Meeting

So with a fake smile on my face, I welcomed him.

At least that's what I wanted to do but I soon stopped myself after reading the atmosphere that was not pleasant at all, not even for acting happy.

On that guy's left was a fatty old man who was his father probably. He has a big beard and mustache while he was dressed in formal white clothing. He also held a golden cane in his right arm which he used as a support to walk.

'Though I'm sure he didn't need that to walk and it's just for show off.'

On the left side was a woman, her mother probably. She had long black hair and wore a purple-colored dress and long black gloves.

A typical clichéd noble family if you ask me.

"Mr. Dillian, I'm happy you came," Ainge greeted the old man while she stood up.

"No no, Mrs. Ainge, the pleasure is all mine," the man greeted her back.

After this came a conversation of greeting each other with fake smiles on everyone's faces. The name of that guy's father was Dillian and her mother's name was Fianna and they were his mother and father after all.

"Who is this young man?" Dillian asked, he was referring to me who was quietly standing behind the sofa.

"He's-" as Ainge was about to say something she was stopped in middle.

It was that blonde man who stopped her as he said, "I'm sure he's old enough to introduce himself," while he grinned at me.

'Arrogant young master type huh,' I sighed inwardly while I walked to the front and stood before him.

"I'm Zero, Zero Blanks. Anya's brother," I said as I stretched out my hand toward him, offering him a handshake.

"Zero huh, I am Walric, Walric Fistrun. I am your sister's future husband," he replied as he took my hand and shook it.

'Walric Fistrun? Wait a second could he be?

No, it must be my imagination.'

I discarded that thought because I soon noticed something else.

The smile on his face disappeared for a second before he showed a weird expression on his face, he tried to stay calm and regained his composure but even if it was for a moment, the expression on his face told that he was in pain.

Of course, him being like this makes sense. After all, when he shook my hand I used fire element magic to give him a little burn.

A classic face-slapping trick if you ask me. Though I usually don't do meaningless things and so was this, not meaningless.

After the handshake, I stood beside my sister and he sat on the other sofa with his parents.

"You are looking as beautiful as ever Anya," Walric complimented as he directed his gaze at Anya.

"T-Thank you," said Anya, lowering her brows as she looked down.

She was uncomfortable around this guy and I understood that, no, maybe everyone understood that but they were pretending like nothing was wrong.

They talked about things related to the upcoming marriage, Ron tried to bring up the topic of not doing this marriage but they ignored him.

If he tried to make a valid point then Dillian gave him a sharp stare and that made him shut up. They could rip us off our noble's status anytime they wanted, or so they had told Ron.

While they were busy talking about things that were completely not nonsensical, Walric was continuously staring at my sister and that made her lose her composure.

At that moment I didn't say anything and observed the guy's behavior but it didn't mean I was not angry.

The conversation continued for an hour before they stood up to leave. They seemed happy but my parents didn't.

"Father, before leaving I want to talk alone with my wife for a bit," said Walric to his father, Dillian.

"Huh?" Anya said subconsciously, this private talk thing was something unexpected and caught her off guard.

Even I knew what kind of things he will try if he was alone with her.

"Of course son, it's not a problem. She's your wife after all," said Dillian, agreeing to his request.

A grin appeared on Walric's face after he got his father's permission as he rushed toward Anya, only to be stopped by me who stood between them.

"Hey, what the hell's your problem dude? Step aside," he said while trying to move me out of the way.

"I'm sorry but I can't allow my sister to be alone with you," I replied, looking directly into his eyes.

Until now Anya was behaving as I told her to but this was a situation I had not planned for so keeping her safe was my responsibility.

"What do you mean? She's my wife and I can do whatever I want!" he countered, screamingly.

I gently raised my hands toward him as if asking him to give me something, he seemed confused before he asked, "What?"

"You don't know? I want the marriage certificate; you just said that she's your wife right? Then you must have one."

"Tch!" he clicked his tongue.

"I'll remember you, you won't get away with this," he whispered in my ear and then backed off.

"Yeah sure, you must remember me. I'm quite handsome, no?" I baited, trying to provoke him.

But it seemed like he was a bit human as he didn't get provoked by this and walked back.

They were about to leave, so I and Ron escorted them to the gate. I did have another motive in mind though.

"Hey Walric," I called out to him when I saw that there was a certain distance between him and his parents.

"What?"

"I want to talk to you about something."

He seemed interested as he raised his brow to listen to what I was about to say.

"Will you make a bet with me," I said. After that, I explained to him the details of this *bet*.

***

After my talk with Walric was done I walked him to the entrance of our house where his parents were waiting for him.

They asked him where he was to which he replied by saying, "I was having a little chat with Zero," with a prideful smile on his face.

"What happened Zero? You look pale." Ron asked me in a low voice.

I indeed have a troubled look on my face.

Walric and his parents left while I and Ron went back inside our house.

That's how my meeting with Walric went.

Though I still have some things left to do before the main course.

Only one day is remaining before the battle tournament.