"I take it that you came here with a plan?"
Seraphina questioned as she glanced at Asher. Asher turned silent for a while and then,
"…that is correct."
"What is the plan?"
"Dreamweave."
"Huh?" Seraphina frowned in confusion.
"Vaan won't act against you unless he has the evidence. He wants revenge and honestly, with how he is changing, soon, the people in the Vesta Family would accept him and once that happens, he won't need any proof anymore.
Surviving in the Vesta City while a direct descendent of the Vesta Family sees you in a negative light, it is almost impossible. He might not do anything to harm you directly, but it will definitely cripple any potential for future growth.
If we want to avoid that fate, then we need to act as soon and effectively as possible. So-"
"Asher, don't twist your words trying to convince me. Just say what you want to say."
Seraphina interrupted as she looked into Asher's eyes. She didn't have time for these little mind games. This was a serious issue.
"Get Vaan addicted to Dreamweave and control him through it." Asher summarized.
"Are you kidding me?" Seraphina narrowed her eyes.
Using Dreamweave against a member of the Vesta Family? Just what sort of fool would try such a thing, Lady Astra would find out about it the moment her eyes fell on Vaan, and once that happens,
Everything is over.
Unlike Vaan, Astra wouldn't need any evidence, reasons, or something like that.
If you get on her bad side, it was over.
"That is the only option we have,"
"That option is going to get us killed, mercilessly."
"That's only when Lady Astra finds out about this."
"And you think she won't?" Seraphina retorted.
Asher, however, just looked into Seraphina's eyes and, "She won't if we do it correctly and you know it as well, don't you?"
"…"
Hearing Asher's words, Seraphina turned silent.
This time, her face looked more solemn than the time when Asher was talking about Vaan and his change.
"How do you know?"
She questioned.
"You are not the only one who knows how they work, Lady Seraphina."
"…"
Silence fell over the room.
"You can leave now. I need to think about this."
Suddenly, Seraphina spoke up.
Asher glanced at her expression and then, he stood up,
"Then I hope to see you soon."
Saying those words, Asher turned around, however, just as he was about to leave,
"Wait." Seraphina stopped.
"You won't mind if I do a thorough search on you, right? I am a bit on edge after seeing the recording crystal you showed me."
Asher glanced at Seraphina, then, he raised both his hands and,
"Of course, I don't mind. I rather like that you are being careful. It reassures me that the decision I made was correct."
Seraphina nodded, then, she walked toward Asher and searched his body, looking for any other artifacts he might be hiding.
5 minutes later, when she couldn't find anything, she nodded at Asher again, signaling him that he was clear and can now leave.
Asher understood and turned around again.
"Ah right, I will be coming to see you again, this time, it would be with those 5 friends of mine, we people would try to get something that could incriminate you out of your mouth and will be carrying these recording stones, so be careful."
"Don't worry." Seraphina nodded. "Where will you be going now?"
"To the Vesta Mansion, of course, I need to report how our conversation went," Asher replied with a slight smile on his face as he walked away.
Seraphina's expression didn't change after he left. She seemed to have been lost in his thoughts.
…
On the other side, Asher, who had returned to the Vesta Mansion after talking with Seraphina was patiently waiting for Vaan in the guest room.
"Yo, punch bag, how have ya been?" 5 minutes later, Vaan kicks the door and walks in.
Again, Asher wondered just how can one person change so much, he couldn't believe the man who was currently patting his shoulder while picking his ear with his pinky finger with another hand was the same Vaan who used to start stuttering in fear whenever he walked close to him.
"I have been well, Young Master Vaan…"
"So? You went to that woman?" Vaan questioned as he offered a seat.
"I did." Asher nodded.
"Did you get anything?" Suddenly, the jolly carefree aura around Vaan disappeared.
Asher's expressions changed as well.
This…
The way how Vaan completely changed in an instant, this was what made him so fearful of him…
It was as if this man had two different personalities.
