Chapter 594: How Many Sister-In-Laws Do I Have?!

Isabelle, clearly delighted to explain, clasped her hands together dramatically.

"This..." She began proudly, placing a hand on Avery’s shoulder. "...is none other than Avery—one of the lieutenants of the Holy Guard, a decorated veteran of countless campaigns, and quite frankly, one of the most terrifyingly skilled warriors I’ve ever seen in my life."

Avery rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, you don’t have to say that much—"

But Isabelle ignored her entirely, her enthusiasm only growing.

"She’s strong, fast, fearless, and can break through armor like it’s made of paper! And on top of that, she’s also one of my dearest friends."

She smiled fondly at her.

"We got close after I began my personal combat lessons under her guidance—on the Young Master’s advice, of course. He told me I needed to know how to protect myself, and I owe Avery for making sure I don’t die in the first five seconds of a fight."

Aqua grinned wide, clearly impressed. "So she’s your friend and your sparring partner?"

"Exactly." Isabelle said, nodding proudly. "And as if that wasn’t enough, she’s also one of the instructors here, responsible for teaching all these little girls how to fight and defend themselves."

"Wow, she’s not just beautiful but also strong and experienced." Aqua looked impressed. "I like her already."

Avery scratched the back of her neck, looking slightly embarrassed.

"You’re flattering me, Miss...Ah—I don’t know your name."

"Oh, right." Isabelle said suddenly, turning toward the others. "I haven’t even properly introduced everyone yet!"

She pointed at Joy and Maria before saying,

"This is Lady Joy and that’s her beloved mother Lady Maria."

"Wait—the Saint of Judgment and Sister of Compassion?!"

Avery’s eyes widened in genuine awe.

"The very same." Isabelle chuckled.

Hearing this confirmation, Avery immediately stepped forward, nearly tripping over herself in excitement as she reached out her hand.

"It’s an honor to meet you both! Truly, I never thought I’d have the privilege of seeing such figures in person, let alone speak to you!"

Maria laughed softly, taking her hand warmly.

"The honor’s mine, Miss Avery. I’ve heard about your work—training these girls and keeping them safe. It’s a remarkable thing you’re doing, and I truly appreciate it."

Avery waved her free hand quickly, flustered.

"Oh, it’s nothing! Really! I’m just doing my job. You should thank Cassius instead—none of this would’ve been possible without him."

Maria smiled knowingly. "Oh, don’t worry. We’ve been thanking him all day. I think it’s time we give someone else a little credit for once."

Isabelle covered her mouth, giggling as well, while Avery looked confused as she didn’t know what she meant.

Just then, out of the corner of her eye, Avery noticed a cloaked figure standing a little behind the group, a woman keeping her hood low and avoiding attention.

Her posture was a little too stiff, her presence quiet and cautious.

"Uh...Who’s—" Avery began to ask, but Isabelle quickly noticed where she was looking and knew that Carmela didn’t want any attention.

So, without missing a beat, Isabelle hooked her arm around Avery’s shoulders and cheerfully dragged her toward Aqua.

"Oh! Ignore that one for now—let me introduce you to this lady instead!"

She led Avery toward Aqua, whose posture straightened instinctively.

"This here..." Isabelle said with a proud little flourish. "...is Lady Aqua, the Archmage of the Five Elements, and the First Young Lady of the Holyfield Estate."

Avery froze mid-step, her mouth parting in shock.

"W-Wait, what? She’s...you mean—?"

"Exactly as you’re thinking..."

Isabelle smiled sweetly.

"...She’s Young Master Cassius’s older sister."

For a moment, Avery just stared—then, to everyone’s utter surprise, she suddenly leapt back and bowed so hard it looked like her head might hit the ground.

"S-Sister-in-law! It’s an honor to meet you!"

She exclaimed with all the enthusiasm of a soldier meeting a divine figure.

Aqua blinked, stunned. "Wait—what did you just call me?"

"Sister-in-law!" Avery said again earnestly, her cheeks reddening.

Aqua tilted her head, completely lost before hesitantly asking,

"Hold on. Why are you calling me that? I don’t remember having a sister-in-law like you."

