As dusk fell, a masked figure hesitated in front of a high-end restaurant, seemingly deliberating for a long time before entering.
This was a high-end restaurant opened by a Pharos noble. The walls were covered with dark wooden panels. Crystal chandeliers and gas lamps shone on the ceiling decorated with gilded lines and intricate carvings, creating a soft and refined atmosphere.
Linen tablecloths, exquisite porcelain, silver cutlery, and crystal glasses sparkled under the light. Elegant guests sitting at the tables conversed in low voices under the gentle music played by a pianist.
In contrast, the woman standing outside the door, dressed simply and wearing a mask, seemed somewhat out of place.
At this moment, a waitress seemed to notice the figure outside the door. She walked over the thick carpet to the door, opened it directly, and asked the person outside, “Miss, do you have a reservation?”
The masked woman nodded somewhat stiffly, saying, “The private room reserved by Miss Roswell…”
She firmly remembered what the manager had told her, to avoid making mistakes.
“Ah, apologies, we neglected you… Please come in,”
Lichie followed the attendant nervously, walking all the way to the second floor of the restaurant. Only after entering a private room and sitting down did she slowly breathe a sigh of relief.
As long as I didn’t go to the wrong place…
“Would you like some refreshments or drinks before your friend arrives?”
The waitress bowed slightly, speaking attentively.
“Would you like newspapers, magazines, or perhaps for a musician to play some music?”
“Is the temperature in the room comfortable? I can add more wood for you, or adjust the curtains…”
Seemingly noticing the woman’s nervousness, the waitress just smiled slightly. After serving a cup of hot tea, she said, “I will be at the door. If you need anything, just ring the bell.”
Only after the waitress left did Lichie completely relax.
This was her first time in such a high-end restaurant… It was quite nerve-wracking in every sense.
If she hadn’t heard from the manager that her sister had booked the place, Lichie would not have dared to walk in at all.
After waiting for a moment, a knock sounded from outside.
The wooden door of the private room was opened. A beautiful black-haired young girl walked in. After saying something in a low voice to the attendant behind her, she closed the door and walked directly to the seat opposite Lichie and sat down.
“Apologies… I’m a little late. You… hello. My name is Avena Roswell. You can just call me Avena.”
Avena’s body was also a little stiff. She introduced herself, but unexpectedly bit her tongue.
Avena, who had never been nervous in social settings, now seemed no less nervous than Lichie opposite her.
“Hello… my name is Lichie…”
Lichie kept her head down the entire time, hardly daring to look the other party in the eye.
Where did my sister go…? This was the only question in Lichie’s mind right now.
“Ciel went to the restroom. She’ll be here in a moment.”
Avena said, as if she knew what Lichie was thinking.
Lichie responded. Then the suite, which resembled a presidential suite, fell into silence. Especially Avena, who felt an unprecedented pressure right now.
Avena lightly rang the bell at her side. The wooden door opened. The attendant walked to Avena’s side, leaned in, and asked, “Is there anything you need?”
“My apologies. The room temperature is a bit high.”
“Certainly. I will adjust it for you right away.”
After the attendant closed the chimney damper of the fireplace slightly and covered some of the charcoal with ash, she left. But Avena’s flushed cheeks didn’t seem to cool down anytime soon.
Avena racked her brain for topics, but she really didn’t know much about Ciel’s sister.
This kind of tense atmosphere was definitely not what she wanted. She had to do something to alleviate it.
Finally, the knocking sounded again. Both of them looked towards the door almost simultaneously.
“Phew… It’s really winding here. Huh? Why is the room a bit cold?”
Ciel entered, closed the door, and looked at the two people who were looking at her with what seemed like pleading eyes. She was slightly startled.
Right. Sister and Avena weren’t familiar. Looking at Avena’s nervous appearance, she didn’t know why she insisted on arranging this meeting.
“Long time no see, Sister~”
Ciel quickly walked forward and hugged her sister, who had stood up, then let go and sat between the two. She picked up the teacup before her and took a sip.
The least nervous person present was likely Ciel. Her mind was still thinking about how to persuade her sister to go to Ansu City with her.
But in the current situation, Ciel felt it was better to liven up the atmosphere first.
“Sorry I’m a little late, Sister. I was agonizing over which skirt to wear just now,”
Ciel shook her head somewhat helplessly and said, “School uniform is better. You don’t have to think about what to wear every day.”
Lichie’s gaze fell on Ciel. She showed a slight smile and praised, “This outfit is very beautiful. It suits you well.”
And Avena, on the other hand, quietly glared at Ciel.
Because the person who was agonizing over what to wear wasn’t Ciel at all, it was her.
With Ciel’s interruption, the nervousness of both of them seemed to decrease slightly.
After taking a deep breath, Avena somewhat calmed herself. She rang the bell. After the attendant came in, she said, “Serve the dishes directly.”