Chapter 94: Family Reunion
Holding the soft, fragrant little fox girl in her arms, Lena’s heart gradually calmed.
When she woke up again, her bedroom was filled with people, their gazes hinting at a desire to lift the blanket and peek.
What was this, a raid?
Lena’s drowsiness vanished, and she sat up, the thin blanket covering only the essentials, revealing a large expanse of her smooth, white skin, incredibly alluring.
She usually slept naked, but who would have thought she would wake up surrounded by her harem?
Like being rudely awakened on New Year’s Day by well-meaning relatives and friends, barging in without permission and chattering away, disturbing her sleep.
“What’s going on…?”
Lena’s voice was weak.
There were still several hours until dinner; couldn’t they let her rest?
Her gaze swept over the girls’ faces, finally landing on the purple-haired lolita sitting at the foot of the bed.
“Yo, Your Highness~”
“You caused a huge mess, you know! Senior Weakling is so reckless, hmph!” Diana went straight to the point, her eyebrows furrowed in anger. “Although I don’t have much affection for my brother, even dislike him, killing an Imperial Prince, how can the empire let this go? My mother will never forgive the Falmouths!!”
“Then let her come.” Lena leaned against the headboard, her expression indifferent, her lips moving slightly. “Next…”
Mines presented a document, a summary of Moore’s assets and their flow.
“Efficient,” Lena praised.
“Master’s command.” Mines smiled. “The Empress has secretly sent people to investigate you, but the information I released, a mix of truth and lies, has fooled them all. Master is so wise…”
A true bodyguard always considered their master’s interests.
Mines skillfully attributed all the credit to Lena’s planning, not mentioning her own all-night efforts.
“Early this morning, Prince Moore’s private casino, Dream Hall, ore refinery, and a sizable treasure island have all been transferred to the Falmouth family’s control. Since they were illegally acquired and operated, they will be legally auctioned off. I’ve already secured the valuable assets and magic equipment, retaining the original staff, removing Moore’s spies and confidants. The rest are reliable people who will serve the Falmouths and generate even greater profits…”
Mines had thought of everything, even covering Lena’s blind spots.
With such a capable subordinate, the Falmouths’ prosperity was assured. The twenty gold coins salary was a steal!
“Mm, you did well.” Lena nodded slightly, yawning, her expression a strange mix of exhaustion and playfulness. “Anything else?”
If not, she would go back to sleep…
She felt a lump under the blanket, Ling Ling still asleep. This little fox girl could sleep through anything.
But this also meant she felt safe and at home, sleeping beside Lena.
Only feeling secure could one sleep soundly. Lena snuggled closer to Ling Ling, nuzzling her ear.
“Mmm… Miss, don’t kiss there…”
Ling Ling’s ears twitched, her tail wrapped around her, mumbling in her sleep, about to wake up.
“It’s Ling Ling…” Angel approached the bed, whispering, “Wow, she’s sleeping so soundly, I’ve never seen her like this.”
“Let her sleep, we’ll talk outside.”
Lena got out of bed, putting on her stockings and combing her hair in front of everyone, then a thin, almost translucent white shirt, followed by a jacket…
She didn’t dress too provocatively this time; after all, there was a family dinner tonight. If her father lectured her about her attire, they would argue again.
“Let’s go.”
Lena patted Diana’s bottom and left the bedroom with her arm around Angel’s waist, the resentful gaze from behind quite satisfying.
The long-awaited joy of bullying was more satisfying than any successful scheme.
A maid bowed as they passed, and Lena stopped her, speaking languidly. “Just a simple dinner will do. Father… the head of the family is used to light meals, rich food wouldn’t be suitable. Make the arrangements.”
Lena almost slipped up, her words piquing Diana’s curiosity. “I’m going to meet the legendary General Adelaide tonight? Yay!”
“You’re seeing a ghost,” Lena rolled her eyes. “Still planning to stay?”
