If it weren't for the obvious mischief in Deanna's eyes, Lance might have believed her words just now.
He looked at her with a mix of indulgence and helplessness. "If you want to know, I'll tell you myself tonight. You don't need to hear it from others."
Hearing Lance categorize her as "others," Eula's fiery red lips pressed together slightly. Her gaze involuntarily fell on the delicate woman beside her, jealousy surging in her eyes but quickly suppressed.
At this moment, Lance's polite and distant voice reached her ears. "Did you come to see me for something?"
"Indeed, there's something important I need to discuss with you."
Talking about serious matters, Eula's expression turned solemn.
However, she didn't immediately bring up the issue. Instead, she looked at Deanna and said, "Miss, could I borrow your fiance for a few minutes? What we need to discuss is not suitable for outsiders."
Although Deanna understood that Eula was concerned about confidentiality, being referred to as an outsider made her uncomfortable.
Just as she was about to speak, Lance, standing beside her, spoke up with some displeasure. "Deanna is not an outsider. She has the right to know everything about me, so there's no need for her to leave."
"No, even if she's not an outsider, what we need to discuss is not suitable for a third person to know."
Eula insisted on talking to Lance alone.
Lance was equally resolute. "If that's the case, then there's nothing to discuss."
"Lance, are you crazy?"
Eula hadn't expected Lance to abandon serious matters because of Deanna. She stared at him wide-eyed.
At the same time, the jealousy in her heart was almost uncontrollable.
Seeing that the two were about to argue because of her, Deanna quickly stepped forward and persuaded Lance. "Since it's a confidential matter, I shouldn't be present. Miss Eula's insistence is understandable as a partner's concern. Don't be mad at Miss Eula. I'm a bit hungry anyway; you two go ahead and talk while I get some snacks."
After speaking, she gave Lance a reassuring look.
Seeing her conciliatory smile, Lance didn't want to make things difficult for her and nodded in agreement. "Go ahead, but don't wander too far. I'll come find you soon."
"Got it. You two talk."
Deanna said and then turned to leave.
Watching her walk away, the coldness on Eula's face softened a bit.
At least this woman knew her place.
Eula sneered inwardly and turned her gaze to Lance. Thinking about the unpleasantness just now, she broke the silence. "Let's go upstairs. I've had a room prepared."
Lance didn't refuse.
On the way, Eula looked at the quiet man beside her and felt uncomfortable.
When that woman was around earlier, she could feel Lance's tenderness. But now, he seemed like the cold and ruthless Lance she used to know.
Feeling unwilling, she tried to start a conversation and joked, "I didn't expect the mighty killer god would like such a delicate woman."
"I don't think she's delicate at all."
Lance frowned in disagreement.
He couldn't stand anyone saying anything bad about Deanna. "You don't know her, so don't make hasty comments. I don't like it."
Eula was momentarily speechless, her jealousy flaring even more.
She gritted her teeth secretly, scoffing at Lance's words.
She had investigated Deanna thoroughly.
In her view, Deanna's current status was merely due to luck-having a hidden family master as a master and coincidentally getting involved with Lance and having his child.
As for any real abilities, Eula saw none.
Without Lance's protection, Deanna wouldn't have survived any of the troubles she encountered.
Lance was unaware of Eula's thoughts.
After entering the lounge, still uneasy about leaving Deanna alone downstairs, he got straight to the point. "What's the important matter you mentioned?"
Sensing his impatience, Eula didn't dare delay any longer and spoke honestly.
"Recently, there have been issues at several of our strongholds in Espuenia."
About ten years ago, while studying in Espuenia, Lance inadvertently offended a local noble.
The noble was unreasonable and sent people to assassinate Lance.
At that time, Lance wasn't as powerful as he is now. His forces abroad were just beginning to develop and couldn't contend with the noble.
Pressed for time, Lance had no choice but to seek cooperation with Eula, who was then vying for power within her family.
Eula's full name was Eula Maturin. The Maturin name represented one of Espuenia's top families at the time.
One had an influential family background and the other had iron-fisted tactics. It was no surprise that both achieved satisfactory results from their collaboration.