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Chapter 874: The Duke's Viewing Party
Chapter 874: The Duke's Viewing Party
The scenery outside the car window kept changing.
The winter in Echirite was a familiar sight to those inside the vehicle.
Even during the coldest weeks, the temperature wasn't too low, providing a comfortable climate all year round. This was one of the reasons why Echirite was considered one of the most livable cities in the Southern Continent.
For the powerful demons like Ifatiya and Talia, this orderly and harmonious Southern Continent city was a novelty when they first arrived.
From the ancient Echirite Central Station and the Holy Brion Cathedral, the stronghold of the Fate Goddess Church, to the modern-style magic glass curtain wall buildings, including the Hutton Plaza where the Cardists' Association was located, and the Erica Magic Tower where scholars gathered, the diverse architectural styles added a lot of color to Echirite's cityscape.
"Sister, have you been to the top of the Erica Magic Tower? There's a workshop there where you can customize and process your favorite magical snacks."
"But don't you need a senior membership card for the Magic Tower?"
"We have one at home. I'll get it when I go back, and then we can go."
Ifatiya had been planning where to take Talia to play the whole way.
Even though Ifatiya, who had arrived in Echirite earlier, seemed more like a local than Talia, it had been over a decade since Ifatiya had returned to Echirite, while Talia had mainly lived there for the past two years. As the sisters traveled together, they took turns guiding each other to places they were less familiar with.
"I haven't spent any money since coming to Echirite. The human realm is indeed a wonderful place."
Ifatiya took out their Southern Continent Federation Union Credit Card, indicating that her sister didn't need to worry about expenses.
"Uh."
Talia wanted to say something, but she thought that she probably wasn't in a position to say anything to Ifatiya.
The only thing she had over Ifatiya was that she had earned some rewards through her labor, while Ifatiya had simply given up and relied on the Duke.
However, the money she had earned was all from Lance. If it weren't for Lance giving her the opportunity, she would still be an undocumented worker unable to find a job.
At this moment, Talia noticed that Mygaya in the front seat had turned around and was looking at Lance.
The two of them shared a look of mutual understanding, and even a hint of camaraderie. If it weren't for the fact that they were in front of each other, they might have already started exchanging experiences about being played by others.
"Are you two thinking that... there's a reason why the demons' country was destroyed?"
Although Talia couldn't quite understand Mygaya's thoughts, she could read Lance's damned micro-expressions.
It seemed like Lance had finally found a daily task partner who was on the same wavelength as him.
"No, no."
Mygaya quickly waved her hand politely and stopped looking back at Lance.
"Sister, have you been to the Golden Bee Amusement Park? When I left Echirite, the park was just starting construction. It should be finished by now, right? Can you take me there to play?"
Ifatiya was still holding Talia's arm, asking her eagerly.
"Yes, it's quite fun."
The last time Talia was at the Golden Bee Amusement Park, she had won quite a few Golden Bee coins. She had so many that she couldn't finish them all during the night market, and they were still stored at Cat Boss Restaurant. She would have to find time to go back and use them up, or it would be a waste.
"Wow, I want to feed you night market snacks too, sister."
Ifatiya was eager to try it.
"How do you know that Lance fed me night market snacks? No, what I mean is, your use of the word 'also' is very unreasonable, and besides, I don't need anyone to feed me."
Talia immediately refuted and pointed out the problem.
"Huh? Didn't you two feed each other when you first dated in the Flower Capital? Didn't you feed each other night market snacks?"
Ifatiya was surprised and covered her mouth.
"Ifatiya, be careful, or I'll hit you! Have you forgotten who fed you when you were little?"
Talia was so angry that she was about to grab Ifatiya, who was sitting next to her.
"No! Sister!"
They chatted and joked in the back seat.
Unconsciously, the sun rose higher and higher.
The vehicle they were riding in slowed down as it approached the Duke's Mansion in the southern district of Echirite.
