“Hmm… You must be Victor, the one I’ve heard so much about,” an old man said, his wrinkled eyes narrowing as his frail body leaned slightly forward. He studied Victor intently as the latter sat before him.
“F-Father… He’s not just Victor! He is the Emperor! Did you forget that?” Velc blurted out, his voice trembling with panic. His fearful gaze darted to his father, as if pleading for him to realize the gravity of the situation.
“Emperor? Oh… I forgot… Hahah…” Mortimer chuckled softly, his laughter carrying a dry yet amused tone. He shook his head and added, “Must be getting old… My memory isn’t what it used to be… Hah.”
Victor simply offered a polite smile, though his sharp eyes took in the old man’s demeanour. He could tell Mortimer was good at pretending…. Those sturdy legs, barely trembling, spoke everything.
Mortimer gave a brief nod before his gaze shifted to Selene, who had been standing beside Victor ever since her grandfather arrived. Even if she didn’t show respect to her father, she at least needed to acknowledge the elder’s presence, right?
“So, is this the man you claim to love, my dear?” Mortimer asked in a deceptively soft voice, his sharp eyes fixed on his shy granddaughter.
Selene, however, wasn’t just shy; she appeared utterly captivated by the powerful figure beside her… she was staring at Victor like he was her god or something, Mortimer thought as he observed her, ‘Haha… Unlike my daughter, my granddaughter knows exactly what to catch. Look at her, acting shy and delicate even though she’s reeled in such a big fish. Or should I call him a dragon instead… Hahah…’ He chuckled inwardly at his own musings.
“Y-yes, Grandpa… He’s the one…” Selene stammered, her cheeks burning bright red as she lowered her head. Her fingers fidgeted nervously, as though she were too overwhelmed to even form proper sentences.
Velc and Kai exchanged incredulous glances, their lips twitching violently. They couldn’t believe the spectacle before them.
She had practically been perched on Victor’s lap moments ago, giggling and acting all lovey-dovey, and now she was shy?
Both of them silently wondered: Who is the real Selene?
“Hahaha… Who would have thought my granddaughter could act so shy, especially after managing to find such a remarkable man?” Mortimer said with a satisfied nod.
His gaze shifted to Victor, who was staring at him, his expression unreadable.
“Is something bothering you, son?” Mortimer asked finally, his tone deceptively casual. But before Victor could answer—
“Father! You cannot address him like that… You must call him Sir! Show some respect!” Velc interjected in a panicked voice, his body trembling…. His mind replayed the gruesome image of Victor chopping the Dragon Emperor’s neck like a mere chicken.
Even now, the memory sent shivers down his spine!!
“Oh? But he’s going to marry my granddaughter soon,” Mortimer replied, his tone light but his smile mischievous. “How can I call him that when he’s practically family already? Don’t you agree, Victor?” His laughter was hearty, yet Victor could sense the subtle defiance hidden within the man’s demeanour.
Victor, while tempted to push back against this subtle provocation, but not now…. “Haha… It’s perfectly fine. I find it more fulfilling to be addressed by someone who has saved millions of lives.”
[+10 AP]
Mortimer’s eyebrows rose slightly in surprise. He nodded appreciatively, “Haha… So, my reputation has truly spread far and wide… Hah… It seems my efforts were not in vain.”
Velc exhaled a deep sigh of relief, grateful that the exchange had not escalated further. He quickly shifted the conversation, informing Mortimer of what Victor wanted.
Mortimer’s expression darkened as he listened. “This is a bit of a problem… Currently, we have no leads on my daughter-in-law’s whereabouts. Even Delphine has no idea where she might be,” he said with a heavy frown.
Victor simply turned to Selene. She caught his glance and gave a firm nod before speaking. “I will not marry until my mother is found,” she declared, her tone resolute and her expression serious.
“Oh, come now, dear. You know how things are,” Mortimer replied with a sigh. He gestured toward Victor and continued, “You can’t possibly waste Victor’s time like this. He has an entire empire to manage, and as the future Empress, you should act accordingly. Anything less could tarnish Victor’s name.”
Selene’s face fell as she glanced at Victor. Guilt flickered across her features, but Victor gave a reassuring smile, “I love her the way she is. There’s no need to worry about anything else…. Mortimer.”
The room fell into a tense silence.
Velc froze in his seat, stunned. Never in his life had he witnessed anyone—especially someone outside their family—address his father by name without the proper reverence.
Except that tyrant Empress of course!
Victor’s expression remained calm, almost indifferent. His eyes seemed to say, ‘What else did you expect from me?’
The silence dragged on until Mortimer suddenly burst out laughing. “Hahaha… You’re absolutely right! You should love a woman for who she is… Hahah… Those were the exact words I once told your mother. Wise words, indeed.” His laughter echoed warmly, and his face lit up with genuine amusement as his hand slapped Velc’s shoulder who was feeling the pain.
Velc let out a quiet sigh of relief though it was painful, followed by everyone else in the room.
“Well then,” Mortimer began, his tone more relaxed, “if you don’t mind, why don’t you stay here for a few days? I’ll use my contacts to search for my daughter-in-law.”
“Of course,” Victor replied without hesitation.
“Yay—” Selene almost squealed in excitement but quickly caught herself, biting her lip as she noticed everyone staring at her. She shifted awkwardly, trying to hide her outburst.