One, a carefree thug who thought he could solve everything with his fists…
And second, the more hidden one, the cautious man plans all his steps to absolute perfection…
"You were right, Young Master Vaan."
Asher nodded.
"I realized that she was not answering the questions the way I imagined her to. She wasn't saying anything directly. Then when I took out the Recoding Crystal although she acted surprised, from her expression, I felt like she had already thought of that possibility. She is an extremely cautious woman."
Yes, Asher never switched sides.
What he did in the Stormweaver mansion, it was Vaan who ordered him to do it. Even the part where he revealed how he and his friends were being blackmailed, or taking out the Recoding Crystal telling Seraphina that Vaan wanted some evidence against her, Asher was just following orders.
"Have you managed to win her trust?" Vaan questioned.
"I believe so, yes. Though she did search me and tried to look for some other things that could put her in danger before I left, so I am not sure." Asher replied but hearing that, Vaan just waved his hand,
"Don't bother about that. That was just her way of telling you that she still has her eyes on you and creating a clear distinction in this relationship."
"She was telling me that I am the subordinate and she is the leader?"
"Hahaha~ That's correct." Vaan laughed out loud.
Seraphina… she reminded him of a very interesting character from his previous life.
The City Mayor of the city he lived in, Seraphina was just like that woman, ambitious, talented, emotionally strong, and scheming.
It was a pity that, unlike the Mayor, this woman was not on his side.
He would absolutely destroy such a capable woman, a pity indeed…
A cold glint shone in Vaan's eyes.
"Y-Young Master Vaan…"
Suddenly, Asher called out.
"What is it?"
"Did we really have to do it?"
"Hmm?"
"I am talking about how you told me to reveal your true nature to Seraphina. You clearly had the advantage in this situation because Seraphina was still underestimating you…
Wouldn't it have been better if you had kept her in the dark and used that to your advantage?"
"But that wouldn't be fun, now would it?" Vaan smiled.
"Fun…?"
Asher tilted his head in confusion.
Was this man really thinking about 'fun' right now…?
Then the time when he punched him so many times to the point his face was all bruised, was that also just him having 'fun'? Just what kind of person has this bastard become!?
"Also, who said that Seraphina trusts your words?" Suddenly, Vaan questioned with a playful smile on his face.
"Huh?"
"Sometimes, the best way to confuse your enemy is to tell them the truth."
"I don't understand…" Asher was confused.
Vaan just laughed. Then, he placed his hand on Asher's shoulder and, "Don't worry too much, punch bag. You just do what I tell you to, and everything will be fine.
Just know that there is no way we can lose this battle.
I have the biggest trump card one could possibly imagine."
*Knock* *Knock*
Suddenly Vaan heard a knock, a wide smirk appeared on his face and,
"Enter."
He ordered.
A familiar maid walked in while pushing a table with tea and snacks on top of it.
Soon, the maid then served the tea and snacks. Vaan glanced at the maid and,
"Thank you, Lily."
He spoke.
"I am grateful to be at your service, Young Master Vaan." The woman replied.
Asher glanced at the maid and couldn't help but be surprised.
The main reason why Asher had decided to stay absolutely loyal to Vaan…
This maid was none other than the maid who served Seraphina. The woman who took care of Seraphina and watched her grow from a baby who knew nothing but crying to the woman she was now…
A woman who was once absolutely loyal to Seraphina and knew almost everything about her…
And that woman now stood before him…
On Vaan's side…
Vaan practically had an encyclopedia who knew almost everything about his enemy, how could they possibly lose in such a situation?
Honestly, the decision of kicking Lily out just because Vaan said so… Asher found it stupid.
He knew how Seraphina was cornered and was practically forced to make that decision…
But still…
Losing Lily was not something Seraphina could afford,
Because now Vaan had Seraphina's biggest weakness right in the palm of his hand.
And that was what made Vaan so scary…
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