https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-693-Lanchi-Receives-a-Date-Challenge/12585107/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-695-Lanchi-Just-Wants-to-Be-Struck-Down-by-Tata/12585109/
Chapter 694: Lanchi's Ultimate Blunder
Chapter 694: Lanchi's Ultimate Blunder
In the shadow of the iron tower, two figures stood facing each other, their gazes locked.
For a moment, neither spoke, and silence fell between them.
In the distance, the morning mist hovered over the serene waters of the Selena River, as the rising sun cast its golden rays across the rippling surface. Elegant swans glided gracefully, leaving trails of gentle ripples in their wake.
Talia met Lanchi's silent gaze, then cleared her throat.
"Lanchi, I've been thinking," she began, her tone earnest yet tinged with a hint of distress, her beauty enhanced by the seriousness of her expression. "Since the day we met, you've always been there to help me, and we've shared many experiences together. Gradually, we've become friends, growing closer and more familiar with each other, to the point where I'd even consider you my confidant—a unique and irreplaceable friend."
As she spoke, her gaze softened, and a hint of maternal affection crept into her eyes—the same look she often gave to little Hope.
"Huh?" Lanchi's expression was a mixture of disappointment and disbelief, as if he couldn't quite believe what he was hearing.
Talia's face froze, and she turned her head slightly, biting her lip to hide its slight tremble.
But inwardly, she rejoiced. Yes, this is it!
...
An hour earlier, in the Asturias County, North Bank District 2 of Paris.
Through the five-meter-high floor-to-ceiling windows, adorned with embossed patterns of bauhinia flowers, one could behold the courtyard where the parasol tree leaves had turned from verdant green to golden yellow. The gentle breeze caused them to flutter and dance, resembling delicate butterflies taking flight. In the distance, the Montmatre highlands loomed, veiled by a thin mist.
"Why didn't you invite Lanchi out today?"
In the guest hall, three women sat leisurely on a uniquely styled sofa, engaged in casual conversation.
Ethelio, dressed in a pure white lace gown, looked at Talia with a puzzled expression. Her ice-blue eyes, both gentle and dignified, hinted at a sweet curiosity.
Today, Ethelio's attire was as light and airy as a dandelion in the wind. Her skirt, thin as a cicada's wing, flowed with her movements, and a silver-white necklace adorned her long, snowy neck.
After the intense battle a couple of days ago, she had witnessed Tata's true form as a demon lord.
At that moment, Ethelio had guessed Tata's true identity, and later, Tata had confided in her, seeking her help with the aftermath.
Ethelio felt as if she were dreaming.
Just when she had felt hopeless, the elder sister of Ifateia, the legendary princess of their demon tribe, had appeared—just as Ifateia had described her.
Moreover, Ethelio never could have imagined that Miss Tata was none other than the famed Talia.
The only thing that Ethelio found a bit unbelievable was that in her daily life, Miss Tata didn't seem like the kind of person who could be a demon lord at all...
It was a bit of a letdown, somehow... Or perhaps it just made her seem even more adorable and approachable?
"Why would I go out with him? He's always teasing me, and I can't stand it anymore," Talia replied, her displeasure evident.
"It seems you've misunderstood the nature of our relationship. There's no way I'd want to spend time with him today, of all days."
If Lanchi had taken the initiative to invite her and presented a few compelling reasons for them to go on a date, she might have reluctantly considered it.
"..."
Seated across from Talia, Lady Rosalinda, dressed in a burgundy velvet gown, remained silent. She leaned against the back of the sofa, her delicate waist accentuated by the tight-fitting bodice of her dress. Her golden hair was mostly swept up, with a few loose strands casually framing her face.
Lady Rosalinda held her teacup gently, her slender fingers, painted with black nail polish, tracing the rim thoughtfully. She had seen enough of Lanchi and Tata's subtle interactions.
She wondered if they behaved the same way when they were with Hope.
"I felt a bit uncomfortable when I saw him this morning," Talia continued, a sense of unease in her heart.
She felt like her heart was acting up. After breakfast, she had returned to her room to check her blood pressure, and as she had suspected, both her blood pressure and heart rate were slightly higher than usual.
Ever since that intense battle, she couldn't get Lanchi's words and actions from that day out of her mind—the way he had firmly cupped her cheeks and looked directly into her eyes with unwavering determination.
She had finally come to a conclusion: she definitely disliked Lanchi even more now, and her patience with him had reached its limit.
"But during that crucial moment, you two trusted each other completely, didn't you?" Ethelio asked, her confusion evident as she sat up straighter.