In the quiet neighborhood stood a magnificent mansion.
As they slowly drove through the grand estate's entrance, a straight and spotless private driveway came into view, with a perfectly maintained asphalt surface.
On both sides of the road were rows of neatly planted plane trees, their canopies lush and dense. Between the trees, spherical hedges were trimmed, resembling strings of emerald beads adorning the driveway.
At the end of the driveway, a large circular fountain plaza featured a marble statue of a goddess holding a torch, from which clear water cascaded down, refracting a rainbow of colors in the natural light.
The fountain was surrounded by clusters of vibrant rose gardens, filling the air with a fragrant aroma.
Further ahead, a majestic three-story mansion rose majestically, its cream-colored stone facade gleaming. Floor-to-ceiling windows were arranged in a neat row, and the carvings on the window frames and balcony railings were exquisite. Two imposing white marble lions guarded the entrance, and the golden coat of arms of the Alansar Duke's family shone brightly on the oak door in the daylight.
"We're here."
The vehicle slowly came to a stop at the entrance of the mansion, and Hans opened the door for the Duke. The Duke and his wife gracefully stepped out.
"My home hasn't changed in so many years!"
Ifatiya raised her hand to shield her eyes from the dazzling sunlight as she looked at her family's mansion.
"According to Hubrian, the Duke even kept that piano for you for over a decade, and it's priceless."
Lance told Ifatiya.
He had heard the story from Hubrian when he was still afraid that Lan Fu would break the piano.
"Waaah."
Ifatiya's smile soon turned into tears.
"Let's go inside.
Talia gently patted her sister's back as she sobbed.
Soon, they ascended the pristine white staircase, and the butler, Hans, was already waiting at the entrance, bowing slightly.
"Welcome back, everyone."
Pushing open the heavy oak door, they entered the grand foyer, illuminated by a crystal chandelier crafted by ancient Ekerite artisans, hanging from a six-meter-high ceiling.
The golden and splendid staircase spiraled upwards, leading directly to the second floor.
"Is lunch ready?"
Duke Mygaya greeted the servants and maids who had been waiting in the mansion, asking Hans.
"Of course."
Butler Hans replied respectfully.
Having worked for the Willford family for a long time, he already knew that if Miss Tata was coming, they could start preparing lunch in the morning.
"Pfft."
Lance couldn't help but chuckle beside them.
He always had a knack for finding joy in the little details of life.
"Lance..."
Talia was about to scold Lance but stopped herself.
At her sister's house, it wouldn't be appropriate to discipline Lance too harshly.
"Is Huberian at home?"
Ifatiya asked the maid.
"Yes, Lady Ifatiya."
The maid replied respectfully, treating Ifatiya with the same reverence as she would her mother.
Talia, however, noticed the maid and paused.
"Francis, why are you here?"
Talia remembered that Francis was the maid who had the best relationship with the Willford family and Lance, and now that Hans had returned to the Alansar family, Francis had followed him.
"Miss Tata, I was originally a maid adopted by the Alansar family, and later, Mr. Hans brought me to the Willford family. Now that the Alansar family is short-staffed, I naturally came back to work here."
Francis bowed to Talia.
"But don't worry, since the Willford family's business scale has been reduced, there have always been more servants than needed. Although they can't afford to let us go, we often have nothing to do when we stay with the Willford family. If the Willford family needs me in the future, I can go back at any time."
Francis explained.
When she first saw that Young Master Lance could draw epic-level paintings, she was surprised but not overly shocked, after all, she had seen the Duke's paintings.
"I see."
Talia pondered for a moment, lost in thought.
She inexplicably felt that returning to the Duke's mansion was no different from returning to the Willford family; both families could switch names without any sense of incongruity.
"By the way, how is Huberian's health?"
Talia immediately recalled the most important matter.
She was both afraid of sleeping with Huberian and worried about her catching a cold if they didn't stay together. These days, she had been constantly concerned about Huberian's health.
