Chapter 7. Juwel Cooks
Corvos returned to the apartment quickly. As soon as he shut the door, he saw Juwel's eyes. Juwel turned away coldly, while Corvos calmly walked back to the sofa and sat down. The battlefield Juwel had stuffed and overturned was still scattered all over the floor.
Juwel bent down and began picking up each piece of broken glass, his movements careful. His back was a little tense. He glanced over the traces of chaos he himself had left behind. Juwel did not want to accept this as his fault like Corvos had said, but clearly he had turned the original owner's home into the battlefield it was now.
When Juwel saw the item he had accidentally damaged, he picked it up. He bent lower to inspect the burn mark on the strange device, trying to understand how the thing even operated. That sight pulled the usual seriousness on his face slightly off balance, turning it into an unintentionally funny look no one else could witness. His expression softened when he touched the burn mark to make sure it would not flare up again. That small awkwardness made him look like a teenager stepping for the first time into a world of objects far beyond his understanding.
Corvos silently cleaned up in another corner. He picked up broken wooden pieces, gathered the pillows and sheets, then propped up the crooked cabinet. His movements were slow and steady, showing neither irritation nor haste.
The air in the room grew dense. Both were sharply aware of the other's presence even without looking. Although they did not physically clash, neither truly lowered their guard.
A messy room, two silent men, and a long stretch of quiet.
It was not until around three in the afternoon that they finally finished cleaning.
Maybe the stomach, seeing that its owner now had enough energy to pay attention to it, began drumming nonstop. Juwel was exhausted and honestly did not want to eat anything. But in the end Juwel was the type who could control himself. He could find something to fill his stomach. He stood up from the chair and headed toward the kitchen.
But before he could take a few steps, Corvos's voice came from behind him.
"Juwel."
"Juwel."
Juwel stopped.
"I have something for you."
Juwel paused slightly. He noticed the change in how Corvos addressed him. He turned his head back, eyes questioning.
"You said… you[1]?" He repeated the word with a faint tone of annoyance.
Thinking back, when Juwel had still been a "quân vua" in his previous life, he had been forced to hide his identity. And when he was interrogated, Corvos had addressed him as "tôi – anh"[2] in a very formal way. Corvos had never seemed uncomfortable with matters like this.
Corvos replied calmly. "I think addressing you that way will be better."
Communication was very important in building a relationship. Using words that sounded too distant or stiff could create unnecessary misunderstandings. Corvos wanted to avoid conflicts, even the smallest ones.
Juwel narrowed his eyes. Part of him wanted to question the reason, but another part decided this was not worth wasting time on. In the end he only let out a soft snort.
"Call me whatever you want."
Juwel had no intention of changing how he addressed Corvos. Corvos surely knew that as well. Seeing that Juwel did not pursue the topic any further, Corvos moved on to the main point.
"This is a phone. It will answer the problems in your new life without requiring you to rely on me."
Corvos pushed a phone toward Juwel. He glanced at it. He did not immediately take it and waited for Corvos to continue.
"Apart from the basic functions, you can use AI to answer your questions." Corvos continued. "Any question that can be answered using public data, it will find the answer quickly. You can also use search tools to check information from official sources."
Juwel stayed silent for a moment, then reached out and took the phone. He turned on the screen and tried scrolling through several apps based on Corvos's instructions.
He admitted it seemed convenient.
Even so, he also knew that private or sensitive information could not be solved with AI. In those cases, the only person who could provide answers was Corvos himself. In other words, even with a device like this, he could not entirely free himself from dependence on this man.
Juwel understood that Corvos willingly offering information like this was a signal of wanting goodwill, at least one Juwel could not reject. Both were showing their willingness to compromise in this strange-looking relationship.
Not paying attention to Juwel anymore, Corvos flipped to the next page of his book. From the outside he still looked calm, but clearly every action he took had a purpose.
