Chapter 854

Chapter 854: An Obedient Son-in-law

The old man was walking ahead while his son-in-law and grandson followed after him as they exited the building of the Commerce Guild.

Roman was just glad that they had left before creating a scene that might attract the attention and also the malice of some of the noblemen who had assembled there today.

Thanks to his uncle’s efforts, they had avoided a crisis and were now on their way out of the Commerce Guild.

Though he did not know where the Earl was leading them, he would follow him anywhere after witnessing how he had managed to divert his grandfather’s attention with ease.

While Roman was impressed with his uncle’s tactics which were quite similar to his father’s in certain ways, the old man in their group had suddenly halted in his steps.

The two who had been following him had no option but to stop as well if they did not wish to crash into him.

Therefore, this group of three who had strode out of the building a few seconds ago were now standing on the street outside as they awaited the arrival of their carriages.

.....

While waiting, the old man’s narrowed eyes fell on the tall and muscular man who had married his only daughter.

“Do not think that you have me fooled.” He spat out another round of unpleasant words while leering at the Earl standing opposite him right now.

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Rutherford coughed once again when his trick had been uncovered and was even pointed out by the old man.

Old man Valente was talking about how the Earl had used the children as bait to lure him away from the confrontation taking place between him and the old man of the Leopold family.

Though it was without a doubt that the grandfather’s attention had been distracted back then and he was willing to leave as soon as possible to meet the children, he made it a point to remind his son-in-law that the trick used on him had not gone unnoticed.

The old man would never accept that he had been fooled and led by the nose by his son-in-law.

Therefore, he was adamant while announcing that such tricks wouldn’t work on him.

“I left because I wanted to.” He added before harrumphing at the young man who was excellent at scheming.

Roman had stayed with the old man all his life so he could tell with a single glance that his grandfather was lying through his teeth right now.

However, he would be a fool to expose him and hence chose to remain mum while the elders interacted.

On the other hand, Rutherford wasn’t as knowledgeable about the old man’s mannerisms and thus believed in what was being said after they had exited the Commerce Guild.

“I will keep that in mind.” He muttered, giving in to his wife’s father since she loved and respected him a lot.

Watching him being obedient, the old man puffed out his chest and was pleased with this respectful attitude of his son-in-law.

Thus he swiftly looked away to conceal the smirk that formed on his lips after he had succeeded in reversing the situation and fooling his son-in-law instead.

Roman sneaked a peek at his uncle who had fallen into a simple trap with such little effort and wondered if this was the same scheming man he had seen in action just earlier?

However, what he did not know was that even if Rutherford had known that he was being tricked by the old man, he would continue to maintain the facade of a fool as that would help him look good in the sights of his wife when she hears about this incident later on.

Therefore, each had their own thoughts in mind as they waited for the carriages to arrive so that they might head over to where the two younger children were right at that moment.

___

Around an hour ago, Yvonne and Howard had reached their destination for this outing which had been kept a secret from the little girl until the very end.

Only when they had alighted from their carriage did she realize the place where they had arrived.

{Smith’s Smithings}

The board placed above the door of their destination had done an excellent job at revealing where they had stopped at the end of their short journey late this morning.

One of the best ironsmiths whose store was located in the Commercial District was the place where Howard had instructed the carriage driver to bring them before they left home.

Therefore, as soon as they reached their destination, Howard held his little sister’s hand and brought her inside the store he had visited quite a few times in the past.

As the two siblings entered the store, their arrival had been announced to the man seated behind the counter thanks to the bell that had chimed when the door was pushed open.

The old man with a dull grey beard pushed his glasses high onto the bridge of his nose as he narrowed his eyes to take a look at who had entered his store today.

His frequent customers were the knights of either the knights of the Blue Dragons or the Red Scorpion knight squads but there were a few children who had also appeared here on certain occasions.

Mostly the boys from the Royal Academy who had an interest in swordsmanship or other physical training methods had visited his store to purchase the result of his hard work.

However, something different had taken place today which caused him to sit upright.

His gaze followed the children as it was surprising for him to see a young girl walking into his boorish store which held all kinds of weapons, shields, and manly equipment on display.

It was always the men or young boys who appeared here in search of the equipment that suited them the best.

Hence his astonishment was great when he saw a young girl walking into his store and even glance around with curiosity brimming in her eyes as it was not a sight he was used to witnessing each day.

Just like him, Yvonne’s surprise was also great when she first entered this store.

Though she had heard about this place from her brother, she had never been inside the store before.

This was her first time entering this place so her intrigue and excitement as she scanned her surroundings were evident.

Swords of all kinds made with various designs were mounted on the walls and also present were numerous pieces of equipment that one might need during their training.

From shields to bows and arrows, even daggers, and axes were displayed on the walls and shelves here.

Everything she used during her training with the Captain had been prepared by her father so she had never gotten the chance to be inside such a store that specialized in weaponry.

Therefore, she was like a child who had been brought to a candy store, glancing around as each new item attracted her attention.

However, when the little girl felt the ardent gaze fixed on her, she was quick to turn in its direction, only to find the old man whom she assumed worked here, staring right at her.

“Sir Smith, this is my little sister.” Howard, who had also noticed the silent gaze between the two, had stepped up to introduce them to each other.

Yvonne snapped out of her thoughts when she felt her brother’s gentle nudge and smiled before introducing herself to the old man.

Howard had once explained to her in the past that his and Taylor’s swords had been made by this old man named Smith who had been a knight in his youth but had later opted the occupation of an ironsmith after he had retired.

Therefore, when Yvonne heard his name, she recalled this conversation from the past and was able to make the connection between the two pieces of information.

‘He’s a talented ironsmith.’ She noted while observing his physique, which though was old did not appear to be weak in any way.

“Didn’t I promise to get you something special previously?” Howard’s whisper in her ear had diverted her attention.

The little girl did not like people getting too close to her yet she did not move away from her brother who continued what he was murmuring into her ear.

“Vonny, isn’t it time for you to pick a new sword for yourself?” He added then grinned when he saw the look of surprise flashing across her eyes.