Breakfast With “Family”

The maid stepped back in fear and lowered her hand. Even though she knew Ardor was not favored in the family, she didn't want to test his limits by using her life at stake. She knew he was right.

'Feels damn good to act how my actual status should be like for once,' Ardor inwardly grinned.

With a restrained expression, she stiffly said, "The Patriarch has called you to attend breakfast with the family today."

Ardor nonchalantly replied, "Not interested." When she didn't leave, he asked her, "Anything else?"

The maid stood still, confused. Was this the same Fourth Young Master she knew all along? But she couldn't pass on his message to the Patriarch, so she thought of another reason to convince him.

"Right! He said it was because he had some arrangements regarding the slave named Jeanne."

Ardor's eyes narrowed. 'This is 'my' slave! Who gave him the right to make arrangements for her?'

But he didn't flare up. He knew the man was powerful, much stronger than someone like Edgar. It was not the right time to make him pay for all the suffering his silence had caused him.

"I'll come after getting ready."

The maid thanked him and quickly left, as if staying a moment longer would kill her. Ardor thought news of his change would soon spread across the working class of the family, and soon to the family itself.

He went back and saw a worried Jeanne. She asked, "What will happen? H-he won't take me away from you, will he?"

Ardor was not sure of the cause as well. But there was something he was sure about. "It doesn't matter what he has in mind. I'll never let you escape my grasp, whether you like it or not!"

As a slave, she knew her worth to the world. His words touched Jeanne so much that she almost started shedding tears of happiness, but controlled herself. It was not the time for that.

"Let's see what that old fart has to say to us."

Jeanne chuckled at his description of his father, but understood the reason Ardor didn't acknowledge the man.

The pair freshened up and left for the common dining hall. Located somewhat in the center of the estate, a huge wooden structure stood tall painted in red, blood red.

Flame burned in the rows of torches raised on either side of the path towards the hall and the pair soon approached the side dining room, made for their family's regular meals.

Ardor entered the place as his maid opened the door for him. He stepped inside and took in everyone who was there. Some were already eating, including his other cousins and step-brothers.

The refectory table was long enough for over 20 people to sit and was almost fully occupied. He saw his step-mother, his aunts and uncles with their children and first greeted the Patriarch according to Ardor's memories, "Father! Your son has arrived!"

The man seated at the chief position, at the end, simply raised his head at the door. His spiky red hair with his twirly red brows and thick crimson mustache with red clothes gave him an intense yet dangerous feeling.

"You're no son of mine. Failed to get a girl's hand in marriage. She's a woman now, so stay awake from her. A spineless coward like you doesn't deserve what the Stone's treasure."

The rebuke was harsh, harsher than it used to be. But Ardor didn't remember very well. It had been two years since he had eaten with the family, after all. Still, he felt satisfied with the man's behavior.

'If you were nice to me, I'd feel guilty for taking revenge on you for your inaction all these years. But your scumbag behavior fits the bill of a small-time villain, ready to be taken down by someone like me!'

"Yes, Father."

The man looked away, and Ardor knew what the sign meant. He stepped in, with Jeanne in tow, and went for the only empty seat, at the border of the opposite end of the table where his father sat.

He didn't even look at the empty chair opposite to his father, as it would be the place for the First Wife, his First Step-mother. But since she sat next to the Patriarch today, he thought they might have left it for a guest.

The Patriarch, Gawyn Flame, beckoned the maid behind him and muttered, "Tell her he's here." She bowed and left the room. Ardor looked at his childhood bullies; his cousins, step-brothers from his step-mother, Alse Stone, the First Wife of Gawyn Flame.

He also looked at the Alse, who detested him to death for some reason unknown to him, but that wouldn't change his plans for her. Everyone remained silent for another few minutes and stopped snacking as well.

With a knock, the same maid opened the door outwards, and in came a person. Ardor wasn't looking at the door, but heard a gulping sound from his step-brother next to him. He got curious and raised his head, only to become furious instantly. She was here!

