South Vantyne Territory, the Wilford residence at 25 Nosma Street, northwest of Heart Meridian Square.

It was already noon, twelve o'clock, their family's mealtime.

In this spacious and bright first-floor dining room, the midday sun gently sprinkled through the shadows of the leaves on the windows, illuminating every corner.

Outside the window, a gentle breeze occasionally rustled through the courtyard, carrying the faint fragrance of the distant garden.

Inside the dining room, a delicate linen tablecloth covered the long table, adorned with a few exquisite embroidered flowers. Silverware and goblets were neatly arranged, and dishes were gradually brought in from the kitchen.

The head of the family, Noah Wilford, sat at the head of the table with his usual calm and dignified expression, but when he looked at Ranch, a hint of complexity flickered in his eyes.

Unlike usual, there were two more figures sitting on the side of the table today, besides Ranch.

Miss Tata sat beside him, composed and serene, with her hands gently folded in her lap.

And Hyperion, sitting further away, although clearly a noble lady, seemed very reserved at the moment, unwilling to raise her head much.

The three of them sat in a row, hardly exchanging a word for a long time.

Noah couldn't help but examine the three of them for a moment.

This was too intriguing.

Noah couldn't figure out how these three people were able to roll into a ball on the ground this morning, and just felt that they were playing some very new things.

Noah knew that he might have some generation gap with young people.

Ranch and Hyperion were both seventeen, and Tata didn't look more than twenty-five. It was normal for young people to have some whimsical ideas, but Noah always felt that the relationship between the three of them was too surreal.

But now they were all silent, and Noah felt it was not good to ask anything.

He decided to pretend he didn't know anything.

It wasn't a big deal.

The butler Hans and the maid Francine were very professional and would not spread things around the house, and it was impossible for the entire Hutton Kingdom newspaper to publish a ridiculous photo of the three of them entangled together tomorrow.

While Noah was thinking, the dishes that Ranch had personally ordered for the kitchen today were still being served on the long table.

In addition to the colorful seafood platter, including fresh goose barnacles, amberjack, and Bibo Sea sweet shrimp, each item was exquisitely arranged. Next was the gratin made with black truffle and wild mushrooms from South Vantyne Territory, steak grilled to golden brown with juicy meat, served with roasted vegetables and exquisite black garlic sauce. Even the hazelnut chocolate mousse sprinkled with gold leaf on the outside was starting to be brought up in advance, as if Ranch had told the kitchen that they would eat quickly.

Noah wondered why Ranch's appetite wasn't that big usually, so why was he so active today.

"Anyway, welcome Miss Tata and Miss Hyperion to our house."

Noah saw that it was almost time for lunch, so he said apologetically to the two ladies on the side of the long table,

"I hope you enjoy your stay in South Vantyne. If Ranch is not hospitable, I apologize to you two in advance on behalf of the Wilford family."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Wilford."

Tata nodded in acknowledgment.

Her aloof and dignified appearance made her look like a noble empress, making Noah wonder for a moment if the door to Ranch's bedroom this morning had been enchanted with a "seeing the impossible happen" illusion magic.

"Thank you, Uncle."

Hyperion was half a beat slower, snapped out of her daze, and looked at Noah.

She felt that Ranch's father was easy to talk to when she was at the Ygritte Health Center.

But every time she saw him, she would become embarrassed.

"Okay, let's start eating. Make yourselves at home and eat more."

Ranch said gently.

He seemed to be comforting Hyperion, and just happened to look at Talia beside him when he said the last few words, as if he didn't mean anything else.

"..."

Hyperion originally wanted to say something, but decided against it.

Fortunately, Tata couldn't read minds, otherwise it would be really terrible if she occasionally read Ranch's scattered thoughts, but she pretended not to know.

The conversation ended, and the dining table returned to its previous peace. Only the slight sound of spoons touching porcelain plates occasionally echoed in the Wilford mansion's dining room.

The steward stood quietly aside, waiting for Ranch's instructions. Maids in uniform black dresses with white aprons tied around their waists moved nimbly and lightly, ensuring that each dish was served without disturbing the guests.

Unlike in the past.

Ranch had the demeanor of a host today. His eyes were just right, always paying attention to the needs of the two ladies. Whenever the servants brought new dishes, he would signal with simple gestures, asking them to place the plates closer to Hyperion and Talia so that they could easily taste each delicacy.

