Summoned and Unwanted

[...] Kazumi wanted to joke about Vincent suffering an accidental death, but she decided against it. For now.

Vincent looked at the road ahead and pondered about the decisions he had made today while brushing Lupa’s fur.

Vincent knew accepting Mimi was a rushed decision. Yet, he had to choose between making a powerful enemy or a powerful ally under a complicated and a moment requiring urgent decision.

In the end, the now unchangeable past had passed, and the future was still waiting to be uncovered. Vincent had to trust the future himself to handle the rest.

The carriage later arrived in front of the academy’s entrance. After Lupa stretched for an enjoyable trip, she jumped down. Vincent was about to follow Lupa when Sofy grabbed his sleeve.

“Do you need something?” Vincent asked.

“A goodbye kiss so I can wait for the horses to rest.” Sofy bluntly responded, surprising Vincent.

“Isn’t that what you always do? We always stay with you too until you depart as well.” Vincent played hard to get because behind him were many women exiting the carriage, and their gazes were starting to make him feel worried for some reason.

.....

[Come on. A quick peck on the cheek is enough. She isn’t going to see you for another week, so what is the harm?]

Vincent felt guilty and agreed with a nod. He leaned his head, and a pair of hands grabbed his face. Soon, a pair of lips almost suffocated him and made a scene at the same time.

*Cough, cough* “Is that what you call a goodbye kiss?” Vincent asked while gasping for air.

“Yes, and it looks like the audience liked it too, hehe.” Sofy cheerfully joked while pointing with her brows.

Vincent turned his head, and his face became pale. Ester, Iris, and Lilith were staring with a frown while Lupa wagged her tail as if she was next in line.

On the other hand, Tiffi was blushing. Maria looked coldly with a pissed expression. And Jun Ye Rim averted her gaze as if he was a pervert, yet she peeked at him from time to time.

‘Please. I just want to sleep. I am tired enough to sleep for a whole day straight.’ Vincent begged in his thoughts while climbing down the carriage.

After waiting for Sofy to leave, they split into three groups and went to their islands. On the way to the mansion, Vincent felt a chill rush down his spine. However, only his wives and Jun Ye Rim walked behind him.

The next thing Vincent knew, two pairs of arms grabbed Vincent’s arms and kidnapped him to their bedroom. “Wait, wait, wait...” He said, yet sleeping wasn’t going t be happening anytime soon for the tired Vincent.

Jun Ye Rim looked at Vincent being taken in a hurry with a blank expression. She looked at Plow being carried in her arms and asked, “Do you want to sleep with me today?”

“No need.” *Pho* “Bed will be warm today. Plow likes warm bed the most.” Plow declined happily while thinking about a good night’s rest.

*Sigh* “I don’t care then.” Jun Ye Rim walked a couple of steps and continued, “It’s not like I am interested to know why Vincent is so famous.”

*Pho?* “Let Plow tell Jun Jun then. Vincent is warm and...”

“I don’t care.” Jun Ye Rim interrupted Plow, yet she later felt guilty watching the little fox acting sad all of a sudden. “Tell me little bits. But it’s not like I will be interested or listen to you or anything like that.”

*Pho?*

Plow became happy, and contrary to what Jun Ye Rim expected to hear, Plow mentioned how Vincent would secretly give Plow snacks and play together when Lupa wasn’t around to get jealous and butt in their fun.

Jun Ye Rim looked at the mansion and thought, ‘So Vincent isn’t a pervert womanizer all the time. He can be kind when not flirting with women... not that I am interested in him or anything...’

*Day 182 – 6 December – Monday*

Monday morning of the fifteenth week arrived, and Vincent was nudged multiple times to wake up. In the end, Kazumi had to tell him [Darwin wants to talk to us.] for him to wake up.

Vincent opened his eyes immediately. His heart raced, filled with anxiety. In front of him was Lilith holding her and Vincent’s student card, and it was flashing the meeting flash code.

[The message arrived not too long ago. While Lilith got up and woke up the others to wake the sleepyhead up, I peeked at Nick, Clair, and Jun Ye Rim’s rooms.]

