Chapter 167 - Tiger As Belmont

Belmont Residence,

It's been so long since they removed Maverick from the family photo. However, Count Geralt had already fallen in love with Vanessa during those times. He loves how she acted dominant just to protect Maverick. It was a sadistic love, however, she never once loved him. It's just a shame that a genius like Vanessa isn't capable of loving someone else but her son. 

"Vanessa, I never thought that our son could become a Duke in no time." Geralt said. "I would've cherished him." He never had thought that Maverick had the blood of a Royal until he took over Edward. Edward has a relative of the Royal Empire and so, he wasted it. He can make Maverick a King puppet. He shouldn't have become hard on him. He might have stayed. 

Everyone knows that the King is ill. They were trying to make him a puppet but somehow, these past few months, he became more energetic. They were thinking that the royal empire would fall after the King started getting sicker. Then, there's Prince Philip who will surely become the next King. He's older than the current King and they already plan that he might reign shortly. They are planning for a short revolt~~but everything doesn't go well at all. 

When they think that Kenzo is dead~~the Crown Prince, they have to be doing well… However, he turned out to be alive. 

"Do you still think that our son isn't fit to be the heir of this family?" Madeleine asked as she stood next to her husband. 

"No. Our son will be a Count." He grumbled. "You have to show up less, Madeleine. Can you get along with the Viscountess or with the Marchioness? You should get along with them." 

"I am trying, my dear." Madeleine reached his hand. "Are you tired? I'll give you a nice massage and prepare you a warm bath." 

"Yes, please." 

Madeleine kissed his cheeks and left. 

After his wife left, he was still dazed. He somehow opened the drawer on the side table where the photos of the former Countess were kept. She was young, beautiful, and elegant. She's not as elegant as Madeleine. His current wife somehow isn't as pure as her. Now, he remembered. He only slept with her once. Who can't resist that beautiful wife? Because at that moment, he was so occupied with Madeleine as they had children… he neglected the other wife. 

"Father," Venice, his second son, approached him. He put back the photo in the drawer and closed it. 

"Yes?" 

"There's a person outside. He claimed that Duke Maverick sent him." 

"Maverick?" He quickly turned to him. "Send him in." He told the Butler. The Butler pressed the radio on and they went to the main entrance. 

They watched as the man, tall, dark with a scar on the face wearing a black tuxedo as he looked sharp. He bowed his head. 

"Count Belmont. Let me introduce myself. I am Malcolm Harris. His Grace sent me here for this." He took out the white A4 size envelope. Geralt quickly took it and opened the envelope. Then, there's another envelope but it's more of a very fancy yet elegant wedding invitation. He opened it to see the beautiful couple cuddled at each other while wearing white clothes.

"A wedding invitation?" Venice creased his brows. "Well, at least he tried to invite us." He shrugged. "Should I get our gift?" 

"Do that." Geralt told him as he checked the people. It seemed to be just a very simple wedding. Not grand and showy. There are no names of the participants.

"I will take my leave now, Count Belmont." He bowed his head as he watched the man leave. Then, he took out something from the other envelope. To his surprise, it's a wedding ring and an engagement ring that he gave to the former Countess. How can he have it? "Vanessa." He grumbled. 

"Dad?" Venice asked. "Isn't that your ex-wife's ring?" 

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Aqua Castle,

Vanessa sat up and rubbed her eyes. She smiled when her husband had warm water ready for her. He was already wearing his Butler outfit. He also had tea. 

"They are still sleeping so I decided to have breakfast in their rooms." 

"Okay," She yawned. 

"Did you sleep well, my love?" He caressed her hair. She nodded at him as he kissed her lips. 

"I did. Thanks for your love." The couple kissed passionately.

Armin looked at her full of love. Never did he look at anyone the same. She's his first love. He took the glass and put it on the side table. Then, he held the robe thick silk robe on and she put it on and tied it. Suddenly a knock on the door made them look at each other. 

