Lans

Within an ancient castle, a young and beautiful Maid was helping an old man into a formal robe that looked understated yet luxurious.

"Do we need to be this formal?"

Lec Lans looked at the heavy formal robes worn by his great-uncle and asked with a puzzled expression. These were robes they only wore at Noble meetings, or when a family close to them experienced a truly significant event, such as a succession ceremony for the head of the family.

Worm Lans, white-haired yet stern-faced and robust, shot him a dissatisfied glare.

"Who do you think we're going to meet today?"

There was dissatisfaction and a hint of coldness in his tone. The moment he spoke, Lec immediately shut his mouth and could only let Katharine Lans dress him in robes of a similar style.

Katharine did not say a word. She did not even dare raise her head.

When she had discussed the terms for dissolving the Contract with Luke, she had only excitedly spoken with her husband about it. As the two of them rejoiced over finally being able to break free from the Gaunt Family's parasitic Contract, they had completely forgotten to inform Worm Lans—the great-uncle who was technically the family head, though he had not managed family affairs for many years.

Worm Lans had no children, nor had he ever wanted any.

So, very early on, he had brought home Lec, the posthumous son left behind by his younger brother, and raised him as the next family head.

Over the years, Lec had gradually matured, and Worm had slowly begun relinquishing authority, enjoying his leisurely retirement.

But he had never imagined that over such a major matter, Lec, that little bastard, would make the decision on his own without even consulting him.

When the Old Butler informed Worm of what had happened, Worm immediately threw aside his fishing rod and Apparated back. The first thing he did upon returning was give Lec a resounding slap.

Then, with a stern expression, he stared at his nephew's wife, a woman who had married into the family years ago yet knew nothing of the rules between Nobles.

"Stop running that Pet shop of yours. Spend that time learning the etiquette and rules you ought to know instead."

"At the relevant gatherings, you've already made Lec lose face plenty of times."

Katharine's face went pale, and she could only nod silently. Lec looked reluctant, but under the pressure of his great-uncle's authority as both elder and family head, he ultimately said nothing.

He loved Katharine and had been willing to bear all the ridicule in order to give her room to live freely. That was not entirely bad either. Katharine's actions had changed the Lans Family's image among many half-bloods and non-Noble wizards.

Even Professor McGonagall, an established veteran powerhouse, had become close friends with Katharine despite their age difference.

There were gains and losses alike. Lec had long expected that he would be reprimanded like this.

Yet when it truly happened, he still failed to argue his case as forcefully as he had imagined he would.

Seeing him like this, a flicker of disappointment passed through Worm's eyes.

However, he quickly composed himself and said to the butler standing nearby, "Prepare the carriage. We cannot be discourteous."

The Old Butler bowed and left the room.

After helping Worm arrange the final handkerchief patterned with subtle lance motifs, the Maid bowed and turned to leave.

Lec was wearing fewer layers, so after the Maid left, Katharine also turned and departed from the room.

Seeing her dejected expression, Lec felt a pang of pity, but in the end, he still said nothing.

With a click, the door closed. Only Worm and Lec remained in the room.

"You acted too impulsively this time. You've also broken the rules somewhat."

Worm's expression remained indifferent, his voice devoid of much emotion.

"I know, but I truly wanted to escape this humiliating Contract." Lec took a deep breath before speaking. "I don't want my children to continue enduring a group of scoundrels coming to our door to demand property that doesn't belong to them."

"Heh. Three or four generations of the Gaunt Family have thought the same after signing that Contract."

Worm gave a cold laugh. "Enough. That's all. When the time comes, don't speak."

Lec pressed his lips together tightly but said nothing.

"You think you have no dignity now, don't you? You think I'm using the authority of the family head to suppress your opinion?"

"But let me tell you, Lec. The fact that I'm still taking you today to fulfill your promise is already giving you plenty of face. All these years, you haven't improved at all."

"You agreed without even meeting them. How do you know the Gaunt Family won't rise again? Are you really that short of money?"

Worm shook his head coldly. "You are still too young and too willful. That is my failure. After today, take some time to rest. You and Katharine both have a great many things to learn."

"Is the head of the Lans Family really that kind of person?"

Luke frowned as he spoke.

Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes at him. "I thought you would investigate the Lans Family beforehand."

"There was no need. Once the Contract was dissolved, the relationship between us would basically cease to exist. It just so happens that I'll be rid of some dead weight. And honestly, the Lans Family isn't worth my attention."

Luke's face remained calm as he said this, but that calmness itself was fundamentally an expression of his disdain for the Lans Family.

Making the simple decision to tear up the Contract was already enough to brand them as ungrateful within the Noble Circle. It was not quite the destruction of their entire reputation overnight, but it was perfectly normal for the family's credibility to be cut in half.

As for the other half, once Luke became a rising force among the Nobles, the Lans Family would become a new laughingstock among them, one that would be remembered for a hundred years.

Of course, Professor McGonagall did not understand many of the twists and turns involved. Now that the matter was already settled, there was no need to explain it and make her feel awkward.

"Still, it seems Mr. Worm Lans is indeed willing to pay a price for the credibility of his heir. And, of course, it also shows that they are truly quite unpleasant."

Professor McGonagall knew that "they" referred to the other branch of the Gaunt Family. Just as she was about to say something more, she suddenly raised her head and looked into the distance.

A tiny black dot there was rapidly growing larger in her field of vision.

"Are you ready? They're here," Professor McGonagall said casually.

Luke looked toward the black dot, a bright and polite smile curving across his lips.

"I've been looking forward to this for a long time."