Reincarnated as a step-dad in a fantasy world

Chapter 328 : A moment

"I will trust your judgment," Freya nodded before turning to Maya. "Regardless of whether you win or lose, young lady, prepare yourself to be punished for making such a reckless decision."

Maya lowered her head in dejection and nodded. But moments later, her previous excitement returned as she beamed, "Come on, come on, we should leave now so we won't be late!"

"Sure, sure, we're coming," Amelia said, smiling as she followed the energetic young heiress.

Freya glanced at her daughter's departing figure and rubbed her forehead. "I hope that wasn't a mistake."

"I'm certain things will turn out fine," he reassured Freya before adding with a slight smirk, "By the way, you look stunning today, Freya."

He wasn't just saying it for flattery. Freya truly appeared even more radiant than the day before. What captured Alex's attention the most was her outfit—a sleek black gown that clung to her figure like a second skin. The dress elegantly accentuated her hourglass curves, with a daring slit running up her thigh, revealing smooth skin as she walked. A plunging V-neckline framed her ample chest, offering a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage.

Despite revealing part of her cleavage though, no ordinary man would dare ogle the matriarch...unless they harbored a death wish.

Alex, however, was far from ordinary. His eyes were practically glued to the generous curves of the matriarch, burning with unrestrained desire as he licked his lips. 'I can't believe I had both of these beauties in my grasp yesterday,' he thought, savoring the memory.

Freya blushed slightly, noticing his burning eyes, but she didn't reprimand him for that. In fact, she relished his attention—after all, she had chosen this dress precisely so he would stare at her. It pleased her to see that her efforts had achieved the desired effect, making her heart race slightly as his gaze lingered.

"You two coming or what?" Maya's impatient voice snapped them out of their little moment.

"Ah, yes, we're coming," Freya said quickly, recovering her composure before leaning closer to Alex and whispering with a radiant smile, "Thanks for the compliment."

"You don't have to thank me. I'm just stating the truth," he replied smoothly before adding with a mischievous grin, "It's a shame we can't steal a moment for ourselves right now."

Freya's blush deepened and she replied, her voice carrying a hint of shyness. "Well, if Maya's duel goes well, we'll head to the library so your sister can use the Tear of Knowledge. After that, it'll just be the two of us."

"I can't wait for that moment," Alex said with a grin, offering his arm. "Let's finish everything as quickly as possible so we can enjoy some uninterrupted time together."

"Mmm," Freya hummed softly, linking her arm with his, a content smile playing on her lips as they followed after Maya.

***

"The duel will take place here," Maya pointed toward a grand building in the distance, "this is the exclusive training center for all members of the Drazen family," she explained. "It's actually only my second time visiting this place," she added, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

Alex tilted his head, peering out of the carriage window to examine an imposing structure. The building itself screamed of opulence and didn't look even one bit like a training center.

Before long, the carriage rolled to a halt in front of the entrance. Curious gazes followed it as it came to a stop, but when those onlookers saw Freya step out, their expressions shifted to ones of reverence. In unison, they bowed respectfully toward the Matriarch, their faces solemn and serious.

Freya responded with a graceful nod, acknowledging their salutes with practiced ease. Meanwhile, Alex, Amelia, and Maya descended from the carriage behind her.

Before anyone could wonder about the purpose of their visit, the four of them had already disappeared into the grand training center.

Inside, they attracted the same curious glances as outside, but they paid them no mind, continuing directly toward the staircase that led to the upper levels.

'This world will never cease to amaze me,' Alex thought as he observed the spiraling staircase they were about to climb. 'They can create tools far more advanced than what we have on Earth in some fields, yet they still haven't invented something as simple as an elevator.' He sighed internally, facepalming slightly.

"Is something troubling you, Sir Arcanor?" Freya asked, noticing his gesture.

"No, everything's fine," Alex replied, shaking his head. "Actually, tell me more about this Filden's father. Maya mentioned that he's a pillar of the Drazen family—what kind of person is he?"

