MTLNOVEL Chapter 241: Turning?
"M-... marriage?" Marionette stuttered, surprised by the sudden question.
Veronica nodded energetically, "Yes, yes~!" She then sighed, pulling her hand out from the sink and shaking off the water. "You may not know this, but Lillian was a piece of work when she was younger."
She raised her eyes to the ceiling, nostalgia flashing through them.
"She would always cause trouble regardless and beg for certain things. Things that her brother and father would hand over without much convincing."
After drying her hands, she shook her head. "She was rather spoiled. But we still love her, even though she was such a troublemaker.
"Although I can see that she has changed quite a bit, I can still see that troublemaker inside her eyes whenever she smiles... I'm sure you understand what I mean."
Marionette, having listened to her quietly, smiled slightly.
"I do. Very much so."
"And yet you still want to be with her." Veronica smiled brightly, "You have my blessing if you two were to ever get married."
Marionette widened her eyes, letting the plate in her hands slip out of her clutches. Fortunately, she was quick enough to catch it before it hit the ground.
But.
That still didn't excuse the fact that she was absolutely shocked by what the woman said.
"I... I barely did anything, and I already got your blessing...? Is this not somewhat irresponsible?" She muttered before adding, "For all you know, I could be taking advantage of your daughter."
"..."
Veronica blinked at her, tilting her head, "Are you?"
"I-I'm not... But—"
"Then, I see no issues with handing over my blessings."
Veronica could feel the stoic woman becoming increasingly flustered. This caused her to giggle a bit.
"As long as you stay with her, I can guarantee she will reciprocate. She was always the affectionate one, although she may try to hide it sometimes."
Marionette tilted her head.
"She... hides it?"
"Well, she used to. I don't think she does now." Veronica gave a soft shrug, looking back towards the tall woman, "So, what's your answer?"
Marionette stared at her, torn.
"I... Isn't such a decision too soon? Do you really want to giveaway your daughter when she's still that young?"
"Pfft..." Veronica chuckled before adding, "I'm merely exploring the possibilities."
"..."
Marionette went silent, thinking of an answer. There was no doubt in her mind that being partnered with Lillian would be heavenly. However...
"I'll... have to talk to Lillian about that."
She placed aside the plate she was holding, drying her hands as well.
"As much as I want to... Lillian's consent is most important."
***
Whilst the two were talking inside the kitchen, Lillian had arrived back inside the living room after taking a shower.
Drying her hair with a towel, she looked towards the couch.
Perhaps she should begin preparing it for when they go to sleep.
Thinking something similar to this, she went on to gather the necessary.
After laying down the pillows, she felt a sudden pair of arms wrapped around her neck from behind.
She jolted for a split second before smiling softly and leaning back.
She tilted her head up, the back of her head pressing against a certain woman's chest.
She stared into a pair of red eyes and smirked.
"Done with the dishes?"
Marionette stared back and gave a soft nod. She then leaned in, rubbing the tips of their noses together, causing Lillian to giggle at her affectionate gesture.
However, her expression froze once she heard her mother speak behind them.
"Oh my~... you two are rather expressive~..."
Lillian quickly pulled away, slightly flustered. This action of hers caused a brief frown to spread across the Assassin's face, which disappeared a split second later.
Her stoic lips then morphed into a small smile as she watched Lillian shoo her mother away, who chuckled at the girl's embarrassment.
But something unexpected happened next.
Lillian watched as her mother turned back to her, and then, she felt her world turn upside down.
She widened her eyes and wriggled in the air as her mother held her by the waist, keeping her head from hitting the ground.
She then...
Began to laugh as her mother played with her sides, causing her to laugh and wiggle uncontrollably in the air. Then, she wheezed:
"H-hey! Turn me back up, Mom!"
Her mother gave a low hum. After a few moments of playing around with the girl, she flipped her around. However, once she did, the traces of mana lingered in the air.
Lillian breathed a deep breath, feeling her feet meet the ground as she glared at her mother, who was just laughing at her.
Marionette, who was off to the side watching this, folded her arms as she analysed what happened.
What she saw unfolded before her eyes was the ability to turn things around. The Unorthodox Element of Turning.
It was a rather versatile ability, being able to turn things around and possibly change the course of battle.
However...
"Miss Arius—"
"You can call me Veronica, dear~..."
Marionette froze briefly at her words. Then, she coughed into her fist before continuing.
"Miss Veronica—"
"Just Veronica." Lillian's mother interrupted her again.
Marionette stared at her quietly and then repeated herself awkwardly, "Miss Veronica..."
This led both daughter and mother to give a wry smile before listening keenly to what she had to say.
"May I ask about your profession in bio-engineering?
This question sparked confusion between the pair. As evident by their confused gazes on the Assassin, which confused her as well.
Was her question that odd?
Veronica, breaking out of her short stupor, nodded with a faint smile:
"Sure, you can. Are you perhaps interested in it as well? We wouldn't mind giving you a job in the near future if you prove to be good at it—"
Marionette shook her head, "I'm... not willing to work in that area of work. Rather, I'm more interested in what got you into it."
"Oh? May I ask, why do you ask?" Veronica tilted her head.
Lillian tilted her head as well. Even she was curious about why Marionette had taken a sudden interest in her mother's profession.
Marionette gave a dramatic silence before asking:
"With your ability, why did you not proceed further in Ascension?"