https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-753-Talia-Can-t-Even-Remember-the-Lyrics/12585245/
Chapter 754: Lanchi to the Rescue
Chapter 754: Lanchi to the Rescue
"Meowth's dance moves are so cool!"
"This, this is street dancing!"
The audience watched in awe as Meowth displayed his unique talents on stage, and they applauded enthusiastically.
As expected of a special theatrical performance, even Meowth's dance had been completely redesigned! They immersed themselves in this grand audiovisual feast, basking in the enchanting theater and musical experience.
"My, my magic power is almost depleted, Meowth."
Meowth, with his paws on his hips, panted heavily, his lines becoming unintelligible.
Just then.
The Ash Girl, clad in a sweeping ball gown, stunningly beautiful, glided forward with light steps.
"Oh my, what a lovely dress!"
She spoke as if reciting poetry.
Her appearance startled Meowth.
"Thank you, dear Meowth, you are my savior!"
Talia said gratefully, her voice filled with emotion.
She could only remember the first two lines of the script.
"No, you are my savior! Thank you!"
Meowth replied irritably, "Now, it's time to take you to the ball. Are you ready?"
He proceeded with the script, asking the Ash Girl.
"..."
Then, a lengthy silence fell upon the stage.
Talia's mind went blank, and she couldn't think of the next line.
If only Lanchi had appeared with her; at least they could have improvised together. Now, facing the audience alone, all she wanted to do was run away.
"Oh dear, this dress might be a bit too eye-catching. I think I'll change into something more subdued."
Talia could only improvise, and after shouting this line, she lifted her skirt and ran backstage.
She had to take another look at the script!
"Wait!!!"
Meowth shouted hoarsely,
"What am I supposed to say now?"
If he let her run off, he would be left to face the consequences alone!
Talia hesitated, her heart pounding, and turned to look at Meowth with an incredibly pitiful expression.
She truly had no idea what the next line was.
On the other side of the stage.
"Today's performance does seem a little different from usual."
The audience whispered among themselves, and many who had seen the show before noticed the differences in the choreography.
Abigail returned to her seat with a sense of relief.
Although she felt that the actor her friend had arranged for tonight seemed a bit off, her friend was usually reliable and wouldn't play a prank on her by sending two incompetent actors.
At the very least, their auras were perfect.
It was as if they were born for these roles.
Abigail felt this way for the first time.
"Ash Girl, quickly get into the carriage and go to the ball. Go and meet your destiny! You must return before midnight, or the magic will wear off!"
Meowth reminded her.
"I, I'm not ready yet..."
Talia waved her hands frantically in explanation.
She wasn't sure if this line was in the script, but she truly wasn't ready for the next scene!
"The governor, he's a demon, right? He must be terrifying, and who knows how old that old demon is. I, as a young human woman, am naturally afraid of the governor, so please let me prepare a little longer."
Talia added.
Meowth tilted his head, furrowing his brow.
He didn't remember this line.
Although it did fit the Ash Girl's character.
But if you just ad-lib your lines, won't the whole performance fall apart?
"Go, Ash Girl. Tonight, you are the most captivating princess, and your Mr. Governor is waiting for you."
Meowth proceeded with the script, speeding up his delivery, turning this part into unskippable story progression, and responded to the leading lady, raising his wand to signal that the stage could change.
Once again, the panoramic music enveloped the stage and the audience.
"Let's take to the skies~"
"Your worries will vanish with your leap~"
"Nothing is more thrilling than dance~"
"Don't be afraid, because! I am your destiny~"
"Wait..."
Talia looked around in dismay as the stage backdrop and decorations began to change.
"The Ash Girl is truly captivated by this miracle, her naive reaction to the grand occasion is so lifelike."
"This actress has some skill, I underestimated her before."
"How does she manage to portray both a village girl and a princess so perfectly?"
Abigail listened to the whispered assessments from the audience and breathed a sigh of relief.
Perhaps the lead actress just needed some time to get into character earlier.
But now, she was showing her true talent.