"More like a pillar of the principal branch rather than the entire family," Freya clarified. "He's one of the most vehement supremacists of the principal branch. He doesn't believe in the equality of the two branches at all. In fact, if you listen to him speak, you might wonder whether he even considers the secondary branch members to be part of the Drazen family."

Alex nodded thoughtfully. "And what about his level?"

"Last I heard, he was a low-level 5," she answered without hesitation.

"I see," Alex nodded again.

Soon enough, they stepped onto the last floor and to their utter surprise, there was a crowd of people already there, all of them surrounding a raised platform that looked like a fighting arena. The platform itself was large and spacious, its surface covered with a padded material resembling a tatami but much thicker and more durable, designed to withstand intense combat. 

One glance at the crowd of waiting people and Alex could tell that word about today's duel had spread among the members of the Drazen family.

Following their gazes, his eyes landed on a pair of men sparring in the middle of the ring. One of them appeared young, while the other looked more like a middle-aged man. Both sported the same striking orange hair typical of the Drazen family and moved with the precision of experienced fighters.

Alex observed them for a moment, studying their battle style closely. At that moment, he noticed that both men employed the same fighting style. With the clues he had, it wasn't difficult to deduce their identities. The younger one was likely Filden, and the older one, his father.

The fighting style they used was grounded and quite remarkably efficient for direct combat, but it severely lacked adaptability. It only took one glance for Alex to discern that flaw. 

'Don't tell me this is the fighting technique that kid has been bragging about,' Alex mused in stupor.

He couldn't help but think to himself that if this truly was the extent of Filden's skill, there was a good chance he might lose even to Violette, his youngest daughter with Lilia—assuming, of course, that Filden didn't unleash his full power and treated the duel strictly as a competition of skill.

Filden's sparring partner, his father, suddenly stopped mid-fight and turned his gaze in a specific direction before lowering his head respectfully.

"Matriarch," he said in a solemn tone.

Following his gaze, the rest of the Drazen members noticed Freya standing at the edge of the platform, her cold gaze sweeping across them.

One after another, they bowed their heads in unison, offering their respects to Freya. Well, all except one.

Staring beyond the fighting platform, Alex saw the always-smiling face of Frieda, who was staring in their direction. She harbored no intention of bowing before Freya.

Freya ignored her, focusing instead on Filden's father. "It's been a while, Forze."

"Yes, Matriarch," Forze replied, raising his head. "Not that it concerns me, but may I ask why Lady Freya has graced this training center with her presence?" he inquired, maintaining a respectful yet curious tone.

"It has come to my attention that your son challenged my daughter to a duel. That's why I'm here. Why? Is my presence unwelcome?" Freya's expression remained as cold and indifferent as ever.

"Of course not, Matriarch. You are free to go wherever you wish in this city," Forze replied, his tone polite. "It's just… I didn't expect the Matriarch herself to personally come here for what is, at the end of the day, a mere duel between children."

"That would usually be the case," Freya said icily. "However, I've been informed that a wager was placed on this duel—one that might very well influence my successor's position. So, forgive me if I don't see this duel as something trivial."

A bead of sweat rolled down Forze's temple, and he let out a hollow laugh. "Of course, Matriarch. The bet was merely… a playful agreement between youngsters, nothing serious," he said, attempting to downplay the situation.

"Wait, wha—" Filden began to protest, but a single sharp glance from his father silenced him instantly.

"I see," Freya nodded. "In that case, there's no need for this bet in the duel, correct?"

"Naturally," Forze agreed quickly, before adding, "After all, it's understandable that the young heiress Maya lacks proper martial prowess and would be reluctant to risk her position, given her… inherent weakness."

'Bastard!' Maya thought, her fists clenched tightly.

She wasn't the only one feeling this way. Alex, standing nearby, felt his irritation spike as well.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"A moment, please..."