Myths Reawakened

Filomina sat on the sofa with a flushed face. She picked up the cup of black tea from the tea table to cover up her embarrassment. Her heart was pounding so fast, and her head was in the gutter, filled with inappropriate thoughts.

Wayne watched her quietly. Only after she took a second sip of the tea did he say, “I drank that.”

Filomina got into a coughing fit. Shooting cold air from her palms, she froze the teacup and the tea and glared at the little pervert.

Why didn’t you speak up earlier?!

Wayne shook his head and offered, “Maybe we should call it off. I’ll play along and pretend to be gone for you. You’ll achieve your goal without forcing yourself to do what you don’t want to do.”

“My target is never the Ministry of Magic!” Filomina quickly recovered herself when the topic shifted back to business. She clenched her teeth and said, “You should’ve been a disciple of the Church of Moonlight to begin with. I’m getting you back to make up for the careless mistake in the past. I’m not pushing myself.”

“You’re going about it the wrong way. You can always pay me. It won’t be expensive.”

Wayne gave her a friendly reminder. He was actually quite easy to tempt. The Church of Moonlight was a large organization with a long history. They only have to offer him a few divine artifacts, and he’ll follow the Goddess of Moonlight.

He didn’t sound ashamed at all. He had already decided that Moonlight would be part of his Silver Cross, so their feelings were reciprocated. The Church of Moonlight wouldn’t have to make a big offer to win him over.

“I’m not asking for a free mage, but a devout follower of Moonlight,” Filomina said bluntly. She didn’t care for loyalty that wasn’t absolute. She wanted all of Wayne.

“That’s all the more reason you shouldn’t continue...” Wayne spread his hands. “Heed my advice and stop flirting with me. It’s not too late to stop yet. If you keep messing around, you’ll end up suffering both financial and physical losses.”

Filomina didn’t believe him. She was confident in her charm and believed that she wouldn’t be the one to lose on both fronts.

What a crazy lady!

When she insisted on giving herself away, Wayne couldn’t help but feel his scalp tingle. He tried again, “Then why don’t you get someone else to do it? If she succeeds, you’ll win big. If she fails, you won’t lose anything. It’s better than risking yourself.”

“Are you talking about Kristen?”

“Yes,” Wayne admitted easily. The fact that Moonlight had marked him wasn’t common knowledge, and Filomina had to have learned it from Senior Kristen. He didn’t have to deny their relationship.

Senior, why would you sell me out to an old auntie? What are you planning?

You haven’t even had a taste, and you’re already sharing me because you don’t think you can take it? Do you want to get better or not?

Just wait. I’ll give you a lesson when I go home!

He could think of nothing but Kristen’s boo—beautiful face. Irritated about being ignored, Filomina scoffed, “Is it just because she’s ten years and a few months younger than me?”

Auntie, that’s not a number you should qualify with ‘just’!

He struggled to swallow all the comments he would like to make. Nodding seriously, he said, “Yes, I like them young. Mathematically, Kristen plus Kristen equals you. That’s two against one. Of course I’m going to pick two.”

That’s not how math works! Filomina fumed. He sure didn’t think she was too old to grope earlier. She bit out, “Don’t be so sure yet. Sooner or later, I’ll make you eat out of my hand.”

“It’ll be difficult. I suggest you let Kristen—”

“Wanna bet?”

Wayne didn’t say anything. He had sworn to never gamble or do drugs, so he tried not to make any bets if possible—unless he was certain that he would win!

“If I can’t win your heart and can’t make you listen to me, I swear that I won’t keep bothering you. If I manage it...” Filomina clenched her jaw. “You’ll be a disciple of the Goddess of Moonlight and do my bidding without complaints!”

I’m already a disciple of the Goddess of Moonlight, only I haven’t feasted on her grace!

Wayne weighed his options. Either way, he would profit. He gave Filomina a pitying look. “I’m game, High Reverend, but I have to say this upfront: if you lose, you’re not throwing a tantrum.”

“I’m past the age of throwing tantrums.”

“That’s hard to say...”

Wayne shook his head, insisting on adding the waiver clause. After confirming their conditions, they finalized their bet.

