The Villainess is my fiance: But she is gentle towards me

Chapter 272 272: Chapter: 272 Charlotte's offer.

The reunion slowly came to an end, but the warmth it left behind did not fade.The family soon gathered around the long table set in the garden.

The sun had already passed its peak, and it was well beyond lunch time, yet no one had noticed earlier.

Now that everything had settled, the hunger finally caught up with them….especially Vivian and Vined, who had just returned from a long journey.

Without wasting time, they moved toward the garden along with the others.

The soft sound of chairs being pulled and plates being arranged filled the air, blending with the quiet rustling of leaves in the light breeze.

It felt peaceful, almost like the estate itself had been waiting for this moment.

Vined took his seat beside Elena, and almost immediately, she began talking.

Her voice carried a mix of excitement and relief, as if she had been holding everything in for far too long.

"You know what happened then?" she said, leaning slightly closer to him, her eyes bright with energy.

"She started talking openly that she envied me… can you imagine that?"

Vined looked at her, a soft smile forming on his face as he listened quietly.

"She said, 'Look at you, you have two such good sons who are bringing glory to the family, while mine only brings shame!'"

Elena continued, letting out a light chuckle.

Her shoulders relaxed as she spoke, clearly enjoying the chance to finally share everything.

"And then I told her," she added, lifting her chin slightly with a playful pride, "what can be done… after all, my womb is a bit special."

She paused for a second, her expression turning serious as she looked at Vined.

"And you know what she did? She immediately started frowning and said I was getting haughty. Me? Haughty?"

She asked, her tone almost offended, though her eyes still held a hint of amusement.

Vined simply nodded calmly, his expression gentle. "No, dear… you aren't."

That was all she needed.

With that, Elena continued talking, moving from one story to another without stopping.

Every little thing she had held back for months now came out freely, her voice rising and falling as she spoke.

Vined did not interrupt her. He simply sat there, listening, his soft smile never leaving, as if just hearing her was enough.

At the head of the table, Vikel sat straight as always, though his posture felt slightly more relaxed than usual.

Beside him, Edward leaned in a little, lowering his voice.

"Hey, old man… don't you think they are enchanted by their wives?"

He whispered, glancing toward the others with a small frown.

"It's like we are invisible. They aren't even talking about the war…"

He paused, narrowing his eyes a bit. "Don't you think they are ignoring us?"

Vikel slowly turned his head toward him, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Us?" he repeated, letting out a short, sharp snort. "Speak for yourself."

He straightened just a little more. "They were talking to me about the war just now."

Then his gaze sharpened as he looked at Edward.

"And who are you to talk about enchantment? You are always intimidated by Salena."

Edward froze.

For a moment, his face went completely blank, as if his mind had stopped working.

"Ahem… well…" he cleared his throat awkwardly, looking away.

His fingers tapped lightly against the table as he tried to recover.

At that moment, from the side, Salena walked past them, carrying a tray as she served everyone calmly.

She turned her head slightly, her eyes landing on Edward.

"Hehe…" he let out a soft chuckle. "Need help?"

She looked at him properly.

Just one look.

That was enough.

"Okay, old man, I should help her," he said quickly, standing up almost immediately, as if his life depended on it.

Vikel let out a loud snort behind him. "Hmph! Weren't you the only man here?"

His tone carried clear mockery, though there was a hint of playfulness in it.

Edward paused for half a second, his back stiffening.

Then he turned his head slightly, his eyes sharp.

"I'll deal with you later…" he muttered before quickly walking toward Salena.

He reached her side and silently took a few plates from her hands, trying to act natural, though the slight tension in his shoulders gave him away.

On the other side of the table, Vivian sat beside Charlotte.

His attention was completely on her.

His gaze slowly dropped to her belly.

It was still early, only three months, but there was a small, soft curve now, just enough to notice.

For a moment, he simply looked at it quietly, as if trying to take it all in.

Then, gently, he reached out and placed his hand over it.

His touch was careful, almost hesitant.

"Does it hurt?" he asked softly, his fingers lightly brushing over the fabric as he caressed her belly.

