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Chapter 868: Lance and Talia's Memories to Bring to the Grave
Chapter 868: Lance and Talia's Memories to Bring to the Grave
End of December.
In the early morning on the streets of Pariera, two couples strolled through the old-fashioned lanes of the city's north bank. Mikaya and Ifatiya led the way, while Lance and Talia walked hand in hand, carrying a cat.
"Today is your first day in Pariera, the Flower Capital of the Bosson Kingdom, and also the last day of December, meow," the Cat Boss began to announce.
"So early in the morning, and you're already planning a date with Talia..."
Before the Cat Boss could finish his sentence, Lance and Talia simultaneously covered his mouth. They were walking in the 2nd District of Pariera's north bank, an area known for its academic and artistic atmosphere, in contrast to the more commercial south bank where the Royal Palace and Senate were located. The districts on both sides of the Serene River were numbered symmetrically, with lower numbers closer to the river and larger numbers towards the outskirts. Their hotel, located in the 2nd District, was in a prime location near the city center.
"Meow, meow," the little black cat meowed, shrinking back into Lance's arms and transforming into a quiet, plain black loaf of bread.
"Don't bully my little black bread," Ifatiya said, gently taking the cat from Lance and shielding it with her back. She turned to her siblings with a slightly aggrieved expression.
"We weren't bullying it," Lance and Talia explained.
"It always gives a morning report," they added.
"Then let it finish. It's not wrong," Ifatiya said.
"How is it not wrong? It's matchmaking for us!" Lance exclaimed.
They strolled leisurely, their pace slow as if the entire city were playing a relaxing melody just for them. The aroma of coffee wafted from the street-side cafes, a scent that remained consistent throughout the seasons. In the flower shops built with brown bricks, the unique flowers of Pariera—lychee roses, chocolate chrysanthemums, and turquoise irises—shone with dew-covered petals in the morning light.
Lance was still dressed in his warm gray overcoat, but today he had added a scarf. He and Talia casually admired the morning bouquets on display, seemingly accustomed to each other's company on their outings.
The last time they visited Pariera, they had tried to increase their synergy by going on dates, following Professor Polao's advice to improve their card-making collaboration. It seemed that the effort had paid off, as they had since mastered the art of collaborative card creation.
"We've just arrived in Pariera, and the Cat Boss is already trying to set us up," Talia sighed, shaking her head.
As always, she looked exceptionally beautiful without any makeup or adornments. Her light white dress was covered by a jacket, and her long gray hair was occasionally lifted by the morning breeze, maintaining her usual elegance.
"Don't worry, sister. You look so beautiful that you're ready for a date anytime," Ifatiya said with a smile.
"I didn't dress up for a date," Talia argued.
The siblings continued their conversation as they walked.
After traveling for several days, they had arrived in Pariera before dawn. They had already rested on the train, so after dropping off their luggage at the hotel, they set out to explore the city.
Their choice of accommodation was the same as Lance and Talia's previous visit to the Bosson Kingdom—a manor-style hotel located in the 2nd District of Pariera. Its prime location allowed easy access to the Platinum Palace and the Art Bridge on foot.
Lance glanced back at the hotel where they would be staying for the next few days. "The hotel that Rosalinda arranged for us last time was really nice. Now that I think about it, she was so reliable."
One of the hotel's unique features was the breakfast served in a cave-like space. They had already enjoyed their morning meal upon arrival, and the hotel also provided 24-hour reception services to ensure a comfortable and convenient stay.
Being in Pariera felt like coming home.
Overall, the Platinum Palace Manor Hotel seamlessly blended traditional Bosson-style living with modern comforts, making it an ideal choice for visitors exploring Pariera.
"Since Professor Polao recommended that you and Talia come to Pariera, Rosalinda must have taken good care of you as her junior colleagues. With her enthusiastic personality, she would have made sure everything was taken care of," Mikaya reminisced, feeling a bit nostalgic for Rosalinda.
Every time they visited Pariera, they would work with Rosalinda, who was always meticulous in her duties. However, Lance couldn't understand why Rosalinda would sometimes look at him, suddenly start drinking, and then tear up without saying a word.
Despite her drinking habit, Lance considered Rosalinda a very good friend.
"By the way, I heard that during the last Platinum Cardist Exam, the Southern Continent Cardist Association had a hard time, and you, as the husband of the examiner, stepped in to help. How was it? Was there a guy named Lorkins who gave you a hard time?"
"Mygaya inquired about Lance's thoughts.
