The redness on Setis’s face still hadn’t completely faded by the time she ran back to the second floor. She stood in the corridor for a few seconds, took a deep breath, and fanned her burning cheeks with her hands. Once her heartbeat had mostly steadied, she walked to the guest room door and knocked.
“Come in.”
Li Yuan was sitting on the edge of the bed, flipping through a book he had taken from the nightstand. He had changed into casual clothes, appearing a bit more relaxed than he did in his cyan robe, though his posture remained upright.
Seeing Setis push the door open, he closed the book and stood up, giving her a slight nod.
“Come on, I’ll show you around the estate,” Setis said, her hands behind her back, her tone returning to its usual briskness. “I’ll show you where the kitchen is while I’m at it. I’ve already spoken to my mother, and she’s agreed to let you stay here. You’ve already met my brother—he’s the one who paid at the plaza, so no need for introductions there. We just need to wait for my father to return from the palace for a meeting.”
Li Yuan hesitated. “Actually, there’s no need for all this trouble. Staying at a hotel is really—”
Setis looked back at him.
It was a look that was hard to describe with words—her eyes held a complex mixture of “don't you dare finish that sentence” and “I almost died of embarrassment in the pavilion just now.” In his hundred-plus years of life, Li Yuan had seen many looks, but this was a first.
So, he shut his mouth.
Setis led Li Yuan downstairs, crossing the main hall on the first floor before turning into a side corridor. At the end of the corridor was a set of double oak doors; behind them lay the Duke’s kitchen.
The kitchen was considerably larger than those of most noble families, with walls lined with pots and utensils of every size. The air was thick with the scent of fresh spices mixed with the aroma of freshly baked bread. The head chef was a portly, middle-aged man with graying hair, wearing a faded white apron and directing several young assistants in chopping and preparing ingredients.
“This is Mr. Peters, the head chef. He served the court for over twenty years; no one in the capital is better at cooking than him,” Setis introduced. “This is Li Yuan. He’ll be staying with us for a while. If he wants anything to eat, just have the servants tell the kitchen.”
The head chef smiled as he looked Li Yuan over, giving him a nod of greeting before adding, “The menu is here; it has almost every dish found in the capital. If you want something extra, that’s fine too—just let me know a day in advance.”
Setis led Li Yuan out of the kitchen and continued down the corridor. The layout of the Duke’s estate wasn’t overly complex—the first floor was for public activities, including the main hall, dining room, study, and parlor; the second floor held her and her brother’s bedrooms along with several guest rooms; and the third floor was for her parents’ bedrooms and private study.
Behind the main house was a modest backyard garden, complete with a pavilion, flowerbeds, and a small pond—a classic noble courtyard style.
They didn’t encounter many servants along the way, but everyone they met stopped to give Setis a slight bow. Several young maids stole glances at Li Yuan as they passed, then huddled together to whisper something, only to scatter like startled birds when Setis shot a sharp look their way.
After their tour, Setis stopped at the end of the second-floor corridor and turned to look at Li Yuan.
“That’s about it. Now you’ll know your way around. Is there anywhere else you want to see?”
“No, that’s plenty,” Li Yuan answered honestly.
The two walked back along the corridor and stopped at the guest room door. Setis didn’t leave immediately, instead leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.
“By the way, what time do you usually wake up?”
“Usually in the afternoon.”
“...Right, your teahouse only opens at night.” Setis nodded, not asking further. “If you need anything during the day, just tell the servants. As for meals, the kitchen prepares three a day. But if you wake up late, you’ll probably miss breakfast. Lunch and dinner are at noon and eight in the evening. If you can make it, come to the dining room to eat with us. If not, have a servant bring it to your room.”
“Alright.”
“Also, the third floor is my parents’ quarters. Don’t go up there normally. My father doesn’t like people entering his private space.” She paused for a moment before adding, “My brother’s room is the one at the very end of the hall. Since he’s injured, he’s been resting at home lately.”
