Chapter 85

TLS : Shenks

I've been quiet on purpose since I arrived at the banquet.

I was keeping a close eye on Vestian, killing my presence as much as possible.

To witness this very moment.

I could see Vestian's gaze stuck in Maria Patron far away.

He was clearly taken aback.

To the point that he stopped walking because he was so surprised

"…Vestian?"

Shananet, who was walking hand in hand with him, wondered why her husband stopped.

"Uh..."

His brazen and leisurely face no longer there. He turned pale.

If Vestian is really having an affair, so be it.

If your wife and mistress are all in one place.

You'll be having cold sweat behind your back.

"What's wrong? Are you sick?"

Shananet asked anxiously.

"No... I thought I saw someone I knew."

Vestian said dazedly. Shananet tilted her head.

"I think it would be more amazing if you don't know anyone here. So who is it?"

"No, no one. You don't have to care.”

But Shananet was already looking around.

And said exactly pointing at Maria Patron.

"Is it that woman?"

"Oh, it's....”

Vestian was struck speechless.1

Maria Patron who found Shananet and Vestian began to walk towards them with a smile on her face.

Brown hair and brown eyes.

She was a woman with an extremely ordinary appearance who would not be particularly noticed.

But I didn't let my guard down.

The glistening eyes that did not match the smiling face, similar to those of Vestian’s who I happened to see last time bothered me.

Click-clack.

As she approached, Vestian's face was hardening once over.

I held my breath even more.

I called this woman here on purpose where both my grandfather and Lombardy people attended.

It was to psychologically pressure Vestian more so that grandfather could know the truth right away if it happened.

However.

"Hello, sir."

Maria Patron greeted grandpa first with a gentle smile.

"You are..."

Grandpa seemed a little embarrassed when a young woman he had never seen before talked to him.

Maria Patron introduced herself politely, bending her knees.

"My name is Maria of the Patron family, commissioned to the estate of Schultz. My lord, it's an honor to meet you in person."

"Oh, I see."

Grandfather nodded but still wondered why Maria Patron came to greet him.

No one in the Empire doesn't recognize my grandfather.

However, not many people were qualified to come and greet him in person.

She was not even an in-law of the Schultz family. It was quite arrogant for that lowly woman to stand in the way of my grandfather and greet him.

Grandfather looked through Maria Patron and asked, pointing to Vestian.

"You know my son-in-law, Vestian, right?"

"Yes, I grew up with him ever since we were children. Long time no see, Sir Vestian."

"Yes, it's been a while."

Vestian greeted Maria face to face.

It was a very natural and polite greeting to each other.

Were my suspicions wrong...

Indeed, it does not make sense for a mistress to treat her cheating partner's wife's family with such confidence.4

I thought his face was a bit pale, but now it's okay.

I felt drained but relieved at the same time.

I knew Angenas were backstabbing us, but at least Shananet's marriage wasn't betrayed yet.

"Are you perhaps Mrs. Shananet? I've always been curious of you because the Schultz estate praised you a lot.….”

Maria Patron spoke to Shananet in a friendly mannerly.

"You’re as beautiful as what the rumors have said.”

"I see. Thank you for the compliment."

Shananet, though awkward, smiled politely.

"……You're welcome.

But Maria Patron's gaze at Shananet did not say she was pretty at all.

It was the exact opposite of what she has said.

Something's not right.

Maria Patron and Vestian looked like old acquaintances that really happened to meet.

But something was off.

I'm getting a hunch.

"Then, I hope to see you again."

Maria Patron greeted and moved away.

Vestian glanced at the woman and returned to his usual business, chatting about wine again.

After that the Lombardy people scattered.

Me, my father, Shananet, and grandfather sat down and ate together.

Viese and Laurel’s family went away, saying they knew people on the other side of the banquet hall.

Clerivan was busy with people looking for him throughout the banquet, but he would return from time to time to make sure we were comfortable.

Oh, I feel ill at ease.

WhatI thought would happen, didn't happen and it left me with a vague feeling.

I need time to find out more.

It shouldn't go on like this, my gut was saying something.

"Our Tia is quiet today, isn't she? What's going on?"

My grandfather asked, putting a small cut of steak in front of me.

"Nothing's wrong. I was just a little surprised, so I was busy looking around, grandpa."

"Yes, Tia is close to Clerivan, so she deserves it."

Grandfather patted my head and said,

"No matter how busy Clerivan gets, he said he will continue teaching Tia, so you must learn hard."