He had to consume a great deal of willpower to not immediately hit her with a Peak Essence Bursting Dart. 'It's not the right time,' he consoled himself, though he almost failed.

Alse Stone, a plain blonde lady with moderate assets and a fair complexion, gently spoke as the girl, no, the woman, entered the dining room. "Welcome dearie. Was the journey uncomfortable?"

The woman sweetly replied, "No, mother. Everything was well. I hope I'm not too late."

Alse smiled at the way she was addressed. "No, not at all. Come, honey, there's already a seat prepared for you."

The woman gently bowed with her silk back frock she had on and sat on the other end of the table. On her right sat Ardor, realizing the reason this spot was left for him.

'Bullying me even during meal time, huh? Too bad I have no interest in bringing you satisfaction after she left me for good.' He smirked inwardly while eating with everyone else while thinking of Jeanne, comforting his agitated heart.

Isabella took a glance at him from the corner of her eyes, still surprised that he was alive. She clearly remembered Edgar's instructions, and the effect of her actions.

But how was he still alive?

She felt it was a shame she couldn't immediately ask him as he went out of Westray last night.

"So dear, are you really okay about this? Young Master Edgar already sent us a message about this before leaving, but I want to hear this from you," Alse asked Isabella once everyone began eating dessert.

She looked at Ardor, who was staring at his brownie and eating it with great relish, as if it was the most beautiful thing and was confused how the boy could remain calm sitting next to someone who dumped him just yesterday.

"Yes mother. I'd be honored to join the family as your daughter!" Isabella kept her fork down and resolutely nodded.

Ardor's hands twitched for a moment, then he resumed eating.

"Ardor!" Alse now turned to him. He looked up at the one behind all the suffering he experienced at this house. Influenced by those memories, he couldn't help but have a terrible impression of this woman.

The other part of his new personality wanted nothing but to destroy the woman in front of him. It had enough of being suppressed for a lifetime.

"Yes?"

Before Alse could reply, Gawyn shouted at him, "Really? 'Yes'? Is that how you respond to your first mother?! Do it properly before I beat some respect into you!"

The man's flaming red hair waved with no wind, and the room's temperature increased enough for everyone, especially Ardor, to feel uncomfortable.

Ardor sweated under the high temperature surrounding him and stared at his so-called father. 'Yup, a total scumbag. You just gave me another reason to hate you.'

"Yes, dear First Mother. I apologize." Ardor appeared to be apologizing while he was inwardly thinking if the Essence Bursting Dart would work on someone like Gawyn. 'It might not be enough. I first need to know how strong he is.' he concluded.

Gawyn appeared pleased, and the raised temperature disappeared. Alse smiled at her husband and turned back to Ardor.

"You are an adult now. You don't need to have a servant to take care of your needs." The other young men looked at Ardor and snickered while he mentally froze.

It was coming.

"Coincidentally, there's an opportunity for my new daughter, and the family's slave Jeanne can be used to grasp it."

Ardor knew she was waiting for his response. With firm support by her side, she wasn't afraid of him, nor was she ever in the past.

He looked behind him, at Jeanne and her panicked and pleading face. His heart hurt knowing he neither had the power nor the influence to save her now. Gawyn didn't miss this.

"I don't understand what you mean, First Mother?" Ardor tried to remain calm. He felt great anger at his weakness.

'Do I have to remain suppressed in this life as well?'

Alse continued, "So, we're going to sell her, unless you have a few platinum coins in your hands."

Again, Ardor restrained his raging fury from bursting out and logically thought. 'They need money for this opportunity. What could it be? A treasure? A teacher? What is it?'

He had already decided to keep Jeanne by all means, as she was now an inseparable part of his life.

Letting her be sold to another man would put him to eternal damnation as he would fail his Ultimate Mission since he would fail the condition of her not cheating on him.