50. Lalatina.

Evening sky, sunlight pouring, floral scents mingling with the breeze, birds soaring, chirping merrily. In the distance, faint clouds veiled mountain peaks. In the courtyard, Noah assigned tasks to his three maidens.

"Liora, go hatch that egg, it's about to hatch. That little snake will emerge soon, just keep the egg warm. No other tasks for the next few days."

Liora looked at the egg, shaking her head, bewildered, protesting.

"Manor Lord, this is a bird's egg, not a snake's. Only bird eggs look like this. Snake eggs are softer. Don't tease me."

Noah, unsure how to respond, The system declared this a snake egg, so it must be a snake.

"Liora, I'm not wrong, it's a snake inside."

Liora, eyes round, moist, glanced at Noah, then the egg.

"It's definitely not a snake."

Noah, seeing he might make the little girl cry if he pressed further, relented. System gifts were tailored perfectly for their recipients, like this manor for him. It'll be fine when it hatches.

"Alright, I was wrong. I'm wrong, no more teasing. Go hatch it…"

Before leaving, she shot him a glare. Noah only watched, chuckling warmly.

Turning to the other two.

"Luna, I permit you to chat with Steward Kim this afternoon. You seem uneasy about her. She likely has much to say to you."

Luna, overjoyed, replied.

"Many thanks, Manor Lord."

Noah nodded, casual.

"Go quick, or I'll change my mind."

…

In the courtyard, only two remained.

Lalatina, silent, thoughts drifting uncontrollably.

After handling the other two, Noah looked at the beautiful maiden before him.

"Lalatina, do you know how to cook?"

Lalatina nodded, saying.

"I know a little. If you don't mind, I'll prepare a few dishes for you to enjoy."

Noah, hearing this, Indeed, a refined lady, skilled in womanly arts, gentle, obedient… Mother said to find a girl who cooks, only then would she approve.

"Let's go to the kitchen."

…After shooing Zhao Yu away…

In the kitchen, Lalatina wore a white apron, long hair neatly tied. From behind, her figure's perfect curves. Clothes tidy, sleeves rolled up, revealing slender, flawless white arms. Eyes focused, intent on cooking.

Normally, a breathtaking beauty, captivating. In the kitchen, she transformed, diligent, caring, like a homemaker. So beautiful…

How would she be in bed…? No, no stray thoughts…

Lalatina carefully arranged her dishes on the table. Aroma filled the room, irresistible.

Seeing Noah entranced, she softly called.

"Manor Lord, please try the appetizer."

The dishes, meticulously decorated, fragrant, exquisite in form and flavor. A masterpiece.

Is she a master chef…?

This is a noble lady in the kitchen? Too beautiful, too perfect…

A feast of five courses—appetizer, drink, main, side, dessert. Each dish artfully presented. Every bite revealed freshness, tenderness, flavors seeping through. Compared to Zhao Yu's cooking, he couldn't catch up even carrying her sandals.

To eat such delicacies in this life… In my old world, I couldn't even touch this… So blissful…

"Lalatina, your cooking is divine. Will you cook for me again?"

Lalatina, startled, saw the Manor Lord's eyes, stirred and dreamy after tasting her food. Deep within, a fleeting sadness, as if recalling something sorrowful… then, fulfilled happiness.

Is he thinking of her…? Uncomfortable, I'm not her…

Am I so like her…? And he wants me to keep cooking.

"Manor Lord, if you wish to eat, I'll cook anytime. Please calm yourself, I'm not her."

Noah, Her…? Oh…

"Just the food was too delicious… truly delicious…"

…

Meal done, he swore it was the most refined, luxurious he'd ever eaten.

Noah, in high spirits, looked at Lalatina, asking.

"Lalatina, can you tell me about your life before?"

Seeing the Manor Lord so delighted by her cooking, though unsure of his mood, she felt joy. His demeanor, so different from before.

Suddenly, it clicked. Perhaps before, he was merely vulnerable, confined here by duty, shaping him thus. Time wears down iron and stone, let alone a man of flesh and blood.

This, now, was his true self. Confident, cheerful, at ease, eyes wise, seeing through all. Unimaginable how he was at her age. Perhaps unparalleled, gallant, unmatched…

But on reflection, now was fine too, the gaze of one above, full of authority, strength. What am I thinking…

Catching Noah's expectant gaze, she startled, chiding herself for wandering thoughts, blushing, voice soft, tinged with shyness.

"Manor Lord, my past isn't too fascinating. But if you wish to hear, please don't mock me."

Noah, thinking she was shy, adopted a serious, gentle expression.

"I won't laugh. I only wish to know more about you, and life in the mortal world."

Lalatina, silent, pondered a moment, then sat upright, recounting earnestly.

"Manor Lord, I was born into the royal clan of the Tian Tzu Empire. From birth, destined as the Grand Princess. One could say born in luxury, status supremely noble, the dream of many. To outsiders, I was fortunate, exalted, but they didn't know the abyss behind that glory."

"Enjoying the clan's splendor meant serving its duties, enduring harsh education, living where even siblings could turn foes. In the royal clan, ruthless struggles were beyond outsiders' imagination. One wrong move, the cost was countless lives. In the clan, one's value decided all. My talent, not exceptional, was long overlooked by the court. Had my parents not intervened, I'd have lost my status. And losing status meant a grim fate. I strove, resorted to any means, even against my Dao heart… to hold my place."

"But what must come, came. The Tian Tzu and Woodland Dynasties sought to tighten their alliance. I became the tool for it. I was to marry a noble of equal rank from the Woodland Dynasty, a man with a family, children my age. He had to divorce his wife for this alliance."

"This was my fate. Unwilling, but if I resisted, the balance would falter, sparking war, troubling my father…"

"Before the wedding night, a celestial phenomenon appeared. By Tian Tzu law, such events held great weight. As the eldest, I was duty-bound to lead an expedition."

"So my father paused the half-held wedding, sending me here. This was his last chance for me, leading to that scene at the gate…"