Chapter 115: Taking Back What Is Mine

Inside the carriage heading toward the Farrien estate, there was a deathly silence.

The carriage floor was covered with thick rugs that absorbed most of the vibrations, yet Rowden Farrien’s body shook uncontrollably like a leaf in the wind.

Cold sweat drenched his expensive silk shirt, sticking clammily to his back.

He slumped in the soft, warm seat, yet it felt as if he were sitting atop sharp icicles.

He didn’t dare look up.

Master Mathis sat opposite him, and for the first time, Rowden realized the sheer crushing weight of the gaze his former rivals once faced.

He had no doubt that if they weren’t on the streets of Leo City, and if Lia weren’t in the carriage, this Fifth-Circle Mage would have instantly incinerated him into a pile of ash.

Lia, on the other hand, felt no pressure at all; she leaned her head toward the window, watching the familiar street scenes from her memory retreat rapidly.

She looked perfectly calm—as calm as the sky outside.

Yet it was precisely this calm that filled Rowden with absolute terror.

He would have preferred it if Lia shouted abuse at him or simply slapped him across the face.

At least that would prove she was still angry, still treating him as someone worth arguing with.

This complete disregard made him feel utterly hopeless.

Countless chaotic thoughts swirled madly in Rowden’s mind, hammering against his skull and making his ears ring incessantly.

All his plans and ambitions had turned into a massive joke back at the relay station, the very moment Master Mathis bowed.

“Mr. Rowden Farrien.”

Mathis’s icy voice rang out inside the carriage.

Rowden’s body gave a violent start as he stiffly raised his head.

“Are you aware of the crime involved in attempting to cast a mental interference spell on a mage officially registered with the Royal Academy of Magic without authorization?

You actually dared to incite me to use such a spell on Her Excellency Lia. Do you realize that the mere thought of this is enough to have your soul obliterated?”

Mathis’s voice was steady, yet it carried a chilling pressure.

“I…”

Rowden’s lips trembled, unable to utter a single word.

“According to the joint regulations of the Kingdom’s Code and the Mages’ Association, the principal offender would face the permanent destruction of their spiritual sea and the confiscation of all property.

And you, as the instigator and conspirator…”

Mathis paused, looking at Rowden’s bloodless face, his eyes no longer hiding his disgust and killing intent.

“…will be thrown into the Blackrock Mines until the end of your days.”

Rowden’s vision went dark; his body swayed, and he nearly slid off the seat.

The Blackrock Mines—a place far more terrifying than death.

Hearing the commotion, Lia withdrew her gaze from the window and glanced over.

The carriage came to a halt in front of the Farrien estate.

The butler, leading the servants, had long been waiting at the entrance.

When he saw his master roll out of the carriage in a daze, his face as white as a sheet, he couldn’t help but freeze in shock.

Immediately after, he saw the noble Master Mathis.

The Master actually opened the carriage curtain for a young girl himself, bowing and extending his hand in an inviting gesture.

His posture was even more respectful than when he faced the City Lord.

And that young girl was exactly the one they had been told was returning home—the Eldest Miss, Lia.

The servants were all stunned.

They looked at one another, completely unable to comprehend this inexplicable scene.

They couldn’t understand why Lord Rowden looked so… hopeless?

Lia ignored the uncertain and suspicious gazes around her and walked straight through the mansion gates.

Mathis followed closely behind, while Rowden, resembling a boneless mollusk, was supported by the butler as he stumbled along at the very back.

Inside the spacious and bright drawing room, the fireplace was burning brightly.

Unfortunately, that warmth failed to reach any part of Rowden’s body.

Lia walked past everyone toward the seat at the far end of the room that belonged to the head of the household.

She turned and sat down, the soft backrest supporting her body; from this angle, she looked down at the pale Rowden, who was being helped to the side by a servant.

“Everyone except my dear uncle and Mr. Mathis, get out.”

