The whole atmosphere Arthur built with Aria is broken by Eve's interruption, but no one can stay mad at the cute little girl.
Arthur exchanges loving glances with Aria before returning to the other room to play more chess with his sister and Margaret. Aria quickly changes clothes and stores the seductive dress with an expectant smile on her face.
The rest of the night goes calmly until Eve falls asleep in Arthur's arms, and he takes her to Aria's bedroom. He can still see a spark of those burning desires in his mother's eyes, but she quickly puts him out of the room, saying she needs to rest.
He is a bit disappointed, but there is nothing that can be done now.
'One step at a ti,' Nyx speaks in his mind before leaving his Nexus and jumping into his arms naked.
Margaret is not left out either, and the three have a long night of fun that lasts until almost sunrise. They wake up late the next day and stay in bed until lunchti.
While Oliver and his cousins have to wake up early to start cultivating and have long sessions of intense training, Arthur can just stay in bed with his wives, enjoying themselves while getting stronger at a much faster pace than anyone else.
Thus, the days continue to pass calmly. Arthur and his family are treated as honored guests by Josephine and feel like they are on vacation.
Arthur and his girls' days are filled with fun and the nights with passion, but no matter how much he tries to get close to Aria again, she keeps a safe distance, and he only receives teasing smiles from afar.
A week passes in the blink of an eye.
The people in Lakeview still fear the unknown monster that killed the Viscount, but with no further attacks, they begin to believe that the nightmare is over.
But the guards continue searching for any clues inside and outside the city. The captain is still waiting for answers from the ssenger who went to Quilveron to inform Count Whittlee, and the League of Assassins mber keeps an eye on Aria and Arthur.
It's late afternoon, and the sun is almost setting. Josephine set up a large table in the garden for afternoon tea, and while she and Aria chat, Margaret plays chess with Eve, and Oliver pets his cat-maid.
"Why does he always take so long in the toilet?" Oliver wonders aloud.
Margaret can't help but make a slightly jealous expression, almost pouting. Aria notices this, and, even she, can't hide so bitterness in her eyes.
Josephine notices such small things and becos very curious, but unlike her son, she keeps all the questions to herself.
"Phew!" Arthur returns from the restroom, leaping with joy and wearing a proud smile on his face.
"Did you win so sort of battle in the toilet?" Oliver asks in a mocking and curious tone. "I didn't see you this happy even when you beat Elias..."
Josephine and her son take a few seconds o notice, but Aria already knows what happened in the restroom while Arthur was having fun with Nyx. "He broke through."
"What?!?" Oliver is as shocked as his mother. "In the toilet?"
Arthur laughs. "I've been working on it for a few days, so it just happened..."
He approaches the table, and Aria smiles lovingly at him. "Third grade of the Mystic Fighter rank; congratulations, darling~"
Arthur smiles back at his mother and then turns to receive a hug from Margaret. "Good work, hubby!"
"Big brother is the best!!" Eve jumps up and down with adorable excitent, and Arthur embraces her warmly.
"Indeed," Oliver also approaches Arthur and taps him on the shoulder. "So? How do you feel now?"
"I'm not sure yet…" Arthur tries to be humble, but Aria can see that his body is much stronger than a week ago.
The breakthrough undoubtedly increased his overall power, but the intense sessions of love with Margaret and Nyx are always rapidly improving his whole body.
Oliver can see that Arthur is just avoiding bragging. The young man understands that he cannot keep up with such a genius in cultivation, but instead of letting it bring him down, Arthur's strength motivates him to strive harder so as not to fall too far behind.
"How about we test it now?" Oliver raises his fists with a friendly expression on his face.
"Oh? What do you have in mind?" Arthur always enjoys his interactions with Oliver. He feels like a young man discovering the limits of cultivation with his best friend, sothing that should naturally be done with his father.
Oliver reaches the table and grabs two full teacups, then offers one to Arthur. "Whoever loses their tea first loses."
"Haha!" Arthur takes the teacup with an excited look and imdiately begins sparring with Oliver.
*Whoosh* *Shoosh*
Each of them can only use one hand, and their movents are quite limited due to holding the teacups, but their actions are still fast, precise, and carry the strength of the Warrior Elite realm.
Margaret and Eve never tire of watching Arthur fight skillfully, while Aria and Josephine enjoy seeing their sons having fun together.
Arthur isn't just more skillful than Oliver but also possesses all the techniques of an Assassin and a Swordmaster, both significant advantages. However, he doesn't go too hard on his friend, and they both have fun.
