Chapter 187: Sincerity

’There is no way she is that witch. If she had been that woman, all of us would have died lo—’ Carman’s thoughts suddenly paused as he remembered what Vivian had said earlier.

’If it had been the old me, this place would have already turned into a graveyard.’

Despite his high level, Carman felt his blood pressure slowly increasing, his heart pounding so fast that it seemed like it was about to burst.

Taking deep breaths to calm his nerves, Carman was finally able to pull himself back together.

He stared at Vivian for a moment before asking in a trembling voice.

"A-are you Lady Vivian?"

Vivian’s lips curled upward slightly at Carman’s words. "What do you think?"

Although she did not confirm it, seeing her response, Carman was now certain of his guess, and cold sweat flowed down his forehead.

"M-My apologies for not welcoming you properly, Lady Vivian," Carman spoke in a hurried voice. "If you had informed me beforehand, I would ha—"

"Stop with your nonsense," Vivian cut Carman off midway and spoke flatly. "I already told you why I came here. Just tell me how you are going to handle this matter."

Hearing Vivian, Carman remembered why she had come here and was once again stunned.

’She said that commoner was her husband. How is this possible? How can she marry him? More importantly, when did she get married? There was no news about it at all...’

Countless questions flooded Carman’s mind, but he couldn’t figure out the answer to any of them.

There was only one person present in the room who could answer his questions, but he didn’t dare to ask her anything.

After thinking for a moment, Carman looked at Vivian and asked cautiously.

"Please give me instructions, Lady Vivian. How should I handle this matter?"

Seeing that Carman was finally getting her point, Vivian nodded inwardly before responding.

"First, inform all the nobles who asked you to deal with William about what happened here today. I want every single one of them to know that the person they are trying to harm is my husband. If they don’t stop their petty tricks, I wouldn’t mind giving them a visit."

Carman’s heart sank when he heard Vivian’s words. Spreading the word about what happened here was akin to telling everyone about the humiliation he was facing here.

For nobles, their reputation was everything.

But once the news about what happened today spread, would there be any reputation left for his Benlot Family?

Carman wanted to say that it wouldn’t be good for his family, but seeing Vivian’s cold eyes, he swallowed the words in his mouth and nodded while gritting his teeth.

"I understand. I will immediately deliver your message to them"

"Second..." Vivian’s expression remained unchanged at Carman’s agreement, and she continued.

"Since you have sent someone to harm my husband, it’s natural for you to give him some compensation. He is still young, you know." Vivian’s face turned serious at this point.

"Do you know how much mental damage he received because of your actions? Sending a Star King to capture him, he was so afraid that he couldn’t sleep at night. What if his growth phase stopped because of it? Since you harmed him, you should give him something as compensation, right?"

Carman’s body stiffened at Vivian’s ridiculous words, and he looked at her in shock, seemingly wanting to ask if she even believed what she was saying.

But seeing her serious look, he could only show a forced smile and ask in a trembling voice.

"Th-then what kind of compensation should I give to His Highness?"

Vivian looked at him weirdly and shook her head.

"Why are you asking me that?" She spoke seriously. "Compensation is something that you should give from your heart. Just give something that you feel is sufficient to show your SINCERITY."

The last word, sincerity, was spoken in such a deep voice that even the eyes of Elias and the others twitched.

’Damn it, can’t you just say what you want?’ Carman couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

Now that she had left it up to him to decide what to give, he had to think carefully about what to offer.

If he gave something that this psycho woman felt was lacking in SINCERITY, he felt she might just bury him here.

"Since it’s my fault, I will give His Highness ten thousand gold co—"

"Hmm?" Vivian expressionlessly raised an eyebrow.

Carman’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately changed his words.

"I mean tw-twenty thousand gold coins..."

Vivian’s expression gradually darkened.

"Do you take my husband for a beggar?"

Carman’s expression changed when he felt the killing intent coming from Vivian.

’Fu*k, it’s just money. As long as I am alive, I will make some more.’ Carman shouted inwardly and, with a pained heart, squeezed the words from his mouth.

"Thousand... One hundred thousand gold coins. I will give His Highness one hundred thousand gold coins for my foolish mistake."

Vivian’s expression finally eased a bit, and she nodded.

"My husband is going to create a faction of his own, so how about you add some treasure orbs as compensation as well?"

"That..." Carman looked at Vivian in disbelief, feeling as if she was truly a devil.

He immediately wanted to refuse, as one hundred thousand gold coins was already a huge sum in itself, but seeing Vivian’s gaze fixed on him, his words got stuck in his throat.

’Damn it, why did I agree to those bastards’ request and try to bring that commoner here?’ Carman felt regretful, but there was nothing he could do.

"Of course... Of course," In the end, he could only nod. "Since His Highness is starting a faction, it’s natural for me to show some support." As he spoke, he lowered his voice and asked cautiously.

"May I ask how many treasure orbs His Highness needs?"

Vivian shook her head at Carman’s words.

"Just give whatever you feel like is right."

Carman: "..."