Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world Chapter 471: Trying to woo her?

As they drew near the parking lot, Brandon lifted his hand to pat Kiera’s head. "Good job there, daughter."

Kiera’s lips quirked, and she smacked his hand aside. "I am older than you."

A low, warm chuckle escaped Brandon as he leaned against his car’s side, arms folded across his chest.

"That doesn’t alter the truth—you’re still my daughter."

Kiera squinted her eyes and jabbed her elbow firmly into his stomach. "Quit saying that. It’s creepy."

Grinning, Brandon rubbed the spot where she struck.

"I was hoping to discuss my new guild during the meeting..." Kiera sighed, resting against the car next to him. "But it wrapped up abruptly thanks to that Sytheria chaos."

He cocked his head a bit, gazing at her with calm curiosity.

"Hey, Kiera, why not bring Charlotte into the guild as well?"

Kiera jolted at the suggestion. "W-What? She’s linked to the government through her Empyrean role."

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, after her recent misdeeds... the government seems clueless on dealing with her, so she could sever ties and turn into a rogue, independent awakener."

"Being in the guild might give her some fresh breathing room too."

Kiera fixed him with a long stare. "You’re serious?"

"Dead serious."

She dragged a hand over her ponytail, breathing out slowly. "Charlotte Fleurdys... in my guild. Do you realize how scary that idea is? She’s not famous for getting along with people."

Brandon’s grin turned gentler. "She gets along fine with me."

Kiera stayed silent for a few beats, obviously mulling it over.

"...It might actually pan out," she conceded with reluctance.

"Plus, an Empyrean in our corner would render us invincible."

She shot him a sidelong look. "At last, I’m getting something worthwhile from you, dear father."

Grinning back, he said, "You can always rely on me."

Kiera shook her head in helpless amusement mixed with irritation.

Her eyes shifted to the hall’s entrance, where Esmery continued talking with a cluster of matriarchs.

"And that woman... you sure you’re not trying to charm her?"

With a gentle sigh, he answered, "Just talking to her doesn’t mean I’m chasing her. Come on... do I seem like that type?"

Kiera shot him a flat stare. "Frankly, you do. Especially since you’ve got plenty of women already, like my mom and sister..."

Brandon: -_

She inched nearer, eyes narrowing more. "Tell me the truth."

He let out a breath. "I’m telling the truth... Esmery’s got nice big boobs and she’s hot, but that doesn’t mean I’m pursuing her."

Kiera: (ಠ_ಠノ)

"You... dang it. My mom’s pregnant over there, and you’re out here straying."

Brandon parted his lips to argue, but Esmery approached with a radiant, pleased smile before he could speak.

"Ready to head out, Brandon?"

He pivoted to her swiftly, grabbing the chance. "Yeah, let’s go."

Then he looked back at Kiera. "You joining me? I’m heading home anyhow."

Kiera sighed softly, still eyeing him judgmentally, but nodded in the end.

"Mhm, sure..."

Esmery slipped into the passenger seat while Kiera hopped into the back, fastening her seatbelt.

Brandon settled behind the wheel, fired up the engine, and its deep hum broke the still night.

As they eased out of the courtyard onto the lengthy, tree-flanked driveway from the assembly hall.

Esmery reclined in her seat, releasing a prolonged, content exhale.

"That turned out better than anticipated," she murmured, eyeing Brandon. "Thanks again... for sticking around."

Brandon offered a soft smile. "You handled the tough part. I was merely moral support."

From the rear, Kiera grumbled, "Moral support with his arm stuck to your waist all evening."

Brandon: -_

Esmery chuckled softly, twisting to face Kiera.

"You shone too, Kiera. That Bleaufort withdrawal speech was spot-on. Your mother would be thrilled."

Kiera’s face eased. "Thanks. I was scared stiff."

A cozy quiet settled in the car for several minutes as they navigated the twisting paths to Solvyrn City.

Nearing a serene crossroads, a glowing ice cream truck passed by in the facing lane, its classic tune drifting faintly from the speakers despite the late hour.

Brandon spotted it right away.

In the rearview, he saw Kiera’s eyes flicker briefly with that hidden childlike yearning.

Noticing, his eyes dropped. ’Under her grandma’s harsh upbringing, I wonder if she had a joyful childhood...’

He eased the car to a gentler speed. "Kiera, you want ice cream?"

Kiera whipped her head around to face him. "Ice cream? I am not a kid."

Brandon arched an eyebrow, flashing a wry smile. "Uh-huh."

He shot a quick glance at Esmery in the passenger seat. "What about you?"

Esmery nodded instantly. "Sure! It’s been a while since I got some ice cream too."

Brandon let out a chuckle and deftly steered the car to the roadside, pulling up near the curb close to the ice cream truck parked a bit ahead.

He cut the engine and faced both women.

"Come on. My treat."

Esmery unfastened her seatbelt with clear excitement, her hand already on the door handle.

