https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-500-Lunch-at-the-Lanchi-Residence/12584693/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-502-Lanchi-s-Seriousness-Scares-Hiberlian/12584695/
Chapter 501: Lanchi, Hubertian, and Antharia's Outing
Chapter 501: Lanchi, Hubertian, and Antharia's Outing
Under the clear blue sky, a vast expanse of azure stretched out as far as the eye could see.
After lunch, Lanchi, Hubertian, and Antharia temporarily bid farewell to the Wilford family.
Led by Lanchi, they ventured out of the mansion and embarked on a path toward the eastern side of the city-state.
The avenue, known as "Guardian's Lane," was broad and tranquil, lined with towering oak trees and neatly trimmed hedges, while lush green grass carpeted the ground.
Antharia was familiar with this place.
There was a time when she would come here every day to wait for Lanchi.
It was also early summer then, and the afternoon sun in the South Van Tina Borderlands would warm one's skin.
However, her life and state of mind during that period were far from peaceful. Each day, she thought about how to make the most of her deal with Lanchi to raise the seemingly impossible funds needed to restart her country.
Decades of lonely wandering had come to an end because of that one fateful encounter at the foot of the city walls.
Antharia walked between Lanchi and Hubertian, deep in thought, silent.
Despite their casual attire, they could still feel the heat rising from the distant grass and the warm breeze that induced a pleasant drowsiness.
Yet, none of them felt sleepy.
Soon, they strolled through the lane, reaching a stone bridge over the canal, where waterfowl occasionally glided across the water.
Standing on the far left, Hubertian gazed to the right at the river while also briefly observing the expressions of Antharia and Lanchi.
The two of them seemed accustomed to being quietly together, not exchanging a word.
But Hubertian struggled to adjust to this atmosphere, the calls of the waterfowl echoing in her heart.
She didn't know if it was more difficult to face Lanchi or Antharia at this moment.
All Hubertian knew was that a certain tranquility within her heart had vanished.
During that unavoidable moment earlier, she had been the one pressed closer to Lanchi's heart, yet she hadn't felt the slightest sense of reassurance.
Even now, she felt a sense of apprehension, as if something of hers was about to be taken away.
No matter what Antharia wanted, Hubertian had originally thought that she would offer it willingly.
But now, Hubertian began to question this notion, unsure if her love for Antharia was insufficient or if she was simply too selfish.
Hubertian had planned to find a good opportunity to introduce herself to Antharia after returning.
However, due to the awkward incident among the three of them that morning, even though Hubertian now knew that Antharia was her aunt, she didn't know how to bring up the subject with her. Bringing it up now might only make things more awkward between them.
Just after they had crossed the bridge and were stepping down the slope, when Hubertian's thoughts were in disarray, she sensed a gaze upon her.
She turned her head and followed the line of sight.
It was Lanchi looking at her.
He seemed to have perceived the anxiety that was about to creep into her steps.
"Hubertian..."
Lanchi smiled helplessly.
That unspoken gaze seemed to be comforting her—telling her not to worry about Antharia bearing a grudge, that as long as she was well-fed, her mood would improve, and she wouldn't mind such trivial matters.
That was what Lanchi wanted to convey.
"!"
Hubertian quickly averted her gaze, not daring to read Lanchi's impolite thoughts any further.
With Antharia right between them, Lanchi dared to play this game!
Antharia paused slightly, moving Hubertian, who was on her left, to Lanchi's side, switching places with her.
Perhaps it was an unconscious protective gesture, not wanting Hubertian to walk on the roadside, or maybe she noticed Hubertian wanted to talk to Lanchi and gave them the opportunity.
"..."
Hubertian looked at Antharia, and her eyes stung with tears as she recalled the tender care Antharia had shown her when they lived together. Antharia always prioritized her, even giving her the best portions of her favorite snacks.
In her childhood imagination, only a mother could treat her so lovingly.
On her journey back to the Northern Continent, she had missed Antharia the most. Even though she now had Antharia by her side, she should have been the happiest person in the world, yet her heart was filled with unnecessary worries about the distance she felt between them.
