Reborn As The Minor Villain In A Romance Fantasy Novel - Chapter 171

Chapter 171: A Land Of The Wealthy
Saul was far older than Lucius… probably twice or even thrice his age yet for some reason, the man looked completely subdued in front of him.

There was no trace of the arrogance expected from a council elder or clan head.

His posture was stiff and his eyes looked uncertain. It was as if every word Lucius spoke carried some kind of authority.

The old man swallowed hard and bit his lip, trying to gather himself.

“It’s been prepared,” Saul finally said, his voice trembling slightly. “You just need to come over and see it for yourself. If you like it, you can move in right away.”

Lucius stepped back slightly and nodded, satisfied.

“Nice work,” he said simply.

Then his tone shifted… “So why are you here?”

Saul hesitated, his mouth opening and closing like a fish.

“Well…” he began slowly, but before he could continue, Irael stepped forward with that same self-righteous tone Lucius had heard from him before.

“I already told you,” Irael said sharply, “I warned you to stay away from Esm—”

Before he could even finish, his grandfather turned his head sharply and glared at him.

The glare alone was enough to silence Irael instantly. His voice caught in his throat, and he stepped back with his eyes wide.

Saul sighed and turned toward Lucius again.

“We were here for Lady Esmeralda. My grandson was telling me that a man had been disturbing her for quite some time now, and since our clans are friends, I thought it would be best to handle the issue myself—”

“Esme.”

Lucius’s voice cut cleanly through Saul’s explanation.

He turned his head slightly, his calm purple eyes locking onto the purple-haired girl standing just a few steps behind him.

“Hm?” Esme blinked, startled by the sudden attention.

“Am I disturbing you?” Lucius asked plainly.

Her eyes widened.

“You? Disturbing me? Impossible.” She shook her head quickly and then pointed straight at Irael. “If anyone’s disturbing me, it’s him. He keeps following me around.”

Lucius turned back toward Saul with a smug smile at the corner of his mouth. “You heard her. Doesn’t that mean you should be telling off your grandson?”

Saul froze for a moment, visibly caught off-guard.

His face paled slightly, and he stammered.

“Y-yes… of course.” Then he turned toward Irael, forcing a fatherly smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Grandson, make sure to avoid that beautiful lady from now on. It’s not nice to be a stalker.”

“Grandfather—”

Before Irael could even protest, Saul’s hand shot out and gripped his wrist firmly. Without another word, he turned and began dragging his grandson away from the scene, leaving Lucius standing with the two women.

The entire exchange lasted less than a minute, but the look on Irael’s face was priceless.

Lucius exhaled softly, brushing off the dust on his sleeve as if the encounter had mildly inconvenienced him.

“Well, that was annoying,” he muttered under his breath.

Then he turned toward Esme. “I think that solved your issue for now. Still, be safe, though. That guy doesn’t look like the type to give up easily.”

Esme nodded quickly, still a little shaken but clearly relieved. “O-okay,” she said. “I’ll be going now.”

Before Lucius could say anything else, she had already turned on her heel and dashed off down the street, her hair bouncing behind her.

Lucius sighed quietly. “There she goes.”

Luna, who had been standing silently the whole time, crossed her arms with puffed cheeks.

“So what’s her deal?” she asked.

She looked more like a sulking cat than an annoyed woman.

“She’s a movie friend,” Lucius said casually. “There’s no big deal there.”

He spotted a nearby bench and walked over to sit down. Luna followed, sitting beside him… a little too close.

“I wasn’t aware movie friends kissed each other,” Luna muttered under her breath, averting her eyes.

Her voice carried a strong sting of jealousy.

Lucius glanced at her sideways. “You’re still thinking about that?”

“I’m not,” she said too quickly. Then, softer, “You know… if you prefer a woman with mana, just say it.”

“Huh?” Lucius blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift.

“Everyone else has the ability to use mana except for me,” she muttered. “Don’t get me wrong…I don’t have a problem with it. But still… it seems you’d rather spend your time with the ladies that have mana than me.”

Lucius studied her face for a long moment.

She wasn’t pouting for attention this time, she was being honest. Beneath her teasing, Luna had always been self-aware and insecure.

“I see,” he said softly. Then, after a pause, “Do you want to awaken?”

Luna blinked. “Hm? If I could, I would. But I haven’t awakened anything.”

She sighed and leaned back against the bench. “I’m the only one amongst all of us who has to rely on a suit to survive inside dungeons. Without it, I’d probably die the moment a mana ray hits me.”

Lucius leaned closer slightly.

“Remind me later,” he said.

“Remind you? For what?” she asked, puzzled.

