483 The midnight blue dress
All the people Ganni listed had accepted to become sponsored. Now Vincent had one captain, vice-captain, and thirteen loyal soldiers to the Lionheart family.
The danger levels were going to drastically reduce from today onwards now that there were going to be more random soldier patrols and two strong officials living in the mansion.
âYou and your mother can start living with us today or tomorrow. â Vincent opened the door to leave and stopped. âOhh, as a reminder. My lovely wife might give you a scare when you see her. But there is no need for concerns because even the children like her.â
â...â Russo nodded. He watched Vincent and Sofy leave. Later he sat on his chair and contemplated what Vincent tried to mean by receiving a scare when they saw his wife.
Russo rubbed his chin and thought, âWait... Doesnât it mean Vincent has more than one wife? What about the cute but scary elf with him?â
Russo felt envious of Vincentâs fate because he never considered wasting money on the chance to flirt and find a partner.
Russo was frugal with his money to repay his motherâs kindness. He also suffered from the fear of poverty.
The days he spent alone and hungry sometimes haunts him to this day. Every coin he saved had a meaning to him.
Russo reclined on the chair and placed his feet on the table. He looked at the ceiling and murmured, âCan I have peace of mind and show my mother a girlfriend to her one day?â
.....
Outside were two people walking while gathering the attention of everyone. Even those disinterested couldnât help but glance at the noble and his elf maid walking together.
Some of the soldiers were curious about what Vincent and Russo talked about. They knew Russo had problems with a couple of noble families, so they couldnât understand why Vincent didnât have a frown on his face.
âWhat do you think happened? Do you think Captain Russo was finally swayed after losing the bet because of cheating?â
âI hope not. The Lionheart family is acting strangely after their famous marriage. I bet it is because of him.â
âI am of the same thought.â
Vincent could overhear a lot of negative gossip about him. Ironically, it brought a smile to his face because no one talked about how he looked in Overheat form. Being called a cheater was better than being called a monster or questioning if he was a person from another world.
Sofy knew Vincent was kindhearted, and he practically spoke no lies. It made her angry, but after noticing how Vincent walked casually as if he didnât mind, Sofy decided not to cause a commotion.
[Why do I feel both happy and mad?]
[Being in the spotlight as a cheater will help cover up your mutation powers, but it will also make many lose their trust in us. I wonder if this is the only way to hide your powers?]
-The mansion is our home, or in gameâs terms, our current headquarters. I do not need hundreds of friendly relationships. What I need is information. The Reddawn family can help me when I gather a considerable sum of money.-
[I didnât think you thought so far ahead. Phew, okay. Now I do not feel angry anymore.]
[Let them hate as we stand united. With our defenses upgraded, we shall complete the school arch with flying colors. When we roam the lands in search of a person, an army of wives shall accompany the harem lord.]
Vincent stopped walking and facepalmed. *Sigh*
-Are you writing a poem now?...-
[Hehehe. I am good, arenât I?]
-...-
*Emerald Lionheart Mansion*
The carriage stopped in front of the entrance. Vincent jumped down and thanked Sofy for accompanying him today.
Sofy smiled warmly and responded, âI had fun today. I enjoyed our date.â
However, before Vincent could deny their time together could be interpreted as a date, Sofy led the horses to move, leaving Vincent to stare at the carriage heading to the stables.
Vincent sighed and shook his head. He entered inside, and Lupa quickly rushed over and asked him to wait.
âWhy do I need to wait here alone?â Asked Vincent with a puzzled expression.
âSister Sakura wants to show my mate...â Lupa covered her mouth when realizing how she was about to spill the beans.
âI can not say.â She said before running upstairs to announce Vincentâs arrival.
Kazumi was curious to check what was going on. She left Vincentâs body and followed Lupa.
*Sigh* âThat curious girl doesnât know how to wait.â Vincent shook his head and sat on the stairs.
Lenn and Renn were going to the kitchen when they saw Vincent sitting on the stairs. Both approached to greet him, and they boasted how they could have beaten Lupa if they had the chance to spar today.
Vincent had made a deal with the twins a couple of weeks ago. Vincent would only accept to spar with them if they could beat Lupa first.
However, as Vincent had expected, the twins couldnât beat Lupa. Thus, he didnât need to use his limited Sunday time to spar with the twins.
