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Join the ServerBetty Lane acted swiftly, making the quickest preparations for her return home. After lunch, their journey commenced.
Her servants all ventured out to bid them farewell, knowing that with the departure of the Viscount, whom they had idled away eight years waiting for, they could now resume their leisurely ways.
Lucia leaned against the carriage window, peering through her blindfold at the servants’ joyous farewells. She playfully teased Betty Lane, who was driving the carriage:
“Viscount, your servants seem to be offering truly heartfelt blessings for your long journey.”
Betty Lane, perhaps not fully grasping Lucia’s jab, simply beamed with delight as she steered the horses.
“Indeed, having you by my side, I feel incredibly fortunate for this trip.”
Betty Lane’s planned return journey involved only herself and Lucia, sharing a single carriage. With just the two of them and a horse, no one would interrupt her private time with Lucia.
The itinerary involved traveling along the official roads maintained by the kingdom, which offered numerous inns and supply points. Moreover, the security on these official routes was superior to all other roads.
Safety was not a concern.
If any arose, Betty Lane, as Lucia’s guardian knight, held immense confidence in her own strength.
As for daily life, the absence of servants might lead to some inconveniences. However, this presented the perfect opportunity to highlight her indispensability.
Lady Betty Lane, the guardian knight, even hoped to use this chance to transform herself into Lucia’s maid-knight.
The carriage traveled onward, leaving the city and proceeding at a steady pace along the suburban roads. Here, beyond the reach of human habitation, Lucia leaned forward and looked at Betty Lane’s face.
“Smiling so happily, do you miss your fiefdom greatly?”
Lucia asked, then climbed out of the carriage to sit beside Betty Lane in the driver’s seat.
“Yes, I do,” Betty Lane replied, shifting to make more room for Lucia. She released the reins, allowing the horse to proceed on its own, and then retrieved a small, exquisite gift box from her pocket, presenting it to Lucia.
*Click.* The box opened, revealing a flat, teardrop-shaped object.
“What is this?” Lucia couldn’t identify the tiny, fingernail-sized, flat droplet.
“It’s a *huadian*.”
“It is said to have originated from the Far East, an ornament worn on the forehead, highly favored by noble young ladies.”
“Oh, thank you,” Lucia responded indifferently, not particularly fond of jewelry.
“I had this *huadian* custom-made at an alchemy workshop. It’s enchanted with magic that can conceal the unique features of your Star Pupils.”
Betty Lane carefully picked up the *huadian*, intending to place it on Lucia’s forehead.
However, Lucia raised a hand to stop her, a frown creasing her brow.
“Isn’t it too dangerous to have commissioned such an item during the sensitive period of my disappearance?”
“Please rest assured, Your Holiness. That alchemy workshop specializes in crafting unique accessories for noble young ladies. Every piece they create is imbued with magic.”
“Young ladies who are self-conscious about their features often commission jewelry to conceal perceived flaws.”
“This *huadian* is merely one inconspicuous item among many designed to hide eye imperfections.”
“Furthermore, I disguised myself when I went to commission it, raising no suspicion whatsoever. Please do not worry.”
Lucia hadn’t realized such a small ornament had required so much effort from Betty Lane. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, and her head lowered almost imperceptibly.
Her hand no longer blocked Betty, and she offered another ‘thank you.’
This ‘thank you’ was far softer than her previous, more formal expression of gratitude.
“It is my duty to alleviate Your Holiness’s worries,” Betty Lane said, gently placing the *huadian* on Lucia’s forehead. With a practiced motion, she then untied the bandage wrapped around Lucia’s eyes.
Lucia opened her eyes. Her Star Pupils, which seemed to hold the entirety of the cosmos, were now concealed by the *huadian*’s magic, transformed into the blue eyes of an ordinary girl.
“Here is a mirror for you,” Betty Lane said, producing a prepared hand mirror and offering it to Lucia.
“Mm.” Lucia gazed into the mirror, remarking as if by chance:
“Since I am now disguised, there’s no need to use titles like ‘Your Holiness,’ ‘Your,’ or ‘Adult’ anymore.”
“Just call me Lucia.”
“Mm-hmm!”
Lucia and Betty Lane sat side-by-side, chatting idly as the carriage bumped along the country roads, slowly making its way back to Betty Lane’s viscounty.
****
In the distant Yass Duchy, within the study of the Duke’s mansion, Duke Yass once again summoned his second daughter, Crowlina Yass, before him, recounting the full details of the angel kidnapping incident.
Though Crowlina faced her own father, he was also the renowned Duke Yass, and she dared not show any impudence.
Her mission to kidnap the angel had failed. Not only had they not brought the angel back, but they had also been discovered by Valga, gaining nothing while simultaneously severing ties with them.
The situation had spiraled terribly out of control.
Initially, this disastrous outcome should have been shared by her and her older sister. However, her sister, Delia Yass, the eldest daughter of the Yass family, was still in Valga’s royal city and had been unable to retreat.
They presumed that Delia Yass had undoubtedly been apprehended by the Valga royal family and was now being held as a hostage.
This utterly dreadful predicament caused Duke Yass’s gaze to sharpen, his silence heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Under the Duke’s oppressive presence, Crowlina dared not sit or move, standing rigidly in the study, her breathing almost imperceptible.
Just then, the study door opened. Delia Yass, whom they had believed to be a hostage, walked in and greeted them, “I’m home.”
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