NOVPUBThe upstairs of the Boss Cat Restaurant, Talia’s home.
Glass skylights are embedded in the ceiling made of wooden boards and beams, the tilt of the ceiling providing the living room with the feeling of a patio where one could gaze up at the stars.
On this still night, sitting in her house, one could feel as if they were bathed in the splendor of the Milky Way.
The delicate wood grain on the walls carries a calm sense of beauty, the warm tones of the decorations and furniture warming one’s soul in turn.
Originally, apart from a reclining chair, Talia’s house had only one chair, paired with the desk in her bedroom.
But then, there was suddenly an extra chair in the living room one day.
It seemed that she had bought it for Lanci.
Now, Lanci was letting Hyperion sit in that chair, and he himself was standing to one side.
Without Talia’s permission, he would not touch Talia’s personal belongings, such as entering her bedroom or using her recliner.
Moonlight and starlight shower down from the skylight, yellowish warm light from the house softly wrapping around the wooden beam shelving, the incense on top of the chest of drawers diffusing a soft scent layered in milk, magnolia, and distilled spirits.
"Miss Tata’s home, it’s so comforting."
Hyperion looked up at the starry sky of Ichrite and sighed.
Even now looking back, she felt that if she put Talia and the Great Love Poet together, they looked just like identical twins.
Perhaps because she had spent a long time with the Great Love Poet, for some reason, Hyperion felt a strange sense of familiarity when she saw Talia.
"That’s the reliability of older women."
Lanci said with a smile.
However, the next second he heard the sound of the door lock, the previously elegantly smooth Lanci quickly put away his smile, pretending he had not been chatting with Hyperion just now.
Talia pushed open the door, her golden eyes glancing at the somewhat nervous Hyperion sitting in the chair and the well-behaved Lanci.
"...."
It seems she will have to buy another chair for her home in the future.
Talia reflected for a moment.
She did not stare at Hyperion too much, not wanting Lanci to notice anything unusual.
Even if she fantasized about letting Hyperion stay with her, she realized it would not be possible.
The Miss Duchess couldn’t possibly stay in a stranger’s house so easily.
Most likely, they wanted to ask her something today, or maybe it was about the Shadow World last time.
But since she had already seen Hyperion today.
She could take the opportunity to get to know her slowly, to have her visit more often.
"What do you need from me?"
Talia’s question, as usual, had no hint of inquiry.
"One of my classmates has been targeted by a killer, Tata, can you help me protect her? Given that the information didn’t come from a regular source, you’re the only one I can trust."
Lanci and Talia have always been straightforward with each other since they can’t lie anyway.
"How do I protect her?"
Talia was puzzled, wondering how this guy always seemed to foresee danger.
Up to now, Talia had not figured out who had wanted to kill Lanci back then.
Now Lanci was telling her that someone wanted to kill Hyperion again.
And what he stated was proven to be true.
"Let her stay here for a while, maybe two weeks at most."
Lanci pleaded with sincere eyes.
Talia was stunned for a moment when she heard this.
She wondered for a moment if she had heard something wrong.
Then, she quickly came back to her senses.
"What’s the benefit?"
Talia, maintaining her usual indifference, asked.
Agreeing without conditions would arouse Lanci’s suspicions, so she needed to symbolically suggest a deal.
No matter what Lanci pledged, she would agree when the time came.
Ever since meeting Lanci, her life had turned around for the better.
Even if she just stayed at home doing nothing, her wishes would come true.
Could this be what humans call "happiness"?
"...."
Lanci took a quick look at Talia before saying anything rash.
Talia’s response was better than expected.
Since Talia was willing to negotiate and didn’t immediately reject the proposal, it meant that as long as the price was right, she wouldn’t resist.
"...Although it’s a promise that I can’t fulfill immediately, by protecting Hyperion, you’ll gain the friendship of Duke Alansar’s family. Within two years, you’ll become a valued guest and adviser of the Duke’s family,"
Lanci spoke on behalf of Hyperion.
The worth of a favor from the Duke’s family couldn’t be measured in gold.
However, the prerequisite was that the Duke could still come back, or that Hyperion could inherit the Duke’s position.
"I promise you on behalf of the Alansar Family, Miss Tata,"
Hyperion also gravely made the promise to Talia.
Talia just stared at them, silent, unable to speak for a while.
She didn’t know what trouble Hyperion had encountered to make them both come to her for help.
What Talia understood even less was why Lanci seemed to be lost in his missions, wanting to plunge into the tumult and bring back Duke Migaya.
Lanci had no idea.
She had also been longing to find her important sister.
It was after meeting Lanci, she accidentally discovered from Lanci’s Shadow World Challenge the clue related to her sister, Isatia—a half-demon girl similar to her sister, Hyperion.
Later, by covertly observing Hyperion, she confirmed that Hyperion was Isatia’s daughter.
This gave Talia, who had previously seen no hope, an incredibly important target.
But Talia didn’t expect Lanci was not just stopping at this, he seemed to want to help the Duke’s family reunite.
Let him continue investigating.
Perhaps she would enjoy the comfortable life of Ichrite every day, and her sister would be found by Lanci.
"Tata, I will do everything I can to fulfill this promise."
Seeing Talia unmoved, Lanci added.
"..."
Hearing Lanci’s voice, Talia moved away from her unflappable gaze.
At this moment, her eyes were filled with mixed emotions of gratitude, confusion, being touched, and resentment.
She thanked Lanci for the good things he had brought her.
But again, she absolutely didn’t want to be entangled with a human in any way.
Finally, until Talia gradually calmed her mind.
"Let’s go,"
Talia stood up and said.
"So it’s not okay..."
Hyperion, who had been anxiously waiting for Miss Tata’s reply, was deflated.
Indeed, inviting a member of the Demon Race to live at home would be too much even for Lanci’s teacher.
"Go to school and get your change of clothing, plus we need to buy some daily necessities and pillows and quilts, I only have one quilt here,"
Talia walked to the door, turned the doorknob, and murmured.
"Thank you...Miss Tata..."
Hyperion said dumbly.
Listenting to Lanci’s description of Miss Tata, she always felt that Tata was quite a terrifying person, but she didn’t expect her to be so gentle.
"...?"
Lanci, who was already considering his next plan, was suddenly surprised, interrupting his thoughts.
He opened his mouth slightly, looking at Talia’s retreating figure.
Was the elder demon woman who had been single for several centuries and had a problematic character so easy to talk to?
She actually let Hyperion stay, and even seemed to plan to share the bed with her instead of making her sleep on the floor or couch!
As Lanci thought about it, he took out the card of [Great Love Poet], looked at it with a furrowed brow, and made sure he wasn’t being tricked by a fake Talia.
"..."
However, it seemed as if Talia sensed something.
She turned her head and stared at Lanci.
What did he mean by looking at the [Great Love Poet] card at this time?
He seemed simple on the surface, but he must be thinking about some damn things in his mind!
Sooner or later, she would read this guy’s mind.
She would catch him if he dared!