"Those two…" Josephine shakes her head. "They're always competing."
"That's good since it makes them want to get stronger," Aria comnts, watching Arthur's skillful movents with bright eyes. "I rember when I was like that too…"
"Oh, but you're still very young," Josephine smiles at Aria. "Unlike these old bones without talent, soone like you can live for thousands of years, tens of thousands actually."
"Tens of thousands…" Aria can't help but think about it. 'I never wished to live that long, but now…' Her gaze becos more loving as she looks at Eve, and especially, Arthur. 'Having them by my side... it sounds really good to lie so much.'
Josephine notices Aria's look and becos even more curious about her. While Arthur and Oliver continue their ga, Margaret, Eve, and the cat-maid cheer for their beloveds.
But before either of them runs out of tea in their cups, so of Oliver's cousins enter through the mansion gate and see them in the garden.
"Auntie! Auntie!!" Jovi is with the group and quickly runs towards Josephine.
"Jovi?" Josephine stands up with an inquisitive expression.
The young girl runs up to Josephine but stops beside Arthur, her eyes shining as they wander over his body. "Hey, Arthur." Her usual posture is that of a rebellious tomboy, but she acts more feminine whenever she talks to Arthur.
"Hi, Jovi," Arthur nods to the girl with a friendly smile. He still ignores her flirting but thinks she's a good person.
"Jovi??" Josephine rolls her eyes and approaches the girl. "Do you want to tell sothing?"
"Oh, Auntie…" Jovi averts her gaze from Arthur and focuses on Josephine. "Two carriages arrived in town… they ca from Quilveron and bear Count Whittlee's crest," she says in a trembling voice.
"So, they've arrived…" Josephine maintains a calm deanor, yet she can't help but glance at Aria with a thoughtful expression before looking back at Jovi. "Did the Count co too?"
"I don't know," the girl quickly responds. "When I heard they arrived, I ca to tell you right away."
"I see; you did well, dear," Josephine pats Jovi's head as the other young Drummonds approach, all with sowhat concerned expressions.
Arthur notices the shift in the atmosphere, and even Oliver seems worried. "Weren't we prepared for this?"
"Yeah," Oliver tries to appear calm, but it's impossible. "Yet…"
"There's nothing to fear," Josephine says in a confident tone. "We're not a threat to the Whittlee family, and…" She glances at Aria, who nods.
Arthur puts a hand on Oliver's shoulder. "Don't worry, we won't let anything happen to your family."
Oliver nods with a friendly and grateful expression. He and Josephine trust in Aria's power, but the other Drummonds are still concerned since they can't fathom how powerful she is.
To Aria, it's like dealing with ants, even if it ans facing several Hero-rank Warriors, but for Arthur, it's interesting to et more powerful people—or rather, potential prey.
While Arthur exchanges expectant glances with Aria, Josephine tries to reassure her family, but it doesn't seem an easy task, especially when two large, luxurious carriages appear at the mansion gates.
The carriages are made of black wood, shiny tals, high-quality leather, and fine fabrics, adorned with colorful gems and detailed in pure gold, each pulled by four powerful, large horses.
"They ca faster than I expected..." Josephine thinks aloud as she watches the servants in luxurious uniforms descend from the carriages and open the doors.
"Is that the Count?" Arthur asks.
"I don't think so," Aria shakes her head. "A Champion and an Ascended Mage only."
'They have Astral Beasts,' Nyx adds in Arthur's mind. 'I can sense them… they seem similar to Emilio's… maybe a bit better, I'm not sure.'
Arthur is quite curious about the new guests and looks attentively at them as they step out of the luxurious carriages.
The first to erge is a young man, appearing about the sa age as Arthur and Oliver. Unlike the young Drummond, who wears high-quality but casual clothes, the young master Whittlee dresses in pompous clothes covered in gold and jewels, like an elegant noblewoman at a gala.
His appearance is above average, able to compete with Oliver but aning nothing compared to Arthur. Also, his expression is a mix of annoyance and arrogance.
From the other carriage steps out a woman, also appearing young, though she clearly has a more mature air, like soone who hasn't yet reached thirty but no longer behaves like a young girl but rather a grown woman.
Her clothes are also luxurious, though they seem to focus on the comfort and practicality of casual wear. Yet, her attire does not diminish her beauty, which is above average and clearly superior to her brother's.
With light makeup and so sparkling jewelry, she is the first woman in Lakeview with beauty nearing that of Margaret, leaving the girl a bit concerned, especially when the woman's gaze falls upon Arthur, and her eyes shine like green pearls.
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