After sending Natsue Hatamoto out, Hayasaka closed the door and turned her attention back to Ren, who was still sitting in the room.
"Amamiya, are you planning to start a society?"
"Of course not."
Ren shook his head. He understood why Hayasaka had that kind of suspicion.
"I want her to believe in me because the power system I follow requires the faith of believers to act as an anchor, something to stabilize my humanity after ascending to a higher position."
"I possess special characteristics. I'm not sure whether the anchor of belief is truly necessary, but given my personality, I have no issue testing it out."
Hayasaka understood why Ren was doing this—it was a form of preparation for what was to come.
"Amamiya, does Miss Hatamoto's fiancé harbor murderous intent?"
"Yes. Just like Takasugi Toshihiko, this Zaiki Takehiko is also pursuing her out of revenge."
"But sometimes, hatred can be diluted over time. Especially when you're looking at such a beautiful, kind-hearted girl, it's enough to shake that hatred."
Ren's words helped Hayasaka understand that Takehiko had, in fact, lost his desire for revenge.
"If that's the case, then why mislead her?"
"Mislead? No. I didn't mislead her."
Ren took out a tarot card, the reversed Lovers card.
"When you went to get help, I performed a divination on Miss Hatamoto's future. It wasn't too far ahead, just three months after her marriage."
"Her married life would be filled with boredom and arguments. She wouldn't even be able to resist temptation."
"While divination isn't absolutely accurate, it's generally reliable when based on personal context."
Having said that, Ren put away the tarot cards.
"Her fiancé may have temporarily forgotten his hatred, but that doesn't mean he's let go of it. The moment it resurfaces, it'll strike their marriage like a thunderbolt."
"Because when it returns, all the dissatisfaction in their marriage will be projected onto her identity, as the daughter of the man he seeks revenge on."
Ren held the Wheel of Fortune card between his fingers.
"Miss Hatamoto's prospects for marriage are grim, but her career luck is quite good."
"If she devotes herself to her career and cuts off the parasites in her family, she might be able to reclaim her ancestral glory piece by piece."
"No wonder..."
Hayasaka was surprised. So it wasn't the fiancé who had acted out, then why had Ren brought him up?
After learning what Miss Hatamoto's future marriage could look like, Hayasaka finally understood why Ren had framed the discussion that way.
In that kind of marriage, this path was indeed better for her.
"Let's go watch the drama unfold."
Ren stood up, confident that something big was about to happen.
"Hayasaka, have the bodyguards keep an eye on the Hatamoto family. Make sure they don't stir up trouble."
"Also, assign one or two guards to live beside and across from Hatamoto Gozo's room."
"Make sure any disturbances can be immediately handled."
"As for evidence..."
"There are plenty of surveillance cameras near the guest rooms on the cruise ship. Add more. Use high-definition, night-vision-capable cameras that can clearly capture faces even in the dark."
Hayasaka efficiently described the surveillance equipment and emphasized the night-vision function.
"Very good."
Ren gave her high praise. As expected of a professional maid, everything was handled perfectly.
The two walked out of the private room and entered the main hall.
The main hall was bustling with activity.
After leaving the room, the gloomy-faced Natsue Hatamoto made her way to the main hall.
At that moment, nearly all the Hatamoto clan members had gathered in the hall, naturally including Hatamoto Gozo.
The first person Natsue spotted was Takeshi, but she didn't even spare a glance at her fiancé.
Instead, she quickly walked over to her grandfather.
"Grandpa."
"Natsue."
Hatamoto Gozo noticed that his granddaughter looked distraught and frowned. He remembered a maid had called her away earlier.
But he also knew the maid's master was from the Shinomiya family, so he couldn't say anything rash.
"Grandpa... You've known for a long time, haven't you?"
Looking at him, Natsue felt tears welling in her eyes.
"Knew… for a long time?"
Gozo was stunned for a moment. Then, seeing his granddaughter on the verge of tears, he understood what she meant.
He instinctively glanced at Takeshi.
That glance didn't escape the notice of Natsue, who had been watching closely.
There was no need to say anything more. The answer was clear.
The urge to cry grew stronger, but Natsue still held back.
"Grandpa... I want to be willful just this once."
"..."
Hatamoto Gozo could faintly guess what his precious granddaughter was trying to say.
"Natsue, things like this... you have to decide for yourself."
"I've already decided."
This was the first time Natsue Hatamoto had ever made such a request of her grandfather. Everything that happened after this would be her willful decision.
After saying that, she steeled herself and slowly walked up to Hatamoto Takeshi.
Takeshi sensed something was wrong when she formally approached him, but he still stood up.
"Natsue?"
Facing the man before her, Natsue took a deep breath.
"Takeshi, our engagement has changed. Let's call it off."
Her sudden declaration struck like a bolt from the blue.
Takeshi instinctively tried to grab her hand, but she stepped back, avoiding his touch.
That was when he realized, this wasn't a joke.
"Natsue, why... why is this happening?"
Still unwilling to give up, Takeshi stared at her in disbelief.
Clenching her teeth, Natsue replied:
"Zaiki Takehiko… Do I really need to say that name before you'll let go?"
Zaiki Takehiko... Takeshi froze, his face turning pale as he looked at her tear-filled eyes.
At that moment, he knew.
He knew why Natsue had canceled the engagement.
And he also knew, his identity had been exposed.
(To be continued.)