I Only Summon Villainesses

I turned back to White Feather.

“First, you’re a cold blooded liar.”

She creased her brows, chin lifting slightly.

“What do you mean, I clearly said—”

“No. What you said was that you didn’t know I was a Sovereign until a few minutes ago, but as a matter of fact you knew. That was the reason you were expecting me.”

She held my gaze, and slowly, deliberately, reinforced her point.

“I… said… I just confirmed.”

Silence settled between us. I let it sit there, staring down at her, watching the defiance harden across her features like frost on glass.

“I will help you,” I said. “But now that I know your situation is quite pitiful… I will be adding one more thing to the price.”

She scowled, but I minded not and continued.

“I want something more. I will save you with all the resources at my disposal, which means you’ll be getting the best service a Sovereign can offer.”

White Feather’s jaw tightened. Something moved behind her eyes, quick and guarded, but she buried it before I could read it clearly. She was suppressing something, and whatever it was, it ran deeper than anger.

I didn’t press. After all, I would truly help her.

“Of course, it’d come at a great cost. But nothing you can’t afford.”

I grinned. Sincerely, even. The best someone of my caliber could manage.

“What is this price…”

Still grinning, I answered.

“It’s simple really.”

I let the words hang for just a breath.

“I want you to hand your clan over to me.”

Her face darkened, and the killing intent hit me like a wall of winter.

It rolled off her in waves, white and deadly, pressing against my skin with a cold that had nothing to do with temperature. The air between us thickened. I did nothing and simply let Emperor’s Presence answer for me.

Red met white… The weight of it was immediate, suffocating, and the difference between us became apparent in the span of a heartbeat. Her killing intent buckled, folded, collapsed inward like paper crushed in a fist.

White Feather staggered back. Blood dripped from the corner of her lips.

“Oh… did I release too much?”

I studied her again, tilting my head.

’Come to think of it… she’s gone paler than she looked a few moments ago.’

It was easy to miss. White Feather’s complexion was naturally pale, but I had a keen eye for details when it came to pretty women, and I knew I couldn’t have been wrong.

I narrowed my eyes, then reached forward and took her jaw between my fingertips, not missing the opportunity to use my precious Summoner’s Touch. I tilted her face up slightly, studying the hollows beneath her cheekbones, the faint bruising under her skin that cosmetics couldn’t quite hide.

“Something is wrong with you. Why do you look dead?”

She was trembling. Faintly, almost imperceptibly, but I could feel it through my fingertips. She was fighting to hold still, to keep whatever was eating at her from showing on the surface.

’Oh I know so well what is going on.’

She pulled her jaw from my hand and stepped back, glaring.

“I am fine. This is not your business. And if you think I will give you my Clan simply for helping me, you’re dreaming. Be a Sovereign or not, I will not give you what I have spent my entire lifetime building.”

I shook my head, clicking my tongue.

“You really don’t know what you’re doing right now.”

Her glare sharpened into something closer to hatred.

“A Sovereign is asking to be your patron and you’re saying no?” I let that settle before continuing. “Right now, who are the greatest threat to humanity if they decide to move? The Sovereigns. And what is a greater honor than committing your entire clan to a harmless one?”

She did not respond, but she was hearing me. Every word.

“I’m here to help you. I’ll do everything to get you back on your feet if need be. What I’m asking for is the duty of a husband to you. I want to own you, White Flower… you and everything that comes with you.”

White Feather continued to glare at me.

She stayed silent for a few moments after I said those words. Then she scoffed and shook her head.

“I can’t believe you had me fooled. For a moment, when you entered, I was convinced you were childish and inexperienced. I was sure that if I promised you a little girl about your age and a lot of money, you’d be happy to help.”

I gave her a disgusted look. Didn’t bother hiding it.

’What do you mean? Is that my first impression?’

’You have no idea…’

Kassie responded in my head.

’No, actually, I thought I looked more like a delinquent than anything.’

’You’re going to need more hard work to be that intimidating…’

“I’ll admit, Sir Cade… you had me fooled. You hid your nature very well with that childish and inexperienced pretense.”

’Now… don’t pressure any further. Tell her you’ll wait for her response and see yourself out of here.’

I noted Kassie’s advice between the lines of conversation.

“Well, whatever you say it is. I don’t think myself to be much of a pretender. In fact, I’m very true to my nature, you see.”

I gave a grin.

“Then… White Feather, whatever decision you come to, I’ll be waiting.”

I was about to turn when I stopped.

“You wouldn’t have happened to prepare some place to stay for me, right? It’d be heartwarming to be in your company. You have a beautiful clan here.”

She glared at me first. Then, a moment later, the look on her face shifted. She called softly.

“Shuǐyáo.”

The same attendant walked in from behind the broken door, reached us, and bowed her head deeply toward White Feather.

“Show our guest and the rest of his organization to their quarters. Give them the best treatment.”

Shuǐyáo hesitated.

“Flower Pavilion, Matriarch?”

“No… Lotus Pavilion.”

The attendant shook slightly.

“But Matt—”

“Shuǐyáo.”

She bowed her head quickly.

“Yes, Matriarch.”

She turned to me next.

“Follow me… sir.”

The seething anger in her eyes didn’t bother hiding itself.