Volume 2, Chapter 90: A Conversation with the Lady

The more he looked, the more a scowl began growing on her face.

"And what do you think you're doing?" she asked, trying her best to hold back the urge to kill the human before her.

"I'm simply making an assessment, like you asked," he said casually. "You're pretty strong, so how about anything that can fool even you, at least?"

"I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to afford such things, even if I were to procure them for you."

'Gosh, you've gotta be kidding me. They're that expensive?!' Lucius knew for a fact that Silvia was well aware of how wealthy he was, and yet she still went ahead and told him that his request wouldn't be possible.

"Just how strong are you..." he asked with a look of bewilderment on his face.

Silvia smirked, enjoying his stunned silence.

"I may not be able to procure something of the level you asked for, but I should be able to procure something close."

"Alright, no problem," Lucius nodded his head. So long as he could get the items he wanted, he was okay with it.

"So, how much are we talking about, exactly?"

"Oh, I don't want money," Silvia replied.

"What?" Lucius froze for a while before regaining himself. "If you don't want money, then what is it that you want?"

"I want you to make sure my daughter remains happy until my return."

"Huh? I don't understand," Lucius stuttered, clearly confused.

"I'd rather not go into detail, but I'm not going to be around for a while."

'So that's why she was closing up shop so early today,' Lucius came to a conclusion.

Seeing the look of realization on his face, Silvia continued.

"Mr. Freeman isn't going to be around either, since he'll be traveling back to his hometown on leave, and I'd hate to burden Su with this. After all... you already make her do more than she needs to."

"Ahahaha... yeah..." Lucius laughed awkwardly at that remark; he had no way of denying it since his past self had truly done as she'd said.

"So, all I have to do is make sure she's treated in the best way possible until your return?"

"Yes..." Silvia said, but her expression froze the next moment. The reason being that the man before her had suddenly gotten down on his knees right before her very eyes. "What are you doing?"

"Marry me..."

"I thought I told you I hate jokes..." Silvia's signature cold look returned to her face.

Lucius didn't know when he began to perspire beneath her pressure, but all he could do was smile weakly.

"I'm serious," he said after much effort.

"What do you mean?" she asked, clearly curious.

"Let's just say that in the coming days, I'll need your help with something. But fear not, I promise you don't have to do a thing."

'I'll be heading over to the academy, so I won't be able to look after Emily all the time. Of course I can't tell her that. But, if Emily becomes my temporary daughter, she'd get all the attention she deserves. And, with her taking on the role of my fake wife, I'll have a proper reason to avoid that woman... That's to say if she's crazy enough to follow me all the way to the Witchers' Academy.' Lucius had completely formulated a plan of action in his head.

"You're crazy... What sort of man ups and marries a woman right out of the blue?"

"A desperate one, I'm afraid," Lucius sighed helplessly.

'Of course I could just ignore that woman, but if I did that, I'd be proving to everyone that I still haven't changed. But I really don't want to talk to her ever again... She's far too stubborn for my taste.'

"So..." Lucius's big, round, cute, puppy-dog-like eyes stared up at the woman before him. "Will you please marry me?" He said it, then paused, glancing around the store, only to let out a sigh in defeat.

"I promise to get you a ring afterwards, if that's what you're worried about."

"My problem isn't the ring," Silvia's eyes twitched, wondering to herself if the man before her was a complete idiot like she believed.

"Of all the people you could pick, why me?" she said, sounding suspicious. "I'm sure you know far more than enough women who could easily play this role for you. It's obvious you're doing all this for another reason."

'Well, she isn't wrong. From my memories, I can remember several other women who would kill just for the chance to get in my good graces, but...'

"That's just the thing—I can't trust any one of them to turn back and go against the arrangement afterwards." He shook his head lightly, like a man burdened by the gift of being fawned after.

Silvia felt the urge to punch him, seeing his reaction; if she didn't know any better, she would've thought he was trying to show off again.

"But it's pretty clear to me that you don't like me," Lucius said with a smile. "Rather than worrying about you going back on your word, I should be more worried you'd decide to call it off halfway." He winced at the end of his sentence, looking like a poor little cat too weak to fend for itself.

"But my daughter isn't even human. Aren't you worried about your family's reputation if you did such a thing?"

"Huh? I'm sorry, it seems you haven't met me. I'm afraid my reputation already speaks for itself. Something like this won't affect my family, since everyone else already knows a thing or two about me."

'This bastard...' Silvia cursed within her mind, to think he'd think of her daughter that way. Unfortunately for her, his next words proved her wrong.

"Besides, why should I care what they think? What's wrong with having an angel like Emily for a daughter? Even if it's temporary, I think I'd wish it were permanent. She's just too cute to pass up," he chuckled.

Silvia, on the other hand, frowned at his remark. Deep down, she didn't know what to say. She could easily tell that he wasn't lying, yet that was what left her even more unsure of what to do.

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