[Nick and Clair didn’t appear to be called because they were just waking up without any sign of concern, while Jun Ye Rim was holding a flashing student card.]

*Gulp* Vincent felt nervous about what could happen next. The three of them were to meet the headmaster of the academy. It only meant one thing. There was a response from the five noble families, and if it was good or bad, they were going to know soon.

Ester, Iris, and Plow went to Jun Ye Rim while Vincent and Lilith prepared to visit the headmaster’s office.

“Lupa, can you help me button my blouse?” Lilith nervously said while her fingers slightly shook from anxiety.

“Yep.” Lupa went to help.

[Now I also feel nervous after watching the two of you give the impression of meeting your doom.]

[Sigh. I hope they will apologize and keep our lives simple... but we know deep down there is no way they will accept their faults. Those prideful bastards will cause more trouble for sure.]

-I know, but we have too much to lose now. That’s why I feel anxious, yet if push comes to shove, I might have to do the undesirable and make the others my retainers...-

[I understand you do not wish to engender the lives of others by granting the mark of the retainer, but without power, there is no safety. Yet with too much power, one could also make many unexpected enemies.]

[To follow the choices we make is the best we can do. Isn’t that what you did when you killed Demel Blackheart and took his place?]

Vincent nodded with a determined gaze. He agreed the choice was already made a long time ago. All he needed to do was to make another fate-branching choice like before.

-Kazumi, you are right. I can’t regret my decisions any longer. I have made up my mind to go with the flow and follow the choices I make to the end.-

[That’s the spirit.]

Vincent became more sure of himself, and his doubts waned. He chose to be true to himself and protect the interests of those he knew or cared about, as he always does.

Vincent wore his uniform and looked at Lilith being helped by Lupa. He approached the two and said, “There is no need to worry too much, Lilith. Think about a book to calm your mind while Kazum and I do all the talking.”

“But that’s my problem.” Responded Lilith, surprising Vincent, Lupa, and Kazumi.

“Problem?” Questioned Vincent.

“Yes. I can’t stay weak-minded. I need to grow from the old weak, Lilith. Like Ester is trying her best to take care of us while training, I need to manage the family matters and assist Ester in taking care of us.”

Vincent shook his head. “Lilith, growth will always take time. To become better is slow, and even then, we do not need a person who suffers to make others happy.”

“My mate is right. Sister Lilith is kind and gentle. There is no need to change now because best girl Lupa is around to help.” Lupa said while boasting about how useful she was.

Ironically, Lupa was the least person who usually helped. Sparing and training take too much of her attention to stop and check on the others.

Lilith smiled. She felt silly for trying to represent Ester, Lupa, Kazumi, Iris, and Sakura. *Phew* Lilith exhaled to calm her nerves and said, “I will not do my best. I will do what I can at the moment.”

“Now that sounds better.” Complemented Vincent.

“Yeah. Sister Lilith should not feel bad for failing. Best girl Lupa is here after all... Ouch.” Lupa was interrupted after she felt her ear being pulled from behind.

“Lupa. What are you telling Lilith?” Questioned Ester with a frown.

Lupa looked at Lilith with a pair of puppy eyes to receive help. However, Lilith winked at Lupa and said, “Ups, I failed. It’s time for best girl Lupa to take care of her ear, hehe.”

Vincent and Lilith laughed at Lupa and Ester, causing Ester to stop and question if she had made a mistake.

Shortly, Ester apologized to Lupa by promising to give the best part of her food. Lupa crossed her arms, yet her tail wagged.

Lupa extended two fingers and requested, “My mate gives me two times the meat. I don’t want sister Ester to eat less and become bones.”

“Sure.” Vincent immediately accepted.

Vincent appreciated watching Ester and Lupa’s interaction with each other. Even though Ester usually punishes Lupa for misbehaving or taking things too far, the two of them still love each other. Watching the two together was always a heartwarming sight to see.

After Lupa helped ease their mood with her honest trouble-causing personality, Vincent and Lilith were now prepared to meet with Jun Ye Rim and head to Darwin’s office.

“Jun Ye Rim is with Iris, Plow, Nick, Clair, Vivid, and Pussy outside the mansion. They are waiting to see the three of you leave.” Explained Ester.