?


    A pair of horse-drawn carriages came to a halt at the gates of the magnificent mansion, situated beside a grand estate. The road leading to the main gates was immacte and wide, lined with well-maintained hedges and sculpted topiaries. Encircling the estate grounds was a stone wall that extended beyond the driveway on both sides. Each section of the grounds boasted a maze of flower gardens, manicured hedges, fountains, and meandering paths.


    The carriage driver assisted them as they disembarked, opening the carriage doors and gesturing for them to step out. Artur and Rini emerged into thete morning sun, following a gstone walkway that led them beneath blooming cherry trees, their delicate pink petals gently cascading to the ground.


    Before them stood a wicket gate, resembling an open mouth. Passing through it, they entered another courtyard adorned with blooming nts, trees, and topiaries, nking either side of a cobblestone path that led straight to the manor house, nestled amidst a series of terraced gardens.


    The mansion before them appeared impressively grand and newly constructed. Itsrge, transparent windows offered a glimpse inside, revealing elegantly draped curtains.


    The entrance to the mansion was fashioned from mahogany wood, intricately carved in designs that seemed to dance as they approached.


    From the exterior, it seemed to have two stories, with the upper level housing several bedrooms, each more spacious and luxurious than thest. The opulence of the ce was awe-inspiring, leaving them feeling small inparison to its overwhelming allure.


    Prior to this, Artur had received a letter from his parents, informing him of his father Gilbert''s promotion and their gift of a mansion from the Mayor of Heles, located in the upscale residential area on the outskirts of the city.


    Artur was well aware that the Mayor bestowed the promotion and new mansion upon Gilbert because of Artur''s status as a military academy mage. It was even possible that if he wanted the Mayor to visit his home, the leader of Heles would drop everything and rush to his doorstep.


    As Artur had mentioned earlier, it was time for others to curse "Fairness is a son of a bitch" silently in their hearts when they saw him. However, as he looked at the red-haired woman beside him, Artur could only sigh deeply, realizing that there was always someone above.


    Rini, on the other hand, was unimpressed by the grandeur of Artur''s home. She maintained her usual demeanor, with a frozen smile of cheerfulness on her face. Perhaps, to Rini, the magnificence of the mansion owned by Artur''s family was equivalent to the grandeur of a dog kennel at her own home.


    Artur knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. The door swung open, revealing an unfamiliar woman he had never seen before. She was dressed as a servant, with beads of sweat dotting her forehead. It seemed that she had been busy with something before rushing to open the door.


    "Hello, who are you?" asked the servant woman.


    "My name is Artur Morris. Are my parents at home?" Artur replied.


    "Ah! Are you truly young master Artur? Please forgive me for not recognizing you, young master!" The servant woman immediately startled and lowered her head in fear.


    Artur felt a bit awkward as he had never had a servant before. However, seeing Rini''s unchanged expression as if nothing was amiss, Artur understood that a servant should be punished for not recognizing their master.


    But Artur couldn''t punish someone for their ignorance. He wasn''t a true noble; he was just a fortunate child who had been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.


    So, Artur waved his hand and said, "I don''t mind. What is your name?"


    With her head still bowed, the servant woman replied, "Thank you, young master. My name is Ratna. I am a servant employed by Madam C."


    Artur once again felt awkward hearing his mother referred to as Madam. "Is my mother at home?"


    "Madam is having tea in the sitting room. I will call her right away. Please, young master,e inside and have a seat," Ratna said, still bowing her head, inviting Artur in.


    Artur felt a bit stiff with all the formalities. But he understood that his current status was different, and he had to behave ordingly.


    Without saying anything, only nodding, Artur walked inside with Rini still holding his hand. Her eyes seemed to scrutinize Ratna, searching for any mistakes made by the unfortunate servant. Artur didn''t know why Rini did it, but it seemed to be the habit of a noble towards their servants.


    Perhaps by doing so, the servants would behave more politely and cautiously in front of their masters. This way, when important guests visited their residence, the servants could still act perfectly and not embarrass their masters.


