The moment she appeared, Leon finally turned around.
His gaze lingered on Wanda for two more seconds.
"It fits perfectly."
He complimented her, his tone like someone appreciating a work of art.
Wanda lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes.
Pietro saw this and his face turned ashen.
He stepped forward, shielding Wanda behind him, and glared warily at Leon.
Leon ignored his hostility.
He raised a hand, pointing to the dining table already laden with dishes.
"Come here, sit." His tone brooked no refusal.
"Lunchtime has arrived."
The two exchanged a look, then obediently walked over.
This lunch was the most lavish meal Pietro and Wanda had ever eaten in their lives.
Tender, juicy Wagyu beef, melt-in-your-mouth foie gras, lobster... every dish was something they had only ever seen on television.
Pietro ravenously stuffed food into his mouth.
Not because of hunger, but because of anger and resentment.
He wanted to eat, he wanted to eat all of this food!
He used this method to vent the humiliation in his heart.
I eat your food, use your things, live in your house!
But I will never submit!
Someday, I will make you pay for today's arrogance!
Pietro roared furiously in his heart.
Wanda, however, ate very slowly, very carefully.
She used her knife and fork to cut off a small piece of beef, put it in her mouth, and savored it.
The deliciousness almost brought tears to her eyes.
But more of her attention was on Leon across the table.
Leon was not eating.
He was holding a glass of red wine, tasting it.
He was watching her the entire time.
Yes, only watching her.
His gaze was gentle, focused, as if the entire World only contained her reflection.
The feeling of being watched made Wanda a little unaccustomed.
"How does it taste?"
Leon suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
Clearly, his question was directed at Wanda.
"It's very delicious." Wanda was startled for a moment, then responded.
"Then eat more." Leon smiled slightly.
"From now on, this will be your daily life."
Pietro's chewing stopped abruptly, he looked up, his eyes defiantly meeting Leon's: "We don't need your charity!"
"Charity?"
Leon heard this and put down his wine glass.
"Pietro Maximoff."
"It seems you still haven't understood your place."
"I didn't bring you here to be guests. Guests need to be respected."
"And you two." His gaze swept over them.
"Are my possessions, picked up from the ruins."
"Your food and lodging, your clothes, the power you will learn in the future, everything, is bestowed by me."
"This is not charity."
Leon shook his head.
"This is an investment."
"And I, Leon Odinson, never make a losing deal."
Pietro was stunned, his face pale.
"What do you want us to do?"
"It's simple."
Leon leaned back in his chair, his tone calm.
"I want you to fight for me."
"I want you to become strong, even stronger!"
"HYDRA will be your first pledge of allegiance."
"I will give you power, then watch you get your revenge."
"As for what comes after..."
Leon's gaze fell on Wanda again.
"After that, you will follow me to conquer the vast World."
"To witness the fall of stars and the rise of the divine realm."
He stood up, walked behind Wanda, reached out, and gently tucked a strand of hair that had fallen near her face behind her ear.
His fingers, intentionally or unintentionally, touched Wanda's warm earlobe.
Wanda's body froze.
A jolt of electricity spread from her earlobe throughout her body.
"And you, Wanda."
Leon's whisper sounded in her ear.
"You will stand by my side, becoming a witness to everything."
Pietro suddenly stood up, accidentally knocking over his plate.
"Get away from her!!!" he roared.
Leon completely ignored him.
He withdrew his hand and slowly wiped his fingers with a napkin.
"It seems your education needs to start with basic etiquette."
Leon said indifferently.
"Jarvis."
"Yes, sir."
"From today onwards, Pietro's daily training will be doubled."
"Understood, sir. Training plan updated." Jarvis responded quickly.
Leon didn't bother with the other party's reaction; he walked back to the floor-to-ceiling window.
"Go back to your rooms to rest after dinner."
"Tomorrow morning at six, your divine life officially begins."
The atmosphere quieted, Wanda and Pietro did not speak immediately.
Pietro was panting heavily, somewhat at a loss.
She looked at Leon's back, then at her angry brother.
She didn't know why, but she was starting to feel something different.
Perhaps... what Leon said was right?
We need to conquer.
Pietro was furious, but also helpless.
He wanted to rush up and punch Leon in the face.
But reason stopped him.
He remembered his ambush, Leon just waved his hand.
He couldn't even touch him.
Everything he possessed was a joke in front of Leon.
He felt humiliated.
He, Pietro Maximoff.
For the past nine years, he had dared to fight against the malice of the entire World to protect his sister.
Now, he couldn't even protect his sister from a verbal taunt.
He slowly lowered his head, looking at the mess on the floor.
This was not just food, but his pathetic self-esteem.
"Brother..."
A hand gently pulled at his sleeve.
It was Wanda.
Pietro's body stiffened, he quickly turned and grabbed Wanda's hand.
"Let's go! Let's get out of this hellhole!"
Wanda was hurt by his grip, but she didn't struggle, instead looking at him with confusion.
"Where to, Pietro?"
...Pietro froze.
Where to?
Yes, where to?
Back to Sokovia?
Back to the dilapidated, cold apartment where they couldn't even find a whole piece of bread?
Back to the ruins full of hatred, yet powerless against their enemies?
And then what?
Wait for HYDRA to come knocking? Wait for the scientists Leon mentioned to capture Wanda and turn her into a monster?
Pietro's face changed from flushed to pale.
He had no answer.
He didn't even have a boat to escape this island.
"I..." He opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
He had nowhere to go.
He released Wanda, his head drooping weakly.
He lost.
Lost completely.
Wanda looked at her brother's slumped shoulders, a pang of pain in her heart.
She knew Pietro's pride.
But at the same time, she also had some thoughts she was reluctant to admit.
She didn't want to leave.
She didn't want to return to cold Sokovia.
She looked at Leon's back.
This man was arrogant, domineering, treating them as playthings.
But... he also gave them something they had never had.
Clean clothes, warm food, and the hope of revenge, the future of the Scarlet Witch.
Was this a declaration of ownership?
Wanda's cheeks flushed.
She didn't know
....
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