“Hahaha… Sel has truly grown a lot,” Mortimer said with a warm chuckle. Then, as if a thought struck him, he turned to Victor. “By the way, I haven’t seen your face yet. You’ve kept it hidden all this time.”
Victor nodded calmly. “Well, Selene has seen it, so I don’t see why anyone else needs to know.”
Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire
Selene nodded along, her gaze defiant as she stood by his words. Mortimer frowned slightly but quickly masked it with a neutral expression. “I see… Well, Selene, why don’t you show Victor around the house?” he suggested, his tone light.
“Okay, I will!” Selene chirped enthusiastically before grabbing Victor’s arm and practically dragging him out of the room.
Thud!
As the door closed behind Victor and Selene, an uneasy silence settled in the room. Mortimer’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he turned to Alfred. “Alfred, did you feel that?”
“Yes, Master. You too?” Alfred replied, his voice low and cautious.
“Hmm…” Mortimer nodded, his expression darkening.
Velc frowned, confused by their exchange. “What is it, Father? What’s bothering you?”
Mortimer leaned back slightly, his gaze distant. “That man… That Victor… Don’t you sense something familiar about him? His actions seemed restrained, yes, but there’s something about his movements—so precise, so refined. They reminded me of…” He trailed off, his voice lowering. “Ether. Maybe I’m being paranoid, but for some reason, I felt his hostility directed at us—especially at me.”
Velc snorted dismissively. “Father, there’s no way a slave could bear any resemblance to the Emperor.”
Mortimer’s lips twitched in irritation. “Son, I’m not accusing him of being Ether, but you cannot deny the refinement in his every gesture. His words, his composure—it’s unnervingly similar.”
Velc crossed his arms, “I cannot believe you’re still entertaining such a ridiculous comparison. The Emperor and a mere slave? How absurd. And besides,” he added, his body shuddering slightly, “if you’d seen what I did, you’d understand. Even the great General of the Pyra Empire was frozen in shock, unable to move an inch against him. Do you honestly think a slave would ever achieve such dominance? If so, I’d love to see that day.”
Mortimer sighed, clearly frustrated by his son’s refusal to consider the possibility. His eyes shifted to Kai, who sat fuming, his face flushed with anger.
“What’s the matter, Kai? Do you disapprove of your sister marrying Victor?” Mortimer asked, his tone calm but probing.
“Father, he’s still—” Velc began, but Mortimer raised a hand to silence him.
“Let him speak,” Mortimer said firmly. “Tell me, dear grandson. I’ll handle it.”
Kai glanced at his father, who shook his head in warning, but Kai snorted defiantly, “Yes, I don’t like him!” Kai burst out, his voice trembling with fury. “He’s the man who killed my best friend’s father! How can I possibly accept him as my brother-in-law? The very thought disgusts me!”
Mortimer’s brows shot up in surprise. This was the first he’d heard of such a claim. “What do you mean by that? Are you suggesting we cancel the engagement?”
“Yes!” Kai shouted without hesitation. “I don’t want him anywhere near this family!”
“YOU FUC—” Velc’s outburst was cut short as Mortimer silenced him with a glare.
Mortimer sighed deeply before turning back to Kai. “I understand how difficult it must be to accept a man who was once an enemy. But listen to me, Kai.
There are times when we must step back, even if others see it as cowardice. It’s not about retreating—it’s about biding your time. When the opportunity arises, we strike again like a Tiger!!
That is the essence of patience and strategy.”
Kai, however, was unmoved by his grandfather’s wisdom. “But you don’t understand how much humiliation he caused me!” he yelled. “When he beat me—almost killed me—it was only because of Vesperine that I’m still alive!”
Mortimer stiffened, his expression hardening. “Killed you?”
Velc’s face paled as he facepalmed, dreading the fallout. He had deliberately omitted this detail, knowing how it would reflect on him.
Who in their right mind would admit that both father and son were humiliated by their Daugher’s/Sister’s husband?
Kai clenched his fists, his voice trembling with suppressed rage. “Yes! And it all happened because Father was too busy being a—”
“HEY, UNGRATEFUL BRAT!” Velc roared, his face contorted with fury as he glared at his son.
Kai, undeterred, shot back, “Oh? You’re glaring at me now? Do you think I’m lying? Unlike your bitchy daughter, I came to help you while she stood by, doing nothing! Who’s really ungrateful here?”
Veins popped visibly on Velc’s forehead as he fought to contain his anger.
Mortimer’s frown deepened. “Suffering? What do you mean by that?” he asked, his piercing gaze shifting to Velc.
Velc coughed awkwardly. “H-He’s exaggerating, Father—”
“I AM NOT EXAGGERATING!” Kai bellowed, cutting him off, “Victor beat you senseless and wiped the floor with your face! And that bitchy sister of mine didn’t even lift a finger to help!”
Velc’s face turned a deep shade of crimson as he roared, “YOU FUCKING UNGRATEFUL BRAT! Unlike you, who spends his time fooling around with commoner sluts, she had the sense to choose royalty!”
Mortimer’s eyes widened in shock. “Commoner sluts?” he repeated, his voice laced with disbelief as he turned to Kai.
Kai’s face went pale. “T-That’s… not what I meant…” he stammered, glaring daggers at his father, who merely shrugged nonchalantly.
Mortimer’s lips twitched violently, He finally snapped and,
SLAP!
SLAP!