episode_0087
by fnovelpia
87. The Formal Meeting (2)
These days, I was thoroughly enjoying my daily life.
In the past, before Alice and Cain, sleeping only three hours a day was the norm.
Cutting down even on sleep to work was just routine.
After all, among the young Grace lineage, there was no one talented enough to handle administrative work—it was only natural.
Vivian, Luna, Adele, and Jet were all gifted in physical abilities.
At least Adele managed the finances, which barely kept things afloat.
Anyway, ever since meeting my fox and effortlessly churning out inventions that changed the world,
and with Alice taking on some of my workload, I could finally focus solely on tasks only a ruler could handle.
“We’ve welcomed quite a few skilled people lately.”
Mari, Louis, and Tenny—whom my fox calls her “little helpers.”
Though not as exceptional as Alice, they’re dependable talent who pull their weight in any field.
Old Lucas, though aged and unassuming, gave invaluable advice during the war.
Penrose, a defeated general, still plays her part remarkably well in battles.
And my fox is now a staple.
Recently, Isabelle, who failed to assassinate Black Dawn and ended up with me.
Since she immediately rubbed me the wrong way, I gave her a “tour” of every nook and cranny beneath the Presia River.
But she’s sharp-witted too, so if war breaks out, she’ll likely become my go-to strategist.
“Perfect.”
For war—Isabelle, old Lucas, and my cousins.
For domestic affairs—Mari, Louis, Tenny, and Alice.
For my beloved companion—my fox…
Not to mention my city progressing leaps and bounds day by day.
Just as I was savoring my coffee, relishing this frighteningly perfect routine—
Vivian burst into my office with a shout.
“Emergency, emergency!!”
“What’s the commotion?”
My peace was shattered by Vivian’s sudden entrance.
Aside from my fox, everyone knows knocking is basic etiquette…
But just as I grew puzzled by Vivian, who usually respects manners, acting so rudely—her next words hit me like a bombshell.
“The squishy one’s parents are here!”
“My in-laws?!”
In an instant, I had no choice but to toss aside the documents in my hands.
At speeds faster than light, I had to at least tidy myself up minimally.
────────────────────
An elegant sofa.
Porcelain and tables that looked expensive at a glance.
Paintings and artworks unattainable for commoners even after a lifetime of work.
A fragrant tea that soothes both body and mind.
A lavish reception room fit for an emperor’s arrival.
Eve, overwhelmed by the excessive hospitality, barely kept her composure.
Adam, still childlike, gulped tea as if it were liquor and grinned cheerfully.
“Haha! Honey, seems like one of our kids turned out well, eh?”
“Hush…”
Eve, accustomed to dealing with nobles, tried to rein him in discreetly.
Under normal circumstances, such caution would make sense.
Yeah, under normal circumstances…
“Is there anything more you might n-need… esteemed guests?”
Meanwhile, Adele sat alone on the opposite sofa.
Not her usual crossed-leg, arrogant businesswoman stance—but with hands neatly folded, the picture of a demure lady.
Even her habit of speaking down faltered as she reluctantly switched to polite speech.
She maintained a strained smile while treating them with utmost deference.
An ironic situation—the noble serving commoners.
Only Eve, who seemed familiar with nobility, felt the strain of this dynamic.
The childish Adam munched on the snacks laid out on the table.
“These snacks are delicious. What are they called?”
“Presia’s signature delicacies.”
“Wow, I’ll have to grab some before we leave.”
Adam’s genuine admiration.
But Adele, stiff as a rookie soldier at attention, bowed her head.
“Not at all, Father! I’ll have crates loaded onto your carriage before departure!”
“Heh… There’s no need to go that far…”
“It’s my pleasure to do so!”
Yet despite Adele’s attentiveness, Eve’s wariness didn’t ease.
Adam might seem simple like Cain, but Eve, being sharper, only grew more suspicious.
‘Why treat us with such respect?’
‘Did they mess up our kid? No wonder they can’t look us in the eye.’
Perhaps a mother’s intuition is terrifying indeed.
As the awkward meeting between the two women stretched on—
Vivian, having rushed through a shower and makeup, finally entered the reception room.
“Mother, Father… Was I a bit late?”
Had her younger brother Jet seen her, he would’ve gouged his own eye out.
The usually wild, tomboyish Vivian had transformed into a refined lady.
Adele, who’d known her for years as a cousin, nearly gagged at the act but held it in.
Vivian, fully made up and adorned, covered her mouth like a true noble as she addressed Adam and Eve.
“What were you discussing…?”
“Ah… We came to see our son. He hasn’t sent a single letter in months.”
