Chapter 465: Seeing You Off
Chapter 465 -463: Seeing You Off
Fortunately, once his initial excitement passed, Master Shepherd remembered that today was the day his new concubine was to join the family. After the concubine served tea to his wife, he had her escorted to the bridal chamber, but he himself did not move.
Mr. Shepherd took the opportunity to say he was going to the front hall for drinks. Upon receiving permission, he departed.
Faye Yardley wondered, ‘Melisande brought me here for the wedding feast. Surely she won’t let me go hungry, right?’
Just as she was debating whether to get up and follow Mr. Shepherd out, Master Shepherd kindly expressed his gratitude to her. His thanks were simple and direct: a pouch of gold and silver ingots.
Since it was, after all, his wedding night, Master Shepherd left after expressing his thanks.
The moment he left, Mrs. Shepherd’s face fell.
She then ordered her servants to set out a lavish dinner for Melisande Shepherd and Faye Yardley to eat, saying she had no appetite before returning to her bedroom.
“Faye, eat up.”
“Okay. Is it really all right that Mrs. Shepherd isn’t eating?”
Melisande shook her head. “It’s fine. Mother isn’t upset because Father took a concubine; she just has a poor appetite.”
It was clear Melisande didn’t want her to ask any more questions, so Faye Yardley set aside her doubts and happily joined her for dinner.
The Shepherd family’s food was delicious, but what was even more surprising was the temporary attribute bonus she received after finishing the meal.
[Temporary Agility +2, Temporary Poison Resistance +1]
Faye Yardley could understand the agility boost. ‘After all, they did say this Dungeon could turn into a battle royale if things go wrong. But what’s the Poison Resistance for?’
‘Is someone here using poison?’
While they were eating, Mrs. Shepherd was in her chambers, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. She gently stroked her cheeks, her eyes holding not resentment or bitterness, but only an endless sorrow.
She had never expected to be her husband’s one and only love for a lifetime, but she had dreamed of a loving marriage built on mutual respect.
But…
She had always disdained using her looks to captivate a man. After all, when beauty fades, so does affection. She thought her husband would be able to see her inner virtues, and so…
She took out a vial of potion and spread it over her face. After gently patting her skin, she reached up and, with a smooth pull, peeled off a Human Skin Mask. What it revealed was a face of devastating beauty. She chuckled softly at the mirror, as if mocking the foolish idealism of her disguised self.
Just as he was about to step into the new bride’s chamber, Master Shepherd suddenly stopped. A smug, satisfied smile spread across his face as he murmured, “My wife has finally returned.”
He turned on his heel and strode away.
The new bride in her chamber couldn’t tell if she was relieved or disappointed.
“Seventh Concubine, the Master…” a young maidservant asked, her voice laced with anxiety.
“It’s all right. You go join the feast. I’ll be fine here on my own.”
“No, no, I must stay with you.”
The new bride shook her head gently. “I don’t need you to stay. Go on, and close the door on your way out.”
At her insistence, the young maidservant left, closing the door behind her.
The moment she was gone, a figure vaulted through the window.
Mr. Shepherd advanced step by step toward the woman on the wedding bed, who watched him without moving. He leaned in close, using his folding fan to tilt her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. “So, you wouldn’t be the Young Madam, but you’d rather be the Seventh Concubine. Are you happy now?”
“I’ve had my fill. Thank you for your hospitality, Melisande,” Faye Yardley said with a smile, setting down her chopsticks and dabbing the corner of her mouth.
Melisande giggled. “Don’t mention it! You really helped me out today. Come on, while there’s still daylight, I’ll take you for a stroll in the garden.”
As they left the parlor, Faye Yardley glanced back toward the main chambers. “Are you sure it’s okay not to let Mrs. Shepherd know?”
“It’s fine. My mother doesn’t really enjoy company.”
After following Melisande out of the main courtyard, they ran into several Otherkin wandering aimlessly through the inner residence. The Otherkin’s eyes lit up when they saw Faye and Melisande, and they moved to block their path. “Hey, beautiful ladies! Are you here for the celebration too? How come none of the Shepherds are around?”
While being called beautiful was nice, the fact that they were wandering through the inner residence without permission made Melisande’s expression darken. “Get lost,” she spat.
As that single word left her lips, Faye Yardley immediately felt the red lanterns hanging in the covered walkway glow a little brighter. The wind picked up, causing them to sway gently.
A moment later, a tall figure in red emerged from a nearby walkway. “Melisande, it’s time to see your friend out.”
“Yes, Father.” Melisande grabbed Faye’s hand and hurried past the Otherkin blocking their way. After a few steps, she broke into a run.
Faye had no choice but to keep pace; otherwise, she’d have been dragged along.
She glanced back and saw that the Otherkin were no match for Master Shepherd. He smashed their heads open one by one, sending blood flying. But the splattered blood vanished the moment it touched the walls, railings, and red lanterns, leaving no trace. Even the bodies were quickly decomposed and seemingly devoured by the manor itself.
One glance was all it took for Faye’s heart to seize in her chest. ‘Holy hell,’ she thought, ‘this entire manor is messed up.’
Melisande led her to the outer courtyard and then directly to the main gate of Shepherd Manor.
“Faye, it’s getting late. You should head home,” Melisande said. “Let’s see each other again when we have the chance.” She then pulled a handkerchief from her robes and offered it to Faye. “I embroidered this myself. My stitching isn’t the best, so I hope you don’t mind.”
With that, she pressed it into Faye’s hand.
[Melisande Shepherd’s Exquisitely Embroidered Handkerchief: When you encounter a terrifying Evil Soul, you can throw this at it. Of course, you can also use it as a regular handkerchief to wipe away grime.]
Faye looked at the handkerchief. Embroidered on it was a lifelike red peony. “Thank you, it’s beautiful! This is honestly the most exquisite handkerchief I’ve ever seen.”
Seeing that Faye genuinely liked it, Melisande beamed, then began hurrying her to leave.
Once Faye was outside the Shepherd Manor gate, the two large, black-lacquered doors, adorned with the character for “double happiness,” slowly swung shut.
[Congratulations on being the first player to earn the friendship of the head of the Shepherd Family and flawlessly clear Dungeon No. 7. You have been awarded the Title: First Friendly Person.]
Faye didn’t know what use the Title had, but as the gates were about to swing shut, she pulled a one-cubic-meter storage ring from her backpack. She tossed it to Melisande, who was still standing inside, smiling as she saw her off. “Melisande, this is for you!” she called out.
Melisande caught it, giving Faye one last, surprised glance just as the gates swung shut.
[First Friendly Person: With this Title equipped, all unfamiliar Otherkin you meet will have a starting affinity of +10. As long as you remain friendly, gentle, and polite, you will be granted priority.]
The next second, the system teleported Faye directly back to her raft.
[Server-Wide Announcement: Congratulations to player Faye Yardley from Veridia on being the first to clear Dungeon 7! She has been rewarded with Personal Reputation +500 and 1 Free Attribute Point!] (x3)
Golden fireworks exploded, bathing the area around her raft in a brilliant, gilded light.
[Congratulations, Player Faye Yardley, on clearing Dungeon 7. You have received: Twist Egg x2, Human Skin Mask x1, refined and virtuous x1, Mask x1, Energy Stone x1.]
‘That’s a lot of stuff.’