Retired S-rank father becomes a teacher

In the cabana, in the living room, three people were seated: Silas, Elizabeth, and Victoria. The lamp that was used earlier by Liz to read was turned on but it was pointed at her dad. Interrogation style. Victoria was leaning forward, her face serious and her eyes bright.

She had told grandma to go to sleep and that she would talk with papa and mom about her “problem.” Then she dragged both her parents here. They had to sit on the couch with their heads turned to face her. It felt good. She was in charge right now.

“So...what is it that you want to discuss with us Vic?” Elizabeth asked, her voice calm and soothing as always.

Narrowing her eyes at her dad, she thought about his behavior recently, and his suspicious activities with grandma. The fact that the room was locked, they were sweaty...and papa had a goofy smile on his face when he walked out.

There was definitely something going on. But she couldn’t reveal her true motive yet, she had to be subtle.

“I was just...curious about something I read online. And I thought, who better to ask than my wise parents, right?” She put on her sweetest smile.

Her father raised an eyebrow. “What is it, princess?” He asked.

He was too relaxed. And he used that nickname of hers on purpose, because he knew she liked it. But not tonight. No she steeled her heart.

Taking a deep breath, Victoria looked at both of them with a solemn expression. “Is cheating normal in a relationship?” She said it with a serious tone.

Silas choked on air and Elizabeth blinked.

Silence.

Then Elizabeth cleared her throat and spoke up, her voice gentle. “Well, Vic, why do you ask?” She tilted her head, trying to keep her face neutral. But her eyes held curiosity.

Victoria kept a straight face. She had seen her mom talk to grandma, whispering and unlike her dad, she couldn’t hear through walls. But she had a hunch. Her mom was hiding her true intentions. So it was only fair to poke at them, and see what would pop up.

“Just...in general. I was reading this article about how common it is in marriages that last longer than a decade,” she said.

Her dad showed no visible reaction to her words. But her mom smiled. She always smiled.

“That depends on who you ask, sweetie. Some people believe that love can overcome any obstacle, others...well they are more pragmatic and seek different kinds of fulfilment.” Elizabeth said, her hand moving to hold her dad’s hand.

Vic saw her fingers intertwine with his, their wedding rings clinking together. Something twisted inside her but she kept up the facade.

“So what do you think?” She looked at her dad, who was still silent, watching her with those intense eyes.

Why did they have to be so beautiful? It was a blessing and a curse. Her heart pounded.

Silas sighed and leaned back against the sofa. “I think...it’s wrong. Marriage is a sacred bond and should be respected.”

His voice was deep and steady. Sincere. Just like she knew he would answer. Good papa, always so loyal and pure.

Victoria nodded slowly, then looked at her mom with a hint of doubt.

“What about you mom? Would you ever cheat on dad? Hypothetically of course.”

Elizabeth laughed, but it sounded forced. “Vic, you know I would never do that to your father. He is the love of my life, and I have everything I need from him.” She squeezed Silas’s hand and he smiled back at her, kissing the top of her head.

Yeah, they were a perfect couple. So why did Victoria feel like there was something missing?

Something off.

She stood up, brushing her hair behind her ear. “I’m relieved to hear that mom, dad. You two are an inspiration for all couples, I wish my future marriage to be just like yours.”

She gave them a smile, but her eyes held a cold light.

They smiled back at her. They didn’t notice the sharpness in her gaze. Of course they didn’t. She was the master of masking her emotions.

“Thank you dear.” Elizabeth said. “We do try our best.”

Standing up, Victoria hugged them both, one after the other. First her dad. She pressed herself into him, feeling his strong arms wrap around her. Then her mom, her warmth engulfed her.

But when she turned to leave, she put her hand to her chin. Looking at her parents with a thoughtful expression, she said, “But mom... would you forgive dad for cheating?”

Silence.

Victoria looked between them as they stared at each other. Their faces unreadable. But she could see the crack in her mother’s smile. The flicker in her father’s eye.

Before either of them could answer, Victoria shook her head.

“Never mind. I know you love each other and would never do anything to hurt each other. Good night.”

With that, she left them on the couch. The two parents exchanged a quick glance before they turned back to the TV.

Closing the door behind her. Her body temperature was high, her face hot. Her hands were shaking.

Was dad a cheater? No, she knew he would never do that to mom, so mom must have given him permission? That might mess with her plan but it could still work. If dad crossed the line with grandma...

It would make things so much easier for her. But harder. Mom would be the main rival, the head wife, and grandma the second wife. She’d be the third. No. She was the only one worthy of the main spot.

Calm down. She breathed—no need to stress.

She changed into her pajamas and got into her bed, turning off the light.

“Hey I was reading that,” she heard her sister complain.

Oops. She forgot Kathy was in the room.

“Kat, did you not hear me come in? You need to be more alert if you want to be a hunter one day,” she said, turning the light back on.

Katherine was on her bed with a manga book, the latest chapter of a story about a boy who could summon dragons. She wore a t-shirt and shorts to bed. Her hair was down, free.

Victoria stared at her sister. Hmm. Maybe she could use an ally right now. Someone who shared her blood, even if they weren’t as devoted to papa as her. And Kathy could be manipulated.

She sat on the edge of the bed, next to her sister.

“What are you reading, Kat?” She tried to sound casual.

Her twin looked at her suspiciously. “The newest issue of Dragon King, it’s really good. But you don’t like manga, so why are you interested all of a sudden?”

She sighed. Kathy was no fool. But she was smarter of the two

So Victoria went straight to the point.

“I need your help, Kat.”

Katherine closed her book and raised an eyebrow. “With what?”

Leaning closer, she looked around, checking that the spatial anomalies were not being used. They weren’t.

“Papa is acting weird lately, and so is mom. I think they are hiding something from us,” she whispered.

Her sister snorted. “Of course they are, they think we are babies who can’t handle adult stuff.”

“Exactly, so I need you to—”

Kat cut her off, “The last time you asked me something, a boy pissed himself in front of me. It smelled bad.”

Victoria rolled her eyes. Lucas was pathetic. That’s why she chose him.

She grabbed Kathy by the shoulders, squeezing them gently but firmly.

“This is serious Kathy. We need to work together to find out what they are hiding. Don’t you want to know?” She locked eyes with her sister.

“If you ever want to be an S-rank like papa, you need to learn his secrets.”

That was the key. Kathy always wanted to surpass papa. It was cute in a way. And it meant she would be easier to convince.

Kathy bit her lip, her eyes darting to the door then back to Vic.

“Alright. What’s the plan?” She asked.

Victoria smirked.