The battle she had witnessed would not have been possible without the deep trust between Talia and Lanchi. There was no denying the connection they shared.
"That was a special circumstance," Talia explained. "You have no idea how annoying he usually is. Every time I give him a disdainful look, he gets all excited, and when I'm about to take action, his heart starts racing."
Talia's anger continued to rise as she spoke, and she popped two cream puffs into her mouth one after the other.
"Even if I try to teach him a lesson, he'll just become more relentless in provoking me!"
As they chatted, she picked up a mochi cake, took a small bite, and once again, her eyes shone with delight. The other two ladies couldn't help but join in, tasting the delicious treats.
Watching Tata eat was truly a delightful experience.
Steam rose from the hot tea on the coffee table, and on the three-tiered dessert stand beside it were golden, crispy butter cookies, fresh and tangy orange caramel cream puffs, and smooth, tender matcha cheesecake mochi.
In another small dish, strawberries were cut into small pieces, their translucent flesh glistening with morning dew and exuding a natural, sweet fragrance.
After swallowing her mouthful, Talia looked at her friends once more.
"Do you know what I should do? I really don't know how to deal with him anymore, and people around me, like Shubelian, only spoil him more."
Talia sought help from her two friends.
"..."
Rosalinda and Ethelio exchanged a glance.
Are you two really that close?
And even if you ask us this question, we can't give you the answer.
Ethelio has never been in a relationship.
As for Rosalinda, she's what you'd call a "failed romance."
But...
Since Tata has come to them for help,
They are naturally going to do their best to assist her.
"So, Tata, whose advice would you like to hear first?"
Ethelio asked.
She was a bit worried that she might inadvertently become a matchmaking meddler.
"..."
Talia turned to Rosalinda, perhaps seeing her as a mature and intelligent older sister figure.
Rosalinda, in turn, looked at Ethelio, feeling that she was the more experienced older female from the demon tribe.
Ethelio squirmed uncomfortably. Tata was Ifateia's older sister, and she herself felt like the younger sister here. On top of that, she had no experience in relationships, so how could she possibly advise her elder?
The guest hall fell silent for several seconds.
"Oh, that's right! Little Cat mentioned to you that Lanchi will only be obsessed with you if there's a chance you might kill him. If you're gentler to him, he'll lose interest in provoking you..."
Ethelio suddenly recalled something.
"I tried, but it's just so difficult to do!"
Talia paused, a cookie halfway to her mouth, and shook her head.
She had indeed tried this approach a few days ago, but when the time came to hold back, she just couldn't restrain herself.
"I think Little Cat's words make a lot of sense. You just need to be determined," Ethelio said, looking at Talia with encouragement.
"Just for today, act like a gentler version of Shubelian and go on a date with him. Let him fully understand that provoking you is meaningless."
"But... but how can I possibly...?"
Talia averted her gaze, her voice softening.
Just imagining herself treating Lanchi gently filled her with discomfort, and she felt like crawling under the sofa to hide.
"Tata, you only live once! It's now or never!"
Ethelio encouraged her.
Based on her understanding of romantic comedies, this approach might actually bring the two of them together.
Perhaps during the date, they would gradually become aware of each other's feelings, or at the very least, it would bring them closer together.
"Yes, Tata! Give it your all!"
Rosalinda also clenched her fist and enthusiastically encouraged Talia.
Once again, the other two fell silent, both looking at Rosalinda.
"..."
"Why are you two looking at me like that?"
Rosalinda felt like their gazes were piercing her, as if asking, "Do you really have the qualifications to say something like that?" Everyone knows that there's always a reason why someone ends up as a "failed romance."
The silence made Rosalinda feel even more tortured.
"I got friend-zoned..."
Rosalinda started to tear up again.
She had always thought she was in a secure position because although there were many women who liked Migaya, she was the only one who could be his true friend. But then, out of the blue, Ifateia appeared.
She put down her teacup, walked over to the wine cabinet, and started pouring herself a drink.
Ethelio sighed.
Fortunately,
Tata's aura didn't give off the impression of a "failed romance." Instead, it exuded a sense of single-minded focus, as if all she cared about was eating.
After all, Tata exuded an aura of fearlessness. In her eyes, her only rival seemed to be Shubelian, and she might not even consider Shubelian a rival, so there was no possibility of her getting "friend-zoned."
"Tata, go ahead and ask him out. Today is an opportune time, as it's completely unexpected for you to be affectionate. Spend the whole day wholeheartedly showing him your gentleness and making him feel your softness. This is the best way to prank him, and you must not let him discover your intention."
