Myths Reawakened

Londan Airport.

Wayne stood surrounded by bags and suitcases. He carefully went over them to make sure they hadn’t forgotten anything.

Veronica, nervous at the prospect of returning home, said with a flushed face, “That thing... You know what I’m talking about. Don’t tell anyone, especially not Mother or Senior.”

“Why?” Wayne raised an eyebrow. He understood not telling Silvia since Veronica was easily embarrassed and wouldn’t want to be teased. She wanted to delay the conversation as long as possible. But Kristen?

Why don’t you want Senior Kristen to know? Are you still hung up on her?

Thinking of Kristen, he felt a little excited. Before departing for Londan, Wayne had sent Veryl a letter. The smart butler would’ve surely leaked his whereabouts discreetly.

“Never mind why. If you tell her, you’re never—just don’t say anything.” Veronica was too embarrassed to elaborate. She told him to mind his business and learn from Auston, who did whatever Silvia told him to do.

Wayne made an OK gesture, curious whether he could tell Vera.

The answer was probably yes. Even if he didn’t say anything, Veronica would tell Vera herself. Poor girl, having to take the abuse when she had actually made the least progress.

Not long after they disembarked, while the two of them were having a whispering conversation, Silvia arrived with several burly maids. It was the Lando family’s tradition that the mistress and the young lady were the only ones who could be beautiful—Megan didn’t count. She wasn’t even biologically human.

“Veronica! Wayne!”

Silvia waved while walking toward them, opening her arms to embrace them both. She kissed Veronica on the forehead. “How was it? Did you have fun on your vacation? Did anyone mistreat you?”

Before Veronica could answer, Silvia leaned in to peck Wayne on the forehead, but he moved away when she was standing on her toes.

“Oh?!”

“...”

Resigned, Wayne lowered his head obediently.

“That’s more like it.” Silvia smiled and kissed his forehead. “Isn’t the church’s headquarters interesting? Did that woman give you trouble? What about Veronica? Did she cause you problems with her bad temper? Look at you, you’ve gotten thinner. You should take better care of yourself when you’re away from home.”

Veronica stared at her mother. Please let her go. She didn’t want to be the third wheel when the mother and son reunited.

Wayne scratched his face. Had he gotten thinner? Maybe. He had been quite active lately, either being on top of Veronica or on top of Senna. It was rather exhausting!

“Alright, we’ll talk more at home. Your bastard father refused to come, insisting on waiting for you at home like that would make him look better.”

Veronica rolled her eyes, following her mother into the car and kicking her brother to another vehicle. She had something to discuss with Silvia in private.

“What? Really?”

As the fleet of black luxury cars left the airport, Silvia listened to the secrets Veronica whispered into her ears. She asked in surprise, “No way. I know her well. She couldn’t possibly feel that way about Wayne...”

“Setting aside her cold personality, she’s my master, making her Wayne’s master’s master. That alone makes anything other than mentorship impossible between them, no matter how talented Wayne is.”

It was impossible. Absolutely impossible!

Silvia shook her head. She swore on her character that her student was pure, virtuous, and upright, while her master was cold, ruthless, and indifferent to men. Her daughter had not been cheated on.

“It is possible. The way she looked at Wayne was wrong...” Veronica widened her eyes, imitating Senna’s seductive, alluring gaze. It looked like she wanted to devour him right there.

Silvia laughed. That look did make it seem like Senna wanted to eat someone. She thought for another moment and reassured Veronica, “You’re overthinking it. The old woman knows about your relationship with Wayne and was reminded of your bastard father and me, so she deliberately provoked you, trying to make you give up on Wayne. That’s it.”

“Really?”

“Why would I lie to you? Back then, she tried everything she could to break me and the bastard apart.”

“Did she seduce the old bastard?”

“Not that, no...” Silvia thought about it before saying confidently, “That’s easy to explain. Her old tactic failed, so she tried another strategy. If you believe it, you’ll be falling for her trick.”

Looking at the confident expression on her mother’s face, Veronica turned away. Geez, her mother was an idiot—an idiot who lacked self-awareness. She wasn’t even as smart as her daughter!

