Chapter 203: Chapter 2: A Father's Weakness... The Mother's Interest!
Lancelot watched for a moment in a daze; the poor baron, the huge guy with brown hair, was suddenly smashed by this lovely Amazonian woman with silver hair... Her muscles were tight and powerful, yet she didn't hide them or seem ashamed.
Yet simultaneously, she carried an elegant and regal beauty... like a queen.
"Are you Lancelot Du Lac? It is a pleasure to meet you... I have long been keeping an eye on your growth."
Her voice was deep, resounding through the air, but there was no anger or bad feeling; it was a tone of interest, curiosity and respect... Something Lancelot rarely got from people he didn't know.
"Y-yes... My Lady?" Lancelot bowed politely... unsure how to address this woman...
"Just call me Helena; no need for formalities between family," Helena spoke with a warm smile; unlike Maria, she wasn't cold or shy but very outgoing and accepting, and Lancelot felt he could get along with her.
Lancelot nodded politely; he would use her name as she wished.
Helena turned to Maria and Sumika.
"I am happy my little girl finally got some real friends, not those after her name or wealth... Tell me, is your mother doing well, Little girl of the Hotaru clan?" An upbeat tone, her eyes narrowed before looking to the sky as if she was reminiscing the past.
Sumika bowed politely. "Yes... Mama sends her regards, Helena-sama..." It was cute seeing Sumika acting scared and being formal for Lancelot... but something was troubling him as his face was pale, with cold sweat dripping from his brows.
"Good... Good... I haven't seen Hotaru Clan members in ages, and I miss sparring with your mother... If she hadn't married your father, I might have tried to steal her away," Helena chuckled lightly. "Maybe I will visit one day; it's been too long since I visited the hot springs of your family."
"Mama!! Get your hand off Lancelot's ass!" Maria's cute voice, using her natural dialect, was like a farmer girl, a bit rustic but cute and lovely with her soft tone... but Lancelot was frozen stiff... Helena's hand was indeed groping his ass...
"Hmm... nice buttocks, Maria, I can see why you love him..." Helena smirked teasingly as she licked her lips and slapped him with full force... Except he barely moved... causing her eyes to narrow, with a smile on her lips.
"MAMA! STOP IT!" Maria grabbed Lancelot and pulled him away from her mother as Sumika hid behind him, her body shaking slightly...
"Ara... I was just making sure he could give us a STRONG and POWERFUL heir... it seems with his current state, your eggs are already flooded with his sperm... when will I become a grandmother, fufu?"
'This woman... is scary! I want to speak with her angry dad!' Lancelot shuddered... her gaze was fierce and domineering like a serpent, sneaking through his guard and always watching for an opening, and her aura caused him to break out into cold sweat... Maria's mother was scary!
Helena laughed before waving her hands and walking away. "Come, follow me; dinner will be ready soon, and your father is awake... but he won't bother us until tomorrow."
"Ugh... Papa can be too much sometimes... but Mama... what if he gets upset you touched a younger... more handsome man's body..."
"Fufu, he will try to beat that man up and win Mama's love again! Ah~ my darling is so passionate and cut when jealous!"
'THIS WOMAN DID IT ON PURPOSE!' Lancelot screamed internally... Maria's mother was evil!
Sumika patted his shoulder gently. "She does this with every male guest... don't worry; she likes you..."
"Huh... how can you know that?" Lancelot questioned in horror as Maria dragged him inside the manor...
It was enormous, with servants bowing as they passed and nobles offering drinks, food or gifts to Maria, who politely declined them... Lancelot realised Maria came from a rich background... and it showed...
"Because that crazy hag was always like that with mom... Once she got mom drunk, and they were kissing in the baths... Never again." Sumika shivered as she remembered her mother speaking of Helena Lovell, the strongest female martial artist on the continent.
"I see..." Lancelot muttered... 'She kissed another man's wife... evil!'
Sumika nodded. "She is good, though... never uses her strength against innocents and protects anyone she loves... including my mom. But she is scary when angry... Ah...
but don't misunderstand, my dad asked to watch... and gave the alcohol... stupid dad."
Lancelot froze... Sumika's parents sounded perverted... but Helena reminded him of that damn elf that knew Sebastian... strong and terrifying, and maybe they would get along well...
'Should I introduce them?' Lancelot wondered...
