Chapter 38: Not Again, Miss Lin Yan!
Although Vikarn Port was a relatively small city, the Empire’s feudal system had resulted in a proliferation of nobles, titles granted and inherited through generations.
Tonight’s banquet only included the most prominent and influential families. Many lesser nobles, whose lives weren’t much different from commoners, hadn’t been invited; otherwise, the Clock Tower wouldn’t be able to accommodate them all.
The banquet had just begun, the hall filling with chatter as the nobles, mostly acquainted with each other, mingled.
Lin Yan, as the only guest with real authority and a member of the prestigious Lin family, naturally drew attention.
Of course, there was another reason: she was simply stunning.
While many nobles had seen Lin Yan in her military uniform, they hadn’t expected such a dramatic transformation. She had gone from the imposing Garrison Commander to an elegant, graceful young lady.
The young noblemen, especially those around her age, were captivated, stealing glances at her before quickly looking away, feigning indifference.
“It seems Lin Yan’s charms aren’t limited to young women anymore…” Xu Bai observed the reactions around her, noticing Lin Yan’s apparent boredom.
She clearly wasn’t interested in the noblemen vying for her attention.
But now…
The constant scrutiny made her uncomfortable, just like back in the capital. She hated it.
This is why I don’t like wearing these clothes… Lin Yan sighed inwardly. She usually dressed and styled herself in a more masculine way, even if it attracted the attention of young women. It was still better than attracting these pompous, self-absorbed nobles.
She looked down at Xu Bai, still hiding behind her, a gentle smile touching her lips.
At least she had the adorable Bai with her; otherwise, this would be even more unbearable.
However, Xu Bai wasn’t relaxed. She was on edge, worried that someone might recognize her before Glaimond arrived.
That would complicate things considerably…
Thankfully, the banquet hall wasn’t brightly lit. The soft, golden light allowed her to conceal her face by lowering her hat slightly.
And most of the noblemen were focused on Lin Yan. Aside from a few with… peculiar tastes, no one paid much attention to Xu Bai, the “younger sister” accompanying her.
“Bai, do you want something to eat?” Lin Yan asked, seeing a waiter pushing a dessert cart, and reached out to pat Xu Bai’s hair.
Yes! She finally touched Bai’s hair!
As Xu Bai raised a hand to protect her head, Lin Yan quickly withdrew hers.
“Not again…” Xu Bai sighed inwardly, but her gaze was drawn to the exquisite desserts.
They looked delicious, but she had never had anything like them before…
“Then… should I… try some?” she asked hesitantly, feeling strangely like a real little girl.
Lin Yan’s eyes narrowed with amusement. She beckoned to the waiter, picking up several desserts, giving most to Xu Bai and keeping one for herself.
“This…” Xu Bai looked at the pretty little cakes in her hands, slightly embarrassed.
Lin Yan had taken so many, yet kept only one for herself…
Lin Yan smiled, patting her stomach. “I’m on a diet. Just one to taste.”
Before Xu Bai could respond, she added, “Don’t be like me. You’re still growing… are you growing? Well, anyway, eat more. They’re delicious!”
Demon Hunters, corrupted by demonic power, typically stopped growing and rarely lived long enough to die of old age.
So, most Demon Hunters retained the appearance they had at the time of their transformation, usually between sixteen and forty years old.
A “Demon Hunter” who looked seven or eight, like Xu Bai, was almost unheard of, but not impossible.
Xu Bai knew this, but she was more puzzled by Uncle Lin’s certainty about her being a Demon Hunter. He had been so sure that she hadn’t even had a chance to argue that she was actually a demon.
However, despite her confusion, the current situation wasn’t entirely bad.
“…Alright, thank you, Miss Lin Yan.”
Xu Bai picked up a small cake and nibbled on it.
It was indeed delicious, and she quickly finished all the cakes in her hands.
Hearing her words, Lin Yan’s expression froze momentarily, then returned to normal.
“It’s nothing, Bai. You can get more yourself if you want… oh, wait, with your current appearance, I should probably get them for you.”
Xu Bai hesitated, then shook her head. “No, thank you… just two more… or three?”
Seeing Xu Bai counting on her fingers, her expression hesitant and adorable, Lin Yan burst into laughter, her beauty even more radiant.
The surrounding noblemen, their hearts racing, felt a renewed surge of interest.
But before they could approach, a figure in a crimson dress appeared before Lin Yan, her sharp voice cutting through the air.
“Well, well, if it isn’t our Miss Lin~”
Hearing the classic antagonist’s opening line, Xu Bai almost face-planted into her plate.
She glanced up at the newcomer. It was a woman she didn’t recognize, in a gaudy crimson dress, her makeup heavy and overly dramatic, her expression the classic sneer of a villainous noblewoman.
“Madam Madeline. It’s been a while,” Lin Yan said, her cheerful expression replaced by a polite, distant smile.
“Yes… a very long while!” The woman, addressed as Madam Madeline, retorted, her eyes narrowed with malice, her gaze fixed on Lin Yan.
Lin Yan remained unfazed, subtly pulling Xu Bai closer, shielding her slightly.
Not because she was afraid Madeline would attack Bai, but because she didn’t want Bai’s appearance revealed yet.
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