Chapter 406: THE ENGAGEMENT
Spring had come.
The weather was hot. The warm breeze carried the scent of flowers. Flowers bloomed everywhere.
The dead season was gone.
A new beginning for the world.
And so for a couple.
Wearing a baby blue colored gown and a flower crown, Catherine stood beside Vincent. The couple was smiling at the guests.
Aside from Vincent’s relatives and Catherine’s colleagues from the Magic Tower no one else was invited.
Best
.....
Looking at the magicians of the Magic Tower such as Ovior and Arthur, Vincent asked, “Catherine, are they from the palace?”
“No, they work for the palace. They have houses to live in.”
“What about that huge guy?” Vincent stared at Darius who was laughing hard at Felix’s joke. “He was a customer. That’s one thing. But in our engagement ceremony? Why?”
Catherine answered, “He is my best friend’s teacher. That’s how we got to know him.”
“What does he teach? This huge guy doesn’t teach history, does he?”
Catherine shortly replied, “Martial arts.”
Vincent was startled as he wasn’t expecting the answer. “...Oh! I didn’t know your friend knew how to fight. I’ve noticed many women in the capital city are fighters. If I didn’t see them fighting with my very own eyes, I would have never believed women were strong.”
“Ver is strong too.”
“I’m sure you are stronger.”
“If I got against her, I’d be beaten up.”
“I wasn’t talking about just your physical strength. Mental strength is the biggest support a human can have.”
“Well, aren’t you acting like a learned man.”
“That’s because I have a pretty woman beside me. I’m becoming wiser.”
“Aren’t you a smooth talker?”
“I’m telling the truth. I can’t take my eyes off you.”
“You look handsome today too.”
“Don’t I look handsome other times?” Vincent asked.
“You are always handsome in my eyes.” Then, Catherine repeated back the same question. “What about me? Don’t I look pretty other times?”
“Catherine, you look gorgeous no matter what you wear.”
“Such a glib tongue.”
While the couple was sweetly bickering at each other, someone approached them with a bouquet.
“Congratulations to you both. Can’t wait for your wedding.” Veronica hugged Catherine as she wished her.
“Thank you, Ver.” Catherine beamed when she saw her. She took the bouquet from her. “Thank you for the flowers. Where were you all this time? I couldn’t find you anywhere. I was so nervous when I had to greet Vincent’s relatives.”
Veronica explained, “I went to check the kitchen if the lunch was prepared. Everything is fine. The chef is professional. Your special meal has been prepared too. You will be surprised when you see it.”
“I can’t wait.” Catherine grinned ear to ear.
Vincent said, “Thank you, Miss Veronica. I like how you and Catherine’s other friends decorated the hall and managed everything on your own. I should have assisted you.”
Veronica gently responded, “Hush! This is our gift to you and Cathy. I’m glad you liked it. The wedding ceremony will be held at your place, right? We will be sure to help you out.”
Vincent started to see Veronica in a new light. “That’s very kind of you. It’s an amazing friend. I’ll remember it forever.”
Veronica smiled beautifully. “You sure you do and treat my friend like a queen. Or I will come after you.”
“I’m scared now.” Vincent laughed along with her.
After they stopped laughing, Veronica told them, “I’ll go and check on your relatives. We will make sure they are comfortable. So Cathy, you have nothing to worry about. Greet everyone with your lovely smile.”
“All right.” Catherine brightly smiled at her.
After that, Veronica was going to talk to Vincent’s parents when she overheard what his mother was saying to her relatives.
“She works in the Palace. She is polite and has a good upbringing. She was too shy to look at us when we first met her.”
Upon hearing what Vincent’s mother said, the female relatives around her age shared their opinion.
“Is it okay to have a working daughter-in-law? She will make you work day and night.”
“What if she treats you like a servant and takes all the property?”
“It’s you who should control your daughter-in-law. Why are you letting her do as she pleases? If she marries, she has to serve her in-laws, not Imperial Palace!”
Veronica stepped forward and cleared her throat.
The women were all startled when she did it. They gave her a suspicious look.
Veronica gently smiled at Catherine’s future mother-in-law and approached her.
“I hope I’m not bothering you. I’m Veronica. I grew up with Catherine. I’m sure you are skeptical about her character since you don’t know her well, but I’m sure you know at least this much that Holy Temple doesn’t allow ill-mannered children.
“They wouldn’t have come today either if they thought she was such a girl who stole someone else’s money. She works for the Palace. If she had a character problem, she wouldn’t be able to work there.
“Moreover, Cathy said that you were a wise mother. I hope you are wise enough to judge a person on your own rather than listen to people who never met her. The lunch is ready. Please have your lunch in the dining hall.”
Afterward, she once again smiled politely at everyone. However, her eyes scanned each of their faces to recognize them for the future.
Vincent’s mother and the rest of the women’s faces turned black.
Later, she sat in between Arthur and Zinnia and told them what happened.
“I can’t believe they assumed Cathy is a cruel person. How can they speak like that without knowing anything? This is simply unacceptable!”
She was beyond frustrated.
“Relatives can be like that. Trust me. I love the speech you gave them.” Zinnia winked at her. She didn’t seem to be affected.
Veronica was surprised. “Did you hear what I said? I’m sure this seat is far from there.”
Zinnia elegantly smirked. “It’s not just ears you always need to use. Your eyes and imagination too. I read your lips.”
While the girls were talking, Darius came forward. “You guys don’t know what I just saw. Do you want to know what just happened?”