Myths Reawakened

Young Master’s Mansion.

A group of maids walked out of the front door while chatting happily, carrying tools and trash bags. Wayne sneaked a look. The tools included a ladder, scissors, and unused decorations, while the trash bags were empty. He didn’t see any bloodied overalls and gloves, or the heads of someone meeting a premature death.

“Good, let’s hope it stays that way.”

Wayne shook his head. The maids working for the Lando family all looked... interesting. Perhaps the old man had set up such strict standards for the maids’ appearance because he realized how terrible his reputation was. Of course, it was more likely that Silvia, the mistress of the family, had picked the maids herself.

That showed Auston’s status in the family—or the lack thereof. No wonder his only territory in the house was the balcony.

Wayne staggered his way to the door of the mansion. It took him five minutes even though it was less than a hundred meters away. Every now and then, he stopped to observe the lawn, simulating and analyzing the different scenarios in his head. He had formulated different emergency responses for each of them, from Plan A to Plan ψ with numerous applicable patches.

After all that, he believed he had nothing else to fear.

“Damn bastard, I’m gonna kill you sooner or later!” He got even more furious during the process. Cursing under his breath, he opened the door. He would not let this matter go, and he had eyewitnesses to prove that Auston had started the feud this time.

In the first-floor living room, the decorations were already in place, including the ‘Happy Birthday’ arranged with balloons, ribbons, and flowers on the wall. Boxed gifts were stacked into two towers on the sides. In the center of the living room was a three-layered cake, decorated with colorful cream and fruit.

Veronica and Vera stood by the window. Something seemed to have happened, and Veronica was scolding Vera as usual.

There weren’t many participants. Auston was honest when he said that only the handful of female friends Wayne had reserved a screening for were present. The two with short blonde hair were Silvia and Megan. The two with long blonde hair were Veronica and Vera. The platinum blonde and brunette were Kristen and Mona.

That was it.

Wayne looked around. Filomina, the party killer, wasn’t here. What a pitiful High Reverend she was!

He felt bad for her for a total of three seconds. The fact that she was the only one who didn’t come made it clear that she hadn’t been notified. Although she had gotten to the most bases with Wayne, she didn’t even get to share a table with her young boyfriend’s other female friends on his birthday.

Once a pushover, always a pushover!

While lamenting her tragic standing, Wayne gave Veryl a thumbs-up in his mind. If his butler hadn’t shrewdly taken care of a major threat for him, he would’ve been skinned alive today if not skinned to death.

He didn’t blame Veryl for the birthday celebration. The butler couldn’t be more professional. It was just that no one expected Auston, the cunning old man, to intervene!

At least Wayne never expected Auston to throw a party for him.

“Come here, Wayne.”

Silvia beckoned him over, opening a jewelry box and crowning him as the birthday boy.

It was an actual crown rather than a paper replica, woven with gold threads and silk and decorated with colorful gems. Each gem had been carefully and masterfully cut and polished. With the crown on, Wayne looked incredibly expensive.

“Wayne, Vera sneaked a bite of the cake and ate your name.” Veronica raised her hand, explaining why she was scolding Vera.

Wayne wasn’t surprised at all. When he saw that Kristen was about to say something, he quickly spoke up, “Today’s my birthday. I’ll say a few things first. I wasn’t going to celebrate it because I wanted to give one of you a surprise. I won’t name her, since she should know who she is.”

“...” x6

Who is it? Me? x4

“But someone invited you all to the birthday celebration on my behalf, so she didn’t get to enjoy the surprise. Even so, I’m grateful to all of you for attending. When I was at the door, my heart was pounding, and I was welling up...”

Wayne adjusted the crown on his head. “Since we’re here, let’s play. As the king tonight, I have absolute authority. Mona, there’s a charcoal pencil in my study that I use for sketches. Fetch it for me.”

Mona nodded. While climbing up the stairs, she received a telepathic message that the surprise Wayne had prepared for her was sadly wasted. He would make it up to her someday!

That was one hidden risk addressed. Once she fetched him the charcoal pencil, Wayne looked at the six human canvases standing before him, stroking his chin in bemusement. What should he draw on them?

After a moment, he drew six whiskers on Kristen’s face. When they first met, Senior Kristen had been Monica the black cat, which left a deep impression on him. To this day, he still regretted not having flicked its little bells.

