At first, Azzy wanted to rebuke her, agreeing with her clan Matriarch about knocking some sense into this girl who went crazy, but then, as the remnant spirit of the founder added that Estella looked just like his wife, Azzy became speechless for a while and could only tell her that he would think about it, but added that he wasn't considering due to their alleged past life connection or something. It is because she is the heiress of the Moon Clan.
Azzy didn't want to handle this at the moment. It is too complicated for his mind to wrap this up. The ex-girlfriend of his best friend is his wife from his past life? Moreover, she not only remembers her past life but is also now willing to marry him in this life too, and further promising to wait for even a century or two as long as he says yes? He doesn't know what to make of it.
The hidden clans are eyeing him like a big apple pie where all of them want a share, and his priorities lie in securing his clan's protection and reuniting with Claire first before anything else.
As a part of that, he sent Estella away without giving any closure as Elyssa hoped and went on having another private meeting, this time, with not a guest but a clan lord of his own instead.
Azzy expected this old vampire would look all broody, accusing him one more time trying to throw Blood Clan away. After all, he just allowed unrelated hidden clans to merge with his. How could he ask Blood Clan to separate themselves now, on the grounds that they aren't blood-related to Death Clan?
No, he was worried that Francis Blood would propose a four-state country with the Blood Clan having their own territory and administration. It is the best thing for them.
Hence, Azzy was all prepared to reveal the truth if he had to send him away. No matter what, he doesn't want to have the Blood Clan coexist with them due to the future he saw through his precognition soul skill.
Little did he expect Francis would act all calm and cool as he put another proposition, or more like a statement, taking Azzy by surprise.
Azzy was slightly taken aback by his choice but he didn't waver a bit and said, "We'll see about it, Clan Head Francis. By the way, while scheming behind my back, have you ever wondered why I made so many changes as soon as I got the power? Why was I kicking out Blood Clan using some lame excuse? Why did you think I agreed to let those two clans merge with ours for simple proposals? And what made them think of extending the propositions of merger to me? Both of them were coincidentally the ones that attended my ascension ceremony. What kind of deal do you think I made with them? What do you think my end game was?"
"Hmm?" Francis' face stiffened a bit, and Azzy let out a smile, "Enjoy the mystery, Clan Head Francis."
As the old man left his sight, the Reaper's words heard in his head, "What was your end game? Please, kid, you don't have one. You are merely following your instincts and your wishes. Azrael, your bluffs could be easily seen through."
Azzy replied, "Well, only those who knew me can catch that. A person like him would probably think I have something up my sleeves, don't you think?"
"Still, it is beneficial to draw up closure rather than giving stupid ideas to a man like that, Azrael." The Reaper commented.
"Well, I don't want him to think that he has won or something."
"Your wish, Azrael. You take actions, you either harvest the rewards or pay for the consequences..."
"Anyways, now that I'm done with him, it's time to meet with my mother-in-law..."
"Alright, but be careful on what to reveal and what not to reveal..."