CHAPTER 84: PLEASED WITH YOURSELF, AREN’T YOU?

No one spoke in the dining room. Only the sound of cutlery clinking against plates could be heard. The noise from Veronica’s side was particularly loud as she stabbed her steak with a fork and sawed back and forth with a serrated knife, her eyes fixed on Wayne without saying a word, as if the steak was him.

Wayne glanced at her. What a coincidence that you’re here for dinner, too!

This is my home!

The food’s so good, Dad!

Bastard, just you wait.

Suddenly learning that her mother had taken in a student and was bringing him home for the family banquet, Veronica was a bit stunned. Where did she find a student, and why was he so important to her?

She felt envious, like the maternal love that had belonged exclusively to her was being divided. She had asked Mr. Lando if he knew about this, and he had spat out his evaluation of this student with a dark expression—scum.

The student had to be something else to receive such an assessment from Mr. Lando, which made Veronica curious.

Then she saw the scum.

Got to say, the assessment was accurate!

She narrowed her eyes as she sized up Wayne, feeling like an idiot kept in the dark from the beginning, a right fool. She thought she would never be tricked again by the scum after the lesson she had learned, but the scum had more tricks up his sleeve than she had expected.

At this moment, she completely forgot that Silvia had also kept this from her for a long time, deciding that Wayne was the mastermind. During the meal, she kept trying to cut him into mashed potatoes with her fierce gaze.

Wayne squinted back. Nice necklace, quite fair and smooth, but did you stuff padding under the gown?

When their gazes met, it was Wayne who looked away first under the pressure. He glanced at her through slitted eyes, not daring to stare back openly.

“Hmph!”

Auston couldn’t stand it anymore. The pretty boy dared to flirt with his princess in this house? Did he think he wouldn’t dare to have the butler bring in a barrel of cement?

Just eat. What exactly are you looking at, boy?!

“Hah.” A master should naturally step in when their student got huffed at. Silvia lowered her cutlery and smiled at Wayne. “Why are you sitting so far away? Megan, move the young master’s seat next to mine.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Megan, move the young lady’s seat next to mine!”

“Yes, master.”

“I don’t want to!”

“...”

The family banquet began blandly and ended with Auston’s defeat.

After dinner, Auston dragged Silvia away with a dark expression. She followed despite her reluctance. Then Veronica curled her finger at Wayne with a long face before turning away and walking out of the dining room. Wayne looked around. He figured that she wasn’t gesturing at him, so he stayed put.

A moment later, Veronica returned to drag him out with an icy expression.

Megan trailed after them closely. The master had ordered her to keep a close eye on the scum no matter what, never letting him take any advantage. As for whether her master would get beaten by the Dragonblood High Reverend, he told Megan not to meddle.

He’d stated countless times. He wasn’t getting beaten, but rewarded by his spouse!

“Don’t follow, Megan,” Veronica ordered, shutting the door and locking it from the inside. She lifted her dress and beckoned to Wayne to jump out of the window after her. Then they headed for her private building.

Megan followed like a shadow until stopping at the entrance to the building. Veronica didn’t like others entering her space. Even Auston, the head of the family, had to ask for permission in advance, and most requests were met with rejection.

She hadn’t called Auston “father” for a long time, generally using “Mr. Lando” instead. She would only change it if her mother returned home, and the two of them stopped fighting.

Bam!

Once inside, Veronica grabbed Wayne’s collar and shoved him into the wall. The Dragonblood girl had incredible arm strength. Wayne found to his surprise that even with his life essence filled, he had little power to resist.

“You’re incredible!”

“Yeah, incredible. You’re pleased with yourself, aren’t you?” Veronica thought back to the past few days and became furious from humiliation. “You clearly knew but said nothing, and you made me apologize loudly! You were watching me make a fool of myself.”

“Sorry!” he apologized out loud without shame.

Veronica rolled her eyes and said through gritted teeth, “Too quiet. You’re too insincere.”

“I! AM! SORRY—!”

“Why are you shouting?!”

Only then was she satisfied. Realizing her face was too close to his, she let go and stepped back, finding a coat to cover her gorgeous evening gown. If she had known that Wayne was her mother’s student, she wouldn’t have dressed up like this.

“Speak. How did you meet my mother? Do you have ulterior motives?”