    The living room of the mansion was furnished with couches and featured a beautiful round table with intricately carved legs. Artur and Rini sat side by side as Ratna served them tea and beverages. Afterward, she hurried off to call C, who was in the sitting room.


    Artur and Rini didn''t speak to each other; they quietly enjoyed the beverages provided by Ratna. Before long, footsteps could be heard approaching from the side. Artur and Rini turned their heads simultaneously toward the source of the sound.


    Their eyes beheld the sight of a pretty woman in her forties wearing a gown made of ck silk. Her straight, white hair was piled on top of her head and secured with an antique jewelry sp. She was Artur''s mother, C Morris.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "My son, you''ve finally returned!" C eximed, extending her arms.


    Artur stood up from his seat and embraced his mother, whom he hadn''t seen in three years. C appeared younger, and her face, once marked by hardship, now radiated brilliance. It seemed that living as a wealthy woman had brought back the spirit that had faded after Anna disappeared.


    "Mother, you look more beautiful," Arturplimented.


    "Hahaha... it seems that the military academy has not only taught you spell but also how topliment a woman," C chuckled, caressing her son''s cheek with a bright smile on her face.


    After enjoying the moment of reunion and seeing her son''s face after three long years, C finally realized that Artur was not alone. She turned to Rini and saw the beautiful face of a red-haired woman with a dignified air like that of a noble.


    "Artur, who is this lovelydy? Have I gained a daughter-inw? Why didn''t you ever tell me?" C asked, her smile slightly restrained.


    "Mother, this is—"


    "Hello, Mother. My name is Rini Djarum, and I am Artur''s girlfriend!" Before Artur could exin, Rini greeted C in the manner of a noble princess, curtseying, bending her knee, and slightly lowering her head.


    C was slightly taken aback but gracefully returned Rini''s greeting with the same elegance. "Hello, Rini. Nice to meet you. I never knew Artur had a girlfriend," C said, ncing at Artur.


    "Mother, this is—"


    "Artur might have been embarrassed to introduce me only through letters, Mother," Rini interrupted Artur''s exnation once again.


    "Ah? It''s not—"


    "Hehehe, my son is indeed shy, but isn''t that what makes him look cute? But forgive me, earlier you mentioned your name as Rini Djarum, is that correct?"


    Artur had to swallow his words once again due to C interrupting his exnation.


    "That''s right, Mother. My name is Rini Djarum," Rini nodded gracefully.


    "Ah... forgive me, but are you the daughter of the Djarum family in the Shaltshed Kingdom?" C asked.


    Rini was slightly surprised when C knew the origin of her noble family. "Ah, do you know my family? That''s right, Mother, I am the daughter of the Djarum family from the Shaltshed Kingdom."


    C fell silent and looked at Rini from head to toe before turning to Artur. Artur understood the meaning behind C''s gaze. Unlike his father, who only knew the names of noble families in the Stonhold Kingdom, C knew almost all the names of noble families in the human alliance.


    Artur didn''t know where C acquired this knowledge or how she knew it. The C he knew was just an ordinary housewife, but when she executed the noble greeting wlessly, Artur started to wonder.


    He had once suspected that C wasn''t just an ordinarymoner. Her incredibly smooth, fair skin was unlike that of a typicalmoner, whose skin would be dry from working under the sun since childhood. Moreover, her beauty and mannerisms were notmonly found in their environment.


    However, his mother''s background wasn''t crucial at the moment. C must be wondering what Artur truly thought about dating a noble family''s daughter.


    Although he was currently a Level 2 Constetion Mage, as Artur had exined to Rini, his status meant nothing in front of noble families. In fact, he might not even be on par with their servants.


    "Artur, what''s actually going on?" C asked, squinting her eyes.


    She suspected that her son, whom she had raised to be an honest man, had grown up to be a skilled deceiver. He was even capable of seducing a noblewoman''s daughter with just his Level 2 Constetion Mage status.