"And Elara, this here is Seraphina Stormweaver, she is uhh… a woman? A borderline friend maybe? We are quite distant, so I don't know what to call our relationship. Let's just say she is an acquaintance. An acquaintance who likes playing with some fun rumors in her free time."
Vaan spoke with a slight smile on his face.
Seraphina frowned, this was the first time Vaan called her a 'borderline friend', it was always 'my closest friend', 'the person who understands me the most', normally, Vaan would use any term he could to appear closer to her than he actually was.
Seraphina always thought it was his way of making him feel better about himself, so she didn't mind it, since it was actually good for her, she even sometimes nodded her head, accepting what Vaan called her.
Honestly, the smile that appears on Vaan's face when she does that is hilarious.
Today, however, it was different and Seraphina was taken aback, by this distant way of addressing her and those eyes that were putting her down, Seraphina knew this wasn't good.
If she didn't fix it, it would ruin all her future plans and Seraphina couldn't afford it, not when she is already so far ahead.
Seraphina took a moment to calm herself down, then she glanced at Vaan and, "It appears that Young Master Vaan is rather displeased with me,"
"Hmm? You think so? But why? It is not like I have any reason to be, is there?"
"If Young Master Vaan is referring to those rumors, then please believe me, I wasn't the one who did it. In fact, I was even trying to find out who did it so I could bring him to you and we can clear this together.
However, the information network of my family isn't as strong so I failed to do it. I apologize for my incompetence, I should have come forward and directly cleared your name."
"But you didn't do it."
"I actually came to the Vesta Mansion to discuss this with you and plan our future actions as to how to address this, it was only then did I learn that Young Master Vaan was involved in an accident and I couldn't meet you.
Actually, when I said I wanted to talk about some matters with you before, this was what I had in mind."
"So it was all just a misunderstanding?"
"That is correct, Young Master should know that I would never do something that could potentially harm you. I, as someone who 'understands the Young Master the most', would never even think about that." Seraphina replied.
Hearing those words, Vaan smiled inwardly.
'Haaah… Vaan, Vaan… you were such a fool, even if you wanted this bitch, it was just this easy, if only you were a little smarter, you would have had this bitch rolling around your foot doing everything you wanted her to.'
Vaan thought inwardly, pointing out how terribly stupid previous Vaan was.
Then, however, his eyes fell on Elara, then, he shook his head, 'But I guess that is a good thing for me, rather than this bitch, I would prefer this angel be by my side at any point of my life.'
"Well I guess this clears the misunderstanding then. We should definitely have a talk about how to deal with this matter, however, as you can see, currently, I am a bit busy, I will summon you when I have free time. You can leave now." Vaan waved his hand, it was as if he was trying to shoo Seraphina away, a disrespectful gesture, but there was nothing anyone could do about it.
Of course, Seraphina still didn't give up, "I believe it would be better if we settle this matter before it gets even worse, it has already been delayed because of Young Master's accident. I am sure Elara would understand, right, Elara?"
Seraphina glanced at Elara.
The red-haired girl lowered her head, then, she nodded, "Y-Yes, I believe we should handle this matter first, Young Master Vaan, we can always continue our dinner on anot-"
"First of all, That is Lady Elara for you."
Suddenly, Vaan glared at Seraphina with a cold expression on his face,
"Not only does Elara has a higher status than you because she is my Fiance, but she also has a higher Magic Rank than you,
So Seraphina Stormweaver, you better treat her with the respect she deserves, is that clear?"
Seraphina froze.
She couldn't believe Vaan was putting her down like that.
Vaan, however, didn't care what she was thinking and continued, "Second, when I ordered you to leave, you leave. I don't recall asking for your suggestion. Or is it because you think you are better than me?"
"N-No, of course not."
"That is what I thought.
Now leave."
Vaan ordered, this time, his voice was so loud that even the guards and the restaurant staff heard it all, and absolute silence fell over the place.
Seraphina was embarrassed.
She could finally understand what Vaan was doing. She was ignoring his actions all this while, thinking that he was the same gullible Vaan, now, however, she finally understood.
Vaan didn't like her anymore.
No, rather than like, it could even be said that he was now targeting her, treating her as an enemy.
A conversation about how to deal with these rumors? Vaan was already doing that by bashing her in front of everyone.
Why would he harass someone who he is trying to kick out? Was it because he was petty about the rumors? Heh, if those rumors were true, why would she approach him?
This was the image Vaan was trying to create.
"I will be taking my leave now, Young Master Vaan.
I hope you enjoy your dinner."
Not wanting to stay here any longer, Seraphina turned around.
Her eyes then fell on the man who was being held by the guards, "Let's leave. We will have our dinner some other day."
"L-Lady Seraphina! Don't worry, I can book another place that is as good as this one!" The man tried to stop her, Seraphina, however, just wanted to leave.
She needed to change her plans. She couldn't waste her time on stuff like that.
Seraphina left, the room Vaan and Elara were eating in suddenly turned silent. Vaan then glanced at his fiancé and,
"Elara." He called out.
"W-What is it?"
"You need to fix that attitude of yours."
"W-What?" Elara was surprised.
"Actually, just leave it to me."
"Huh?"
A wide smile then appeared on Vaan's face and, "Hehe, soon, I'll turn you into a lovely little gangster."
"G-Gangster?"
"Nothing, just continue the dinner."
Elara nodded and started eating. Their conversation paused since Elara was still a little intimidated by Seraphina's arrival, however, being with her for a long time now, Vaan knew how to flip the switch.
A single question about Magic and Elara would get into the zone and talk like there is no tomorrow.
Vaan chuckled as he saw Elara talking about the new 4th Circle Spell she was working on, the shine in her eyes and that excited smile on her face was absolutely adorable.
The dinner finally ended, Vaan and Elara returned to the Vesta Mansion and ended their day.
…
"Vaan!"
The next day, while Vaan was studying in his room, working on some new Instant Spells related to Fire and Water with the help of Flamey and Splashy, Astra barged into his room.
"What happened, mother? Barging into my room like this, that is quite unlike you." Vaan questioned with a polite smile on his face.
Astra, however, wasn't in the mood for any jokes,
"What is this?" She questioned as showed Vaan a piece of paper titled, 'Vaan Astra Vesta's reply to the recent rumors.'
"Hmm? Didn't you say our family image was important? I am just acting on your words and giving a public reply addressing the rumors that are harming our family image." Vaan replied.
The paper in Astra's hand was the city-wide 'answer' he had Alaric distribute everywhere. He thought it would impress his mother, however, Astra didn't seem pleased at all.
"About the recent rumors about me, I did not do it. Those rumors are false. Do I have a way to prove it? I do not care enough to prove it. Anyone who has a problem with it, he or she can challenge me to Magic Duel next week, that is 25/Augusta/5039.
I am a 2nd Circle Mage, any mages who are 2nd Circle or less, I will battle you fairly. As for mages above that level,
Instant Spells will be used in that battle.
Keep in mind, the Magic Duel wouldn't be for free, if you win, I will write a public apology the way you want me to and will even give you 50 Elemental Stones, however, if I win, you will be handing over your entire Spell Directories to me.
Choose wisely."
Astra read out the entire announcement, then, she glared at Vaan and,
"Let's not even talk about how informal and crude this is, but a public challenge!? What are you thinking!?"
"Well, Elara was the one who suggested this." Vaan simply passed the burning ball and as he did, Astra blinked in surprise, unable to process what she just heard.
"E-Elara did?"
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