Divine Emperor of Death

Natalya blinked and looked at her grandfather who also seemed to reveal a little bit of over excitement.

'Is this the reason why Grandpa kept asking for the portrait?'

Natalya was no longer the naive woman she had been in the past. She had seen how Alchemist Scythe had unveiled the matter that had been gnawing on her at that time, thinking that her parents had abandoned her.

With just a few information available at hand, Alchemist Scythe managed to discover that the whole plot had been designed to trap her little sister, Fiora, while she was only a bait and a sacrificial pawn who was sold to be a sexual slave.

Fortunately, it had been the kind Alchemist Scythe who had chosen to save her from a tragic outcome and managed to bring her dignity back.

Hence, Natalya made it a point to no longer take things carelessly. She observed the people near her, reflected what they were thinking of, and derived answers based on the facts and circumstantial pieces of evidence.

Now, she didn't fail to notice that her Grandpa was keen on her reaction to the person wearing a Peak-Level Sky Grade Alchemist Robe as she instinctively looked back at her grandpa as soon as she came out of her reverie.

And going by the voice of this Peak-Level Sky Grade Alchemist, it was clear as the skies to her.

Forlorn memories rushed to her head as she realized that this person is undoubtedly the grown Alchemist Scythe! 

From that teenage looking handsome face to a deadly attractiveness that captivated her heart, Natalya's heartbeat sped up but she suppressed all her emotions and asked, "Grandpa, who is this esteemed alchemist? He looks similar..." 

Since her Grandpa had once seen the portrait she drew, she felt that it is useless to act like she couldn't recognize the similarity of the alchemist in front of her.

Agis Stirlander was about to reply in a way of bringing her benefactor into the conversation but was suddenly interrupted.

"Similar? Have we met before young lady?" Davis looked at Natalya as he asked.

Natalya's brows twitched as she realized Alchemist Scythe's intent. There was no way that person didn't recognize her. There was almost a year of interaction between them, whether it be silly or embarrassing, subservient, or being treated near to an equal, those were something she couldn't forget.

Then how could he?

'Mister Scythe doesn't want to be associated?'

She smiled awkwardly and clasped her hand in response, "I have shown rudeness by not introducing myself personally. My name is Natalya Stirlander and indeed, back in the past, I had a benefactor who looked vaguely similar to your esteemed self."

Then as if being embarrassed, her face blushed and looked as if she were trying to explain herself, "I'm not telling this to deceive you. This really happened... You can ask my little sister, Fiora..."

Davis reacted as if he understood and his gaze passed by Fiora who was nodding repeatedly before it fell on her father, "Oh... Is that the benefactor you mentioned, Igor?" 

"Ah, yes! yes... That's right."

Fiora doubted nothing. 

The Alchemist Scythe she met had a middle-aged man's voice and the demeanor of an elder while being masked. However, she did find it a little surprising that her elder sister had recognized this person's face a little and even said that it was similar to their benefactor's.

Nevertheless, she didn't relate to them at all!

She only looked at Davis as she felt shy... a little bit attracted, hence she stayed quiet while feeling feminine thoughts.

Meanwhile, Agis Stirlander inwardly clicked his tongue, feeling that he had missed this slight window of opportunity. Besides, it also seemed as if they really didn't know each other than Natalya being able to recognize the face as it seemed similar.

He didn't find this suspicious but natural.

'Could it be Alchemist Davis Loret is not Alchemist Scythe as I initially suspected?' Agis Stirlander deeply doubted this point.

He didn't know these two had instantly formed a tacit understanding with each other, formed by living under the same roof for more than a year.

Davis blinked as if realizing that he was rude to the ladies as he looked at them. He stood up and clasped his hands, "My apologies. My name is Davis Loret..."

'Is that the name he goes by currently? Or is it Alchemist Scythe's true name?' Natalya's eyes gleamed as she became entranced by the prospect of learning her benefactor's true name.

Somehow, it gave her a sense of satisfaction.

Agis Stirlander pondered for a few seconds in silence, however, his face was smiling along with the others. He knew that his first granddaughter was obsessed with her benefactor to the point of drawing numerous portraits of her benefactor and her benefactor alone. 

She didn't even bother the portraits of her own family! Or even herself!

Hence, he decided to check.

Agis Stirlander heaved a heavy sigh, "Unfortunately, Alchemist Davis is married, otherwise..." He laughed and threw a look towards his two granddaughters.

His meaning was clear but indirect, that they could've formed a marriage alliance with Alchemist Davis Loret.

Davis laughed, not denying that he was married.

Igor Stirlander and Rosalia Stirlander laughed as they took it as a form of jest from the head of the family, however, the two daughters had different reactions.

Fiora visibly became bummed out as she put her head down in disinterest while Natalya's eyes slowly widened before it trembled.

Even her lips trembled but as she tried to control herself, she couldn't... She absolutely couldn't!

Her calm facade fell as she became almost panicked but realizing that she would give everything away, she turned to angrily look at Agis Stirlander, "Grandpa, please don't joke about these things... Things about our marriage in a form of jest..."

Natalya turned back as her robes whooshed along with her. She then walked away with angry strides as she soon disappeared from their gazes, leaving them all speechless.

'Could it be that I was wrong? And Alchemist Davis isn't her benefactor?' Agis Stirlander became confused and a little disoriented.

If Alchemist Davis is Natalya's benefactor, shouldn't she be heartbroken if she learns that her benefactor is married? After all, he knew that Natalya was unhealthily obsessed with her benefactor.

Instead, Natalya angrily reacted which meant that Alchemist Davis was not her benefactor.

"!!!"

Davis acted liked he was offended as he changed his facial expression to be one of being humiliated. He acted as if he lost all face and angrily looked at the disappearing figure.

Agis Stirlander, Igor Stirlander, and Rosalia Stirlander conversed to tried to prove him otherwise, that their Natalya didn't like to be paired with strangers.

Of course, Davis knew this and he was rather at the mind of applauding her acting. By doing this, she basically withdrew herself from the scene and this helped him a lot as he would be spared from the drama.

At the same time, he was heartened to see that she was the same old Natalya, uncompromising when it comes to her marriage. He knew that she indeed didn't like being paired with men she didn't want to spend her life with...

'She is indeed a headstrong woman...' Davis mused and finally revealed an amiable expression to the others after a few minutes as if he was finally convinced that Natalya hadn't done that to humiliate him.

Meanwhile, Natalya who had walked out and headed to her room had a blank expression on her face. However, tears were cascading down her cheeks continuously while she felt her mind to be a mess. She felt as if her heart was weighing down on her heavily.

She even aimlessly walked towards the door, slamming her face right into it!