From now on, the performance should go smoothly.
The Ash Girl, with tears in her eyes, climbed into the carriage made of playing cards and bid farewell to Meowth.
The chiming of the clock tower in the governor's mansion could be heard from afar, and the projection at the back of the stage foretold the imminent ball. The carriage sped away, and Meowth watched the Ash Girl depart, letting out a sigh of relief and smiling.
The stage lights dimmed, and Meowth exited.
When the stage lit up once more.
The walls were adorned with ancient-style reliefs and murals, depicting the epic tale of the dance between gods and humans from the Kreese mythology.
Gorgeous full-length mirrors reflected the dazzling scene, intertwining with the clinking of glasses and the clatter of cutlery, creating a symphony of light and sound.
The grand palace hall was illuminated, a picture of prosperity and harmony.
It was a scene of decadence and allure.
Noble maidens and ladies vied for attention, each more enchanting than the last.
The din of voices and laughter surged like a tide, filling the air.
Even without the spotlight, a particular figure quickly captured everyone's attention.
The demon governor, with black hair, wore an elegant jade tailcoat, his gaze somber as he showed little interest in the ball.
"Mr. Governor, with so many beauties present, you must be feeling excited. Whichever lady you favor, we will give you our blessings!"
"Yes, Mr. Governor, go and dance with the one who catches your eye. Perhaps she will also fall for you at first sight."
The provincial ministers and nobles continued to flatter the governor, sent by the demon world.
And in some ways, the governor's status was higher than any of theirs. Offending him would undoubtedly be a serious diplomatic incident.
But if one were to gain his favor, it would also be an immeasurably powerful connection.
The governor nodded slightly and reluctantly rose to his feet, wandering through the crowd.
Perhaps he wanted to mingle with the overly enthusiastic noblemen, or maybe he simply wanted to clear his mind.
"I came to the human realm to escape an arranged marriage by my family. How could I possibly consider marrying a half-demon I've never even met, let alone take an interest in a human woman here? Preposterous."
The Demon Governor muttered to himself, his heart weary and indifferent.
Through Lanchi's relentless efforts, he had finally memorized his lines, thanks to his positive mindset and long-term administrative skills gained from handling official documents.
The character of the Demon Governor was likely that of a pure-hearted demon noble who only wanted to govern well but had to feign enthusiasm for social events in the human realm to please his family back in the Demon Realm.
Suddenly, a figure with ashen hair appeared in the governor's line of sight.
The guests at the banquet came and went, but everyone kept an eye on the governor.
And at that moment, the governor, amid the crowd, stared blankly at the distant figure, her face sometimes visible and sometimes obscured.
On the banquet table, there was a dessert tower adorned with gold foil—cheesy coconut pastries, shimmering dark chocolate cut into geometric shapes, and fruit wine-baked souffles gleaming on ice made from the purest mineral water.
She was indulging in the treats, seemingly oblivious to the anxious atmosphere of the banquet.
"How can there be such a pure maiden, unaffected by power and interests, focusing solely on enjoying the delicacies before her..."
The governor murmured, his eyes never leaving the ashen-haired beauty.
To be honest, he wouldn't have been able to say these lines under normal circumstances.
Fortunately, he managed to keep his composure.
Talia had skipped dinner, and these pastries were too delicious to resist. The Brierda Opera House, with its abundant resources, had even splurged on custom-made delicacies for the banquet, causing Talia to break into a happy smile as she ate. For a moment, she forgot that she was on a stage.
Following the governor's gaze, all the guests present turned their attention to the ashen-haired maiden.
"Good heavens, who is this heavenly creature?" a provincial minister exclaimed.
"Indeed, how can there be such a pure and ethereal maiden? No wonder the governor is captivated. She truly is exquisite. Whose daughter is she?" another minister chimed in.
"Hmph, she must be a princess from some duchy, explaining why she's dressed so alluringly," a noblewoman whispered jealously behind her fan.
However, as the atmosphere shifted, Talia remained unfazed.
