210 Expectations

Two smacks descended on Dan's head and his figure cut through the air towards the side of the restaurant. Natalie and Grace stared at Juliet before sweeping their gazes at Zieve as a small smile spread on their lips. Juliet descended from her chair, ran towards her mother and deeply embraced her.

She also greeted her second mother, Grace with hugs and kisses before walking over to her father. Dan pushed himself off the ground, sheathed his daggers and lifted the little girl off the ground.

"Papa, I missed you..." Juliet beamed with excitement as Dan nudged his chin on her neck, evoking laughter from Juliet.

Placing her on the ground, Dan cleared his throat with a cough and approached his seat. Sitting in between Natalie and Grace, he was the only one that had a frown on his face as he stared at the anxious Zieve.

"So, you're Juliet's lov-"

A smack descended on Dan's head before he could even finish his words. Glaring at Grace, the latter replied with her own glare. "Have some decency!" She said and Dan begrudgingly deposited his weapons inside his Virtual Inventory under Natalie's pressuring gaze.

Zieve scratched his head and force himself to calm down. Arranging his clothes, he suffused a dignified expression and introduced himself, "H-hello! I'm Zieve and I am the Head Chef of Juliet's Dreamy House! Nice to meet you!" He stretched his stiff hands in a handshake gesture.

Dan didn't want to shake hands with him at first but when he felt Grace and Natalie's foot aligning on his own. A sense of imminent danger swept through his heart as he cleared his throat and shook hands with Zieve.

"I'm Dan Gabriel Longinus, Juliet's father."

"I'm Natalie Longinus, Juliet's mother, you can call me auntie..."

"I'm Grace Longinus, Juliet's second mother. Since we're at the same age I would prefer it if you call me Grace."

The two women properly introduced themselves unlike Dan who said his words with an indifferent tone.

The dinner proceeded peacefully with Juliet retelling her experience in the past days including the betrayal of her crew members. Towards this matter, Dan seethed with anger and threatened to stake his Honorary Disciple position all for the sake of destroying the Duterte General Merchandises.

Of course, His wives held him back.

Zieve's shock intensified when he realized that Juliet's parents held towering positions in the Academy, with the two of them being Honorary Disciples. Suppressing his excitement, Zieve knew that with the backing of Juliet's parents, they could easily make a comeback if they wanted.

That was unless Juliet didn't say something along these lines.

"Mama, Papa. I appreciate your thought of wanting to help me but I want to settle this issue by myself..." Juliet declared amidst Zieve's astonishment. Dan, Natalie and Grace wore the same expression as Dan mumbled in confusion.

"Why would you choose to do that, Juliet? Unless you have a substantial backing behind you. It's almost impossible to demolish the Imperial Clan's business."

Juliet smiled at him, "Papa, you said it's almost impossible so it's not completely impossible, right?"

Her words stunned Dan for a moment before he boisterously laughed, "Indeed, indeed it's not an impossible matter but are you sure that you're not gonna ask for our help? It would be easier to take them down with our help..."

"That's right, Juliet. It would be easier and faster to ask for our help since with a single order from your uncle Mathias can take down their entire branch..." Grace casually commented but her words thoroughly dumbfounded the Zieve who became completely out of place in their discussion.

"Dear, it should be fine, our little girl is growing and it's not like we can assist her everytime she stumbles upon an obstacle. A bird should set free so that it could soar through the skies and experience the world for itself. Isn't it right?"

Natalie turned to look at the apprehensive Dan and the latter sighed: "You're right about that but I'm still nervous, what if those bastards goes overboard and directly attacked my little girl?"

This time, it was Grace who said to him: "Dan, you're being too overprotective to Juliet. I can understand that you're worried about her but what if she becomes a spoiled child that cannot live without us? That would be too sad..."

The words of his wives awakened Dan from his stupor and he finally nodded his head in consent regarding Juliet's decisions. But of course, he still gave her a Heaven Grade Defensive Artifact just in case that the Artifact that Mathias gave to her failed.

"Young man, we'll trust that you will protect Juliet from harm, okay?" Natalie turned to look at the frozen Zieve and the latter emerged from his trance as he furiously nodded his head.

Grace gave him a grateful look before the three of them said their farewells and returned to the Fragrant Peak Pavilion to continue their secluded meditation.

Zieve who remained silent all this while sent a sorrowful look at Juliet as he said with a tone that felt like he was pleading for his life.

"Juliet, why didn't you tell me that you have such powerful parents. If you said so I would've prepared myself more than what I did today..." Zieve felt that Juliet's parents had a bad impression of him since he acted so pathetically when they first met.

Juliet craned her neck and shot him a look of innocence.

"That's because you didn't ask about it, Zieve."

Zieve could only wish for a hole to hide himself in.

The next morning, Jacob arrived carrying the supplies that Juliet requested along with Sandra. Knocking on the doors of the restaurant clad in the robes of the Longinus Pharmaceutical Company. The two attracted eyes from the crowd.

"The two of them, aren't they from the Pharmaceutical Company? Why are they going to that restaurant?"

"Indeed, they're from the Pharmaceutical Company. Perhaps they're going to inspect if the rumors regarding Juliet's Dreamy House are true and possibly forbid their operations if found guilty..."

"What a shame, I quite liked the original recipes that the owner has for us. If not for the fact that they're shamelessly charging us with Spirit Stones while using mortal ingredients. I would've kept eating there..."

Sighs of regrets reverberated in the air. People actually liked the way that the Dreamy House operated. Particularly, due to the fact that the owner was a charming little girl that captivated everyone with her smile.

Unfortunately, they decided to go against the Imperial Clan, and no matter where they were in the Empire. The Imperial Clan was a clan that shouldn't be provoked lest you attract danger for yourself and your family.

Shaking their heads, they went out of their ways and continued their jobs.

At the shop directly the opposite of the Dreamy House. Rodger stared at the two employees of the Pharmaceutical Company. The Longinus Pharmaceutical Company was tasked by the Headmaster in keeping cleanliness and quality control for all beverage and food businesses inside the Academy. After the collapse of the Medicine Hall, they quickly gained influence and became an unparalleled influence within the Academy.

"The Longinus Pharmaceutical Company really works fast, after receiving bits of those malicious rumors, they instantly hopped into the scene for inspection." He sipped his favorite wine and turned to look at his butler.

"Vanadis, did you complete the job that I gave you last night?" The butler looked to be at his middle-aged years. His expression mechanical and his eyes were lifeless. Nevertheless, one could feel the vibrant energies of life within his body that could easily sweep through the entire Outer Disciples Region.

"Of course, Young master. The job that you gave to me was completed perfectly..." The butler nodded his head and replied with an indifferent voice.

Rodger turned around to look at the Dreamy House with a smile of anticipation on his face.

"Order some of the finest dishes from our Head Chef along with wine and women. Today, we shall take a look at the show that will unfold at the Dreamy House..." He ordered and the butler complied, leaving Rodger alone in the room whose eyes kept on staring at Juliet's Dreamy House.

"Zieve and that abominable child. Both of them will understand the consequences of provoking the Imperial Clan..."