I walked away down the corridor, leaving the beautiful snake leaning heavily against the marble pillar.
She was clenching her fists in absolute frustration, her breathing still shallow and erratic as she desperately tried to understand how her husband's pathetic adopted brother had suddenly turned into an apex predator holding her entire life in his hands.
Cassius thought he was the ultimate winner of this estate. But as I finally headed toward the grand marble staircase to wait for his gorgeous, terrified, and secretly excited wife, I knew exactly who was really in charge of House Valerius.
The quiet tap of my boots echoed through the massive halls, giving me a moment to really look at my new playground.
To call the Valerius Estate a simple mansion was a massive joke. It was a sprawling, self-sustaining fortress designed to show off the Duke's absolute power. Upgrading my mental map of the place felt exactly like unlocking a new hub city in a video game.
Looking out the huge glass windows along the staircase, I could see the heavy stone walls enclosing the outer compound. Over two thousand Vanguard Knights lived in heavily fortified barracks out there.
Even in the freezing snow, the sharp sound of clashing swords rang out from the training rings.
The ground floor served as the main social hub. It housed a kitchen large enough to feed a small army and a grand dining hall dominated by a ridiculous sixty-foot mahogany table.
Right below that was a premium fantasy-style onsen. It was a massive underground bathhouse built from dark stone, completely heated by submerged Fire-Attribute mana stones that kept the glowing water steaming hot year-round.
The maids and lower staff lived in a separate, heavily warded annex out back to keep them from mixing casually with the nobles.
Inside the main estate, the second floor was strictly for business. It was packed with administrative offices and private studies used to manage the Duke's massive northern territories.
I had just left the third floor, which was the designated heir zone. Cassius and Eleanor shared a massive suite in the East Wing, while my two arrogant older sisters occupied the bright, luxurious rooms in the center.
My own quarters were shoved all the way into the far West Wing, a very obvious reminder of my adopted status.
But my current destination was the fourth floor. It was the restricted VIP zone. Guarded around the clock, it was the exclusive, private domain of the Duke's three wives.
If I wanted to survive the next two weeks and farm as many resources as possible before my trip to the golden Central Continent, blackmailing my adopted brother's wife was only step one. I needed to fully exploit the true rulers of the inner estate.
The old Kael was always too timid to properly use his privileges. But the absolute truth, hidden beneath his old anxiety, was that all three of the Duke's wives completely adored me.
First Mother Morgana was a flawlessly strict traditionalist who managed the household's laws and discipline. To the rest of the estate, she was a terrifying ice queen. To me, she was just an overbearing mother hen who constantly checked to see if I was eating enough.
Second Mother Camilla was the estate's financial genius. She controlled the treasury and judged everyone strictly by their money-making value. Everyone except me. She completely adored me and was always looking for any excuse to throw premium goods and absolute luxury my way.
And of course, Third Mother Seraphina was the terrifying 8th Circle Mage who treated me like her untouchable favorite pet and the most obsessive one.
I brushed a piece of invisible lint off my dark tunic as I reached the top of the grand staircase.
I had decided to visit Second Mother Camilla first. If I was going to turn this estate upside down and prep for my academy arc, I desperately needed full access to the Valerius family vault.
Two heavily armored estate guards stood in front of the gold-trimmed doors leading to the fourth-floor corridor. When they saw me approaching, their expressions immediately twisted into matching sneers.
"Move," I commanded smoothly, not even breaking my stride. "Unless you want to explain to Second Mother Camilla why her favorite son is late for afternoon tea."
The smug sneers instantly vanished from their faces, replaced by a sudden flash of genuine panic. Every guard knew Camilla's financial wrath meant permanently slashed wages or worse.
They hastily uncrossed their weapons and stepped aside in stiff submission.
I offered them a mocking smile and pushed through the heavy doors, stepping into the luxurious, perfumed air of the matriarchs' corridor.
A few moments later, I stopped directly in front of the opulent, jewel-encrusted mahogany door of Second Mother Camilla's private suite.
I raised my hand and knocked twice on the heavy wood.
A brief moment of silence passed. Then, a smooth, incredibly melodious female voice drifted through the door. It was an elegant sound, dripping with lazy confidence.