“Come on, last time you said my master had ulterior motives, but now I’m the one with bad intentions?” Wayne felt the urge to pout. They were friends, made closer now because of his master. Why would Veronica doubt him?

“Did you bring your diary?”

“No, but I’ve written up to today’s entry. You’ll like it.”

“That’s more like it...” Veronica muttered. Still fuming, she demanded, “How did you meet my mother and become her student? Did you show her your diary?”

“Did you hear yourself? Master came up to me on her own, using threat and bribery to make me her student, even offering to introduce her daughter to—”

“Huh?!”

Veronica raised an eyebrow. That wasn’t the answer she wanted.

“Alright, I’ll tell you the truth. I begged her shamelessly.”

“Better.”

Veronica pointed to the sofa across from her. Once Wayne sat down, she continued her interrogation, “No making things up. What exactly happened? I remember you fleeing Londan because a big shot was after you. How did that lead to Mother taking you in?”

“Think about it. Can it be that the big shot was your father?”

“Huh?” Veronica was stunned for a moment, but then realized that it was indeed possible. No wonder Mr. Lando never succeeded in appeasing the big shot, always saying “soon,” “almost,” and “just about done.” Of course he wouldn’t deal with himself.

“How did you offend Mr. Lando?”

He sighed. “It all goes back to three months ago. I was at home having a feast of potatoes when a magical girl in a black robe broke into my agency.”

Realization dawning on her, Veronica shot to her feet. “Outrageous! What was he thinking? Did he really believe I’d fall for a piece of trash?!”

“Hard to say. After being surrounded by so many upper-class young masters, you might want to go for junk food,” Wayne grumbled.

“Shut up. You’re not talking about my mother’s student that way.” Veronica sat back down. “Keep going. How did you meet my mother exactly?”

“The night I left Londan, Master and I got on the same train...” Wayne shrugged. “Remember that you took me to the station? I hate to break it to you, but Master thought I was your boyfriend, and that was how we met.”

“What?! Are they both blind?!”

Veronica was furious, angry, and enraged. Parents were supposed to know their children best, but why didn’t her parents understand her at all? She glared at Wayne. He obediently slumped on the sofa, looking like a good-for-nothing pretty boy living off others.

“I’m so mad!”

She yanked her hair and messed it up furiously. Seeing his infuriating expression, she took off her coat and threw it at his face.

“Damn it, why are you breathing so loudly?! And give my coat back!”

***

Bang!

Meanwhile, in the main house, Silvia grabbed Auston’s collar and pinned him to the wall as soon as he closed the door. The Dragonblood lady had incredible arm strength, but Auston was used to it and didn’t even consider resisting.

He knew he absolutely shouldn’t, or she would get excited and wrestle him to the floor.

“Silvia, calm down.”

“Calm down? You’re pleased with yourself, aren’t you?” Silvia said coldly. “What was that face during dinner? Did your bank go bankrupt or something? Do you know how you’ve humiliated me in front of my student?”

“Sorry.”

“What’s the use of apologizing now? I don’t understand why you oppose me on every front. I’ll drop the issues in the past, but what’s wrong with Wayne?” Silvia demanded indignantly. You don’t know how popular he is.

“He’s fine, but...” Auston made a face of displeasure. “Don’t you feel like he’s somewhat similar to me?”

“Stop flattering yourself. He’s an excellent student. What part of you can be described as excellent?” Silvia scoffed angrily.

“My wife’s perfect, and my daughter’s excellent.”

...That’s true!

Silvia paused, realizing that she was too close to her husband, and the shameless bastard was even leaning toward her. She flung him onto the bed with an over-the-shoulder throw.

Wait, the bed?

She raged. “Why did you bring me to the bedroom?”

If you’re unwilling, could I have dragged you here? Auston grumbled to himself while putting on a smile, pointing at the opposite wall. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because it’s been a long time since we looked at this photo together, so I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic.”

On the wall was a big wedding photo of them embracing each other, one dressed in a suit and the other in a wedding gown. On the long table below were small framed photos recording the good memories they had shared; some featured the two of them, some, the mother holding her daughter, and others, all three of them together.

The emotional impact was great. Silvia’s imposing presence softened considerably.

Auston pressed further, leaning toward his wife and saying slowly, “It’s been a while since you came home. Last time, you only visited briefly and had dinner with Veronica. You don’t know how happy she was that night.”

