Chapter 84 - Cruxius Manipulation
"I will come back next time with gifts, Seleyena," Cruxius said with a wave of his hand, tilting his head and giving a wink.
Zipping up his pants, he exited the room. Already dressed, he focused ahead—where Darithi stood, composed and vigilant in her bodyguard attire. She glanced in his direction as he approached.
"Report," Cruxius inquired curtly as both he and Darithi moved down the hallway together.
"Thalia seems to be adjusting to the family without attempting to escape. The Hero Association is playing tactically in Zone 7, clearly on edge after the recent loss of their heroes," Darithi reported, having gathered up-to-date intel.
She was closely monitoring the growing tension between the Hero Association and the Villain Syndicate, as well as keeping an eye on Thalia’s progress at the main family estate, where she had been sent to learn the family business.
Naturally, there was some resistance.
Thalia had no prior connection to the household and no influence over its inner workings. It wasn’t easy for the family to simply trust her with their secrets or teach her their ways.
However, Cruxius had lied to the family head—claiming that Thalia was the woman he intended to marry.
’She’ll learn soon enough, given their desperation to marry me off.’
He had told the head of the family that if this woman could prove herself by learning the business, only then would he consider marrying her.
Otherwise, he would refuse to marry anyone—Thalia included.