Vera got a sun, Veronica got a mushroom, and Mona got a cross.

He was going to stop there, but Silvia came up to him with a smile, pointing at her forehead and asking for a stamp from the king.

Please stop making things more complicated, Master.

He quickly drew her face completely black. It was meant to be a simple sketch of Auston, and since Auston’s signature color was black, the sketch was also all black.

“Master, this is by Auston’s request,” Wayne said in resignation. “Since he just gave me an amazing gift, I can’t say no to him. If you feel any offense, please direct it at the one pulling the strings. I’m only carrying out his order.”

Silvia moved to the side and wiped her face with a handkerchief. Judging by her silence, someone was going to fly to the grove tonight.

That’s just the appetizer. I’ll get back at you properly one day! Wayne thought with grievances. Holding the charcoal pencil, he turned to Megan and asked, “Do you want the king’s stamp, too, Megan?”

Megan shook her head with an expressionless face. She wanted no part in the grudges between Scumbag Jr. and Scumbag Sr., and if possible, she would like to ask for the king’s permission to take her leave.

“This isn’t right. If Auston’s wife has a stamp, his lover should, too. I’m fair like that.”

All six guests fell silent.

Wayne wouldn’t miss a chance to get on Auston’s nerves. He was fair, so he would give Auston a chance to explain himself; the fact that Auston wasn’t here to give a rebuttal had nothing to do with him.

After a few broad strokes, Megan’s entire face was turned black. She moved to the side and started wiping her face like Silvia.

When it was time to give the birthday boy gifts, Vera took the initiative and went up to him with her gift. “I’ve prepared two today, Wayne. One is my—”

Shit, that’s a slippery slope I can’t step on!

“I can guess what the gift is. I’m pleasantly surprised. Love it.” Wayne interrupted her. When Vera gave him a disappointed look, he coughed into his fist twice and pointed at his own cheek. “As the king, I order you to give me a stamp.”

Only then did Vera break into a smile. She boldly hooked her arms around his neck and stamped his face.

Then it was Mona’s turn. She did the same without issue.

When it was Kristen’s turn, she rolled her eyes at Wayne but didn’t expose him. Unhappy with the marks on his two cheeks, she pecked his forehead instead.

Finally, it was Veronica’s turn. She brought her gift over, dragging her feet and refusing to follow the king’s order.

Silvia cocked her head on the side, realizing how popular her student was. Vera and Mona were basically announcing their feelings to the world with no pretense, while Kristen was at least making an attempt to hide hers due to her introverted personality. As for her daughter...

Well, she didn’t have the words to describe her girl. She had to do something. Veronica needed a push.

“Veronica, why don’t you just kiss him on the forehead? It’s normal for friends. No one will take offense.”

“A peck on the forehead is too intimate.”

“It’s the king’s order. How about... I do it for you?”

Silvia arched an eyebrow, moving to make good on her threat. Veronica quickly pulled Wayne behind her. Then she saw...

(⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)

Wayne was blushing again.

The familiar expression immediately made whatever shyness she felt evaporate. In fact, her fist was itching for a punch.

Do it! Why are you just staring at him? Go! Silvia was so anxious that she stumbled and knocked into Veronica.

“Oops, I slipped.”

Her acting was terrible, but it did the job. Caught off guard, Veronica flew toward Wayne. She shut her eyes because the scum’s approaching face scared her.

Wayne stepped back and caught Veronica in his embrace. He tilted his head at Silvia and asked, “You haven’t twisted your ankle, have you, Master?”

Then he disregarded Silvia’s resignation and said to Veronica, “A hug works, too. I know you’re easily embarrassed. I’ll consider this your stamp.”

Veronica pushed Wayne away with a blush before complaining to her mother. She slipped? She did it on purpose! Why would her mother be like that? Alone, she went up to a window and stared outside with her jaw clenched.

This child is going to stay single until her death...

Silvia sighed. There was such fierce competition around Wayne, and Veronica was at such a disadvantage. Silvia didn’t think her daughter stood a chance.

She had to talk to Auston about the marriage. They had to tie Wayne down before it was too late, or the student Silvia had raised would run away with someone else.

Bastard, you don’t want the heir of the family to jump ship, do you?