Chapter 614

614 Like father, like daughter

The proposition needed to have an official signature stating that the Baron or the Baroness of the Lionheart family branch would be interested in creating a company. Additionally, Mimi would be their representative and manager of the said company.

Vincent and Kazumi had overlooked the need to sign such a document with everything that happened today. Both felt pleased to hear about Lilith’s reliability and avoid unforeseen legal repercussions.

Vincent didn’t hear Mimi enter their bedroom before closing his eyes and sleeping like a log.

*Day 183 – 7 December – Tuesday*

After a long and eventful Monday passed, Tuesday’s sun began to dawn and light the brand new day.

Vincent woke up. He looked around and saw no one on the bed. To his surprise, he saw Kazumi floating and in front of her was Jun Ye Rim sitting on a chair.

“I can’t believe your words to be true. How can someone experience such a horrible past and smile as if they had a flowery life?”

[It is up to you to believe me or not. I am not telling you this to win sympathy points for being saved and staying with our savior.]

“But collecting unfortunate women and making them his wives sounds bad...”

.....

[And why is that? We chose to accept that opportunity, and we do not regret it one bit. The others will tell you the exact words. I believe it without a doubt.]

“So you are saying Ester was saved from death by wolves and slavery? She was embarrassed at first and slapped Vincent a couple of times, but after she was accepted, she became a happy woman.”

[Yes.]

“Lupa was saved from hunger, sickness, and death by wolves. She was told to be loved as a pet, but after becoming a beastman from Vincent’s power, she believed Vincent loved her as a partner for life.”

[Yep. It made the old introvert Vincent try his best to hold back, if you know what I mean, hehe.]

*Cough* “... Pervert.”

[That is the cycle of life, you shy elf. As for me, Vincent’s power allowed what was left of my soul to regenerate. Even though I didn’t have my old memories, I retained all or a portion of my skills.]

“But if what you said was true, Iris was saved from the death of bears while constantly fearing humans for capturing her. Skura was also saved from death, and she should also fear humans.”

[It took some time for Iris to know that being human doesn’t mean being a slave trader or a murderer. Like the goblins, they had a life, and with the bad, there were the good.]

“What about Sakura, then?”

Vincent leaned his back on the headrest as quietly as possible. He looked at Jun Ye Rim currently showing concern for Sakura.

“Good morning, girls.” Vincent smiled and continued, “This is an incredible view, to be honest. And here I thought Jun Ye Rim thought I was a pervert. Hehe, I am not the one watching you sleep, am I?”

Jun Ye Rim blushed brightly, and she covered her face.

“I-I was forced to come here by Kazumi. I-it is not like I liked watching you sleep or anything like that! I am not a pervert like you.” She nervously tried to create a reason for being in the bedroom.

Vincent laughed, watching Jun Ye Rim become embarrassed by the teasing. Kazumi didn’t shy away from laughing as well.

“Jokes aside, I can tell you about Sakura and Lilith if you want to get to know them better and feel closer to them. What do you say?”

Jun Ye Rim nodded.

“Okay. I will tell you. Sakura had it the hardest to integrate. On the other hand, Lilith suffered from panic attacks, but fortunately, she is on the road to recovery.”

[Yeah. Both had problems being near people, but they have improved. I hope you will too.]

Jun Ye Rim stood up. She lowered her hands, and her bright red cheeks lit the bedroom.

“Humph! It is not like I needed to know.” Jun Ye Rim turned around and peeked at Vincent. “... good morning.” She said after a short pause before leaving the bedroom.

[Isn’t she cute when she is embarrassed?]

“Before that, why were you both talking about you and the others?” Vincent asked. He didn’t expect to see Jun Ye Rim in his bedroom, not to mention talking about their past.

[Well... ahem. Jun Ye Rim passed by the bedroom, and I called her to enter. She was flustered to see you sleeping all alone. I even saw her pointy ears move after seeing you, hehe.]

[Well, either way, I thought she was interested to know more about the girls in the harem, ahem, me included.]