Juwel scrolled through several tools and features on the phone, memorizing how to use them. He disliked the feeling of having to rely on Corvos, so at least this device could help him take more initiative when searching for information.
After a few minutes of getting used to the phone, Juwel turned his head again.
"Right then…"
Corvos called out to him again, as if he had just remembered something.
Juwel turned back once more. His expression looked even more annoyed.
"Say it."
"I suddenly thought of something. We agreed that we would use a different identity, but I do not know if you noticed. The name of the original owner and the two of us are the same. If I want to call you in public, using your real name will not be very appropriate. I want to know which name you will use."
Juwel let out a breath as if he could not even be bothered to talk. He replied coldly.
"You can call however you like."
"So then… Ngọc?" Corvos put his hand on his chin. The name did not seem quite enough for him. He murmured to himself. "Or maybe Châu would be better? No, that sounds too feminine, should I reverse it? Bảo? Ngọc Bảo…?"
Corvos was not actually someone good at naming things, even though he had read many books. The name "giáo hội Kẻ Lang Thang" (literal: The Stray Ones Church) was chosen only after a series of overly decorative names. They picked it simply because everyone was too tired of arguing about what to choose, so they all agreed that something simple was fine.
Juwel meant something precious, a jewel, a gem. So "Ngọc" was not wrong.
Seeing that Juwel did not react, Corvos explained. "Are you curious why I picked this kind of name?"
"No."
"Most people here prefer translated names. So calling you that will not sound strange."
"I said I am not interested!"
Juwel answered sharply. But Corvos seemed unbothered and continued murmuring new names he had thought of. No one knew why he looked so amused doing something so pointless.
"Enough. Stop. Calling me Ngọc is fine. And if I follow your idea, then your name should be Quạ[3], right? I will call you Quạ when needed."
"Now you are done talking, right?" Juwel did not care about such a small detail. After all, it was only a fake name.
Faced with Juwel's threat, Corvos could not refute.
"…"
Now Juwel could focus on something more important. He needed to fill the emptiness in his stomach.
Corvos returned to the book he had left open. He could read something all day without getting tired. Maybe it had become a strange kind of addiction.
A while later.
"Do not stare at the stove like that. It is not the cremation furnace you know."
Corvos originally did not want to get involved. But Juwel's silence made him decide that ensuring both of their safety was more important. The moment he stepped into the kitchen, he already saw Juwel's thoughtful face next to the phone. Judging by the screen, Juwel still had not figured out the proper use of it. He did not look like he was about to cause danger, but with Juwel, no one could be too sure.
"That is real fire, Juwel." Corvos spoke with his usual lazy tone. But his hand already reached for the gas knob. "Gas can blow up the entire apartment."
There was not the slightest sign of panic. Corvos went quiet for a moment, then crouched down and took out items one by one from the cupboard: pots, pans, a kettle, even a rusty lid.
"Do not cook with rusty equipment."
And just like that, for nearly half an hour, Corvos delivered a short yet endlessly long lecture. He explained how to tell if the stove was on, how to turn it in the correct direction, how to check for gas leaks, how to use non-stick pots, rice cookers, even how to set the timer for the microwave. Every time Juwel stayed silent, Corvos explained more thoroughly. He talked about accidents caused by carelessness, about apartments burned down because of a single wrong switch.
"…and you absolutely must not put anything metal inside this box. It is called a microwave. It will explode if you heat metal."
"But you do not need to cook," he added, reaching for his phone. "We can order boxed meals."
"No need. You are done with your duty now. Go sit on the chair."
Juwel pointed toward the chair Corvos had just been sitting on. For now, he did not want to deal with any human being in this world.
Corvos's eyes occasionally moved across the page and he turned the book.
But every few minutes there would suddenly be loud noises coming from the kitchen. There were sounds of pots and pans clattering, water boiling over, and even Juwel mumbling something that Corvos could not make out.
