Chapter 005: Quite the Skill

Seraphina Pierce was a national-level Konghou soloist. Her profession involved performing in concerts and music festivals, either as a soloist or with an orchestra, and occasionally promoting traditional folk instruments.

Lately, however, she had no scheduled performances and spent most of her time at home.

Yara Pierce, being a pianist, had a similar work schedule and was also enjoying a period of leisure.

With Quentin at the office and Leo at school, Seraphina and Yara were often the only ones left at home. They spent their days practicing their instruments, brewing tea to cultivate their inner peace, or simply pruning the greenery in the courtyard. Occasionally, when the mood struck, they would venture into the kitchen to cook.

All in all, life was exceedingly peaceful.

After three days of this, Yara finally couldn't resist lecturing Seraphina. At the time, they were in the garden, each holding a pair of shears, meticulously tending to the flowers.

Yara looked over at Seraphina, who was focused on her task, and remarked, "Sera, don't you find it boring staying home with me all day?"

"Not at all," Seraphina replied with a smile.

How could she be bored? Having her family by her side brought her nothing but profound contentment.

Moreover, in her past life, she had lived to be fifty. As the head of the Sterling family and the notorious "Black Widow" of the Capital, she had long grown accustomed to this slow-paced lifestyle of self-cultivation during her downtime.

"Aren't young people supposed to love going out? You should call up some friends and have some fun. We don't have many strict rules in this house; no one would mind if you stayed out at a club until midnight, as long as you aren't wandering off to places where we don't have connections."

By "places where we don't have connections," she meant areas beyond the reach or influence of the Pierces or their associates. If she was in a familiar spot where people could look out for her, there was no danger, which was why Yara could suggest it so casually.

Seraphina looked at her and teased, "Mom, are you already tired of seeing me at home every day?"

It wasn't that she was tired of her, but Yara felt a young woman should be out exploring the world. What kind of person stays cooped up with a middle-aged woman all day? Given her daughter's current temperament, it was no wonder they felt the need to set her up on blind dates; she’d never find a boyfriend staying home like this.

Yara gave her a look of mock disdain. "As long as you know!"

"But Mom, I don't have anyone to hang out with."

Yara glared at her. "What do you mean 'no one'? Didn't you just say a few days ago that Solas Sterling seemed nice? You even asked for his number! You could ask him out. Or, if not him, there's always the Foster boy, or any of your other childhood friends."

At the mention of Solas's name, Seraphina’s shears faltered for a moment.

She wasn't quite ready to see him yet. Besides, he seemed quite busy with work lately. She would wait a little longer.

"I just wanted to make up for lost time and spend it with you, yet here you are, complaining about it?"

"And don't just talk about me," Seraphina continued. "You barely ever leave the house either. Look at the other socialites—they’re constantly hosting little gatherings, but you never go."

"Am I just a 'normal' socialite? I have a real career. When I finally get a vacation, I’d be a fool to go looking for more work to do."

Seeing her mother’s righteous indignation, Seraphina shrugged helplessly. "Well, your daughter isn't exactly a 'normal' socialite either."

As Yara opened her mouth to argue further, Seraphina cut her off with a laugh. "Mom, don't worry so much. If I were actually out there partying wildly, you'd probably be even more worried."

Yara gave her a playful, scolding smile. "You... fine, I'll stop nagging."

Actually, Seraphina wasn't wrong. There were plenty of spoiled brats in their social circle, and Yara had seen many mothers lose sleep over their children's antics.

Sigh,

she thought. Both her children were too talented and sensible. They never gave her anything to worry about, which left her with almost no sense of maternal accomplishment.

Seeing the bright smile on Yara’s face, Seraphina’s gaze deepened. As she continued pruning, she asked as if in passing, "Mom, has Aunt Fiona Foster contacted you again? Do you know exactly which day they're coming back?"

In her past life, she hadn't paid any attention to the specific date Fiona and her uncle returned; she only vaguely remembered it being around this time.

Yara shook her head. "No more calls, but it should be in the next few days." She looked at Seraphina with curiosity. "Sera, why are you so interested in this? I remember you didn't have much of a relationship with them while they were living abroad all these years."

Seraphina’s eyes flickered as she lowered her lashes to hide her thoughts. Once her emotions were steady, she looked up and smiled. "That’s exactly why I’m asking. They’re family, aren't they? It’s only right to show some concern."

It was a bit unusual for Seraphina, but on second thought, Yara didn't find anything wrong with the logic. It was only natural to ask about family members when they were due to return home.

"That's true," Yara agreed. "Your father and I are planning to help them with their wedding. Your uncle and Fiona have been abroad for over ten years and they’re both thirty now. It’s high time they had a proper ceremony."

Hearing this, Seraphina’s eyes turned sharp as glass.

Her "uncle"—or rather, her nominal uncle—was Silas Pierce. Her grandfather had taken him in as an orphan many years ago out of pity; he was eighteen years younger than her father.

He had been childhood sweethearts with Fiona Foster. The two of them went abroad together after high school and stayed there to build their careers. It had been twelve years since they left.

One was an adopted son, the other an illegitimate daughter.

Yet, the Pierce family had never treated them with anything but kindness. Silas had been raised with the same privileges as a biological son. Fiona, who wasn't well-liked by the Fosters, had gained their respect only after Seraphina’s grandfather stepped in to arrange her engagement to Silas.

When her grandfather passed away, the two of them didn't even return for the funeral, citing their busy studies. The Pierces had been understanding and hadn't breathed a word of blame.

Now, her parents even wanted to organize their wedding. They had treated them with the utmost benevolence.

And how did they repay that kindness? By destroying the family!

They were nothing but ungrateful wolves.

"Mom, don't rush into the wedding preparations. It’s better to wait until they return and discuss it with them. After living abroad for so long, their tastes might be different from ours. If you prepare everything and it's not to their liking, your effort will be wasted." Seraphina said this purely to stop Yara from wasting her energy on those two traitors.

Prepare for a wedding?

They should be preparing for a funeral.

"Of course, we'll talk it over first," Yara said.

As she spoke, her gaze fell on the shears in Seraphina’s hand. She noticed that her daughter’s movements were exceptionally fluid and practiced.

"Sera, I noticed you’re even more skilled at this than I am. If I recall, this is the first time you've ever helped me in the garden. I was worried the shears would be too heavy for you, but you seem to have a real talent for gardening."

Seraphina’s movements froze.

A moment later, she regained her composure and smiled. "Mom, is that any way to tease your own daughter?"

In the past, she certainly wouldn't have been this coordinated. But the Seraphina who possessed the memories of her previous life had gained far more than just business acumen.

Her combat skills had been personally honed by Solas Sterling. To hold onto the Sterling family—the most mysterious and powerful clan in the Capital—and earn the name of a ruthless "Black Widow," one could only imagine how formidable her skills actually were.

Fortunately, her mother was no expert, or she might have sensed something unusual.

Seraphina realized she had been a bit careless. It was fine around family, but if an enemy noticed her prowess, it wouldn't be to her advantage. Playing the "pig to eat the tiger"—staying underestimated until the moment of the strike—was the most effective strategy.

She didn't want anyone to know her true depth just yet.

She set down the shears. "I think I'll stop here before you tease me any further. I’ve been home for a few days; it really is time I went out. I’ll go see if Finnian and Zelda want to hang out."

Hearing that she was willing to see her friends, Yara beamed with joy. "Go, go! Have a great time and don't rush back. Just be home by midnight, and call if you need anything!"