"I can't believe you decided to help them, you out of all people!" Elly declared.

"Yeah, and front row seats to checking out Kaitou Rubin, I might add..." Fiona said it a bit wistfully.

It has been a few days since that meeting. Everything had been planned out smoothly including a certain phantom thief's plan.

It was in the afternoon of that meeting that Alex has managed to convince his demon counterparts to spread the news about Noir's Ring. How, I do not know, but in the evening it spread and lots of people have made plans to go to the museum at the center of Darkrai by the end of the week.

The next day after the news spread and our second meeting later, to discuss on baiting Black Blood, an arrow came out of nowhere to hit dead center at the table and burst in flame to reveal a certain someone's note.

No one said anything or moved but a second later, John snatched the note up and read it aloud for all of us to hear.

Dear Alex,

I know you are the one who organized this for the whole world to know so I sent this along with the head of the museum that I will steal Noir's Ring at the end of the week on midnight. Ciao!

Kaitou Rubin

Another moment of silence...

"How does he know?" John asked.

"Well, Alex's name was mentioned in the papers, so..." Milan let out.

"But!" ejaculated John.

"It doesn't matter," Alyssa said dismissively, "Right now, not only do we have to bait Black Blood but also stop Kaitou Rubin from foiling our plans."

Sloan turned to John, "Are you sure that Kaitou Rubin is not in cahoots with Black Blood?"

"Pretty sure," John said, "Despite whatever you might think, if he is working for Black Blood, he might have tried to steal those artifacts before. He did not. He might have given Mayura's Necklace to Black Blood but returned it to Alyssa."

Everyone was accepting the logic. All true so...

"Kaitou Rubin just might be a nuisance to us for now, but we mustn't stray from our real goal."

Everyone nodded and after that, no unusual events happened later.

Now, I was hanging out with my three buddies, helping Fiona out with another one of her guild's quest just for fun and training to Master Mason's approval. During the time, I told them about the first meeting after Selena inquired about Alyssa's bequest to meet in her castle.

Everyone knows, the gossip mill ran full force with it. What anyone knows from the bits and pieces was it had something to do with Noir's Ring which appeared on the news at the very same day.

When I told what I could, lied that it was to capture Kaitou Rubin, because Alyssa told us all to be discreet, they were shocked and amazed, leading right to this very moment.

I shrugged. "So what if I'm going to help them? I'm helping you right now, aren't I?"

And that was true with the monster battling.

"Yeah, but not when there isn't something for you." Selena interjected.

That was also true. I am helping out here because not only for a friend in need but also for the experience and a bit of the money which I used for chocolate and other.

"That's true." Elly mused, "So what's the reason?"

"Fame and thrill." I lied but they all nodded because I seem the type of person and we said no more after that as we completed this quest.

Afterwards, on the way back to the guild for R and R, Fiona brought up the subject, "I'm happy that you are willing to help all those important people but hope that you don't catch Kaitou Rubin. Is that wrong of me?"

"Nah," I said, "You have always loved Kaitou Rubin after his first heist, along with a million other people. So I guess you are just fangirling, no big deal."

"Thanks for understanding, Ro. So, Kaitou Rubin," she said the name alluringly, "So, this time, he's going to steal Noir's Ring, correct?"

"Yep," I nodded, "I saw the notice."

"Hmm...Noir's Ring..." Selena thought, "I heard that the ring was something to find 'light in the darkness', whatever that means."

"'Light in the darkness'? How do you know that?" Elly asked.

"My parents are collectors. They have a fascination with each and every treasure and made it their goal to study all of them." Selena said.

That makes sense, but 'light in the darkness'... Huh?

I looked at my watch and my eyebrows shot up. Fiona noticed and asked "What?"

"I'm going to be late for another meeting," I said. When did this become some kind of club awash with meetings.

"I have to go!" I said and waved bye to my friends.

"See you soon!" They said as I ran off to the direction of Alyssa's castle.

The guild at Zygarde and Kingdom Kyogre are not very far. Once I reached the edge of the kingdom, I can teleport to Alyssa's castle and no problem done. The reason why I can't just teleport is that teleportation throughout the kingdom is just confined in that kingdom.

