PROVE YOU ARE WORTHY OF MY TRUST

Lady Jade was enjoying a quiet morning when she heard a commotion coming from the direction of the kitchen.

Curiosity piqued, she followed the noise, her mind swirling with questions. As she approached, the laughter and chatter grew louder.

When she finally stepped into the kitchen, she found the maids in a state of relaxed merriment.

Flour dusted the air, mixing with the smell of fresh pastries and bread.

Normally, the maids would have snapped to attention and resumed their duties in the presence of Master Valtor, but with the lively Lady Jade, they felt more at ease.

"What's going on here?" Lady Jade asked, her voice commanding yet warm. Her eyes scanned the room and settled on a surprising sight: her son Diaval, covered in flour and wearing an apron, standing next to Mira.

By their side was a young dragon girl with adorable horns poking out of her messy hair.

Lady Jade's eyes widened in shock and amusement. She looked from maid to maid, then to Diaval, Mira, and finally the little dragon.

"Mira, Diaval... have you two been hiding your child from me?" she asked, a hint of teasing in her tone.

Mira's cheeks turned a deep shade of red as she covered her face with her hands.

The thought of having a child, especially one fathered by Diaval, was both thrilling and overwhelming.

For many dragons, it would indeed be a dream come true, but Mira couldn't see it happening anytime soon.

Diaval chuckled, brushing some flour off his apron.

"Mother, this is Betty. She's a guest along with her mother, and they're staying at the mansion for a while."

Lady Jade relaxed, her curiosity turning to fondness as she looked at the little dragon girl.

"I see. Well, as long as they're trusted guests, I have no issue with it," she said, nodding.

With so many maids and servants in the mansion, even Lady Jade sometimes lost track of who was who.

Betty, seizing the moment, ran up to Lady Jade and hugged her leg, looking up with wide, innocent eyes.

"Grandmama Jade!" she exclaimed, her voice sweet and high-pitched.

Lady Jade's heart melted at the sight, and she blushed deeply, momentarily flustered by the unexpected title.

"Grandmama? Oh, you sweet thing," she said, lifting Betty into her arms.

"A grandmother, hmm?"

She then pulled Diaval aside, her expression turning serious yet affectionate.

"When are you going to have children of your own, Diaval?"

Diaval blushed a bit, scratching the back of his head.

"I've never really thought about starting a family, Mother. I want an easy life, and children... well, they complicate things," he said, laughing nervously.

"I see," Lady Jade said, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Seeing his mother's expression, Diaval quickly added, "But don't worry, Mother. You'll have grandchildren to call you grandmother. Just... not anytime soon."

Lady Jade's face brightened a bit.

"Well, when the time comes, you should marry many wives to ensure lots of grandchildren for me," she said, half-joking, half-serious.

Diaval laughed nervously again. "I'll keep that in mind, Mother."

Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden commotion outside. The noise drew the attention of everyone in the kitchen, and they quickly moved to see what was happening.

Outside, they saw a man being held back by the guards, his face red with anger and desperation.

"I want to see the young master Diaval!" he shouted.

Diaval's eyes narrowed, recognizing the man.

"He's finally here, huh?" he muttered to himself, stepping forward to meet the intruder.

Diaval stepped forward, a commanding presence that immediately drew attention. "Let him go," he ordered the guards, who released their hold on the man. Taren stumbled forward, his face a mix of desperation and relief.

"Master Diaval," Taren began, his voice shaky.

"Taren... what brings you here?" Diaval asked, concern etched in his features.

Taren took a deep breath, steadying himself. "My house was burned down by a figure wearing a mask. My family... they might have been kidnapped."

Lady Jade gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

"Who would do such a thing?" She turned to one of the butlers.

"Fetch Master Valtor immediately."

The butler shook his head. "I'm sorry, Lady Jade, but the House Master and Sir Eldric have gone out on important matters to the neighboring province."

Diaval placed a reassuring hand on his mother's shoulder.

"It's okay, Mother. I'll handle this." He turned to Taren, his expression firm.

"Follow me. Mira, please prepare some tea for us."

As they walked, Diaval put his arm around Taren, engaging him in casual conversation.

"How's the economy treating you these days?" he asked, steering the conversation away from the immediate crisis, trying to calm Taren down.

They reached a spacious sitting room with plush couches and an intricately woven rug that added warmth to the marble floor.

A grand fireplace dominated one wall, and large windows allowed the morning light to flood in, highlighting the detailed woodwork of the furniture.

Mira soon arrived with a tray of tea, setting it down on the low table between them. Taren, visibly more composed, began to explain what had happened.

"It all happened when I got home and found my dear home on fire, the masked figure... he took my family."

Diaval, listening intently, suddenly changed his demeanor. His eyes hardened as he leaned forward.

"Taren, are you aware of what you did?"

Taren's face fell, and he nodded.

"I know I scammed you. I'm deeply sorry for my actions."

"That's fucking right, you scammed us in broad daylight without a second thought," Diaval snapped.

"I knew you were lying from the moment you claimed to own land. Your clothes, your demeanor, everything about you screamed 'fraud.' No legitimate landowner would conduct deals on the streets instead of an office. Plus, your story had too many inconsistencies."

Diaval continued, listing other reasons for his suspicion.

"The paperwork you showed us was clearly forged, and the witnesses you brought were just drifters, not reputable citizens. You underestimated how thorough we are."

Taren lowered his head, ashamed.

"I know I fucked up, Master Diaval. I'm ready to face the consequences, even if it means losing my life, as long as my family is safe."

Diaval sighed, sitting back. "Do you have the money the figure demanded?"

Taren shook his head, falling to his knees. "No, I don't. I'm ready to face whatever punishment you deem necessary, be it beheading or being thrown into a dungeon. Just please, save my family."

At that moment, Betty ran into the room, her eyes lighting up as she spotted Taren.

"Daddy!" she cried, running to him.

Taren's eyes filled with tears as he hugged his daughter.

"Betty... you're safe," he sobbed, looking up at Diaval.

"Thank you, Master Diaval. I can't believe I scammed you. If there's anything I can do to regain your trust, please let me know."

Diaval's expression softened slightly.

"How do you plan to regain our trust and repay the money you squandered?"

Taren looked up, determined.

"I can work around the mansion, do any perilous tasks required by the Astarots. Whatever it takes."

Diaval pondered for a moment before nodding.

"Fine. But understand this: if you go against your word, your fate is sealed."

Taren shuddered but agreed. "I won't let you down, Master Diaval."

With that, Taren and his family moved into the Astarot mansion.

Taren began his duties the next day, ready to face the arduous tasks ahead, seeing it as a way to atone for his past actions.

That evening, he confessed everything to his wife, including his indiscretions at the brothel. The family reunion was filled with tears and Betty's innocent attempts to comfort her parents.

Diaval watched from a distance, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction. He had changed a man, hopefully for the better.

Just then, a carriage pulled up, and Sir Eldric stepped out. "I found another piece of land situated in the perfect spot in Claire," he said excitedly.

Diaval quickly ran up to him. "Shh! Keep quiet before Mother hears," he whispered urgently. They climbed into the carriage and set off.

Lady Jade stepped outside, watching the carriage disappear. She muttered to herself, "I wonder what those two are plotting. The fact that Sir Eldric is involved makes it even more intriguing."

///NEXT CHAPTER: MY SON IN POLITICS? WHAT A JOKE