Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world-Chapter 357: Funeral

Eira tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at him . "So... coming to the main question, what exactly were you doing with my mom?"

Brandon blinked, his expression momentarily blank. "Huh?"

She leaned in a little "Going out with her at nights? Since when did that start?"

He froze for a moment, trying to think of a way to phrase his words that wouldn’t sound immediately suspicious.

"...Well," he began slowly, scratching the back of his neck, "it’s just that... she was feeling down, so I... went out with her for a bit. That’s all."

Eira raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Mm-hm," she murmured, leaning closer until her nose almost brushed his. "That’s all?"

He gave a small, nervous laugh and nodded earnestly "Yeah, that’s all, Eira. Just a walk. Talked a little. Nothing more."

"Hmm..." Humming under her breath, she looked at him closely.

For a moment, he thought she was going to call him out.

But then, to his surprise, her expression softened, and a quiet giggle slipped past her lips.

"I see. Well, I am glad she is getting along with you..."

Before he could respond, she closed the remaining distance and pressed her lips against his.

Eira’s fingers slid up to the back of his neck, threading through his hair, pulling him closer as she deepened the kiss.

Inside, Brandon cursed silently ’Fuck...’

He closed his eyes, letting himself melt into the moment, knowing that he was lying to someone who trusts him completely and loves him without hesitation.

And yet, he couldn’t bring himself to tell her the truth.

When she finally drew back, her breath brushed his cheek, and a faint, knowing smile curved her lips looking at him ’What a bad liar you are...’

She knew. Maybe not all the details, but enough.

The hesitance in his voice and the faint tremble in his tone... it told her everything.

Still smiling, she leaned forward again and gently sucked on his lower lip ’I will wait... until you find the courage to admit it and tell me about it.’

Brandon exhaled slowly as a sense of guilt tightened on his chest, thinking how she would feel if she came to know that he loves her mother.

---

Two days passed quickly-

The afternoon sky hung low with a heavy, bruised tint of gray.

A faint breeze whispered through the cypresses lining the hill, shivering their dark leaves as the mourners gathered around the marble grave.

It is the day of Henriette Bleaufort’s funeral.

Rows of black ethercrafts and armored convoys lined the path leading to the cemetery.

Nobles and matriarchs from the Great Houses had come because the Bleaufort name demanded respect, even in death.

Florence stood at the front, and the black veil draped over her hair fluttered faintly in the wind as she stood there with her hands clasped in front of her.

She looked every bit the dignified daughter of a Great House, poised and graceful, even as they lowered her mother’s coffin into the ground.

Beside her, Eira was standing with her head lowered.

And then there was Kiera, standing there with a composed face as she looked at the funeral.

Brandon stood a few paces behind them, dressed in a dark suit with his hair neatly tied back.

His gaze lingered briefly on Florence and each time someone offered condolences, she nodded mechanically, repeating, "Thank you for coming."

Protective ether barriers had been raised by the attendants to keep the ceremony private, ensuring the press or lower nobility wouldn’t intrude.

But within that quiet dome, Matriarchs of the Five Great Houses, high-ranking Church representatives, military officers, and government officials were standing.

The Holy Church of Rhéanne had even sent their Triarch.

One of the Triarch women stepped forward "May her soul find peace beyond the Veil, and her sins be weighed with mercy."

Florence’s lips parted faintly and her eyes flickered at the mention of mercy.

Henriette had been powerful, ruthless, and feared by nearly everyone who stood here today.

For some, this funeral wasn’t mourning... it was quiet relief.

Brandon’s gaze lowered to the grave, and he remembered the blood on his hands.

Eira glanced sideways at him, and their eyes met for a brief second ’I’m here. Don’t think about it now.’

Kiera stepped forward, and she had a single white lily in her hand.

Placing it on the coffin, she whispered something no one could hear before she straightened again.

Florence followed and laid a small pendant on the coffin, the same pendant Henriette has been wearing since Florence was a child.

The priestess gave a final blessing, and with a low hum, the coffin descended into the earth.

One by one, the guests began stepping forward to offer condolences.

