Chapter Seventy-Four: Father

That day, Sakura Bell took her little cigarette holder and spent the afternoon playing cards with several distinguished ladies. After agreeing to attend that evening’s charity banquet together, she returned home.

Once back in her grand house in the Academy City, she took a bath and changed into a red evening gown with a low-cut back and chest. Standing before the full-length mirror, Sakura Bell adjusted her tight corset, smoothed her bodice, and admired her porcelain-white back, taking a moment to appreciate her own figure.

Tonight’s charity banquet was rather important—not only would several county senators attend, but officials from the Department of Magic would be present as well.

Yet none of these people were the most crucial; after all, they were all from the Foxes’ sphere of influence, mere business partners—besides, their wives, all strict and formidable, had close ties with her. There was no need to concern herself with their moods.

If there was ever trouble, it was always easier to go through their wives.

Thus, tonight’s true purpose was not socializing but introducing Osyclis to new connections—or perhaps eligible bachelors.

Tonight’s charity event would gather many young talents from across the land, a rare opportunity. To help Osyclis gain supporters, her little aunt had personally used Mr. Archie Belif’s connections to invite heirs of several prominent families.

She had mentioned this to Osyclis for days, but the girl had stubbornly refused, claiming those who supported her had impure motives and rejecting the idea altogether...

But as a princess, who could truly support you out of admiration for your abilities? Moreover, with no power or influence, what ability could you even demonstrate?

These young talents all came from great houses and matched her status. Their families could rival the Witch Queen’s. If one proved worthy, choosing him as a future partner would be no loss.

Then the Witch Queen could not marry her off to the Dragon Clan.

But neither Lufield nor Tyres interested her, and she didn’t fancy any of these young men either... It seemed she truly wished to marry into the dragon clan!

Always dreaming of relying on herself, insisting on independence and self-reliance.

How naive...

She was meant for great things, not for running a petty business.

Did she think reclaiming the throne would be easy? Without supporters, who would raise her to the seat of power?

Each great Witch King and Witch Queen family eyed the next generation’s throne hungrily!

Sakura Bell felt the weight of her responsibility tonight. She must drag Osyclis along for these introductions.

Thus, missing tonight’s charity banquet was out of the question.

But if her aunt had worked so hard and Osyclis just brushed it off—she’d see if Sakura Bell didn’t smack her bottom.

Seeing there was still time and the carriage had yet to arrive, Sakura Bell finished arranging her attire, tidied her hair, then brewed a pot of tea, carrying her cup to the living room to read some poetry.

But as she stepped through the living room door, her legs gave way and she nearly collapsed to the floor in fright.

There, in the living room, stood a faceless figure clad in black mage robes, hands clasped behind his back, engrossed in the surrealist paintings—some were originals by the master painter Barrow, truly remarkable works.

He observed them intently.

Sakura Bell cautiously set the tea pot on the table beside him.

Louis snapped out of his reverie, glanced at Sakura Bell, then settled onto the sofa, crossed his legs, and began patting his robe, sizing up the little fox.

Sakura Bell quickly flashed a fawning smile, knelt at his feet, and wagged her tail, her mind racing.

She smiled brightly, but her back was slick with cold sweat.

He had come, after all...

Because of her previous misunderstanding, many had believed the Faceless One to be her elder. When she later learned the truth, she found it impossible to explain. She knew this would not blow over so easily...

Yet Sakura Bell understood this could well be a high-stakes gamble—there were only a handful of true patrons in the world.

And those rare few who were enough to end all worries.

Here stood one such patron.

If she won tonight, she would gain a powerful protector.

If she lost...

The fur on her tail bristled involuntarily.

Having listened to Sakura Bell’s thoughts, Louis raised an eyebrow.

The Foxes truly were a bold bunch.

Their thinking was refreshingly unconventional.

Earlier that day, he had thought Sakura Bell was much like Osyclis—independent and strong-minded. He had expected her to stand her ground tonight and argue with him.

But Miss Sakura Bell by day and by night were almost two different people—a true contrast.

A cold voice echoed in Sakura Bell’s mind.

[Do you know why I’ve come to find you?]

After asking, Louis watched as the fur on Sakura Bell’s tail stood on end. Tears began streaming down her cheeks as she rubbed her eyes, softly sobbing. Then, in a coquettish tone, she said,

“I—I know. I used Papa’s name to make trouble outside. Papa is angry (sob).”

???

[Papa?]

Louis was baffled.

He pondered for a moment. In the common tongue, “father” could refer to many things—father-in-law, stepfather, biological father, old man. The term was quite flexible.

But he certainly had no daughter.

Yet, in the Foxes’ language, “Papa” seemed to have other meanings.

[Hmm.]

Louis gave a cold laugh, clearly implying that unless she clarified things, she would face more than mere embarrassment.

At the sound of that cold laugh in her mind, Sakura Bell shuddered and said, “Yes, you must be Sakura Bell’s Papa. You’ve always protected the little Foxes in secret, and (sniff), and you’ve helped us defeat so many villains, chasing away those who bullied the Foxes. So Sakura Bell has always suspected you were an elder of the Foxes.”

In her words, the “little Fox” meant herself.

[And if I’m not?]

“You’ve helped the Foxes so much—even if you aren’t an elder...” Sakura Bell lifted her tear-streaked face, wagged her tail, twitched her ears, and put on an innocent, sweet, silly expression, continuing, “It’s only right for Sakura Bell to call you Papa.”

She even pouted.

Louis was momentarily stunned by this logic.

Bold indeed. Nothing was off-limits. Not even death fazed her.

He guessed she had prepared for this day, with many words and explanations at the ready, just waiting for his questions so she could give a satisfying answer.

Louis believed she must have many answers ready to please him—after all, in the beginning, she may truly have thought he was an elder among the Foxes.

But what was the point of asking further?

She was merely a toy.

Whether she pleased him did not depend on reason, but on amusement.

If she was interesting, he would play with her longer; if not, she would be discarded.

Louis looked at his toy, sipping his tea slowly.

Seeing Louis remain silent for so long, cold sweat poured from Sakura Bell’s brow.

'It’s over, it’s over, it’s over!'

'This time I’ve gone too far!'

'I should have explained things clearly from the start, instead of all these twists and turns... boo hoo.'

'I even called him Papa, but he doesn’t like it...'

'My flattery has fallen flat...'

'He doesn’t want to hear my explanation now...'

'Everything is ruined...'

'Boo hoo... I’m going to be... I’m going to be... by him...'

With that thought, Sakura Bell’s mind buzzed, and she nearly fainted. She stopped pretending, stopped wagging her tail, stopped twitching her ears. Both drooped; she was now truly crying.

'Boo hoo hoo... what was it he said before about pity?'

She nearly sobbed herself unconscious.

'Boo hoo hoo... this fairy (sob) has suffered so much, and in the end couldn’t escape her fate!'

'I’m going to end up pedaling a tricycle for the Dark Moon Circus... boo hoo hoo...'

Hearing Sakura Bell’s secret wish to pedal a tricycle, Louis fell into deep thought.

...