Raindrops hammered against the windowpanes like countless tiny mallets, casting the vintage, Victorian-style frames inside the shop into gloomy shadow.
Each time a splatter struck the glass, it bloomed into a slick blotch, blurring the scenery outside into a misty haze.
Yet despite the foul weather, the interior remained as quiet and cozy as ever.
A long, crisp jingle of chimes rang out above the entrance as the thick wooden door was pushed open by a pair of rain-speckled hands. A fleeting draft of chill and dampness instantly mingled with the shop's warm air.
Standing in the doorway was a gentle, pleasant-mannered youth. Droplets clung to his clothes, and his boots were damp from the rain. Most striking of all was the wide-eyed, slightly disheveled little black cat tucked beneath his left arm.
The little black cat looked utterly dazed.
Its brain still seemed stuck in a total crash state.
Only upon arriving in the familiar surroundings of the shop did its pointed little ears twitch instinctively, as though trying to process the sounds around it.
The youth stepped forward with careful tread. Beads of moisture dripped from the tip of the umbrella in his hand, pattering softly onto the wooden floorboards.
Before long, the shop assistant poked her head out from behind the counter, her face bright with anticipation. Wearing a neat, spotless apron and her characteristically earnest expression, she stared straight at the little black cat as though she had been waiting for it forever.
"Boss Cat, what took you so long? The kitchen is swamped!"
The young assistant hurried over to Lanqi and addressed the cat directly.
"Oh—oh, meow! Sorry about that, meow!"
Boss Cat finally snapped out of its stupor, quickly leapt to the floor, and trotted off toward the kitchen.
Before slipping away, it glanced back at Lanqi with an intensely conflicted expression.
To all appearances, this fellow possessed every Confucian virtue—courteous, modest, righteous, and wise, an exceptionally fine young man.
Yet now, the cat was beginning to feel that nine times out of ten, something was terribly wrong with this kid!
Never in its life had it seen anyone play matchmaker like this!
It was simply too bizarre.
It definitely needed to observe him further.
This little monster probably didn't deserve love at all!
Watching Boss Cat vanish into the kitchen, the shop assistant let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh, right. Miss Tata said that if you came, you should go up to the second-floor storeroom to find her," she added, turning to Lanqi.
"Thank you."
After thanking her, Lanqi headed toward the familiar stairs leading to the second floor.
He naturally understood what this was about.
Now that the Resurrection Church mole within the Aloran Royal Academy's visiting academic delegation had been apprehended, Dean Loren was bound to be greeted by surprise after pleasant surprise upon his return tomorrow.
And when the dean went on his date with Knight Commander Juliana, they certainly wouldn't lack things to talk about.
If Lanqi worked a little harder over the next few days, it wasn't even out of the question that Juliana might rush all the way from the Aloran Kingdom just to ask Loren out herself.
The staircase was fashioned from dark hardwood, each step worn smooth by years of use, and a slightly aged runner carpet had been specially laid down for the rainy weather.
Reaching the second floor, a long corridor opened before him.
Antique picture frames hung along the walls, while dim amber lighting bathed the passage, lending it a touch of mystery.
At the far end stood a row of doors, each bearing a unique color and number, giving off the ambience of an old inn.
Lanqi walked slowly, searching as he went.
His gaze lingered briefly on each door before finally settling on one labeled "Storeroom."
"Tata, Hyperion, are you in there?"
Lanqi knocked twice on the door.
"Come in."
Talia's familiar voice drifted out almost immediately.
Evidently, upon sensing Lanqi's arrival, she had briefly lowered the barrier.
Lanqi rested his hand on the doorknob and pushed down gently. The storeroom door, which should have been sealed shut, clicked open at his touch.
A whiff of stale, slightly humid air rolled out as Lanqi stepped inside.
Glancing around, he saw Hyperion and Talia standing guard beside a man bound firmly to a chair—undoubtedly the criminal suspect.
Yet that was of secondary importance. What truly mattered was—
Judging by the expressions on their faces,
Hyperion looked well-rested and in high spirits, showing no signs of having been mistreated.
Talia was also calmer than expected, seemingly unbothered by Hyperion's presence.
The two of them were getting along far more harmoniously than Lanqi had envisioned; it almost felt as though they had struck up a genuine rapport.
"Lanqi, you're here," Hyperion said, stepping up to him with a smile.
"Yes. Unfortunately, I lost my match against Adams today," Lanqi admitted with a slightly sheepish nod.
In an instant, Hyperion's smile froze.
Had Lanqi won, she would have found it manageable.
But if Lanqi had lost so easily...
The severity of the situation might already be far beyond her imagination.
She suddenly felt very reluctant to return to the academy.
At the very least, she had no desire to face Dean Loren when he returned tomorrow morning...
Talia looked at Hyperion, then glanced at Lanqi, offering no comment.
"Thank you for your trouble, Tata," Lanqi said, turning to express his gratitude.
He had not expected Talia to be so agreeable this time around.
It seemed that as she grew older, she had gained a touch of warmth and humanity after all.
"..."
Talia merely stared at Lanqi without a word.
"Still, now that the mole in the Aloran Royal Academy's delegation has been caught, Hyperion can move back today," Lanqi said to Talia and Hyperion, glancing at the unconscious Phoenix in the chair.
If Hyperion continued staying with Talia, Lanqi feared that over time, one would end up feeling aggrieved while the other threw a temper.
Hyperion raised her eyes, however, and hesitated.
"Lanqi, I..."
She stammered, unsure of how to voice her thoughts.
If possible, she actually wanted to stay with Tata for another couple of days.
Yet such a thought felt too embarrassing, and she could hardly find a proper excuse for it.
Even though Miss Tata had promised to teach her magic, that hardly justified living under her roof.
"Let her stay here for a few more days, just to avoid any further unforeseen incidents," Talia said in a flat tone.
"Besides, according to our agreement, she is supposed to stay with me for a full two weeks."
She emphasized the point in a strictly businesslike manner.
"...!"
Hyperion looked at her with wide eyes, touched to the core.
If Miss Tata had previously only been acting according to their bargain, she was now genuinely looking out for her.
"What do you think, Hyperion?"
Lanqi naturally had no objections.
If Talia could foster a good relationship with Hyperion, it would be nothing short of ideal for his future plans to expand and strengthen the Great Love Company.
Come to think of it, that was simply Talia's style: she disliked taking undue advantage in any transaction. If she promised two weeks of protection, she would deliver two full weeks.
"If Miss Tata doesn't mind having me, I'd like to stay here a little longer," Hyperion murmured, glancing at Talia with a sheepish blush.
"However, I will still be attending classes from now on," she added.
Starting tomorrow, she would resume her studies and her duties in the student council.
She hardly dared let Lanqi out of her sight anymore. If she took two full weeks off, Ikerite Academy might undergo some cataclysmic upheaval in her absence.
"Then I shall escort you to and from the academy every day," Talia said with a nod.
"I'll leave it in your capable hands, then."
Lanqi breathed a sigh of relief.
With Talia dedicated to protecting her, Hyperion's safety was virtually guaranteed.
Even so, Lanqi couldn't help but feel that their exchange sounded suspiciously like a mother taking her child to and from primary school.
How bizarre. Could this be some sort of maternal scheme by Talia to slowly claim the ducal household for herself?
Chapter 193