He lifted a finger gently and pressed it against her lips, silencing her.

“I’ll see if I can help you awaken.”

Her eyes widened slightly at the words.

‘Awakenings can’t be forced,’ she thought instantly.

Every Awakener knew that… your talent, your power, your affinity… all of it was by luck.

Even the most skilled couldn’t simply “grant” an awakening.

But still… she wanted to believe him.

Lucius wasn’t the type to speak carelessly. When he said something, he meant it. And in that moment, with his finger resting lightly against her lips, she found herself nodding without hesitation.

“Alright,” she whispered.

Lucius smiled faintly and leaned back again.

“Good.” He slipped his hand back into his pocket and exhaled. “Now then… do you want to check out the new mansion?”

Luna blinked again. “New mansion?”

He nodded, pulling out his phone as he texted Alexia. Within seconds, a reply popped up confirming she was already on her way.

“What do you need a new mansion for?” Luna asked, folding her arms again. “The one we’re currently living in with the others is more than enough. It’s big, comfortable, and close to the guild’s branch.”

Lucius grinned slightly. “Bigger is better, Luna. Bigger is always better.”

Luna rolled her eyes. “You just want to show off.”

“Maybe,” he admitted. “But come on, admit it… you’d like a bigger basement lab, right?”

Her lips twitched. “…Maybe.”

He chuckled quietly. “Then it’s settled.”

…

A limousine pulled up in front of their location, its sleek black frame glinting faintly under the afternoon sun.

The tinted window rolled down, and Alexia stepped out of the backseat with grace.

She wore a fitted black suit jacket and a matching skirt that reached her knees… though in Luna’s opinion, it was still a little too short to be called “professional.”

“Meet Alexia,” Lucius said as he rose from the bench, brushing imaginary dust off his pants. “My personal secretary and the one who’ll be leading us there.”

He gave Alexia a brief glance, his eyes flicking down at the skirt for a moment.

He could’ve sworn he’d texted her earlier to keep the skirt longer. Either she didn’t read the message or she ignored it entirely.

“Ah, good afternoon, Lady Luna,” Alexia said with a polite bow. “Boss has talked about you quite a lot.”

“Really?” Luna smiled.

“Yes,” Alexia replied smoothly, opening the door and gesturing toward the plush leather seats inside. “Please, come in.”

Luna gave her a short nod and stepped inside first, her eyes widening as she took in the interior… there were glass panels, velvet seats, and the scent of expensive perfume in the air.

Lucius followed behind, sitting beside her comfortably.

“I’ve never been in a limousine before,” Luna muttered, running her fingers along the smooth surface of the seat.

Her expression was caught between fascination and disbelief.

Lucius leaned back with a grin. “Enjoy yourself,” he said.

Alexia entered after them, closing the door with a soft click.

The vehicle hummed to life almost instantly, and soon the limousine began gliding down the road with barely a sound.

For a few minutes, silence filled the car.

Luna leaned slightly toward the window, watching buildings and people blur past as they left the busier parts of the city.

“So,” she said finally, turning toward Alexia, “where exactly is this place?”

Alexia adjusted her glasses.

“Timberly Hills,” she replied. “It’s one of the wealthier neighborhoods in Northcrest. Very secure, quiet, and beautiful. You’ll really like it.”

Luna blinked. “Timberly Hills? Isn’t that the place where nobles and most Guild investors live?”

“Exactly,” Lucius answered for her, smirking. “If we’re going to get a new mansion, might as well make sure it’s in the best area.”

He didn’t even know where this place was…

Alexia smiled, though her gaze occasionally drifted to where Luna rested lightly against Lucius’s shoulder.

Her expression stayed professional, but there was a subtle tinge of jealousy in her eyes.

The thirty-minute drive passed quietly after that.

Luna gradually relaxed, leaning more comfortably against Lucius as the motion of the limousine lulled her.

Lucius allowed her to rest there while pretending not to notice Alexia’s sideways glances.

Outside, the scenery changed from tall city towers to wide-open lawns, trimmed hedges, and gates that looked like they were plated in gold.

Timberly Hills was exactly as Alexia described… A land of wealth! This was where he needed to be!

Finally, the limousine slowed and came to a smooth stop in front of a tall, iron gate.

Beyond it stood a massive white-stone building surrounded by fountains and gardens.

Alexia stepped out first and opened the door for them.

Lucius followed, whistling softly as he took in the sight.

“Now this,” he muttered under his breath, “is more like it.”

Luna stepped out beside him and froze. Her jaw dropped as she stared up at the towering mansion.

“T-this is a mansion??” she stammered, blinking rapidly. “It’s a fucking castle!”