After the brief conversation Cheon M... Theron Noirvale had with Solmira, he went to the washroom attached to the bedchamber. Since his body was itchy and traces of blood could be felt on his skin, although no wounds were visible, he decided to shower.
After he came out, Solmira gave him a nice set of nightwear she had rummaged from the wardrobe. Theron Noirvale put on the comfortable nightwear; its fabric was top-notch, and the loose fit suited him well, as he was accustomed to the soft robes of Murim culture. He then sat on a couch facing against the window. Gentle night breeze came from the window and dangled with his short hairs.
Shhh...
Theron Noirvale inhaled deeply, feeling youth course through his veins.
In his previous life, he had lived until old age, suffering many diseases and side effects from his cruel perseverance that had gone beyond what his mortal body could endure. Thus, in his old age, he had suffered many severe consequences. But now, he had been transmigrated to a young body full of vitality and spirit, washing away the exhaustion of age with the vigor of youth.
"Just eat it already."
Woof...
As Theron was enjoying the breeze, Solmira was feeding a big white fluffy dog that looked similar to a Great Pyrenees.
"Duri, don't act too picky, just eat it." Solmira said to the big dog, who was refusing to eat.
Woof! Woof!
"Eugh… okay, fine." Feeling frustrated by the dog's stubbornness, Solmira stomped on the floor before taking out a small bag of dog food. She poured it into the bowl, and the dog instantly started eating happily.
"You're hopeless." Solmira sighed and patted the dog's fluffy back.
Then,
"Solmira." Theron, who was observing them, called out to her.
"Yes, Papa."
"When I was inside the study room, you said someone has come to meet me."
"Ah!" Solmira jolted in realization as she had totally forgotten about that.
"Papa, it's Lady Arwen Evcartin," Solmira said loudly, her expression showing disapproval. "That mean lady has come to meet you."
"Lady Arwen Evcartin?"
"Yes, she's waiting in the drawing room."
No sooner had her words ended, the door to the bedchamber, which wasn't locked, opened with a loud bang.
Thud!
Then, two figures emerged from the shadowed hallway. One was a young woman around the same age as Theron, with long blonde hair and green jade eyes, dressed in a light green silk gown, neatly fitted around her waist while the skirt fell in soft layers to the floor.
Beside her was a slightly older woman, who was dressed in a plain maid outfit, possibly her attendant.
'... So this young woman is the one who has come to meet Theron!' Theron thought.
Then,
The young woman, Arwen Evcartin, strode forward and stopped before the couch where Theron was seated and spoke with a sour expression.
"You have the nerve to make me wait this long."
"...."
At her words, Theron stayed silent and only stared at her calmly. This made the already displeased young woman even more angry. She clicked her tongue and took a seat on a couch opposite Theron. Then she started complaining about the journey she had to make to meet him and how long she had to wait in the drawing room.
At first, Theron listened to her, hoping to get some information, but all she did was complain. Thus, he lost interest and rolled his gaze toward the maid she brought along, who was now standing beside her couch.
To normal people, she might look like an ordinary maid, but the calluses on her hand, her expressionless eyes, observation techniques, light footwork, and the movement pattern of her muscles gave away her identity as an assassin-type to Theron as soon as she entered the room.
Fortunately, this maid meant no harm. She's probably an ex-assassin who is serving as the bodyguard of this young woman.
Deducing this, Theron's eyes fell on Solmira, who was far away from them. She was showing disapproval of Arwen Evcartin as she clutched her white dog, which was also showing hostility.
Seeing their reaction, it appears that this woman, Arwen Evcartin, and the real Theron had met before, and they had some sort of prior relationship, either friendly or hostile.
Theron understood this and spoke to Arwen Evcartin without showing unfamiliarity.
"So, what brings you here this late at night?"
At his question, Arwen Evcartin paused for a moment and turned to her maid. Understanding her gaze, the maid reached into her pocket and took out two items — a white envelope and a small wooden box — and handed them to her.
Arwen Evcartin took them and first tossed the envelope onto the low wooden table between them.
Swooosh
Theron picked up the white envelope. It was sealed with dark red wax pressed into the shape of a crest at its center. On the opposite side was written in Ancient Greek:
"Invitation to Rothschild Ball."
Meanwhile, Arwen Evcartin carefully placed the wooden box onto the table and parted her soft lips, which were coated in red lipstick. "This is the first gathering we're having after our graduation."
"...Is that so?" Theron said. In her words, he deduced some key things: the real Theron was a graduate of an institution, and she was his fellow alumna. This explained her way of expressing herself in front of him.
"Since the last gathering, after graduation, you didn't come, and this time you didn't respond to their invitation either; thus, he sent me here to warn you. You know what might happen if you try to go against them, right?"
Upon hearing this, Theron raised one of his eyebrows. Up until now, their conversation had been normal, but those threatening lines from her changed the whole atmosphere. Even Arwen Evcartin, who seemed aloof, suddenly changed her personality.
Arwen Evcartin leaned closer to Theron, her smile curled up, reaching her ears as she spoke in a soft and eerie tone.
"I understand you don't like to consume children since you have a kid of your own." She briefly looked at Solmira, then turned back to Theron. "But aren't they more juicy?"