The Ancient Genes

"Is anything wrong?" Eren asked as he looked at Axel sitting there with a frown on his face.

"No…" Axel shook his head, and then sighed.

He had asked Max to inform him about Erina, and he had informed him today about her. It seemed that Erina was depressed and sad. There were even rumours that she was going to be engaged to someone.

Even though Max hadn't mentioned anything else, Axel was smart. And, with Erina's reaction when she had met him before leaving, he could guess that this was most likely something arranged by her step mother.

And, it didn't seem that Erina's father was on her side on this matter.

"Tsk.." Axel clicked his tongue in irritation.

"Are you sure there is nothing wrong?" Eren once again asked as he gave him a weird look.

"Nothing! Will you stop asking the same thing again and again!" Axle snapped at him, and then walked towards his room in anger.

"What's wrong with him?" Eren muttered in confusion.

…

On the other side..

'I wonder what it is about.' Max muttered as he headed towards the Lady's chamber once again.

When he arrived, he gave Talia a flirting smile while completely ignoring the piercing glare from Travis who was grinding his teeth in the corner.

"Why do you have to play with my heart?" Max sighed as he looked at Talia, "You got my hopes high by calling me in the middle of night, but only to see this guy's face.." Max pointed towards Travis, "You really are not showing me any mercy.."

"I have called you for some important matter.." Talia ignored Max's antique, and got to the point.

"I think Erina had already informed you about her engagement proposal.." Talia gave Max a look, and he nodded.

"Do you want me to convince her?" Max asked curiously.

"No..instead it's the opposite.." Her reply sure took Max by surprise.

"I want you to make her cancel this engagement. Convince her that this is the worst choice she will ever make.."

"Isn't this engagement your idea?" Max looked at Talia in surprise.

"Why do you think so?" Talia questioned Max in return.

"Hmmn…well, I thought you would be eager to get her out. I mean she is the daughter of a woman whom you might not like so much.." Max shrugged.

"I see.." Talia nodded, "Anyway, you are not wrong. But, if I marry her to the person in question, then it won't really bring me as much benefit as I wish for. She would not only get a powerful backer but will also retain her connections to this House."

Max nodded. He had thought that much himself as well. This woman was very calculating and merciless. She might be a match for Melinda honestly.

Max once again swore in his heart to be careful around her.

Thankfully, he had the Demonic transformation to fool her. Otherwise, she might have been one of the toughest foe he had ever faced.

'But, if she is acting like this, does that mean the Storm House had nothing to do with her? No connections?' Max didn't want to get to any decision right now. It was too early after all.

"That's all.." Talia stated as she looked at Max, but the guy just stood there looking at her with a smile on his face.

"Is there anything you want?" She asked him.

"Yes, honestly a lot. I doubt you will give it to me though.." Max said with a meaningful smile.

"You b*stard!!" Travis once again lost his calm and charged towards Max.

"Pa!"

Only to be sent flying away by a slap and crashing into the corner of the room.

"My bad..I just can't stand his rudeness towards you." Max apologized to Talia who just remained calm.

"And, you..I was just asking for recognition. Just what kind of dirty mind do you have.." Max looked at Travis in disdain who glared back at him furiously with his lips busted open.

"Do you want me to train him? He has nothing good in his head.." Max suggested as he looked at Talia. But, her gaze made it clear that she was reaching her limits. It was better not to push any further.

Hence, Max left after a few more flirtatious remarks.

"Mom!! I want to kill that b*stard!!" Travis roared in anger.

Talia looked at him with a frown. Even though he was her son, he really lacked patience. She couldn't help but be a bit disappointed by his attitude. She had repeatedly tried to make him understand the importance of the issue, but he had been childish.

"Why won't you do anything?!!" Travis shouted in frustration, and the disappointed look on Talia's face only fueled his anger even more.

"You are playing right into his hand right now. Do you think he doesn't know your behavior? He is deliberately doing that. After all, even if he can't get anything from me, he can have his fun with you.." Talia once again explained to him. "He is a crazy person, if he isn't scared of death, there is no other choice left with us but to endure his erratic behavior to a certain extent.."

"Fine, if you won't give me permission to do anything to him, I will ask father.." Travis said with his face twitching in anger.

"It's fine with me. Go and ask him. I doubt you will hear anything else.." Talia waved her hand at him, and he angrily left.

…

Max looked at Travis angrily leaving Talia's chamber from a distance and smiled. It seemed things were proceeding ahead well. It was just the start though, he would show this guy hell ahead.

With that Max returned to his room.

The night sky soon turned bright, and the new day arrived with a lot of things to look forward to.

Max and Naze were having breakfast as usual when Erina arrived to join them.

"So, how did it go?" Max lightly asked as he looked at her. "Is she here?"

Erina looked at Max, and nodded with glistening eyes, "Yes, she is here.."

She had met her mother.