“What’s wrong? Is the noble and beautiful Imperial Princess not allowed to attend Senior Weakling’s family dinner? It’s such a great honor, be grateful~ weakling, weakling~”
Diana’s ponytail bounced, her small stature not diminishing her arrogance.
Lena didn’t want to argue with her for now. “Suit yourself, just don’t cry later.”
“Cry? Hah!”
Diana scoffed, her expression incredulous. “It’s just dinner, what could possibly go wrong? Besides, the General is so powerful, and your brother too, what, is someone going to cause trouble?”
“I’ve warned you…”
Lena stared at Diana’s stubborn expression, then chuckled. “Don’t come crying to me, I don’t take care of crybabies.”
“We’ll see!”
Diana puffed out her chest, brimming with confidence.
What could possibly go wrong at a simple dinner?
What was there to be afraid of?
She had “endured” Lena’s clutches, even survived the terrifying Black Tide, what else was there to fear?!
However, what Diana didn’t know was…
Two peak rank eight experts drinking together could easily level the entire city…
…
“Cheers!”
“Let’s have a toast.”
The drinkers at one table, the diners at another.
Lena wasn’t interested in the “duel” between the men, watching the father and son bonding, the scene from her past life flashing through her mind, her expression distant.
“Damn, that’s refreshing! I haven’t had the old man’s honey monkey wine in ages!”
“We agreed not to leave until we’re drunk, don’t pass out under the table.”
Adelaide hadn’t seen his son in years, his heart filled with affection, but his personality prevented him from expressing it openly.
Thanks to Lena’s letter, they were reunited after more than a decade, their faces flushed from the alcohol.
“Your father always drinks too much when he’s happy, he’s getting worse with age, sigh…” Juliana, sitting at the head of the table, frowned, her hands busy with needlework.
“Brother is the same, like father, like son. I remember people always saying that when we were young, and I was the one being compared.”
Lena tilted her head back slightly, and Angel immediately offered her a straw for her juice, which Lena sipped contentedly.
She looked at Angel. “Aren’t you going to greet them?”
Angel hesitated. “I… I don’t know what to call them…”
“Just call me ‘aunt,’ don’t be afraid… Lena, don’t make things difficult for her, she’s such a good girl,” Juliana said, mediating with a motherly smile.
“Hello, Aunt, I’m Lena’s… um… girlfriend.”
Finally saying the words, Angel’s cheeks burned, and she wanted to crawl under the table.
Fortunately, the awkwardness was quickly broken.
“Senior Weakling?~”
Diana, dressed in a maid uniform, was acting as a temporary servant, diligently serving tea and water.
She saw Juliana. “You are?”
“Ah, you’re Diana? Virginia’s daughter!” Juliana recognized the princess, her face lighting up. “I held you when you were a baby, you’ve grown so much! Come here, let me have a look.”
“Oh, Senior’s mother.”
Diana placed the plate on the table, curtseying gracefully, and introduced herself. “Diana von Tepes, the Imperial Flower, Imperial Princess, and the future conqueror of Senior Weakling.”
Lena: “You didn’t have to say that last part.”
“But I want to! Hee hee! Is Senior Weakling going to get violent in front of her mother~? How despicable~ so petty~ weakling?~”
Diana’s mischievousness was on full display tonight. After all, with Juliana present, she had a valid excuse to tease Lena without being reprimanded.
Such opportunities were rare; she had to avenge her previous humiliation and reclaim her dignity as a princess!
“Aunt Juliana, Senior Lena is so good to me.”
Diana leaned closer to Juliana, her violet eyes sparkling.
“It’s just… Senior Lena has one small flaw…”
“Oh? Does Lena always bully you?” Juliana stopped knitting, glancing at Lena.
Lena, flustered, turned her attention to Angel, not responding or offering any excuses.