Tch, I don't make the rules. I just ran and kept reaching to my staff just in case any creature decides to attack me.

Nothing happened for a while until I suddenly saw a shadow. Tense, I just kept running, no good to stop and get attacked.

Then, the shadow moved towards me. I screamed and swung my staff at it. It dodged. I made an ice wall and tried to run but it was suddenly behind me, gripping me.

Seriously, first the bandits at the debut, now this. Am I a magnet for trouble?

I twisted myself to see its face. A person with ice blue eyes and white blond hair except for a few flecks of black.

Edward.

Even worse!

Without even thinking, I reacted the way Lia would if we known that he was a sociopathic sadist.

I swung the staff at his stomach, brought a bolt of lightning between us and ran like hell.

"Hey, wait up!" Edward called.

Realizing the inappropriateness of my actions in this situation although I know more than I should, I stood still, waiting for him to catch up.

"What's up with that?" Edward asked, concerned.

'You don't fool me,' I thought while spinning around to meet Edward with an apologetic smile.

"I thought you were some creature or mugger so I just acted out of instinct. Sorry." I said.

Edward nodded as if that was a good explanation enough.

"You were getting late. Everyone was worried about you, so we went looking for you." Edward said.

I nodded as I evaluated him. They say he's a sadistic sociopath who by Lord only knows what reason has an interest in me. It would only do good if I severe this interest quick and fast.

I had no choice but to follow by the ear, but I know not to act innocent nor ignore him. I've read enough of reincarnation novels to know how capture targets and rivals think.

Although there are so many capture targets I don't know exactly how this one will react.

"Well, lead away." I said.

But instead he just kabedon me to a tree. What?!

Please he isn't in love with me! That would be so complicated!

I thought of acting cute innocent, cold savage and just killing him but I rejected all of them for various reasons.

"Ro..." he said my name like an animal and I knew with confirmed certainty that I was dead but decided to say, "Yes?"

He caressed the scar on my face I got a year ago during that debut and then brought his hand to his eyes.

"We all have our scars," he mumbled.

I'm not sure what he meant but he took interest because of my scar? What the heck of a plot is this?!

I have to remember everything I know and one by one, it clicked on me.

Edward has secret dark powers where he had to kept hidden after accidentally showed it to his family. They bullied him for it. He hated the pain, hated his scar and in the end he always hurt back every scarless person he ever met who ridiculed the disfigured. Enjoying the pain he inflicted, he broadened his horizons and became a sadist. As a sadist, he lost his empathy and became a sociopath.

But... he always had a soft spot for the disfigured as they remind him of himself. And for my temporary scar, I've been labelled as one of them...

And once upon a time I thought that this scar would be a blessing. Life is funny, haha, note the sarcasm.

I tried to get away but his hold was tight. Better get away with words...

"Hey Edward... can you please release me?" I said in a soft voice like how you treat with an animal...

Edward looked thoughtful and did not hear me...

I might regret this but I caressed his face. He flinched at the sudden contact. He looked at me hungrily.

I don't know how I got in this mess but I really want to get out. I'm not going to screw myself this early. Love is a dangerous thing...

"Edward," I said softly, gently. I had a plan and it may not be the best but, knowledge don't fail me!

"Yes, Ro?" his hold loosened. I pushed him away and turned around so I can kabedon him now!

"Are you really this stupid?" I smirked.

"What?!" He didn't get what I'm getting at. I'm sure he's thinking, 'Where she's going with this?'

"You love me, don't you?" I laughed sardonically.

Edward blushed deep red. "Yeah, so what?!"

I shook my head with an evil smirk. I have to play real smart. I whispered audibly, "Another conquest down."

Edward scrunched his brows but once the meaning of words sunk in, a look of devastating shock appeared on his face.

"Oh, so you heard?" I mocked concern, "Yeah, I have men surrounding me. You are all just toys."

A total lie but he looked like he believed me.

"I thought you were smarter than this, apparently not," I said coolly. I don't know how long I can keep this charade and fear may have flicked in my eyes.

"Don't take offence on this. You never knew me. But if you don't want me now, that's fine too. Just don't tell anyone, alright sweetheart?" I winked playfully. A lot of emotions were  coursing through him.

