NOVPUB"By the way, Hans, have we had any visitors these days?"
Lanci interrupted their conversation and asked in a serious tone.
The butler, Hans, studied Lanci; it was rare for him to see the young master with such an expression.
The last time the young master was visibly uneasy, was when he had found him in the living room and asked for his help dealing with the pigeon they had accidentally hit.
"There have been no visitors, but Miss Tata came for breakfast this morning before you two. Frances is currently showing her around."
Hans paused for a moment, but quickly regained his composure, his voice remaining steady.
In his view, Tata was technically their house manager. Even though she rarely came home, she was Lanci’s home tutor, so she was not considered a visitor.
Frances, who was Lanci’s closest maid, had met Tata several times and was the closest person to Tata in the mansion.
The only strange thing was that Miss Tata and Young Master Lanci both happened to return home, but separately, unaware of each other’s schedule.
"!?"
Lanci’s eyes widened.
Originally, seeing the calmness of the house, he thought nothing had happened. He didn’t expect Death God to have come ahead of him.
He didn’t know where Tata was now, but her target was definitely his bedroom on the second floor!
I don’t want to be Tata’s top-ranked big brother—!
Lanci was sweating profusely. It felt as though he was back in his nightmare, screaming out in his soul.
This was a force known as destiny.
Stay calm.
Think positively.
Things are not that bad.
The mansion still looks peaceful, which means Tata must not have gotten angry yet. She must not have reached his bedroom on the second floor!
As long as he could get back to his room before her, hide that painting, and replace it with a painting of a pitiful old lady, everything would be fine!
There’s still hope.
"Hans, I have something to do!"
Lanci didn’t say anything more and hurriedly ran toward the stairs, as if all his anxiety and tiredness were gone.
While rushing on the second floor, he saw Maid Francine cleaning the hallway.
"Hey, Young Master Lanci, you’re back!"
Francine’s face lit up with surprise and delight as soon as she saw Lanci.
She had been happy to see Tata come back, but she didn’t expect Lanci to follow.
"Yes, I’m back. Let’s chat later!"
Lanci responded hurriedly without stopping.
The one target in his mind now was his room, at the end of the hallway not far away!
"Surely the young master likes Miss Tata the most, he seems so eager to see her."
Francine murmured with a smile and before she could say anything more, she saw Hyperion coming.
Francine immediately covered her mouth, her shocked eyes seemed to say: Oh my god! Young Master Lanci actually brought two girls home!
Even though Francine was curious and shocked, she kept her professional composure and saluted Hyperion. She knew when to speak and when to stay silent.
On the other side, at the end of the hallway, Lanci, who was sprinting, slowed down by clinging to the porch, eagerly reaching for the doorknob of his bedroom.
Lanci’s heartbeat quickened, yet he felt slightly relieved.
Wait a minute.
Shouldn’t Francine be showing Tata around the house?
If Tata wasn’t with Francine, then where was she?
Lanci’s brow furrowed. He was too rushed just now to think about this.
The door was slightly open, letting in a soft beam of light. Lanci’s confusion and tension intertwined.
When the bedroom door opened fully, Lanci stood there, taken aback by what he saw.
Inside the spacious bedroom, sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, casting mottled light and shadow on the floor.
Everything in the room was neatly arranged. Even though the main resident hadn’t stayed here for some time, it was obviously cleaned regularly.
The most striking thing was the portrait on the wall. The woman in the painting was wearing a worn-out grey cloak, with a tinge of melancholy and defiance in her eyes. She was as beautiful as a wolf in the snow.
In front of that painting...
A grey-haired woman stood there, her profile facing Lanci. Her jacket was tailor-cut and under the collar of her dress, a silk tie was neatly tied, making her look elegant and disciplined.
Soft wind brushed her face, causing her grey hair to flutter slightly.
In her golden eyes, which were barely visible as they stared at the painting, were a mixture of confusion, emotion, and astonishment.
In this quiet moment, the figure with grey hair and golden eyes seemed to blend with the surrounding environment as if she was the only thing in the painting.
Lanci stood at the door, his sudden step back startling Talia.
The moment Talia’s golden eyes met Lanci’s...
Lanci’s heart stopped.
