Upon meeting Baron Staples' current number one wife, Marcus quickly said hello and kissed one of that beautiful woman's hands, a level 4 Acolyte.

After Shelby's mother's death, Amy Staples took over as matriarch of the family.

As in some places on Earth, women in Polaris Realm could have their family names replaced by their husband's names when they married and became their first wives.

But only the first wife and matriarch of the family had this right. All others had to keep their previous family names.

Amy smiled at Marcus, who was always so kind when he came to visit her.

"Madam, I'm here on behalf of Shelby. She's been seeing a young man lately, and this has been bothering me..." He said in an embarrassed tone. "Some people are already starting to say bad things behind my back."

After hearing it, Amy's calm expression suddenly changed as she stopped watering the plants in front of her. "Oh?" She opened her mouth, not liking what she had heard at all.

"Can you tell me more about this, young Marcus? If my stepdaughter does something she shouldn't, I will punish her immediately." She said, not aggressively toward him, but toward her rebellious stepdaughter.

Amy knew Shelby wasn't stupid enough to betray Marcus or do anything she shouldn't have. Although she was a young rebel, the orange-haired girl wasn't stupid enough to get involved in a love affair while she was promised to young master Symons.

However, as a harsh stepmother who dealt with the marital affairs necessary for the growth of House Staples, this woman was willing to punish her stepdaughter because of Macus' accusation!

In Polaris Realm, the patriarchs chose the future of their children. However, the matriarchs handled the entire marriage process for children and stepchildren.

Amy wasn't Shelby's mother, but she was responsible for her and had complete autonomy to decide what she wanted as long as it didn't go against the interests of the Staples patriarch.

Marcus knew this woman would help him keep Shelby in line and smiled as he looked at Amy's mature body. "My fiance has been seeing a young businessman who recently moved to Millfall. His name is Vicente Fuller.

I don't know if they're in business together. Still, I'm uncomfortable with her seeing a young bachelor who recently even took her into his home in the middle of the night."

"What?" Amy turned and looked into Marcus' eyes.

She didn't like Shelby. The young woman's mother was even more beautiful than Amy, and even today, the Staples patriarch confused their names when he was drunk.

Not only that, but Shelby looked a lot like her mother, which helped keep her father's memory of such a woman, which greatly irritated Amy.

Amy wanted to get rid of the girl as soon as possible, and when she heard such nonsense, she couldn't help but get angry with her stepdaughter.

'What does that brat think she's doing? Going to an unmarried man's house in the middle of the night is unacceptable! Even if they're just business partners, it's completely inappropriate!'

She knew how important the marriage between her family and House Symons would be, so she looked at Marcus with a determined look and said.

"Young Marcus, don't worry. I'll take care of this matter with my stepdaughter as a matter of urgency. You don't have to worry about this anymore."

Hearing this, Marcus thanked her and would soon talk to this woman as he walked with her through the garden, telling her about his plans and how much he was looking forward to marrying Shelby.

Their wedding was scheduled for about two months from now!

After nearly 20 years of agreement between his father and the Staples patriarch, the time had finally come for the two houses to be united with this wedding.

As he talked about it, an event he was actually more excited about because of the extra influence he would gain than because it was the beginning of his union with Shelby, Marcus couldn't help but notice his future mother-in-law.

He really liked this woman's body and couldn't help but lust after her.

'When I take over my old man's position, I will taste this flavor...' He imagined as he walked arm-in-arm with Amy.

Nobility was dirty and full of betrayals. His father had never tried the wife of the Staples patriarch, but Marcus knew of some of his old man's adventures with the wives of local Barons.

As a Viscount, his influence was so great that he could do almost anything he wanted in this city!

...

The night passed quietly in Millfall with no new public clashes.

But that wasn't the situation in the underworld of such a city!

Every noble power had already taken a stand regarding Cesar and the Mazzanti family.

Most of them had changed their positions, but that didn't mean they were now friends with the rebel Cesar. On the contrary, if he made the slightest mistake, he would once again be the enemy.

All Vicente's men had achieved by negotiating with the local nobles was to keep them out of his way at the Martial Court while they expanded their operations.

If they succeeded, they would pay fees similar to what Defiant Tyranny had previously paid these houses.

So, with no more of the immense opposition they faced from Defiant Tyranny, the Mazzanti family had the best moment in town, having recovered all of their men who had been arrested the day before.

As a new day dawned, the operations of this previously disturbed family returned to normal. They also began to grow again as more merchants sought to become part of Cesar's territory.

Amid this, Rory commanded the beginning of his family's expansions, waiting for the right moment to switch positions with Vice so that his leader could retake command.

But while Cesar's situation improved, someone important to Vicente rode into town on a brown-furred horse.

He had black hair and was dressed in cold clothes with a large hat on his head.

His skin was bronze, and he had a strange smile on his face as he rode slowly through the outer streets of the city toward his destination.

'Vicente Fuller... Let's see what you have for me.'