Nigel could end up in such a situation.


    "Mr. Howell, our apologies for arrivingte. I''m so sorry you had to go through this." Damien managed, suppressingughter.


    Nigel''s death stare should have been intimidating, but the effect was entirely ruined by his outfit: a frilly maid''s uniform and a headband topped with floppy bunny ears.


    The whole spectacle was so absurd that, for a moment, Damien was speechless. He''d always figured Nigel would rather die than endure something like this—but evidently, Nigel had found a limit he wouldn''t cross.


    "You think this is amusing?" Nigel asked, his voice sharp and cold.


    "Not at all!" Damien replied, struggling for self-control. But the moment he caught sight of Lnd and the others in matching getups, he cracked. "Sorry it really isn''t funny, but I just can''t help it! What''s wrong with me?” Tears of suppressedughter pricked at his eyes.


    Calliope managed to keep a straighter face, but even she was fighting to stayposed.


    ck Spider''s voice was cool with annoyance. "You find my wife ridiculous, is that it?"


    Nigel bristled. "Your wife? Have you lost your mind?"


    "You are my wife," ck Spider dered, wholly unashamed. “You''re mine now."


    Calliope raised an eyebrow at Nigel, the question clear in her eyes.


    Nigel hurried to correct her, mortified. "Don''t listen to him. He''s just spouting nonsense!"


    Damien, barely holding it together, tried to exin, "Honestly, I''m not


    ét


    she''s ridiculous-just think be actually looks kind of cute!"


    “Exactly!” ck Spider said, beaming at Nigel. “I think he''s adorable too."


    Nigel turned red and muttered, “Adorable? My ass."


    "Now, now, there''s no need for suchnguage, ck Spider cooed, all mock affection. "What''s so bad about being my wife? Indeed, your ass is so cute let me admire the sceneryter." **


    Nigel was beyond words, absolutely mortified by the outfit and the attention.


    Calliope quietly took a seat nearby, studying ck Spider with a keen, appraising gaze.