He quickly went to the door and opened it. To his surprise, it's Maverick in disheveled hair with his thick robe. He bowed his head. 

"Good morning, Duke Mave." He opened the door and let him in. 

"Good morning, Sir Reinheart." He approached his mother with a big smile. "Mom," 

"Hey, handsome!" She grinned and hugged him tightly. Maverick kissed her cheeks. "What brings you here?" 

"Well, I was wondering if there's anything that my bride could wear for our wedding." 

"Yes, of course. I already settled it." 

"Sorry, mom. I was quite out of my mind and couldn't find any customized jewelry for her." 

Vanessa smiled and patted her son's cheeks. 

"Hey, I will get everything ready for you. We have perfect diamonds for your bride's wedding. We can check it out later if you want?" 

"Yes, please. The girls wanted to go horse riding before we went back to the capital." 

"Hmm," She nodded and caressed his handsome face. 

"I also sent an invitation to my father. With your rings on it." 

She smiled beautifully. 

"Thank you, my dear." 

"But," Maverick was anxious about his mother's plan. "What if they see you?" 

"I have Armin here and I can disguise myself. They can have the back seat. You know." 

Maverick chuckled and nodded. 

"Alright, mother. I'll see you later." He kissed her forehead. Then, he noticed the table set up for two. He ignored it as he walked past Butler Reinheart. The man bowed his head and he patted his arm and left. 

"I will wash up my face." She said and went to the bathroom. 

The couple had their breakfast as Armin ignored what Maverick meant by tapping his arm. Somehow, he felt a little excited about it. 

"Your bath is also ready." 

"Thank you, my dear." 

He cleared up the table and rang the bell beside the bed for the maids. Then, he fixed her bed and cleaned it with the vacuum steam. The maids came and took the cart. Few also started cleaning up the tables and figurines. They left quickly after cleaning. 

Vanessa comes out with wet hair. So, he followed her to the walk-in closet in her dresser. He started patting her hair with the towel to dry it. 

"I am sure that they will be curious now." He mumbled. "But they can't know that you are alive." 

"My love," She smiled at him. "You don't have to worry about that. Right?" 

He started drying her hair with the hair blower and style it with her natural curls. Then, she chose what to wear and dressed up. 

"I am worried. They know me." Reinheart said. 

"Sure that he knows you." She dressed up and went to the shelves of shoes. "He hates you. That's why I love you." She grinned at him. 

"Really? Is that the only reason?" He crossed his arms as she pointed her boots on the upper part and reached it for her. 

"No, I love you because you are you. You are good at swords, martial arts… you are sexy." She said as she sat on the bench and he kneels in front of her to put her socks on and help her with the boots. "Also, dad liked you." 

"I was a lucky bastard." He laughed and finished tying up her shoes. 

"You are." She scooped his face and kissed his lips. "How about a private island after the wedding?" She suggested. 

"Sure thing, my love. I will prepare everything. What kind of candle scent would you like to have?" He reached for her hand and kissed it. 

"I like lemon and strawberry together." 

"Then, I'll have it processed." He stood and went to her jewelry cabinet and took out the ring that he bought for her. He put it on her ring finger and kissed it. He has five rings customized just for her since both of them couldn't wear the same ring. But he had their wedding ring as the pendant of his necklace and it was hidden under his shirt. 

He escorted her to the pavilion where the girls were gathered and laughing. They looked beautiful with the floral dresses that they are wearing together with their cowgirl boots for horse riding. 

"Girls." She called, and they curtsied. She bowed her head as the staff had the horses. "Make sure to enjoy yourselves." 

"Yes, we will, milady." They said at the same time. Vanessa reached Stacey's wrist that made her stop. Then, she checked her pulse. By checking the pulse she can also recognize a new heartbeat if ever she's pregnant. However, there's no heartbeat of a baby. 

"You are good to go, dear." She smiled. 

"Won't you join us?" 

"I will shortly. I need to speak with Mave first." 

Butler Reinheart followed his beloved.