Chloe raised her head and looked at the once exquisite and magnificent building, suddenly feeling that it seemed even more desolate than she remembered.
The Emblem above the door lintel shimmered with a dull silver light under the sun. It was a raven with outstretched wings, once a symbol of the Kingdom’s most illustrious military merit, but now, like herself, it was just a solitary bird.
“Your Highness, long time no see! I’ve missed you so much!”
Yuna came running over, scooped Chloe up, and spun her around… then, as a matter of course, received a flick on the head from Ellia.
“You’re getting more and more unruly, my lazy little sister.”
Ellia said coldly.
“Is that so?” Yuna smiled faintly, “And you, my big sister, whose measurements still haven’t changed at all.”
The corner of Ellia’s mouth twitched ever so slightly.
Though she did her best to keep her expression under control, Loran still seemed to see a faint little crossroad appear on her forehead.
“Ah la ah la—” Yuna leaned over at an angle, greeting Loran with an exaggeratedly drawn-out voice, “You’re here too this time?”
The girl’s actual age was similar to Chloe’s; her delicate features bore a seventy percent resemblance to Ellia’s, but were noticeably softer.
Because her figure was surprisingly curvaceous, she was often mistaken for being older. In name, just like her elder sister Ellia, she was Chloe’s Exclusive Mage and Maid, but she was lazy, gluttonous, loved to tease and act cute or clueless, and took Ellia’s scolding in one ear and out the other—only to immediately turn around and start acting spoiled and willful.
Loran’s evaluation of her was that she was Ellia’s “otherworldly sister”.
Even so, Yuna possessed magical talent and insight far beyond her sister’s, and was exceptionally sensitive to the emotional shifts of those around her. Occasionally, she would reveal a mature expression completely at odds with her usual self.
On the surface, Chloe and Yuna were master and servant, but in reality, they were like half-sisters with different fathers and mothers. So Yuna was often informal in front of Chloe, loved to share snacks and gossip, and held a peculiar, intense interest in Chloe and Loran’s relationship.
In order to prevent her sister from turning into a complete good-for-nothing, Ellia threw her into the Altlas Institute to study. Who would have thought Yuna would place among the top ranks in her first year, making things even more absurd.
Unwilling to be managed by her sister, Yuna had lived at the Altlas Institute for a long time, and hadn’t interacted much with Loran. Yet, in those few encounters, she hadn’t left him with any favorable impression.
This time, entrusted by Ellia, she arrived early at Rufinias’s estate to clean.
But saying she cleaned was an overstatement—in reality, she hired a whole bunch of people to bustle about for several days, while she herself lounged on a soft, large bed, enjoying a long nap.
Loran gave Yuna a slight nod, then prepared to head inside with the maids carrying luggage, only to be stopped by the girl.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Loran did his best to keep his tone calm.
Yuna raised her brow and leaned in, wiggling her small nose as she sniffed around Loran.
The girl was so close that he could smell the faint sweet scent lingering in her hair. From Loran’s current angle, he could also clearly see the soft, pale curve beneath her collar.
Loran quickly looked away and took half a step back, gazing at Yuna up and down with a strange expression.
“You… seem to have the scent of an unfamiliar woman on you.”
Yuna narrowed her eyes at him, her gaze like that of a cat eyeing its prey. “Tsk tsk tsk, whose could it be… Not Her Highness, not my sister, and not that blockhead Slude’s either… Hmm, could it be that girl from the Blanche Family just now—”
“Please, Miss Yuna, there’s still a lot to do.”
Loran couldn’t help but cut her off, knowing full well that if he didn’t, who knows what kind of trouble might arise.
Besides, he really didn’t have the energy to mess around with her right now. His Iron Book had just unlocked a new function and he hadn’t tested it yet—time was tight.
Yuna snorted, a hint of dissatisfaction in her voice, but didn’t press Loran any further.
After all, it wasn’t easy to finally reunite with her sweet, soft Her Highness; she had so many things and so much gossip she wanted to share! Yuna turned and wrapped herself around Chloe’s arm, rubbing contentedly against her shoulder.
“By the way, I actually have some good news for you all.”
Yuna said mysteriously, her eyes sliding toward Loran’s stiff back in the distance.
Having reached the mansion gate, Loran slowly stopped in his tracks and turned to see just what nonsense this woman could possibly be up to this time.
“Go on, Yuna. Don’t keep us in suspense.”
Chloe looked a bit helpless.
“Alright, Your Highness.” Yuna beamed. “What I wanted to say is… I’m now officially a Specially-Appointed Lecturer at the Altlas Institute.”
As the saying goes, the most awkward moment is when the air suddenly goes still.
Everyone was stunned.
Loran’s mouth hung half open, like a stranded fish, and he even began to doubt whether there was something wrong with his ears.
Ellia arched her brow, her expression wavering between confusion and a desire to speak but holding back.
Chloe blinked in bewilderment, her questioning gaze passing Yuna to look at Loran behind her.
“I say, why are you three looking like that?” Yuna pouted, displeased. “You don’t think I’m joking, do you?”
“No, no.” Loran scratched his head, doing his best to convince his rational mind to accept this news. “I think we’re just… a bit surprised.”
“Yuna… is it true?” Chloe asked tentatively.
“Really, Your Highness! Even you’re doubting me?”
“…It’s just that your news is a bit too sensational.”
Loran had known Yuna’s talent was strong, but he hadn’t expected it to be this overwhelming. Coupled with her otherworldly nature, she was practically a monster.
Seeing that the three still seemed unconvinced, Yuna took out a delicate Crystal from her bosom.
The Crystal was about the size of a palm, lying in the girl’s hand and shimmering with starlight. She poured a bit of magic into it, and the insignia of the Altlas Institute appeared on its surface, along with the elegant script below: “Yuna Rufinias”.
—It’s over. The current batch of Altlas Institute students is truly blessed.
This was the thought that simultaneously surfaced in the minds of the three as they saw this scene.
Loran could already picture the noble children who had fought tooth and nail to get into the Altlas Institute, now bawling and wailing in front of Yuna.
When no one spoke, Yuna cheerfully put away the Crystal, then bowed to Chloe.
“Well then, please take care of me from now on!”
After this little interlude, everyone finally entered the long-absent mansion.
Inside, the residence was quite spacious; even though Yuna had ordered it to be meticulously cleaned, the air still carried an irrepressible chill.
Chloe returned to her own bedroom, letting the efficient Maids help her out of her garments.
The complicated belts were undone one by one, and she was changed into a soft, loose silk nightgown.
“Your Highness, would you like something to eat?” Ellia asked softly.
“No, I want to sleep for a while first.” Chloe replied calmly, “You can all leave.”
As for Loran on the other side… At this moment, he was lying on his bed with his eyes closed, carefully reading the instructions on the Iron Book in his mind.