Chapter 301 (2): Feeling Like I’ve Won

Bernthal observed Wayne from the corner of his eye while chatting with John. When Wayne ate with his head lowered, wordless, Bernthal’s smile widened.

Gradually, he and his family laughed and chatted increasingly cheerfully.

“You’re so noisy and undisciplined. Where are your table manners? Did you leave them back in the countryside?” Wayne set the knife and fork down with displeasure, accepted the napkin that Mona handed him, and dabbed the corners of his mouth gracefully.

“My apologies, I haven’t met John for years and ended up getting carried away. I’ve disturbed your meal.”

The sky had cleared, and the rain had stopped. Bernthal felt like he was in control again. He spoke with more humility.

Humility often signified confidence. The more outstanding a person was, the more they respected other people. Conversely, those who belittled others usually did it out of a sense of insecurity, hoping to feel superior.

Comparing himself with Wayne, Bernthal felt like he had already won.

“Bernthal, apologies for interrupting your gathering with friends,” John said smoothly. “This is a high-end restaurant, so it was rude of me to intrude.”

“It’s fine. We aren’t strangers. Let me introduce everyone. These are my family...”

Bernthal introduced everyone in order until he got to Wayne last. “This is Wayne Lando, a Londan noble. He’s something of a younger family member to me.”

“Wayne Lando. I seem to have heard the name somewhere...” John frowned bemusedly before shaking his head. “Never mind. I’m not here to eat, Bernthal. We’ll talk another day.”

“You didn’t come to the restaurant to eat?”

“Well, the restaurant serves authentic Francan cuisines with the best chefs in Londan. Our High Reverend loves dining here. She’s invited a distinguished guest today, so I need to check on the private room.”

Bernthal’s eyes lit up. How impressive that the Queen had brought in the Church of Moonlight’s High Reverend to knock a Tulip Family down a peg. Could he be the High Reverend’s guest? At the thought, he straightened his back.

Just then, three women entered through the front door. The identical twins were stunning individually, and as a packaged deal, they instantly became the center of attention.

However, they only held that attention for a fleeting moment before all eyes were helplessly drawn to the woman walking in the front. She wore an airy white dress, her figure graceful and captivating, and her temperament pure and refined. As she walked, the dress swayed gently, whispering like a pleasant breeze.

Her blonde hair was put up, and a black veil covered half of her delicate face, making her skin look fair like snow. Her eyes were as clear as moonlight pouring onto the human world. The revealed part of her face was breathtakingly beautiful enough.

Gulp! xN

No one doubted her beauty. The mystery created by the veil only made her seem more noble and stunning.

“High Reverend.” John approached Filomina, speaking softly. “I ran into an old friend and chatted with him for a while, so I haven’t had time to check the private room.”

Filomina shook her head slightly. Her gaze swept over the Bernthal family before suddenly lighting up. She walked toward them, her changing expression showing such undisguised joy that the entire space seemed brighter.

Bernthal’s heart fluttered. The Queen had generously created such a grand demonstration for him; he was confident that he would be able to confront Auston in the future. He would surely win!

“High Reverend, I’m Bernthal Lan—”

Bernthal’s extended hand froze. He stared in shock as the woman in white walked past him without sparing him a glance, striding up to Wayne and...

Sitting down.

Yes, she sat on Wayne’s lap.

“Impossible. You’re actually on time today. When I asked you out for a meal, you always made all kinds of excuses.” Filomina complained, ignoring her image as the High Reverend and the increasingly horrified stares from those around her.

Legendary mages were all insane in their own ways. Filomina, for example, had long wanted to make her relationship with Wayne public. He just kept saying no.

“Stop. You’re the High Reverend, and there are so many people watching!” Wayne patted her behind, telling her to restrain herself a little.

Filomina glanced sideways at the onlookers before shifting her gaze back to Wayne. “What people? I don’t see anyone.”

She looked at Mona and huffed with displeasure. “Bastard, your secretary’s getting prettier!”

The jealousy in her tone could be heard from far away. She acted like a petty woman with none of the grace of a High Reverend. She was just someone who had fallen—

Come to think of it. She has to be quite old if she’s the High Reverend, right?

xN

Everyone looked again at Filomina’s stunning face under the veil, their concerns instantly evaporating.

Big Sister, I volunteer as tribute!

xN

“Wait in the room for me. I have guests to entertain here. I’ll find you after I’m done with them.” Wayne glanced at Filomina, who huffed and refused to get up on her own.

“...” xN

(눈⌓눈)

Bernthal stared. This was the Queen’s arrangement... or not.

Bernthal might not be as shrewd as Auston, but he wasn’t stupid. Thinking back to his ‘old friend’, John, he realized that someone else had made the arrangement.