"Come in."
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room felt exactly like walking into a royal treasury. It smelled like expensive incense, fresh gold, and premium rose perfume.
Towering shelves were crammed with heavy financial ledgers, and bright sunlight filtered through a massive stained-glass window.
Sitting behind a huge, glass-topped desk was the absolute ruler of the Valerius economy.
Second Mother Camilla was a breathtaking vision of predatory wealth. She wore a form-fitting, emerald-green silk dress that perfectly showcased her mature, voluptuous figure.
The plunging neckline of her gown was held together by a heavy gold clasp, drawing immediate attention to her flawless, creamy skin. A massive ruby pendant rested in the center, glowing like a drop of liquid fire under the light.
Her deep, dark auburn hair was elegantly pinned up, leaving a few silken curls to frame her sharp jawline.
Right then, she was reading over a long parchment scroll. Her stunning, cat-like emerald eyes were narrowed in cold calculation behind a pair of thin, gold-rimmed reading glasses.
With her perfectly manicured nails tapping against the desk, she looked exactly like a ruthless corporate CEO figuring out how to bankrupt a rival company.
I paused near the door, internally pulling up her character status sheet just to be completely sure.
Ding.
[ Target: Second Mother Camilla (Financial Matriarch of House Valerius) ]
[ Age: 65 ]
[ Favourability Score: 85 / 100 (Deep Affection, Doting) ]
[ Arousal Level: 0 / 100 (Baseline, Composed) ]
[ Current Status: Highly stressed by budget reports, relieved to see you ]
An eighty-five favourability. My smile widened slightly. The System was confirming exactly what I needed. She did not just like Kael. She held a deep affection for him.
The very second Camilla registered my presence, her terrifying, ice-cold aura vanished entirely.
She tossed the heavy parchment scroll onto her desk and gracefully pulled off her gold-rimmed glasses.
A vibrant, incredibly warm smile bloomed across her red lips, transforming her from a ruthless businesswoman into a purely doting mother.
Her emerald eyes sparkled with undisguised affection.
"Kael, my sweet boy," she purred, her melodious voice suddenly dripping with honey.
She immediately pushed her chair back and stood up, proudly displaying her stunning hourglass curves as she rounded the desk.
"What a wonderful surprise. I heard whispers about what happened at the ravine, and I was nearly worried to death. Come here and let me check you over."
She extended her elegant, jewel-adorned hands, pulling me closer so she could thoroughly inspect me for any hidden injuries or signs of distress.
I kept my gentle smile and walked forward, letting her pull me into her space. As I stepped within her reach, her cool, slim fingers immediately grazed my jawline, tracing the line of my cheek with a motherly softness.
She tilted my head to the side, her cat-like emerald eyes scanning every inch of my skin as if searching for a single scratch or bruise from the ravine.
Then, her hand drifted down, resting lightly against my chest, feeling the steady beat of my heart to ensure I was truly recovering.
A look of genuine wonder washed over her expression.
"My, my," she murmured, her voice soft and filled with awe.
"You seem so much more handsome and better than before, my son. The freezing air in the north usually makes everyone look so dull and pale, but you… you look like you have finally blossomed into the man I always knew you could be."
I stood perfectly still, letting her fuss over me with maternal devotion.
When my soul crossed over from Earth, my past life completely merged with the original Kael Valerius. His memories were now my memories.
I knew exactly how many times these three women had stepped in to protect the weak, anxious boy from the estate's vicious politics and his abusive siblings. Because of that complete fusion, my affection for them was not an act.
In this massive, ruthless fortress full of venomous vipers, they were the only ones who truly cared if I lived or died.
I genuinely loved them back.
I gently placed my own hand over hers where it rested against my chest. I was definitely still going to use her massive treasury to secure my future.
Furthermore, intentionally crossing boundaries and exploiting my relationship with my beautiful stepmothers to farm Taboo points was exactly what my System demanded.
But my mindset was perfectly clear. Taking her resources and farming points were just perks. Protecting their smiles and keeping them at the absolute top of this estate's hierarchy would always be my true priority.
"I am perfectly fine, Mother," I said, my voice rich and entirely sincere. "I am sorry for making you worry."
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