Aristocracy

A sting of glee pierced through Gustova's heart as she heard Larkin's voice, but when she turned to see him, the smile on her face dropped as soon as she saw the reminders of the other whore that wormed her way to Larkin's bed. Not even bothering to hide her cold gaze at the twins, Gustova only chose to keep the snort to herself. She then smiled at Larkin again. "My, Lord Ellis, I didn't realize you were also waiting here for me."

"Please take a seat." Larkin gestured at the seat next to her brother, Wusso, who was around ten years older than her. "We were just talking about why you might have arrived earlier than the promised day. Have you gone to visit my wife?" Larkin's voice was laced with ice as much as his glare, but Gustova only enjoyed the kind of attention she was having from him.

"I'm sure she did. The Kaigansan whore attacked her, said she." Clarissa hummed as she stirred the tea in the cup she was holding. There was no one else but Artie Shen who could be classified as someone from Kaigansa after all. However, a wave of regret made her heart and hand tremble as she felt a deathly glare descending on her body. It was just a second, and yet she couldn't keep herself from freezing for a minute.

That was strange. Larkin had never glared at his daughters before, and Clarissa knew so well how much she deserved it. If it was her, the offender would have been burned at a stake in the plaza. Then again, she was not Larkin Ellis. She could only guess what Artie had told him.

Marissa had also felt the glare that Larkin used on Clarissa. For the first time, her curiosity was picked. It seemed that their doormat was starting to fight back? Was attacking the wife made him act strangely?

"Ah, no need to bother about someone irrelevant." Gustova waved her hand as they were actually dismissing someone else. "Say, Lord Ellis, the wedding would be held in three days more. Have you any plans before such a grand day? My brother and I haven't seen Ellis Plains in a while. Would you mind showing us around? Oh, wait, what am I saying…? Brother had been here last month… while I stayed away for a year.

"It would be a shame if I don't get to see the sights that would rival our Miral Valley, wouldn't it be?" She acted coy and hooked the stray fringe behind her ear.

Larkin only stared, but the fingers on his left hand were impatiently moving. It was as if he was aching to behead this insolent woman who seemed to think that she would be getting away for kicking a fuss with his wife. Though he had no idea what had happened yet, he would be planning for death as soon as the wedding passed. It would disrupt preparations if a funeral would be held before a wedding after all.

The door was then suddenly pushed, and a happy familiar voice echoed from outside. "Great! Let's go hunting then! Lady Wessel promised to teach me how to hunt after all. Why don't we admire the sights while we're waiting for the game birds to be released?"

Gustova's face distorted into an ugly state as soon as Artie walked into the room with Miel. She opted to change into something less creased to hide the aftermath of the ruckus. Now donned in a pink dress, Artie did a momentary curtsy to show respect to the elder duke before moving towards Larkin's seat…

Only to sit on one of his thighs.

"...!!!" Gustova, Clarissa, and Marissa's eyes widened in shock as Larkin couldn't help but chuckle. Miel controlled his frown as he only stayed nearby to the door along with the other maids who were staring at Artie. There were enough spaces next to him and even in between Larkin and Clarissa, but Artie still chose to assert dominance as she stared Gustova down with a cold gaze.

"Are you going with me and my husband, Second Lady Miral?" Artie didn't smile too much as if it was something natural to say, but it was enough to make Gustova visibly flare on her seat.

"Heheh, what an energetic young lady!" Wusso, the older brother, laughed out just like he did before. He had seen this archduchess's actions in that strange dinner before, and it seemed like she really had taken a liking to put people in their places. It was not a secret that his sister was weirdly attracted to Larkin, but she never had a chance before… and even now. Then again, wasn't the cursed being like this before as well?

Larkin snuck a hand to hold onto the wife that was breaking social etiquette, but he didn't even think of reprimanding her. It was their archduchy, and their guest had disrespected her; did she have no right to shame the other guest by reminding her who the archduke belonged to?

Whether it was for a long time or not?

Wusso then hummed before nodding. He hadn't gone hunting for a while. Even if he was already old, it was a pleasure to watch younger men fail in catching their trophies. Moreover, this habit seemed to be passed down to Larkin who only watched other people hunt. It must be something he wanted Artie Shen to appreciate. 

To think about it, Lord Wessel was a renowned hunter before he was named Lord of House Wessel. It must be a spectacle to watch Clarissa hunt. "Then, it's a date. Lord Wessel must have taught you a lot of tricks in hunting, Lady Wessel. Please, pray tell when we're going to witness such prowess."

"...tomorrow." Clarissa didn't know when she promised Artie the hunt, but she was betting to humiliate both women if she could. With a strange smile, she turned to Artie. "Lady Shen, don't forget to retrain your archery. We shall see how good you are in aiming high."

"I will be very pleased!" Artie's eyes strangely glittered, and Clarissa couldn't even hide her confusion. Why was she too enthusiastic? Wasn't she scared that Clarissa would make her look like a fool tomorrow?

Actually, Artie was really happy. It was because another notification had arrived.

[You have unlocked a secret task: Learn the ways of the bow from Clarissa Wessel! Veneration + 20! Total meter points: 1; Veneration 249, Apostasy 122.]

[You have unlocked a random event! The bow and arrow are undeniably one of the most reliable weapons of a little watcher. Listen to your chosen mentor and accomplish the tasks to complete the event. Complete the task to gain the divine weapon: 'Aristocracy'!]