He followed Maria, who guided him through the manor and upstairs to a large bedroom, where servants brought various clothes, items and trinkets for them.
Maria introduced Lancelot to the servants, who were kind and polite... showing a side of Maria he had never seen... and he felt happy and uncomfortable at the same time, especially as they kept saying things like. "Please impregnate Maria-sama as soon as possible!" Or "We hope to raise the next generation soon."
Sumika stayed with them, giggling at Lancelot's reactions...
"Ah, yes... Lancelot, Sumika is your concubine, correct?" Maria asked with a slight frown...
"Yes... but I intend to treat them equally..." Lancelot answered truthfully...
Maria nodded with a smile. "I knew you were a good man, but remember, Sumika is my friend... so don't make her cry..."
'I am glad to see her growth... even telling me off now.' Lancelot smiled... Maria was slowly growing, and he was glad to witness it.
Sumika was initially jealous, but he noticed and stroked her head, making her blush...
Soon, dinner time came, and Helena called them down for dinner... The dining hall was enormous, with a table longer than a dragon's body...
"Impressive... right?" Maria smiled proudly... but with a shy tone; she seemed to love her home.
Lancelot nodded... "Impressive indeed!"
Maria took Lancelot's arm and pulled him along as Helena sat at the end of the table instead of her father, who sat in the second highest order, while Lancelot was beside Maria.
Then, various servants in chef gear began walking towards them carrying dishes... Lancelot couldn't describe the smell or taste; it was delicious, and Maria's father and Helena were friendly and kind... treating him like part of the family.
However, Lancelot couldn't help but feel uneasy... as Baron Lovell glared daggers at him, and Helena smiled teasingly... sometimes her feet would kick and stroke along his legs, while the Baron's face seemed to notice... it was a strange family.
"So, Lancelot... tell me... What are your intentions towards my little girl?" The Baron, who still hadn't given his name, looked at Lancelot with his handlebar moustache twitching...
Lancelot gulped... 'Scary... Why is Maria smiling!? Is she enjoying this!?'
Helena smiled at her husband. "Dear, don't scare him; he is a strong man who will bring us a strong heir, so relax."
The Baron's eyes softened as he turned to Helena. "My darling, I know, but as a father, I must protect my baby girl!"
Helena sighed... "Dear... Maria is stronger than before... Also, Lancelot is a good man... so don't scare him."
"Fine!" Baron Lovell grumbled before eating his meal silently...
Lancelot released a sigh... he survived, but his heart wouldn't stop beating... and Maria's parents were a bit overbearing...
'I hope I survive this visit... wait... why is Sumika looking so excited now the meal is ending?' Lancelot looked to his side... seeing the sparkle in her eyes...
Maria blushed brightly, and Helena smiled mysteriously...
Lancelot decided to eat quickly and find somewhere safe... but as he finished, Baron Lovell grinned widely and slammed his fist on the table. "Great! Now that the meal is over, let us FIGHT LIKE MEN!"
Lancelot felt dread...
If he beat up her father too badly, would he never let them be together...? But if he lost... Lancelot feared Maria would be disappointed and that annoying bald man would gloat or use it to break them up!
'Damnit... why can't Sumika help me!? Wait... why is she looking eager?' Lancelot wanted to cry...
Helena chuckled. "Dear, Lancelot is exhausted; let him rest; he will fight you tomorrow... unless you wish to fight me tonight?" Helena licked her lips suggestively as she looked at the Baron hungrily...
"Darling... my waist.... it's a little sore, can we call it even?" Baron Lovell trembled... Lancelot could understand; Helena was scary!
Maria pouted unhappily... "Papa... you are always bullying my friends..."
"Nonsense! I am toughening them up so they can protect my baby girl!" Baron Lovell argued before glaring at Lancelot. "You better train hard and make her happy!"
Lancelot nodded... realising this father of hers was a little strange and weird, but he loved Maria, and that's all that mattered.
Helena stood up and walked over to Lancelot, stroking his cheek gently. "Maria chose well... I look forward to grandchildren... don't let me down!" Her tone was scary; Lancelot swore he heard a demonic beast roaring inside her...
As she left, Maria smiled sweetly. "I told you my parents were strange... papa is always trying to beat up my friends, but Mama always beats him up and makes him submit fufu."