Chapter 64: Luluti’s Gambit

“What is your relationship with Yalin, both of you?”

Luluti was the first to speak, her voice sharp with an aggressive challenge.

Cloaked in an oversized garment, her petite frame was entirely obscured, preventing Celeste and Liyang from discerning her appearance.

It was only when her childish voice reached them that they realized their interrogator was, surprisingly, a young girl.

“I…”

Liyang stammered, a few indecipherable sounds escaping her lips.

Unaccustomed to such confrontational scenes, she instinctively retreated several steps, making it clear she wished no part in the unfolding dialogue.

Celeste, however, was not one to back down; Luluti’s assertiveness barely registered with her.

“What our relationship with Yalin entails is hardly your concern, is it?”

“How could it be irrelevant? Yalin is with me right now. What exactly do you mean by suddenly appearing and attempting to snatch him away?”

“Together…?”

Celeste’s brow furrowed, and her voice turned cold as she countered, “And you? Who exactly are you to him?”

“Surely, it’s evident at a glance?”

Luluti then cast aside her hood, revealing a cascade of dazzling golden hair that shimmered brilliantly under the sun’s gaze.

Her innate, imposing aura was in no way inferior to that of the two women facing her.

With a decisive motion, she seized Yalin’s wrist, then provocatively lifted her chin, her gaze challenging the two women.

“Yalin is currently on a date with *this* young lady, so I must insist you refrain from disturbing us.”

“How is that possible?”

Celeste’s eyes widened in profound disbelief, her voice laced with incredulity, while Liyang instinctively clapped a hand over her mouth, her face a tableau of utter shock.

Upon closer inspection, however, Yalin was indeed laden with numerous bags, all of which appeared to be purchases made for the girl standing before them.

But the perplexing issue was this…

Celeste’s gaze darted repeatedly between Yalin and Luluti.

Though the girl before them carried herself with an air of haughtiness, Celeste estimated she barely reached her own waist.

Celeste’s expression slowly morphed into one of profound peculiarity.

Though unspoken, Yalin could effortlessly decipher the implication.

‘Could it be… you’re a loli-con?’

Despite the bizarre misunderstanding that seemed to have taken root, Yalin found himself utterly speechless in the face of the current predicament.

Never mind.

His reputation had long since been shattered, so a few additional misunderstandings now scarcely mattered.

“I’m done speaking; now it’s your turn to answer.”

Luluti remained relentless, yet Celeste had already lost her former imposing demeanor.

“I… I and he… we are friends.”

Celeste pursed her lips.

Had this been before, she likely would not have dared to utter those words in Yalin’s presence.

She had feared that Yalin might not reciprocate or acknowledge such a relationship.

However, Totomia’s earlier words had imbued her with considerable courage, prompting her to add in a quieter tone,

“When we were little, we often played together…”

“Oh…”

Luluti narrowed her eyes.

Regarding Yalin, she actually possessed a considerable amount of information.

After all, a thorough background check was always conducted before hiring a private tutor.

Thus, she was aware that Yalin apparently harbored feelings for someone at his school.

And now, it seemed, the object of his affection was likely the red-haired girl standing before her.

Yet, hadn’t rumors suggested that the girl did not return Yalin’s sentiments?

Nevertheless, the emotions flickering in her eyes at this moment were undeniably complex.

Shock, regret, and even a faint trace of sorrow seemed to intertwine within their depths.

‘How troublesome. I simply can’t fathom it.’

Luluti raised her head, and looked at Yalin again.

He remained rooted to his spot, having uttered not a single word throughout the entire exchange.

Indeed, their relationship was already ambiguous, and with her own presence complicating matters, it was natural that he remained silent.

‘Yes, herself.’

Come to think of it, what role was she truly playing in this scenario?

Ultimately, Yalin and she shared nothing more than an employer-employee relationship; he was merely a hired private tutor.

Once her birthday next year had passed, this arrangement would likely cease to exist.

Yalin and the other two were all students of the academy; fundamentally, they belonged to the same social sphere.

As for Luluti… if pressed, she was merely an outsider.

Presumably, her recent antics had caused Yalin considerable embarrassment.

As the heir to the Astria family, she could not perpetually indulge in the whims of a spoiled child.

Furthermore, Yalin possessed his own private life, and she could not, merely to assert herself, cause him unnecessary trouble.

With this realization, Luluti sighed, slowly releasing her grip on Yalin’s wrist.

“How dull. I’m no longer amused. Do not misunderstand, though; I share no special relationship with this fellow. He was merely tasked with carrying a few items for me.”

“This… this child!”

Upon realizing she had been thoroughly played, Celeste’s face flushed with a mixture of shame and indignation, her fists clenching tightly.

Liyang, on the other hand, visibly relaxed, as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Ignoring the pair, Luluti merely snorted disdainfully, then turned her back on them.

“Very well, I’ve had my fill of shopping. I shall return home now.”

“Lulu…”

In that moment, Luluti’s diminutive figure inexplicably seemed to grow several magnitudes larger in Yalin’s estimation.

How incredibly dependable!

Not only had she diffused the tense situation, but she had also, quite incidentally, dispelled any lingering misunderstandings.

My Lady, I pledge to follow you for all my days!

Yalin promptly hoisted the bags once more, offering Celeste and Liyang an apologetic smile.

“Well, as you can see, I’ll be heading back now as well…”

“Hah? And who said you were to accompany me back?”

Luluti cut Yalin off, casting him a dismissive glare.

“Are those two not your friends? Seeing as you’re typically such a solitary fellow, with precious little company, this young lady is feeling benevolent today. Consider yourself granted a day of paid leave; you are now dismissed from your duties.”

A vein pulsed visibly on Yalin’s forehead.

‘Unbelievable! I just finished singing your praises, and *this* is how you repay me?’

‘Do not choose this moment to be so magnanimous! If you depart, how am I to survive?’

“Ahaha… that, wouldn’t that be… inappropriate? After all, these items are quite heavy, and with your identity as a young lady now revealed, there might be dangers on the return journey. It would be best if I escorted you…”

Yalin attempted to argue further, yet Luluti merely cut him off with an impatient glare.

“Such matters are not for you to concern yourself with. Besides, with your meager stamina, what protection could you possibly offer me?”

“Enough. Do not trouble yourself with me; go attend to your friends.”

Luluti snapped her fingers.

The very next instant, two towering, cloaked bodyguards materialized silently, taking up respectful positions at her sides.

“Take these items. I am returning home.”

“Yes, Young Lady!”

The bodyguards swiftly relieved Yalin of the various bags, large and small, then flanked Luluti, one on each side, departing without a backward glance.

Well, it appeared Luluti had utterly abandoned him.

“That small girl… who exactly is she?”

Celeste gazed blankly at the rapidly receding figure.

Although she had sensed the presence of the two bodyguards earlier, their strength proved considerably greater than she had initially estimated.

To command escorts of such caliber, that young girl’s origins could certainly not be simple.

Celeste looked at Yalin with a complex expression.

Yalin… just how many secrets do you still harbor that I remain unaware of?