Charlotte turned her head toward him, her expression changing instantly.

"What do you think?" she replied, her tone sharp, her brows slightly drawn together.

"I and the baby have been waiting for you for such a long time, and you ask me if it hurts?"

She crossed her arms slightly, though she did not move away from him.

"Do you know how uncomfortable it is?" she added, her voice carrying clear annoyance.

Vivian smiled weakly, a bit guilty.

"I'm sorry…" he said gently, his hand moving up to her hair as he stroked it softly, trying to calm her.

This was not the first time he had seen her like this.

He had seen her pregnant before.

He had taken care of her before.

But that time… it felt distant now.

Back then, everything had been rushed, heavy with urgency.

She had been eager, almost desperate, wanting him to see their child before he was gone.

But now…

Now it was different.

There was no rush.

No fear hanging over them.

And because of that, Charlotte allowed herself to be a little difficult, a little demanding.

And honestly… she had every right to be.

Vivian looked at her again, his eyes softening.

"Are you eating well?" he asked, his tone gentle as his gaze moved to her face.

Her cheeks looked slightly fuller than before, soft and a little round.

It suited her.

In fact, it made her look even more adorable.

For a brief second, he had the urge to pinch them, just to see her reaction.

Especially when she pouted like that…it made it even harder to resist.

It had not been like this three months ago.

The change was small, but noticeable.

Still, he knew better than to say anything careless.

There were certain things you just never asked.

And weight…

That was definitely one of them.

So instead, he simply kept his smile, his hand gently resting against her.

Everyone continued eating as light conversations spread across the table.

The earlier emotions had settled into something softer now.

Small laughter, quiet remarks, and the clinking of plates filled the garden, making the space feel warm and alive.

After a while, Vined, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.

"Salena."

His voice was calm, but it carried enough weight to draw attention.

He turned his head slightly, looking at her where she was still standing and serving.

"You should sit too," he said, gesturing toward the empty seat beside him.

"You haven't told me if my youngest is treating you right."

As he said that, his gaze slowly shifted.

It landed directly on Edward.

A faint sigh escaped him. "…this idiot…"

Edward, who had just taken a plate from Salena, froze mid-step.

He blinked once, then looked left and right as if trying to confirm something.

"Me?" he asked, pointing at himself, his face full of confusion.

Vined's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Who is the idiot here besides you?" he said flatly.

"I never thought my son would turn out like this."

Edward's expression immediately turned wronged, his grip on the tray tightening slightly as it shook a little in his hands.

"But father… it wasn't…"

"Quiet!"

Vined cut him off without hesitation. His voice was firm, leaving no room for interruption.

"Is this what I taught you?" he continued, his gaze steady and sharp. "Didn't you see how I and your brother treat women? Did we teach you this?"

Edward went silent.

His mouth opened slightly, but no words came out this time.

Vined knew everything.

About how Edward had broken things off with Salena.

About the reason behind it. About the pressure from her side, the expectations, the situation that had forced that decision.

In truth, a part of him understood it… even felt proud.

But that did not mean he would let it go so easily.

"As if I don't know anything…" Vined added, his tone calmer now but still firm. "Come see me in the study after this."

Edward's shoulders dropped slightly.

"…yes, father," he muttered under his breath, looking completely defeated.

From the side, Vivian had been watching everything unfold.

And he could not help it.

A quiet chuckle escaped him.

He leaned back slightly in his chair, resting his hand near his mouth as he watched Edward stand there, still holding the tray like a scolded child.

"Poor little brother…" he thought, his eyes filled with amusement. "Getting scolded for the same thing again…"

There was a bit of pity in it.

But honestly…

It was far more entertaining than anything else happening at the table.

So he simply watched, enjoying it without stepping in.

Beside him, Charlotte, who had been talking to him earlier, slowly leaned closer.

Her movement was quiet, almost unnoticed by the others.

She tilted her head slightly toward him, her lips near his ear.

"Do you want to wash up…" she whispered softly, her voice low and gentle.

She paused for a brief second.

"…or…?"