NOVPUB
Chapter 87: Terrifying... Well Not So Terrifying In-Laws
Zayn groaned into his hands. "I hate this. I hate everything about this."
Celestia beamed, pulling him up from his chair. "Come, my love!!"
Zayn dragged his feet as he followed her, mentally preparing himself for what was sure to be the worst dinner of his life.
...
Zayn sat rigidly in a chair, trying his best not to look like a man about to meet his doom.
Across from him sat two of the most powerful-looking people he had ever seen.
On his right was Duke Reinhart Velstara, a broad-shouldered man with graying hair and a presence so suffocating it felt like gravity itself was bending under his authority.
His deep blue eyes, sharp like a hawk’s, were currently boring into Zayn’s soul.
On his left sat Lady Eleanor Velstara, a regal woman whose beauty had clearly been passed down to Celestia.
However, unlike her daughter’s playful mischief, Lady Eleanor radiated an aura of terrifying composure and SHE HAD BOOBS.
She wasn’t glaring at Zayn outright, but the slight raise of her brow made him feel like a peasant who had accidentally sat on the royal throne.
And then —
"So, you are the one that seduced my daughter?"
Zayn immediately choked on air.
Celestia, sitting beside him, was sweating bullets.
"I — I what?" Zayn stammered, blinking in disbelief.
The Duke leaned forward, fingers steepled.
"Seduced. As in, lured her into your grasp with charm and deception."
Celestia laughed awkwardly. "Haha, Father, that’s a bit — "
"I haven’t bedded your daughter," Zayn blurted out, his brain short-circuiting.
The Duke’s eyes narrowed.
The air went deathly silent.
Celestia audibly gasped, looking at Zayn like he had just committed treason.
Zayn, only now realizing the implications of his words, stiffened.
’Oh no.’
But then —
The Duke suddenly broke into a laugh, his deep voice rumbling through the room.
He clapped a heavy hand on Zayn’s shoulder, nearly knocking him out of his chair.
"Hah! A man who speaks plainly! I like that!"
Zayn, still recovering from his near-death experience, blinked.
’Wait, what?’
The Duke grinned, nodding in approval. "Most men would stumble over their words, try to flatter me with nonsense. But you? You say things directly. Good!"
Lady Eleanor sighed, rubbing her temple. "Dear, perhaps refrain from terrifying the young man before dinner."
Celestia let out a breath of relief. "Yes, Father, you almost killed him."
"Bah," the Duke waved a hand dismissively, turning back to Zayn. "Now tell me, boy, what exactly do you do for work?"
Zayn straightened up slightly. "I’m an adventurer."
The room went quiet again.
The Duke leaned back, stroking his beard. "An adventurer, hmm?"
Lady Eleanor tapped her fingers against the table. "Celestia failed to mention that."
Celestia laughed nervously. "W-Well, it wasn’t important..."
"Not important?" The Duke raised a brow. "I’d say it is important, considering my dear daughter is dating a man who fights monsters for a living."
Zayn cleared his throat. "I’m, uh... a high-ranked adventurer, actually."
’Now is the time to cap!!!!!’
The Duke’s brows lifted slightly. "Oh?"
Celestia quickly interjected. "Yes! He’s actually incredibly strong! Stronger than most of the Royal Knights!"
Zayn shot her a look. "Let’s not exaggerate — "
"Oh, I’m not exaggerating," Celestia cut in, grinning. "Remember when you obliterated that dungeon solo?"
Zayn pinched the bridge of his nose. "That was one time — "
"Or that time you fought off twenty bandits by yourself?"
The Duke’s eyes lit up. "Twenty bandits?"
’Twenty bandits? When?!’
Zayn sighed. "They weren’t that strong — "
Lady Eleanor gave a thoughtful hum. "An adventurer and a warrior of notable strength..."
The Duke leaned forward again, eyes gleaming. "Boy, do you have any interest in becoming a knight?"
Zayn flinched. "Excuse me?"
The Duke grinned. "A man of your strength could do well in the Royal Guard. I’d sponsor you myself."
Celestia quickly leaned in. "Oh, but Father, he’s so independent. I don’t think he’d like being tied down, right?"
She shot Zayn a very clear warning look.
Zayn immediately nodded. "Yes, I, uh, cherish my freedom."
The Duke chuckled. "A shame, but understandable."
Lady Eleanor sipped her wine. "And how did you two meet?"
Celestia answered instantly. "Oh! It was so romantic! He saved me from a group of ruffians one evening when I wondered away from Arnold, and I instantly knew he was the one!"
Zayn almost choked. "That’s... not what happened."
Celestia kicked him under the table.
He twitched. "Uh, I mean — that’s sort of what happened?"
The Duke laughed heartily. "Ah, nothing like a damsel in distress story! Good man, Zayn!"
Zayn forced a smile.
’I hate this. I hate this so much.’
Lady Eleanor studied him closely. "And tell me, do you love our daughter?"
Zayn felt his brain stop functioning.
Celestia turned to him, her expression screaming ’Say yes or we both die’.
Zayn’s mouth opened.
Closed.
Opened again.
The Duke narrowed his eyes.
Finally, Zayn cleared his throat and forced out —
"...She’s very special to me."
The Duke hummed, nodding slowly. "A careful answer."
Lady Eleanor smirked. "But not a bad one."
Celestia let out a silent breath of relief.
Then the Duke suddenly slammed a hand on the table. "Well! That’s enough talk! Let’s eat!"
Of coruse the parents had their own dining dinner room, the mansion was just that big.
Zayn sagged in his seat, feeling physically drained.
The food was served again.
The conversation turned to more mundane topics — trade, politics, the rising price of magical horse feed (which was apparently a huge issue among nobles).
Celestia, seeing him finally lower his guard, leaned in and whispered, "See? That wasn’t so bad."
Zayn turned his head slightly. "I hate you."
Celestia grinned. "I know~."
Lady Eleanor suddenly spoke up. "Oh, and Zayn?"
He stiffened. "Yes, Lady Velstara?"
She smiled. "You’re always welcome to stay with us. After all, you’re practically family now."
Zayn nearly dropped his fork.
Celestia beamed.
The Duke clapped his shoulder again. "Yes! Visit often! Maybe next time, we can spar!"
Zayn wanted to scream.
This fake relationship had officially gone too far.
