Myths Reawakened

Two? x2

Kristen tilted her head. If Wayne only had two lovers, she would wake up smiling every morning.

Filomina looked up in surprise, turning instinctively to Kristen, whom Darienne had summoned by name. She was about to say something when she noticed how composed Kristen appeared; the girl didn’t look at all panicked.

When her young student was this calm, she shouldn’t overreact as the master. Take a deep breath. Perhaps the Moonlight Knight was speaking nonsense.

“I told you.” Wayne shook his head with a sigh and admitted his fault. “They are both good women. I lied to them because I coveted both their beauty.”

Bam!

“Wayne, you’ve brought dishonor to the Church of Moonlight,” Darienne snapped.

“Dishonor was brought to the church, but not by me—by someone else in this room. I hope she would be more self-aware.”

Wayne couldn’t believe her. He would admit that he was a scumbag since that was the truth, but it would be a false accusation to say he had humiliated the Church of Moonlight. At least he wouldn’t flip the table after losing a card game, nor would he gamble the divine artifact of Moonlight away.

“Ha, still trying to talk your way out of this. Today, I’m going to step up and give the victims a chance to voice their grievances.”

Kristen rolled her eyes at Wayne. “Sir Knight. I harbor no grievances. It was my responsibility for failing to protect the Church of Moonlight’s future chosen knight. If I felt wronged or hurt, I only had myself to blame.”

You spoiled him! You’ll sooner or later dig your own grave!

Disappointed, Darienne turned to Filomina. She was a good judge of character and could tell at first glance that Filomina was a prideful, possessive woman. While Kristen could tolerate disloyalty, Filomina wouldn’t.

Come on. Show him.

Under Darienne’s expectant gaze, Filomina huffed, but didn’t say anything.

“Really? You’re gonna tolerate that?” Darienne pointed at Wayne, her eyes wide. “This bastard has no loyal bone and has been juggling his relationships with both of you. Why won’t you say anything? Speak. Tell your story. I’ll make sure you get justice.”

This isn’t your business, Kristen thought.

Filomina agreed. Our private matters shouldn’t be your entertainment!

Wayne looked at his considerate harem members. They knew that whatever happened between them should remain private, and they preserved his dignity when facing outsiders. That was how truly magnanimous women should act!

Again, he had to say that even if they had committed the terrible sin of destroying the world in their previous lives, they would’ve more than paid for it after meeting him.

Darienne had been so helpful and promised to take a stand for them, but they gave her nothing. She sat back down in disbelief, saying in confusion, “What are you thinking? Once I leave, he’ll only get bolder. Then no one will be there to back you up.”

“Lady Darienne, Wayne is the goddess’s chosen knight,” Filomina said frostily. “As a member of the church, it is my honor to serve the future Moonlight Knight. I am in no place to criticize the goddess’s choice.”

The sarcastic, aggrieved response left Darienne flabbergasted. “What? Are you suggesting that I’m going against the goddess?”

Really? I’m here to help. Why are you snarking at me?

Just because I exposed the truths and left you unable to mess around in secret?

Bah, how has the church fallen so far?

Darienne lost interest in everything about their love life. It was no fun at all. She demanded that the card game continue with a wave.

While Wayne was collecting the chips, she asked, “You mentioned Anastasia when you talked about your rebellion. Why, has she come to Londan, too?”

“She has.” Wayne picked up the chips on the floor to redistribute them. “The Church of Darkness plans to expand and recruit followers in Windsor, picking Londan as the district head office just like the Church of Moonlight. Anastasia is Darkness’s Holy Maiden. She must have done this because of the church’s strategy, or perhaps it’s because of the Goddess of Darkness.”

“Not necessarily.” Darienne attempted to turn this against Wayne. “I remember you spending days and nights with her back in the Frozen Land. She must have come seeking you out.”

Wayne rolled his eyes. He knew that Darienne would try to frame him. She shouldn’t make false accusations against an honest man without basis no matter what.

He said unhurriedly, “Impossible. Anastasia is the Church of Darkness’s Holy Maiden. No matter what happens, she must maintain her purity.”

Darienne huffed. Since Wayne’s composure appeared unbreakable, she turned to his two victims and said earnestly, “Anastasia is the Church of Darkness’s most competent Holy Maiden. She’s the best among all Holy Maidens both in terms of character and appearance. You should be careful. As long as she makes a move, Wayne won’t be able to escape Darkness’s grasp.”

Filomina and Kristen frowned at the same time. Judging by the Moonlight Knight’s warning, it seemed that she had a deep appreciation for the Church of Darkness’s Holy Maiden. That didn’t make sense. Light and darkness stood in opposition. Why would the Moonlight Knight spare no praises for the enemy? Was there a reason?

They turned to Wayne at the same time. He shook his head, indicating that they would take the time to talk it out tonight.