Hubertian shook her head vigorously and, after much hesitation, gently reached out and tentatively linked her arm with Antharia's.
Antharia stared at Hubertian, taken aback by this gesture.
She didn't resist Hubertian's closeness.
In Talia's eyes, Hubertian had always been a girl who was cautious about maintaining a certain distance. She was always worried that she would inconvenience others or that getting too close would be unwelcome. So, even though the two of them lived together every day, Hubertian had never tried to actively close the distance between them.
Unexpectedly, after not seeing each other for half a year, Hubertian was now willing to be more intimate.
Under Lanchi's feet, the cat boss witnessed the knot between the three of them suddenly unraveling, and he was at a complete loss!
What magic had Master Lan pulled off again? How had he managed to create an atmosphere that felt like a family outing?
The cat boss had heard that Lanchi and Hubertian had encountered an Illusory Realm Barrier when they went to Helrom Prison. This illusion could bring out the most vulnerable fantasies and irreparable regrets from one's heart—dreams that were destined never to come true in reality.
Although the cat boss didn't know exactly what had happened between them in Helrom Prison or why Tata and Hubertian's relationship seemed to have improved, he had heard on the way to South Van Tina that in Hubertian's dream, Duke Migaya and Madame Ifatiya had brought Hubertian to play in South Van Tina.
Now, it felt like that dream was about to come true...
The cat boss looked at Lanchi.
His expression was natural, as if seeing Hubertian happy was all he needed to feel relieved.
"Lanchi, thank you."
Hubertian quietly expressed her gratitude to Lanchi.
Facing Hubertian's sudden thanks, Lanchi was not surprised. Even without saying it, her eyes always conveyed a similar message when they were together.
"You're welcome."
Lanchi smiled, just as he had said to Hubertian in the minus fourth floor of Helrom Prison. Even if reality could be cruel to her, he would try to make it a little more beautiful,
"Rest assured, Hubertian. I will help you find Mr. Migaya and Miss Ifatiya. Finding people has always been my forte."
After finishing, Lanchi deliberately glanced at Talia.
"..."
Talia was confused. She didn't understand why Lanchi had just looked at her with a hint of pride.
How could he know about her relationship with Ifatiya? Migaya and Ifatiya were only connected to Hubertian. So, why was he looking at her?
Although Asina had told her that Lanchi was very good at handling civil commissions, that was mostly at the level of community service around the Ikelite Academy. Could he really help her find her dear friend, Anthanas?
Of course, if Sinora and the Pranay siblings were still alive, she missed them too. They were the only demon world bureaucrats she got along with.
As for the general who used to stay in the Devil City... he was most likely dead. Not because someone else killed him, but because he loved to party in minefields, sometimes knowingly risking his life just to provoke his opponents.
Briefly lost in her memories, Talia soon snapped back to the present.
"Safety first."
Talia finally reminded them, her tone serious.
Deep down, she sincerely hoped that Lanchi could help her find Ifatiya. Aside from Anthanas and the others, she felt that her life would be almost flawless without them.
The desire to restore her country and her hatred should have faded away long ago.
She didn't want to be bound by the past anymore.
But above all else, she wanted Lanchi and Hubertian to be safe. She didn't want them to go on any dangerous adventures.
"Hey, are you worried about me, Tata?"
Lanchi curiously pointed at himself, his face full of surprise as he asked Talia.
"..."
Initially, when faced with Lanchi's cheeky attitude, Talia would have just rolled her eyes.
Later, she started denying it.
Now, she simply ignored him.
"Yes."
Talia answered, her tone as unwavering as ever.
"..."
Lanchi was stunned for a moment.
She admitted it?
Although there had been times when Talia suddenly showed a hint of gentleness, he had never seen her like this before.
"Where did you hide the real Tata?"
Lanchi muttered, intrigued.
"Guess."
Talia looked at him expressionlessly and replied.
"???"
Lanchi was even more confused. Not only was Talia not angry, but she was also playing along with his joke!
(End of Chapter)
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