Meeting the Family

The next day, after completing the Daily Fate Draw, she drew another piece of trash.

A Magic Messenger flew in from outside. A Magic Messenger was a magical tool used to deliver letters, usually made in the shape of a bird to make it more discreet.

Hekate opened the letter. It was from her father, telling her that the family would be settling in Lundria for the time being and asking her to visit their new home. Her mother missed her terribly, and an address in the city center was attached at the end of the letter.

After putting the letter back in the drawer, she found it strange that her father had suddenly decided to settle in the capital. Carilance's family business was all in Yarn City.

Hekate first asked Teacher Ivin for leave, then took Gina and Raman to the address in the letter.

When they arrived.

"Hekate, you've been away from us for nearly five months!" Her mother, Audrey, immediately pulled Hekate into her arms, then pushed her away and looked her over carefully. Her eyes reddened as she said, "Poor Hekate, have things been hard for you at the Academy? Look at you, you've gotten thinner."

Edith complained from the side, "How is she thinner? She's obviously gotten prettier."

Loria giggled. "That's right, Brother Hekate has become prettier. She's even prettier than Sister Edith!"

Edith was speechless. She rubbed Loria's head and corrected her, "Loria, you should say Brother Hekate has become more handsome. 'Pretty' is for describing girls!"

"Mm... I know, Sister Edith." Loria's head spun from being shaken by her sister, and she spoke unclearly.

Hekate smiled. "I've been doing well at school. Gina and Raman have both been doing a good job."

After that, her mother continued pulling her along and asking question after question. It was quite a while before she was finally let go.

She planned to find her father and ask what unconfirmed news he had learned that had made him suddenly decide to settle in the capital.

She had found it strange when she read Star Speech before. How could he have brought the whole family to the royal capital just because her eldest brother begged him? There had to be some inside information.

In the study on the fourth floor, Count Fortes stood by the window in a daze. It was only when Hekate knocked that he came back to his senses.

"Hekate, you're back."

"Yes, Father." Hekate walked in and asked curiously, "Why did you suddenly decide to settle in the royal capital for the time being? Did something happen in Yarn City?"

Count Fortes smiled and shook his head. "You're the first person to ask me that. Your eldest brother thought I came to Lundria just to see you, and as soon as he arrived, he started thinking about getting acquainted with the capital's nobles."

Hekate: "..."

"I can't tell you the reason for now. If this news leaked out, it would have an enormous impact."

"Fine." Hekate shrugged helplessly.

Count Fortes changed the subject. "How have things been at Glantz?"

"Not bad. I've already broken through to become a four-star Star Apprentice mage."

Count Fortes was surprised. Then he said, "As expected of Grants Academy. Its education is actually this impressive."

Hearing that, Hekate rolled her eyes slightly. Her own effort had something to do with it too, alright?

"Hekate, have you ever considered inheriting Carilance's title?" Count Fortes suddenly asked.

"No."

That one word nearly made Count Fortes choke until his face turned red. The speech he had prepared became useless, and he could only ask in confusion, "Why?"

"Eldest Brother and Second Sister are both more capable than me."

"No, neither of them is as smart or mature as you. Not to mention, you're a student of Grants Academy. Sooner or later, your strength will surpass both of theirs."

"I don't want to be tied down by troublesome matters. I just want to cultivate diligently."

In this life, she would avoid social calls and banquets whenever she could. If she inherited Carilance's title, she would have to keep working for the family.

Only an idiot would go to work. Cultivation was the only truth.

"If you inherit the title, you'll have access to plenty of resources. Wouldn't that be better than cultivating alone?"

"Father, after inheriting the title, how much time have you had left for cultivation?" Hekate asked in return.

No matter how many resources there were, they were useless to her. With the Gift of Fate Talent and Longevity Talent, she could get free Magic Level boosts several times a month. What did she need resources for?

Count Fortes irritably kicked Hekate out of the study.

The next day, Hekate was dragged out by her mother and sisters to tour the royal capital.

They had not come to the royal capital in a long time either. After all, Yarn City was quite far from it.

Edith and Loria were both drawn in by the novel things around the royal capital.

"Mother, look at that dress! It's so pretty!"

"Mom, I want to eat that!"

"Alright, alright, we'll buy it all and eat it all!" Audrey said happily.

"Hekate, is there anything you want to buy?"

To stop her mother from continuing to question her, Hekate casually bought a toy.

After wandering around for over an hour, Hekate unexpectedly ran into a classmate.

"Hekate, why are you here?" Betty suddenly appeared in front of her and asked curiously.

Hekate was a little surprised. "My family came to the royal capital, and I'm shopping here with them."

At that moment, her mother, who was inside the shop picking out goods with her daughters, suddenly rushed out with a delighted expression. "Hekate, is this your classmate?"

"Yes."

"Oh, what a beautiful girl. What's your name?" Audrey asked kindly.

Hekate immediately frowned. She had a bad feeling that her mother was up to no good and hurriedly said, "Betty, if you have something to do, you should go take care of it first. I'll find you when I return to the Academy."

Betty chuckled. "It's fine. I was just about to head back to the Academy anyway. Beautiful lady, my name is Betty Sigrid. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hekate, go pay for Edith and Loria's things. I want to have a chat with this young lady."

"Mother, you're trying to send me away!"

"Yes. I want to discuss some topics between girls with her. Gentlemen should excuse themselves."

Hekate was speechless.

Girls? You're already thirty-eight.

Inside the shop, Edith and Loria were both agonizing over the colors of their accessories. Hekate had no interest in any of it and could only wait slowly for them to finish choosing.

However, even when her mother and Betty came in from outside, the two still had not finished picking. Hekate regretted it a little. She really should not have gone shopping with women.

"Mother, what did you talk about with my classmate?" Hekate asked, giving Betty a strange look.

Lady Audrey said seriously, "Hekate, gentlemen must not gossip about topics between girls. It is beneath their dignity."

Hekate: "..."

I really want to take off my pants and tell her I'm no longer a gentleman. But if I did that, Mother would probably faint from fright.