Ethelio looked at Talia with determination as she spoke.
Ethelio and Rosalinda exchanged glances, and they decided that they would hide and observe during Tata's date today.
"Perhaps we'll get to witness a decent comedy unfold."
Rosalinda nodded.
"Tata, contact him, and good luck."
She handed Talia the communication magic card.
"..."
Talia looked at Ethelio and Rosalinda, who were both encouraging her, and said, "I understand."
Her expression was exceptionally pained, but after an internal struggle, she decided she wouldn't lose to Lanchi!
...
Time returned to the present.
Talia gazed at Lanchi.
She felt that he had been somewhat absent-minded all day.
It was as if he had woken up but wasn't fully alert, and when she teased him in the morning, telling him it was Wednesday, he actually went to work before realizing it was a holiday.
After waiting for a while, Lanchi slowly regained his senses from a brief mental lapse.
"So that's how it is..."
Lanchi blinked, as if finally comprehending the situation, and muttered to himself.
"So, what's your answer?"
Talia gave him a patient and kind look.
"Of course, I'd be delighted. Thank you for inviting me."
Lanchi took a step forward and held Talia's gloved hand, bowing slightly to her.
"And I'm truly curious to experience what it's like to go on a date with a demon princess whose charm has been refined over eight hundred years."
There was a hint of suspicion in his eyes as he studied Talia, and he agreed.
"...Then you'd better be prepared."
Talia's veins popped on her forehead, but she managed to maintain her unwavering smile and nodded with gritted teeth.
Excellent.
Lanchi had taken the bait.
Today, she would definitely give him the runaround!
"But, Tata, I didn't expect you to go out of your way to dress up..."
Lanchi gazed at Talia's figure and murmured to himself.
"It's beautiful, isn't it? This is the royal attire of the Kingdom of Bosen. Rosalinda gave it to me as a gift to celebrate my passing the Platinum-level Card Maker exam."
Upon hearing this, Talia became intrigued and held the waist wrinkles of her skirt, twirling to show off her new outfit to Lanchi.
The unique style of noble dresses in the Flower Capital of Paris had evolved over the past hundred years, moving away from complex colors towards simplicity and elegance. The colors were soft and muted, and more attention was paid to luxurious details such as lace, jewel embellishments, and layered ruffles, creating a more dreamy and feminine aesthetic.
"Hmm."
Lanchi covered his mouth with his fist and chuckled politely.
"..."
Talia maintained a smile on the surface.
But inside, she had started to silently chant—
I must hold back, no matter what happens today, I must not hit him.
She felt that with just this reaction, without him saying a word, she understood everything.
That damnable implication.
Previously, when their consciousness had been connected, she could always read his thoughts.
To prevent her from learning too much about his inner thoughts, Lanchi must have endured a lot this past month.
Now that he was free from those restraints, this guy was going overboard.
"Do you think this dress doesn't suit me? I can go change into another one if you'd like."
Talia moved closer and asked softly, feigning Shubelian's usual gentle attitude, pretending not to care much.
Hehehehe.
At this moment, Lanchi would surely want her to fly into a rage.
By doing the opposite, she would create a psychological gap for him.
"No, you misunderstood me."
Lanchi shook his head.
"You look good in anything, Tata. This dress is beautiful because you're the one wearing it."
He shifted his gaze from Talia's figure to her exquisite face, staring into her eyes as he took half a step closer.
"Eh?"
Talia was a little taken aback.
Looking at the approaching Lanchi, her heart began to race again, echoing in her ears, and she finally closed her eyes.
She didn't understand this feeling that had been bothering her these past two days.
Could it be...
Could it be...?!
"This depth of charm, this refined elegance... No other woman can compare to you. I'm starting to understand Shubelian's feelings."
Lanchi whispered in Talia's ear, even leaning in to inhale her scent as if savoring her fragrance.
Talia: "..."
Suddenly, the temperature of the surrounding air began to drop.
Cat Boss burst out of Lanchi's shadow, his fur standing on end, and ran away.
He ran quite a distance, turned back, and saw that Tata was still standing there, seemingly holding back without exploding. She just stood there, allowing Lanchi to continue unabashedly savoring her presence.
"Meow..."
Cat Boss's expression was one of utter bewilderment, mixed with a hint of fear.
He felt that Lanchi was making a huge mistake.
But Tata had received guidance from a master today and was following a clever plan.
Hopefully, Tata could endure it all today.
(End of Chapter)
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