Chapter 335 - Wolf in sheep's clothing

Before Eve arrives, the fox-clan was going through a period of great growth. Luise, the fox matriarch, is a bold and ambitious person who always wants the best for her people.

Despite being abused by werewolves and manticore people, the fox-clan has created many new villages in the past five years. The villages are always built around a huge tree with large brown leaves.

But now, with Luise being one of Eve's main followers, the fox-clan is growing incredibly fast, just like the elven-clan.

With the majority of the population as women, the fox-clan women have mainly focused on combat to serve as one of the Alliance's main army. At the same time, men, now downgraded to servants by Eve's feminist policy, work on basic village services, and help build new ones.

Arriving at the main village of the fox-clan, the home of Anne and Elsie's family, Lucien is surprised at how simple the architecture of the place is.

Most of the village is made of simple wooden houses, adorned with plants and some beautiful stones. Among the small houses, there are also larger buildings that are public places or are mansions of the most influential people in the clan.

Among the simple streets of sand and wood, Lucien can see many children happily playing while the elderly watch them. He can still see some a.d.u.l.ts, but they are just a few men doing manual labor and some women in guard armor.

The majority of the a.d.u.l.t women of the clan are patrolling the fonts or awaiting orders from Ghalenna in Viset. There are also the most talented of them who are destroying the Light Empire alongside Eve and Luise.

As soon as the ice sh.i.p.s reach above Eglia, the fox-clan main village, everyone gets shocked. As in Viset, the people start talking about the mysterious visitors, and soon, the whole village will only talk about Lucien.

But now, Lucien is focused on meeting Anne's parents and not exploring the area. His cute fox-wife seems too excited to see her parents again, and Lucien knows that she is a little concerned about her dad regarding Eve's new public system even though Elsie said he is fine.

Following the direction that Anne pointed out, the girls led the sh.i.p.s towards Anne's house. Everyone is surprised to see that, in fact, her house is very simple and also in a common area. Anne had already said that her family is very humble even though they share Luise's blood, that is, from the fox-royalty.

Something even more impressive is the fact that Elsie and Luise's house is next to Anne's. It is also a small and simple building, being far inferior to the houses of other influential people in the clan that has the best and biggest buildings of Eglia.

"It is admissible that the royalty of a place chooses to have a simple life instead of enjoying the richness of the Kingdom as most people do." Angela comments, knowing that even she, despite being a kind woman, was very fond of her luxurious bedroom in her big castle.

Elsie smiles. "The fox-clan is not a Kingdom, but a huge family. Our people share everything, and even though some seem to have more than others, all families here have the same rights."

Anne nods. "My parents are farmers, and they are happy like that. My aunt and Elsie lead and protect the clan, but they don't need personal wealth for that."

Lucien strokes the ears of both fox-girls while talking affectionately. "Still, as Angela said, this is admirable. If all n.o.bles were humble like that, life would be better for countless people across the universe."

Envy shakes her head while making a fake sorry expression. "Too bad we will never be humble like that because you will always want to give the best things of the universe to your girls and pamper them beyond all limits."

Lucien laugh. "I am a flawed man..."

"I would say diabolically sinful." L.u.s.t smiles seductively.

The group descends from the sh.i.p.s, and Lucien again releases his troops to explore the place and find inns to sleep. He always gives them gold so that they can have some independence from him, even though they are always together as a family.

While Marie and Lena take the troops to the ground and cancel the ice sh.i.p.s to rest and recover mana, Angela takes Lucien and his other wives to the front of Anne's house.

Anne and Eslie stand beside Lucien with the same excited and slightly concerned expression as if they are both going to introduce their boyfriend to their parents. Elsie even holds Lucien's arm like Anne.

Due to the commotion in the street caused by the presence of Lucien's group, Anne's mother gets curious and leaves the house before Anne can even call her.

The first thing the m.a.t.u.r.e fox-woman sees when leaving home is Lucien's big wings. Them may be scary for some people, but Anne quickly speaks to her.

"Mom!" She exclaims and runs to hug her mother, who is very similar to her and also has many similarities with Elsie and Luise.

The woman, who looks over fifty but still has her natural charm, hugs Anne tightly. "Oh, dear; I missed you so much!"

Anne's mother looks like a very simple person, but Lucien notices the sharp gaze that she gives him quickly before smiling fondly at Elsie. "My dear niece, come and give your old aunt a hug too."

Elsie reluctantly releases Lucien's arm and runs to embrace Anne's mother. "You are not old at all, aunt. In fact, you are still charming like grandma was."

"Hahaha... you flatter me." Anne's mother giggles, but Lucien notices again when she quickly a.n.a.lyzes his group.

Then she looks openly at Lucien while talking to Anne and Elsie. "And who are your friends?"

"He..." Anne and Elsie begin to speak together with a loving tone and bright eyes of excitement.

But they get shy at the last moment, and Lucien steps forward and bows respectfully to Anne's mother. "I hope you will accept me as your son-in-law."

