Chapter 63: The two wives meet...

As the sun began to rise, Strax approached the new mansion Beatrice had purchased. It was located in a prime spot, not too far from the city center and conveniently close to all necessary shops. He had seen it briefly when he brought Monica, but it had been nearly dark, making it difficult to properly assess the structure. Now, however...

"This must have cost a fortune..." Strax thought as he took in the magnificent construction, with its light stone walls and large windows reflecting the golden sunrise in his eyes.

There was a well-kept garden in front, with colorful flowers and a marble fountain at its center. The solid wooden doors were intricately decorated, exuding luxury.

"I thought the Steinhardts were poor..." Samira commented, sitting close to Strax on Apocalipse. "So did I," he admitted.

"Well, we don't have time to just admire it." Strax said, pulling out a key Monica had given him. He dismounted the horse to open the main gate, which was unattended. "She probably spent all the money on the house and forgot about the staff, right?" Samira suggested. Strax couldn't help but smile, knowing it was likely true.

Despite Monica being by his side, it didn't mean she controlled 100% of Beatrice's interests and decisions.

"Let's go in." Strax said, leading the way after opening the gate. He was genuinely eager to see Beatrice and even more eager to have something to call "home," something he didn't really know the feeling of.

He reached the front door, took a deep breath and... "Let's do this." He said, opening the door and stepping into the main hall, greeted by the soft sound of laughter and conversation from two women ahead. The hall was spacious, not as grand as his family's mansion, but very pleasant, with polished marble floors and a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

The walls were adorned with tapestries and old paintings he had seen in Beatrice's previous home, adding an elegant touch.

"Wow," Samira said, looking around. "I'm here," Strax announced loudly, catching the attention of the two women who had been engrossed in their conversation.

"Darling!" Beatrice's cheerful voice echoed through the space. She ran towards him with a wide smile on her face. She was... very dressed up.

Her loose, slightly curly hair was a light purple, almost silver, her amber-gold eyes gleaming, and she wore an elegant black dress that highlighted all her curves. "She's... ready to pounce on me," he thought with a smile. "Not that it's a bad thing."

Strax simply opened his arms and she threw herself into them, wrapping him in a warm, tight hug. "Missed me?" he asked playfully, and she just smiled and nodded. "Monica told me," he laughed. Monica gave a slight nod, acknowledging her role, and she seemed fine with it. "The house is beautiful," he commented next.

"I knew you'd like it! I loved it when I saw it!" she responded, taking a step back. Strax held her hand and murmured, "I need to introduce you to someone..." Beatrice looked behind him, noticing the woman with orange hair in a white dress looking at them with neutral eyes, like a lion ready to pounce.

They'd probably accept because it's profitable."

They spent the next few hours discussing training strategies and possible problems and solutions for the future. Even Monica was part of the conversation because she truly understood the world, and Strax knew she could help. After all, she hid her cultivation from everyone except his eyes.

Beatrice suggested doing group training to improve coordination and combat skills when Strax wasn't training with Xenovia. Samira, in turn, spoke about the importance of strengthening individual skills and finding a balance between physical training and rest.

"I think it's a good idea, even though I can't be with you all the time," said Strax. "We can start with small group training sessions in the morning and then each person can focus on their specific skills in the afternoon. This way, we can all improve and still have time to rest and recharge." Beatrice agreed. "That sounds like a plan. Besides, we need to ensure the house is secure.

Monica and I are working on that, hiring some people, but it would be good to do a complete review of the defenses, especially since we are being targeted by your jealous brothers."

"That's right," commented Samira. "We can start tomorrow. Meanwhile, let's enjoy tonight and relax a bit. We all deserve a rest."

With the plan set, they decided to explore more of the house. Beatrice guided them through the corridors, showing the bedrooms, the library, and finally the garden in the back. It was a spacious area with fruit trees, various flowers, and a well-equipped training area.

"It's perfect," commented Strax, looking around. "We can train outdoors and enjoy nature."

Samira smiled, picking an apple from one of the trees. "And we even have fresh fruit. Really, Beatrice, you thought of everything."

Beatrice laughed. "I wanted it to be a complete home for us. A place where we can feel safe and happy."

After the tour, they returned to the living room and settled again on the sofas. Monica returned, bringing more tea and a freshly baked cake. "I hope you like it," she said, serving the slices.

"Thank you, Monica," said Beatrice, taking a slice. "You've been a great help."

Monica smiled shyly. "It's a pleasure to serve. I'm glad you're all enjoying the house."

Thus, the day came to an end.