Chapter 5: Talya Went Hungry All Day
A gentle breeze under the night sky brought along the fragrance of flowers and the freshness of plants, lightly brushing past the front of the border library.
The moonlight that fell on the stone steps became softer, like the sound of time’s piano, making the scattered passersby on the street unable to resist the urge to stop and listen.
Talya sat motionless on the steps outside the library, until the sky dimmed even more.
As the thick and tall doors of the library were pushed open, Lan Qi, with a law code in his arms, finally walked out from the library.
Even though Talya had her back to Lan Qi, at that moment, she slightly tilted her head, clearly sensing Lan Qi.
“Eh?”
Lan Qi looked somewhat surprised at this familiar figure, quickly walking over to her side,
“Have you been waiting here for me all along?”
Lan Qi was leisurely enough, simply sitting down near her, neither too close nor too distant.
“After receiving your payment, naturally, I will do the task for you.”
Talya said emotionlessly.
Unintentionally, she caught a glimpse of the “Kingdom of Hedon’s Law Code” in Lan Qi’s hands.
She did not know what book Lan Qi was focused on that made him stay in the library all day.
Now, she finally knew the answer.
This guy probably wanted to become a lawyer or a judge.
Definitely the very rule-abiding type of person.
“…You haven’t had lunch?”
Lan Qi looked at Talya, who was as poised as a statue, and realized she had likely been waiting here all day, and was still hungry till now.
She had strictly adhered to the contents of the deal, maybe this was the pride of the demon royalty?
“……”
Talya did not speak, only giving Lan Qi a somewhat displeased look.
Seemingly accepting Lan Qi’s words.
“Ah… I was just about to prepare for dinner myself, would you like to join?”
Lan Qi paused awkwardly, chuckling.
“No need, I will leave as soon as you return to the manor.”
Talya stood up, her actions seemingly telling Lan Qi: since you’re preparing to return to the manor, then let’s move.
She would not accept human kindness without reason.
“It was my mistake today. I will certainly tell you in advance how long I will stay here from now on.”
Lan Qi explained sincerely, full of apologies,
“So, as compensation, let me invite you for dinner.”
However, Talya just stood there indifferently, as if she hadn’t heard Lan Qi’s words at all.
“Our mansion has the best chef in this town,”
“He specializes in the unique flavors of the Southern Wentina border territory, using the best select ingredients,”
“I guarantee it’s something you cannot taste in other city-states,”
“There’s also top-grade cheese mango mille-feuille, mocha hazelnut crisp tart, and platinum strawberry mousse cake…”
“……”
Listening to Lan Qi’s endless chatter.
The corner of Talya’s eyes seemed slightly moved, but then she frowned immediately.
“No.”
Talya coldly said, turning her head away, not looking at Lan Qi anymore, and walked down the steps without waiting.
At that moment, Lan Qi’s words lingered in her ears.
Like the devil’s whisper, full of temptation.
For some reason, she had a momentary illusion as if from another lifetime—
As if there was a demon grand strategist by her side, who if truly devoted, could help her reclaim her kingdom…
No.
This obviously should belong to the lawful good camp of humans and had nothing to do with her kin.
Surely, it was her overly intense desire to reclaim her kingdom.
That led to such an absurd illusion.
“What a shame.”
Lan Qi stood up, brushed off the dust on his pants, and followed her with the thick law code in his arm, smiling crisply.
Although Talya was still so cold, after all, it was just her personality.
But Lan Qi unintentionally discovered something.
He remembered seeing in his work that Talya was an extremely disciplined character.
She always maintained strict dietary principles and training habits, including rising early, jogging, meditation, and taking cold showers.
But,
As Talya’s “birth mother,” Lan Qi distinctly remembered a detail mentioned in the very corner of the document—
[She refrained from eating sweets, but when she had the rare opportunity to enjoy desserts, she only allowed herself the highest grade.]
This was a very subtle detail.
Lan Qi couldn’t help but have serious doubts:
Could it be that Talya might be a hidden glutton, but also feared her own fall into indulgence?
The greatest weakness of demons is their overly strong desires; sometimes, being seen through by more evil demons and seduced can drive them mad.
The higher-ranking the demon race, the more they know to restrain and hide their desires.
Lan Qi silently laughed to himself.
So, demons really are interesting.
…
The sky of the border city-state dimmed a few shades.
Lan Qi’s house under the night was exceptionally dazzling, with crystal lamps in the courtyard and bright lights dispersing from the windows.
In the wide and elegant study on the second floor, sat a dignified middle-aged man with slightly graying temples, but his leader-like aura was not diminished at all.
He was dressed in an exquisite, ancient-style suit, every corner neatly arranged, showing rigorous demeanor.
He was Lan Qi’s father and the master of this house—Noe.
Beside him, the butler was pouring tea.
With the footsteps gradually approaching from outside the door.
A moment later, the study door slowly opened.
A young man with black hair and green eyes appeared at the door, looking somewhat puzzled.
He had just returned home from the library and had dinner, not yet having the chance to put down the law code in his hand before a maid called him to the study on the second floor.
“You’re here.”
Noe leaned back in his chair behind the desk, scrutinizing Lan Qi.
It seemed he had been waiting in the study for Lan Qi for a long time.
“Sorry, I did not know you wanted to see me today.”
Lan Qi responded methodically.
Noe nodded.
He had expected Lan Qi to come home late.
But he didn’t expect Lan Qi to walk in with a law code from the border library.
He thought this guy might come home drunk again, but instead, he went to the library to read.
Although Noe couldn’t understand why it was a law code at first.
But at this moment, looking at him, Lan Qi somewhat resembled a dignified priest or scholar.
Faintly, there was even a bit of the aura of a judge in control of life and death.
Then Noe pinched his brow.
Obviously, it was just his illusion.
His prodigal son had nothing in common with clerical personnel.
Not being abducted by a cult was already fortunate.
Sometimes he really worried that Lan Qi would be tempted by those cultists.
In the worst case, even becoming a fanatic, worshipping those calamitous evil bishops.
Fortunately.
Noe was sure Lan Qi had no courage to provoke those darker-than-black fellows.
(End of Chapter)
