Two days later…
"What do you think?"
"What is there to think?" Dereck smiled at her as he took another sip of the tea.
"What if that girl turns out to be as annoying as her mother?"
"Mother, I am not a child anymore." Dereck put down the empty cup.
"I heard she is a four-star mana knight."
"What does it have to do with her being with me?" Dereck looked at her momentarily before bursting out laughing, "You didn't think that she would try to beat me up. Not even a five-star knight can beat me, much less her."
"Listen to me." Dereck couldn't help but feel that Veronica had softened her tone for the first time.
'Either she is worried about me, or she really hates Nina. Either way…'
Dereck decided to use a soft approach. "Listen to me, mother. I will accept what you decide for me."
Sighing, Veronica leaned back against her chair. She said, "I understand. Your mother is not capable enough."
"What are you talking about, mother?"
"I failed to give you the woman you liked. That girl, the Marquis's daughter, has the princess's support. Even if the maquis is willing… the princess isn't willing to let it happen."
'As expected. She would not let such a precious weapon in her arsenal go like that. Whatever…' Dereck felt there were too many fish in the pond to worry about a single one.
"No, Mother, I understand. You have tried your best."
"I heard she will enter the royal academy with you. You can try to woo her. If she agrees…"
"Don't worry about her anymore. I am over her. If I want to put in my efforts, why should I settle for the fourth or fifth daughter of a marquis?"
"It is good that you think this way," Veronica said with a satisfied smile. She continued nodding as she was thinking about something. "And don't worry about her daughter. As long as you like her, I will get her for you."
"Thank you, mother."
"You will be joining the royal academy soon. It's about time we should publicize your ability." She didn't even hear Dereck say. Instead, she continued to hatch the evil plan. "We should make sure we can make her pay every pretty penny."
In this world, the noble groom needed to send a dowry to buy the daughter from the father. However, it doesn't mean the bride will come home empty-handed.
Instead of getting money, the groom will be entitled to some properties or shops in the capital or different kinds of dowry that can be counted as assets.
That is why Veronica was planning to increase his market value as much as possible. Alas! Dereck had to sit there and listen to her as she was hatching the evil plan.
In the end, it was decided that Dereck would take her in as a consort before Daniel's wedding, as taking in a consort was less complicated than a marriage.
Unlike marriage, which takes almost months of preparation, with a week-long program, a consort wedding can be taken care of within a week.
By the time Dereck was able to escape the evil wedding plan, it was almost time for his date with Lita, the maid he met at the inn.
He wore the attire commoners typically wear before going out this time. He didn't need to look around to find her.
With one look at her, Dereck knew what she wanted. He didn't need to read the character sheet to understand that she was 'excited' and 'aroused.'
He didn't notice at first but felt she was pretty tall for a woman. She was wearing dresses similar to the other women on the road, but she was the one who might have chosen the tighter one for her body.
It was a loose, long dress, or it was supposed to be. But the tightness around the area just below her waist made her child-birthing body part stand out for other men to gawk at.
Yes, she had two children and a husband who was an escort warrior. Although she didn't say it out loud, Dereck can still read general information about a character.
However, when she waved at him and came running, she showcased her biggest asset. The cloth around her chest was already at its limit. Dereck was worried one of them might have spilled out as she came running. Luckily, that didn't happen on the road.
"My lord."
"Call me Dereck."
"How could I do that?"
"Then you can call me honey. I would not mind being called that."
"Please don't joke around." She blushed but excitedly hugged his arm while almost sending it to heaven.
"I thought you might not come."
"How can I miss the chance to taste some local delicacies? What will we be tasting first?"
"There are too many of them, and I don't know what type of delicacies you love most. Why don't you tell me what you want to eat first?"
"I will be happy with your lead, but I am the type of person who would like to keep the best one for the last."
"Me too," Lita giggled, sending ripples. Even if she looked at him, he failed to maintain eye contact.
And it wasn't just him. Even those men on the streets who didn't need to maintain any eye contact were failing to do so.
"I don't think my fashion sense doesn't match the commoners around here. Why don't we get something that makes us stand out a little less?"
"My lord would stand out no matter where he went." She didn't need an explanation of what he was talking about. She soon led him to one.
However, the shop only accepted nobles, and their dress didn't prove that. It was when Dereck showed his seal that they became docile.
"Why don't you show something that suits her?"
She looked at him in confusion, asking, "Aren't we looking for clothes for my lord?"
"Why don't you choose first, then I will get something that matches yours?"
"Thank you, my lord."
The shop staff caught on to what type of relationship they had. They sent an older female with them. She was good with her work and knew how to keep her distance.
The first thing they did was lead them to the second floor to one of the private rooms. As soon as they sat down, some tea was served with light snacks.
Dereck couldn't care less. He unhesitantly chose the most outrageous one of them all.
Lita did not think twice about changing behind the curtain, even though anyone could tell it was not the one for the street.
"My lord, you must see this." She put out her head and reported, "I don't think it is something I can wear on the road."
'No shit, Sherlock.' Dereck controlled his laugh, saying, "Why don't you come out and let me see?"
"I can't, my lord." She pointed at the shop staff standing far behind and said, "I am a little shy."
"Young master, why don't you go and check if the dress fits or not?" However, what she didn't realize while giving her opinions was that they weren't a noble lord and his concubine, who liked to roam around in common clothes.
Dereck didn't feel the necessity to correct her. Instead, he went for the first delicacies for his eyes.
Well, they were comparable to Cecilia's, if not bigger. However, the dark brown patch at the tip of her curvature stood out the most.
'It wasn't just my imagination.' When Dereck initially beheld her allure, some shadowy substance was seeping out of her delicate fabric and demure features. And the size of the darkness had just confirmed his theory.
Even with the veil-like night dress, Dereck could notice that the outline of the area was as prominent as it could be.
"My lord, please don't stare at them too much." Lita covered her chest while exposing every part that she was supposed to be hiding.
"What can I do? There are some treats that are hard to resist." Dereck smiled, asking, "I think it looks good on you."
"Are you sure, my lord?" There was some sparkle in her eyes.
Dereck nodded, adding, "I don't think it is something you should wear on the street, though."
"As you wish, my lord." The excited embrace was a little too much for his blood pressure, redirecting blood flow towards the section of the body where it wasn't supposed to be in broad daylight.
And the little bulge didn't miss her trained eye. "Oh! My lord. Did I make you uncomfortable in some way?"
The smug expression on her face didn't sit well with Dereck. Before she knew it, he was pushing her against the wall with her lips against her.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, while his hand started molesting her softness. Her soft moaning in his mouth and wiggling struggle to cope with his rough handling just excite him more.
He released her when he sensed that she needed space to breathe. Resentment welled up in her eyes the second he did.
"My lord is such a liar."
Hearing her accusations, Dereck couldn't help laughing. He picked her forehead, asking, "Why?"
"My lord said he wanted to save the best one for last. But you are trying to taste the best one even before we have started."
"This…" Dereck wanted to say something, but no correct response came out of his mouth. As he left, he could hear her giggle.
Dereck sat back on his seat, ordering the staff to give her some clothes suitable for outside. The staff compiled them and helped her put them on.
As he sat there, a sudden thought hit him.
"Have I turned into a simp?"