“Mother, you must’ve been so worried.”
“No, seeing him doing well is a relief.”
Vivian giggled like a noble in response.
Finally unable to bear it, Adele forced a smile and stood.
“I’ll fetch Cain.”
“Oh, I could go myself…”
“I couldn’t possibly let you, Mother and Father.”
Then, quietly, behind her soft yet ample rear—
where Adam and Eve couldn’t see—she raised her middle finger.
A gesture only Vivian could witness.
“Ohoho…”
“Ahaha…”
The two exchanged forced smiles.
After Adele left to fetch Cain, Vivian, now alone, couldn’t sustain the act.
With nothing in common beyond being Cain’s parents, conversation dwindled.
Her childish husband stuffed himself with snacks and tea, while her mother remained vigilant.
As the tense silence dragged on—
Erica made her entrance.
“My apologies for the delay.”
Erica, clad in an elegant white coat unlike her usual attire, removed it upon entering and settled onto the sofa.
Unlike Adele, stiff as a new recruit, or Vivian’s lady act—
Erica behaved as naturally as ever.
She sat, faced Adam and Eve, sipped her tea, and spoke.
“I am Erica Grace, master of this estate.”
“I’m Cain’s old man.”
“I’m his mother, Eve.”
Erica exuded the dignity of true nobility.
Eve rose to kneel in respect, but—
Erica raised a palm to stop her.
“No need for that.”
“But…”
Unhurried, Erica took another sip before continuing.
“Our fox—no, Cain has become indispensable to me.
Given all he’s done, I’d still fall short even if I showed you both the utmost respect.
So, for my sake, please remain at ease.”
For a former ducal noble to speak this way…
Eve had no choice but to sit back down.
After an awkward pause, Erica spoke again.
“Come to think of it, there’s something I’d like to purchase from you.”
The famed warlord Erica Grace, wanting to buy something?
Eve asked, bewildered.
“What might that be?”
“Let me state the price first.”
Erica opened a leather pouch from her coat and produced gleaming gold coins.
In modern terms:
1 copper = 100 won.
1 silver = 10,000 won.
1 gold = 10 million won.
Commoners would never see gold in their lifetime.
And now, 100 gold coins lay before Adam and Eve.
Erica smiled leisurely at their stunned faces.
“Paintings of our fox’s childhood.
Or any details about his preferences in women…
I’ll buy all information about him.”
In modern terms—dropping 1 billion won on childhood photos.
But Erica grinned as if it were nothing.
“Even if the information seems trivial, consider it… filial piety.”
Erica had bought intel from his parents.
Like a high noble—no, because she *was* one.
Though firmly in the superior position, she maintained proper courtesy.
Exuding effortless dominance, yet…
‘Was I too arrogant? Should I have added 10 more gold? My fox has been earning so much lately, this amount is negligible… But I want to give more. Should I offer land in Presia? Or a mansion like those smug dwarf sisters? Damn, if only I’d met him sooner—I’d have hired famous artists to paint his childhood. First, I should thank them for giving birth to such a delicious fox.’
Her mind buzzed with thoughts.
────────────────────
Adele, unable to endure Vivian’s lady act, had escaped.
It felt like hearing a younger sister putting on a cutesy voice for her boyfriend—disgusting.
Rubbing the goosebumps on her arms, she strode down the hall.
She headed to Cain’s workshop, where he’d been holed up lately.
No doubt buried in calculations again.
So she marched in without hesitation.
“That guy’s gonna love this.”
His parents—a sudden windfall.
No talk of money, just a visit.
They looked so happily married, it was hard to believe they had a 20-year-old son.
Clearly doting, wonderful parents.
Though he’d been living under Erica’s thumb for nine months,
and never sent letters—but given how careless he usually was…
Adele could roughly understand. She imagined his delight upon hearing the news.
At the workshop entrance,
having seen everything there was to see in his bed, she swung the door open without knocking—
“I can’t… anymore… I’m dying…”
“Hueee… Need sleep… Brains melting…”
Dwarves, a race known for toughness rivaling monsters, lay sprawled on the floor.
Dozens of small leg models lay shattered nearby.
And in the center—Cain, hunched over, clutching a model leg in one hand,
gnawing his thumbnail like a wreck, the other hand cradling the leg like a treasure.
“I… I love… white paper. I love white paper. I love white paper. I love white paper.”
His face, gaunt as if starved for days.
Dark circles like he hadn’t slept in a week.
Seeing the ruined doll of a man, Adele thought:
“Heh… We’re screwed.”
What should she even tell his parents?
0 Comments