“It’s not really bullying…” Diana, seeing an opportunity, put on a pitiful expression. “It’s just that Senior Lena always touches me, whether in class or outside, it makes it hard for me to focus… although we’re both girls, and touching each other isn’t a big deal, but… but…”
Diana paused dramatically, her expression suggesting imminent tears.
Juliana’s face was a mixture of concern and anger. “Lena! Come here!”
Butch’s wine glass swayed slightly, and Adelaide’s hand froze mid-air, the two exchanging awkward glances before clinking their glasses.
Lena was currently under immense pressure.
The pressure from her family was no less than being pursued by the hero’s party.
Her mother had believed the little devil’s lies and was now turning against her… damn it, she shouldn’t have let Diana stay for dinner.
“You have to help me,” Lena said to Angel.
“How can I help?” Angel’s expression was troubled.
She wanted to help, but how?
And Lena’s current predicament was exactly the satisfying scene of defeat she had longed to see, the stark contrast between Lena’s usual demeanor and her current vulnerability incredibly amusing.
If she joined forces with Diana now, it wouldn’t be difficult to humiliate the devil, to take revenge for Lena’s arrogance!
But was that really the right thing to do…?
Angel hesitated.
Lena urged, “Just tell my mother that I’m a good student, no need to expose Diana’s lies, just help me get through this, and after today, I’ll deal with this little devil…” Lena gritted her teeth, her gray eyes filled with malice.
It wasn’t difficult to guess what kind of revenge Diana would face; Angel had witnessed Lena’s vindictiveness firsthand.
“Lena! What are you waiting for?!”
“Coming…”
Lena looked at Angel, who had the most influence at the dinner table; she was Lena’s only hope.
As the saying went, behind every successful woman was a successful woman’s mother. Lena didn’t want Juliana to be disappointed in her, didn’t want to maintain her image as a useless, spoiled brat in Juliana’s eyes.
“You shouldn’t bully little girls,” Juliana scolded, her arms crossed.
Her motherly aura made Lena feel a pang of guilt, as if she was truly in the wrong. “Actually, it wasn’t my intention…”
Lena had indeed bullied Diana, but it was Diana’s fault.
She was taking revenge for her past life, what was wrong with a little bullying? Lena wouldn’t feel a shred of remorse even if she killed Diana.
Those who didn’t understand wouldn’t understand; this was a secret only Lena knew.
“Explain yourself, or I’ll take the princess’s side.” Juliana gave Lena a chance.
So passive.
Lena felt a sense of despair. Where was Angel? Forget about revenge, help her out!
Angel took a deep breath. “…Aunt, Lena has her reasons, she didn’t bully Princess Diana.”
Yes! That’s how you do it!
Well done, Angel!!
Lena almost wanted to hug Angel and spin her around, then she heard Angel continue, “Actually, Lena has always been bullying me…”
“???”
Lena blinked, dumbfounded.
Diana froze.
Juliana’s mouth opened slightly in surprise. “Aren’t you two in a relationship? Bullying each other… uh, that seems normal.”
She couldn’t continue, her face flushing.
But Angel nodded, her voice sweet, tinged with guilt. “Yes, it was my fault, I admit my mistake… I shouldn’t have neglected Lena, both emotionally and physically, otherwise, she wouldn’t have been driven to seek comfort elsewhere, it’s all my fault, Aunt, please don’t blame Lena…”
Diana: “…”
Juliana: “…”
Clang—
Two wine glasses fell to the floor, the two men at the other table stunned by this revelation.
Butch: My little sister is the submissive one? (exchanging glances with his father) Huh? (incredulous)
Adelaide: My daughter, whom I raised for nineteen years, never told me this? (shrugging) How fascinating, let’s drink more! (guzzling his wine)
“Who taught you to say that!”
Lena’s eyes turned red with fury, and she wanted to charge at Angel and silence her, but Juliana blocked her path, her eyes warning Lena, gesturing for Angel to continue.
“Don’t worry, dear, tell us slowly, what happened?”
