Chapter 110: Insane People
[One Hour Later.]
The party moved smoothly as everyone continued chatting and drinking. Most of the time, they secretly glanced toward Asher’s table with hushed, anxious reverence. All the while, none dared step too close to strike up a conversation—perhaps they were terrified of Asher himself, intimidated by his shadow knights, or wary of sparking another violent outburst like Grayson’s.
The only people who had actually dared approach were Owen, Katherine, and now, Marianne.
"Did you receive my message?" she asked, standing gracefully beside the table, her sharp gaze fixed straight on Asher.
Juliana and Sara both raised an eyebrow at her words. Almost simultaneously, they turned their heads to Asher, silently demanding an immediate answer.
"Oh yeah, your message. Sit down... We have things to discuss." Asher said, gesturing to one of the empty plush chairs.
"I would love to, but sorry... What I want to discuss shouldn’t be said in such a public place. What about tomorrow, at your hotel?" She suggested with a charming smile.
Asher glanced between Juliana and Sara. Juliana was glaring at him like a hawk ready to peck his eyes out if he said something stupid, while Sara was simply watching with cool curiosity.
"No. Come to my Villa tomorrow by ten in the morning, and we will discuss everything there... But remember, you shouldn’t come to my Villa empty-handed," he said seriously, laying down his terms.
"Hmm... Sky Hill Estate Villa. I haven’t stepped inside such a prestigious place yet. When you were besieged, I was stationed at the border, so I missed all the action. But no worries... I will be there by ten tomorrow," Marianne said with a smirk. She gave the three women a polite nod before turning on her heel and walking away.
’My goodness, why does she have such a frigid glare? Does she really think I want to steal her husband?’ Marianne thought to herself, shivering slightly as she recalled the icy aura radiating from Juliana’s eyes.
"It’s a good thing you invited her over... That way, I can keep a close eye on her," Juliana murmured in a low, threatening tone.
Asher blinked at her words and simply nodded: ’Just admit you want to keep an eye on me,’ he thought, wisely keeping the comment to himself.
BAM!
"....?!"
Asher and his wives turned to the side, staring in shock at a black-haired girl who had just slammed her spell staff onto the edge of their table. Her bright blue eyes were locked directly onto Asher, and with a single glance, anyone could tell she was thoroughly drunk.
"I have decided... From today on, you are my rival!!" She yelled, pointing an unsteady finger at his chest.
"Huh?"
"Excuse me?"
"....?!"
Asher, Sara, and Juliana were entirely stunned, staring at the girl in sheer confusion.
"What are you doing, Elizabeth?!" Britney gasped, rushing over to grab her friend’s waist and desperately trying to pull her back.
"No! I’m not going! Listen to me first!" Elizabeth broke free from Britney’s grip, leaned forward across the table, and aggressively grabbed Asher by his collar.
"Get this straight!! My name is Elizabeth Celestial, from the Super Great-Great Celestial family!! From today, this beautiful and esteemed lady takes you as her rival! One day, I will surpass you!" she declared with utter seriousness, before finally releasing the stunned Patriarch’s collar.
"Come on, Britney!! Let’s go train!" She picked up her staff, staggered unsteadily for a few moments, and began stumbling away.
"I am so sorry! So sorry! Please ignore what she just said!" Britney pleaded, bowing repeatedly in sheer panic before sprinting after her drunken friend.
"What just happened?" Juliana muttered in complete confusion. She turned to Kelly, who was casually picking up a crisp apple from a nearby plate and taking a large bite.
Asher had given Kelly permission to eat fruits, provided Juliana used her energy to detect any hidden poisons first. He knew he couldn’t stop Kelly’s bottomless appetite, so he made sure there were no heavy meals left in sight, while Kelly kept her back turned to the hall, hiding most of the snacks from her.
"Sorry about that. Elizabeth can be a real handful at times." Katherine said, stopping in front of them with a fresh glass of wine in hand.
"This is the third time you’ve come over here. Don’t tell me you want to ask the same thing again," Asher said, a touch of mild annoyance bleeding into his voice.
"Come on! You said you’d think about it, but I haven’t gotten any response yet," Katherine said with a playful pout.
"It hasn’t even been a single day yet!" Juliana snapped, her patience reaching its absolute boiling point.
"So what? Can’t I try and give myself a little hope?!" Katherine yelled back, crossing her arms stubbornly.
"You—"
"—Oh wow, how fantastic; you guys already know one another!"
"Mom?"
"Huh?"
Both Katherine and Juliana froze, turning to see the striking blue-haired woman standing right behind Katherine with a calm, refined smile.
"Why are you here, Mom?" Katherine asked, raising an eyebrow in suspicion.
"Oh, nothing much. I am just here to offer a proposal." her mother replied smoothly, her tone as collected as the arctic frost she commanded.
"A proposal? What kind of proposal?" Asher asked, staring at her intently. This woman had casually intervened earlier to freeze Grayson in his tracks, proving she was an SSS-Rank Awakened. He just hadn’t expected her to be Katherine’s mother.
’I should have guessed it... They both have blue hair and purple eyes. Katherine looks like a younger version of her,’ he thought.
"Well, my proposal is actually quite simple and very easy to accomplish: You just need to marry my daughter—and hand over the First Wife’s position to her."
Asher: "Huh?"
Juliana: "Come again?"
Katherine: "What the hell, Mom?!"
Sara and Kelly: ".....?!!"
’Are there only insane people at this banquet?! I had better leave before something even worse happens,’ Asher thought, utterly flabbergasted by the absolute chaos unfolding around him.