Chapter 80: Sudden Distance

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Lilian let out a nervous laugh.

“Sorry, Lia, Miss Irene is just a bit of a foodie, she didn’t mean anything by it.”

As she said this, Lilian nearly failed to keep a straight face.

“Mm.”

Ophelia answered stiffly.

There really was no way out of this now.

Damn Eleonora.

“Do you want to try a bite?” Ophelia was a little unwilling to give up.

At her words, Miss Irene instantly perked up, preparing herself.

“Let’s—let’s not.” Lilian refused Ophelia’s offer. If Miss Irene had another episode, she wouldn’t know how to explain it.

Besides, it was time to get down to business. Lilian still remembered her primary purpose in coming here.

But first, she had to find a way to send Miss Irene away.

“Lia, I think Miss Irene might be a bit hungry. Could you arrange for her to have something to eat?”

“I……………” Miss Irene grew anxious. How could she leave Lilian here alone?

“No, you’re hungry.” Lilian leaned in close to Miss Irene’s ear and whispered, “The royal chefs make incredibly delicious food. Don’t you want to try it?”

Delicious?

Miss Irene felt as though her tears were about to flow out of her mouth.

“Roast beef, roast lamb leg, they’re all amazing. You don’t usually get to eat these, right? Don’t you really want to give them a try?”

Lilian’s devilish whisper rang in her ear.

……

It had been so long since Miss Irene had eaten meat to her heart’s content.

“The desserts are also especially delicious. Didn’t you just try some? You can eat as much as you like.”

Sweet…

Miss Irene felt like she was about to float away.

No, no, she couldn’t leave Lilian here.

Wiping away her drool, Miss Irene steeled her resolve.

“I’m really not hungry.” Miss Irene said softly, “I can’t leave you here alone.”

Oh, so this was the Task Eleonora had given Miss Irene?

To protect her.

Lilian understood everything.

But as expected, Miss Irene’s presence here was really an obstacle.

A Task…

Lilian felt she had seized the key point.

“Don’t worry,” Lilian said with a smile, her tone soothing, “Do you think I’d let myself get the short end of the stick?”

She leaned even closer, as if confiding a top secret. “Her Highness and I are talking business—boring business. If you stay here, you’ll just doze off. So, I have a much more important Task for you.”

Miss Irene’s eyes brightened.

Lilian continued, “Go scout the Kitchen for me. See what Her Highness usually eats, what special desserts there are. This is important intelligence, very useful for the young lady, understand?”

Miss Irene looked at Lilian. She didn’t really know what use this had, but if Lilian said it was useful, then it must be.

And besides, she really did want to eat.

“Also, try all the tastiest things for me and come back to give me a detailed report on their texture and flavor. That’s an order—you must complete it.” Lilian revealed a devilish smile, “And I’ll make whichever food you say is the most delicious.”

Since she’d given a Task, she had to give a Reward.

Miss Irene’s mental defenses collapsed.

She could help the young lady and Lilian, eat delicious food, and even get a Reward from Lilian at the end.

How could she refuse?

Besides, the young lady had said as long as the Brooch was activated and left near Lilian, it would be fine.

She could absolutely go complete the Task Lilian assigned her.

“Mm, I’m hungry!” Miss Irene nodded.

“Very good.” Lilian turned to Ophelia and smiled, “I’ll leave it to you, Lia.”

Ophelia didn’t know why Lilian suddenly wanted to send Miss Irene away, but for her, this was a good thing, so she naturally had no objections.

She walked to the Desk, took out a key, went to the door, and opened it for Miss Irene.

“Miss Irene is hungry, prepare some food for her. Give her whatever she wants, and don’t neglect her.”

“Yes.” The maid at the door replied.

Ophelia returned to the tea table.

Lilian nudged Miss Irene, who finally realized and headed for the door.

Before leaving, she pretended to scratch her shoulder, and secretly placed the Brooch on the cabinet by the door, behind a Vase and Tray.

Seeing that no one reacted, Miss Irene breathed a sigh of relief and followed the maid away.

Task complete, second Task begins!

The study door was closed by the maids.

Click.

Again, the door was locked.

Ophelia showed a graceful smile, unhurriedly picking up the half-finished cup of tea and taking a gentle sip.

“Miss Eleonora really cares about you. Even when you come to discuss business, she sends a little follower to watch over you.”

Ophelia probed Lilian’s feelings about Miss Irene following her.

Lilian was unconcerned: “It’s fine. As long as my master is happy.”

Master.

As long as she’s happy.

Lilian truly didn’t care about Eleonora’s surveillance.

What’s more, she seemed even happy about it?

Tch.

Ophelia tightened her grip on the cup. If not for her self-control, the cup might have shattered.

She put the cup down and moved to sit beside Lilian.

Lilian unobtrusively shifted a little further away.

Ophelia picked up a piece of dessert and held it out to Lilian.

“So, want to try it? It really is delicious.”

With the nuisance gone, she could proceed with her plan.

She was about to feed Lilian personally again.

“……”

Lilian was about to refuse, but realized that blindly refusing wasn’t a good strategy.

So, she scooted back a little, then took the dessert from Ophelia’s hand and popped it in her mouth.

Ophelia hadn’t lied—it was soft, sweet, and very tasty.

Her mood improved.

“It really is good……………” Lilian closed her eyes in satisfaction.

Ophelia’s mood, however, worsened.

She keenly sensed that Lilian’s attitude toward her had changed.

It was as if she was deliberately keeping her distance.

The first time she tried to feed her, although that maid interrupted, Lilian leaned back—there was a definite sense of ‘rejection’ deep inside.

When she sat beside her, Lilian shifted away a little.

The second time she tried to feed her, there was resistance, then acceptance—but Lilian used her hand to take the dessert instead.

What had happened?

What had Eleonora or Lilian done?

Why had Lilian become like this?

Ophelia felt as if her gift was about to run away.

She grew anxious.

No, she couldn’t let it go on like this.

Just thinking of that silver-haired, red-eyed girl made Ophelia grit her teeth.

Well, Eleonora.

If you won’t let me have my way, then neither will you.

Sooner or later, I’ll make Lilian see just how childish you are.

Just wait and see as you lose her.

“Well then, let’s talk business, Lia.” Swallowing her dessert, Lilian interrupted Ophelia’s thoughts.

“About the new partnership.”