Chapter 1286: Conversation in Front of the Fireplace

The fireplace illuminated the three people sitting in front of the fireplace, as well as the maids busy behind them. The red-haired witch and the blonde writer lady noticed almost at the same time that Xia De had fallen asleep. Miss Galina made a gesture of silence, and then cast a silent spell beside Xia De.

And Tifa, who was standing by, brought a black towel blanket. Seeing Little Mia lying on Xia De's lap, the maid lady poked the cat with a smile. Mia, sleepy and wanting to lose its temper, noticed that Xia De was also asleep, so it obediently jumped onto the carpet, and only after Tifa covered Xia De with the towel blanket did it jump back onto his lap to sleep.

"Miss Galina, did you add something to the black tea? Or used some kind of sorcery?"

Dorothy held the teacup and joked. The witch looked at the jumping bonfire and shook her head:

"You really know I am a witch; did Xia De say it, or did Princess Lei Qianya say it? No, this is not important. I didn't do anything; he is probably too tired."

Both turned to look at Xia De, who was sleeping in the chair. Dorothy said softly:

"He seems to have encountered a very difficult enemy in Randall Valley city recently, so he is busy making preparations every day."

"I heard from another young girl that the witches of the Fifth Era complained that the witches of our era didn't take good care of him. Now it seems that those old women were really not wrong."

Miss Galina sighed softly, and then looked at Dorothy:

"You and Princess Lei Qianya are very familiar, right? You were together with Xia De... I want to talk to Princess Lei Qianya."

Dorothy tilted her head and looked at him:

"You are Princess Lei Qianya's great-aunt; I think if you want to talk to her about things, you shouldn't need to go through me to pass the message, right?"

"It's not about politics; it's about Xia De."

The witch was a bit embarrassed. After all, she and Dorothy were not familiar—at least from her perspective:

"There are some things I want to talk to Princess Lei Qianya about. This grandniece of mine has never liked me since she was a child. Clearly, when she was born, I even held her, and I even gave opinions on her name, but unfortunately, it wasn't adopted."

This was the first time Dorothy heard about this. She resisted the curiosity to ask about the other name, feeling that although the date time tonight was snatched, she didn't feel angry about it at all:

"She has hated you since she was a child?"

"Yes, I still remember the day Princess Lei Qianya was born. It was a snowy day. I was watching the snow in the courtyard of the Yodel Palace with Princess Lei Qianya's grandmother, my brother's queen. I was very happy when I heard the news, but I instinctively felt something was wrong. At that time, I had just touched the threshold of the supernatural, so I didn't know what the appearance of that little girl born on a snowy day meant for my future."

She recalled the past, a smile appearing on the corner of her mouth. And although Dorothy stood with Princess Lei Qianya, she actually didn't have a big conflict with Miss Galina:

"I heard Xia De say that Princess Lei Qianya doesn't like you because she thinks you are splitting the Kingdom of Delarion."

"Yes, this is what my father, Princess Lei Qianya's great-grandfather, promised. My brother, Princess Lei Qianya's grandfather, also agreed... Father knew I was a witch."

The Duchess suddenly said. Dorothy was not surprised by this; after all, this kind of thing couldn't be hidden from the closest people. The writer lady's eyes shone. She liked this kind of palace secret. Generally, this kind of thing couldn't be heard, and Princess Lei Qianya didn't like to talk about past stories. 【1286-23

"My father, King Charles VII, was a man of true ambition and talent. At the age of 56, he voluntarily abdicated the throne. By the time I became a Witch and was rapidly climbing the Golden Stairs, my father's health was already very poor."

She told her story while watching the hearth fire:

"It's funny, really. Most supernatural beings don't understand what a Witch truly signifies, but my father, a mere ordinary man, understood it perfectly. Even back then, I already had thoughts of emulating the Witch Empresses, and my father promised me a county. But he also made me promise that I would spend my entire life protecting the Cavendish royal family."

With her right elbow resting on the armrest of the rocking chair, her forearm raised, and her fingers touching her lips, firelight shimmered in her golden eyes:

"Thinking back on it now, my father really was an extraordinary man."

"So that's how it was..."

Dorothea said softly; Luvia did not know these things:

"A vast territory within the kingdom in exchange for the lifelong promise of a high-ring sorcerer—from my perspective alone, it is hard to judge whether it was worth it."

"But I imagine Luvia thinks it wasn't worth it. She has ambition no less than mine; despite not yet being able to touch the crown, she already views the entire Deraerion as her own possession."

The Witch chuckled, while Dorothea blushed slightly, thinking of Angelina's birthday banquet last Sunday, where they had taken turns wearing the princess's coronet and the king's crown.