Pleased, Filomina beckoned Wayne over, telling him to take off her stockings and resume applying night cream.

“High Reverend...”

“Mina!”

“Alright, Mina.”

Wayne looked at Filomina’s coy expression. It didn’t look right on her face. Again, her mask just wasn’t convincing. He grumbled, “I’m pretty sure that you haven’t been cheated by men before, so I’ll give you a piece of advice: only by being genuine will your feelings be reciprocated genuinely. Flaunting your beauty won’t win a man’s loyalty, but only his lecherous desires with no strings attached.”

He pointed at his own chest, suggesting she aim for the heart.

Filomina pondered his words, digesting his advice. Then Wayne asked, “If you understand me, do you still want me to take your stockings off for you?”

“No.” Filomina shook her head. “According to the schedule, you’ll accompany me to the museum tomorrow afternoon. At night... go to a movie with me. Don’t be late.”

When she seemed to have actually learned, Wayne silently regretted speaking too soon. He should’ve given her the suggestion after taking off her stockings. He lost the freely offered benefit.

It wouldn’t be a problem, though. He would work overtime once he was home, and tomorrow, he would bring the qipao.

***

Windsor Museum, November eighth.

Ambassador Wayne served as the tour guide under the Ministry of Magic’s order, taking Filomina, the High Reverend of the Church of Moonlight, on a tour around the museum, followed by Virna and Diede, the twin mages.

The twins were there as the High Reverend’s bodyguards, but it didn’t make sense. If something happened, wouldn’t they be protected instead? Besides, no one would dare to make a move against Filomina at a time like this, especially not the Ministry of Magic. They would have to be mad to escalate the tension further.

Filomina was so stunning that she always wore a face veil in public, but even so, she still drew attention. Whenever there was a couple, the man would always be enticed by her, and in an hour, she had already caused seven or eight breakups.

As High Reverend, Filomina behaved herself appropriately, holding herself with elegance and maintaining a poker face as she walked around the exhibition hall, arm-in-arm with Wayne. Facing his fellow men’s envious glares, Wayne kept his head high without explaining himself. There was nothing between them, and no matter how rampant the rumors grew, he wouldn’t be intimidated.

Filomina was still pondering how she should aim for the heart, not aware of the pitfalls. With her plan, even if she failed, she would only lose financially and physically, but if she did as Wayne suggested, she would lose her heart, too.

Wayne thought differently. In a genuine relationship, the party who asked for nothing in return would be the ultimate winner because they would walk away with nothing, just as they wished for!

A purely physical relationship, on the other hand, would be terrible, nothing more than a deal made on the streets. When both parties turned away from each other, it would be goodbye, and they walked away with nothing but memories they might occasionally remember. There would be no victor.

That freed him from any guilt. Everyone had to experience growth in their life. The High Reverend had an incomplete youth, but it wasn’t too late for her to pay the tuition and learn the lessons now.

Filomina walked with her arm around Wayne’s, not paying any attention to the great variety of showpieces. Her eyes kept straying to him, unbidden. Strangely, she always felt like he was around her age. Even though the investigation report said otherwise, she still couldn’t stop feeling that way.

It was because of her first impression of him. Back when they first met in the anti-magic domain, Wayne had performed so perfectly, showcasing impressive power, kindness, and gentlemanly manners. He didn’t seem like an immature boy at all.

That wasn’t what Filomina thought about it, though. She attributed the feeling to her youthfulness.

Wearing light makeup, she smiled at Wayne every time he looked at her from the corners of his eyes, wanting to see him waver.

Due to Filomina’s status, the museum had closed down some of the exhibition halls for her exclusive viewing, the history hall they were in being one of them.

Light silver knight armors stood with swords in their hands. Every set was handcrafted from copper and metal, managing to weather the years while remaining intact. Closer inspection would reveal the cuts and scrapes that marked the armor as authentic. While the patterns on the helmets and the chestpieces had been treated to hide the emblems, one could still make out the shape of a tulip.

Curious, Wayne took two steps closer to take a look. Across from him, a knight’s armor slowly lifted its helmet. A pair of red glowing orbs opened.

Danger!