How? How was Wayne able to give orders to the High Reverend of the Church of Moonlight? Why would the High Reverend make such a sacrifice? Was it because of the Lando family’s money power?

Bernthal hoped so. If it wasn’t money power, it would be pointless for him to come to Londan.

The Queen had chosen the wrong way to threaten Auston. Such an advanced game wasn’t something a fallen noble like him could get involved in.

“I can’t say no to you. Fine, the guests aren’t that important anyway.”

Wayne stood up with an arm around Filomina, apologizing earnestly, “Bernthal, the High Reverend and I have important matters to discuss. Let’s end things here today. I’ll invite your family to a meal another day. Just leave the bill at the front desk. I’ll pay later.”

“Don’t worry. It’ll still be my treat next time. It isn’t much for me!”

Ignoring Bernthal’s stiff face, Wayne walked toward the private room while holding Filomina’s slender waist. Mona followed close behind, and the twins entered the room as well.

John stood guard outside the door. The priest of the Church of Moonlight wasn’t even qualified to join the dinner table just because he was a man. With him standing outside, one could only imagine what and who those inside the room were eating.

The onlookers exercised their imagination—mainly the men. They grumbled under their breath with broken hearts, looking sorrowful like they were attending Wayne’s funeral. Noticing their female companions’ disapproving gazes, they... did not change their behavior. They still felt resentful and wanted nothing more than to take Wayne’s place.

Why would I change? Do I look like I’m in the mood for that?

xN

After a moment, the onlookers remembered their mission and shifted their envious and resentful gazes away, offering sympathy to the Bernthal family.

Give up. The big city is too cruel. To gain a foothold here, you need at least a High Reverend in your arms.

It’s not too late. Pack up and return to the farm in the countryside. At least you’re the winners when you’re at your cotton plantation.

They couldn’t be bothered to bid farewell to the family of losers before leaving one after another. Coming to this dinner hadn’t been a wasted effort. They had received important information that they could sell to multiple parties at high prices.

It didn’t matter how Wayne had gotten his hand on the Church of Moonlight’s High Reverend’s behind, making the High Reverend behave like she was in love in public. Whether he had done it through money or personal charm, it was a fact that the High Reverend was in his embrace.

Facing the Queen’s centralization of power, the Lando family revealed a hidden ace: Wayne, the heir apparent, was involved with the Church of Moonlight’s High Reverend.

Since Auston was involved with the High Reverend of the Church of Nature, even having a daughter with her, the Lando family had essentially secured two out of three faiths of the Life Alliance in Londan.

Of course, the reverse was also true: the Church of Nature and Church of Moonlight had reached into the Queen’s territory and gained influence over the Tulip Families.

Nevertheless, that wasn’t the point.

Among the three faiths of the Life Alliance, the Lando family had shown a close relationship with Nature and Moonlight. What about the Church of Sun? Did the father and son frequent the gym for workouts and wrestling?

As expected of Auston, he was well-known for being the loyal subject among the Tulip Families, eating from the Queen’s hands and sleeping in the Queen’s bed, yet by the time he put his pants back up, he was already close with the Life Alliance.

The hall emptied and fell silent. No one in the Bernthal family spoke. The younger generation could no longer enjoy the authentic Francan cuisines, and Bernthal, the head of the family, looked lost and weary, as if he had aged considerably all of a sudden.

Jennifer supported her husband, her brows furrowed in concern. She opened her mouth, but didn’t know what to say. She asked whether they should leave with a silent look.

“Let’s go. We’ve finished almost everything.”

Bernthal didn’t answer the question directly. When he passed by the manager, he insisted on paying the bill. Glancing at the private room, he paid for Wayne’s bill as well.

It was a lot, but it was the principle he had to hold onto and the tuition fee he paid for tonight’s lesson. It was well worth it!

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Auston had broadened his horizon, showing him what a great noble family with a truly solid foundation was. Even without the support of the Queen, the Lando family could stand firm in Londan.

“You’re too arrogant, Auston. I’ll relay everything to the Queen along with my personal insights. Since you don’t need her, she does not need you, either.”

Bernthal’s expression turned vicious. While his posture was no longer upright, he still harbored resentment. From the perspective of the Tulip Families, Auston’s Lando family had overstepped.

That wasn’t the Church of Moonlight’s High Reverend’s backside, but a slippery slope they shouldn’t have touched!

The more assertive Auston was, the more the Queen needed Bernthal, who truly represented the Lando family’s loyalty. That loyalty would make the Queen choose him!

“You shouldn’t have revealed this card, Auston. You leave the Queen with no choice.”