He recalled that when he first began proctoring, Lorkins, the Platinum Cardist from the Western Hub District, had been an inspector, and was incredibly annoying. It wasn't until Lance reached the eighth rank that Lorkins stopped daring to provoke him.
'Wait, Duke, there's no need to be so polite with me. You're a Crystal Cardist, and I'm only Platinum. I'm just filling in because there's no one else in the eastern region. Honestly, without Tata's help, I'd be at the bottom of the Platinum rank. It's normal for Lorkins to give me a hard time.'
Lance repeatedly waved his hands in refusal.
Mygaya's natural inclination to regard him as a brother-in-law made him feel incredibly uncomfortable.
Mygaya seemed to enjoy observing his reactions, occasionally sporting a barely noticeable smile. Perhaps she was naturally cheerful, or perhaps she was trying hard to suppress her laughter.
'Next time, if Lorkins dares to speak to you like that again, I'll just call you brother-in-law. That'll prove you're one of us in the Alansar family. Let's see if he dares to be arrogant then.'
Mygaya planned with a sense of satisfaction.
'No, please.'
Lance was about to reject the idea when he felt Talia's cold gaze upon him.
It seemed she didn't want him to deny the brother-in-law title.
'Then I'll tell Lorkins you're my son-in-law. He probably won't dare to mess with you then.'
Mygaya spoke with newfound understanding, eagerly awaiting Lance's response.
'...'
Lance glanced at Mygaya and then at Talia.
He felt like Mygaya had pushed him to the brink of a dead-end with just a few words.
Cat Boss's mind raced. He suddenly realized that Mygaya was toying with Lance like a mischievous woman.
Mygaya had just approved of Lance's marriage to Huberian, a rare opportunity indeed.
If he acknowledged it now, Talia would object, but if he denied it, there was no guarantee that Mygaya, as the head of the family, would approve of their marriage in the future.
Perhaps the Duke was testing Lance, his future son-in-law or brother-in-law, or maybe she just enjoyed teasing people, or simply relished the drama of a romantic entanglement.
'Why can't he be both a son-in-law and a brother-in-law?'
Ifatiya, not understanding, raised her hand to ask.
The other three and the cat all looked at her, and silence fell.
'Talia, call me mother, and you and Huberian can be sisters. That way, everyone's happy.'
Ifatiya turned to Talia, coughed lightly, and proposed in a tone befitting an elder.
'Ifatiya, you're out of your mind!'
Talia's brain momentarily froze, and she was about to grab Ifatiya to scold her for her rebellious words.
'Wow, sister, don't hit me!'
Ifatiya ran off, hugging the cat.
'Meow! Ifatiya, don't run so fast, meow!'
Cat Boss felt like he was on a rollercoaster, as Ifatiya dashed through the old streets of the Flower Capital with him.
'Sigh.'
Lance watched the Demon Princess sisters running further and further away, feeling that the Demon race was truly beyond saving.
Whether the nation was restored or not, it didn't seem to matter anymore.
'Anyway, whether you're a brother-in-law or a son-in-law, we're all family. The Alansar family is relying on you. We're able to reunite because of you. Strictly speaking, you're my big backer right now, but if you want the Duke's family to be your support, I'd be more than happy.'
Mygaya laughed and continued walking forward.
The more Lance observed her, the more he appreciated her, but he couldn't resist the urge to tease her from time to time.
Since the hotel wasn't too far from Admiral Nigel's office on the South Bank, Lance and Tata didn't plan to rush there.
Nigel had intended to meet with them immediately, but they knew that he was currently swamped with official duties. Visiting him would undoubtedly disrupt his urgent work, so they rescheduled for a later time.
After all, Lance and Talia were on vacation and planned to stay in the Flower Capital for a couple of days, so there was no rush.
After leaving the hotel, they followed Mygaya and Ifatiya, frequent visitors to the Flower Capital, for a stroll in the bustling North Bank district.
The Flower Capital, Pariera, served as a melting pot of diverse cultures. Both the South and North Bank districts boasted an abundance of traditional arts and cuisine from the Bosson Kingdom, influenced by the Paros Realm and various other regions.
The city's theaters, art galleries, museums, and concert halls were testaments to this cultural fusion. Many coffee shops and bookstores, once popular literary settings in plays, had been workplaces for renowned Bosson writers and thinkers. During their previous visit to Pariera, Lance and Talia had failed to visit all the most famous spots.
'Where are you planning to go today, Duke Mygaya?'
Lance and Mygaya strolled leisurely behind the others.
They had lost sight of the lively sisters, who had run off somewhere.
But they would return soon enough.