*Sigh* Vincent shook his head. “I know I need to make the first move, but I want her to take more time to make up her mind.”

[Hehe, didn’t you notice how many times Jun Ye Rim took glances at you? She is ready in my books.]

*Sigh* Vincent didn’t like where the conversation was going. Kazumi picked a member to join the harem, and it didn’t look like she was going to give up any time soon.

‘I only want Jun Ye Rim to make this place her new home. A home to return to, a place where the people she wants to be are there.’ Vincent thought after he got out of bed.

Vincent stretched before changing his clothes. He was still feeling tired after yesterday’s long day.

His hands soon moved on the usual clothes, and he realized there was no need to wear the academy uniform today after buttoning up his shirt. It had become a habit to wear the academy uniform every morning.

Kazumi laughed after watching Vincent unbutton his shirt. She teased and joked, making her morning a cheerful one.

Jun Ye Rim met with Sofy. After exchanging “good morning,” Sofy noticed Jun Ye Rim’s brightened cheeks while also noticing coming over from the large Lionheart family bedroom.

Without asking what Jun Ye Rim could have done in the morning, Sofy asked if she wanted to visit the kitchen and take breakfast in the dining hall together.

Jun Ye Rim accepted and followed Sofy while thinking, ‘Sofy also had a horrible past, and she is now Vincent’s woman. Is my past bad enough to become one of them?’

Jun Ye Rim shook her head to stop thinking about Vincent. However, it wasn’t easy to think otherwise.

‘That sly spirit is indeed wicked. She is planting strange ideas in my head... but having sisters to trust and a man to love...’ She shook her head once again to stop such thoughts. ‘I can not fall into their trap. Yes. They want me to fall for their trap by making me like living like them.’

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Sofy peeked at the troubled Jun Ye Rim from time to time. She went with her to the kitchen and placed a sweet in her hand.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. It is obvious you have a lot to think about. But remember only one thing. Believe in your choice and do not doubt if it was correct or not before trying.”

“W-what are you implying?”

“You know what I am implying, hehe.” Sofy winked at the flustered Jun Ye Rim and continued, “It is a different life, but I do not see the others regret their choices. I also am happy with how things are.”

Jun Ye Rim lowered her gaze and looked at the sweet in her hand. ‘Am I overthinking about my cursed fate? Can I walk a path I am unsure of and feel happy?’ She pondered before realizing there was no one in the kitchen.

“Hey! Wait for me!” Jun Ye Rim grabbed the tray with a cup of tea, a plate with an egg, and a pair of sliced bread before going to the dining hall with a frown for being left alone.

After a while, Jun Ye Rim started seeing the mansion’s residents gradually fill the dining hall. There were maids, kids, and even the two soldiers, Ganni and Russo.

Jun Ye Rim later saw Vincent enter the dining hall holding baby Shana. However, Jun Ye Rim noticed Vincent looked slightly concerned.

“Ahem. I have an announcement to make.” Vincent said. Beside him were Ester, Lupa, Iris, Lilith, Maid Xu, and Yula. Behind them was Sakura, as if she was afraid to drop Shana again.

“As you all know, I will add Shana as my daughter. However, I must tell you something about Shana you all must know.”

The way Vincent said the last part made everyone present in the dining hall nervous. Thoughts such as Shana being sick or worse after her parent’s death filled their minds.

Leah, Clara, Beth, Lian, and Olive stopped eating, and tears welled in their eyes.

Yesterday, they enjoyed watching baby Shana suckle on her tiny thumb. They also enjoyed playing the guessing game about when the bedsheet covering Shana would magically fall as if a Shana was strong enough to slide the bedsheet off of her accidentally.

“Shana isn’t sick or has any health issues. But maybe because of the way she was born, Shana is aging similar to goblins.”

“Huh?” Everyone in the dining hall became conflicted and confused. It was good news to hear Shana was healthy, but to hear she was aging faster wasn’t pleasant to hear.

“In other words, Shana is four days old today. Each day for us is four days for Shana.” Vincent looked at Shana and continued, “I hope I can let Shana live a normal life until I can help her age normally.”