Chapter 49 49 It’s Open

Chapter 49 Chapter 49 It’s Open

The puzzle that was Monica was gradually starting to come together. But he had one single question;

"How? How could a young girl have managed to do all that?"

The lady cocked her head to the side, and stared into the void;

"Now that's the question isn't it? The answer is not so simple. Unlike Nora here who happens to be a D-rank water mage, Monica is something of a prodigy. . ."

She said it with neither prejudice nor praise;

". . .she's strong. Just like her father."

Nexus did not need to be told.

He had seen it firsthand earlier on.

Nexus leaned back further in his chair, Her father wasn't a water mage?"

She laughed heartily; "Goodness no, Lord Russell was a different kind of beast. The best of the best. . .though he didn't like to be defined by his strength, his explosive abilities announced him loudly."

"I'm sorry," he leaned forward; "Did you say explosive abilities?"

The lady's pale white skin glowed a bright orange under the burning candles;

"Trust me, there are no words for it. You simply had to be there." Her eyes glowed with pride;

"My husband could simply manufacture cataclysmic explosions on the spot, completely eviscerating anything within a twenty feet radius. He was powerful enough to level an entire building! And still come out looking good!"

Nexus stared in awe, feeding her with his attention;

"That sounds like a terrifying ability to have. . ."

"It is!" then, her tone took a deep dive; "–and it just so happens that Monica inherited that dreadful talent. She specializes in the powerful magic of the Explosion series. So, she had no trouble securing a serious job on a hunter's squad."

"That's incredible." Nexus mouthed.

Two servants strolled in with more jugs. As they refilled every empty goblet on the table, Lady Russell continued to narrate;

"My daughter Nora couldn't get a serious job as hunter. I mean, she has her father's charm and charisma, but there's only so much a D-rank water mage can do. Hunter's flock towards her because of her leadership and people's skills, but when it came down to the business of it, Monica was the real deal.

She swept her around in a sweeping motion;

"All of this- every single expense, every meal, every debt paid, it's all because of her."

Nexus lips parted in a low whistle;

"Monica must be exceptionally good at hunting."

This time Nora answered;

"No- not 'good–'" she corrected him; "Monica's the very best. There's not a single person or thing she can't track. Whether is be alive or dead, she will find it and kill it ten times over."

The praise in her voice was genuine.

"But how come she's not having dinner with us?" He asked cautiously; "Surely she can't be that busy all the time?"

"You're not listening doctor, my step daughter does not play with her busniess, she is always on the move. You were simply very lucky to have caught her that day..."

She raised her cup and sipped softly on the dark crimson liquid;

". . .typically, she's hardly ever home. As you can imagine, her skills are in high demand, so there's always some gig- ALWAYS."

"Gigs? Like hunting gigs?"

"Hunting gigs, quests, missions, whatever you wanna call it. She's pretty good at what she does, so she makes serious bank. That's how she supports this household. That's how she holds this family together."

Nexus nodded in understanding.

"Pardon me, I shouldn't have brought it up."

"It's alright. You're going to be with us for a while, so it's only right you know these things. Don't worry about Monica. She comes back pretty late, so she always eats alone. And even on her days off, she prefers to be on her own. You've seen for yourself that she doesn't play well with others."

He nodded again; "Constant interaction is one of the occupational hazards of the hunting profession, it's difficult to imagine her working with other hunters."

Nora and her mother shared a look.

Nexus' sharp eyes caught it immediately; "Is there a problem?"

"No. Thing is- Monica works alone."

Nexus nearly laughed thinking it was some kind of joke. But the looks on their faces said otherwise;

"Wait a min, you're actually being serious? She hunts alone?"

"Monica is the best doctor. You need to understand that her explosive magic is second to none. And in the jungle out there, firepower is king. . ."

He could not argue with that.

". . .besides, she would never agree to split the pay with anyone. She would sooner lose a limb than do that. It's all for the family- so she can provide enough to support."

The soft clang of cutlery on ceramic plates gently filtered into the air, as they all continued to have dinner in silence. It was like Monica's name had invoked a dark shadow which now covered the entire hall.

Even the flame from the fireplace began to simmer down. Despite the steady influx of cold breeze, the candles in the metal chandelier above, began to grow dim.

Nexus' fork stayed in position as his table knife dived in and out of the juicy flesh of the roasted lamb.

The strands of meat hit his taste buds, but he neither tasted nor felt anything. Like everyone else seated at the table, Monica's touching story had latched onto his mind, and was actively refusing to let go. His teeth grinded on a decent portion of meat, but somehow, he could not bring himself to swallow.

He suddenly felt like was eating the hardwork of a young girl, and he began to feel a little violated.

His eyes squinted in deep thought, and a wave of admiration for the redhead suddenly swept through him. Monica was truly something. Her strength was remarkable. Seated there, Nexus saw now that her arrogance was merely a shield. She did not want to be pitied. She did not want to be looked down on.

But that was because of the incredible responsibility she was carrying on her shoulders.

Nexus gently laid down his cutlery on his plate, and reached for a drink.

Forgetting to dab his lips with a napkin, he lifted the bronze goblet to his lips, and tilted it. The liquid went right down his throat. His adam's apple bobbed up and down as he took a long hard gulp, trying to drown his thoughts in the wine.

But it did nothing to help.

His conscious thoughts kept drifting towards the strong arrogant girl with the mean attitude.

Nora's slurry voice suddenly broke the silence;

"So Nexus, what's the move now?" She tried her best to sound okay, but her words were slurring, and her tone was all but patronizing; "I mean, with my mother. . .is she gonna be okay tonight?"

"Nora," her mother scolded; "I told you already, don't to nag the doctor, okay?"

The matriarch's voice was suddenly unnaturally slow and slippery. It hit his ears like poetry. She was also drunk. They both were.

"Mother, I just want to see you–" (hiccup) "–cured for good. He can do it. I know he can."

Nexus laid down the goblet and smiled;

"You flatter me greatly Nora. I also would like to see the lady healthy."

"Great! So you'll treat her again tonight right?"

Nexus directed his eyes right at Mrs. Russell in a sharp gaze. Turning the corner of his lip slightly, he said slowly;

"Well, if the Lady would have me, I would love to treat her tonight. . ."

Slightly drunk himself, his gaze burned audaciously into the woman at the head of the table, not easing up even a little bit.

Mrs. Russell matched his intense gaze eyeball to eyeball;

"Indeed, the Lady will have you do as you've said."

Suddenly, she placed her hands on the arms of the chair, and pushed herself up in one graceful motion;

"My bedroom. Half an hour."

She pushed back the chair, and glided across the Great Hall towards the exit. Her long gown kept flowing behind her like a train. At the door, she stopped and leaned against the frame with her long slender arm;

"I trust you still remember the way- doctor."

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Half an hour later, at the top of the tower, Nexus stood before the wooden door heart racing. Mechanically, he lifted his fist, and his knuckles hit the door in two short taps.

Knock knock.

The slippery suggestive voice of the Lady came from behind;

"It's open."