"Lady Florence, your mother was a formidable woman."

"She will be remembered."

"She raised a fine family."

Florence nodded to each with the same polite grace, but her gaze flickered occasionally to Eira, to Kiera, and once, fleetingly, to Brandon.

As the crowd began to disperse, Brandon stayed a little longer, watching as Florence stared at the grave long after the others had turned away.

The wind tugged at her veil again, revealing a single tear she hastily brushed away.

For the first time since the ceremony began, she whispered, "Rest now, Mother."

---

The quiet cemetery had almost emptied by now, with only a few people remaining.

Brandon stood alone beneath one of the tall trees that bordered the hill as he looked down toward Henriette’s grave with a distant gaze.

He exhaled slowly and his breath was visible in the cool air. "It’s over..." he murmured to himself.

The faint crunch of gravel behind him made him turn his head slightly ’Who?’

When he looked toward the sound, his gaze fell upon a woman he didn’t recognize at first glance.

Her long black hair cascaded down her back and she had black eyes with a quiet smile lingering on her lips.

Reaching him, she spoke in a soft voice "Hello, Mr. Brandon. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you."

Brandon straightened slightly from the tree "You are..."

"Oh, how rude of me," she said smoothly in an almost teasing tone "I forgot to introduce myself."

"I am Maevrith Le Vörtdämmerung. The matriarch of House Vernhail."

Brandon frowned slightly ’Naevora’s mother... Charlotte already told me to be careful with her.’

’If I remember correctly... this should be one of her clones.’

Forcing his tension into a polite smile, Brandon nodded slightly. "It’s good to meet you too, Miss Maevrith."

Her eyes softened at the formal address "My, how polite."

For a moment, neither spoke. The wind rustled through the trees again, and a few petals drifted between them.

Then Maevrith smiled faintly "Naevora told me you’ve been... interesting to watch."

Brandon’s expression remained neutral. "She’s been helping me. Teaching me."

"I’m aware." Maevrith replied.

He exhaled quietly and said, "If you came all this way just to meet me, then... I suppose I should at least ask... why?"

Maevrith’s lips curved into a subtle smile "Nothing much, Mr.Brandon. I just wanted to see the only male awakener in pers-"

Suddenly her body stiffened and a powerful pressure enveloped her, making her eyes widen in shock ’Wha-’

Hm? Brandon squinted and turned his gaze further behind Maevrith and saw the woman standing there in black clothes "Charlotte."

In one blink, Charlotte appeared beside Maevrith and raised her leg, kicking the woman straight in the face.

*THOOM*

Her heel crashed into her face and Maevrith’s head turned to the left as a painful grunt escaped her lips "Guagh-"

Raising her elbow, Charlotte smashed Maevrith’s face.

*crack*

Cracks formed on Maevrith’s body, and it broke into small fragments.

The clone shattered into a cascade of shards that disintegrated into fading mist.

Ehh? Brandon sighed, brushing a few specks of ether dust off his coat. "...You didn’t have to go that far, Big Sister." he murmured dryly.

Charlotte flicked her fingers, dispelling the last trace of lingering ether and turned to Brandon "Don’t deal with her... she can be tricky."

With a chuckle, he stepped forward and hugged her tightly "Hmm, why should I be worried when I have a reliable big sister like you?"

She blushed upon hearing this, and her arms came up slowly, almost hesitant at first, then settled around his back as she returned the hug.

The faint scent of his hair, the warmth pressing against her chest... she could feel the steady rhythm of his heart through his shirt.

He raised his hand and gently pulled the collar on her coat to look at her neck and the delicate collarbone "The hickeys are gone..."

She nodded faintly, looking into his eyes "Mhm."

Brandon hummed in thought, then leaned a little closer, his breath brushing against her ear as he whispered, "Maybe I should give some more later."

The blush on her cheeks deepened, and she hit his chest lightly "Last time my sister caught us, so no more hickeys."

With a chuckle, he nodded "Alright, alright..."

She smoothed his coat like a caring big sister and spoke "Now come with me."