“You can try if you want to implicate your lady and household. I did not disrespect Queen Henrietta; I was merely speaking the truth. Times have changed, witch.”
“You…”
“Stand down, Rosina,” Arabelle ordered her personal guard before taking the reins of the conversation. “That person you speak of… you’re not referring to Lord Aeliana, right?”
“Of course not, my Lady,” the local aura user replied more respectfully. “I can see that you are a person of status, and you are on the way to see Lord Aeliana. I am a nobody, so my words mean nothing. Everything will become clear once you speak to Lord Aeliana.”
“Then I will do just that,” Arabelle acknowledged with a nod before pulling Linetta and her personal guards away from the town square.
“My Lady, that man was so rude. We should have taught him a lesson,” Rosina stated resentfully.
“Don’t forget we are in another lord’s territory, Rosina,” Arabelle coolly reminded and said, “It’s best not to cause any trouble until we see Lord Aeliana.”
“I… I understand,” Rosina acknowledged.
…
Sometime later, Arabelle’s party reached the lord’s estate, where Aeliana and a few others were already waiting to welcome them.
“I didn’t expect the matriarch of the renowned Vossen Household in the capital would pay my humble town a visit. I am honored, Lady Arabelle,” Aeliana greeted politely.
“No, no, no, the honor is mine, Lord Aeliana. I don’t dare receive such respect from someone bold enough to execute so many big-name witches from the capital,” Arabelle replied with a bit of sarcasm. “Do you think violence will solve all your problems?”
“I definitely think it can.” Aeliana’s friendly smile disappeared before she coolly replied, “If it doesn’t do the same for you, you’re obviously not using enough of it, Lady Arabelle.”
“Money and violence solve all problems as long as you use enough of them. And there are only two types of people in this world: your enemies and those who aren’t.”
“I wonder which one you are to me?” Aeliana hummed half-amusingly, causing Arabelle’s party to feel tremendous pressure.
They didn’t expect Aeliana to be so domineering, but more importantly, they were shocked by her reveal of power.
A Mid-stage High Witch!
“We are definitely not your enemy, Lord Aeliana. So please withdraw your magic pressure,” Arabelle requested humbly. “I’ve brought troops to vanquish the enemy spies and restore order to your territory. However, I can see that is not necessary.”
“You’re right. We’ve already done that without your help. That said, there might still be some rats hiding on the outskirts of town if you’re interested in cleaning them up,” Aeliana mentioned.
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Arabelle was prepared to retreat when she suddenly realized Linetta had disappeared from her side while her attention was on the local lord.
At that moment, Linetta had snuck over to Solana’s side.
“It’s good to see you again, Lady Solana,” Linetta politely greeted before mentioning, “You appear to be much healthier and brighter than our last meeting. Is it because of Lady Aeliana’s return?”
“You can say that, Young Lady Linetta. It’s good to see you again, too,” Solana softly chuckled as she noticed Linetta’s darting eyes.
“If you are looking for Sir Vahn, then I must say you just missed him. He went to see Lord Helia in Redpine City. However, he should be back shortly.”
“Why don’t you come in and join us for some snacks in the meantime?” Solana suggested before hollering at her daughter, “Aeli, be nice to our guests. We should be on the same side, so we should also fill them in on the situation.”
“I understand, mother,” Aeliana heard Solana’s words before she fixed her attitude to become more accommodating.
Shortly after, Arabelle’s party was invited inside the lord’s estate for a chat.
However, after Arabelle entered the lord’s estate with Linetta and her personal guards, she sat stiffly in her assigned seat, unable to relax.
In front of her sat Aeliana, a Mid-stage High Witch. On her left were Hester and Headmaster Astoria, another two Mid-stage High Witches, Eniwse and Lord Silvaria, two Early-stage Witches. Solana, another Early-stage High Witch, sat on the right side with Linetta, Dahlia, and Cyrena.
Arabelle and the personal guards standing behind her were completely shocked by the power of the collective group.
Since when did High Witches become as common as the cabbages on the roadside stalls? The scene had truly opened her eyes.
Nevertheless, when the attention of every High Witch in the estate was on Arabelle, the collective pressure made her feel like a lamb that had just entered the slaughterhouse; it was suffocating.
“You can relax, Lady Arabelle. We don’t bite,” Astoria assured with a friendly smile.
Arabelle nodded and tried to calm her nerves by taking a sip from her teacup. However, her hand shook nervously, causing her to spill her drink in the end.
“Pftt…!”
Muffled laughter escaped from Linetta’s mouth when she saw her strict grandmother’s silly and clumsy manner. But then, she quickly stopped when she received the person’s glare.
At that moment, Vaan finished his short trip and returned.
“Oh? We had guests?” the familiar voice suddenly sounded behind Linetta, causing her heart to tremble.
She immediately turned around the next instant and saw Vaan’s familiar face before she filled with joy.
“Vahn!” Linetta cried.
She immediately pounced on Vaan from her seat like a wild cat and glued herself to him with her legs wrapped around his waist.
Then, she proceeded to shower him with affection by pecking him on the cheeks.
“What are you doing here? Couldn’t wait for me in the capital any longer?” Vaan asked with a calm smile, seemingly unsurprised by her presence and sudden attack.
“You bet! I missed you so much! It felt like forever!” Linetta replied excitedly as she rubbed her cheeks against his with joy, oblivious to her surroundings.
But after she slightly calmed down, she suddenly sensed everyone’s attention on her. It made her feel a little embarrassed. Furthermore, she wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she seemed to be sensing their jealousy.
“So you’re the little…”
Arabelle didn’t finish speaking when she suddenly covered her mouth to prevent herself from calling Vaan a little bastard. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard Aeliana’s ceramic cup shattering in the same instance.
However, it was uncertain whether it was due to Arabelle’s brief hostility toward Vaan or Aeliana’s envy toward Linetta.