Chapter 334: 334: Your business [pt2]
Everyone in the hallway could tell that Lady Suzuki had been offended. Charlie Suzuki showed these emotions clearly on her face.
And for the first time, she made Sherina Tsurugi cautious as well. The words Sherina had said were just too stimulating for Charlie not to get annoyed by. And that showed clearly on her face.
"L-Lady Suzuki, please calm down. I did not mean anything by my words. But I honestly believe that a talk of marriage should take place between the bride and the groom-to-be. There is no need for us to interfere."
Sherina Tsurugi's words were ridiculous. She was the one who was trying to force this marriage and she was also the one who said that they should not interfere in this marriage.
How did this even make sense to anyone? But no one wanted to speak up against her since she belonged to the party host.
"Aunty, did you not say that the parties involved should be the ones to talk about this marriage? Then, why don't we ask Yoko what she thinks about this marriage?"
Sakura suggested and Sherina cursed in her mind. She had forgotten that there were more people here than just Lady Suzuki who would take her daughter's side.
"Now Sakura, I am sure that we don't need to do. We can ask Yoko for her opinion later. Let's not break the festive mood of this party. You might be the clan leader, but you also need to listen to the elders."
Akabe quickly stepped forward to reinforce Sakura's claim to the family head position. He wanted to do whatever was needed to keep her in the position. But Sakura saw through his plan.
"I am not the clan leader. It was a temporary position and now I will be handing it back to Yoko. This party was organized for that very purpose."
Sakura explained to everyone and the hall was busy buzzing with gossip. Yoko was enjoying this atmosphere when her eyes met Chen's. The man gave her a glance that said that he wanted to talk to her.
Maybe that was why Yoko got curious and decided to give this man a chance. She clapped her hand and a thunderous voice spread across the hall. People turned toward her as one and decided to pay attention to what she was saying.
"Everyone, I would appreciate it if you all quietly enjoyed this party. And mother, my marriage is something I will decide on my own so do not interfere."
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Sherina bit her lip as she looked up. She wanted to say so many things to Yoko, but she had to hold herself back.
On one hand, Amane knew that she needed to refuse this marriage. It felt too much like a trap for her and she did not like traps.
On the other hand, there was something familiar about Chen and Amane wanted to find out more about him and his past. An unfamiliar feeling was asking Amane to pay attention to Chen and listen to him.
The hall went quiet after Amane made her announcement. People waited for her to continue, but that was all they were able to do. Amane had already turned around and started to disappear into the crowd,
By the time both Charlie and Sakura snapped out of their dazes, it was already too late for them to catch up with Yoko. She was nowhere to be seen in the crowd.
......
Chen watched the whole chaos happen from the corner of his eyes. He did his best to hold back his laugh, but it was tough for him to do so.
These so-called elites were truly getting the show of their lives and they did not even know it yet. But the one that interested Chen the most was Yoko herself.
The way she talked and the way she presented herself, all reminded Chen of Amane, the one who had raised him before. It made a giggle bubble up in his throat and he suppressed it.
'Ah yes, she will work. I am sure that Yoko Tsurugi would be the best vessel to bring mother back. Their wavelengths match too much.'
Chen had always known that Yoko Tsurugi was a good vessel for his mother's soul to be brought back. But he had not expected her to fit this well.
He needed to talk to her to know more. Chen wanted to test Yoko out fully before he could commit to him.
So, when Yoko disappeared into the crowd, Chen kept an eye on her. He spotted Yoko quite easily and made his way toward her.
Yoko Tsurugi knew the second Chen stepped beside her. The way her eyes narrowed and the way Yoko looked at him were familiar to him. He had never been looked at with such a look, but Chen still felt thrilled to see the familiar expression.
"Can I help you, Lord Chen? Why did you seek me out like this?"
Yoko Tsurugi sounded bored when she struck up the conversation, but she was cautious as well. The way her eyes looked around for an escape made it obvious that she did not trust him.
This was the first Lady Yoko was not happy to see him or talk to him.
"Come on, Lady Yoko, relax. There is no need for you to be this tense while standing in front of me. I am merely trying to help you out. After all, we promised to be married soon."
Chen seemed convinced that he would marry Yoko. And somehow, Yoko could tell that his confidence was not unfounded. This man truly wanted to marry her.
But not because he liked Yoko or anything. Amane could feel that this man had his reasons for wanting to marry her.
"I am not interested in marrying you so you better not waste your time. If there is anything you want from me, then speak up. I am sure that we can get to an agreement without even marrying as well."
Amane held the terms out for Chen to grab. Any sane person would have jumped up at the chance to be able to get what they want and not lose their freedom.
But Chen was different. He did not seem to view this in the manner that other people did.
"Hmm, this is a great offer indeed. However, I still want us both to get married. Don't worry. I can tell that you don't wring my way and I don't swing your way either. We can keep out of each other's way."
Chen offered Amane and that seemed too good to be true. Not that Amane considered this marriage for a single second.
She was just trying to figure out what this man wanted.
"Is this still a 'no' huh? Then I will try my best to win your heart. But truly, think about it, Lady Yoko. what kind of man would tolerate his wife cheating on him and sleeping around with other people."
"I might be the only one whom you will find. After all, your charm is enough to make even the most uninterested people fall for you."
Chen reminded Yoko and she scoffed.
"When it comes to human interest, money trumps everything. If I marry someone and promise them money, then they would agree to be my slave. Under these circumstances, why would I marry you?"
Yoko Tsurugi's words took Chen aback. He had not considered most of these points up until now. And he had not even expected anyone to bring them up.
".... you are such an amusing person. Anyway, all I wanted to tell you was that I have taken a liking to you. I hope you will provide me with such fun puzzles all the time, my lady."
Chen grabbed Amane's hand and brought it up to his lips. The lingering kiss he placed on Yoko's hand sent a burning feeling up her spine. And not in a good way.
The mannerisms were something Amane was too familiar with. She could not help but bite her lip in frustration and ask Chen the question she had been meaning to ask him all this time.
"Lord Chen, did you know someone by the name of Amane? Someone who had the same abilities to tame beasts as I do? There is no need to get so triggered by my question. I was merely asking you this."
Amane did not move even as she was attacked. She felt the cold metal bite of the knife on her throat and Chen's eyes hardened in an instant.
"I do not care if Charlie Suzuki is the one who told you about that name, but you have no right to use it in front of me and with that mouth of yours. If you know what is good for you, then you would keep your mouth quiet for me."
Chen warned Amane and his grip tightened on the knife. This was only serving to hurt him out of all people.
'Stubborn fool. He was always single-minded and did not like to listen to me when I told him that he was feeling foolish. Looks like his habit of doing this has not changed even a single bit.'
Amane grabbed hold of Chen's wrist which made him flinch. But before he could do anything, Amane pried the knife out of his hand and held it open.
"Don't grip it too hard or you will damage your hands. And someone like you is too reliant on your hands to get by without them. So, be careful, alright? And treat yourself better than you already do."