NOVPUBThe next day.
In this era of the war-ravaged South Continent,
from the Nox Mountains to Palton Obsidian Island, from Brin Twilight Snow Canyon to Ysanti Stardrop Bay, the homelands and strategic points of the eastern kingdoms were riddled with wounds. Towns were razed to the ground, harvests from the fields and treasures from the city-states were plundered, innocent civilians were slaughtered, and the ruthless enemies continued to face the iron-blooded warriors fighting against them.
Despite the southern front of the entire Kingdom Joint Council alliance in the eastern region being in critical condition, the heartland of Hutton Kingdom, Ichrite, remained the safest place.
In the early morning, the sky was tinged with a pale azure hue. In this dawning of autumn, the entire city was quieter than usual, as if this year’s winter would come exceptionally early.
In the eastern district of Ichrite, next to a wooden house standing along the street east of Ichrite Academy.
In the courtyard of the Boss Cat Restaurant, a garden full of brightly colored flowers flourished, their fragrance wafting with the breeze.
For now, the restaurant hadn’t reached the hour of business yet.
Upstairs in a wooden room, the walls were painted a soothing cream color blended with soft orange and beige, the wooden furniture showing its natural texture after being polished by Cat Boss.
"That southern breeze brings coolness~"
"The nightingales sing faintly~"
"Flowers under the moon all slip into dreams~"
Huebelle leaned back in a carved wooden chair, holding a cup of fine flower tea in her hands, sipping gently, as the aroma of the tea wafted between her clear red and white lips.
Next to her, an antique magic phonograph played a soft tune, the melodious strains flowing through the air, as if bringing one back to the gentle and moving old times of Ichrite in this early morning. 𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝒎
"Sigh, can’t go out."
Hughbelle wore a loose silk dress, its base color an elegant beige adorned with embroidery from her Duke’s House.
Her silver hair was styled into an easy-to-manage bun, with two slender strands resting on her shoulders.
Now, if she even set foot outside, she had to be accompanied by at least two from the Great Demon Clan, to prevent any spies from the Empire who had infiltrated Ichrite from targeting her.
With the company of Antanas and Sinola, even if an enemy tried any trick, it would be impossible to bypass both Great Demons or to successfully lure one away and leave Huebelle alone.
For the moment, it seemed that Sixth-order assassins from the Empire looking for Huebelle were basically on a suicide mission, her two Eighth-order Demon guardians proving excessively reliable.
Even the adventures to the Duke’s Mansion had come to a temporary stop.
They had been so close to opening the treasury below the Alansar family’s home, but considering safety, Pranay had prohibited Antanas and Sinola from accompanying Huebelle on such reckless endeavors.
Huebelle couldn’t help but reminisce about the times when she could go wherever she wanted.
The feeling of being fully protected by three Great Demons was comforting, but it was no different from her earlier days in Demon King Castle Necaris, and the Boss Cat Restaurant had become another little Demon King castle.
In the time before, Antanas and Sinola loved to go to the Duke’s Mansion to play, try on various clothes, and dress her up according to their preferences. Over time, Huebelle gave up resisting and let them have their fun.
Her current attire was styled by Antanas.
With Talia not at home, either Antanas or Sinola would be sure to accompany her to sleep, providing her 24-hour close protection.
Pranay, on the other hand, often kept an eye on the Wilfort family.
Whenever she secretly reinforced the barrier for the Wilforts, she would be stopped by Family Head Noe, treated hospitably, have a chat about the war, listen to Noe complain about his son Lanci who liked to run around during wartime causing worry, and then receive praise from Noe saying, "Pranay, you’re truly the best. You do the Tata Old House proud, being knowledgeable and reliable." It seemed that Pranay was almost becoming an honorary member of the Wilfort family.
"It’s good that the Wilfort family moved from Nanwantina to Capital City Ichrite early on. They might as well just settle down in Ichrite."
Huebelle picked up the newspaper from the tea table beside her and started to read.
Although Nanwantina was also nice, to be honest, she preferred Ichrite.
However, based on her understanding of Lanci, he was very likely the type who would be willing to marry into her family; just let him retire in peace at 20, so even considering things far in the future, he would probably choose Ichrite.
"Oh my, what am I thinking about?"
Huebelle shook her head vigorously.
It was all too easy to let her thoughts wander when she was alone in the room.
Sinola was in the neighboring room. Their three homes were all on the second floor of Cat Boss, they could be considered neighbors. This morning, right after dawn, Antanas had helped her do her hair before going downstairs to look for breakfast, and she would be back soon.
The feeling of having a best friend’s company was unexpectedly dreamlike to Huebelle, something she had never experienced from childhood until now.
"Ow ow!"
The call of the fox caught Huebelle’s attention, and she came to her senses.
At her feet sat a sleek, black-furred fox, its golden eyes vibrant, its body lithe, watching her obediently.
Huebelle gently picked up a piece of delicate pastry from a silver plate on the round coffee table and fed it to the fox’s mouth.
The fox accepted it cautiously, eating with relish and happily wagging its head.
What Huebelle didn’t realize was that Antanas had returned to the doorway with a box of breakfast in hand.
"..."
Antanas looked at Huebelle inside the room, listening to music, feeding the fox, leaning in the armchair, and reading the newspaper.