Corvos did not move even a little. He knew Juwel was the type who understood his own limits and knew how to control his actions, so he had no intention of interfering. Even so, the chaotic noises still disturbed his ability to concentrate on the book.
Juwel at this moment had no idea how much he was affecting others.
The kitchen now looked no different from a battlefield that had just been swept through by a tropical storm. Pots and pans lay scattered everywhere. Flour and seasonings were spilled across the counter. On the stove sat a pot of soup with a chaotic mixture of colors, and its smell could not be described in words.
It was not exactly disgusting, but there was definitely nothing in that smell that proved it was good food.
Juwel stood in the middle of that battlefield. His calm face was so steady that if someone had not witnessed it with their own eyes, no one would believe that this disaster was caused by him. His eyes were focused on an important question. "What size is a teaspoon?"
He had used a teaspoon to scoop seasonings. The problem was that whether he scooped a lot or a little, it was still considered one teaspoon. Juwel could not tolerate such vagueness. But he had no other choice. If he did not add the seasoning now, he would miss the next step. In the end, Juwel chose a random amount.
Juwel mumbled to himself while trying to separate the egg yolk from the egg white. But the result was that both yolk and white fell into the pot of soup. He did not care much. He only frowned at it and told himself, "It should be fine."
Because in the end they both came from eggs. There was nothing poisonous about them.
Then came the part where he had to season it. He did not know how much was enough. Juwel had never claimed to have a delicate sense of taste, so he just added fish sauce, salt, and sugar into the pot until it "had a taste". Juwel found it strange that cooks could recognize any flavor other than "hot" when they only tasted a tiny spoonful.
Finally, the soup was "finished". Juwel looked at the pot. His face showed no emotion. He could tell it looked different from the instructions, but he did not think it would cause any danger. That was enough.
Juwel turned off the stove. He carefully ladled a portion of soup into a bowl, placed it on a wooden tray, and stood still for a few seconds to observe the entire creation seriously, as if he were checking a report before submitting it. After deciding it looked acceptable, he planned to return to the table. But he noticed Corvos was still reading outside. He did not look like he wanted lunch. He probably only went to find food when he was hungry.
A brief silence.
The loud noises finally stopped. Corvos looked up at the clock and thought, "Finally finished." But what he did not expect was that a few minutes later, Juwel appeared, carrying a steaming bowl of soup, and set it down on the table in front of him.
Juwel stood straight, his eyes serious as he looked at Corvos.
Corvos stared at the bowl with an unreadable look. Then he looked back at Juwel, waiting for an explanation for the strange steaming liquid.
Juwel did not answer immediately. He pulled out a chair and sat down before speaking.
"You also have a portion."
Corvos thought that was the end. But Juwel then remembered something and added right away.
"Ah, there is still more in the kitchen. If you are not full, you can go and scoop more."
Corvos looked at Juwel for a long moment, trying to decide whether this was some kind of disguised cruel joke. But Juwel's eyes were completely serious. He seemed to believe that the soup was a creation that met the minimum requirement of being edible. His attitude even carried a faint sense of… if they did not finish it, it would be wasteful, so giving it to Corvos to eat was the most reasonable way to handle the leftovers.
But Juwel was not joking. He tasted the soup in his own bowl.
The moment the first spoonful slid down his throat, a brief halt flashed in his eyes. The reaction was so tiny that it was difficult to call it a change of expression. Juwel did not grimace. He did not cough. He did not comment. He simply placed the spoon down and thought quietly as if he were considering whether a small mistake had occurred somewhere in the process.
He stayed silent for a moment, then tilted his head slightly.
"…It seems I mixed up the sugar and the salt."
Juwel muttered. His voice was as calm as if he was reading a weather report, without a hint of guilt or surprise. Then he quietly lifted the bowl of soup again, took another spoonful with the resigned demeanor of someone who had already accepted his fate.
"But it is still not to the point of being inedible. As long as you do not drink more than three spoonfuls in a row."