"I want strawberry with sprinkles. And maybe a cone instead of a cup."

Kiera folded her arms, feigning disinterest. "I’m only getting one because you two are peer-pressuring me."

Brandon grinned while climbing out of the car. "Sure, kid."

"I’m older than you!"

Together, the trio strolled toward the ice cream truck.

The vendor, an elderly man with a friendly face, lit up as they drew near.

"Evening! What can I get for you folks?"

Esmery leaned in with eagerness. "Strawberry swirl with rainbow sprinkles, please. On a cone."

Brandon gestured toward Kiera. "And whatever she wants."

Kiera paused briefly, then let out a resigned sigh. "...Chocolate chip cookie dough. Two scoops. In a cup."

Brandon smiled at the vendor. "And I’ll take mint chocolate chip on a cone."

While the man scooped their treats, Esmery nudged Brandon’s shoulder playfully.

"Thank you for the treat."

Soon, they received their ice creams, and Brandon slipped the vendor a hefty tip.

Leisurely, they headed back to the car, savoring their cones beneath the glowing streetlights.

Esmery lapped at her cone with pure joy, while Kiera attempted to eat hers gracefully but got a smudge of cookie dough on her nose.

Spotting it, Brandon reached out and softly wiped it away with his thumb.

Kiera blinked in astonishment but stayed put as he cleaned it off.

"...Thank you."

They lingered there a bit longer, enjoying ice cream by the roadside.

The night air seemed somehow brighter.

Finally climbing back into the car, Brandon stretched his arms and fired up the engine.

"Better?"

Esmery nodded with a happy grin. "Much better."

Kiera reclined in her seat. "...Yeah. It was okay."

Brandon smiled inwardly and merged back onto the road.

---

The car came to a gentle halt right outside the imposing gates of Esmery’s mansion.

Esmery twisted in her seat to face Brandon. "How about dinner at my place?" she asked hopefully. "It’s still early enough. I can have something simple prepared."

Brandon shook his head with a faint, sorry smile. "Maybe another time. I need to go home now. Florence and the others are probably waiting."

Esmery’s eyes dropped briefly, a flash of letdown passing over her features before she hid it behind a gentle, knowing smile.

"...I see."

She slowly unbuckled her seatbelt, then leaned over the center console toward him.

Before Brandon could respond, she cradled his cheek with one hand and planted a solid kiss on his lips.

Brandon’s eyes went wide in shock, his body freezing up.

As she drew back just a touch to whisper, her look grew tender, eyes gleaming with genuine feeling.

"Thank you for today... Brandon."

Without waiting for a reply, she kissed him once more, then withdrew fully.

She swung open the passenger door and exited with poise.

Brandon remained stunned in the driver’s seat, lips still buzzing from the surprise kisses.

His mind had blanked out completely.

(⚆ᗝ⚆) In the back seat, Kiera’s mouth hung open. She gawked at the moment with bulging eyes, as if fish-slapped.

What the hell?

Esmery glanced back at the car once more, giving a dainty wave.

"Good night, both of you. Drive safely."

She shut the door softly and headed through the open gates.

The instant the door latched, Kiera burst out from the back.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"

Brandon blinked sluggishly, still fixed on Esmery’s empty seat.

"I... uh..."

Kiera poked her head forward between the front seats. "She just kissed you! Twice! In front of me!"

Brandon shook off his stupor at last, rubbing his neck awkwardly, truly thrown off.

"She was just... thanking me."

Kiera’s jaw fell even lower.

"THANKING you?! Brandon, that was not a ’thank you’ kiss. That was a ’I want to climb you like a tree’ kiss!"

Brandon coughed, his ears tinting pink. "It wasn’t that deep-"

"It was deep enough!" Kiera hissed while flailing her arms wildly. "And you just sat there frozen like a statue!"

Brandon fired up the engine once more, obviously attempting to flee the discussion by getting back on the move.

Kiera refused to drop it.

From the back, she jabbed his shoulder over and over.

"You have my mother at home, my sister, Ravene, Elize, Yverine, Dhayun, Jiyeon... and now you’re gathering more women like rare collectible figurines?!"

Brandon released a prolonged, pained sigh.

"I’m not collecting anyone. She was thankful for the backup tonight. That’s it."

Kiera dramatically slumped back into her seat, "Yeah, right. And I’m the Queen of England."

The vehicle glided ahead past the gates and onto the primary street.

A few minutes passed in glorious quiet.

Soon, Kiera bent forward once more, her tone thick with doubt.

"Tell the truth. Did you enjoy it?"

Brandon fixed his gaze ahead on the road, though his lip corner quirked slightly.

"...It wasn’t awful."

Kiera gasped, "You total-"

Brandon burst into laughter at last, "Chill out. It was merely a kiss. Nothing else."

In the rearview mirror, Kiera shot him a narrowed glare, shaking her head in helpless amusement with a twisted grin.

"For now."

Brandon stayed silent and kept steering toward their home.