Chapter 12: The Wedding in Three Days?

Baron Lester walked straight up to Shuyue, stopping less than 2 meters away.

He laughed heartily and said, “I heard you had something to ask me?”

“Yes, Baron Lester.”

Shuyue nodded. What had just happened was merely an interlude. She had come here specifically to meet Baron Lester.

Baron Lester nodded slightly before turning to Belang.

“Go take care of things here.”

“Yes, Father…”

Belang’s eyes flickered briefly as he lowered his head, his reply tinged with gloom.

Naturally, he was extremely displeased by his father’s favorable treatment of Shuyue, especially in front of so many people.

‘Wasn’t he obviously trying to elevate Shuyue’s status?’

‘And where did that leave me, Belang?’

Baron Lester turned back to Shuyue and invited her to discuss matters elsewhere, as this wasn’t the appropriate place for their conversation.

Shuyue secretly breathed a sigh of relief and followed him.

Belang and the remaining noble youths each found an excuse to leave. In the end, only Belang remained, his face gloomy as he stared at Shuyue’s figure disappearing at the end of the corridor.

Baron Lester led Shuyue into a reception room decorated with luxurious elegance. Almost anything in the room could fetch a fortune if sold outside, and Shuyue couldn’t help feeling amazed.

‘Even an ordinary baron has this much wealth. Everything I earned through various channels in the Outer Domain might only be enough to buy one chair. As expected, exploiting others is the most profitable way to make money.’

Shuyue suppressed her thoughts and focused on Baron Lester.

“Baron Lester, your aura is even stronger than when I first met you yesterday.”

“Haha, I have you to thank for that.”

Baron Lester didn’t seem interested in hiding anything. In fact, he appeared to assume that Shuyue already knew.

No, rather, the real Lia White should have known what price he had paid for it.

Unfortunately, Shuyue wasn’t the real Lia. She was merely an impostor, a dishonest person hoping to profit from the situation. She knew nothing about what had happened behind the scenes and had no intention of investigating further.

Shuyue didn’t ask any more questions. Knowing that doing so might expose flaws in her identity, she chose to remain silent.

Baron Lester sat down and gestured for Shuyue to take a seat.

Shuyue didn’t stand on ceremony and sat opposite him. As soon as she settled into the chair, Baron Lester spoke.

“Your performance surprised me,” Baron Lester said with a chuckle. “Your speed and strength just now have reached the standard of first-tier combat power, and I can tell you still have energy to spare.”

“…”

“Did you cast spells consecutively just now?”

“Yes,” Shuyue replied without denying it.

This ability actually came from her bloodline, allowing her to construct two different spells simultaneously.

“That’s just a little trick of mine, nothing more.”

“Haha, not bad! Not bad! You’re so young, yet you already know how to conceal your abilities.”

Baron Lester regarded her with increasing appreciation, finding her more pleasing to his eyes by the moment.

‘The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be struck by the wind.’

Shuyue felt somewhat annoyed, but she still had to maintain her disguise. She could only force a smile and continue playing along.

“Besides, there’s nothing to conceal or reveal. I’ve simply realized how enormous the gap is between my talent and that of true geniuses. I’ve also come to understand that the things I once took pride in were merely illusions born of my narrow perspective, like someone sitting at the bottom of a well and believing the sky is only as big as the opening above.”

Shuyue didn’t consider herself a genius. Otherwise, why had it taken her so long to learn even a simple Fire Calling spell?

Although spiritual growth increased with age and experience, she still retained the memories of her previous life.

Without obtaining the Star Quenching Art, she would have been nothing more than an ordinary man passing through this world.

Even now, Shuyue didn’t consider herself any kind of protagonist. The dragon blood had only improved her talent; it hadn’t transformed her into a genius. Fortunately, it had also given her the opportunity to grow.

The path ahead was incredibly difficult, and she might not even be able to remain human…

Baron Lester strongly agreed with Shuyue’s words, particularly her opening remark.

“A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind? What an exquisite expression! It seems that, Lia, your aptitude is excellent, and your insight is equally extraordinary. Perhaps the information in that report isn’t entirely reliable.”

As he spoke, Baron Lester exhaled slowly, his gaze toward Shuyue growing profound.

“I’m marrying my most precious daughter to you. At first, I feared Emily might be entrusted to the wrong person. But now, it seems you’re far more qualified to be with Emily than those people just now.”

“Baron Lester, I’ll do everything in my power to make Miss Emily happy for the rest of her life.”

Shuyue hurriedly offered the promise he wanted to hear.

She had never married in her previous life. She had only dated a girlfriend when she was young and inexperienced, and afterward, she had barely even had opportunities to speak with girls, let alone deal with a father-in-law.

Still, making an empty promise shouldn’t be too difficult, right?

She stole a glance at Baron Lester and noticed that his expression remained serious.

‘What is he planning now?’

Baron Lester sighed and spoke solemnly.

“Lia, you should change the way you address me.”

“Yes, Father-in-law…”

Although Shuyue was reluctant, she had no choice but to comply. Refusing would only land her in serious trouble.

Baron Lester nodded in satisfaction before saying something that left Shuyue stunned.

“Your wedding to Emily will take place in three days.”

“Huh?”

“Originally, I planned to hold it a week from now, but that lord insisted that I arrange your wedding to Emily as soon as possible. Since it was his request, I had no choice but to comply. Make sure you’re well prepared.”

“Uh… all right.”

Shuyue broke into a cold sweat. In just three days, she would become another girl’s husband?

She was already considering fleeing with the money the very next day. If she didn’t escape soon, her disguise would probably be exposed!

Suppressing the panic rising in her heart, Shuyue maintained a straight face.

“Um… Father-in-law, there’s something I’d like to ask you to help me with. It’s a very small matter.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“I need a letter of introduction from you so I can complete my membership registration with the Alchemists Guild.”

“That’s very simple.”

Baron Lester agreed without hesitation. He was also somewhat surprised that Shuyue knew alchemy, but he didn’t ask any questions.

He was aware of some of the circumstances surrounding Lia White, but the forces involved operated at a level far beyond what a baron could clearly understand.

Besides, Lia had brought him enormous benefits, so he naturally wouldn’t concern himself with such a minor request.

Baron Lester readily wrote the letter of introduction. After thanking her cheap father-in-law, Shuyue took her leave.

Once she returned to the carriage, she immediately threw herself into Anna’s arms, looking completely exhausted.

Shuyue closed her eyes and spoke lazily.

“I’m so tired…”

Anna gently stroked Shuyue’s hair. She was delighted by Shuyue’s dependence on and trust in her.

“With your big sister here, you won’t have to feel tired. You did very well, but for our happiness, you must keep working hard.”

“Mm.”

Shuyue responded softly. At that moment, the carriage began moving, but it wasn’t heading back. Instead, it was heading toward the only Alchemists Guild in the Inner City District.

Shuyue had no time to waste. She needed to grow stronger with every passing second, and tempering her dragon blood was the fastest way to achieve that.