The dining room at the Simmons manor exuded extravagance in every aspect. From the intricately carved mahogany dining table to the shimmering crystal chandeliers gracefully hanging above, opulence was evident. However, despite the apparent luxury, a discerning noble eye would not find it challenging to detect its tackiness. The clash of vibrant colors, the over-the-top floral arrangements, and the ostentatious gold trim on the furniture created an atmosphere that bordered on gaudy.
These were the thoughts of Alan, who had joined the Simmons family for lunch.
“Once again, Countess, you’ve outdone yourself with organizing lunch,” Alan said as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. He had lost his appetite.
The countess, adorned in a lavish gown and expensive jewels, graciously acknowledged Alan's compliment with a smile that revealed years of social grace and etiquette. "Thank you, Alan. It's always a pleasure to have you at our table.”
“So, Alan, what did your father think about the engagement?” Count Simmons rudely interrupted.
Alan faked a smile. “Father is ecstatic. He believes that the union of our families will bring about great prosperity." Alan chose his words carefully. In truth, the enthusiasm of his father stemmed from the secretly discovered mana stone mine on the Simmons’ family land. Count Simmons would never understand the potential, but Alan’s father, working with alchemists, did.
“Really? Then why hasn’t he sent a letter of agreement?” The count asked accusingly.
“Oh, it was nothing personal. It’s just that…” Alan quickly glanced at Amanda, the fourteen-year-old daughter of Count Simmons. “Lady Amanda has two more years before making her debut, and my father wants to abide by royal law. I was sent here to express his enthusiasm instead.”
Blushing, Amanda averted her gaze. Alan Rubern was handsome, smart, and strong. But her? She was weak; her mana core was of a lower copper rank. In a world where only the strong survived, her cruel brother was one of the few that stood at the top. If someone like him heeded Alan's words, just how formidable was Alan? If she became his wife…
The count, fully absorbing Alan's words, displayed a dissatisfied expression. "Tsk. Isaac was always a stickler for rules," he muttered, his eyes soon widening as he realized his inadvertent disrespect. "Ah, forgive me. I meant Count Rubern was always someone who favored tradition."
Alan responded with a forced laugh. “It’s alright; Father would be happy that you want our families to be united sooner.”
Nodding in approval, the count’s dissatisfied expression faded, being replaced by one of satisfaction. He had achieved his goal.
Alan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The count couldn’t even try to hide his greed. The motivation behind his eagerness to expedite the engagement with Alan and Amanda was clear—he sought an additional income source to prevent drowning in debt.
‘Looks like his initial plan to expand the Simmons estate and desperately collect the taxes of new settlers wasn’t as effective as he hoped,’ thought Alan.
After waiting for the tiresome conversation to naturally end, Leonard finally interjected, “Father, that’s enough talk about engagement. We’ll take our leave now.”
Count Simmons, still in good spirits after confirming the engagement, wasted no time in dismissing them. "Yes, yes, you may be excused."
Alan rose from his seat next to Leonard, and together, they headed towards the grand hall that would guide them to the drawing room. Yet, just as Alan was about to exit the dining room, he felt a tug on his sleeve.
In front of him was Amanda, her green eyes carrying a shy expression. "Um, Lord Alan," she softly began, "after your conversation with my brother, I was wondering if you would like to join me for a stroll in our garden. Peonies are especially stunning this time of yea–"
“Amanda.”
Leonard’s deep voice and malicious gaze caused her to promptly shut her mouth and shake in fear.
Alan sighed at the weird family dynamic and then cast an affectionate glance towards Amanda. "It would be a pleasure to take a stroll with my future wife," he stressed as he seized her hand and tenderly kissed its back.
Future wife?! Amanda couldn't contain her excitement upon hearing those words. 'Yes, as long as it's him,' she thought. ‘I can surely survive in this world.’
Having left the enthusiastic young woman behind, Alan and Leonard proceeded to the drawing room.
“Geez, why are you always so hard on her?” asked Alan as he took a seat in the drawing room.
Moving toward his hidden supply of alcohol, Leonard responded without turning around. “It’s disgusting to see the weak depend on the strong.”
Alan smirked. Leonard could only say something like that because he was ridiculously strong. “Okay, never mind that. Tell me what’s going on. You were painfully quiet during lunch.”
Finally turning around, Leonard seated himself and set down two shot glasses. “That’s because I have a question.”
“Yeah? What is it?” asked Alan as he poured himself a drink.
“What do you do if your toy no longer shows emotion?”
Alan stopped pouring and raised a brow.
Leonard continued. “The false sense of security worked in the beginning, but now they’ve just become stoic. It’s not fun anymore. Of course I don’t use full strength, and it’s interesting seeing how they’ll defend since they can’t attack, but that’s not enough.”
A subtle smile formed on Alan's face as he indulged in a sip of his drink. "Time."
“What?”
“You’ve given them too much time to grow accustomed. Hurting them means nothing now.”
Leonard sighed. “As expected. I should just get rid of them, right?”
Alan took another sip. “Yes, getting rid of them might be for the best, but what if you could bring them back to square one?”
“That’s possible?!” sputtered Leonard.
“If hurting them has lost all meaning, that means they’ve projected that meaning onto something or someone else.” In a fleeting moment, too swift for Leonard to perceive, Alan's eyes flashed a hint of red. “Just find it…. and destroy it.”
“Destroy it?”
“In the cruelest way possible.”
With pleased smiles on their faces, the two young counts concluded their conversation with a toast.
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