Acting

Her smile was elegant, her demeanor impeccable, possessing a unique charm.

But upon careful observation, one could find a trace of stiffness hidden in her smile.

Evidently.

Today’s incident at the Alchemic Rose had left a considerable psychological shadow on her.

Everyone sat in the spacious living room, chatting casually. The atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Mona did ask about the reason for Black and the others’ visit.

Black, of course, casually made up a lie, saying that their Dragon-Slaying Guard patrol had happened to bring them here.

And they had been invited over by Kristine.

The matter of the evil spirits could not be known by too many people.

Especially Alvin.

Speak of the devil. Just as it was getting close to dinner time.

Kristine’s father, Count Alvin, returned.

He was wearing gold-rimmed glasses and holding several books, clearly having just come from the academy.

Seeing so many extra people in his house, and even Black among them.

Alvin was stunned for a moment, a flash of gloominess on his face, but he quickly returned to normal.

Although it was a good opportunity to eliminate the other party.

He knew very well that he could not make a move against Black here.

The atmosphere in the living room underwent a subtle change.

Seeing this well-known professor from the academy, both Irena and Jianye immediately stood up and respectfully greeted him.

“Professor Alvin.”

Even Leon restrained his usual liveliness and bowed quite seriously.

“Good day, Professor.”

After all, he was also a graduate of Dragonheart Academy and had to maintain respect for this teacher.

If nothing else.

At least on the surface, Alvin was a gentle and elegant scholarly noble.

He smiled and responded to the students’ greetings one by one.

His tone was friendly as he asked about their recent studies.

He also said that if they encountered any difficulties in their magic studies, they could come to his office to discuss them at any time.

It was impossible to tell if he was acting.

“And this is?”

Alvin’s gaze fell on Black, asking a question he already knew the answer to.

Black stood up calmly and met Alvin’s gaze.

Their eyes met, and complex thoughts flashed through their minds.

Black took the initiative to extend his hand, his tone neither servile nor overbearing.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Professor Alvin.”

Kristine was a little nervous and quickly introduced him from the side.

“Father, this is Black, the one I mentioned to you before.”

In her heart, both of these men were very important.

However, Alvin seemed not to have heard his daughter’s reminder, nor did he immediately shake Black’s hand.

He just kept staring at Black, his gaze scrutinizing and cold.

The silent confrontation between the two made the atmosphere in the living room a bit strange.

“Father?”

Kristine couldn’t help but call out softly again.

“Do… do you perhaps know Black from before?”

Only then did Alvin come back to his senses.

A gentle smile reappeared on his face.

But to Black, that smile lacked warmth.

“Of course I’ve heard of him.”

Alvin said with a smile, finally extending his hand and giving Black a perfunctory shake.

“A popular figure in the Dragonheart Daily. So young and promising.”

His tone sounded like praise, but a coldness was hidden beneath his words.

He held Black’s hand and continued.

“Kristine has told me that you’ve helped her many times before. As her father, I must thank you. I’ll have to trouble you to take care of my daughter in the future as well.”

This sounded like standard, polite gratitude.

But coming from Alvin, it had an indescribably awkward feeling.

Especially the last sentence, “trouble you to take care,” which felt more like a probing, superficial remark.

Hearing her father say this, Kristine’s pretty face immediately flushed.

She lowered her head in embarrassment and muttered.

“Father, what are you saying…”

Black’s expression did not change, and he responded openly.

“You’re too kind, Professor. Kristine is my friend. It’s what I should do.”

‘His tolerance is not bad.’

Black thought. He had thought Alvin already saw him as a thorn in his side, but he was so calm.

However, the other party probably still thought that he didn’t know about his relationship with the old Pope Randolph.

And was still trying to maintain the facade of a “gentle professor” and “loving father.”

At dinner time, everyone moved to the dining room.

The long dining table was covered with a white tablecloth, set with gleaming silverware and a variety of exquisite dishes, showing the proper style of a count’s house.

Alvin maintained the demeanor of a knowledgeable professor and head of the household, guiding the conversation at the table.

He mainly asked about the recent studies of the two students, Irena and Jianye, and showed concern for the graduate, Leon.

He once again warmly welcomed them to come and ask him about magic problems.

Irena’s eyes shone. She thought this professor was approachable and very concerned about his students, and had a very good impression of him.

Jianye didn’t say much, just nodding occasionally in response, spending most of her time eating quietly.

Leon, the chatterbox, on the other hand, was like a fish in water in this social setting. Although he came from a minor noble family, he was well-informed and had a cheerful personality.

He could even hold a conversation with Count Alvin, and the atmosphere was quite lively for a time.

In contrast, Lady Mona was almost silent the entire time.

She mostly just kept her head down, focusing on the plate in front of her.

Only when her husband’s gaze swept over would she have a brief moment of eye contact with him.

That gaze conveyed some kind of information that outsiders couldn’t interpret.

On the surface, it was a warm, harmonious, and polite picture of a noble family dinner.

However, as dinner progressed.

Everyone except Kristine gradually noticed a sense of disharmony.

The conversation between Alvin and his wife was superficial.

They seemed to treat each other with respect, but that politeness was too standard, too perfect, like two skilled actors playing a loving couple on stage.

All the lines, actions, and expressions were carefully designed and just right.

The only thing missing was the natural flow of emotional interaction.

To put it simply, it lacked a human touch.

Kristine herself might have long been accustomed to this family atmosphere and didn’t feel anything was wrong.

But Irena, Jianye, Leon, Land, and even Black, they were all people who came from normal family lives.

They could naturally feel the stiffness beneath this perfect surface.

Especially in one detail.

For a moment, the others clearly saw.

Alvin suddenly raised his eyes and gave Mona a look.

After receiving this look, Mona, who had been silent, picked up the serving chopsticks, a gentle smile on her face.

She put some food into both Alvin’s and Kristine’s bowls, her tone deliberately light.

“This is your favorite steamed codfish and smoked ham. I specially asked the kitchen to prepare it. Eat more.”

There was nothing wrong with this action and these words themselves.

But combined with the look just now, it immediately gave the whole act a sense of performance.