Lia’s voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

The servants, as if granted a great reprieve, hurriedly retreated from the drawing room, closing the heavy oak doors behind them.

Only three people remained in the room.

Amidst the oppressive silence, Rowden’s psychological defenses completely collapsed.

With a loud thud, he fell to his knees and crawled toward Lia, tears and snot streaming down his face.

“Lia! My dear niece! Your uncle was wrong! I was possessed by greed! Forgive me just this once, I’ll never dare do it again!”

He lay prostrate before Lia, weeping like a child.

“I… I did it all for the Farrien family! Your father left us early, and I’ve had to support this household all by myself! Everything I did was out of fear that this estate would fall into the hands of outsiders or be swindled away by people with ulterior motives!”

Lia lowered her eyes to look at the man weeping bitterly at her feet; her gaze remained entirely devoid of emotion.

She spoke softly, her voice echoing clearly throughout the room.

“Uncle, back at the relay station, you told me not to wander off.”

Rowden’s sobbing stopped abruptly.

“You said you were accompanying Master Mathis to wait for an even more distinguished guest.”

“You also said I shouldn’t speak out of turn, lest I offend the noble guest and bring a bad influence upon the Farrien family.”

Rowden’s body trembled even more violently; he slowly raised his head to see his own disheveled reflection in Lia’s calm eyes.

“Now, I would like to ask you.”

Lia’s voice paused.

“Did I offend that noble guest?”

Rowden’s face completely lost all color.

“Lord Lia.”

Mathis, standing to the side, couldn’t help but speak up, his voice brimming with fury.

“This fool actually dared to incite me to move against you…”

“Mr. Mathis.”

Lia interrupted him, “This is a family matter.”

Mathis immediately shut his mouth and stepped back respectfully, but his gaze toward Rowden still looked as though he wanted to skin the man alive.

Lia stood up and walked to the fireplace, picking up a poker and lightly prodding the burning charcoal; sparks crackled and popped.

“Uncle, the Farrien family’s assets were left by my father.”

“You were merely keeping them in trust.”

“Now, I am back.”

She placed the poker back in its rack and turned around, looking down at Rowden sprawled on the floor.

“From today onward, the right to manage all of the Farrien family’s shops, estates, and funds will be handled entirely by me. Every contract and document under your name related to the family business must be transferred to my name by sunset tomorrow.”

Rowden snapped his head up, a flash of desperate resentment crossing his eyes.

Lia continued:

“As my uncle, I will allow you to retain the right to live in this mansion and provide you with an allowance sufficient for a respectable life. But that is all.”

“You…” Rowden wanted to say something.

“Do you have an objection?”

Lia’s tone suddenly turned cold.

Mathis stepped forward half a pace, and the aura of a Fifth-Circle Mage erupted, making the temperature in the entire room seem to drop a few degrees.

Under that immense pressure, Rowden was instantly left breathless, and the words at the tip of his tongue were forcibly shoved back down.

“…I, I have no… objection.”

Rowden looked as if all his strength had been drained; he lowered his head and answered in a raspy voice.

Lia nodded and stopped looking at him. She walked toward Mathis and gave a slight nod.

“Mr. Mathis, thank you for your help today.”

“I wouldn’t dare! Your Excellency, this was only what I should have done!” Mathis was overwhelmed by the favor and hurriedly bowed.

“It was I who was blind, nearly allowing myself to be deceived by this villain and committing a grave error! Please, punish me!”

“Ignorance is no crime,” Lia said. “I like your gift very much.”

She gestured toward the gift box in her hand.

“That you could like it is its supreme honor!”

Mathis was so excited his face turned flush red.

“It’s getting late. Shall I escort you back to the hotel to rest?”

“No need.” Lia shook her head. “My uncle should have already prepared my room.”

She spoke while her gaze swept over the dejected figure on the floor.

📚 Also on NHV Novels

Miss Witch, Please Kill Me

FantasyGender BenderMagical

Read Now →
Not interested