"Talia, stop eating. It's your turn for your lines," Lanchi reminded her in his mind.
"!"
Talia snapped out of her food-induced trance, suddenly aware of the expectant gazes of the banquet guests.
She looked at the half-eaten pastry in her hand and quickly stuffed the rest into her mouth before turning around with a graceful smile towards the governor.
In that moment when their eyes met, time seemed to slow down.
It was as if they had known each other for a long time, and yet, they felt like they had never encountered someone so unique.
After a while, the corners of the governor's lips finally curved into a smile.
"Intriguing woman, you've successfully captured my attention."
The governor descended the steps, a holy and gentle aura surrounding him, and approached the ashen-haired maiden.
All eyes in the banquet hall followed the governor's movement.
And the ashen-haired maiden, too, watched the governor with equal intensity.
"Why are you looking at me?" Lanchi asked Talia.
"You're interrupting my meal, sir," Talia replied, trying to recall the script and improvising a line that somewhat fit the situation.
"Oh?"
Lanchi frowned, thinking that something was amiss. He recalled the original line being, "Because you were the one who looked at me first, sir."
But he had no choice but to continue acting along with Talia's deviation from the script.
"Your response is quite interesting," Lanchi said, his eyes sparkling with a confident smile as he boldly approached her.
After all, the character of the governor was supposed to be a domineering type.
Being challenged by a woman like this might even spark his interest further.
"Wh-what are you doing here?" Talia asked, unable to remember her lines and seeing that Lanchi showed no signs of stopping.
She took a step back until her back hit the banquet table, unable to retreat any further. But the governor had already positioned himself in front of her, leaving her with nowhere to escape.
"Beautiful maiden, would you do me the honor of sharing a dance with me?" The governor placed one hand on the banquet table, his body almost touching hers, as he sincerely extended the invitation.
His movements were polite, but his gaze and demeanor were intense, leaving no room for refusal.
"I..."
Hearing Lanchi's unmistakable emphasis, Talia's heart raced, and her blood pressure soared, causing her chest to rise and fall rapidly.
But she felt... that today's Lanchi seemed more domineering than usual...
Indeed, the character of the governor was meant to be somewhat assertive, unlike her bumbling disciple who had never been a governor.
Talia's eyes darted left and right, avoiding Lanchi's intense gaze.
Unexpectedly, she felt her heart flutter at the presence of this strong and assertive man.
But that was only within the context of the play.
In reality, Lanchi wouldn't dare to lay a finger on her even if he had a thousand guts.
The governor awaited the ashen princess's gentle and graceful response.
Even though everyone knew what would happen next, the anticipation of this shy and thrilling moment held everyone's breath.
The ashen princess hesitated.
"But..."
She felt her mind going blank with Lanchi so close, making it harder to recall her lines. Her only instinct was the growling of her stomach, as she had skipped dinner and rushed off with Lanchi to the mafia's territory.
"Wait, if we follow the logic of the plot, the Ash Girl's next line should be..."
Talia suddenly thought of the upcoming scene.
"Can you wait until I finish my dinner?" she responded.
The entire audience fell silent.
"Huh?" Lanchi was stunned, standing there staring at her.
"You can't refuse me here, sister!!!"
Lanchi screamed in his mind. "Rejecting the invitation and choosing to eat is the last scene. At this point, our relationship isn't close enough for that, and this might be your only chance to change your destiny in this lifetime. How can you be thinking about food at a time like this?!"
Lanchi was panicking internally. And with Talia's unexpected response, he had no idea what his next line should be.
"Then, how about I join you for dinner, and then we can dance together afterward?" Lanchi said, breaking out in a cold sweat as he tried to salvage the situation.
"Okay, then please wait for me, Mr. Governor." Talia finally realized her mistake and nodded.
She gently placed her palm on the governor's chest and pushed him away. Then, she sidestepped and lowered her head to look at the dessert on the banquet table, no longer facing him and her flushed cheeks.
As Lanchi saw that he had successfully saved the scene, he gradually relaxed.
