Chapter 56: Falcon

Chapter 56: The Falcon

Diss had specially changed into formal attire today, for this was a solemn occasion for his grandson. Though it was neither a wedding nor an engagement, either one would merely have been the following of a protocol after everything had already been thoroughly arranged.

Today was the arrangement.

He wished to make himself appear as genial as possible, and indeed he tried, so he took the initiative to speak first and greet her:

"Hello."

As for Madame Jenny immediately kneeling down to return the greeting with honorifics, that was her own choice, though it was hardly a surprising one.

In the current atmosphere,

Whether sitting on the chair, perched on the shoulder, or kneeling on the floor, everyone felt it was only right and proper.

Because,

Inside this study, it was not a circle of in-laws, nor a circle of old family friends, but... the circle of the Church.

Under the rules of this circle,

Those who sat, ought to sit; those who knelt, ought to kneel.

Purr was still sizing up the great-great-great... well, a great-grandniece-in-law who was "minus one generation" compared to her own niece.

Her looks were passable.

But in the strictest sense, she was not someone from the Church circle, even though she certainly knew of the matters within it.

To manifest the majesty of an ancestor, Purr had specially groomed her fur in the washroom after Karen left to receive the guests;

Yet now, she suddenly found it all somewhat tedious and uninteresting.

If previously she had acted out of pure instinct, thinking solely from the perspective of the spiritual symbol of her family, now a subtle anger suddenly welled up within her heart.

After all, setting aside blood relations, the time she had spent living with the Inmeles family was far, far longer than the time she had spent with her own;

Besides, even if one argued about bloodlines... she was currently a cat, so where would any blood relation come from?

Did the "Allen" family send only you?

Is this how you maintain the relationship with the Inmeles family that I personally forged?

Sending a single daughter-in-law over,

Heh,

No wonder the family has degenerated to the point of having afternoon tea with the Queen’s household; they truly are a bunch of short-sighted fools!

Purr was furious,

Wishing nothing more than to leap down and strike a few times with her claws right in front of this grandniece-in-law;

Yet doing so felt utterly pointless. If it were her husband or her father-in-law kneeling here instead, she might truly have been unable to resist going up to make both their faces run red.

A school of foolish herrings who only respect power!

In truth, Purr herself might not have realized that a large part of her anger stemmed from her identification with the Inmeles family.

After all, she had watched Diss grow up, she had watched Karen's father as well as Mason and Winnie grow up, and she had watched the previous Karen grow up, even though the person had changed a few months ago.

Thus, Purr was more like the "Dowager Empress" of this household.

To look down upon the Inmeles family was to look down upon me, Purr Allen!

Most importantly of all,

The last time members of the "Allen" family came to Loya City for a personal visit, it was the next designated young head of the family who came in person, and at that time, the Inmeles family boasted three judges of the Church of Order.

But what about now?

With Diss's decline, so many years had passed,

And this time,

You only send someone like this?

Herrings, herrings, a school of foolish herrings. Do you truly look upon the Inmeles family as a decayed, minor local family of the Church of Order?

Do you even know just how powerful Diss actually is!

Do you know,

What the identity of the next generation of the Inmeles family,

That young man named "Karen," truly is!

Perhaps,

He may not bring you happiness and beauty,

But in the near future, he might very well bestow calamity upon you with his own hands!

"Today is a joyous day," Diss spoke, "for the two children."

Madame Jenny immediately echoed, "Yes, you speak the truth."

"When I wrote the letter, I originally thought at least that lad Jonathan would come."

"Please forgive us. My husband is temporarily unable to extricate himself due to some family matters, and I happened to be in Loya on account of my mother's affairs, so it was entrusted to me. After all, Eunice happened to be by my side as well.

However, both my husband and father-in-law sent telegrams last night, and I have also spoken with them over the phone.

They instructed me to face you with the utmost respect and warmth, and they will also depart from Vienna for Rulan, rushing to this place."

"Tell them not to come."

"Yes, I understand." Madame Jenny obeyed unconditionally.

