Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 913: To be Lady of House Alex Fury II

CH913 To be Lady of House Alex Fury II

***

“Why—why are you attacking me like this?” Asta said weakly.

“Attacking you?” Zora shook her head. “That is another point off for you.”

“What—?”

“The fact that you mistake my criticism of you—though admittedly strongly worded—as an attack shows your weakness of mind, something a Lady of our House must overcome,” Zora cut in.

She paused for a brief moment.

“Like I said at the beginning, I am not here to bar you from becoming Alex’s wife. What I am here to do is merely inform you—if you truly wish to become Alex’s wife, then know that you are not good enough as you are now,” Zora said.

“As I am now…?” Asta caught onto the caveat.

“Yes. As you are now, you are not worthy of being Alex’s wife,” Zora confirmed. “If you truly love Alex… if this is more than an emotional whim and you truly wish to be with him… prove it.

“Improve yourself. Grow into a woman worthy of standing beside him—however, not for anyone else, not in anyone’s image, but in your own way.

“Do this, and I will personally invite you to become a Lady of our House,” Zora said.

But then she added coldly, “Until then, keep your emotions to yourself. They are useless to everyone, especially to you, and maintain your role as a retainer.

“I have said all I have to say. I will take my leave now.”

With that said, Zora stood up from her chair and made for the exit.

Asta had a determined look on her face, almost as if she had come to an important decision.

‘At least, she isn’t completely hopeless,’ Zora thought to herself as she walked out of the residence.

She looked at the beautiful night sky above and heaved a sigh.

Zora took out her Rune Phone and called the replacement she had personally trained as the majordomo of the DragonHold Enclave.

“Were you the one who arranged for Asta Verborgen to live within my husband’s residence?” Zora asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” the acting majordomo responded. “According to her file, Asta Verborgen is registered as Young Master Alex’s retainer. So I assumed it would be best for her to take care of the residence since you cited privacy and secrecy concerns before you left.”

“Are you displeased with the arrangement, ma’am? Should I reassign the residence’s caretaker?”

“No,” Zora declined. “Your judgement was correct. I just wanted to confirm that she was assigned rather than taking advantage of her position.

“That will be all,” she added.

“Would you be coming over, ma’am?” the majordomo asked.

“I am coming over now. However, I have no plans of taking back the position just yet. I merely want to discuss with you an opportunity for the Enclave that my husband is opening up in conjunction with the Golden Palace,” Zora replied.

“Understood, ma’am. I will continue to stand as your proxy until you are ready to take your rightful place,” the majordomo replied.

“Thank you,” Zora said as the call ended.

Zora looked back at the residence, her eyes poignant with many thoughts.

While Asta’s determination and decision in the moment were welcomed by Zora, only time would tell if that determination would continue to burn brightly or burn out.

‘Either way, it will only benefit Alex. If she can make something of herself, she will become another useful person by Alex’s side, whether or not she becomes his wife. And if she fails to achieve anything worthwhile, she will no longer look towards Alex’s side with her mediocrity,’ Zora thought to herself.

Zora recognised that she may have come off too strongly in her ‘conversation’ with Asta. However, she did not regret it.

After all, she wanted Asta to understand what it took to stand by Alex’s side—not as a ‘mere’ retainer, but as his wife.

Alex’s followers—his retainers, vassals, and citizens—all looked to his back with the highest regard. And because of this, much was expected of a Lady of his House.

There was hardly any rancour amongst his followers on the matter of his wives because each of them had earned and held high regard from them in their own right.

If they were to allow anyone not up to par to stand by Alex’s side, it would inadvertently affect Alex’s standing—but more importantly, create cracks within the solidarity of the House.

As the Lady of the House responsible for its internal affairs—allowing Alex to focus on other matters outside—Zora took it as her responsibility to ensure this didn’t happen.

Even if she had to be seen in a bad light.

She didn’t care about anyone’s opinion of her. She only cared about his.

On impulse, Zora reached out to Alex through their private comms.

“Is there a problem, Zora?” Alex’s worried voice sounded.

“No, there’s no problem. I just wanted to say… thank you,” Zora replied. “Thank you for trusting me,” she added.

“You’ve got it wrong, Zora. I should be the one thanking you. For many things, in many ways, I am here because I have you backing me. I couldn’t ask for a better Empress,” Alex said.

Zora unconsciously chuckled.

“Zora, I know I don’t say this enough, but thank you for everything,” Alex said. “And always remember, I chose you. I did in the past. I choose you now. I will always choose you in the future. Okay?”

Zora covered her mouth as she stifled a cry and held back a tear that threatened to fall from the corner of her eye.

Eventually, she said with a small chuckle, “Silver Tongue, you are a smooth-talker as always.”

Alex sighed exaggeratedly. “Smooth-talker? I was only telling my one and only Empress the truth. Sigh… my Empress doesn’t believe me.”

Zora laughed.

“Don’t worry, Alex. I will never forget,” she suddenly said seriously. “I choose you too.”

“Then that’s enough,” Alex said.

“Yes, it’s enough,” Zora agreed. “Meaning there’s no need for thanks between us.”

“Exactly,” Alex concurred.

“I am about to meet with Haggleworth. Talk later?”

“Okay.”

With that, the call ended.

The lingering thoughts in Zora’s mind vanished. She clenched her hand as her determination reaffirmed itself.

Taking one more glance at the moon cascading its light down upon the earth between the clouds, Zora’s feet carried her towards the office of the Enclave’s majordomo.

She was about to do what she had always done—prepare another opportunity for Alex to grow his empire.

The path of the committed wife she had chosen.

—

As Zora headed to meet the acting majordomo, Alex had arrived at the Golden Palace in the Enclave City.

***