“Shut up. I know what you’re doing. I’ll love and take care of Veronica twice as much from now on. It’s my fault, and I’ll make it right.” Silvia turned away. It was too late to play the emotional card now.

“Of course, Veronica would be even happier if I were there.”

Auston took his wife’s hand. She struggled, but only a little, definitely far from what she was capable of with her bloodline.

Getting there!

Auston put his hand on her smooth shoulder. “I’m glad that you came back, and so is Veronica. I swear to treat both of you right from now on. Don’t leave anymore. At least come home for dinner every night so that Veronica can see you every day.”

Silvia’s anger deflated. What Auston described was exactly what she wanted, but...

“I’m now a High Reverend of the church. Are you willing to accept that?”

“I’ve thought it through. I shouldn’t have tried to restrain you and bind you to this house.” Auston declared in an impassioned voice. “If my beloved is a wild horse, I’ll build her a range. If my beloved is a bird longing for freedom, I’ll create a forest for her.”

Really? Are you really my husband?

Silvia looked at Auston in surprise. When he leaned shamelessly closer, she slapped his face away.

Yep, still my husband!

“Auston, you don’t mind me working late every night, and you won’t nag me endlessly about my faith?”

“No, I’ve changed.” Auston pulled out a pendant of the Church of Nature from under his collar. “Look, a few years ago, I even sponsored the construction of the church’s bases in Londan. This is a token from the former High Reverend.”

I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt once more!

Silvia nodded. The pendant was real, and the sponsorship was verifiable. Unfortunately, the bases at those geographically advantageous locations had all been destroyed by the Darkness Knight, and due to the church’s staff shortage, they hadn’t been rebuilt.

Her husband seemed genuinely repentant, so Silvia decided to give him some slack. She would let him hold her hand at least.

Smack!

“Stop pushing your face toward me.” She pushed the shameless man’s face away. “I only agreed to come back every day to keep Veronica company, no matter how busy I am. I didn’t say I’d forgiven you.”

“It’s okay. As long as Veronica’s happy. She’s waited too long for this day. I often see her standing by the window looking toward Palis.”

“Stop. I’ll come back every day.”

Silvia sighed. Every time her husband brought up Veronica, she couldn’t help but feel guilty, so she didn’t argue when she knew he was doing it on purpose.

She continued, “Also, things are different now. You have to promise me something.”

“No problem. I’ll accept any punishment, no matter how harsh!”

“Cut it off.” Silvia scoffed. She used to think she was punishing her husband, but realized later that it was all rewards for him. Her bastard husband enjoyed every second of those sessions.

“Then, mistress of the Lando family, what else do you need of me?” Auston got on one knee and took his wife’s hand, gently kissing the back of it.

“I’m adding another framed photo over there. Take the picture now.”

“Certainly, I’ll bring Veronica over.” Auston agreed readily. He thought the same. It was time for a new family photo.

“And Wayne, too.”

“...”

“Cat got your tongue?”

“I... I... It’s not not-fine.”

Auston’s smile was strained. He wanted to ask if he could put Wayne in a barrel of cement first before taking the picture.

“I know you hold some misconceptions about Wayne,” Silvia said. “I did too at first, thinking he approached Veronica for her beauty and wealth. You drove him out of Londan to protect her.”

Yes, your instinct was right. Why did you change your attitude?

“But later I learned that he’s not that kind of person. He’s an excellent mage and will change the Church of Nature in the future.” Silvia firmly believed that. Then, thinking of the despicable Director Schrödinger, she wondered if Wayne would change more than the Church of Nature.

“I understand. I’ll bring him over.”

Auston couldn’t bear to hear her praise Wayne any longer. He felt like he was going to burst out of his skin. He stood up and closed his eyes to contact Megan, the silver coin flipping between his fingers.

“Bring the young lady here. The mistress wants to take a group photo. Also, where’s the cement barrel? Bring him over, too.”

“He’s in the young lady’s room.”

“...”

Clang!

The coin fell to the floor.

(눈益눈)

Fine, fine. What an excellent mage. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have Planck issue you a critical condition notice. Don’t want to live at the bottom of the river? Then live in the asylum and lead an honest life from now on!

And Lily Haworth, why haven’t you called back after so long? Do you want to be driven out of Londan?!