https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-667-Lanchi-Discovers-Motherly-Standards-for-Shubellyan/12585038/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-669-Lanchi-Thought-it-was-Too-Easy/12585041/
Chapter 668: Cardinal Lanchi Also Understands the Charm of an 800-Year-Old Vintage
Chapter 668: Cardinal Lanchi Also Understands the Charm of an 800-Year-Old Vintage
In the depths of the Earl's mansion, within a guest parlor, the night was deep, and the moonlight shone with exceptional clarity.
Countess Rosalinda sat at one end of the sofa, while Cardinal Lanchi and Thalia occupied the other end.
Upon hearing Countess Rosalinda's words, Thalia's gaze turned slightly unnatural, but her expression remained unchanged.
She knew the identity of the Countess' rival in love—the unshakeable main consort from the Demon Tribe, none other than her sister, Iphathia.
"Please, continue."
Cardinal Lanchi, trained in the art of listening, maintained a serious and calm demeanor.
While the hysteria of a scorned woman might elicit unintended laughter, it was but a minor detail.
"Who knows how old that woman truly is. She doesn't seem to age, but that doesn't mean she's truly young."
Countess Rosalinda's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she confided in the pair,
"Every time I see her lounging on the sofa, resting her head on Migaya's lap, spending nearly twenty-four hours a day indulging in her comfort, eyes closed, being carried around by Migaya wherever she goes... it's like my heart is being clawed at by a cat."
Despite her best efforts, she couldn't compete with this demoness in the slightest. Before she knew it, Migaya had been captivated, and she couldn't understand why.
"..."
Cardinal Lanchi turned his head to look at Thalia.
"Your sister truly has unique traits. Does Hyberlian know what she's like?"
Thalia shook her head gently.
"Hyberlian doesn't know."
Thalia didn't dare shatter Hyberlian's illusion of her mother.
If Iphathia were to return, she would likely demand Hyberlian's care, making it difficult to distinguish who was the parent and who was the child.
In a sense, it was a blessing that Iphathia had left Hyberlian at a young age. Otherwise, Hyberlian might have had to learn to care for her mother from a very young age, and Thalia couldn't bear the thought of the gentle Hyberlian becoming a child laborer.
Cardinal Lanchi fell into deep thought.
"While Miss Iphathia is also a member of the Demon Tribe and may appear aloof and cold on the surface, she lacks the depth of charm that comes with centuries of existence. Hyberlian may not have truly liked that."
At that moment, Cardinal Lanchi felt a chill run down his spine.
Just like this fine wine, the longer it is aged, the more enchanting it becomes, and its value increases immeasurably. One could only say that Hyberlian has good taste.
His thoughts took another turn.
The chill gradually melted and dissipated.
"I don't think the problem lies with Miss Rosalinda. Sometimes, it's just a matter of fate."
Cardinal Lanchi offered words of comfort to the lady across the sofa.
"But, if it were just Migaya rejecting me, I could accept it. But why does that demoness receive his favor? Where am I lacking compared to her? I just can't accept it; it's so frustrating!"
Countess Rosalinda picked up her nearly empty wine glass and poured the last few drops into her mouth. As she continued, her emotions grew more agitated.
"Do you know what's even more outrageous? She has Migaya feed her during meals. Ugh, it makes me want to throw up. Seeing them together, so affectionate, just thinking about it makes my skin crawl."
Countess Rosalinda continued her tearful lament to the pair.
Cardinal Lanchi and Thalia's expressions froze.
"Can you imagine that scene? Do they have any adult shame at all?"
"..."
Cardinal Lanchi and Thalia were at a loss for words, both instinctively wanting to move a little further away from each other.
The parlor fell silent for a moment.
"Why have you both gone quiet?"
The Countess dabbed at her tears, her gaze gradually focusing as she asked.
"Let's get back to business." Cardinal Lanchi suggested, looking particularly embarrassed.
"Ahem, yes, I unintentionally steered the conversation off-track. Perhaps we can discuss Migaya and his wife's matter some other time." Countess Rosalinda cleared her throat, the flush on her face fading as she regained her composure.
Regardless, she still wanted to take another sip, but upon realizing her glass was almost empty, she stood up gently and walked to the wine cabinet, selecting an expensive bottle of red wine and bending down to retrieve it.
"Would you like some wine?" She took out two delicate wine glasses from the lower cabinet and turned to ask.
"I'll have some." Thalia nodded.
She could usually hold her liquor with low-degree drinks, and it often paired well with dinner, aiding in a good night's sleep.
"I abstain from alcohol. Perhaps some sparkling water instead?" Lanchi politely declined with a smile.
"Alright, it's rare to have friends to chat with, so let's drink and talk." She picked up the bottle and instructed a servant to bring Lanchi his preferred beverage. She then returned to the sofa and sat down.
As the red wine was slowly poured into the glasses, a deep, intoxicating aroma filled the air, adding a crystalline red hue to the late hour.
"I never would've imagined that you, Lanchi, don't drink. In that regard, you're similar to Professor Pola, who abstains from alcohol to maintain his clarity in the experimentation field. On the other hand, Migaya often experiments with various drinks; he has an unusually high tolerance for poison." Rosalinda handed a glass to Thalia and then addressed Lanchi.
"I wouldn't want to get drunk and cause a scene in Florescentia." Lanchi shook his head with a laugh.
"It's hard to imagine what you'd be like drunk." Rosalinda remarked, surprised.
In her eyes, her junior displayed a consistently poised demeanor in both his actions and speech.
"For those with low alcohol tolerance, the allure of wine lies in the knowledge that it will intoxicate them, yet they can't resist taking a sip. But you seem capable of resisting that temptation." She curiously raised an eyebrow.
Some people, like certain drinks, were difficult to categorize as either poison or remedy.
"Obviously, I can." Lanchi replied confidently.
Thalia silently took a sip of her wine.
She was beginning to suspect that Lanchi truly didn't drink alcohol.
According to Lanchi's father and butler, there was a period when Lanchi was quite immersed in alcohol, but ever since he met her, he hadn't touched a drop, as if he had forgotten about it.
"It's quite embarrassing to have caused such a scene upon my arrival in Florescentia." Lanchi added, recalling the plane accident.
"I heard about your encounter with Tiffany's executioner. There's not much we can do with the emergency safety regulations just implemented in Florescentia today. I'm just relieved that you're both safe." Rosalinda breathed a sigh of relief.
Recently, the number of cases involving the Demon Tribe's frenzy had been increasing exponentially, and the news could no longer be suppressed. The Kingdom of Bosen had decided to gradually disclose information, tighten security controls in Florescentia Pariette, and, without causing widespread panic, dedicate all efforts to investigating the culprit behind the mysterious incidents.
Although she wasn't part of the Senate, Rosalinda quickly learned about what had transpired aboard the floating castle airship that evening.
What truly astonished Rosalinda was not that Lanchi and Tata had encountered an accident but that they had emerged unscathed from the clutches of Tiffany's executioner.
(End of Chapter)
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