Corvos no longer looked at Juwel, as if once he confirmed that the soup could be swallowed (he did not know that Juwel judged according to his own rather generous standards), everything else became unimportant.
Corvos did not have the principle of "do not talk while eating". He was chewing and he had time.
Corvos asked:
"So…"
The sound of Corvos's voice drew Juwel's attention exactly as he expected.
"Why did you not consider that we might have reincarnated into this world and simply happened to regain our past-life memories by accident?"
Juwel paused.
"When did you wake up here?"
"Around three months ago."
Corvos's voice was indifferent, as if dying and reincarnating was on the same level as moving to a new house.
Juwel looked at him, his gaze slightly sharper.
"That is also the time you had just died."
"Mm, such a coincidence."
Corvos gave a light smile, tilted his head, and waited to be provided with more counterarguments.
"No other reasoning?"
"What do you want to hear?"
Juwel replied, his eyes flickering with caution… and a bit of fatigue.
"Do not look at me with that discriminating gaze."
Corvos propped his chin on one hand, his expression almost innocent.
"Even if we were enemies in the previous life, there is still a possibility that in this life we could be lovers."
Corvos was referring to the relationship between the two original owners of their bodies.
Juwel gave a short, cold laugh.
"Hah, dream on."
It seemed that Juwel was truly exhausted and hungry, because the conversation that followed was not as sharp as before.
When they began discussing the current relationship of the original owners of these bodies, Juwel could not help but frown the moment he learned that the two had been a two man married husband-husband pair.
He could not stop himself from thinking of the previous life's reality, where same-sex relationships were harshly condemned by the Church and by law. Words like "sinful" and "depraved" were carved into his mind as if they were unchangeable doctrines.
However, Juwel had never cared about this matter. He did not discriminate, and he also had no time to ponder over what he considered meaningless in a life filled with hatred and cost.
Juwel could not help recalling the nobles he had seen in his previous life, when he was still a "The Pieces". There were many filthy affairs he had been exposed to. In that role, he had more than once seen nobles secretly keeping male lovers as part of their luxurious lifestyle.
They never made such relationships public because society would never accept them, but in reality it was not uncommon in the upper echelons. Even so, it never bothered him. To him, it was merely a small detail in the grand picture of power and politics.
But the idea that the original owner of his current body might have chosen Corvos - his greatest enemy in the old world as a life partner made him feel an indescribable discomfort.
Because of this, Juwel became even more certain that he and the original owner of this body were two completely different kinds of people.
"I need to know what kind of person lived in this body. Specifically, I need to know the attitude he used to treat others."
Corvos answered without hesitation:
"He was a gentle person, kind, someone who thought for others. He was a devoted one, full of compassion, someone who lived quietly and did not like to trouble anyone."
Juwel paused for a few seconds to observe Corvos's expression, then it was quickly replaced by a faint and doubtful smile.
Those words kept repeating in his mind as if they were mocking him without end.
Because if he had to describe himself with a few keywords, "gentle" would certainly not be one of them. People often attached to Juwel adjectives like rude, indifferent, apathetic, and even selfish. And most of the time, those assessments were not wrong.
Pretending to be gentle was not in his nature. When he had been a "The Pieces" or a count who climbed up from ruins, Juwel had encountered every kind of person: politicians, nobles, traitors, believers, criminals, and common folk. He learned how to endure, learned when to stay silent, learned when to give a calculated smile. But none of those things ever required gentleness. They only required a proper and disciplined façade, one that made others hesitate to cross the boundary. That much was enough.
"Are you trying to trap me into a difficult position?"
This was not an impossible idea either. Corvos must certainly bear hatred for him because of what he had done to the subordinates under Corvos's command, so Juwel needed to confirm how much of what he said was a lie and how much was the truth.
"You really do not resemble him at all," Corvos finally said. "But what I said is true. If you do not want to believe it, then there is no one else left for you to ask."
