"Would you like tea?"
Leo von Silberhain’s voice was steady, polite, and infuriatingly formal.
He waved his hand lightly, and a maid stepped forward in perfect silence.
The porcelain clinked as she poured steaming liquid into two cups and set one down before Lucius with both hands.
Lucius didn’t touch it immediately.
His eyes narrowed at the faint ripples in the surface.
He let his perception flow into it, brushing against the invisible threads of space particles hovering in the drink.
Nothing unusual.
No poison.
No hidden drug.
It was just tea.
And still, the man didn’t trust it.
Finally, he lifted the cup, took a slow sip —
and nearly choked on the spot.
’This shit’s ass.’ His thoughts screamed, though outwardly he lowered the cup with calm professionalism, setting it back on the saucer as if savoring the aftertaste.
His lips didn’t twitch, his eyes didn’t betray him.
But inwardly he was gagging.
’Is this what they call tea in this house? Or coffee? Hell, is every beverage in this world trash or is this place cursed?’
"Evergreen blend," Leo remarked, sipping his own cup with the poise of a noble used to centuries of etiquette.
His sharp silver gaze flicked toward Lucius. "A family favorite."
Lucius only nodded once, resisting the urge to grimace.
Villy stood just behind him, still in her maid uniform, sharp eyes following every detail of the room.
When Lucius slid the cup discreetly in her direction, her brows rose slightly.
But obedient as ever, she picked it up and took a sip.
Her body stiffened instantly.
Her lips twitched violently.
For a second, Lucius thought she might spray the table in reflex, but she clamped down hard, swallowing with effort.
Her cheeks puffed a little, then she lowered the cup delicately back to the saucer, her hand trembling almost imperceptibly.
Lucius nearly laughed out loud.
’Professional to the last breath,’
Leo didn’t notice, or pretended not to.
"So," he said smoothly, "you came here because you wished to use the Evergreen Forest?"
"Yes." Lucius’s reply was smooth.
He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in front of him.
"Since I have two elements, I’m required to form a mana heart for both. I’ve already created one for Space, but I haven’t done so for Wood."
At the mention of his elements, the air in the room seemed to shift.
A flicker of greed flared in Leo’s eyes before he crushed it down beneath layers of discipline.
Two elements.
One of them being Space.
If Lucius was still engaged to them, the Silberhains might have locked him in their basement right as he awakened.
"Your Guild Master already alerted me of this," Leo said instead, his tone returning to calm neutrality.
He took another sip of that vile drink. "And I have accepted your request."
Lucius raised a brow.
’And I wonder why we’re having this conversation then. He already agreed, so why drag me out here at sunrise, before I even had breakfast?’
The silence stretched a moment too long.
Then Leo’s eyes sharpened. "Tell me, Lucius. Are you still interested in my daughter?"
The words hit Lucius like a physical slap.
His face flickered through a series of emotions in rapid succession: surprise at the audacity, confusion at the timing, irritation at the implication, then incredulity — before finally collapsing into a look of pure, vivid disgust.
He massaged his forehead with two fingers, muttering low. "I’m not."
This couldn’t be real.
This whole meeting, was this what it was about?
Just this tired nonsense?
Leo’s gaze didn’t waver. "You were an amazing son-in-law when we last saw each other," he said calmly, though his voice carried an edge of something unreadable. "Lily still misses you."
’Bruh. What is this cringe?’ Lucius debated standing up and leaving on the spot.
’What is this, a noble dating sim? The girl was already sucking face with the protagonist outside the gate. And now this old man wants to play family reunion?’
"Please." Lucius raised his hand, palm outward, in finality.
His tone sharpened like a blade. "If you’re going to keep talking about the past, I can find my way to the Evil Forest instead. I don’t need Evergreen that badly."
He rose from his chair in one smooth motion, his suit coat falling elegantly into place.
Enough was enough.
Who in their right mind would want a heroine who was practically free use at this point?
The room grew heavier at his words.
"Elias!"
Leo’s sudden call broke the tension.
A tall man stepped into the chamber almost instantly, as if he had been waiting just outside.
His aura pressed through the room like a storm front, and Lucius felt the hair on his arms rise.
Strong.
This man was very strong.
The man bowed slightly.
"Please escort Mr. Lucius to the entrance of the Evergreen Forest," Leo instructed.
Then the patriarch inclined his head, silver hair gleaming under the light. "And please, do not be offended by my attitude."
Lucius let out a slow sigh.
The dramatics of these nobles always grated on him.
Still, he gave a short nod and turned, Villy following at his heel.
The whole exchange had left a bitter taste worse than the so-called tea.
...
The group moved out into the open air, walking across polished stone paths that curved through wide gardens.
The estate was sprawling, even more massive than Lucius had expected.
He had to admit, grudgingly, that it was beautiful.
"Well," Villy said, breaking the silence lightly, "Lord Lucius could have a mansion like this if he wanted."
Lucius turned to her, blinking once. "I can?"
"Of course." She gave him a matter-of-fact look. "All you have to do is request it from the government. A man of your title — your space affinity alone qualifies you for an estate at least this size."
Lucius stroked his chin thoughtfully.
’So I’ve been holding back without realizing it.’
He clearly hadn’t been abusing his space title nearly enough.
’I’ll try after I finish my second mana heart.’ He thought.
The path curved, leading them toward the deeper grounds.
Ahead, guarded by another squad of armored men, stood the entrance to the Evergreen Forest itself.
Its gate was engraved with runes that pulsed softly, a living connection to the forest’s magic.
And there, standing squarely before it, was Lily Silberhain.
Her silver hair gleamed in the morning light, her cheeks puffed out in a childish pout.
The moment her eyes landed on Lucius, she stamped a foot and shouted.
"No, you will not get me back!"
Lucius froze mid-step, blinking once.
His mind stalled at the absurdity of her declaration.
’What the hell is wrong with this woman?’