https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-499-Lanchi-s-House-is-About-to-be-Full/12584692/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-501-Lanchi-Hubertian-and-Antharia-s-Outing/12584694/
Chapter 500: Lunch at the Lanchi Residence
Chapter 500: Lunch at the Lanchi Residence
In the South Ventina Territory, within the Wilford family residence on No. 25 North Street, located in the northwest corner of Heart Pulse Square.
It was already noon, lunchtime for the Wilford family.
In the spacious and bright dining room on the first floor, the midday sun cast gentle shadows through the leaves of the windows, bathing every corner in a soft light.
A gentle breeze occasionally blew through the courtyard outside, carrying with it a faint fragrance from the distant garden.
On the long dining table inside the restaurant, a fine linen tablecloth was spread, adorned with a few exquisite embroidered flowers. Silver cutlery and tall glasses were already neatly arranged, and the dishes on the table were gradually being brought out from the kitchen.
Seated at the head of the table was the master of the house, Noe Wilford, his expression as calm and dignified as always. However, when he saw Lanchi, a hint of complexity flashed in his eyes.
What was different today was that, in addition to Lanchi, there were two more figures seated at the table.
Miss Tata sat beside him, her posture upright and her hands gently folded in her lap, exuding a sense of tranquility.
Further down the table was Hiberlian, who was undoubtedly a noble lady, but at this moment, she seemed rather apprehensive and reluctant to lift her head.
The three of them sat in a row, hardly exchanging a word with each other.
Noe couldn't help but glance at them a few times, finding the situation intriguing.
He couldn't quite wrap his head around how these three had ended up tangled up together that morning, and he felt that they must have been playing with something new and unusual.
Noe was aware that there might be a slight generation gap between him and the youth.
Lanchi and Hiberlian were both seventeen years old, and Tata didn't look a day over twenty-five. It was normal for young people to have unique ideas, but Noe always felt that the relationship between these three was somewhat surreal.
However, since they weren't saying anything, Noe felt it wasn't his place to ask questions.
He decided to feign ignorance.
After all, it wasn't a big deal.
Butler Hans and maid Franscin were professionals and wouldn't spread gossip about the family. There was no chance that the entire kingdom of Horton would see ridiculous photos of the three of them entangled in tomorrow's newspapers.
As Noe pondered, more dishes were being served on the long table, prepared under Lanchi's personal instructions to the kitchen earlier that day.
In addition to the colorful seafood platter, including fresh goose-neck barnacles, blue jack mackerel, and sweet shrimp from the Azure Wave Sea, each dish was presented with exquisite attention to detail. This was followed by a casserole made with black truffles and wild mushrooms from the South Ventina Territory, a juicy steak grilled to perfection with a golden crust, accompanied by roasted vegetables and a delicate black garlic sauce. Even the hazelnut chocolate mousse, sprinkled with gold foil, had been brought out early, as if Lanchi had informed the kitchen that they would be eating quickly.
Noe wondered why Lanchi, who usually had a modest appetite, was being so proactive today.
"Anyway, welcome, Miss Tata and Miss Hiberlian, to our home."
Noe, seeing that it was about time to start lunch, addressed the two ladies seated at the long table with an apologetic tone.
"I hope you will enjoy your stay in South Ventina. If Lanchi has been remiss in his hospitality, I apologize on behalf of the Wilford family."
"Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Wilford," Tata nodded courteously.
Her dignified and regal demeanor made Noe wonder if an illusion magic had been cast on Lanchi's bedroom door that morning, causing anyone who opened it to see something impossible.
"Thank you, Uncle," Hiberlian replied slowly, snapping out of her daze and looking up at Noe.
Earlier, at the Echelon Health Center, she had felt that Lanchi's father was easy to talk to.
However, every time she saw him, she felt embarrassed.
"Well, let's begin the meal. Make yourselves at home and eat as much as you like," Lanchi said gently.
His words seemed to be meant to comfort Hiberlian, and as he spoke the last few words, he glanced at Talia beside him, as if there was no other meaning to his statement.
"......"
Hiberlian had wanted to say something but thought better of it.
It was a good thing that Tata couldn't read minds; otherwise, the truly terrifying thing would be if she occasionally read Lanchi's scattered thoughts but pretended not to know.
As their brief exchange came to an end, the peaceful atmosphere returned to the dining table, interrupted only by the occasional soft clink of spoons against porcelain plates, echoing through the Wilford mansion's dining room.
The steward stood quietly by, awaiting Lanchi's instructions, while maids in uniform black skirts and white aprons moved with agility and grace, ensuring that each dish was served without disturbing the guests.
Unlike usual, Lanchi displayed excellent hospitality during the meal, his gaze considerate and attentive to the needs of the two ladies. With each new dish brought out by the attendants, he would gesture subtly, indicating that the plates should be placed closer to Hiberlian and Talia to ensure they could easily sample each delicacy.
