With a clear mind and a fresh expensive golden dress, I slowly walk in the large drawing room where I find the woman.
She was sitting on the center of the large sofa in the center of the room and it was pretty obvious to notice her.
It would be noticeable when all the maids in the room wore black dresses with white lining and she’s the only one that wore a white illuminating one.
You could tell that the woman was raised in a noble family as she sat with a straight gait while watching me approach. Her eyes showing a trace of greed that was covered by fake happiness.
"Madam Quenney, how wonderful it is to finally meet you." I gave a formal bow to her as she stood up.
She stood up at the height of 5.4 foot, a lean body with high assets both in the front and the back. The woman put her right hand forward as I took it and gave a simple kiss on the knuckle.
"It is good to meet you as well, Lord Henry. Forgive me for making our introduction so prolonged, I was in mourning so I stayed locked for some time."
’Lying Bitch. I know you’ve been trying to find me all this time and you finally did.’ Official source is noveⅼfire.net
"It’s completely understandable, do forgive me as well... I was quite preoccupied after the unforeseen thing happened with father." I stand up.
"Oh?" She tilted her head and asked with simple curiosity, "Really? What was it?"
"You know, with the burying ceremony, leaving my old home, finding a new home, the academy... lots of things." I smile passively as she nods.
’Oh, I know what you’ve been doing.’ The woman thought, ’The waves you’ve made is what helped me find you. So Barbaric.
"Yes, it was quite exciting to hear that you won the Ganli- Prionlin tournament-"
"The Chancion Tournament."
"Yes... that one... and survived a big calamity as well. Quite unusual." She quickly fixed her slip, "Bu- but that’s great. You had the luck that your father didn’t."
"Yes, you could say that it was father, who watched and protected me all that time." I say and put my hand forward, "I know it is late but why don’t we have an introduction?... I am Henry Van Tax, An humble Viscount of this barren region."
’Barren?’ The woman’s eyes flashed red for a moment, ’The only thing barren here would be you, everyone knows this places rains money.’
"And I am Potonia Quenney, daughter of Earl Quenney, late wife and your mother." Her face was beautiful yes, but not even a mile close with the women surrounding me.
"So should I start calling you mother?" My words froze her and I smile, "Just a joke, madam Quenney, how can I call someone so young, my mother."
She smiled, "You’re just 11 years older than me. Her face cracked yet smile barely remained.
Potonia understood that was a slight insult to her. For the legal age of marriage was 16 and yet here she was, widowed within weeks of her second marriage and childless.
"It’s alright, it is expected for us to adhere to our customs so I wouldn’t mind if you called me mother, as is your right."
"No no, that I can’t do. You’re so young, we can’t let other marriage prospects let their mind stray from you now can we? Haha." I laugh at her shocked look.
"Ow, my apologies, I realize." Potonia was about to smile as she thought I would apologize, "I’m making my guest stand for no reason so long, please sit."
Potonia nodded with slight anger as I sat opposite to her. Before she could open her mouth, I snap my fingers and two of the maids came to us with a professional phase.
"Master" They both said in unison.
"Bring us a glass of the wine I brought from Bellby." I look at Potonia, "Do you drink wine?" I spoke before she could, "I insist you do, it is very fine. Completely tongue wrapping if you are a newbie to this world."
"I will thank you!" She said quickly.
I nod at the maid as they bow and left.
"I hear you’ve been staying here for a few days." My words show nothing, "I wonder what that has been for you?"
"I hope my arrival doesn’t bother you." She said closely, trying to balance the dynamic, "You are my son and I was worried for your health. Especially so when I heard you went for a war with the Religias."
’And my prayer for you to die in a dump went nowhere.’ Potonia kept her smile, "I was greatly relieved to hear you survived."
I say nothing to those words, "What’s happening in Hyfelia? Has your stay there been satisfied?"
It was now that Potonia couldn’t keep her mask. It broke like a hammer hit glass as she looked so convoluting.
"W- Well... I wanted to talk to you about that. The house-"
"Your house in Hyfelia?"
"...Yes, the house... why is it like that?"
"Why is it like what?"
’Oh you fucking bastard! You’re gonna make me say it, aren’t you.
And I kept looking without hesitation, ’Of course I am, you leach from a second marriage!’
"There is no house, Henry." Potonia stated the cold truth, "What I found was a bunch of rubbles put together where even the broken parts of the furniture’s didn’t remain."
’Really?’ I raise a brow, ’Did the villagers take the furniture’s?’
"Oh my! That is quite unfortunate." I say as the maids came back with a glass filled with purplish wine, "When I left the house to search for my belongings in this world, I thought the villagers would help protect the house instead of vandalizing it."
"But you mustn’t blame them, madam. They too were in a destitute state when father left us."
Potonia didn’t believe one word that escaped from Henry’s mouth. She knew that some of the things could be stolen by the villagers, but most of it was taken by Henry.
Because how would he be able to afford such a lavish place with a great household and a greater money generator?
And it is precisely why she came here... to take back what is hers!
"I’m not that cruel a person to ignore the small peoples plight." Potonia smiled quietly, "But since that place is gone and I have already left my father’s household, it would be shameful for the Tax name if I were to return to my father."
’Really... you wanna play the reputation game.’
"So I’m thinking of staying here indefinitely, what do you say... son?" Potonia gave a snake’s stare.
And I matched hers, "Of course, Mother." Her stare broke halfway at my answer, "I would be nothing but delighted to accompany you through this time of destitution for you... as long as it takes for the repairing of the old house is complete."
Potonia felt confused, "Pardon? What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, since I am partly at fault for not taking care of that place so I want help fix it for you."
"Bu- But, I thought it would be nice... if I stayed with you." Potonia tried to sound convincing.
"And it definitely would... alas, the Tax Family name reigns over the small town of Hyfelia and since you are the true holder right now, madam Tax, it would be disrespectful to the name if you didn’t stay there."
With that, a quiet silence prevailed as we slowly drank the above average wine.