Anne's mother can't help but be surprised at Lucien's incredibly attractive appearance. Even his voice awakens feelings in her that she hasn't had in years.

But she maintains a neutral att.i.tude and laughs sarcastically. "From the expressions of Anne... and Elsie, I don't think any word from this old woman would change anything, right?"

Lucien still maintains a bowed posture while speaking honestly. "In fact, I don't think that anything in this world or others can separate me from them, but I really respect the relationsh.i.p.s of mother and children, so your blessing is essential to me."

Anne's mother looks into Lucien's eyes for a few seconds and then speaks in an approving tone. "Respecting your elders is a good move. However, you will need much more than that to receive my blessing."

Lucien smiles at her and extends his hand. "Fair. Shall we get to know each other better then?"

"I agree." Anne's mother places her hand on Lucien's hand, and he kisses Its back gently.

Lucien's other wives can't help but compare that scene to how they meet. It seems that this is one of the few times that Lucien has a 'normal' introduction.

"Laure." Anne's mother speaks her name.

"Lucien." He responds with his name.

Then Laure looks at Lucien's wives with a gentle smile and speaks in a friendly tone. "So many beautiful women... please come in. Anne's house is small, but it will always be open to her friends."

Anne touches Laure's blouse and speaks in a timid tone. "Not just friends... they are my sisters."

"All of them?!" Laure thinks aloud, making her shock clear. Lucien is an extremely handsome man, perhaps the most attractive she has ever seen, but it is still ridiculous that so many beautiful and impressive women are his wives at the same time.

Laure tries to understand more of Lucien's character from first impressions, but everything is very impressive and confusing. She wants to believe Anne's judgment, and Elsie also seems to like him, but Laure still can't be fooled by just a pretty face.

Laure tries to hide her shock and smiles at the girls again. "I was not expecting visitors, but I will certainly prepare a good dinner for everyone."

Aria smiles at her. "We can cook for everyone. We still have a lot of delicious meat from the beasts that Oya and little Ko hunted with Lucien." The m.a.t.u.r.e harpy-woman smiles at Oya and makes a positive gesture.

Oya smiles, showing her sharp fangs, and Laura stares at her while thinking to herself. [Why does she look so much like a moon tiger?!?!]

At that moment, Lena and Marie return to Lucien's side after helping his troops to descend from the ice sh.i.p.s. Of course, both compet.i.tive sisters fly in huge ice birds, making a show to get everyone's attention.

Laure again is shocked, now by that demonstration of power. [Are they more powerful than the Queen's mages? How is this possible? From where did they come? Does Queen Eve know about them?]

She can't help but be worried. Eve doesn't want men to have any power within the Alliance, and that can be dangerous if Lucien is also strong.

"Let's go in, please. My house is small, but I will do my best to welcome you well." Laure speaks as she gestures for Lucien's group to enter her house.

The girls begin to enter Anne's house while Lucien waits beside Laure.

Anne quickly asks her mother. "Where's Dad? Is he okay after Eve becomes Queen?"

Laure nods. "Your dad is taking a bath. He was always a very humble man, a simple farmer. Queen Eve doesn't want men to have any power to mistreat women again, and I understand her. But only ambitious men had to change their posture while your father remains just a simple and harmless farmer."

When he finishes speaking, Laure looks at Lucien. "Yet, this is a dangerous time for ambitious and strong men in the Alliance. Queen Eve is very severe..."

"Indeed, she is. However, she also has a gentle heart, and few people know that side of her." Lucien answered.

Laure looks at Anne with a confused expression and then quickly shakes her head at Lucien while speaking sarcastically. "You seem to know our Queen very well..."

He smiles and nods. "I'm lucky to have her in my life. I couldn't get where I am today without her help and love."

[What the h.e.l.l is this guy's problem?!] Laure is furious as she thinks Lucien is sarcastic with her. He looked like someone nice a little while ago, but now he looks like a brainless idiot.

She speaks sternly. "You shouldn't be making fun of Queen Eve. If she knew about it, your head would roll, or someone will kill you before she even knows about it. You shouldn't even be here as-"

While Laure scolds Lucien, Anne panics, and Elsie quickly says something. "Wait, aunt! He's Queen Eve's brother."

"I don't care who he is as-" Laure takes a while to realize what Elsie really said.

Then she looks at Elsie with an incredulous expression. "He... Queen Eve's brother? That... can't be, right? That's not funny."

"He really is Eve's brother. Also, Amelia is their sister." Anne speaks quickly and points to Amelia, behind Lucien.

"That's how we met. The Queen herself sent me to help him be recognized as King of the Alliance." Elsie explains.

"King?! How is this..." Laure is even more shocked and looks at Lucien with a worried expression. She was so rude to him even though he was not disrespectful to her.

Lucien realizes Laure's concern and speaks in a respectful and friendly tone. "Don't worry about it. Also, I hope my big sis doesn't influence our relations.h.i.+p. I want to get your respect on my own."

Laure doesn't know what to say. "You are too good to be real, aren't you?"

"He is!" Anne and Elsie respond together while laughing because the situation was not really bad.

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