The three exchanged pointed glances, leaving Darienne out. The Moonlight Knight slammed the table and snapped, “What are you doing? Exchanging codes? No wonder I kept losing. You cheated.”

She made a fuss about summoning Anastasia. In all of Londan, she only trusted the Holy Maiden’s character.

***

High Reverend’s manor.

With the twins guarding the door, four women and one man gathered inside. Slapping noises filled the room.

Since the chosen knights were involved, they were clearly playing cards.

Under Darienne’s insistence, Anastasia had to come to the manor to join the card game. The moment the Holy Maiden of the Church of Darkness revealed her face, Kristen covered her face.

How stunning. Why are the old women each more beautiful than the last?

Seriously, you’re all so old. Why are you still so beautiful? Can’t you let the young ones have the spotlight?

Anastasia’s beauty lit up the room. In terms of appearance, she rivaled Filomina. The twins, due to being a packaged deal, would be at Kristen’s level. As for Darienne... Wayne ranked her last because she wasn’t mute.

After a few rounds of card games, the High Reverend’s table at home was lodged into the ceiling as well. Darienne tossed her cards away, grumbling that the games were no fun. Glancing outside at the sky, she asked Wayne about the local delicacies in Londan.

“There are two types of authentic delicacies: potatoes and Francan cuisine.”

“I’ll have Francan cuisine then.” Darienne grinned at Wayne. “You said you weren’t a prince yet, but you might as well be. Could you arrange dinner at Buckingham Palace for me?”

Usually, the answer would’ve been, “No, Auston would lose his mind.” Since Darienne was the Moonlight Knight, though, she was entirely entitled to visit Buckingham Palace even without the regime change.

“Of course. As you wish.”

Wayne cordially invited the other three beauties. Unsurprisingly, they all said no to him. Anastasia’s calves twitched whenever she saw Wayne, so she wanted nothing but to run away. Filomina and Kristen were in a dour mood and couldn’t care less about the promise of good food.

Once Anastasia took her leave, and Wayne and Darienne left for Buckingham Palace, Filomina and Kristen sat across from each other on the living room sofas, staring at each other in deathly silence.

“Kristen, how could you go after your master’s boyfriend...”

“I came first.”

“It’s not an issue about who came first, but...”

“It isn’t an issue about who came first, but the fact that the latecomer never left.”

“I...”

“I don’t blame you. He’s too good at deceiving women.”

“...”

Why are you so used to this?

Every time Filomina made a move, Kristen would cut her off and give an appropriate response. Filomina couldn’t believe that she was losing to her student.

“Are you wondering why I’m so good at this, Master?” Kristen asked softly, scaring Filomina into shuddering.

How do you know? Do you read minds?

“I don’t read minds, Master. It’s just that you’ve been through too little in your love life,” Kristen said sagely, armed with her experience. “Once you’ve grown up as I have, you’ll be able to make such predictions, too.”

“Um, that’ll be unlikely. I don’t intend to enter a relationship with more men. I only need one.” Filomina instinctively played the role of a student and accepted her master’s advice.

“You’re naive.” Kristen picked up her black tea and blew on it, rippling the liquid.

What are you talking about, Master Kristen? I don’t understand. Filomina looked visibly puzzled. She wondered if she was too old to keep pace with young people these days.

“Why don’t we make a bet, Master?”

The word ‘bet’ made Filomina tense up with alertness. Her bet with Wayne had cost her the positions of the Princess Consort and the Queen. If she lost more bets, she would end up donning a maid’s uniform.

“Master, what do you think about the Holy Maiden of the Church of Darkness, Lady Anastasia?”

“Why are you asking about her?” Filomina asked.

“Just say if she’s beautiful or not!”

“She’s decent.”

“What do you think is the nature of her relationship with Wayne?”

“You’re overthinking, Kristen. She’s the Church of Darkness’s Holy Maiden. Even Lady Darienne would be more suspicious than her.” Filomina dismissed the idea with a wave. Holy Maidens had to maintain their purity for the goddesses’ sake.

There was nothing between them. There couldn’t be.

“Would you like a bet, Master?”

“I don’t want to take advantage of you, Kristen,” Filomina said seriously. “But since you insist, I’ll reluctantly agree to the bet. Tell me, what is the stake?”

“I know you will never back out voluntarily, Master. You don’t have to explain yourself. I’ve seen too many like you.” Kristen showed heartbreaking maturity. “If I win, you have to listen to me in this household. If you win, on the other hand, I’ll deal with the others for you.”

“Wait, the others... Do you mean Wayne’s younger sister, Veronica?”

“She isn’t his sister. Veronica is adopted.”

“No, she is his sister.”

“Where did you get the rumor from, Master? It’s clearly unreliable.”

“Impossible. Auston Lando told me.”

“...” x2

What a mess. Allow me to draw the family tree first. x2