The dining room passed harmoniously like this for dozens of minutes.

After the Wilford family's lunch, the servants began to clear the table, and Noah sat at the head of the table, sipping red tea.

He looked at the two women to Ranch's right with a puzzled expression.

Ranch was actually right today, they finished all the dishes that were served.

Noah didn't pay attention just now, but according to the law of conservation of mass, one of them might have been eating particularly fast while seemingly moving slowly and elegantly.

Who could it be?

Noah was puzzled, but embarrassed to ask.

If Ranch married the lady who could eat more, the family would have to prepare more ingredients in the future.

Their family was still quite wealthy.

Noah thought.

Actually, Noah always felt that there was a bit of possibility between Ranch and these two girls.

What he didn't expect was that Miss Hyperion and Miss Tata already knew each other.

What's even stranger was that there was no feeling of jealousy between the two of them... So who didn't want to win?

It can't be that both of them are losing dogs, so who is the main wife?

But Noah could see that the girls Ranch knew were all good girls, and they were all more human than Ranch, so there was nothing to worry about.

Finally.

"What are your plans for the afternoon?"

Noah stopped thinking about it, put down his teacup, and asked the three of them.

The atmosphere was a little better than before lunch, but Noah felt that the three of them sitting together still didn't communicate much, as if there was an unresolved knot in their hearts.

"I will check Ranch's progress as a card maker, and then teach Hyperion new magic."

Talia looked at Noah and answered seriously.

"Oh, good, thank you, Miss Tata."

Noah was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and thanked her quickly.

He knew that Miss Tata was the card-making teacher Ranch had asked him for money to hire a long time ago.

Later, in less than half a year, Noah went to the royal capital and learned that Ranch had become a quasi-platinum-level card maker, and Noah was dumbfounded.

On the one hand, Ranch himself had a strange talent, and on the other hand, Tata was also a good teacher.

Putting aside the exaggerated results, just being able to discipline his family's troublemaker proved that Miss Tata was born to be a great teacher.

"It's what I should do."

Tata replied politely.

At this point.

Noah probably understood the relationship between Tata, Hyperion, and Ranch in the royal capital of Ygritte.

Presumably, they were always together, with Tata teaching Ranch card making and Hyperion magic.

But, since the three of them were master-disciple, why were they entangled together on the ground? Could they really learn anything like this?

While Noah was spacing out, it seemed that his puzzled eyes were too obvious, causing the three people on the side of the table to understand what he was thinking.

Hyperion's cheeks immediately began to turn red, and she lowered her head.

Although Tata's expression was still cold, she clenched her fists tightly in her lap.

Ranch was originally trying to order some more snacks from the servants, lest Tata wasn't even half full, but he suddenly felt the air turn cold, and sat obediently without moving.

The dining table became awkward again for a while. Although the matter in the morning was not mentioned, everyone knew that everyone was thinking about it at the moment.

After a long period of silence.

"Let's go shopping in South Vantyne."

Ranch said,

"Tata, you teach us card making and magic. Going back to Ygritte will be our daily homework. It's rare to be in South Vantyne these few days, so let's just play without any distractions."

He added.

If they stayed in this house any longer, not to mention Tata, Hyperion might really not be able to stand it. He had to take them out to relax.

Having been together for more than half a year, spending almost half of every day together, Ranch knew Tata and Hyperion very well. Unlike Tata, who could recover her mood after eating, Hyperion was more delicate.

Before Talia and Hyperion could answer.

"Who do you want to go with?"

Noah took a sip of tea and asked Ranch.

In his opinion, you should be devoted when dating a girl.

Although he felt that he might have asked a bit directly, he felt that both girls wanted to figure out the answer.

Talia looked at Ranch.

Hyperion was also a little nervous.

"I want to go with them."

Ranch answered casually.

His eyes were very pure.

It was like he just wanted to go on an ordinary family trip.

"?"

Noah's teacup stopped in mid-air. He was a little confused.

At this moment, it would seem like he was overthinking things if Noah asked any more questions.

And Ranch was as innocent as ever.

Why did this bastard have the scent of tea on him?

Chapter 2 (not finished), before 9:30

(End of this chapter)