Volume 1 Chapter 139

Volume 1 + Chapter 139: Andai, Why Are You So Timid?

“Illicit money?”

Upon hearing these words, Andai’s face instantly turned ashen. She reflexively asked in a low voice, “W-what do you mean?” She clearly hadn’t expected Leah to say such a thing and appeared somewhat flustered.

However, her rebuttal seemed feeble, her tone softening.

After all, Leah wasn’t entirely wrong. How could a dragon have the ability to earn gold coins? These coins were obviously looted from human merchant caravans, by no means did they seem like legitimate income.

“‘Illicit money’… that doesn’t seem entirely incorrect either,” Andai thought self-deprecatingly, unable to help feeling a bit helpless.

However, dragons didn’t seize gold coins with the intention of spending them. It was because these things held a strange allure in their eyes. Gold coins shimmered and shone, brilliantly golden, undeniably captivating.

They piled the looted gold coins in their caves not only for show but also because the metal had excellent thermal conductivity and malleability. For dragons with massive bodies and hard scales, sleeping on them was more comfortable than any bedding. A gleaming, golden bed also added a touch of majesty—truly killing two birds with one stone.

“I don’t want illicit money. I want to buy that house with money I’ve earned openly and honorably myself.”

Leah’s words were firm and resolute, her tone revealing an uncompromising determination. Her gaze was clear, unwavering as she looked ahead. It seemed that no matter how anyone tried to persuade her, she wouldn’t change her mind.

Mira, standing beside her, couldn’t help but show a somewhat puzzled expression, seemingly unable to fully comprehend Leah’s stubbornness.

Yet, Leah understood clearly in her heart: this was the place where she and her mother had lived together and created countless beautiful memories.

For her, this home bore not just a dwelling but countless emotions and precious moments.

Therefore, she absolutely would not allow any taint, not even from a sum of money of dubious origin, to pollute this purity and warmth.

Leah’s abilities meant she had no need to rely on such illicit funds. She possessed sufficient means and wisdom to earn what she needed through her own efforts.

Although her personality could sometimes seem a bit single-minded, even stubborn, this very persistence was something she had learned from Eve since childhood through constant exposure—stubborn, yet never losing integrity.

By the time Leah brought Andai back to the exquisitely decorated luxury apartment, she had originally thought no one would be home tonight. Unexpectedly, she found the room brightly lit, warm light streaming from the windows and reflecting off the pristine floor.

What surprised her even more was the familiar, mouth-watering aroma of food wafting through the air. Leah hardly paused, without even taking time to change her shoes, as if drawn by the scent, she practically flew into the house.

“Mom!” Her voice carried unconcealed delight and excitement.

Hearing her daughter’s voice, Eve hurried out from the kitchen. Her steps were light. She wore simple, comfortable loungewear, her slender feet elegantly encased in sheer black stockings, stepping on cotton slippers, each movement appearing exceptionally graceful.

Her ankles and heels, wrapped in the black stockings, resembled exquisite works of art, smooth and lustrous like jade, appearing even softer and more charming with her movements.

“You’re back? Go wash your hands and get ready to eat.”

She said with a smile, her eyes full of tenderness and care.

Leah was stunned for a moment, the surprise in her eyes not yet faded. She then spoke up, “Didn’t Mom say you’d be back the day after tomorrow?”

She hadn’t anticipated at all that Eve would return home early.

“Because the journey wasn’t delayed much, so I came back ahead of schedule.”

Eve spoke while wiping water droplets from her hands with her apron, her movements gentle and practiced.

After all, with Anna serving as the means of commuting, the trip from that remote little village to the imperial capital, which should have taken several hours, now took less than forty minutes. Time had never felt so short as it did today.

Everything seemed arranged in perfect order. After returning, Eve didn’t have any urgent matters to attend to. Pipim had been taken by Zhizhi to the Lorraine family. Chancelianne and Alice had returned to the palace earlier due to imperial duties. In the empty home, the only thing to do was cook a meal for Leah. She knew clearly in her heart that Leah would definitely come home after work.

However, before she finished speaking, she saw a figure standing outside the door. It was a tall girl who seemed somewhat timid, her gaze flickering uncertainly. That slender figure, elegant posture, and familiar aura—Eve knew it all too well.

“Anna? Why did you follow me here?”

Eve couldn’t help but mutter softly.

But upon closer look, this pretty girl seemed a bit different from Anna. The two resembled each other, but one could tell from their demeanor that they were completely different people.

“Mom, let me introduce you. This is the maid I found. Her name is Andai.”

Leah’s tone was cheerful, a smile on her face, appearing particularly amiable.

She turned her gaze to Andai standing outside the door, gently introducing her to Eve. “Andai, this is my mom, Eve.”

Yet, Andai was completely frozen at this moment.

She stood at the doorway, staring blankly at Eve, her body slightly stiff as if rooted to the spot, not daring to step inside for a long time.

Her hands tightly clutched her skirt hem, fine beads of sweat already forming on her forehead. The whole person seemed somewhat ill at ease.

She opened her mouth as if to say something, but even her voice became choked, utterly unable to speak.

She only felt her heart pounding wildly. The woman before her gave her an indescribable sense of oppression, as if all her strength had been drained.

No wonder Leah was so strong, able to subdue me with ease. The answer to the question lies here…

Andai thought to herself in awe, her gaze growing increasingly complex. She finally realized the woman before her was no ordinary person.

Eve Lawrence, the genius of the witch family Lawrence—she was that fearsome, fiery-red witch!

“Andai?”

Eve’s voice broke the silence, carrying a tone of gentleness and inquiry.

She scrutinized Andai carefully, as if seeing right through her with a single glance.

Looking at that familiar appearance, Eve had almost guessed her identity. “She is… a dragon?”

She asked calmly, her eyes revealing a deep perceptiveness.

“As expected of Mom, you saw through it at a glance.”

Leah laughed, with a somewhat proud tone, clearly proud of Eve’s cleverness.

“I originally went with Sister Mira to earn a bounty…”

Leah explained the course of events to Eve, only concealing her purpose for going after the bounty.

As Eve listened, she looked Andai up and down, lost in thought.

And at this moment, Andai was being obedient in a way unlike a dragon, more like a little pet.

Without Eve’s nod of approval, she didn’t even dare to raise her eyes to look into the room. The whole dragon appeared utterly timid.