Actually, she didn't need to drug him to dull his senses as he was sexually attracted to her back then and was willing to have sex with her. But she wasn't going to take any chances.
She wanted what she wanted at all costs and wasn't willing to allow for failure. So she had drugged him and stole his seed from him.
He didn't say all of that. Instead, he said stoically, "The past is in the past. Like you said, I have changed. I have become a better man. I have you and many other things to thank for that change."
Lady Vena scoffed and gave up.
The sight of the harlot being rebuffed pleased Delia greatly. She wanted to hide it, but her lips couldn't be forced to remain calm. They curved to form a smile. So she had to hide her smiling face with a cup.
She said, "What a shame. It seems you're not as pretty as you think you are. Don't be sad, though. It is a normal thing that happens when you get older. You'll get over it soon."
Augustus didn't say anything, but his disapproval was clear in the gaze he directed at Delia.
It was Vena's turn to smile. She was happy that Delia was being rebuked openly.
Unlike Delia, who only got married to Augustus through an arranged marriage and didn't know much about her spouse, she had done her due investigation, and she knew Augustus well enough to know that he doesn't like schemes and trickery.
He is a straight arrow who detests fake compliments and false smiles. So she stopped throwing shade at Delia so as not to anger him.
His personality is the major reason why she chose to seduce him, not his numerous brothers.
He was innocent and pure, which she found attractive. It also meant that he would be honorable and wouldn't try to kill her no matter how angry he became because of the trickery.
Even then, she had to run away and stay in hiding until she was sure that she was pregnant. Only then did she have the collateral to force Augustus's hand.
Even now, she is still attracted to him. She was lying about her interest in him earlier. If there is any man she would like to lay with, it would be Augustus.
Unfortunately, he is too straight and rigid an arrow. He would rather break than bend. She liked and hated that about him.
The three of them were deep in thought on various things, which made the room become silent. It was at that point that his meal was brought over.
The maids quickly set down a tray for Augustus right there on the table in the sitting room. Then they opened the dishes one by one and arranged them before him.
The sitting room was not for eating, so Lady Devia didn't like what he was doing. But Augustus didn't care.
He was hungry, and he was in the sitting room, so he will eat in the sitting room. The alternative is to move to the dining room. But he didn't want to go to all that hassle just to eat.
Besides, he wanted to eat while having this meeting with Vena.
He said to Vena, "Feel free to ask the maids for anything."
Vena shook her head. "I am not in the mood for food right now. I came here for important matters."
Augustus nodded and began to eat. Lady Delia wanted to say something insulting about Vena, but she wisely chose to keep quiet.
After a spoonful of food, Augustus said to Vena, "What is it that you came for?"
She replied with a smile, "I'd prefer if you finished eating first."
She wanted him to be in a good mood before making her requests. Seeing as he refused her offer of sex, food is the next best thing she can rely on to improve his mood.
But he wasn't having any of it either. He said, "I am very busy. I haven't eaten in days because of how busy I am. But I took a break from my cultivation to have this audience with you because this will be the first time that you would be coming over to see me and to request something from me ever since you joined this family."
"I am, however, hoping to hear your request while I eat. If this meeting isn't over before I finish eating, then you will have to continue it without me. So I advise you to get on with your requests as soon as possible."
He ate another spoonful after saying that.
He had said all that he needed to say. The rest is up to her. Whichever decision she makes, he will leave immediately after he is done eating.
Lady Vena recognized what he said as his bottom line. She knew he wouldn't budge because he is so stubborn. So she could only get on with what she came for.
She sighed and tried her best to look pitiful as she said, "This is about our son."
He said, "Oh. How is that boy?"
She replied, "His name is Arthur, and he is fine."
He nodded. "That's good for him. I hear he is doing well. I am impressed with his talent and your skill in raising him. You should be proud."
She smiled and said, "I am indeed proud."
"It is good that you have a high opinion of him because what I came here for is a matter that will affect his future."
He didn't pause his eating or show any reaction to what she said at all.
He said calmly, "Is that so? Color me intrigued."
Actually, he wasn't intrigued or curious at all. Delia, who was on the side, showed more curiosity than him.
Even the guards who were present also showed more curiosity than Augustus, even though their curiosity is subdued, and they were not supposed to be curious at all.
He just didn't care. But Lady Vena soldiered on bravely.