"...' The other actors remained calm on the surface, but they were thinking that this part didn't seem familiar.
"Did Miss Abigail change the arrangement at the last minute, and I'm the only one who wasn't informed?" They wondered to themselves.
Regardless, they wouldn't say anything that wasn't in their script.
So, the governor and everyone else at the banquet stared at Talia.
Talia picked up a piece of dark chocolate, brought it to her mouth, and her hand began to tremble.
She averted her gaze, feeling that this piece of chocolate was particularly hard to swallow under everyone's gaze.
Being watched by thousands of people...
Everyone was staring at her, Talia alone.
How could she possibly eat it now?!
"...' Especially with Lanchi's barely contained expression, it was clear that he was struggling to hold back his laughter at her predicament.
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Lanchi? Are you really going to play this game even here?" Talia's blood pressure rose again.
But Lanchi was betting on the fact that she wouldn't do anything to him on stage, so he took the opportunity to continue.
"Don't you have a poor appetite today, Miss?" Lanchi asked Talia with concern.
"..." Talia looked at him and forced a smile, trying to keep her anger in check.
She wanted to ask Lanchi how he could eat with so many people watching, but instead, Lanchi had completed another daily mission.
"You really dare to do this anywhere, don't you?" she thought.
The two of them stood there on stage, at an impasse.
A soft sigh echoed through the audience, and for some reason, the play had come to a halt at this point.
"Master, you need to move. You can't freeze the scene like this," Lanchi communicated to Talia through their mental link, gradually becoming aware of her stubbornness.
"If this continues, the audience will start to get suspicious."
"You're the one who led the lines in this direction. Putting aside the fact that I forgot my lines, didn't you consider how your improvised lines would affect the flow of the play?" Talia argued back through their mental connection.
"Master, can we review this later at home? Right now, just pretend it's a card game and work with me," Lanchi pleaded.
"You're clearly laughing at me, and you still want me to cooperate with you?! You're still laughing!" Talia retorted.
The two of them were acting on stage, but internally, they were at each other's throats.
"What are you doing?"
"Why did the play stop?"
"Did both of them forget their lines?"
As time ticked by, the questions from the audience grew louder, and it seemed like they might start getting restless soon.
Lanchi felt that they couldn't continue like this.
He grabbed Talia's hand, and with his other hand, he gently held her chin and helped her bring the dessert to her mouth.
"Miss, my patience is limited. It's time to dance. This is your final warning," Lanchi said, using the governor's deep voice as he gazed intently at Talia.
"!!!" Talia's eyes widened as she chewed on the chocolate, pushed into her mouth by Lanchi.
"Oh my!" The audience erupted in cheers at this unexpected development.
Although this scene wasn't in the original play, it somehow fit right in without feeling out of place.
...
Nestro City.
Smoke rose from a distant chimney, indicating that a certain mansion was preparing dinner.
In front of the screen, Huberian frowned slightly as she absentmindedly ate sunflower seeds.
"What's wrong, Little Tiger?" Sinora asked, turning her head.
Although it was supposed to be a cheerful comedy, Hubao's expression looked rather aggrieved.
"It's nothing." Hubao realized that her expression had given her away and quickly smiled, shaking her head.
To be honest, the play was quite well done.
But perhaps she was overthinking things, as she kept getting a strange sense of deja vu.
The governor's demeanor and elegance reminded her of Lanchi during the Lochi Maccassi period, and the Ash Girl's behavior was identical to Tata's.
Watching the play felt like watching Lanchi and Tata falling in love.
Huberian felt her nose tingle, and her chest tightened as her mind wandered.
But Talia was usually aloof, and she maintained clear boundaries with Lanchi at home, so it was impossible for them to act like they were on stage, sneaking around behind her back...
"Hu Bao, have you finally developed some defensive awareness?" Antanas elbowed Hu Bao gently.
She, too, had noticed the striking resemblance between the actors and Lanchi and Talia.
"What are you talking about?" Huby looked at Antanas and denied it with her expression.
"I trust Tata completely. I believe in her 100%!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