"...Good." Juwel pressed out the word softly, his voice lowered. "Then tell me more. That person, how did he treat his relatives? His partners? Or was he the kind of person everyone loved?"
Corvos described everything honestly, completely unconcerned with the restrained attitude and the bloodthirsty glint in Juwel's eyes that could not be hidden.
Juwel forced himself to believe what Corvos said. At the very least, if there truly was any deception, he could settle the score later.
"So does my current work require my presence urgently?"
"For the time being, no. You can stay home and adjust for a few days. But keep in mind that you must not reveal your face when you go outside."
"Why?" Juwel frowned. Could it be that this person was actually a wanted criminal?
Impossible. According to Corvos's description, the original owner of this body should have been someone upright.
"That is one of the properties of the job."
Corvos suddenly placed his fist lightly against his mouth, as if weighing his words.
"This one, you can find out yourself through the internet, because it is quite abstract if I describe it verbally."
Juwel did not make things difficult for Corvos.
"Internet? What is that?"
"It is something that can help you adapt quickly to this current life. It is complicated to explain, but all you need to do is look up information through the phone like earlier."
Fine.
They indeed had far too many things to discuss and no time to dive into every small detail.
The clock ticked on. Juwel questioned Corvos about everything surrounding the original owner of the body, such as work, personality, personal relationships, debts, and contracts. But there was one thing he had not asked yet, probably because he had not sorted out his emotions and his decision.
Another stretch of silence followed. Corvos drank water while Juwel stared into the water in his glass.
His mind seemed to be drifting somewhere vague.
Corvos perceived every emotion flickering inside Juwel. He spoke softly, breaking the heavy air:
"You do not need to worry that much. The parents of the original owner rarely contact anyone, and they live far from us. You do not need to put pressure on yourself."
Juwel slightly furrowed his brows. His gaze rested on Corvos's face without revealing any clear emotion. His words brought Juwel a faint sense of relief. He truly was not ready to meet the actual family members of the original owner.
Corvos observed the changes in Juwel's expression. Even though Juwel did not voice it, the thoughts and contradictions in his mind were very obvious. Perhaps he himself was avoiding imagining a certain scenario. After a brief moment of contemplation, Corvos spoke calmly.
"Juwel, not every parent is worthy of their position, nor do they always love their children enough to deserve being loved in return. Furthermore, people have all kinds of personalities. If they were originally careless and simple-minded, lacking awareness, then they might never notice that you have replaced their child."
Juwel froze.
"If they happen to be parents who truly deserve that title, then what?" Juwel countered, his eyes sharpening. He did not wait for Corvos's reply and continued speaking.
"The way you speak sounds reasonable, but it is far too idealistic. It is true that there are parents who are so terrible that people are forced to separate them from their children. Most still belong to the kind who are good, yet imperfect. They might not know they love their children in the wrong way or not realize that they are hurting them. But so what? Those flaws cannot be the justification for us to condemn them as terrible people when I have not interacted with them directly."
Juwel returned to the main point.
"I will have to deceive them, make them believe that their child has been replaced by a foreign soul. If this state continues forever, they will live in lies for the rest of their lives, or sooner or later they will discover the truth. When that happens, they might think I am insane. Or they might be the ones who go insane. Whatever the outcome is, I do not want it to happen."
Juwel frowned when he saw that Corvos did not react in the slightest. He no longer wished to continue this topic. He said,
"I do not need your half-hearted kindness, so do not open your mouth to give me those stray pieces of advice. I can handle my own matters. You only need to provide the correct information you have."
Juwel himself knew that reacting so strongly had already revealed his own worries. Perhaps Corvos had already deduced that he truly cared about the word "family", so before he could fully accept the role of this body's original owner, Juwel would not carelessly touch this vulnerable point. At the same time, he also understood Corvos's intention.
