Volume 1 Chapter 105

Volume 1 + Chapter 105: I Preferred Your Arrogant And Unruly Self

Eve’s thoughts were slightly chaotic. She instinctively frowned, and her gaze began to turn somewhat unpleasant.

But for the old man standing opposite her, this was undoubtedly a dangerous signal.

The direction the situation was heading was clear to anyone with a brain. And this extraordinary woman before him, whose looks even rivaled the Empress’s… her name was actually Eve…

While this name was somewhat unfamiliar to the old man, it was still a name that rang like thunder.

After all, the empire’s upper echelons were basically all discussing the name ‘Eve’ these days, and what followed it was even more like a thunderclap on calm ground.

Even as a mere butler, the old man couldn’t help but take note.

The teacher of one of the Empire’s Three Pillars, Her Highness the Princess, the future Imperial Preceptor of the empire, personally appointed by His Majesty the Emperor—a figure with a future as boundless as the horizon.

The old man never imagined he would provoke such a person. One must understand that the future Imperial Preceptor’s status likely wasn’t inferior to his own family head, the old Lord Reynolds, a founding hero of the empire.

Moreover, the old lord had already retired many years ago due to health issues. Because he was a former founding hero, many people would deliberately give the Reynolds family face.

Comparing a frail, retired hero to a future Preceptor rising like the morning sun… the former seemed to fall a bit short.

At least if it really came down to comparing backgrounds, all currently serving officials would certainly lean more towards the future Preceptor.

What’s more, she was now also the teacher of Her Highness Princess Alice. To be able to teach that princess with her proud and aloof character spoke volumes about her personal charm.

By now, the old man was completely dumbfounded. He instinctively wanted to apologize and say some placating words, but considering his earlier unbelievable antics, the words stuck in his throat, and he didn’t know how to begin.

The current situation was a disastrous start, and this disastrous start was caused by himself.

Well, now he had stuck his face out for others to slap.

If it were just some nobody, perhaps he could still use the Reynolds family’s resources, power and influence to apply pressure. After all, the Reynolds family was a notable presence within the empire.

But Eve before him was exactly not a nobody. She was the future Imperial Preceptor, with the added weight of ‘personally appointed by His Majesty the Emperor’ in parentheses.

That substance was extraordinary. It was likely that even Her Highness Princess Alice would have to behave obediently and bow respectfully when meeting Eve in public.

And most importantly… she had just frowned.

Did that mean… she intended to drive the Reynolds family to extinction?

Thinking this, the old man before Eve—who had initially come upon hearing the commotion, and as a long-time family retainer and a senior who had watched the young master grow up, intended to blindly shield him—suddenly saw the light.

When educating a child, one absolutely must not shield them unconditionally.

With this thought, he quickly ran into the nearby Reynolds family carriage. Grabbing his young master, who was leaning against the seat, his head freshly bandaged and regaining some consciousness, he delivered a resounding slap.

“I’ve told you countless times that drinking leads to trouble! Leads to trouble! How many times has the old family head emphasized it, and you just wouldn’t listen!”

“This slap is me, on behalf of the family head and the old family head, teaching you a lesson. Your actions today have truly brought shame upon the entire Reynolds family.”

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Accompanied by several crisp slapping sounds, even Eve listening outside couldn’t help but frown.

Judging by the clear, crisp sound, those were real slaps.

Not holding back in the slightest.

“I say, Mr. Fu, no violence, please. Whatever you have to say, talk to your young master properly.”

“And when hitting the face, be sure to pay attention to the method. Hitting the head carries the risk of concussion.”

Carlo also spoke up to dissuade him, but neither he nor any of the Tribunal knights made a move to step forward to stop him.

A few knights even hummed little tunes and turned their backs.

Usually so serious, this time they unprecedentedly started discussing what to have for lunch while handling a case.

As if those crisp background noises were just like the pleasant, melodious birdsong outside the window in the morning—the most common background noise of nature.

It was unclear how long it lasted before that crisp background noises finally stopped.

Watching the old man, panting slightly, step down from the carriage, and seeing his slightly reddened palm, Eve couldn’t help but want to laugh.

Weren’t you quite arrogant just now? To be honest, Eve still preferred his arrogant and unruly self.

“He must be taught a lesson. This isn’t the first time he’s made this kind of mistake.”

The old man took a deep breath, then with difficulty forced out a faint smile, thinking he could finally say a few conciliatory words now.

But Eve clearly had no intention of engaging with him. From start to finish, she had been concerned with Umi and her mother, not even looking at him.

“We demand it be handled according to imperial law.”

The responsibility was now clearly delineated. The young master of the Reynolds family got drunk and caused trouble, used his power and influence to bully others, harassed innocent women, and damaged other people’s property.

Although the empire did not have the offense of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” as Eve mentioned, imperial law was still quite comprehensive. With more than ten thousand statutes, there was always one that applied.

“No problem. We will definitely handle the matter impartially. As for the compensation, a decision will be made after a formal trial.”

“You can rest assured. For a case this clear-cut, we can deliver a result by noon tomorrow at the latest.”

As Carlo spoke, he waved to the knights under his command, preparing to take away the Reynolds family young master.

The old man didn’t dare stop them in the slightest. Yet, facing the situation of his young master actually being taken away by the Imperial Tribunal, he couldn’t hide the anxiety in his heart.

If he were really thrown into the prison, the Reynolds family’s face would be completely lost…

But before the knights could act, a luxurious carriage swiftly pulled to a stop before the crowd.

Umi and her mother instinctively tensed. As for Eve, facing this unforeseen change, she showed no sign of panic.

She was just very curious. Young noble masters really were hard to finish off, weren’t they?

Was he like the only mandarin fish caught by a group of anglers sitting by the river all day? So many people came rushing to the rescue regardless of the cost…

A middle-aged man hastily jumped down from the carriage. He wore a crisp, well-tailored suit and appeared mature and steady.

His brows carried a hint of heroic and dashing, but because he somewhat resembled the Reynolds family’s young master, his face scored negative points in Eve’s eyes.

“Everyone, wait a moment. I am the current head of the Reynolds family. My unworthy son’s mistakes today are due to my poor parenting. I hereby first apologize to everyone present. I also apologize to everyone from the Imperial Tribunal for the trouble.”

“And also…”

“Ahem. Let me speak. It was my good for nothing grandson who offended Miss Eve. I should be the one to apologize personally.”

An aged voice interrupted the middle-aged man’s words.

Hearing that voice, both the Imperial Tribunal knights and the butler standing by with a deathly pale expression couldn’t help but show looks of surprise.