Vincent stood up and placed his hands on their shoulders. âA new resident will be living with us. He might be able to help with your growth. Maybe you might become strong enough to beat Lupa one day.â
The eyes of the twins sparked with great curiosity. Their hearts raced from the excitement of meeting with the person who was strong enough to help them grow. However, Vincent remained tightlipped and didnât mention Russoâs name.
âSofy took our teacher on a trip today, right?â Whispered Lenn in his brotherâs ear.
Renn nodded. âLet go find her.â
The twins said, âBye,â and raced for the stables.
*Sigh* âIs everyone impatient these days?â Vincent murmured.
[I am back, hehe.] Kazumi returned. She giggled as if something amusing had happened upstairs.
*Step, step*
Vincent turned around and raised his gaze. The sight appearing before his eyes made his heart flutter.
At the center of many women stood a tall woman with lavender-colored skin, a pair of horns, and tall hair. She wore a sexy tight-fitted midnight blue dress. On her ears were earrings, and on her neck a luxurious necklace.
âSakura...â Vincent uttered while staring blankly at her. He never expected to see Sakura look so beautiful.
The moment Sakura arched her lips with lipstick to reveal a smile, his cheeks blushed, and his heart nervously fluttered. Vincent fell in love with Sakura all over again.
Sakuraâs heart anxiously fluttered. She nervously fiddled with her hair when she saw Vincent staring at her without saying anything other than her name.
âD-donât stare at me like that. W-wearing, this thin layer of clothing, is e-embarrassing. T-this is the second time I am wearing a dress in my life. T-the first was the wedding dress.â Sakura stuttered honestly after a few seconds of silence.
*Cough* âI didnât think you could look more stunning in that dress than the wedding dress. You look beautiful, and I donât think anyone will become scared to see you. It will only take one glance to make them blush.â Vincent overly praised Sakura.
âI want a dress too!â Lupa exclaimed before Ester pulled her ear and told her not to interrupt this moment.
Sakura avered her gaze and blushed. âVincent is still looking at me... I am embarrassed to wear thin clothes. But Vincent doesnât mind my ugly hard muscles tightening my dress.â She pondered while slowly descending the stairs.
Sakura peeked at Vincent every couple of steps. But she saw no lies in his expression. Vincent was happy to see her wearing the dress.
Sakura descended the last step. She stood in front of Vincent. *Gulp* She raised one hand as Lilith instructed and looked at Vincent.
Vincent smiled. âNow I can take a better look at you, my beautiful lady.â He flirted before gently holding and kissing her hand.
Maid Xu took out a small bell. *Clink, clink, clink*
Multiple doors opened, and almost everyone appeared as if this was planned. Only the twins, Ganni and Bessy, were missing.
They gazed at Sakura and smiled. Promptly, they clapped and praised her good looks.
Sakura blushed even brighter when she wasnât informed about this. She held Vincentâs hand and whispered, âI am still wearing the dress, right? This is too thin. I feel naked in front of everyone.â
Vincent realized why Sakura was so embarrassed. The dress felt too thin and tight-fitted. She felt ashamed, as if she wore no clothes and everyone could see her body.
âLook at little Alice. She is smiling and clapping. Donât you think you are worrying too much?â Vincent whispered.
Sakura moved her gaze to Alice, and her nervousness lessened. She exhaled to ease her tension and thanked everyone for their compliments.
Vincent held Sakuraâs hand and looked at Sofy. He nodded, and she understood what it meant.
Sofy explained the eleven orders of sponsored armor engravings and the new residents possibly moving in today and tomorrow.
Vincent pulled Sakura outside when he felt a gaze filled with bloodlust directed at him.
It appears Vincent wasnât going to be on friendly terms with Maid Xu any time soon.
Sakura was nervous, walking quickly. She slowed down her pace. Her face never stopped blushing.
âLet me give you a ride. â Vincent said while gently lifting Sakura like a princess.
âAm I heavy?â Nervously asked Sakura.
âDonât worry. My strength increased, and I can lift you with ease.â Vincent boasted.
However, Sakura frowned. âDoes it mean I am heavy?â
âI would worry if you were light because I would be concerned about your health.â Vincent smoothly answered. Even Kazumi whistled for his response.
Sakura stopped asking about the subject, but she was happy about the response. Later she was taken to the workshop like a princess and cultivated with Vincent until it became dark.