'We're going to surprise Aetius. She definitely won't expect us to be back.'
Mygaya explained to Lance.
On the train, Ifatiya had already made plans with him for their long-awaited tour of the Flower Capital. Of course, their first stop would be finding Aetius in Zone 9 of the Paros Realm.
"You two are indeed like teachers and older sisters to her. Whenever she chats with us, she mentions you both all the time."
Lance recalled Aetius, who got along well with Rosalinda and Talia.
When he visited the Bastian Manor, the three of them were having a girls' gathering.
"Did you and Talia not plan anything for today?"
Mygaya and Lance walked, taking in the ever-changing cityscape around them.
Lance merely shook his head.
"You two aren't going on a date?"
Ifatiya suddenly popped out from behind, patting Lance and Mygaya on their backs, startling them both to stumble forward.
When they turned around, they realized the sisters had run an entire loop around the block and ended up behind them.
"No, we each have our own plans for today,"
Lance and the newly returned Talia said in unison, denying any such intention.
It was a lie to say they hadn't discussed their plans for the day in Pariera.
They simply didn't want to tell Ifatiya that they had already been on a date in the Flower Capital, and the mere thought of that afternoon spent feeding each other made them cringe with embarrassment!
They had agreed to take this secret to their graves, so no one was to mention anything related to dating today.
"Meow, it's good to be busy. Busy is good."
Cat Boss's heart had just calmed down, and he quickly flew out of Ifatiya's arms, returning to perch on Lance's head.
The vintage car Lance was the only place he felt secure.
"I'm going to visit Baroness Rosalinda."
Talia spoke first, always having her friend on her mind.
As fellow Platinum Cardists, Baroness Rosalinda and Talia had plenty to talk about.
When they first arrived in Pariera, it was Baroness Rosalinda who had welcomed and taken care of them.
The snacks at the Bastian Manor were also exceptionally delicious.
"I think I'll pay a visit to the Bastian Manor. When I was in Pariera, they were very kind to us. I'm not sure if you two know about the Bastian family, Ifatiya and Duke Mygaya."
Lance also shared his plans, proving he wouldn't be with Talia today.
"Baron Bastian, I've met him a few times, but we're not that close. They're just very wealthy. Their main businesses are in finance and winemaking, which don't intersect much with my work in Pariera. Baron Bastian might have wanted to get to know me, but there wasn't much need to flatter or please me, so we didn't have much interaction after that."
Mygaya recalled.
"I see."
Lance remembered that when Mygaya was active as a Cardist in the Bosson Kingdom, Baron Bastian's eldest daughter, Christina, was just a little girl without any apparent talent.
Later, when Christina displayed some magical talent, she went to the Aroran Royal Academy. It was then that the Bastian family might have needed a well-connected high-ranking Cardist.
"Pariera is such a great place for dates, you know."
Ifatiya pouted in disappointment.
She didn't care about what Lance and Mygaya were discussing; she just wanted her sister and Lance to go on a date.
"We can't go on a date in Pariera,"
Lance and Talia said in unison, emphasizing their decision.
They could date on the ocean, on a train, in a floating castle, on the beach, or in the streets and theaters, but they would never date in Pariera!
Just seeing the iconic landmarks of the Flower Capital would remind them of the cat-calling fiasco during the Flower Festival, when they had spent an entire afternoon feeding each other, an embarrassing memory they couldn't shake.
"What a pity. I wanted to recommend the Cologne Bridge Inn Restaurant to you. It's a famous restaurant opened fifty years ago by Bro Pagus, a renowned chef in the Bosson Kingdom's culinary world. He was hailed as the culinary master of the kingdom and even received the Royal Golden Fork Medal. The restaurant is one of the culinary landmarks in Pariera and the entire Bosson Kingdom. Most importantly, their afternoon tea-style menu is perfect for couples to enjoy a leisurely afternoon."
Mygaya waved his hands, sharing the recommendation he had in mind.
If he were to suggest the best place for a date lunch, this would be it.
"I remember we went there over a decade ago. We held hands and fed each other then,"
Ifatiya immediately recalled the restaurant from her memories, her eyes sparkling as she spoke to Mygaya.
The restaurant was located on the banks of the Serene River, about four to five kilometers from the North District 2 where they were currently. The exterior of the restaurant was simple and unassuming, but the interior was extravagantly decorated, showcasing a master's taste.
"Th-thank you for the recommendation, but we really won't be going there today..."
Cat Boss was so scared that he dared not perch on Lance's head anymore.
Just talking about it was making Ifatiya and Mygaya blush.
(End of Chapter)
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