1429 Sister-in-law

"Huh? What sort of question is that?" Miss Calamity's nose wrinkled and she almost pouted.

Varian thanked the stars that spending a night 'soothing' his wives caused them to sleep for the whole day. Even though they might've woken up already, they didn't intend to come out.

If they did and saw this woman's actions, only chaos would erupt.

Varian tried to break his arm free again from her grip but she didn't let go. Maintaining an awkward smile, he said. "Can we maintain some distance, please? I'm a married man."

"Huh?" Miss Calamity tilted her head in confusion for a moment before looking at his arm that she's hugging. Then, a devilish smile formed on her lips. "Why is your mind so dirty? So, it's true that you were flirting with Senior Sister's disciple too."

"…Once again, I'm asking you. Why do you call me brother-in-law? As far as I know, my wiv—wife is not related to you at all." Varian coughed and said in a serious tone.

"Tsk." Miss Calamity clicked her tongue, dissatisfied with him being 'formal' with her. "I guess you'll remain stiff like a statue unless I say it."

Varian didn't answer but his silence did.

"Senior Sister Isadora and I are apprentices under the same master. So, of course, she's my sister. You're my brother-in-law." Miss Calamity chuckled. "Did you expect it or did you expect it?"

"I truly did not." Varian's lips twitched.

Inwardly, he wanted to spank Isadora for hiding such an important connection. If she told him about Miss Calamity's character and past, he'd at least have some leverage over her in this conversation.

Now, he's blank and fully lead on by this woman who called him 'brother-in-law'.

"Leave that to later. I want to meet my sister." She looked into his eyes with an intense gaze.

"…"

Varian almost started to sweat and he subconsciously wanted to use his life powers to stop sweating.

But then he remembered that in front of him was a woman at the peak of rank 9. His actions of sweating or suppressing sweating would both be discovered.

'Fuck!'

"Why is your heartbeat rising? Why are you sweating? Why are you showing an awkward expression?" Like a gun firing bullets, the woman fired her questions.

Varian closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.

For now at least, this woman didn't seem intent on harming him directly. If so, he couldn't let himself be passive.

'Seize the initiative.'

"Isadora is in a critical stage of her practice. She can't meet you. Rather, she did ask when the hell are you going to reach the divine rank.

'Will she make me wait another millenia or two?', she said something like that."

Hearing him perfectly imitiate Isadora's tone and manner of speaking, Isadora stiffened.

Behind her thin veil, her face flushed red and she began to stutter. "T-T-That…"

Like a shy junior trying to answer a charismatic and experienced senior, she fidgeted and looked down.

'What the hell is this contrast?'

"I-I am much less talented than you, Senior Sister. I'm so ashamed of taking so long. Forgive me for not living up to your standards." A sincere apology, one that's perhaps held deep in her heart, was uttered.

Varian shrugged. "She'd be disappointed if you meet her without even reaching the divine ranker. I mean, it's been over 500 years. So, isn't that like a basic requirement?"

Miss Calamity bit her lip and looked at him with a hint of resentment.

If anyone saw this scene, they'd think the same. That he's a young man bullying a pretty woman and harrassing her with nasty words.

If only they knew…

"No, no. I'm your brother-in-law. Don't they say brother-in-law has great responsibility towards his sister-in-law? I don't allow you to shame yourself in front of Isadora. It'd also be a shame to my reputation."

The way he spoke and patted his chest seemed to imply that he fitted into the role.

"Well, it's not that bad, right? Even though senior sister is strict, it's been over five centuries. This is excusable. Just a meeting and I will go back to my training." Miss Calamity spoke meekly, trying to find an opening in a tough fortress.

"No!" Varian shook his head firmly, showing no room at all. "I don't know why, but she's gotten grumpier and stricter. She'd be way happer if you meet her as a divine ranker tha now.

Think about it. All this while, you're only thinking about your happiness, your desire of meeting her and your longing to see her again.

What about her? Shouldn't my sister-in-law behave like a responsible adult and think about her senior sister?

Or are you still a child who only does as she pleases without considering others?"

He didn't try very hard but he came off like an adult disciplining a child. Being an Emperor, he did have the aura of a superior. He just never thought the experience of being the leader of a mere province would help in lecturing a powerhouse at the top of a fucking kingdom.

"I-I'm sorry for being so carefree and childish! I'm still immature after so many years! Waah!"

Miss Calamity leaned on his shoulder and began to punch and pinch the couch, as if it could allievate her embarassment.

"But Brother-in-law, you're just like her! I mean, you're different, but you're also similar. Is that why she liked you so much?

She's even let her sister marry you! Oh my gosh! I can't ever believe my overprotective senior sister doing that!

But you're truly greedy! You're even flirting with her disciple!"

At her words, Varian could neither agree or deny.

Silence was the best policy.

"Anyway, I am just one step away from hitting divine rank. I'll meet her in a week or a year. But not longer than that. Hehehehe."

"…"

Varian tried not to show his surprise.

Thankfully, she hadn't reached divine rank yet.

Or all his lies would be busted.