Diss lifted his teacup,

Took a sip of tea,

Tilted his head slightly,

Glanced at Purr,

And said slowly:

"From very early on, I knew that the 'Allen Family' is a family most adept at trimming its sails to the wind."

Perched on his shoulder, Purr not only refrained from anger but instead nodded her head.

Kneeling in front, Madame Jenny immediately said:

"Please, you must never think so. The Allen family’s respect for the Inmeles family has never changed."

"If I had a choice, I would not choose to have my grandson marry a girl from the Allen family." Diss paused. "Because, you are not worthy."

Purr, taking the cue on his shoulder, let out a cry:

"Meow!"

...

"Woof!"

"He is so cute," Eunice said, looking down at the golden retriever beneath her.

After Mr. Hoffen passed away, the golden retriever naturally gained permanent residency at the Inmeles home.

"Yes, he is very cute." Karen placed a neatly sliced sausage onto a plate and handed it to Eunice. "You can feed him a little and give him some commands."

"Can I really?" Eunice took the plate. "I will try."

"Sit."

The golden retriever sat down.

"Shake hands."

The retriever lifted his paw.

"The other paw."

The retriever lifted his other paw.

Eunice gave him two pieces of sausage, which the retriever happily devoured, sticking his tongue out with a warm, friendly smile.

"He really is clever," Eunice said to Karen.

"Our black cat is even cleverer. If you feed him, he can even do arithmetic in front of you."

"Really?" Eunice could hardly believe it.

"Simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. He can tell you the answer through the number of times he meows."

"Is he truly that remarkable?"

"That is why I cook specifically to feed him. Huh, where is he now? When he shows up later, you can take some dried fish and have him perform for you."

"Wonderful, I look forward to it."

Eunice lifted her head and said, "Mother was so nervous when she arrived, seemingly even more nervous than I was. Ever since she saw the bookmark you asked me to hand over last night, Mother seemed a bit... a bit different.

But I told her that your grandfather is a very easygoing person. After all, how could a grandfather who is willing to take his grandsons and granddaughters to the pond to catch mud loaches be frightening?"

"Yes, you are quite right. I believe they are sitting face-to-face right now, drinking tea and chatting very happily."

"Mhm."

"By the way, Eunice, do you keep any pets at home?"

"No, I once wanted to keep a cat, but my father told me I could not. I went to beg Grandfather, and Grandfather said it was not allowed either."

"Oh, why is that?"

"Because cats hold a different status in our house. There are many bronze statues of cats and ancient cat scrolls at home. It seems to have something to do with a very distant grand-aunt of mine. Keeping a cat in our house signifies disrespect to our ancestors."

"Oh, so that is how it is. Sometimes keeping small animals is quite nice; it can relieve boredom, and you can talk to them."

For instance, he really enjoyed teasing that black cat of his. Every time he saw it pout in anger, he found it highly amusing.

There was also the scene of it drinking coffee while eating squirrel-shaped mandarin fish; it thought it was highly elegant, but it was actually indescribably foolish.

"Yes, though there are eight horses I keep in the stables. They are very well-behaved. At dusk, I quite like leading them out together for a walk by the river."

"That image must be beautiful."

Well, so this was the kind of pet kept by a young lady from a wealthy family.

"Yes, because development was not permitted within the fief, it has been preserved very well, and the scenery is beautiful."

"No, I was talking about the person." Karen looked at Eunice. "I can imagine that image, the way you look in a riding habit."

"Karen, there is one thing I have always wanted to ask you. You can choose to deceive me."

"Oh?" Karen smiled slightly. "Ask away."

Eunice extended a single finger, gently placing it in front of Karen.

"Have you really never been in love before?"

"Never."

This was no lie. Across two lifetimes, there truly never had been. In his previous life, he had spent the early stage fighting for his career and could not spare any attention for such matters at all; though there had been a few ambiguous interludes, they had ultimately come to nothing due to work.

In this life, as if to compensate him, he had been arranged a sinful, feudal, backward, immoral... arranged marriage.

Eunice blinked and asked,

"But why do I always feel that you understand it so well?"

