https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-182-Lanchi-Knows-Too-Well-How-to-Do-Good-Deeds/12584204/
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Chapter 183: Thalia's Motherly Plan
Chapter 183: Thalia's Motherly Plan
In a loft room at the far end of the second floor of Boss Cat's restaurant in the royal capital of Yicolyti, night had fallen, and the room was bathed in a tranquil and mysterious ambiance as moonlight seeped through the gaps in the bedroom curtains. The soft light fell upon the bed where Thalia and Hyperian slept, their breathing gentle and quiet.
Initially, Hyperian had been tense as she shared a bed with Thalia, but as the night deepened, she gradually relaxed. Her steady breathing continued for a long while, as if she had fallen into a peaceful slumber.
It was only then that Thalia slowly turned over, no longer facing away from Hyperian. However, she noticed that Hyperian had curled up, tightly hugging the blanket, and surprisingly, she was sleeping facing her, completely unguarded.
Thalia gazed at Hyperian's cheeks, a sense of curiosity welling up within her as she contemplated reaching out with her finger to touch this adorable creature. But before her fingertip could emerge from the covers, she withdrew it, afraid that she might wake Hyperian or that Hyperian would find her action strange.
Thalia quietly observed Hyperian, her golden irises contemplative.
The curtains on the window swayed gently, ushering in a breeze that carried the essence of autumn. The cool wind brushed against their cheeks, like the gentle caress of the Earth Mother's hand.
Perhaps it was due to the drop in temperature during the night, or maybe it was because Thalia had been watching for too long, but Hyperian snuggled deeper into her blanket, stirring slightly as she became somewhat awake.
"Miss Thalia..."
Hyperian murmured with her eyes half-open, in a state between sleep and wakefulness. She noticed that Thalia seemed to be looking at her.
Hyperian didn't feel surprised; instead, she felt grateful that Thalia was sincerely protecting her.
"Can't sleep?"
Thalia's voice was soft and gentle.
"No..."
Hyperian shook her head, her head rubbing against the pillow and creating a rustling sound.
"Get some good sleep. You don't have to go to school tomorrow. Take a good two-week rest here, and I'll protect you."
Thalia emerged from her blanket and gently adjusted the covers over Hyperian's back, concerned about her catching a chill. Then, she retreated into her own blanket and fell silent.
Lanchi had mentioned that he would help Hyperian take a two-week break from school, using up the vacation days she had earned after completing the Shadow World challenge. During this time, she wouldn't have to return to school, and he had entrusted Thalia to take care of her.
However, Lanchi had also said that if things went according to plan, the assassins might make their move within the next two days, and he would find a way to entice them to act sooner.
With that assurance, Thalia and Hyperian could spend the remaining days of their break without any worries or burdens, simply enjoying their vacation.
"Miss Thalia, what you said is completely different from what Cardinal Lanchi said."
Hyperian mumbled in a dreamy state.
Having grown up without a mother, she felt a strange sense of fulfillment in Thalia, as if she had filled a void in her heart, bringing her immense warmth.
However, Miss Thalia was still so young. Thinking of her as a mother might be too presumptuous.
"What did he say about me?"
At the mention of Lanchi's name, Thalia's tone turned a shade cooler, laced with a hint of curiosity. She had always felt that Lanchi spoke ill of her behind her back.
"He... said that you're very strong... and trustworthy..."
Hyperian immediately realized she had inadvertently spoken out of turn and scrambled to cover her tracks, opting to share only the positive parts first.
In Thalia's presence, she felt so comfortable that she hadn't given her words much thought in her drowsy state.
"I'll ask him about it myself next time. Don't worry, I won't get angry."
Thalia sensed Hyperian's dilemma and reassured her, understanding that Lanchi must have said both good and bad things about her.
"As expected, Miss Thalia, you're the kindest."
Hyperian snuggled deeper into her blanket, inching a little closer to Thalia, and whispered, "You're like a mom to me."
"Alright, get some sleep now." Thalia's voice softened even more.
Hearing Thalia's words, Hyperian soon fell into a deep sleep. It had been a long time since she had slept so soundly.
She didn't have to worry about being jolted awake by nightmares or fear assassins coming to kill her.
The protection barrier cast by Thalia in the room, and more reassuringly, Thalia herself lying by her side, gave Hyperian peace of mind.
Thalia, however, remained awake, her thoughts lingering on Boss Cat's words.
Through her extensive travels, observations, and studies in the human realm, Thalia could understand the feelings she had for Hyperian. It was love, the love between family, and she would give Hyperian the same affection and care she had for her sister. If she could, Thalia would also make up for the maternal love Hyperian lacked, just as she would for her own sister.
But there was one thing Thalia couldn't comprehend—the kind of love Boss Cat had mentioned.
Her sister, Iphaetia, had fallen in love with Duke Micaya.
Surely, demons were capable of learning how to love someone, but it was something Thalia herself had not achieved.
There was an ancient legend in the demon world—
"Only demons who fully understand human emotions pose the greatest threat to humanity."
Yet, demons and humans were inherently similar yet vastly different species, and there were certain emotions that demons found inherently difficult to grasp.
Try as she might, Thalia couldn't fathom what that kind of love would feel like.
It was beyond her comprehension.
All she felt was her stomach growing hungrier the more she thought about it.
Forget it, time to sleep and stop thinking about it.
With that, Thalia turned over and drifted off to sleep.
...
The following day, Adams left the accommodation for Yicolyti Royal Academy's academic visiting team early in the morning and made his way to the Sage's Institute alone.
He had received a response from Icerite College the previous day, and Lanchi was willing to engage in a friendly match with him.
That very morning, Lanchi would be waiting for him in the conference room of the Sage's Institute's main building to discuss the specifics.
As their match was a highly anticipated event among students due to the notoriety of the participants, it garnered support from both the student council and the Magecraft Institute.
The only unfortunate aspect was that Dean Lorren was away from the royal capital of Icerite for a few days, attending to important church matters, and thus couldn't preside over their match in person.
Adams strode into the heart of the Sage's Institute, a towering educational edifice.
The grand stone pillars, arched windows, and intricate crystal carvings exuded a strong classical architectural style, with intricate details in every corner.
The spacious atrium of the Sage's Institute's main building was filled with a classical ambiance, and many students were chatting casually.
"Have you heard the news?"
"What news?"
"The gossip about Dean Lorren and Knight Commander Julianna."
The more they talked, the more students paused and gathered around.
"What happened?"
"It turns out that Dean Lorren and Knight Commander Julianna's relationship wasn't always hostile. In fact, it used to be quite ambiguous! Knight Commander Julianna wanted Dean Lorren to be devoted solely to her, but he couldn't let go of his numerous fiancees... In the end, Dean Lorren loved but couldn't possess her, and Knight Commander Julianna's love turned to hatred, leading them to become bitter enemies..."
As Adams walked through the institute, he couldn't help but clench his fists tighter and tighter, the sound of his gauntlets rubbing against the metal a clear indication of his growing anger.
"Lorren..."
Adams' eyes burned with fury.
Who would have thought that the dignified and upright High Priest could be such a player, toying with Knight Commander Julianna's heart?
There was no doubt about the credibility of the rumor; if it weren't reliable, how dare the students speak so freely about their own dean! Moreover, Lorren was one of the most powerful individuals of their time.
(End of Chapter)
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