NOVPUBFor some reason, Lanci had been feeling restless since yesterday.
The Cat boss suspected Lanci might be ill.
"Speaking of Lanci, wouldn’t it be rather rude for me to show up unexpectedly like this?" 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓾𝒷.𝒸ℴ𝓂
Miss Hyperion felt increasingly nervous the closer they got to Lanci’s home.
"I’m the one who brought you here unexpectedly. Don’t worry; my father has always said you’re welcome to visit the Nanwantina anytime, he thinks very highly of you."
Lanci replied.
"I see."
Miss Hyperion spoke softly.
In that case, she felt less afraid.
She would certainly continue to work towards leaving a good impression on the Wilford family.
There shouldn’t be a problem though; she was a professional spy and priest, trained by the Bingxue Witch. There was no chance of her messing up at a friend’s house.
The vehicle passed through the city centre, known as Heartbeat Plaza, the bustling political, economic, and cultural heart of the Nanwantina domain. A statue of the lord of the Nanwantian Border from hundreds of years ago stands in the square, a commemoration of the city’s founders and history.
Lanci’s home was not far, located on a branch of a road known as the Path of the Guardian in the northwest corner of the city.
This street was wide and quiet, flanked by tall oak trees and neatly trimmed hedges.
As the vehicle moved along, the outline of the mansion gradually appeared through the car window.
The Wilford family’s mansion was an elegant three-story building with pale yellow limestone exterior walls covered with deep red glazed tiles on the roof.
The mansion’s front door was carved oak inlaid with the family’s crest, with two copper vases full of blooming blue and white irises, exuding a faint fragrance.
"We’re here, Miss Hyperion."
"Alright."
The vehicle stopped on the street outside the mansion’s courtyard. Lanci and Miss Hyperion got out, took their luggage and set foot on the stone steps leading to the courtyard’s main entrance.
The hedges on the sides of the stone steps were neatly trimmed, with dew hanging on them, twinkling in the morning sunshine.
"Young Master Lanci, you’re back?"
The guard outside the door exclaimed in surprise the moment he saw Lanci. He immediately went forward to take their luggage and the cat.
They hadn’t seen Lanci for more than half a year and missed him terribly.
Lanci, whose reputation had been sour for a while, had turned it around in the two months prior to leaving for Ichrite Academy in the Capital City Ekrite. The staff in the mansion had all grown fond of this young man who had reformed his ways.
"Just a temporary return, I’ll leave the luggage to you."
Lanci greeted them and quickly led Miss Hyperion through the garden to the front door. Pushing open the heavy oak door, they entered the mansion.
"Meow meow, I’m not luggage!"
Unable to put up a struggle, the Cat boss jumped into the garden.
"Fog Grass, can the cat talk?!"
The guards watched in stunned silence as the little black cat fled, crying out.
The Cat boss quickly caught up with Lanci and Miss Hyperion and followed them into the mansion.
Inside, the spacious hallway appeared bright and inviting. Portraits of family ancestors and delicate wall lamps hung on the walls. The sound of light footsteps echoing on the staircase indicated that the household was already awake and prepared to greet the new day.
As Lanci and Miss Hyperion stepped into the Wilford family home, it seemed breakfast had just finished, and the servants were busy clearing the tableware.
Before the two took a few steps, the familiar deep voice resonated from not far away.
"Oh? Young Master Lanci?"
In the spacious living room on the first floor, Hans turned around and noticed the two. As the butler of the Wilford family, he was organizing the mansion’s affairs of the day.
Hans was thin and straight, with neatly combed white hair. His face bore traces of age and deep wrinkles, but his eyes still twinkled with intelligence and kindness.
"Hans, I’m back."
Lanci nodded.
Sometimes, Lanci felt Hans was like a hitman, maintaining a perfect smile even when facing someone he clearly detested. But now, Lanci was no longer afraid of Hans.
Although he didn’t know why a wealthy family in Nanwantina Border was able to attract a sixth-order old butler, Lanci was willing to believe that Hans was one of them.
"Young master, you’ve become stronger."
First, Hans looked surprised, then his eyes filled with relief.
Then, Hans’s gaze shifted to Miss Hyperion, who stood next to Lanci. He raised his eyebrows slightly, seemingly more surprised by this guest. "Oh, is this... Miss Hyperion?"
"Uh, yes."
Flustered, Miss Hyperion hadn’t expected Hans to suddenly call her by name, so she quickly nodded.
She could tell that this butler had a good relationship with Lanci.
"Mr. Noe mentioned you when he last returned from the Royal Capital. He’s been looking forward to the day when Lanci would invite you to visit Nanwantina. I didn’t expect that day to come so soon."
Maintaining his composure and grace, Hans, the experienced butler, explained,
"Let me go to the second floor study and inform the master. During this time, we will make sure to take good care of Miss Hyperion."
"No, no, no, you don’t have to arrange accommodations for me. And you don’t have to be so formal with me."
Miss Hyperion waved her hand.
She and Lanci had to return to the Ichrite Academy to report, how could they stay at Lanci’s house? From the butler’s point of view, they were planning to entertain her and Lanci to a good time in Nanwantina.