“By the way, you and Wayne spent so much time together away from home. Did you make any progress beyond your sibling relationship?” Silvia held Veronica’s shoulders, curious.

“No.”

“You answered too quickly. That’s a yes.” Silvia’s eyes lit up. Thrilled, she took her daughter’s hand. “Tell me how far you’ve gotten. Has he taken your hand like this?”

“No!”

“Impossible!”

“I told you no. If you don’t believe me, ask Wayne.” Veronica’s heart raced, but no matter how Silvia questioned her, she refused to admit anything.

“You’re hopeless.” Silvia didn’t know if Veronica was telling the truth, but guessing that the pair had at least kissed, she tried to provoke her dragon-blooded daughter with mockery. “When I was your age, I was already dating that bastard and holding his hand at banquets.”

“If you’re holding hands while dating, won’t you be kissing after getting married?” Veronica said sarcastically, mocking the previous generation for how innocent their relationship was. Handholding? Was that something to brag about?

She had done this and that and that. She didn’t become full of herself and go around boasting to people, did she?

She lifted her chin proudly.

“Tell me about the selection. What was the process this year? Did you and Wayne encounter any strong opponents? And what’s with the old woman? Why did she treat you and Wayne so well?”

Since she couldn’t get a straight answer from her daughter, Silvia changed the subject. She had many questions she wanted to ask in person.

“The old hag likes Wayne, so she did what he wanted.”

“Stop joking. Be serious.”

“Then I don’t know anything. There is some incredible good news, but I don’t want to say it now.” Veronica would like to share the secrets, like the fact that Wayne would become the Nature Knight, but the scumbag had said that he would like to make it a surprise for everyone; she thus brought up the existence of a secret but didn’t say what it was.

Veronica and Silvia stared at each other. When Veronica huffed and stubbornly kept her mouth shut, Silvia knocked her on the head. She wondered where her daughter’s rebellious streak came from.

Well, the answer was clear to her.

“That damn bastard!”

***

Lando Estate.

Butler Megan greeted the convoy in front of the main house. Auston didn’t show up; instead, he stood in his study upstairs behind the curtains. Only when he saw Wayne and Veronica walk out of the car did he return to the sofa with a snort.

In the dining room, authentic Francan delicacies were served. The family reunited in joy and celebrated the children’s return. Veronica also received her belated birthday gifts.

After dinner, they gathered in the study. Megan hadn’t established a soundproofing barrier and kept watch outside, but instead stood in the study, openly listening.

“The situation is somewhat complicated. It’s best to put up a barrier...” Wayne turned to Auston, who turned to Silvia, who turned to Megan. Megan created a barrier with a wave.

Wayne learned something new every day. Once the barrier was in place, he said, “Master, I’ve completed the task you assigned. I defeated Flora’s student. She cannot become the Holy Maiden.”

He had gone above and beyond with his mission, in fact. Flora herself was gone.

Silvia nodded with a smile, not feeling particularly excited. It was what she had expected. Her student was so outstanding that Flora and her student couldn’t possibly win. However, Flora’s complete silence did bother her.

The church’s headquarters had issued an order that Flora was to return and resume her job post there. It was unclear whether it was a promotion or a demotion. Even Flora’s die-hard supporters had left Windsor one after another.

Something was wrong. Silvia suspected another conspiracy and told Wayne to be careful not to fall into Flora’s trap.

Auston glared at Wayne with a frown, telling him silently to explain later. There would be another private chat.

Wayne confirmed with a pointed look and then took a deep breath. “You must be wondering why Master Senna treated me and Veronica so well; not only didn’t she hold Veronica’s withdrawal against her, but she even taught her the draconic language.”

Silvia nodded. It was such abnormal behavior that she was anxious to find out the truth.

“This is considered confidential information by the church’s leadership. Only the Pope, the High Prophet, and a few others know.”

Wayne took a deep breath and reached into the void. “You’re those who are most important to me. Please keep this a secret. I’ve passed the trial for the chosen knight...”

“I’ll be Wayne, the Nature Knight!”