287 The blackmail deal

Teresa noticed Vincent’s voice change, and he became slightly emotional. “How much danger will you let my little angel experience? The Blackheart family made us suffer, but you or being associated with you will also make us suffer... when will our suffering end?” She asked.

Teresa’s tone and gaze didn’t express sadness, yet it was all after getting used to the suffering. Only her words signified suffering.

Teresa retained a poker face she acquired from the past ten years of suffering and nervously waited for an answer from the dangerous man in front of her.

“I had to take over the business after my husband could not say even the smallest white lie without suffering. It became worse for my husband after a rumor of him being called the truthful lion was mysteriously in everyone’s tongue.” Teresa then looked at her daughter and told her, “Even if we almost have nothing left, I can’t lose you again, my little angel.”

[So, let me summarise the fall of the Lionheart family.]

[The Blackheart family tried to make the Lionheart family fall without evidence of their involvement after they probably stole more than we know of.]

[They planned to destroy the evidence of the marriage scam and blackmailing by regulating what customers are allowed based on the ability to give the Lionheart family strength or not. Those that could help the Lionheart family must have been threatened to go elsewhere.]

[Teresa had to step up and resist by becoming the one who called the shots. Regrettably, Leonis might have become the head of the family by name because if he was cornered and coerced with no possibility of fighting back nor with strength nor with status, the truth would be revealed, and his wife and daughter would die.]

-I understand... please stop the assessment of what happened. This family needs a break from all the suffering.-

historical

.....

“Mother...” Lilith said with a sad expression.

“Teresa. No. Mother-in-law. I am suffering from defamation like how father-in-law suffered from his secret of being the most truthful man in the world.”

“People are blabbermouths, but they only imagine the cover of a book they never got to see and believe what is inside from what they hear others say.”

“Mother-in-law, you know quite well how people thought father-in-law was being honest out of his free will. I hope you give me a chance to join the Lionheart family and let me help in any way I can.”

Vincent had a lot of ways to help. He would give the family multiple objects as a bridal gift to the family and show his sincerity. The technique of tanning hides without mana would also be included.

Vincent hoped Teresa could stop thinking about the cons and think about the pros. He knew it would be difficult to trust someone history calls him many bad and frightful names. However, Vincent knew he had to talk it out and convince the other party peacefully to give him a chance.

Lilith slowly lowered on her knees a placed her hands on her mother’s hand. “Mother... I told father I would be with Vincent no matter what. I will still love you and treat you as my mother even if I get disowned to pursue Vincent.” She said with tears welling in her eyes.

*Sigh...* “Lilith. My little angel. I will give you ten birthday presents right this moment.” Teresa smiled and used her free hand to caress her daughter’s head. She didn’t like the word ‘disown,’ so she decided to concede for a price.

“Vincent, the moment you decide to betray my little angel and us is the moment the world will know of your arrival. I suffered enough of blackmailing to blackmail someone.” Teresa threatened Vincent to reveal his secret if her daughter got mistreated.

Mama lioness would protect Lilith no matter the cost this time.

[Well, everything has a price in the world. If being threatened just to marry Ester and unlock the Soul Synch limiter, I say it’s a good deal.]

-It’s easy for you to say when you are enjoying the ride, my dear viewer. But I am the one who has to retell the story of my origin before they freak out and attack me.-

[Ahem... Teresa is waiting for an answer. I hope it is a ye...]

“Yes, I accept. Additionally, I hope your business can now start to flourish. I also hope you can attain enough power to prevent any leaks of my secret if it one day it gets discovered.” Vincent placed his hand on Lilith’s shoulder and said, “Lilith will be hunted after she becomes my retainer and is cured of all ailments.”

“You’re blackmailing me...” Teresa was saying when Lilith stood up and interrupted her mother by happily hugging her.

It was at this moment, at this hug, Teresa understood how both parties had the ability to blackmail each other. No one has the advantage in this blackmail war.

“Thank you, mother. I feel like it’s my lucky day.” Lilith was over the moon.

“But... my little angel... aren’t you cautious of the future ahead of us?” Teresa asked. She was pretty curious to know what was on her daughter’s mind.

“Vincent is a gentleman like the main characters I read in romance books. Mother, you didn’t see how the others weren’t sad to be his women.” Lilith said in favor of joining Vincent’s harem.

Lilith released the hug and went to hug Vincent next. “I want the main character to be my man, hehe.” She cheerfully stated with a giggle.

“My little angel... life is not like a book.” Teresa wanted her daughter to at least be wary of the probability of betrayal. However, Lilith wasn’t thinking from her mother’s point of view.

Vincent placed his hand on Lilith’s head. “I felt I entered a fairy tale when the Book Of Heroes summoned me here. But every person I met is real, and every struggle was definitely real as well. But if I am the main character in your story, then please become my support to the happy ending together. ” He said while gently caressing her head.

[I agree with your point of view. Who knows if someone found the Book Of Heroes in a different timeline and is reading the summary of our lives like how you read the summary of those before you.]

[Ahem. With the serious stuff out of the way, let me tell you how your cheesy line will be saved in my memory, and it will go in my favorites memory bank, hehehe.]

-...-

*Sigh* Teresa understood she lost. “Let’s discuss the arrangements and write a magic contract at a later date.”

“Vincent, you will need to apply to this kingdom’s Noble Academy if you want to improve your title up to a Baron since people who marry into nobility don’t have the ability to inherit a rank. ” Teresa informed.

Teresa looked at her daughter and continued, “I am sorry, my little angel, but the Blackheart family let you borrow your rank while you are married... it means you will become a noble without a nobility rank. A low ranked noble.”

“Huh? Can’t we both go together as a husband and wife?” Vincent asked what he and Kazumi found her choice of words strange. But it was their fault for not revealing the full extent of becoming a retainer.

“Only nobles that are less than forty years old, have a class, and are from a Baron or higher family rank can enroll for five years to receive recognition for learning the responsibilities nobles carry and the law they have to abide.”

“Additionally, the academy teaches physical and magic classes while nobles with other classes suffer bullying for not having a class up to the nobility standards.”

“However, the Marquis Grffinheart family is in charge of the Noble Academy. They are on the Royal Faction’s side and receive support from the king to deter any violent nobles in their five years of education.”

“Also, it is one of the families that helped us. The academy headmaster is one of the four men my husband formed the obligatory five-person team. The academy encourages the teams to become best friends for a better future.”

Teresa explained and revealed the process of how a noble can gain a rank. It was similar to schooling on Earth. Instead of a school leaving certificate with qualifications, the Noble Academy allows those without a noble rank or need recognition to advance further and have a bright future ahead of them.

“Lilith should gain a class if she didn’t have one before. It already happened three times, and on one time, the class changed to a Synergist. It is a boon for becoming my retainer, it seems.” Vincent informed.

Teresa opened her eyes wide, and her surprised expression froze for a couple of seconds. Even Lilith looked surprised.

“A-a-awaken someone as if it’s another day? A-and Synergist is one of the women my daughter has to share you with!” Teresa stuttered in surprise.

-I guess I should not say how I have the ability to develop skills.-

[Yeah. You should keep the information up to this level. Your rule-breaking power that changes the structure of your soul to accommodate new skill awakenings might give her a stroke.]

-You make it sound as if I am a monster...-

“I know!” *Clap* “I can shine green like Sakura on my wedding day. I bet the guests will be surprised to see me awaken into a class on my wedding day, hehehe. ” Lilith said enthusiastically and giggled.

“...” Vincent remained quiet. He wanted to stay low-key, yet Lilith suggested something grand once again.