The Ryu Dynasty Returns

Chapter 7:

“Somehow,” Alyssa began, her eyes narrowing on Odessa with envy. “I wonder how you were able to manipulate the Zhao’s group into sending you gifts.”

“Are you now agreeing that you have lied to us all about some secret admirer sending you gifts?” Odessa asked with a raised brow.

“You..!” Alyssa’s face went red with embarrassment.

Old Lady Chen shot her a look that kept her quiet. She glanced at the lead attendant with a smile.

“Tell Mister Zhao that we will definitely honor his invitation.”

The lead attendant gave a nod and they all watched as the convoy left the residence.

The atmosphere turned stiff.

Old Lady Chen walked into the residence with the older generation behind her. Her gaze lingered briefly on Riven. She wasn’t truly a fool. She knew the Zhao family had sent gifts because of him.

Perhaps, it was just for formalities. She wouldn’t let herself get used to it after all this man didn’t look like he had special abilities.

Alyssa sneered in Odessa’s face.

“Don’t get used to it. Grandma only saved you because there were outsiders here.”

She avoided Riven’s eyes, still frightened by the fact that he knew about her pregnancy. Aurelius and his children walked back into the residence; only Riven and Odessa remained outside.

“Where do we sleep, wife?” Riven suddenly asked with a yawn.

Odessa visibly blushed at the word ‘wife.’ She led him towards the guest wing.

The room was old and isolated. A small bed in the middle with a lamp on a broken cupboard and a seemingly uncomfortable couch by the corner.

She turned towards Riven, but he had no expression on. He had been used to the worst sleeping situations.

“I’m sorry but I know you aren’t used to something like this. But this is where I sleep,” she said quietly.

Riven gave a light shrug as he walked deeper into the room.

“I will take the couch,” she offered, taking out an extra blanket from the wardrobe.

A mischievous glint passed through Riven’s eyes.

“Okay,” he responded, striding towards the bed.

Odessa’s eyes widened slightly. She had expected him to take the blanket from her and lay on the couch instead he agreed to her proposal?

“You won’t even invite me to the bed? How do you expect me to sleep on this couch?” She whined.

Riven turned to look at her but didn’t say a word, shifting to the other end of the bed, leaving a space beside him.

Odessa pursed her lips and walked to the other side of the bed. Folding the blanket in her hands, she laid it between the both of them to separate the bed before lying down.

An awkward silence followed.

“I’m sorry about how my family treated you earlier,” Odessa said, breaking the silence between them.

Riven exhaled deeply. “It’s fine. I’m used to much worse.”

Odessa glanced over at him. He had his back turned to her.

Truly, Riven didn’t care about the Chen family’s disrespect. He had survived much worse conditions in the Zhao’s residence.

Riven could feel the burning gaze of Odessa's eyes on his back. He closed his eyes and released a sigh.

“Tomorrow is going to be a long day. Sleep.”

“Sure. Goodnight.”

Soon, Odessa’s soft breaths filled the room but Riven’s eyes were wide open.

He didn’t sleep.

He couldn’t.

…

The Chen residence was unusually lively the next morning. Servants ran around trying to prepare outfits, and jewelry for the Zhao’s banquet.

For the first time in years, excitement fills the estate because they all believed that this invitation could restore their declining influence in Kairen’s city.

Old Lady Chen had also called Aurelius and his family to the main hall.

“This banquet is a very special and important occasion to us,” her gaze swept over the three. “This is the first time the Zhao family has shown interest in our family and we must utilize this opportunity well.”

Aurelius raised a brow.

“What do you mean, mother?”

Old Lady Chen frowned at her son’s cluelessness.

“Alyssa must try her best to woo the heir of the Zhao family today. If she can gain his attention, our family will skyrocket to the skies with an alliance as strong as that.”

Alyssa’s eyes shone with delight.

“Grandma, if that’s what you want, consider it done!”

Old Lady Chen smiled gleefully. “Of course. You are very beautiful although not as good looking as Odessa but you will do.”

Alyssa’s face fell. She had hated being compared to Odessa but ever since they were children, she had always gotten comparison not only from her grandma but her grandfather as well.

A strong resolve formed in her heart. She will try her best to get the attention of the Zhao’s heir! If she did, she will have no equal in her grandma’s eyes and that good for nothing cousin of hers, will be beneath her for a long time.

Meanwhile at the guest wing, Riven had given Odessa privacy to dress while he stared at the carvings in the courtyard.

They also bore the same dragon eye designs as the one in the main hall and gave him the same unsettling feeling deep inside him.

Odessa approached him, furrowing her brows. She had noticed he had been standing here for the longest time, staring.

“What are you looking at?”

Riven ignored her question and asked one of his own.

“How long have these carvings existed?”

“I don’t know,” she responded honestly. “But long enough.”

Riven gives a curt nod, deepening Odessa’s confusion.

He’s so strange, she thought to herself.

Odessa’s response heightens Riven’s suspicions. Perhaps the Chen family have traces tied to the old dynasties?

Damon Zhao’s final words suddenly began to feel heavy in his mind.

“The Chen family holds a key to the truth behind the Wei family’s destruction. Marry into them, and doors that have been shut for eighteen years will begin to open.”