Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss-Chapter 29: Eating Lunch And Making Conversation

Ren retraced his steps to the entrance of the garden, where only Thorn remained, leaning against a stone pillar, arms crossed, a lazy smirk already in place.

This meant Elias had already left to join Lilith. That did bring up a question though.

Who is Elias?

He didn't remember anyone named Elias in Lilith's wiki, nor had the guard been in the game. The only thing he could say for certain was—

Wait a minute.

He froze. Lilith's first kill had been her nanny when she was a baby but that didn't count. According to her wiki, her actual first kill, which had been a mistake, was her guard.

Was the guard Elias?

Well, he'd just have to prevent that mistake from happening.

He shrugged, continuing towards Thorn and as soon as Ren stepped beside him, Thorn straightened, falling into step beside and slightly behind him as they made their way back to his quarters.

"Well?" Thorn asked, making no move to hide the amusement in his voice. "How did it go?"

Ren glanced at him. "She stormed off."

Thorn chuckled. "That bad, huh? What did you do?"

"I don't think I did anything wrong." Ren said, rubbing the back of his neck. "She kept pushing me, trying to get a reaction. When she couldn't, she got frustrated and left."

Thorn shot him a knowing look. "Ah. The classic 'I don't like what I can't control' problem."

Ren arched a brow. "You say that like you've dealt with it before."

"Not personally." Thorn chuckled, "but I've seen it plenty."

"Some people like to know exactly how others will respond to them. It gives them power over a situation. Lady Lilith probably expected you to fear her like everyone else. But you didn't, and now she doesn't know what to do with you."

Ren hummed, saying nothing.

"So?" Thorn smirked. "What's the plan now?"

Ren shrugged. "Patience. She's not ready to listen yet, but she will be."

Thorn nodded approvingly. "Smart. Keep doing what you're doing. You're either going to get through with her or get killed. I approve."

Ren shot him a dry look. "Helpful."

Thorn laughed again as they reached Ren's quarters. "Try not to get yourself killed, Lord Ren. I'll terribly miss having you around."

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Later that afternoon, a servant arrived, delivering an invitation to lunch with the Underwood family.

When he arrived at the dining hall, he found everyone already seated.

Lord and Lady Underwood sat at the head of the table, Lilith's two elder sisters beside them.

Lilith herself sat further down, stiff and unbothered, her gaze focused intently on her plate. The only missing person at the table was the eldest son and heir of the Underwood family.

"Welcome, young Terence." Lord Underwood greeted warmly as Ren took his seat. "I trust you have been settling in well?"

"Very well, my lord. The accommodations have been generous. I am grateful for your hospitality." Ren replied with a smile.

Lord Underwood gave a satisfied nod. "Good. We value strong allies, and I hope you come to see our house as such."

It didn't take long for the meal to begin and as he expected, Lord Underwood took control of the conversation.

"It is rare to see a boy your age already walking the path of Knighthood." He said with a smile. "Not many are mentally fit to take the trial. Tell me, how have you found Knighthood so far?"

Ren took a sip of his drink to swallow his food before answering. "It's a challenge, my lord. But it's rewarding."

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"I particularly like the fact that your growth is directly tied to your effort. You only get what you put in it."

"That is true." Lord Underwood nodded. "It is also rare to see young men your age take it this seriously."

"That's because I like how... honest it is. You only get what you put in. There is no discipline more honest than that." Ren said with a smile.

Lord Underwood smiled approvingly. "I see. And have you considered what kind of Knight you will become? Many young men follow their father's path, but some carve their own."

Ren inclined his head. "I have been considering my options carefully. There are many paths one can take with Bloodbinding. I haven't settled fully on one yet, but above all, I intend to make myself untouchable."

At that, Lord Underwood raised a brow. "Untouchable?"

Ren nodded, glancing at Lilith. "A Knight who cannot be struck cannot be defeated."

He didn't know if she was listening but he was curious about what she thought of that.

Lord Underwood studied him for a long moment, then chuckled. "You think beyond your years, young Ross."

Ren merely smiled. "I try."

After that line of questioning, Lord Underwood laughed boisterously and conversation picked up around the table.

Everyone asked him questions and he answered to the best of his ability, making himself look good. He needed the betrothal in place to keep the future safe. This was part of the work that needed to be done.

The only person who didn't acknowledge him throughout the meal was Lilith. She remained silent, stabbing at her food with a little more force than necessary.

Ren noticed, but he didn't react.

This was not the time or place for that.

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As soon as the meal ended, Lilith pushed her chair back abruptly and left without a word. The Underwood family hardly batted an eye, already used to her behavior.

She rushed to her room, slamming the door behind her. Her breath came quickly, hands clenched at her sides.

Terence Ross.

Why was he so calm? So composed? He had been tossed into an arranged betrothal just as she had, but there he was, smiling like it didn't bother him. He was infuriatingly unshaken.

Her mind kept circling back to his words from earlier. She hated that they kept rattling around in her head. Hated that they made sense.

She refused to accept them.

He doesn't fear me. That's the problem. He should fear me.

For her entire life, fear had been the one thing she could rely on. It was the one truth of the world.

People feared her, avoided her, whispered about her when they thought she wasn't listening. It made sense. It was predictable.

But Ren? He ruined that.

She gritted her teeth. If there's no fear, then I'll put it in him. Then the world will make sense again.