"Doctor Antanas came with Miss Sinora this morning. After her diagnosis, there's nothing serious. The young lady is currently watching a video in her bedroom upstairs."
Francis pointed towards the second-floor staircase as she replied.
"Phew..."
Talia breathed a sigh of relief.
"What video is it?"
Lance suddenly seemed to have found an intriguing detail and asked Francis.
"It seems to be from Pariera in the Flower Capital, yes, the international express that Countess Rosalinda sent some time ago. It finally cleared customs and arrived at Cat Boss Restaurant. After Miss Sigrid finished watching it, she handed it to Miss Antanas, allowing her to watch it casually. Then, Miss Antanas, filled with curiosity and joy, wanted to show it to everyone."
Francis recalled the events she knew and shared them with Lance.
Fortunately, Antanas was very talkative, and Francis was able to learn so much after chatting with her.
"Meow!"
Cat Boss swiftly jumped from Lance's hand to Ifatiya's side.
It felt something was amiss upon hearing about the video from the Flower Capital.
Knowing that Sigrid had already watched it, Cat Boss felt even more uneasy! It looked up at Lance and Tata, who had been silent since the beginning.
Lance and Talia's foreheads began to sweat, and their expressions stiffened.
Sigrid must be playing a prank on them, which was why she gave the video to Antanas.
"Do you know what's in that video?"
Francis had never seen Lance and Tata so in sync.
"Where is Huberian's room?"
Lance snapped out of his thoughts and hurriedly asked Francis.
"Um, go to the end of the second-floor corridor. The largest bedroom is hers, and the door is inlaid with amber crystals."
Francis directed them.
"Let's go see Huberian!"
Lance and Talia simultaneously ran towards the staircase.
The others remained standing not far from the entrance hall.
After a while...
"Could that video be the one Aetius showed us, or rather, showed me?"
Ifatiya asked Duke Mygaya.
"Pfft."
Duke Mygaya covered his mouth, struggling to hold back his laughter.
Did it even need to be asked? It was definitely that video.
His colleague, Sigrid, was truly ruthless. Her first reaction after watching it was to show it to Huberian as well.
...
Meanwhile, on the second-floor corridor of the Duke's mansion.
Lance and Talia, in perfect harmony, came to a stop at the end of the corridor, finding the bedroom door adorned with amber crystals.
As they prepared to knock on the door, they heard a voice from within.
"So, you mean the voice of Cat Boss back then was actually Tata meowing? Meow~ Meow?"
Antanas exclaimed.
After speaking, she tried to mimic a meow, but she couldn't quite replicate the pure and authentic sound that Talia had made.
"Amazing."
Sinora's voice carried a hint of embarrassment; she couldn't bear to watch such a scene.
Talia, who usually exuded a dignified aura in the Demon King's City, was surprisingly bold in her playfulness.
"Look, they should have noticed the problem by now, but their hands are only holding tighter. This reflexive and physiological response has triggered the Bridge Effect, and feeding each other is a form of mutual comfort."
Huberian seemed to have adopted a more optimistic mindset; she was using the remote control to analyze frame by frame what Lance and Talia were saying in the footage, as well as the reason why they were hugging and eating together at that time.
The three of them in the room now resembled a serious research seminar.
Of course, this was more likely a more advanced form of punishment.
"..."
Lance and Talia's faces were already flushed red at the door, their trembling hands unable to reach the door panel as if it were too hot to touch.
At this moment, the grand demon inside seemed to notice the commotion outside.
Antanas hurriedly suppressed the urge to speak and rushed to open the door.
"Is it Miss Francis?"
Antanas was prepared to receive the snacks that Francis was supposed to deliver.
But when she opened the door, she only saw Lance and Talia.
Antanas gasped, pretending to be a maid of the Duke's Manor, standing respectfully by the door, silent.
Sinora, who had been watching from the bed, quickly closed her eyes and then sat up elegantly on the edge of the bed, pretending to be as graceful as usual.
