Chapter 174 (1): It’s Nice to Be Young
Wayne turned to look at Filomina. She didn’t seem to be joking, but he couldn’t figure out what she was thinking. Remembering what he had learned from Kristen, he made an educated guess that this woman was trouble and planned to mess things up in Windsor!
He rose to his feet and kept his distance from Filomina. “Earlier, the Vice Minister introduced me as not only a member of the Ministry of Magic, but also part of the Tulip Families. I was born to serve the royal family and would die as one. I will not betray the ministry to join the Church of Moonlight.”
He puffed out his chest and said proudly, “In my years of pursuing magic, I’ve learned to recognize two things: the Queen on the sillings, and the Queen with a crown.”
“So you’re asking for a higher price?”
“Money’s not the issue here,” Wayne retorted. “It’s a metaphor, don’t you get it? I mean that I’m loyal and serve only Her Majesty the Queen.”
“Yeah, so very loyal!” Filomina chuckled. There was a high percentage of free mages in the Windsor Ministry of Magic, and most mages hailing from the Tulip Families didn’t follow a set religion. Their faiths were dictated by business, and naturally, their loyalty always came with a price tag.
“As long as you understand,” Wayne said.
“So? How much do I have to pay to make you think of the Queen on the silling bill when you look at the Queen wearing a crown?” Filomina asked, unconcerned. She crossed her long legs on the sofa. The silk bathrobe slid down, revealing more of her fair skin.
Nice legs. They’ll look deadly with garter socks! Auntie, let me take you to a stocking store tomorrow.
Wayne glanced at her and shook his head. “Thank you for your generosity, but unfortunately, you’re too old for me. I’m young enough to deserve a much younger woman. I suggest you send someone else.”
Kristen, who was also at the airport, would be a nice candidate!
Filomina’s smile stiffened. She never intended to seduce him in that sense. As the District High Reverend, even if she were going to set up a honey trap, she wouldn’t be the one to do the seducing. The bathrobe just slid down on its own.