Karen parted his lips,

And took Eunice's finger, which was placed before him, into his mouth.

"Mmh..."

Eunice let out a soft murmur, instinctively wanting to pull it back, but her wrist was caught by Karen.

After a long moment,

Karen finally opened his mouth, letting her draw her finger back.

"When encountering a member of the opposite sex one likes, if one still does not know how to pursue them, then humanity could not possibly have reproduced to this day; instead, we should have gone extinct long ago, shouldn't we?

It is an instinct."

Eunice pouted slightly.

Karen felt that the women of the Allen family were all very cute when making this gesture. Perhaps it truly was hereditary.

Reaching out, he looped his arm around her shoulder, applying a tiny bit of backward force, and Eunice's body, under the "oppression" of this "immense strength,"

Lost its balance,

Leaning back against Karen's shoulder.

In any case, there were only five people in the house;

Two were having a "friendly discussion" on the third floor,

One was watching the main gate on the first floor,

And on the second floor, there were just the two of them, without fear of being disturbed.

"Will you return to Wien with me?" Eunice asked.

"I will."

Diss had already arranged things to this point; he no longer had any other choice. Even the two aberrant demons under his command were already preparing to pack their luggage and handle their businesses.

In truth, Diss had once asked him if he wanted to spend his life peacefully and ordinarily in the Inmeles funeral parlor.

Having experienced that night, Karen had chosen to refuse without the slightest hesitation.

If I had never seen it, I could choose a peaceful life. But I have seen it.

"Then we can ride horses together by the river at dusk." Eunice gently twined her hair around her fingertips. "I think that image is very good."

"Yes, I think so too."

Eunice lifted her head slightly, looking at Karen, and asked,

"Karen, won't you feel wronged?"

...

"No, I do not feel wronged in the slightest.

You are entirely correct, most completely correct.

Everything you have spoken, I shall convey word for word to my husband and my father-in-law. In truth, they have already awakened to their senses—the very moment I told them I had received that bookmark from you.

They are deeply regretful, and utterly struck with terror."

"Are you not pleased?" Diss inquired.

"Pleased, yes, immensely pleased; yet, however vast the pleasure, just as vast is the terror."

"The name, has it been written?" Diss asked.

"This matter carries monumental weight, so the family still needs to deliberate..."

"Bring it here," Diss said.

Madame Jenny nodded, retrieved an exquisite jewelry box, opened it, and lifted the violet bookmark with both hands. She then rose slowly and delivered it onto Diss's desk.

Purr leaped onto the desk and looked at the name inscribed upon the bookmark:

Raphael!

What a familiar name; it felt as though she had heard it somewhere before.

Hm?

Was this not a minor family that had once been subordinate to her own?

Why would its name be written down here?

Purr looked back in sheer disbelief at Madame Jenny, who had returned to her kneeling position.

Has my family fallen into such destitution now that a once-subservient retainer family has become the greatest current threat to my lineage?

To the point of not hesitating to write the name of the 'Raphael' family upon this very bookmark?

Good heavens,

just what sort of worthless descendants could have managed the 'Allen' family into such a wretched state!

Is it truly a rule that the more pathetic one's fortunes become, the more one loves to look down upon others with supercilious eyes?

Diss's finger gave a light tap upon the bookmark before him.

A violet fire ignited upon the bookmark, which subsequently dissolved into a wisp of blue smoke and vanished.

"Does the Allen family still possess the capability to construct magic array coordinates?" Diss inquired.

"That... I am not certain," Madame Jenny replied, somewhat bewildered. "The only surviving array coordinate in the family that I know of is located in the courtyard of my father-in-law's private study, but since I married into the Allen house, I have never seen it activated."

Purr slapped her cat paw against her own face;

magic array coordinates required maintenance at least once every month. Some great families and grand churches even employed dedicated guardians to watch over them day and night, because even the slightest flaw could lead to utterly terrifying consequences.

For instance, when teleporting across, one might end up missing an arm, missing a leg, or even missing a head.

Since it had been sealed away all this time... it must have been abandoned.

"I understand," Diss said.

"I shall return and ask my father-in-law; he will send a reply immediately."