“Your brother’s injuries—”
“He won’t die,” Setis cut him off bluntly. “He brought it on himself by trying to be a hero and charging to the front. Also, if you need to wash up, there’s a bathroom at the end of the hall. Towels and robes are in the bathroom cabinet. You can use the washroom in your bedroom for convenience, though it’s a bit smaller.”
Li Yuan nodded to each point.
Setis thought for a moment longer, and once she was sure she hadn’t missed anything, she gave a final nod.
“...Then I’m going back to my room. If you need anything, just knock. I’m right next door.”
With that, she pushed open the door to her bedroom and went inside. The corridor fell silent once more. Li Yuan returned to the guest room, pulled the door shut, and sat on the edge of the bed.
Outside, the sky was beginning to darken. Magic lamps in the backyard lit up automatically, casting a few faint white beams through the gaps in the curtains. He lay back on the bed, closed his eyes, and let out a long breath. Physical exhaustion could be dispelled in a few breaths through the circulation of spiritual energy, but mental and psychological fatigue required actual rest to alleviate.
For someone used to solitude, the events of the day had left him feeling a long-lost sense of exhaustion. Unknowingly, he drifted off to sleep.
It was a comfortable nap. When he woke up, he had no idea what time it was.
He sat up and rubbed his temples. The crisp clinking of dishes and the faint sound of voices drifted up from downstairs. He glanced at the magic clock by the bed; the hands had just passed eight. The sleep hadn’t been long, but his spirit felt significantly restored.
He straightened his collar and pushed open the door. Looking down from the top of the stairs, he saw the first-floor dining room. A long table, large enough to seat ten, was positioned by the window. It was covered in a deep blue tablecloth, set with silverware and illuminated by several candelabras that gave the scene a warm glow.
Four people were seated at the table.
Facing the stairs was a middle-aged man. His short golden hair was combed impeccably, and his features were about sixty percent similar to Setis’s. He wore dark grey lounge clothes without any insignias, yet his aura was enough for anyone to recognize him as the master of the house at a glance.
Duke Sebas was more casual now than when Li Yuan had seen him on the VIP stand of the martial arts arena, but his eyes remained as sharp as a hawk’s. Seated to his left was the Duchess, who had changed into a deep purple evening gown. She was fanning herself gently, a smile in her eyes as she looked toward the stairs.
Further to the left was Reinhardt. His left arm was still in a sling, and his complexion looked much better than it had half a month ago, though his brow furrowed instinctively the moment he saw Li Yuan.
Setis sat to her father’s right, her back to the stairs. She turned immediately upon hearing footsteps, and a look of relief washed over her when she saw Li Yuan.
He quickly weighed his options and began walking downstairs. As he descended, three sets of eyes fixed on him simultaneously.
The Duchess’s gaze was one of gentle scrutiny; Reinhardt’s held undisguised wariness; and Duke Sebas’s gaze—it was pinned directly on Li Yuan, devoid of any polite pleasantries.
Li Yuan reached the table and gave a slight bow.
“I apologize for the intrusion.”
The Duke didn’t answer immediately. He looked Li Yuan up and down before gesturing with his chin toward the empty seat opposite him.
“Sit. I was planning to have someone call for you once all the dishes were served—”
“He hasn’t been resting well lately!” Setis’s voice suddenly cut in, her volume a bit louder than usual. “He’s had to stay in hotels since the teahouse was blown up, and hotel beds are hard and uncomfortable. It’s only natural for him to sleep a little longer!”
The Duke’s mouth twitched imperceptibly. He slowly turned to his daughter, his eyes filled with the indignation of a father wondering “Why?” Setis shrunk her neck under his gaze and guiltily raised her water glass to take a sip.
Then, the Duke turned his gaze back to Li Yuan. This time, his look was even sharper than before.
Meeting that gaze, Li Yuan maintained a polite smile, though he sighed inwardly.
This meal was likely not going to be easy.
Rate on N.U.
