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Chapter 566: Mr. Lanchi Invites You to His Abode
Chapter 566: Mr. Lanchi Invites You to His Abode
As night fell, the lights in the palace gradually illuminated the surroundings.
Within the princess's chambers, Lisandra, dressed in the elegant attire of a court attendant, bowed gracefully to bid the princess farewell before departing with steady steps, bringing an end to her duties for the day.
Coming from a poor but prestigious noble lineage, her knowledge of etiquette and manners, learned since childhood, was all that remained of her so-called noble blood in this royal capital of Necalis, aside from some distant relatives.
"How should I entertain the princess tomorrow?"
As she walked out of the palace and along the path, she sighed. The stone path was lined with meticulously trimmed bushes and tall statues that almost obscured her figure in the fading light.
The task given to her by Lord Kaliera was singular: to keep the princess happy until she was safely married off.
Should she succeed, she would surely gain Lord Kaliera's favor, not only retaining her well-paid position as a court attendant but also securing long-term employment.
Conversely, any mishap would likely result in her expulsion from the Demon King's City of Necalis.
The princess was actually quite intelligent.
She had probably guessed Lord Kaliera's arrangement, so even when her heart was filled with anxiety, she would feign a calm demeanor for Lisandra's sake.
This only added to Lisandra's guilt.
In the twilight, the fragrance of flowers along the streets of the Demon King's City became even more intoxicating. Lisandra boarded a magi-powered vehicle, beginning her long journey home with multiple transfers.
She crossed an ancient and majestic bridge, beneath which lay a vast bay shimmering in the fading light.
On the other side of the bridge lay the avenue leading to Lise Island, where lush trees swayed gently in the breeze.
Lisandra didn't know how much time had passed, only that she had yawned a dozen or so times. After traveling along the coast of Lise Island, she finally arrived at a small path leading to a courtyard in front of a small cabin hidden in the woods.
The cabin was built of wood and stone, surrounded by dense trees and vines, giving it a secluded feel.
And it was this seclusion that made the rent affordable.
The area where Lisandra rented her home was the strangest community in the Demon Capital of Necalis.
It was located on the slender and vibrant island of "Lise Island," just east of "Neka Island," where the palace was situated.
In addition to its many natural wonders, Lise Island boasted a unique land shape. This place was twenty kilometers away from the city center, resembling a giant triangular cake extending into the most pleasant waters of the Lise Island Bay.
Lisandra's humble abode was perched at the tip of this protruding island, nestled between several large mansions with rents so high she could barely fathom.
Although one could gaze across the bay and make out the silhouette of the palace on the opposite shore, it required a long daily commute, traveling back and forth over the bridge, to reach the palace on Neka Island.
The nearest building to her left, which she could see every time she returned home, had a main building resembling the Necalis Municipal Hall. Suspended corridors connected it to a brand-new tower draped in verdant vines, with lawns and gardens befitting a royal palace.
That was the palace restaurant acquired by the mysterious demon, and it seemed the neighbor themselves lived in the uppermost level of the mansion.
Lately, Lisandra had been hearing more and more rumors about this neighbor, and she had even caught wind of his name.
He was probably a male demon.
Aside from his name, everything else about him remained a mystery, including his gender, which other demons could only speculate about.
Lisandra opened the gate to her small courtyard. Her house, though a seaside property like her neighbor's, was rather inconspicuous and humble to the point of being overshadowed by the grandeur next door. It was hard to believe that there were ordinary residents living here, and the rent was within her acceptable range.
However, when she first moved in, the neighbor's place wasn't as extravagant and lively as it was now.
A few nights ago, when she returned home, she thought her house was on fire.
It was already ten o'clock in the evening, and Lisandra saw that one side of the bay, roughly where her house was located, was brightly lit. Turning the corner, she realized that it was the neighbor's newly renovated palace restaurant.
At first, the demons were merely curious about this mysterious palace.
But within just a day or two, its cuisine and events had captivated the demons of Necalis, becoming one of the hottest topics in the surrounding area.
If she were to sublet her place now, she might make several times the rent and move closer to the royal palace on Neka Island.
"No hurry," she sighed. "After all, work has been busy lately."
Moving was a tedious affair.
For now, she quite enjoyed living here.
Although her new neighbor could be quite high-profile in some respects, he was considerate enough to close the restaurant by midnight and kept the surroundings spotlessly clean, causing no trouble for Lisandra.
On the contrary, it gave her something to boast about—how she could rub shoulders with such high-profile neighbors and feel like a member of the nobility again, harkening back to the glorious days of her ancestor, Duke Pukeli.
Just as Lisandra stepped into her courtyard.
"Miss."
Suddenly, a deep voice called out from the darkness not far behind her, causing her to turn around in surprise.
Lisandra was not skilled in combat.
While the area was relatively safe, there had been more strangers around lately.
The greater demons would also consider her connection to the Fallen Duke and would not dare to harm her.
Lisandra could only make out the sharp jawline and cold lips of a demon who seemed like a butler, his features shrouded in the shadows cast by the moonlight and lamplight.
"Who are you?"
Sensing that the other party did not seem hostile, Lisandra still instinctively tightened her grip on her handbag and asked with her neck craned back.
Although he was dressed in a deep blue vintage striped butler's outfit, his demeanor reminded her more of a retired military officer from the Demon Realm, perhaps even a non-commissioned officer.
"I am the manager of the restaurant next door, Luca," he introduced himself. "My master would like to invite you to a small gathering. We have been neighbors for quite some time, and he feels ashamed that he hasn't had the opportunity to greet you properly."
Major Luca strode across the lawn, maintaining a respectful distance, and politely offered Lisandra a letter.
"Thank you..."
Lisandra's worries eased a little as she observed his gentlemanly and earnest attitude. She stepped forward and took the letter, opening it to read.
The handwriting on the thin page was very elegant, and the content was concise.
As the butler had said, her extravagant neighbor wished to invite her to dinner at the palace restaurant, especially since the restaurant was currently hosting a grand event, akin to an unprecedented party.
It was signed, "Loki McCassy."
"McCassy?" Lisandra finally confirmed the accurate name of her neighbor from the various rumors she had heard.
(End of Chapter)
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