"There is no need. When the time comes, I shall make use of the Order of Light's array coordinates within York City."

"Understood..."

Madame Jenny spoke once more:

"On the telephone last night, my father-in-law kept reminding me with utmost gravity that I must convey this single sentence to you.

Though the Allen family has declined, the Allen family's network of relations remains; sheltering a single person is absolutely no issue.

We, the Allen family, will spare no expense to protect this young man surnamed Immels."

"Please also help me convey a sentence in return."

"Please speak," Madame Jenny said reverently.

"After Karen goes to Vienna, you will need to shelter him."

"We will; this is the promise of the Allen family. He will become a part of our house, we shall cherish him as our most precious kin, and he shall also be Eunice's husband."

"Do not interrupt me."

"Yes, please forgive my offense."

"After sheltering him for a period of time, you may choose to dissolve the betrothal with him;

you may help settle him in a place, you may give him a sum of money, or you may help him open a shop—for example, a funeral parlor just like this one.

You may do whatever you wish to do, but please do it with open magnanimity.

My grandson, he is very strong.

He is excellent in every regard, save for the fact that he cannot quite endure being wronged."

"Please put your mind at ease, no such thing shall occur. He shall stand as the symbol of friendship between the Allen and Immels families, and he will inevitably sire a child with Eunice to bind our two houses together.

My father-in-law promises,

that any future child of his and Eunice's, regardless of whether it is a boy or a girl, shall be the next head of the family after my husband."

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Diss's mouth.

Madame Jenny noticed the shift in expression on this terrifyingly majestic old man's face, and in her heart, she also breathed a long sigh of relief.

In truth, it should not have been her standing inside this study today;

it should have been her husband, or perhaps her father-in-law;

of course, even if it had been them instead, they would undoubtedly be kneeling in the exact same manner right now.

"You may rise."

"Thank you."

Madame Jenny stood up, adopting a highly respectful posture.

"You may go out now and join the children for dinner. I shall not be attending."

"Yes, everything shall be according to your will."

Madame Jenny opened the study door, then turned back to face the interior of the room, stepping backward as she gently drew the door shut.

Afterward,

she let out a long, shuddering breath,

and pressed a hand against her chest;

beneath her evening gown, she had long since been drenched in cold sweat.

As she supported herself against the banister to walk downstairs, she kept repeating silently in her heart:

"With a great existence like you around, how would the Allen family ever dare to act foolishly and disrespect that young man."

...

"I feel that the pack from my family will inevitably do something foolish in the future."

Purr said as she paced across Dis's desk, her steps mimicking a feline catwalk.

"The facts have proven that whenever the 'Allen' family has a chance to blunder, no matter how microscopic that chance might be, they will absolutely seize it!"

Dis remained silent.

"Dis, choose another family. I am not thinking of this from the perspective of an Allen; I am looking at it from the standpoint of the Immortals."

"Their strength has waned, yet their network of connections runs incredibly deep; in York City, you won't find a better fit than the Allen family," Dis said. "Furthermore, you can return home alongside Karen."

"What if they truly end up playing the fool in the end? They certainly wouldn't dare while you are here, but once you are gone, the greater the kindness you bestow upon them, the more panicked they will become. Instead of treasuring it, they won't value it at all, and they might even turn Karen into a thorn in the side of the Allen family, an unsettling presence.

In the beginning, the more courteous they are to Karen, the uglier the faces they pull later on will be.

Dis, I do not want Karen to face such a scene.

I believe you wouldn't wish for it either.

Yet such is human nature.

Not every family possesses the impeccable upbringing of the Immortals!"

Dis glanced at Purr and said faintly:

"It matters not."

"It matters not? What do you mean it matters not!

Didn't you say your grandson, didn't you say Karen can least endure being wronged?"

"My grandson is no mere chick sheltered beneath my wings;

he is a hunting falcon.

In truth, it is I who have always held the tether tight around his neck, keeping him from soaring to his heart's content.

The Allen family may choose to wrong Karen,

but after all,

the consequences will be borne by the Allen family themselves."