Chapter 218: Revealing Her True Self

Mira Blackthorn, stood silent, her expression seemingly thoughtful as Adrian's words settled over the room.

Her demeanor betrayed no hint of the tumultuous thoughts racing beneath the surface. Inside, however, Mira had already made up her mind.

Her misunderstanding—that the person who had effortlessly subdued her was a someone formidable, probably someone above 3rd-Class Awakened from Adrian's camp—solidified her resolve.

Though it was the Goddess of Fate who had intervened, Mira's assumption wasn't entirely wrong. After all, Adrian's growing influence extended even beyond mortal comprehension.

Feigning contemplation, Mira folded her arms and turned toward the window. "Your conditions are... unconventional, Baron," she murmured, her voice even. "But perhaps not unexpected. You are, after all, a man of considerable ambition."

Adrian nodded, watching her closely. "I understand it's a lot to take in, but I believe in honesty from the outset. Lady Mira deserves to know what her sister would be stepping into. I have already told lady Lira the truth and she had agreed."

Mira was shocked to learn that Lira had accepted despite knowing the truth.

Mira then turned back, her expression unreadable save for the faintest quirk of her lips. "Before I give my final answer, may I ask something?"

"Of course."

"Who are these women you speak of?" Mira's eyes narrowed slightly, her tone light but probing. "Surely, I'm not to agree without knowing their identities."

Adrian hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "I should warn you… the answer might be surprising."

Mira raised an elegant brow. "Surprising?"

Adrian sighed, steeling himself. "Very well. But please, don't be shocked." He drew in a deep breath.

"Isabella, my mother. Sophia, my sister. Seraphina, my aunt. Eve, Baron Mortimer's daughter. Rosalyn, the former wife of Baron Mortimer. And finally, Chris, my former personal maid."

The silence that followed was palpable, broken only by the faint hum of wind beyond the grand chamber windows.

Mira stared at him, her composure slipping as her rational mind tried—and failed—to process his words.

Her carefully curated mask shattered. "What the fuck?" she blurted, her refined accent dropping into something raw and visceral. "Are you fucking serious?"

Adrian blinked, startled by the uncharacteristically vulgar outburst. Mira's tightly wound propriety unraveled in an instant, and her true personality burst forth like an uncontainable storm.

"I—uh..." Adrian stammered, genuinely at a loss. "I didn't expect—"

"You didn't expect me to react like a normal fucking person?" Mira snapped, throwing her hands in the air. "You just casually drop that on me, and I'm supposed to keep a straight face? Mother, sister, aunt—seriously?"

Adrian stared at her, dumbfounded. "Well… incest isn't exactly something forbidden in our kingdom, right? Besides as long as there is love nothing matters right?" he offered weakly, his tone defensive.

Mira groaned, dragging her hands down her face. "Yes, yes, I know that. Bloodline purity and all that bullshit some nobles preach. But you? I pegged you as ambitious, not... whatever this is!"

Her sudden shift from decorum to blunt irreverence left Adrian reeling. "I—uh—"

Seeing his flustered expression, Mira sighed heavily, waving a dismissive hand. "Ugh. Excuse my unsightly behavior earlier. That wasn't… lady-like of me."

Adrian blinked again, still struggling to reconcile the fiery woman before him with the poised countess he'd met earlier. "It's… fine?"

Mira folded her arms, regaining a semblance of composure, though her sharp gaze pinned him. "So, you're not really joking with me right? I didn't mishear?"

Adrian shook his head, still unable to fully calm down. "No. You didn't mishear."

She eyed him for a long moment before sighing again, her shoulders relaxing.

"No wonder your sister won't respond to my advances. I thought she was just being shy but who would have thought, she already had you in her heart"

"What the hell? You were trying to seduce my girl?", Adrian asked her in shocked tone.

Mira then stared hard at Adrian, ignored his question, and with a sigh continued,"Alright. Let's drop the pretense, shall we? I fucking hate it."

Adrian blinked. "Hate… what? And before that, answer my question."

"This." She gestured broadly. "The 'Lady Mira Blackthorn' act. The prim and proper noblewoman. It's exhausting. Let's cut the bullshit, Adrian. Can I call you Adrian?", Mira once again ignored Adrian's question and made her statement.

"Uh… sure?", Adrian could only answer that, as he realized she didn't want to talk about the matter regarding seduction of Sophia.

"Good. You can call me Mira," she said, a smirk tugging at her lips. "It's about time someone around here addressed me without bowing or kissing my hand."

Adrian's eyes widened slightly, his perception of her shifting rapidly. "This is… the real you?"

Mira leaned against the table, her demeanor casual and confident. "Oh, absolutely. The whole 'dignified countess' thing is a charade. A tool. Just like this dress or the title I use to keep people in line."

Adrian exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "You're full of surprises."

Mira chuckled. "You have no idea." Her smirk widened into something sly. "Now, about your conditions… I'll agree. But I have one of my own."

Adrian tilted his head, intrigued. "Go on."

Mira straightened, her tone suddenly earnest. "This doesn't affect our cooperation, but personally, I hope you'll accept. Teach me how to seduce girls."

Adrian froze, blinking rapidly. "What?"

"You heard me," she said, grinning. "Teach me how to build a harem. I want beautiful women like yours."

Adrian stared at her, his composure cracking completely. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

Before Mira could respond, a mechanical chime echoed in Adrian's mind, and a familiar voice followed.

Ding! New mission:

Fuck Mira Blackthorn at least once.

Rewards: ??? (Depends on host's performance).

Adrian's eyes widened in disbelief. "What the fuck?" he muttered aloud.

Mira tilted her head, confused. "What's wrong?"

Adrian shook his head, trying to focus. "Nothing. Just… give me a moment."

Mira watched him curiously before sighing. "Fine. But seriously, think about my request. I want to seduce beautiful ladies like you. Teach me."

Adrian stared at her, equal parts impressed and exasperated. "You're unbelievable."

She smirked, leaning closer. "What? Our kingdom has no rules opposing same sex marriage. Just like you, I am attracted to beautiful ladies. Come on, help me out. We have such a great interest in common. Let's be friends that share same topic of interest from now on."