The atmosphere became extremely awkward for a moment.
In the dimly lit room with the curtains drawn, only the light from the projection occasionally illuminated their figures and faces.
As Antanas and Sinora dared not speak, time in Huberian's bedroom seemed to stand still, frozen in the mutual torment and agony of Lance and Talia.
"Lance, Tata, you're back from the Flower Capital."
Huberian's lips curved slightly as she looked at Lance and Talia, who had arrived in Ekerite.
She alone seemed at ease.
"..."
Lance and Talia, feeling guilty, couldn't bring themselves to speak.
Huberian's deliberate use of the phrase "from the Flower Capital" carried a subtle hint of meaning.
"How was the Flower Capital? Did you have fun?"
Huberian continued her inquiry.
"..."
Lance and Tata, feeling like they were being tortured, couldn't bring themselves to admit that they had fed each other again.
Huberian observed them with great interest, setting down the remote control and allowing the date footage to play in the room. She walked up to Lance and Talia.
"Tata, your cat meow was so cute; I didn't even realize it wasn't Cat Boss."
Huberian's amber eyes occasionally glinted with deep purple light as she spoke into Talia's ear.
"Huberian, I was wrong."
Talia finally broke down, grabbing Huberian's arms and pleading with her,
"Please, don't watch this footage anymore, and don't watch it again in the future. I'll do anything you ask."
Talia wanted to hug Huberian but dared not do so without permission.
Although she and Huberian had already been open with each other, having Huberian personally reviewing the footage from that day made Talia feel unable to face Huberian and her friends at that moment.
It was as if she had been skillfully sneaking around with Lance for a long time, and it felt so strange!
"Anything?"
Huberian asked, holding Lance's hand in front of Talia.
"Yes..."
Talia could only nod meekly.
"Forget it, I won't tease you anymore."
Huberian pressed a button on the wall with her free hand, opening the bedroom's automated curtains. As sunlight flooded the room, the entire space brightened, and the purple shadows in Huberian's eyes faded, leaving only the familiar clarity of her amber eyes with a hint of mischievous laughter.
In truth, she had already come to terms with the situation, and she had reached an understanding with Sigrid and Talia, which was why she had invited Antanas and Sinora to this viewing party.
"I'll take Lance with me today. Tell Mom Ifatiya that we won't be back for lunch!"
Huberian took Lance's hand and ran out, similar to how she had escaped with Lance after the "accident where he was so cute she wanted to eat him" and also like she was forcefully stealing him away.
"..."
Talia covered her face with both hands, gradually regaining her senses. Her mind replayed the absurdity of what had transpired.
As Lance could feel the social embarrassment, Talia felt even more overwhelmed by the situation.
Fortunately, Huberian had separated Lance from her, making the awkwardness between the three of them more manageable.
"..."
Antanas looked into the room and then at the corridor where the two had disappeared.
As she had suspected, Talia, Lance, and Huberian twisted things up whenever they were together! Antanas couldn't help but clench her fist.
Looking at her dear friend Talia, Antanas found this blushing, embarrassed Talia more charming than the expressionless, dignified Princess Talia she had known in the Demon Realm.
The world-shaking hug couldn't satisfy her.
Twisted and entangled, she couldn't be stopped.
May Lance not disappoint her.
After a long while,
"I'll go look for Ifatiya; it's been a while since I've seen her."
Sinora coughed lightly, sitting up from the edge of the bed and quietly leaving Huberian's room.
"Uh, Tata, shall we go downstairs for some snacks later?"
Antanas realized that she had been too excited and had overlooked Talia's feelings.
And so,
In the empty room, only Talia and Antanas remained.
"Waa, Antanas, I'll never play pranks with Lance again."
Talia, deflated like a punctured balloon, walked over to Antanas in a dejected manner and sat down, confiding in her dear friend.
(End of Chapter)
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