I loosen my hold. He looked dejected that I felt sorry. He didn't deserve this. The reason why I went for this is to make him think that I'm one of those shallow girls, some same old noble that puts her nose up in the air and treats boys like game prizes, not human beings. To act like a normal villainess of the game might help me get rid of him. He still didn't deserve this, though.

I simply said, "Sorry, you are cute but not my type. We can still be friends if you want. My fault for being a bitch."

He heard me and in his eyes, something kindled but it was all confusion. Hopefully this will lead to a normal end. Both good and bad are terrible so I had to do something away from the good and not at the bad, not really anyway. I tried anyway.

And I heard the best sound of my life.

"Ed-sama!" A voice rang out. It was Suza, the one who considered me as a threat and rival.

"Bye," I waved at him cheerfully and ran.

"Hey, wait!" His emotions were still a mess until Suza arrived. He had to deal with her and I was hidden in the trees to watch this drama unfold.

"Hey, you OK?" Suza asked. Only a blind person can't see Edward's distraught.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Edward said, his face unreadable but tone disgruntled that he had to deal with Suza.

Suza's voice became gentler, "Are you really?"

"Yes, I am!" He snapped, "Why don't you leave me alone for once?!" His emotions must be a mess if he couldn't keep it together.

Suza has never seen this side of him but she smiled as she liked it. In fact, she liked everything about Edward.

"You can tell me and I'll listen," she coaxed out.

Edward turned around and said nothing. He was done with Suza.

The awkward silence continued. Suza needed to do something if she wanted to win Edward over.

I subtly used my psychic powers over Suza's conscience, nudging her to be truthful towards him. Let something out to break the silence.

"I know you never liked me," Suza said out of the blue.

Edward did not turn around but his ears perked up, he was listening.

"But the moment I met you, I liked you. I could sense that beneath all the charm and appearance that there was something bothering you, some hidden thing that causes you pain and for some reason, it actually made me like you."

Edward jerked his head toward her. First me, now Suza. People were full of surprises and he was about to get more as she continued.

"I know because I was in a dark place once. Before our betrothal, Mom was pregnant with a baby and I thought I would be a big sister but she had an abortion a week later, that's what the maids said to each other, that it would be too bad that I won't be a big sister because Mommy got rid of the baby."

Edward's mouth became O shaped but what was really grinding his mind was why was she telling him after the 2 years he known her. I scrunched my brows. Family issues? This?

"I found out the reason the next day. Mom was fooling around with a butler and fell in love with him. They were going to have a baby together but once my father found out, he threw an enraged tantrum, became so... angry that from what I heard, aborted the baby himself. The maids said it was lucky Mom was still alive."

Edward was washed with sadness. He never knew. Was this the reason why she always acted the way she is?

Up top, I heard the whole story. Completely cliche until the last point. The father finding out and aborting the baby himself? Damn if I understood that he killed the mother or butler or both? But abort the baby that was still in the mother's stomach that isn't even one month in. Like what?! Pure psycho, maybe that's where Suza got her yandere...

"Mom left afterwards with the butler. Dad completely ignored me because I reminded him too much of Mom. When you came around, he was happy. Get rid of me and gain some influence. Double deal."

She was a bit bitter and she looked at Edward sincerely, "I was unhappy about it because all I wanted was my Mom back and Dad to pay attention to me but when I met you, I knew there was something special about you, I wanted to know more about you, spend time with you and be with you... I already lost my Mom, my Dad... I just don't want to lose you too... please..."

Edward was silent the whole time but he caressed Suza gently.

"I'm glad you told me this. Now I understand why you are always so mean to others, so two faced, so terrible but not to me... because it was all the pain of your past. I can understand that... we all have scars."

Suza looked unhappy, "I'm sorry about that, I just didn't want to lose you..."

"Let's start over again. Let me know the real you... Someone I could love... can you?"

"Yes Edward, thank you for giving me a second chance. We will be together."

"Together." And he kissed Suza.

It was passionate, beautiful and sweet.

Mission accomplished. Hopefully this will keep Suza and Edward off my back. Then, I ran and teleported to Alyssa's castle where my brother scolded me for being late and a few minutes later, Suza and Edward holding hand in hand.

I smiled.