MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 676: Aunt Jenna

Stepping into the building, Amara, Klaus, and Vega led Anthony forward with a natural air of familiarity. The atmosphere carried both warmth and grandeur, as though the very walls were alive with memory.

”Welcome to my home, Ant,” Vega said softly, her voice echoing faintly through the elegant hallway they entered.

Anthony had once given her a similar tour in his own house, proudly showing her the hallways, rooms, and corners of his world. Now, however, it was her turn to reveal hers, a chance for him to see the place where she had grown, lived, and learned.

”You can show him around a bit, dear. We’ll be waiting in the upper dining room,” Amara said with a gentle smile, her tone carrying the authority of both a mother and a hostess.

”We will be back, Dad,” Vega added, turning her gaze towards Klaus. He gave her a small, approving nod, his expression softened with a pleased smile that made his otherwise formidable demeanor seem approachable.

”Let’s go,” Vega said, tugging Anthony lightly by the hand. With that, they broke away from her parents and walked further into the expansive home.

Anthony’s eyes wandered over the walls as they went. Unlike most people who adorned their homes with portraits or family paintings, Vega’s house was far from ordinary. The walls themselves were canvases, murals of intricate and sweeping design stretched across the length of the corridors.

Each surface told a story in vivid colors and strokes, alive with aesthetic force and an artistry far beyond the ordinary. It was as if the walls themselves breathed with history.

They soon arrived in what resembled an open living room, though to Anthony it felt more like a gallery of time itself. Plush couches filled the space, inviting yet regal. Scattered across the room stood numerous vases, each encased in transparent, protective glass.

Their very shapes and textures suggested they were relics, objects older than the Blue Planet itself. He studied them with cautious respect, marveling at the precision of their preservation.

The longer Anthony looked around, the clearer the truth became: Klaus was likely far older than he allowed people to believe. Everything here radiated an aura of ancient luxury. Even the murals painted along the walls bore the same feeling, grand, timeless, and divine, as though they captured the battles of gods in hues that twisted and intertwined like living fire.

”I never took your father as the type to love decoration and designs,” Anthony finally remarked as Vega continued showing him around.

And indeed, that was his genuine impression. Klaus gave the air of a man who would prefer a simple dwelling despite possessing enough wealth to buy planets.

”What you said is true,” Vega replied with a small laugh. ”My dad isn’t into all of these designs or aesthetics. It’s my mom who adores them. She designed everything here, every painting, every arrangement, right down to the rug beneath our feet.”

At her words, Anthony glanced down. The rug below his boots looked far from ordinary. Its texture carried a softness and sheen unlike any fabric he had known. He couldn’t help but feel it was woven from the hair of some ancient beast, perhaps even one that no longer existed in this age.

The tour pressed onward. Vega guided him patiently, room after room, her voice light and filled with a subtle excitement. She seemed like a child eager to share her toy with her very first friend, holding nothing back as she revealed each hallway, chamber, and wing of the grand building.

”Why don’t you people have maids or butlers? Not even a single guard?” Anthony eventually asked. It struck him as unusual, given how large the estate was.

”We do have a maid,” Vega explained, ”but she works directly for my mother. As for not having anyone else... Mom and Dad said there’s no need. Aunt Jenna can handle everything with just a wave of her hand. Besides, Dad says nothing can truly enter this estate unless he or mom allows it.”

”Aunt Jenna?” Anthony asked curiously. It was the first time he was hearing the name.

”The maid that works for my mom,” Vega replied simply.

Anthony nodded, letting the new information settle. But his curiosity lingered. Tilting his head slightly upward, his gaze pierced the ceiling as though searching for hidden mechanisms. Oddly enough, he could see no dome, no barrier, not even faint traces of formations or rune-protection arrays, things that were standard for safeguarding places of this scale.

Everything appeared wide open, completely vulnerable.

’Shouldn’t my Sense Dome at least be able to pick up the protective mechanisms?’ Anthony thought to himself.

’Their power must be ridiculously immense to remain hidden even from my Sense Dome...’ He sighed inwardly, letting the thought drift away.

There was no point in pondering further. It was becoming increasingly clear that both Amara and Klaus were far stronger than he had initially imagined.

Time seemed to pass quickly. Minutes blurred as Vega excitedly ushered him through corridors and halls until finally, their steps turned toward the dining chamber.

The path ended at an enormous black door, towering as though it guarded some priceless treasure sealed within. Its presence commanded reverence, and for a moment Anthony simply stared at it in silence.

As they approached, the door creaked open on its own, moving with an eerie smoothness. Vega and Anthony stepped forward with gentle strides, as though guided by unseen hands. Vega herself carried a smile, clearly pleased with the tour she had just given and perhaps even more pleased that Anthony had taken it all in.

Inside, a round table stood proudly, polished and beautiful, with four elegant chairs set around it. In two of them already sat Amara and Klaus, their presence encompassing the space even in casual silence.

”How was the tour?” Amara asked, her golden eyes focused sharply on Anthony.

Anthony smiled as he answered with honesty. ”Honestly, I thought I’d seen the height of wealth before, but it seems I’ve only been a frog at the bottom of a well.”

Amara chuckled softly, replying with grace, ”You don’t have to phrase it like that, but I understand your meaning. I’m glad you liked it.”

It was clear to her that Anthony’s words were genuine, not mere flattery. Besides, even if he had wanted to lie, it would have been pointless. One could not deceive overpowered individuals like Amara so easily.

”Jenna, serve the food,” Klaus’s voice rumbled from across the table.

At once, the maid, Jenna, stepped forward, gracefully pushing a food trolley. With practiced precision, she served a spread of dishes, each plate arranged with care, each portion brimming with both fragrance and beauty. When the table was set, she bowed silently and exited, her presence fading as quickly as it had arrived.

A rich aroma filled the air, the scent weaving through the chamber and stirring their appetites.

”I hope you enjoy the dishes,” Amara said sweetly, her tone laced with pride. ”After all, I personally made them myself.”

Vega blinked in mild surprise, turning to her mother. ”When did you even have the time to do this?” she asked.

Amara gave her a calm, knowing smile. ”You didn’t expect me to serve my daughter’s boyfriend only water or juice, did you?”

Vega exhaled in resignation, shaking her head lightly. Words failed her, so she chose silence, her lips curving into the faintest smile instead.