"Oh, I've said a bit too much. This isn't what I wanted to discuss with Luvia this time. I only said these things so you would understand the situation between her and me. If you can, please tell her that if she has time next week, we can go for a walk outside the city together and enjoy the snowy scenery of the suburbs while winter hasn't yet departed. When the time comes, I will tell her some things regarding Xia De."

The blonde girl's emerald green eyes also reflected the firelight:

"Should I remind you that the mistress of 6 St. Deran Plaza also includes me? I have heard from Xia De about his promise to Luvia; I know what you want to say to her."

"Are all the girls around Xia De as charming and intelligent as you?"

The Witch asked, but did not deny her statement; the firelight left some shadows on the Witch's highly three-dimensional face:

"Also, you consider yourself the mistress of St. Deran Plaza—have you asked for Miss Luvia Anatt's opinion?"

Dorothea frowned slightly, pondering a way to respond. Meanwhile, Tifa stood in the shadows behind Xia De, watching this scene with a smile.

"Luvia Anatt is not in town right now, which is a very good opportunity. That girl with the beautiful purple eyes is absolutely not as simple as you think, even if you are a sorcerer in the same group as her."

She took a sip of tea:

"Therefore, I must communicate with Luvia before Anatt returns. Once I arrive in Randall Valley not long from now, I will then communicate with that female diviner. You are a writer, so you understand that the 'Demon King' must be dealt with last."

"I am quite looking forward to the expression on Luvia's face when she learns you refer to her as the 'Demon King'."

Dorothea teased, then asked:

"Forgive my curiosity, but what are you going to Randall Valley to do?"

"For the sake of what Xia De is currently busy with."

She did not know about the demons, thinking only that Xia De was still rushing about for the sake of the Guardians and the Chosen:

"Since last summer, you cannot be unaware of the major incidents across the Old Continent, can you? And you should also know that these matters are all related to Xia De."

The blonde girl narrowed her eyes slightly:

"Are you able to protect Xia De?"

The Witch blinked, feeling that she had it backwards. Having known Xia De for so long, Xia De had never needed her protection; rather, it was she who had been protected by Xia De:

"Yes, and to help him accomplish what he wants to do. You and I can both see that he has extraordinary pursuits. Therefore, Xia De needs me by his side... to help him coordinate with the Witch Council. Besides, with you and Luvia, can you really defeat that diviner?"

Dorothea also blinked:

"I am just an ordinary writer; I don't understand the things you are talking about. But if you want to communicate with Luvia, I can help you deliver a letter."

The Witch smiled with satisfaction:

"See, I knew it—as long as I said I could help Xia De, you would definitely help me."

Dorothea also said:

"Or rather, it is because I know you can help Xia De that I am giving you a chance to try."

Both of them held their teacups and looked at Xia De, the fireplace firelight illuminating his tilted profile and Little Mia curled up on his lap. The cat's back faced the firelight, its golden appearance looking almost as if it were glowing.

"His other self is more sensitive than any sorcerer. Even with a silence spell, I believe the other Xia De would not be unaware of our conversation. So, after Xia De wakes up, he will know about our talk."

Dorothea said suddenly; compared to a certain seventeen-year-old girl who thought everything was fine just because Xia De was unconscious, Miss Writer was much more thorough in her considerations.

"It doesn't matter, watch me."

Miss Galina said to the sleeping Xia De:

"Please do not tell him for the time being; this is not a conspiracy against him, it is just... a private matter."

Naturally, she received no response, only feeling a gust of wind blow past her ear, though the flames in the fireplace clearly did not flicker.

"Speaking of which, you can tell Luvia in the letter that I have acquired a very beautiful piece of clothing; she will likely be interested in it as well."

Miss Galina suddenly said again. Dorothea looked at her in confusion, while the Witch revealed a mysterious smile.

Xia De did not sleep in the chair all night; Dorothea was worried that sleeping like this would cause him to feel uncomfortable all over the next day, so she woke Xia De up after nine o'clock in the evening, wanting him to return to the bedroom to rest.

But Xia De was still thinking about tonight's evening class, insisting on discussing the fairy tale "The Princess in the Pumpkin Carriage" with Dorothea until eleven o'clock at night before resting.

They stayed at the manor tonight, but early Sunday morning, only Xia De returned to the city, because Dorothea wanted to wander around the manor a bit more; she was recently conceiving a case involving a clever storm-bound manor murder. Little Mia was also left at the manor by Xia De; when Dorothea returned to the city, she would bring it to 6 St. Deran Plaza.

Xia De did not stay long at home either; after returning, he went to Randall Valley and soon met Miss Benanice and Miss Lassus, who had just finished breakfast, at the Wilde Opera House.