Chapter 318 (1): The Good Days Are Coming!

Hearing that the woman at Wayne’s side was Darienne, the Moonlight Knight, Queen Sophelia’s smile froze. Her improved mood once again sank to the bottom of the River Thames.

Grief, resignation, despair, confusion... Overwhelming pressure surrounded her. She hadn’t felt this miserable even when her husband died.

However, as a seasoned politician, she quickly picked herself up and greeted Darienne with a smile—of course, she had to greet the knight after Auston because of their difference in status.

Auston stared at his son and the knight.

You punk, why did you bring the Moonlight Knight to the ministry rather than playing cards with her back home? Are you here to humiliate the Queen repeatedly?

Don’t you know that your father has been cleaning up your mess because you just walked away after having your fun?

Auston shot Wayne an irritated glare before bowing respectfully to welcome the Moonlight Knight. She was here to support the Lando family, and proper courtesy was a must when greeting a guest who had traveled a long distance.

Darienne was a chosen knight who walked the human world for her goddess, making her a more distinguished figure than even the Pope of the Church of Moonlight. She had to be treated with the utmost respect.

“Lady Knight, it’s getting late. Have you already dined?” Auston acted as if he were meeting Darienne for the first time, greeting her the conventional way.

Darienne frowned. Although this was her first time meeting Auston, something about him felt familiar to her, and she did a double-take.

“Don’t worry, Father. I’ve arranged for Lady Knight to enjoy authentic Francan cuisine at Buckingham Palace. It was as luxurious as a state banquet.”

Wayne stepped forward and grabbed Auston’s arms. While blocking Darienne’s view, he pulled the old man aside and whispered to him.

On the surface, he was whispering scandalous gossip about why they had failed to catch Auston in a compromising position with the Queen, asking when the Queen’s third child would be born; in truth, he was speaking for both Darienne and Sophelia to hear.

The former was an agent of chaos and enjoyed gossip. The latter did not find any enjoyment in the gossip, but Wayne didn’t care. He only knew that if the Queen would just put in more effort, wearing shorter dresses with lower necklines, preferably wearing nothing but white gloves, then he would have a concrete example of the Lando family tradition to follow, collecting every pretty thing he encountered.

Someone who didn’t forget their dream and didn’t let any chance slip by would certainly succeed.

Privately, Wayne and Auston were having a heated exchange through their thoughts.

“Why did Darienne come? When did she arrive?” Auston asked.

“She arrived in Londan today. That was why I went to the head office of the Church of Moonlight.”

“Why did she come? How long will she stay?”

“I’m still getting answers from her. Now’s not the time to discuss this. Tell me where my office is...”

The father and son gossiped while having a real conversation in secret. Darienne listened to their whispered conversation, amused. She quickly put aside her doubts about Auston.

Queen Sophelia remained expressionless. So the chosen knight had dined at Buckingham Palace. How fortunate that she had been working overtime and wasn’t home, or as the nominal matriarch of the nation, Wayne would’ve arranged for her to dine and chat with his guest, for certain.

Having only the two of us eating is boring. Are there any attractions to enjoy in the palace?

Sophelia imagined the Moonlight Knight said.

Then Wayne would respond,

Yes, I’ll summon a girl to sing for you.

Sophelia was grateful that the head of the rebelling family was Auston. When Wayne took over in a few years, who knew what nonsense he would pull? Auston would respect her, but Wayne definitely wouldn’t.

Her being Queen + widow + defeated + father’s ex gave her such a forbidden allure to men of all ages, especially in the depraved high society, that no noblemen would be able to resist the temptation.

A moment later, Wayne finished talking to Auston and said his farewell with a bow. He drove Darienne to his office building.

The Ministry of Magic covered a vast area, so driving would save—

Well, driving didn’t actually save time; he just found it too troublesome to return for his car. Besides, this wasn’t about saving time. He was Vice Minister—what kind of high-ranking leader walked on foot?

“Why are you in such a hurry? That pair of cheaters is fun. I wanted to watch them a little longer.” Darienne’s frosty beauty had a short shelf life. As soon as she opened her mouth, her true colors were revealed.

