Chapter 42: Troublesome {1}

Chapter 42: Troublesome {1} "A-Anyway, when is this auction?" Reo asked, voice slightly strained. He stammered it’s not because his scared towards her but because Clara had been staring at him with an oddly irritated expression just moments ago. Her arms had been crossed tightly, her aura prickling with cold discontent. She hadn’t said anything aloud, but the tension was clear. Something about him or rather, something about Althea—had clearly upset her. Caught off guard, Reo instinctively tried to redirect the conversation. Clara narrowed her eyes slightly, seeing straight through the change of topic. For a moment, she looked like she might press the matter. But instead, she exhaled—long and slow—and reluctantly let it go. She uncrossed her arms, her posture loosening. "Don’t worry," she muttered. "The auction’s one week away. You can stay here for the night... or longer." She added the last part with a second breath, quieter than the first. Reo nodded slowly, his thoughts already drifting toward plans. He needed More Points Specifically Making Andrea stronger and what rare items would be up for grabs. But in the meantime, there was something even more urgent to handle. Andrea. He needed to strengthen her. With her being Much Stronger invasion and Manipulation towards The others and the Union is Much Easier Her Hypnotize is Just Really usefull. That was the plan and suddenly a Cold Blue Mist start conjuring in The room beside Reo sit. A faint hum filled the air, like a whispering wind brushing past The temperature dropped instantly, a shiver running down Reo’s spine. And then, just beside him, Althea appeared. Her body shimmered into existence, wrapped in an elegant robe of frostwoven silk. She stretched slowly, arms reaching above her head—revealing the full arc of her toned and curvaceous form beneath the fabric. Althea’s expression was neutral—no, that wasn’t quite right. It was the expression of someone who knew exactly what effect she was having and simply didn’t care. She crossed her arms under her ample chest and tilted her head at Clara, her eyes like frozen sapphire. Reo eyes Twitched in Annoyance on how Being Troublesome she was. Reo blinked. "Althea... we talked about this. You’re not supposed to appear unless I—" Another flash. This time, the mist was not cold, but warm and golden, as though the sun itself had smiled into the room. The air smelled of honeysuckle and summer meadows, and the sound of distant bells echoed faintly. Clara turned, startled. Before her, standing radiantly, was a woman unlike any she’d ever seen—long golden hair that shimmered like liquid sunlight, amber eyes glowing with vibrant curiosity, and a carefree smile that promised mischief and passion. Andrea. "E-Eh? Who is this one?" Clara stuttered, inching closer to Reo and gripping the hem of his coat like a confused cat suddenly surrounded by Dogs. Before Reo could answer, Andrea pounced. With a delighted squeal, she threw herself at Clara and pulled her into a hug, arms wrapping around her like a long-lost sister. "Ahhh~ Looking at you Closer your Scent is oddly Familiar and You’re even cuter than I imagined!" Andrea sang, twirling a lock of Clara’s hair. "You’re Clara, right? I heard so much about you! Reo said you fight like a blooming blade and sleep like a stone. Is that true~?" Clara, caught entirely off guard, could barely speak. Her face turned red—not from embarrassment, but from overload. "H-H-Huh?! I—I—what are you doing?! Get off—!" Andrea grinned even wider, unbothered. "Nooo~ You’re too warm! i’m interested too you already~" Reo sighed deeply and slapped his forehead. Andrea’s playfulness was leaking out again. She was like a golden wildfire—bright, relentless, and always touching things she wasn’t supposed to. And worse, Reo had a sneaking suspicion that Althea had conjured herself first on purpose—just to annoy Clara. Althea stood to the side, a faint cold smirk playing on her lips. She met Reo’s gaze silently, her expression smug and sharp, as if to say "You brought this chaos yourself" Reo’s eye yourself again. "Really..." he muttered under his breath. "These girls... what even functions in their minds?" He sat back on the edge of the bed, watching the chaos unfold. Andrea was now poking at Clara’s sword calluses with fascination, asking her questions like "What technique or rather skill are you using? "Have you ever cut someone in half on accident?" "Why is your skin so soft for someone who Seems Always using Sword too Train?" Clara, meanwhile, was a hurricane of flustered resistance. "I—! Stop that! I don’t—! Why are you asking that?! I—Reo!" She looked to him for help, but Reo simply held up his hands in defeat. "I’d say she’s harmless," Reo said dryly, "but I’d be lying." Andrea finally pulled back, then sat beside Clara as if they’d been childhood friends. "We’re all going too stay here for this week, right? I need to get to know the other woman in Reo’s life~!" Clara turned even redder, her hands fidgeting on her lap. "T-This isn’t... I’m not..." Althea finally spoke, her voice smooth and cutting. "Don’t worry. You’re not competition." That struck Clara like a dagger to the pride. "Oh?" Clara replied, her voice shifting, cool and controlled again. The two locked eyes—one golden, one Crimson. The tension in the room returned like a rising tide. Reo slowly stood and walked to the balcony, pretending to admire the moonlight. He needed a break. A long one. Maybe a coma. From behind him, Andrea leaned into Clara’s ear. "Between us... do you want to know how Reo kisses?" "Wha—?!" A scream. A crash. Possibly a pillow flying. Moments Passed Not peacefully as Reo Finnaly stopped The Chaos Happening Clara eyes Burned with determination Having Reo on her own Room. Clara Planned had Been Made since Reo had Stepped in her Mansion That is Too sleep with him alone. And if Althea ever Showed up She would Let her stays in other Room but she didn’t expect another Women suddenly is with Reo Making her Caught off Guard. "His Sleeping with me! Get your Hands out him!" She retort clinging too Reo Arms with annoyed expression. Her usual Aloofness Gone Replaced By like a Spoiled Child as Someone trying too Steal her Favorite Toy From her.