So early in the morning, just as Willis was preparing to attend the banquet hosted by Professor Elliot Laval, she was informed that the matriarch of the Laiensi Family had come to pay a visit with her daughter.
At first hearing this news, Willis thought that whatever was between her and Ofilia had been exposed, and that they had come to confront her.
If that were the case, Willis was ready to fight back; making her pay anything was absolutely out of the question…
But the moment she stepped into the hall, Willis immediately sensed something strange in the atmosphere between the two.
Though they were supposed to be mother and daughter, they sat distinctly apart in silence, as if strangers.
Ofilia’s eyes were red-rimmed, evoking pity, and she kept rubbing the sore spots on her body with her small hands, as if she had been beaten.
As for Rasser Laiensi, the mother, her expression was far more complicated.
Joyful, hopeful, yet anxious and fearful all at once.
Seeing Willis arrive, both of them hurriedly bowed.
Ofilia gritted her teeth, a mixture of relief and resignation showing through, while Rasser Laiensi looked both desperate and guilty.
Willis took the seat of honor and gave Ofilia a curious glance before turning to Rasser Laiensi and saying, “You must be the matriarch of the Laiensi Family, Rasser Laiensi?”
Until now, Willis had never formally greeted this slender-faced woman.
She had seen her before when snatching Ofilia away, but they had never interacted.
It was hard to imagine such a woman could give birth to someone as stunning as Ofilia.
“Your Highness is perceptive, this humble woman is indeed she!”
Rasser replied respectfully.
Her attitude was far from confrontational.
Willis cast a glance at the silent Ofilia and asked, “May I ask the reason for your visit today, Matriarch Laiensi?”
“Ahem, well… it’s like this…” Rasser fidgeted with her hands, seeming hesitant.
She gestured toward Ofilia, signaling Willis to look.
“This is my second daughter, Ofilia Laiensi. Has Your Highness heard of her before?”
Willis feigned ignorance but nodded, “Yes, I have heard. The Laiensi Family’s second daughter, a genius mage and a beauty praised throughout the Empire. Seeing her today, she is truly extraordinary in every way.”
Hearing the subtle implication in Willis’s words, Ofilia clenched her small fists and dared not look at her.
Yet the faint smile at the corner of her mouth seemed to betray her true feelings.
“Yes, my daughter is sixteen, graceful and pure. Not to mention she’s breathtakingly beautiful,” Rasser boasted.
Willis remained silent, thinking to herself how bold this woman was.
Seeing the mother who had once spoken harshly to her now bragging about her under the pretext of “finding a good match and negotiating a proper bride price” only strengthened Ofilia’s resolve to leave.
Still, she had to maintain appearances.
Though she harbored resentment toward her family and parents, Ofilia wasn’t about to let this hateful woman know she had been sold off.
That would surely invite mockery.
Willis picked up her teacup, hiding the amusement in her eyes as she looked at Ofilia, and nodded repeatedly to Rasser.
“Yes, you are right. Ofilia is indeed that beautiful.”
Rasser’s eyes brightened immediately and she turned to command, “Ofilia, Your Highness is praising you. Stand up and show Her Highness properly!”
Willis didn’t stop her, and though Ofilia was called up and had no choice but to obey, her chest almost exploded with frustration.
Of course, if she had a chest.
Striking poses for this enemy? It was more painful than death!
Yet, to escape this cold-hearted family who treated her as nothing more than a tool, Ofilia reluctantly stood.
Her voice was soft and weak, filled with helpless anger.
“Your… Your Highness…”
“Yes, turn around and show me,” Willis teased.
Ofilia’s nails dug into her palms, but she still answered softly, “Yes.”
She slowly controlled her body to turn a few times and only stopped when Willis gave permission.
“What does Your Highness think?”
Rasser asked eagerly.
“Hmm, very good!”
Willis praised.
“A slender waist and full hips, perfect curves—truly a one in a million beauty. And a genius mage to boot, such a woman is undoubtedly a treasure granted by the heavens!”
If Willis had kept silent, it would have been fine, but after that, Ofilia wanted nothing more than to turn and leave immediately.
“Well then… Your Highness, since we’ve come this far, let me be frank.”
Willis straightened up. Here it comes, time to get to the point.
“My daughter may be good, but at this age she’s still unmarried, and I’m terribly worried!”
Such a clumsy excuse nearly made Willis spit out her tea.
Sixteen and “at this age”?
Then Willis herself would have to be called “aunt.”
Rasser continued, “I’ve been taking Ofilia around all these days to find a good match…”
“Oh? Has madam found a suitable family yet?”
Willis asked with feigned interest.
“Before coming to Your Highness, no.”
Rasser wasn’t foolish. If she admitted she wanted to marry Ofilia off as a concubine to General Taber, this proud and ruthless princess would have thrown them out immediately.
Of course, such matters would come to light if investigated.
But publicly, it couldn’t be mentioned.
“Before coming here?”
Willis persisted in playing dumb.
“Madam, what do you mean?”
“Your Highness!”
Rasser gave Willis a reproachful look. The old woman’s coquettish expression almost made Willis choke on her breakfast.
“You and I both understand each other—no need for these evasions.”
“I’ve heard Your Highness isn’t interested in men, only beauties… I have long admired your frankness and courage, and Ofilia has admired you for a long time…”
Pausing, Rasser finally revealed her intent.
“So, Ofilia and I have dared to come here to beg Your Highness to take her in—even as a concubine, she would be satisfied.”
Although Rasser’s version was the complete opposite of the truth, Ofilia dared not argue.
If she angered Willis, more trouble would surely follow.
Willis didn’t take offense at Rasser’s ‘accusation’ that she only liked beautiful women, instead looking at the uneasy Ofilia.
“Is that so, Ofilia?”
“Yes…”
“What? Speak louder, I can’t hear you.”
“Yes!”
“What is it?”
“Willis… please don’t bully me…”
Before she could finish, Rasser interrupted sharply, “Ofilia, mind your status!”
Helpless, Ofilia whispered, “I want to be Ofilia’s… beloved… concubine…”
“Hmm, I see…” Willis smiled playfully but gave a surprising answer.
“But why should I take you in?”
Rasser was stunned.
That wasn’t what she had expected!
She immediately shot a sharp look at Ofilia, urging her to plead quickly.
But Ofilia still had her dignity. Cursing Willis silently in her heart, how could she kneel and beg?
Damn you, Willis! Turn your back on me, I want you dead!
Ofilia trembled, tears shimmering in her eyes.
But Willis shifted her tone to an evaluation.
“Look at her, she’s beautiful, but her chest is so disappointing—not good!”
“And though she says she admires me, she doesn’t dare to look at me. Her gritted teeth seem like she wants to eat me alive.”
“There’s no noble air about her, not ladylike enough. The lines on her arms aren’t perfect, and there’s a mole on her back… cough, I mean, her back isn’t straight enough…”
“That slouching posture, I’d be ashamed to walk out with her!”
“Willis!”
Unable to endure being treated like a commodity, Ofilia snapped and charged at Willis, and the two soon tangled in a fierce struggle.