Although he did not wish to admit it, Corvos had shown very clear goodwill, perhaps as a way to ensure the discussion ended on stable terms. However, Juwel did not need that from him.
After that, Juwel and Corvos exchanged some information and discussed several ordinary matters, such as room assignments, until it was close to two in the afternoon.
At the end of the day, Juwel opened a notebook, removed the cap of a fountain pen, filled the ink, and began writing the first lines.
[To the true owner of this body,
I am Juwel Rosabrella. This name might be vague or entirely unfamiliar to you, yet it is the only thing I can confidently attach to myself amid countless unanswered questions.
I originate from another world. You may say that I am a separate and complete entity, one that once existed but for a reason I cannot yet fathom, I have been drawn into this body. Perhaps you did not consent to it. Perhaps your consciousness has been ignored, compressed, sealed somewhere in a dark corner of existence.
Even so, I believe I cannot use the imperfection of the situation as an excuse for my sudden intrusion. Since I am the one currently residing here, I will take responsibility for every vein, every breath, and every piece of life that you once painstakingly built in this realm.
I sincerely apologize for making many decisions while still occupying your body, but I am not certain whether you can return tonight or if it will take many years. Therefore I must temporarily handle things in your stead. I hope that in the future, this will not cause your resentment.
As for Corvos, I believe you met him before I arrived.
If I am not mistaken, he must have treated you with polite manners, graceful speech, and perhaps even carried a certain charm.]
Juwel did not enjoy using such words to describe a criminal like Corvos, but he could not help recalling the victims. It was unclear whether he had bewitched them, but anyone who interacted with him had fallen for him.
Juwel continued writing.
[-But you should know, if you do not already know, that he is a dangerous man.
He is the kind who binds himself to nothing. What you may call morality, law, honor, compassion... all of these are secondary conditions for him to decide whether they should be used as tools or discarded like weeds.
However, you do not need to fear him. He does not act impulsively or out of animalistic instinct. He is the type who always stays lucid. I believe he would never lose control or go mad. You only need to keep your guard up. Do not falter before that calm demeanor, nor the seemingly benevolent tone in his words, nor the way he appears to be the only one who truly listens.
Do not concern yourself with him.
I will certainly find a way to free the one who loves you from him.
R.
Signed under the lamp,
On a night without moonlight.]
________________________________________
Outside the room, Corvos moved his fingers, examining the differences in his body.
'It seems the rutting period has ended.'
His gaze drifted outward, toward a space entirely separate from the world he lived in.
Fate was turning in a strange way.
[1] Corvos changed the pronoun.
[2] Corvos uses the pronouns "tôi - cậu."
"Cậu" carries a mild and neutral tone. It is commonly used between people who are on relatively equal footing and not hostile, but also not close enough to use "mày - tao," which would sound much rougher and more vulgar. This choice reflects a controlled, civil manner of speech, with a hint of familiarity that does not cross into intimacy.
The form "tôi - anh" is used by Corvos when he does not yet know the other person's gender, identity, or age. In this case, "anh" functions as a respectful placeholder. It deliberately places the other person slightly above himself, signaling politeness and restraint rather than submission.
Juwel, on the other hand, uses "ta - ngươi."
"Ta" has two main uses in Vietnamese. First, it can be a shortened form of "chúng ta," referring to more than one person. Second, and more relevant here, it is used when the speaker positions themselves above the listener, either socially, morally, or psychologically.
"Ngươi" is a term that carries contempt or deliberate distancing. It is used toward someone the speaker has no intention of befriending, or toward an enemy.
Juwel does not use "mày - tao," even when addressing an enemy. This is because his upbringing and education do not allow him to speak in an overtly coarse or vulgar manner. In addition, "mày - tao" is often used either in very crude confrontations or between people who are extremely close. Neither of these fits Juwel's stance. His speech maintains formality and sharpness, expressing superiority and hostility without descending into outright rudeness.
[3] Quạ = Vietnamese word for crow. Note kept as cultural name