Chapter 157 (1): Second Family Banquet
Wayne caught Kristen’s hand and placed it on the sword’s hilt. It felt smooth to her fingertips, and mana streamed into her, manifesting into moonlight. Eyes reflecting the silver light, she couldn’t help but breathe a little quicker, finding it even more difficult to say no.
She wanted it!
“Take it,” Wayne said quietly. “Consider it me lending it to you. If I need it later, you can just return it to me then.”
He whispered so close to her ear that it turned red.
It was difficult for a woman to turn down beautiful things, and Kristen was no exception. Besides, the shortsword was of the faith of Moonlight. She couldn’t muster the resolution to turn it down. However, her womanly instinct told her that a devil was whispering to her, and if she bought into it, she would have to pay for it later.
After weighing the pros and cons, she still failed to say no in the end. She responded quietly, “I’ll borrow it for a while, Wayne, and I’ll give you a written note as proof. Does that work for you?”
“The note won’t be necessary. I trust your character, Kristen. I know you’ll return it to me as good as new.”
Kristen sighed. It was her fault for failing to control her desire. If she just stayed strong for a little longer, it would be fine.
“While I want to keep it safe for you...”
She looked at the shortsword and realized that Wayne was still holding her hand. Politely yet awkwardly, she slowly ex... extract... extracted her hand.
She’s stronger than she looks!
He’s stronger than he looks!
“But the sword is too valuable for its craft. You’re an archdeacon of the Church of Nature. Is it fine for you to lend this to me? Won’t your master find fault in you?”
Kristen still thought it was inappropriate, even though she couldn’t turn it down. Thus, she asked Wayne to reconsider.
“It’s okay. I’ll just say that you seduce me into giving you the sword, so I’d only made a mistake that any man would make,” Wayne said assuredly. He had always been good at shifting blame.
(Ծ‸Ծ;)
Then wouldn’t Veronica’s mother see her as a bad girl?
Well, so be it then. Veronica’s mother was the one who made a foul move first, stealing Wayne away while she wasn’t around. She took the shortsword and thanked Wayne again.
It was her nature to treat those who treated her well better. She was always worried about owing someone a favor, and even more worried about not being able to pay it back. She was a typical pushover!
“Oh, Kristen. I came up with a few more designs for stockings and clothes. It’s quite late. I’d trouble you to test them for me.” Wayne revealed his true agenda. Since he had hit a threshold for affection points, it was time to get his rewards.
“How about tomorrow?”
Kristen lowered her head with her face flushed. Before, she had been a model with Vera present, so while it was still embarrassing, it wasn’t as bad as it could be. Tonight, though, she would be on her own. That was too much for her, given how short the skirts usually were.
“But I have to submit the test report tomorrow. You know that yesterday I couldn’t return home until midnight, so I wasn’t able to ask for your help.” Wayne sighed, claiming that he had no choice since the higher-ups were pestering him to get it done.
Kristen hesitated. Unable to find a good reason to reject him, she followed him to his room.
“This, this... isn’t this way too short?”
“No, it’ll look good with stockings.”
“How about this?”
“These are garter socks. The skirt is made short to showcase a woman’s charm better.”
“But... It’s too short. Would anyone buy it?”
“Kristen, I’m a professional designer who’s produced bestsellers. You can question anything but my expertise!”
“Alright, alright. I’ll get changed in my room.”
“Just change here. It’s too much trouble for you to run around, and won’t it be embarrassing for the maids to see you? I’ll lock the door and turn away. Promise that I won’t look.”
...I’m never taking any gifts from you!
***
Lando Estate.
It was the second family banquet Wayne had attended. Compared to the last time, when Silvia and Auston had been constantly huffing at each other, the atmosphere was much less tense tonight. Silvia kept smiling, treating her bastard husband much more nicely. Auston also turned only one blind eye to Wayne’s presence rather than two.
When Auston saw Wayne glancing at his girl, he quickly shut the eye on that side. As long as he couldn’t see them, it was fine!
Following her mother’s request, Veronica put on a white evening gown. She rarely wore a dress unless it was for a special occasion. She didn’t understand why she had to do it twice for the scum. Besides, while the atmosphere was pleasant, something didn’t feel right.
Oh, it was because she wasn’t included!
She had a heated conversation with Wayne through eye contact.
What did you do to stop Mr. Lando from huffing at you? (눈‸눈)
It is strange, isn’t it?
Bastard, don’t run away after dinner. You’ll get what you deserve.
Only a real bastard won’t run.
After dinner, Auston rose to his feet and headed to the study. “Come with me, Wayne. There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
He chose to use the study for important family meetings rather than those for guests and strangers. Veronica couldn’t believe it. Watching the two men in black walk away, she gulped in shock and said, “Mother, did you hear that? Mr. Lando talked to the scum!”
It was her first time witnessing their interaction. She had thought that they would never talk in this lifetime.
“Don’t be silly. Wayne isn’t a scum, and it’s not Mr. Lando, but your father,” Silvia corrected her.
Veronica sucked in a breath. “I have a father now?”
...Of course you do, or where would you have come from? Even if you were born from an egg, a male would still be needed!
Veronica knew she was stating the obvious. She hurried to Silvia and said with joy and surprise, “I mean, are you not fighting with father anymore?”
“We weren’t fighting.”
“Right, right.” Veronica nodded, tearing up. “Then promise not to beat him up for no reason.”
“...”
“Please say something, Mother!”
“I can’t promise that,” Silvia said hesitantly. When she noticed the disappointed look on her daughter’s face, she hurriedly said, “I can’t explain the reason, but you’ll understand in the future. One day, when a face that annoys you particularly appears before you, you won’t be able to stop yourself from punching it.”
Veronica didn’t quite understand, but there was such a face that she found annoying. She didn’t dwell on it and instead asked, “Father and Wayne have been acting weirdly today. I suspect that they...” She couldn’t quite find the words. After making a few gestures, she continued seriously, “They have secrets they can’t tell anyone. They must have reached some sort of nefarious agreement.”
“That’s not far off.” Silvia laughed, but corrected her. “They aren’t doing something nefarious, though. Wayne simply has to learn to do bad things for the family.”
Ha, why would he have to learn that?
“Mother, you haven’t read his di—” Veronica stopped, her heart thumping when she noticed the strange phrasings. “Mother, what do you mean by ‘for the family’? What agreement have they reached?”
She felt like she had missed too much. Everyone knew what was happening, but not her.
Silvia patted her blonde hair. “Your father chose Wayne as the successor, so he’ll be the future master of the Lando family.”
“Why him? He’s not even a Lando!” Veronica’s eyes widened. Then her face suddenly twisted. “Mother, can-can-can it be...”
“Yes, it’s just like that.”
Silvia blinked at her and smiled pointedly. Her girl wasn’t too dense after all. She was clever just like her.
“Wayne is father’s son...” Veronica felt like the world was falling apart around her. With a blank look in her eyes, she muttered, “I always thought they were similar, in every way, in fact, but I never imagined that Wayne could be my brother... I won’t accept it. I don’t want a brother like him!”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Wayne isn’t your brother. That bastard doesn’t dare to mess around with other women!”
(ꐦ￣皿￣)ง(⇀‸↼;)
Silvia knocked Veronica on the head. She stood corrected. Her girl wasn’t like her at all. She didn’t inherit her cleverness or her keen eye for people. Her bastard husband was right. Wayne would have to take on the mantle.
“Then what? What gives him the right to take over the Lando family when I’m here?” Veronica pouted unhappily.
“Have you considered that his child will have the Lando blood?” Silvia reminded her.
“It is poss—”
“Huh?”
“Huh!”
“Huh—”