Avery froze, eyes darting between Aqua and Isabelle like a deer caught in torchlight.

"I—I...that is..." She fumbled with her words, her face turning bright pink. "I mean—uh—well—"

But before she could finish, Isabelle stepped in with a mischievous smirk.

"The reason she called you sister-in-law Aqua is because Avery is also one of the Young Master’s women."

"Someone who loves him very, very much to the extent she makes sure to patrol around the mansion just to sneak of to see him."

"WHAT?!" Aqua blurted out, her jaw dropping.

Maria gasped softly, and even Carmela let out a quiet sigh of disbelief.

Avery, meanwhile, had turned as red as a tomato.

"Isabelle!" She squeaked. "You didn’t have to say it like that!"

Aqua blinked rapidly, her mind scrambling to process it.

"Wait, hold on—I didn’t know that! I thought I’d met all of Cassius’s wives and partners yesterday, but I didn’t see you there!"

Avery fumbled helplessly, but Isabelle, ever the helpful troublemaker, answered casually.

"Oh, not all of the Young Master’s partners live in the main estate, Aqua. Some of them have duties elsewhere like Avery here. She manages this district’s defense and training operations. She usually visits him at night when she has free time."

At that, both Avery and Maria blushed deeply, immediately understanding the implication.

"I—I see..." Aqua said finally, smiling stiffly. "Well, it’s very nice to meet you as well, Miss Avery. I hope we can talk more later."

Avery nodded quickly, still flustered. "Y-Yes! Of course! I’d love that!"

An awkward silence followed, with even Joy looking mildly uncomfortable as she muttered under her breath,

"I can’t believe I’m standing in the middle of Cassius’s extended harem."

Unable to take the embarrassment any longer, Avery clapped her hands together nervously.

"W-Well! The girls are waiting for me, so I’ll just—uh—go back to training them now!"

And like a startled deer, she turned and nearly sprinted back toward the training field, her ears red as a tomato.

As she left, Isabelle waved cheerfully.

"Goodbye, Avery! Don’t overwork yourself!"

Joy, on the other hand, exhaled sharply and said,

"Are we done here? Can we go now?"

"Of course, Lady Joy." Isabelle said politely, hopping back onto her horse.

The group began moving again, waving at the girls in the training field, many of whom waved back excitedly when they recognized Isabelle.

Once the group started riding again and the training grounds were behind them, Maria glanced toward Isabelle, her mind having a certain doubt after witnessing that scene.

"Tell me something, dear." She said softly. "Does Cassius truly have that many partners outside the estate as well?"

Isabelle thought about it for a moment, then smiled faintly.

"Well, I wouldn’t call them all ’wives,’ but yes—he does have several women in his life. Even I don’t know the full extent of it."

Maria raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Isabelle nodded.

"He’s a man of many connections, Lady Maria. Some relationships are deep and serious, others...well, let’s just say they’re more playful."

"I wouldn’t call him unfaithful, just...incredibly charming. He doesn’t seek love, but somehow, love keeps finding him."

Maria’s lips parted slightly in surprise. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

A tiny, unfamiliar twinge tugged at her chest as she thought that she was special when Cassius had proposed his feelings.

But now it seemed as if she was simply one of many women on his life.

She looked down, her fingers curling lightly around her reins before hesitantly asking,

"This may sound like a strange question..."

"...but has he proposed marriage to someone that’s he’s just met before? Like the very moment he met them?"

Isabelle blinked in surprise.

"Marriage? Oh—no, no! Definitely not!" She laughed lightly.

"Young Master is many things, but he doesn’t go around proposing to every woman he meets.

Hearing this, Maria’s face lit up slightly, a shy smile curling at her lips as she looked down.

"Oh...I see. That’s...good to know."

"Auntie Maria, you look awfully happy all of a sudden." Aqua grinned teasingly.

"I-I’m not!" Maria quickly turned away, flustered. "You’re always overthinking things, Aqua!"

Just as Aqua was about to retort and say something suspicious is going, Joy looked into the distance and said,

"I can see it."

"I can see the Devil’s Dens of Sins."