“Watch your mouth. I have great respect for my father,” Wayne said seriously.

“I’m not deaf. I heard you encouraging him to sleep with the Queen.” Darienne looked disgusted. “You nobles have such filthy minds. Don’t talk to me in the future unless you need to. I’m a germaphobe.”

“...”

“Speak!”

“You told me not to talk to you.”

“See? Not only do you have a filthy mind, but you’re also unreasonable. It’s only because I care about my successor. Anyone else would’ve lost their temper.”

“...”

Wayne rolled his eyes dramatically. If not because he hadn’t figured out her true capabilities and was worried that beating up a knight would summon the goddess, he would’ve locked this foul-mouthed woman in his basement to play out a hentai.

[eng] Pure White Knight’s Debauched Fall (純白の騎士の濁った悪堕ち)[1]

Two minutes later, the black luxury sedan stopped. Wayne strode quickly into the office building, deliberately letting Darienne fall a step behind so that she would look like his secretary. It was nine at night. Even in Windsor, with its inhuman work culture, those who should be off work had all gone home.

Throughout the entire Ministry of Magic, Auston alone had chosen to work overtime because he had too strong a sense of responsibility. Everyone else had gone to the theater next door for a show.

Yes, they had a leadership change, but it wasn’t a salary cut. What was the big deal? They would keep the music playing and keep dancing.

Such was Windsor’s way!

Wayne’s office building was left empty. Only the Vice Minister’s private office was still lit, with a blonde woman in business attire working overtime to review documents. She appeared to be in her thirties, wearing a short pencil skirt that hugged her hips and black stockings. She was a perfect embodiment of a mature, charming woman.

“I didn’t expect there to be a secretary here.”

Wayne opened the door and walked in, meeting the secretary’s eyes when she looked up. He suddenly felt a pang of familiarity. He seemed to have seen that face somewhere.

While the secretary didn’t have the face of a first love to him, she was quite attractive. After thinking briefly, he guessed that the Queen had made this arrangement. It couldn’t be Auston—just look at the maids employed by the Lando family. Outside of Megan, they were all the stocky, burly type.

The secretary was surprised to see Vice Minister Wayne this late at night. She slowly stood up and greeted, “Wayne. I didn’t know you’d be coming. Under Auston’s instruction, I’ve completed the paperwork. Would you like to review them?”

Who are you? Just calling us Auston and Wayne? Don’t you know who they are now?

Wayne stared at the secretary for a moment. Then he said with a strange expression, “Miss Collins?”

Yvette nodded, pressing down her skirt that didn’t even reach her knees, feeling extremely awkward.

Yvette Collins was a member of the Tulip Families and a Vice Minister of Magic, one of the two legendary mages whom the Queen trusted most. Through all the changes of Vice Ministers at the Ministry of Magic, she had continued to occupy one seat, outlasting four colleagues. She could be considered a veteran official throughout administrations.

All this time, Yvette had presented herself as an older lady in her fifties. It wasn’t that she couldn’t maintain a youthful appearance. It was a deliberate choice to maintain an elderly image to avoid unnecessary trouble and command more respect from younger people.

It wasn’t her decision to suddenly adopt a youthful appearance, but Sophelia’s order. The Queen had analyzed Wayne’s behavioral patterns and had sufficient reason to suspect that he liked older women, so she gave Yvette a mission.

When Yvette received the mission, she felt shocked as if lightning had hit her. Wayne was a child to her. Even Auston was many years her junior. Wasn’t it inappropriate for her to carry out this mission?

Back then, Yvette had arranged for Wayne to serve as the Ministry of Magic’s face to appease Filomina. Since Windsor was a powerful nation, and powerful nations were too dignified to arrange a honeytrap, Yvette had allowed Wayne to come to the conclusion on his own.

History didn’t repeat itself, but it rhymed. Now, Queen Sophelia had also left out what the mission actually entailed and allowed Yvette to come to her own conclusion. She shouldn’t perfunctorily do what the words said, but she shouldn’t take the words out of context and overdo it, either. The higher-ups meant well, and she would understand if she just thought about it more.

Despite her grievances, Yvette accepted the assignment out of loyalty.

