Pushing open the café—no, the tavern’s door—Luo Ye immediately sensed several sharp gazes directed at him from inside.
They weren’t staring outright but disguised as customers in suits and formal dresses, they cast sideways glances at him using their peripheral vision.
What a “newly opened café,” clearly owned or funded by the Earl’s family, with all the patrons just actors.
Their purpose was obvious: to lure him into this “Feast at Hongmen.”
Luo Ye straightened his tie and followed behind Victoria’s enchanting figure.
“Please, have a seat, Mr. Luo Ye.”
Victoria gracefully pulled out a chair, placing her coat on the empty seat beside it, then gestured for Luo Ye to sit. “Would you like something to drink?”
A cappuccino, please, ma’am.
Luo Ye really wanted to reply like that.
But since she wouldn’t get the joke, he didn’t answer, instead flipping open the menu, snapping his fingers. “I’ll have a glass of ice water, thank you.”
Victoria gave Luo Ye a meaningful look.
Emphasizing ice water was to ensure she hadn’t poisoned the coffee or alcohol, as any substance reacting in the ice water would be inexplicable.
This care was worlds apart from the man he was three years ago.
Had Alicia’s death shocked him so much?
The waiter respectfully placed the glass of ice water before Luo Ye.
Victoria’s fingertips tapped lightly on the edge of her coffee cup, her smile dazzling:
“Oh my, Mr. Luo Ye, that expression… still mourning Princess Alicia, are you? At the funeral just now, your ‘infatuation’ for the princess was so convincing I nearly believed it.”
Victoria deliberately stressed the word “infatuation,” her golden eyes gleaming slyly, like brilliant golden pupils flaring as they scanned Luo Ye’s face.
Luo Ye rolled his eyes so hard they nearly got stuck in the back of his head.
Is this never going to end?
In the simulation world, she kept testing his attitude towards Alicia like she was inspecting product quality!
Now, the person is buried in the ground, and we meet in the real world, and she’s still testing?
Steamed blackfish, eat pancakes or not?
Waiter, bring the lady a cappuccino!
“Ms. Victoria, I have been loyal to Princess Alicia, with the sun and moon as my witness. Please respect my feelings for her. Otherwise, even if you are the Countess, I won’t be polite.”
Luo Ye silently activated the magic within.
Victoria was momentarily stumped by his straightforward threat; the perfect smile on her face froze for a fraction of a second.
But who was she? A top-tier actress! She quickly switched gears without missing a beat, her red lips curling into a deeper smile.
“That’s very good. Your devotion to Alicia truly makes me envious. I wonder if, after I’m dead, the Earl can treat his ‘suitors’ the same way.”
Victoria sipped her coffee elegantly, as naturally as if announcing, “The weather is nice today.”
But Luo Ye clearly caught the hidden meaning behind her words. He thought to himself: your couple’s quarrels and the Earl’s affairs with mistresses—do you really think I’m interested?
At least wait until I’m ready with sunflower seeds and watermelon before spilling the tea!
But Victoria didn’t give Luo Ye much time to rant internally; she lifted her eyes to meet his.
“However, since you’re so straightforward, Mr. Luo Ye, I won’t keep things from you.”
The Countess leaned forward slightly, a fragrance drifting over with the enticing feel of “big sister telling you a big secret.”
“First,” Victoria snapped her fingers crisply, glancing around the cozy yet fully staged café, “this little nest is mine. Don’t worry about eavesdroppers; everyone dining and chatting outside is my person.”
Luo Ye took a calm sip of ice water, unimpressed.
“Don’t be so cold! Big sister comes bearing great gifts!”
Victoria’s smile blossomed, as if pitching a limited edition handbag.
“I’m here with sincerity to invite you to ‘marry into’ the noble family—the Earl of Kannor’s!”
“Pfft!!!”
The ice water still in Luo Ye’s mouth sprayed precisely onto the smooth tabletop.
“Cough, cough, cough… What?!”
Again?
What’s wrong with Victoria?
In both the simulation and reality, she was vying for him to marry into the Kannor family?
Victoria gave him a reproachful glare. “‘Marry into’ is a bit exaggerated. It’s more like becoming a live-in son-in-law, as long as you get the meaning! The goal is for you to become Lilith’s… uh, ‘legal guardian and responsible parent’?”
“As long as you agree and sign your name and fingerprint on the spot…”
“Right now! You’ll be the head of the Kannor family. Do you accept?”
Luo Ye turned to stone.
He felt like two big characters were carved on his forehead: utterly clueless.
What did Victoria just say?
Marry into the Earl of Kannor’s family?
Immediately become the head of the house?
“No, ma’am, I mean, Ms. Victoria…”
Luo Ye put down his glass, feeling his brain overheating. “Your approach is a bit wild, don’t you think? My fiancée just died; her body’s not even cold yet, and you’re already rushing to set me up with a new family?”
Victoria’s electric golden eyes blinked, her lips coated in bright red gloss curling up elegantly.
“Oh, young man, broaden your horizons. Who says a widower can’t have a second spring? Our Kannor family is very open-minded.”
“You call this a second spring?”
Luo Ye leaned back. “Does the Earl himself have no objection?”
Victoria’s smile stiffened under the barrage of soul-shattering questions, but as an actress, she instantly shifted into soothing elegance.
“The Earl has been playing around outside for years now.”
“Besides, Mr. Luo Ye, we have high hopes for your potential. Think about it, the sage’s own son—even if illegitimate—has magic talent recognized by the Imperial Magic Academy as a top prospect!”
“You know Lilith, right? She’s in that rebellious youth phase, and she’s in dire need of a capable, respected… uh, or at least an adult male figure with status to guide her.”
Victoria lowered her voice, leaning in a bit more, the scent of perfume pressing in, her golden eyes flashing with a fox’s cunning. Her breath was like orchids. “Mr. Luo Ye keeps refusing… could it be you’re dissatisfied with me? You might not know, but a fully ripened peach is often sweeter than one just blossomed.”
Madam, are you serious?
Judging from her figure and aura, Victoria had that mature noblewoman charm Lilith, still young, couldn’t compare to.
If Luo Ye were older now—or at least at the age he was in his previous life when he and Victoria were just siblings—it would be hard to resist such a seductive older sister extending an olive branch, begging to be swept under her pomegranate skirt.
But.
Luo Ye raised his head.
The weak man he once was had died.
He seriously set down his glass, his tone grave.
“Madam, you misunderstand me. I am not that kind of person.”
Victoria smiled seductively, her eyes dreamy, as if she had anticipated Luo Ye’s reply. Her breath still sweet as orchids.
“Then, what if I threw Lilith into the deal?”
Luo Ye: ?