Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 907 - 18 Marionette

Chapter 907: Chapter 18: Marionette Chapter 907: Chapter 18: Marionette Anna Navarre could clearly hear the pounding of her heart, so strong she couldn’t help but worry Mr. Leo sitting across the dining table might notice.

The “sudden attack” of the unpleasant thing had not negotiated with her beforehand, so at this moment, perhaps she was the most surprised person at the table.

But she still tried her best to maintain self-control, behaving consistently with Winters’ attitude.

Anna couldn’t help but let her thoughts wander, feeling panic and unease, even a bit of anger: “He… I haven’t agreed to him yet!”

However, deep inside her, an emotion named anticipation uncontrollably stirred waves.

Anna held her breath, waiting for Mr. Leo’s response.

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Leo put down his soup spoon, sat up straight, and replied sincerely and formulaically, “Marriage is a serious matter, with etiquette and procedures. Mr. Montaigne, if you wish to propose to Miss Navarre, you should have your elder take the lead and negotiate with Mrs. Navarre. As for me? I cannot represent Mrs. Navarre’s attitude.”

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“This won’t be difficult.” Winters, having anticipated this, took a deep breath with relief. “General Serviati understands and respects my wishes, and he will bless mine and Anna’s union. As for the procedure for establishing the marriage contract, my aunt can take the lead, I will write to her immediately.”

Hearing Winters’ optimistic plan, a wry smile appeared on Leo’s lips, and he shook his head.

Winters was puzzled and wanted to inquire further. But he didn’t speak up because he noticed Anna’s complexion suddenly became pale.

He subconsciously took Anna’s hand, and a faint response came back through his palm — Anna also held his hand.

“Mr. Leo.” Anna’s voice trembled. “May I ask where Mrs. Navarre is?”

“In Sea Blue.”

“May I ask another question, where is Anna Navarre?”

“You know very well, Miss Anna.” Leo replied with a smile, “Of course, she’s also in Sea Blue.”

Winters felt Anna’s strength drain away in an instant, her body becoming unstable. He instinctively wanted to stand up and reach across the table to embrace her, but Anna recovered immediately.

“Please, no more riddles.” Winters pressed, questioning Mr. Leo with suppressed anger: “Anna is sitting right in front of you, isn’t she?”

“You jest, Mr. Montaigne,” Leo replied unhurriedly. “I can assure you on my life that Miss Anna Navarre would not be present anywhere but Sea Blue at this moment. To be exact, she’s at the Saint Mie Convent—and Miss Catherine, she’s there as well.”

As Leo spoke, Winters was beginning to understand Mrs. Navarre’s attitude.

Reflecting on his memories of the affable lady, Winters realized he actually didn’t know Anna’s mother at all.

He looked at Anna with concern, Mrs. Navarre’s firmness and coldness were beyond imagination, prompting Winters to blame himself for not discussing with Anna what the worst scenario could be.

Anna also looked at Winters, her eyes conveying “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Leo sighed deeply, and even though he was prepared, he still found it hard to bear when the time to lay cards on the table had come.

“Miss Anna, Mr. Montaigne.” Leo cleared his throat softly, gazing sincerely at the two. “May I speak a few words from a personal standpoint—not as a partner in Navarre Commerce, but simply as a half-uncle to Miss Anna and a half-friend to you?”

“Why only a half-friend?” Winters held Anna’s hand. “Please, speak.”

Winters dared not squeeze too hard, fearful of causing Anna pain; yet he also wanted to hold as tight as possible to offer Anna even the slightest support.

“When setting out from Sea Blue, the lady only entrusted me with one task,” Leo chose his words carefully, trying not to distress Anna. “That is to take Miss Catherine back to Sea Blue.”

Although Leo’s words were tactful, the message couldn’t be clearer: Mrs. Navarre wanted Catherine back, as for Anna, she wasn’t even mentioned.

A heavy feeling settled in Winters’ heart, interpreting from Mr. Leo’s previous statements, Mrs. Navarre’s not requesting Leo to bring Anna back to Sea Blue did not imply she approved of Anna staying by his side. Quite the contrary, indifference was the harshest punishment.

After much consideration, Leo decided it was best to be more explicit.

Leo looked at Anna, slowing his speech as much as possible: “Miss Anna.”

Anna also looked at Mr. Leo, signaling that she was listening.

“If you continue to stay in Iron Peak County,” Leo said, word by word. “You could be Anna Montaigne, you could be Anna Selvati, you could be anyone, but you will no longer be Anna Navarre. Anna Navarre would be the nun in the Saint Mie Convent who has renounced all secular rights.”

Anna listened, nodding slightly, her composure unsettling Winters.

“But even if you return to Sea Blue, how the lady will react… I do not know either. You might still be the female heiress of the Navarre family, or you may be sent to the convent, or perhaps directly arranged to be married off,” Leo said with resignation after a long pause, “You really angered, angered, angered the lady… she… she didn’t mention you once.”

Then came another oppressive silence.

“Thank you, Uncle Leo.” Anna nodded calmly. “I understand.”

Winters felt disquieted; the more composed Anna was, the more unease he felt.