Wayne covered his face. The former pretty boy of the Ministry of Magic quickly figured out why Yvette had become younger and appeared in his office. After a long pause, he said, “The clothes look good. Don’t wear them again. Also, I prefer the former Miss Collins. I hope you won’t destroy my respect for a senior.”

“I understand. Sorry for causing you trouble.”

Yvette was so embarrassed that her toes were digging an entire office building into the ground. She had said that she wasn’t the right choice in the beginning, but the Queen insisted, saying that Wayne liked them old. Well, now her old face was completely humiliated.

“Wayne, this is...” Darienne’s eyes lit up. She could tell there was fun to be had when she sensed the awkward tension in the air.

“It’s nothing. Just a strange misunderstanding.”

“I know it’s a misunderstanding. Then hurry up and clear it up!”

“It’s none of your business.”

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Wayne ignored Darienne. Yvette was one of the rare loyal subjects among the legendary mages. Although her loyalty wasn’t to the Lando family, he was willing to preserve her dignity.

Darienne scoffed, staring at Yvette with her silver eyes. “Young mage, nice stockings. Where did you get them from?”

“And who-who are you, distinguished guest...?”

Yvette instinctively stepped back. The moment Darienne’s gaze shifted to her, she felt a chill around her neck, as if she would die if she uttered one wrong word.

She had thought that the silver-haired woman was Wayne’s newly acquired luxury car, brought to the office tonight for a test drive, so she hadn’t paid much attention before. Now, though, it was clear that the woman was no ordinary mage, but someone far stronger than a legendary mage.

Stronger than a legendary mage? Was she a demigod? Were there still demigods in the mortal realm? Shouldn’t they be in their Divine Realms in the Astral Plane?

Shocked and terrified, Yvette swallowed unconsciously. The Lando family’s influence was frightening. She would advise the Queen to stop getting ideas and just be Auston’s mistress. They had a thing before. If there was any loss to suffer, she would’ve suffered it long ago.

“Stop it. These are stockings. I designed them. Though they’re out of production now, I still have some at home. I don’t have much left, but I’ll send you a pair another day.” Wayne waved his hand, saving Yvette from the heavy tension.

“Just a pair?”

“I told you, it’s out of production. Only collectors still have some, so the supply is limited,” Wayne said carelessly.

“If it’s that precious, I’ll have to pick a pair out in person. Clothes need to fit to be comfortable. I wouldn’t want you to get the size wrong.” Darienne insisted, determined to set fire to Wayne’s warehouse.

“No need. I know your size.”

“How?” Darienne’s eyes widened. “ When did you find out? How did I not know?”

Wayne sighed, scanning Darienne from head to toe. “This is how I know. I’m a professional fashion designer.”

Darienne was speechless, once again realizing the depths of high society’s depravity.

Only after that did Wayne have a chance to explain to Yvette, “Miss Collins, I apologize for the fight. This is my friend. Hearing that the Lando family has rebelled successfully, she came to Londan to congratulate us. This is just how she is. It’s nothing personal.”

Seeing Yvette’s bitter expression and suppressed anger, Wayne delivered another blow, leaving her thoroughly depressed. “This friend of mine is something of a celebrity in the world of magic. She’s the Goddess of Moonlight’s chosen knight in the human world. You must have heard of her.”

So she’s the Moonlight Knight. No wonder she’s so powerful.

Yvette’s scalp tingled. The Death Knight, the Darkness Knight, and now the Moonlight Knight. Among the five chosen knights, the Lando family had already secured the support of three. What about the Nature Knight and the Sun Knight? Were they riding their horses here?

Be honest and stop hiding things. The Lando family has already secured the support of all chosen knights, right?

Yvette couldn’t believe it. She didn’t understand how the Lando family did it. Wouldn’t the five chosen knights start fighting the moment they sat down at the same table?

1. The raw is “Pure white knight's turbid evil fall[字幕组翻訳]”, mimicking a typical title for translated adult anime. 字幕组翻訳 is Japanese kanji for “translated by subbing group.” I’ve opted to render it a little differently so that the intention is more easily understood. ☜