The harmonious atmosphere in the restaurant continued for several more minutes.
After the Wilford family finished their lunch, the servants began to clear the table while Noe sat in the master's seat, sipping his tea with a puzzled expression.
He glanced at the two women seated to Lanchi's right, still perplexed by the morning's events.
To his surprise, Lanchi hadn't exaggerated; every dish on the table had been devoured.
Noe hadn't paid close attention, but according to the law of conservation of mass, one of them must have been eating slowly and gracefully on the surface but devouring the food at an incredible speed.
Who could it be? Noe wondered, feeling too embarrassed to ask.
If Lanchi were to marry the young lady with the hearty appetite, the family would have to prepare more food in the future.
Fortunately, the Wilfords were quite well-off.
Noe thought to himself.
Deep down, he felt that there might be a possibility for Lanchi with either of the two women.
What surprised him even more was the fact that Miss Hiberlian and Miss Tata already knew each other.
Stranger still, there seemed to be no rivalry or jealousy between them... So, who was willing to concede defeat? Surely they couldn't both be willing to step aside; who, then, was the main love interest?
However, Noe could tell that Lanchi had a good eye for women; all of them were fine ladies, and he had nothing to worry about in that regard.
Finally, Noe spoke up.
"What are your plans for the afternoon?"
Setting aside his confusion, Noe put down his teacup and directed the question to the trio.
While the atmosphere was better than before lunch, Noe felt that the three of them seemed to have a knot in their hearts that prevented them from truly connecting.
"I'll be checking on Lanchi's card maker progress and teaching Hiberlian some new magic."
Talia looked at Noe and replied seriously.
"Oh, wonderful! Thank you, Miss Tata," Noe exclaimed, a little taken aback but quickly expressing his gratitude.
He knew that this Miss Tata was the card-making teacher Lanchi had asked him for funding to hire months ago.
And then, less than half a year later, Noe was shocked to learn that Lanchi had become a quasi-platinum-level card maker while he was in the royal capital.
On the one hand, Lanchi had a peculiar talent, and on the other, Miss Tata was an excellent teacher.
Putting aside the exaggerated results, the fact that she could keep his mischievous son in check proved that Miss Tata was born to be an educator.
"It's the least I can do," Miss Tata replied politely.
At that moment, Noe finally understood the relationship between the three of them—Lanchi, Hiberlian, and Tata—in the royal capital of Echelon.
They must have spent a lot of time together, with Miss Tata teaching Lanchi card making and Hiberlian magic.
However, since they were teacher and students, why had they ended up entangled on the bed that morning? Could they really focus on their studies in such a situation?
As Noe sat there, deep in thought, his obvious confusion caught the attention of the three people seated at the table.
Hiberlian's cheeks turned pink, and she lowered her head.
Although Miss Tata's expression remained cold, her hands, resting on her lap, clenched into fists.
Lanchi, who had been about to ask the attendants to bring some desserts, suddenly felt the chill in the air and sat up straight, refraining from any further movements.
Once again, an awkward silence descended upon the dining table. Although no one mentioned the incident from the morning, it was clear that everyone was thinking about it.
After a prolonged silence...
"Let's go sightseeing in South Ventina," Lanchi suggested.
"Miss Tata, you've been teaching us card making and magic, and when we return to Echelon, we'll have our regular lessons. Since we're in South Ventina for a few days, let's take this opportunity to enjoy ourselves without any distractions."
He added, realizing that it was time to leave the Wilford residence.
Staying any longer might be too much for Hiberlian, and he wanted to take them out to lift their spirits.
Having spent most of the past several months together, Lanchi had come to understand Talia and Hiberlian well. Unlike Talia, who seemed to bounce back with a full stomach, Hiberlian was more sensitive and needed a change of scenery.
Before Talia or Hiberlian could respond to Lanchi's suggestion, Noe interjected.
"Who do you want to go with?"
Noe took a sip of his tea and directed the question at Lanchi.
In his opinion, when it came to dating, one should focus solely on their partner.
Although he felt that his question might be a bit blunt, he sensed that both young ladies wanted clarity on this matter.
Talia's eyes remained fixed on Lanchi, awaiting his response.
Hiberlian, too, was tense with anticipation.
"I want to go with both of you," Lanchi replied casually.
His eyes held an air of innocence.
It was as if he were suggesting a regular family outing.
"?"
Noe's teacup froze in mid-air as he struggled to comprehend Lanchi's response.
At that moment, any further inquiries from Noe would have seemed excessive.
And so, Lanchi remained as pure as ever.
What a rascal! How did he end up smelling like tea?
(End of Chapter)
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