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Chapter 181: Talia Will Eventually Figure Out What He's Thinking
Chapter 181: Talia Will Eventually Figure Out What He's Thinking
At Talia's home on the second floor of Boss Cat's restaurant, the ceiling, made of wooden boards and beams, featured a skylight that bathed the living room in a terrace-like atmosphere, inviting one to gaze upon the stars.
On this quiet night, sitting in her home, it felt as though one was bathing in the splendor of the galaxy above. The delicate wood grain on the walls exuded a calm beauty, and the warm-toned decor and furniture warmed the soul.
Initially, aside from an armchair, Talia's home only had a single chair that went with her desk in her bedroom. However, at some point, a new seat appeared in the living room. It seemed like she had bought it for Ranchi.
Currently, Ranchi was offering that very chair to Hyberrian while he himself stood by. Without Talia's permission, he wouldn't dare touch her personal belongings, such as entering her bedroom or using her armchair.
Moonlight and starlight streamed through the skylight, and the warm, yellowish light inside the house enveloped the wooden beam bookshelves and chests of drawers, from which wafted a layered fragrance of milk, magnolia, and distilled liquor.
"Miss Talia's home is so calming," Hyberrian remarked as she gazed upon the stars of Echelon.
Even now, as she recalled, she felt that Talia and the Great Lover Poet were identical twins, so similar they were. Perhaps due to spending a lot of time with the Great Lover Poet, Hyberrian felt a strange sense of affinity towards Talia.
"That's the reliability of a mature woman," Ranchi said with a smile.
However, the next second, the sound of the door unlocking startled Ranchi, who quickly schooled his features, pretending he hadn't been chatting with Hyberrian just moments ago.
Talia pushed open the door, her golden eyes sweeping over a nervous Hyberrian and a well-behaved Ranchi.
"..."
Looks like I'll have to buy another chair for the house.
Talia thought to herself.
She didn't stare at Hyberrian, not wanting to give anything away to Ranchi. Though Talia had often fantasized about having Hyberrian stay with her, she knew it was unlikely.
A duke's daughter wouldn't simply reside in a stranger's home. Most likely, they had some business to discuss, perhaps related to the last time they ventured into the shadow world.
But now that she had seen Hyberrian, she had the chance to get to know her better and encourage her to visit often.
"What brings you here?" Talia asked, her tone as devoid of curiosity as always.
"One of my classmates is being targeted by an assassin, Talia. Can you help me protect her? The information didn't come through official channels, so you're the only one I can trust," Ranchi explained, always one to get straight to the point, as lying was pointless anyway.
"How do you plan to protect her?" Talia wondered. She was curious how this man always seemed to predict danger. Even now, she didn't know who had wanted to kill Ranchi before.
And now, he was telling her that someone wanted to kill Hyberrian, and he wasn't lying.
"Let her stay with you for a while, a maximum of two weeks," Ranchi requested earnestly.
Talia was stunned for a moment, wondering if she had heard him correctly. But she quickly recovered.
"What's in it for me?" Talia asked, her usual cold demeanor unchanged.
She knew that agreeing without conditions would arouse Ranchi's suspicion, so she had to propose a symbolic trade. No matter what Ranchi promised, she could always agree later.
Ever since she had met Ranchi, her life had taken a turn for the better. Even when she did nothing but stay at home, her wishes came true.
Could this be what humans called "happiness"?
"... "
Ranchi glanced at Talia, hesitant to speak immediately. Talia's response was better than he had anticipated.
Since Talia showed a willingness to negotiate instead of outright rejection, it indicated that as long as the price was right, she wasn't opposed to the idea.
"Although it's a promise that cannot be fulfilled immediately, if you protect Hyberrian well, you will gain the friendship of the House of Alansar, and within two years, you will become a distinguished guest and advisor to the ducal family."
Ranchi spoke on Hyberrian's behalf.
The favor of a ducal family was something that couldn't be measured with mere money.
However, the prerequisite was that the Duke could return, or Hyberrian would inherit the ducal position.
"I promise you, Miss Tata, on behalf of the House of Alansar," Hyberrian added, bowing respectfully to Talia.
Talia stood there, silent, her gaze fixed on the two of them, at a loss for words for a moment.
She didn't know what kind of trouble Hyberrian had gotten herself into that would make the two of them come to her with such a request.
What confused Talia even more was why Ranchi would even consider venturing into such treacherous waters to find Duke Milaya.
But Ranchi didn't know that Talia, too, had been searching for her important sister all this time.
It was only after meeting Ranchi that she had inadvertently discovered clues about her sister, Ifatia, from his Shadow World challenge—a half-demon girl who resembled her sister.
And later, through secret observations, she had confirmed that Hyberrian was indeed Ifatia's daughter.
This newfound lead gave Talia, who had once seen no hope, a crucial target to focus on.
However, what Talia didn't expect was that Ranchi's intentions went even further; it seemed like he wanted to reunite the entire ducal family.
She decided to let him continue his investigations.
Perhaps, as she enjoyed her leisurely life in Echelon, he would bring her sister back to her.
"Tata, I will do my best to ensure that this promise is fulfilled," Ranchi added, seeing that Talia remained unmoved.
"..."
Hearing Ranchi's voice, Talia shifted her gaze, which had been calm and unwavering until now.
In that moment, her eyes reflected a complex mix of emotions—gratitude, puzzlement, touch, and resentment.
She was thankful for the blessings Ranchi had brought into her life.
But at the same time, she had no desire to be entangled in debts of gratitude with a human.
Finally, Talia gradually calmed her turbulent thoughts.
"Let's go," she said, standing up.
"I guess it's not meant to be..." Hyberrian sighed in disappointment, having anxiously awaited Miss Tata's response.
As she had expected, asking a demon to live in her home, even for Ranchi's teacher, was too much to ask.
"Go to school and get your spare clothes. Also, we'll need to buy some daily necessities, pillows, and bedding. I only have one bed here," Talia said as she reached for the doorknob and turned it, speaking softly.
"Thank you... Miss Tata..." Hyberrian stammered.
Based on Ranchi's description of Miss Tata, she had always imagined her to be a terrifying person, but now she realized how gentle she truly was.
"..."
Ranchi, who had been contemplating his next plan, was suddenly interrupted by his own surprise.
He stood there, lips slightly parted, staring at Talia's back.
Was this the same reclusive, unmarried, older female demon with a problematic personality who had been single for centuries? How could she be so accommodating? Not only was she allowing Hyberrian to stay, but she even intended to share her bed! She wasn't making her sleep on the floor or the couch!
As Ranchi pondered this, he took out the 'Great Lover Poet' card and frowned at it, wondering if he was being tricked by an imposter Talia.
"..."
However, Talia seemed to sense something.
She turned and glared at Ranchi.
What was this scoundrel up to, taking out the 'Great Lover Poet' card and staring at it like that? He might look innocent, but his mind was undoubtedly concocting all sorts of despicable schemes! One day, she would decipher what was going on in that boy's head.
She just hoped he wouldn't let her catch him in the act!
(End of Chapter)
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