Chapter 38: Go for it, Brother-in-law 15

During dinner, Elsa was the life of the party, chatting away with ease about eccentric anecdotes from various lands and the petty gossip of other magical families. Xining simply focused on her meal, offering no response.

Suddenly, Elsa shifted the conversation. "Miss Su Yun, you seem rather quiet during dinner, though you’re usually quite lively."

In aristocratic circles, dining was a form of social engagement—a time for talk and exchange. This was a thinly veiled jab, implying she lacked social grace. Elsa’s seductive face wore a malicious smile. "Then again, Miss Su Yun, since you don’t possess magic, you probably don’t get out much."

How typical to touch upon a sore subject. Was she dying to remind everyone that the host’s body was magic-less?

Xining picked up her napkin and wiped her mouth. "I indeed don't go out much because I have my sister; there’s no need for me to worry about too many things. I eat slowly, so I don't talk much while dining. Otherwise, I’d still be eating long after everyone else finished, and I wouldn't want to keep everyone waiting."

She then returned the serve, as is only polite. "Miss Elsa, you seem to be eating quite slowly as well—even slower than I am."

At this point, everyone noticed that Elsa’s plate was still nearly full; after all, she had been too busy talking to actually eat.

Xining knew that ever since she started playing this game, she had become quite the schemer. But if she didn't act the part, how could she tear down a black-hearted white lotus? If she didn't play dirty, how could she deal with this seductive vixen? If she didn't scheme, how could she strip away their masks and expose their blackened hearts for all to see?

With an appearance of thoughtful concern, Xining said, "My sister says that food should not be wasted. It’s quite alright, Miss Elsa, do take your time. I shall wait for you."

She made it a point to bring up Maria every so often, just to unsettle her and kill her appetite.

Elsa’s expression darkened, though she kept a fake smile on her lips. "Is the Pomfret family that poor?"

Poor? Even in their worst days, they weren't as poor as the Antilia family, with their twelve children—the cost of feeding them alone could bankrupt a middle-class household.

Excuses were easy to come by. Seemingly unfazed by the insult, Xining wore the host’s natural, harmless, and unremarkable face, replying calmly, "We’re doing fine. We have a bit of a surplus every month. The family owns plenty of land and shops, but most of them exist to help the poor, our relatives, and friends. We barely make any money off them. My sister says it’s better to avoid waste and put the money to more useful purposes, don't you agree?"

Slan took a light breath and nodded, looking quite satisfied. "Maria is indeed very kind. Whenever there is a natural disaster or misfortune, she is always there, contributing both time and money."

As the heir to a great magical family, even if she didn't volunteer, the King would eventually issue a decree for conscription. She might as well go to provide disaster relief and earn a good reputation.

Moreover, Maria was a genuinely good person, if a bit scatterbrained at times. She was a truly miraculous existence; much like Slan, she possessed a combination of kindness, generosity, a bit of air-headedness, and great power—all perfectly fused together. There was no logic to it; the protagonists' halos simply overshadowed everything.

Hearing Maria praised made Elsa even more uncomfortable. She took a few more bites, decided she’d had enough, and reached for her wine glass.

Xining felt a flicker of disdain. Eating so little—wasn't she afraid of losing her E-cup figure?

Elsa shifted the topic to Night Feather. "I hear young Master Night Feather is going to the Royal Palace?"

News traveled fast; where had she heard that?

Slan smiled and responded, "He will be a magical apprentice for a time. But with Night Feather’s ability, he should be able to become a full mage very quickly, provided he is willing."

Elsa raised her glass toward Night Feather. "Then I wish young Master Night Feather smooth sailing and great success."

Night Feather lazily lifted his glass, barely touching it to his lips, giving her the minimum amount of face.

What a fool, sucking up to the wrong person. Others might think a post at the Royal Palace was a great honor, but Night Feather certainly didn't see it that way.

"Speaking of which..." Xining requested of Slan, "It would be better to let young Master Night Feather stay for a few more days."

Although Night Feather was still nonchalantly eating his dinner, his eyes, lowered toward his plate, seemed to flash with a hint of light.

Xining explained slowly, "Once young Master Night Feather leaves, we don't know when he’ll return. And since it is a rare occasion for Miss Elsa to visit, we should let him stay so we can all be together. It would also allow him to rest for a few days so he can arrive at the Royal Palace in better condition."

Slan thought about it and agreed, saying to Night Feather, "Then you shall stay a few more days before leaving."

"Hmm," Night Feather replied, seemingly indifferent, though he was likely overjoyed inside. No matter how grand the palace was, it couldn't compare to the comfort and freedom of home.

Xining continued her meal, feeling Night Feather steal a glance at her. She hoped this guy could be of some help. Elsa was a magic user; she could handle a war of words, but if the other party started using dark, magical tricks, she would be defenseless.

After dinner, she bathed, changed into her clean, long black magic robe, and lay down to sleep.

The thought of Elsa’s room being so close to Slan’s made her blood boil. That shameless woman would surely find a chance tonight to sneak into Slan’s bed. But she was powerless; she couldn't watch Slan twenty-four hours a day, could she?

She hoped Slan could hold his ground and not lose his virtue. If Elsa succeeded, she would surely get pregnant. Even if she cheated Slan into believing the child was his, there were no paternity tests in this world. And even if she didn't get pregnant, she could always fake it and then stage a "miscarriage" later.

Xining felt she was becoming quite dark and sinister to know all these tricks.

Fortunately, she was pure-hearted by nature, or she would have been a menace to the world.

In the middle of the night, a shrill, piercing scream from Elsa jolted everyone in the house awake.

Xining ran out barefoot, while Molly quickly emerged from the servants' quarters holding a cloak. "Miss, it’s cold at night, please put this on. And you must wear shoes!"

There was no time; she had to save Slan. Elsa must have been up to some new trick, and she wouldn't let this little bitch steal the host’s brother-in-law.

She found Elsa sitting on the floor, clad only in a flesh-colored lace camisole nightdress, clutching her foot and wailing in pain.

Another camisole nightdress? How many did Elsa have? This one was flesh-toned, blending so perfectly with her skin that it looked as if she were wearing nothing at all.

She was sitting on the floor, her long, toned legs exposed to everyone, with a mousetrap clamped onto her foot.

"It hurts so much! Cousin, it hurts..." Elsa was truly crying now; it was genuine pain. She clutched her leg, refusing to let anyone touch her.

Slan frowned slightly. He flicked his hand, adorned with a magic gemstone ring, and the tightly clamped mousetrap sprang open and fell to the side.

She could have easily handled that herself, but she had to make sure Slan saw it and came to her rescue! Xining scoffed internally.

"Why is there a mousetrap here?" Slan asked, puzzled.

Night Feather shrugged. "Well, there were mice, weren't there? I had the servants set them while everyone was asleep. I didn't expect Miss Elsa to step on one! By the way, Miss Elsa, what are you doing out at such an hour?"

Slan and Night Feather were wearing their black magic robes and holding their staffs... and they were also barefoot.

It seemed they hadn't even had time to put on shoes, though they hadn't forgotten their staffs.

But Elsa didn't have a staff, and she was right at the door of Slan’s bedroom. Her intentions were as clear as day!