Chapter 110
Chapter 110
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 110 – Lan Qi Just Loves Helping Others
On the third floor of the Ikerite Cardmaker Association, a spacious atrium surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows flooded the entire level with daylight.
A deep ocean-blue carpet ran straight through the atrium, flanked on both sides by display cases filled with categorized goods, service counters, and private meeting areas.
Lan Qi and Huperion had just stepped out from the stairwell—
—and their attention was instantly drawn forward.
Though this level seemed sparsely populated, one spot stood out strikingly.
In the meeting area, where wide and comfortable sofas had been arranged, sat a young man with light-gold hair. His clothes were unremarkable, yet around him clustered several high-ranking stewards of the Association, orbiting him like stars around the moon.
His reserved yet confident manner of speaking only made him all the more eye-catching.
Beside him sat a girl wearing silver-grade cardmaker jewelry. Her long dark hair shimmered with a violet sheen under the sunlight.
Although she hadn’t dressed extravagantly just to sit at his side, the natural air of nobility she exuded was impossible to hide—clearly a young lady of aristocratic upbringing.
To be treated as an honored guest by the Association was rare.
Her status was undoubtedly extraordinary.
Before Lan Qi could voice his thoughts, Huperion had already recognized the young man.
Her expression changed at once. Grabbing the corner of Lan Qi’s sleeve, she prepared to turn and leave.
But—
Because the two of them stood out as well, the young man’s sharp gaze landed on them almost immediately.
“Huperion? And… Classmate Lan Qi?”
The young man, so unassuming yet remarkable, looked in surprise toward them.
Then he smiled warmly, rose to his feet, and strode quickly in their direction.
“…No escape…”
Huperion muttered under her breath, sighing secretly.
“He’s a good man—but also a troublesome one…”
When she lifted her eyes again to face the light-gold-haired youth, her expression had already been forced into a stiff smile:“Good morning, Your Highness Ainor.”
“Good morning, Your Highness.”
Lan Qi, noting her subtle unease, also greeted the youth respectfully.
The name made things instantly clear to Lan Qi—this was Ainor, Prince and elder brother of Princess Vivian.
The very brother Vivian had warned might be… problematic.
Yet it was the first time Lan Qi had seen Huperion so unwilling to meet someone.
“I didn’t expect to run into you two here at the Association.”
Ainor’s bright grin seemed to forget entirely about the violet-haired young lady still waiting patiently on the sofa.
Lan Qi said nothing, though inwardly puzzled.
This prince didn’t look like the sort to overstep bounds. What was wrong here?
“I’m just accompanying a friend.”
Huperion lowered her head, voice soft, not daring to meet Ainor’s eyes.
“I see. Then let me show you around. I know this place almost as well as the senior stewards!”
Ainor’s words brimmed with genuine warmth.
He was clearly someone who treated Huperion with true sincerity.
Which only made Lan Qi more confused—why did she look so uncomfortable?
But soon—
Lan Qi felt it. A sharp, unmistakable stare.
He turned his head and quickly noticed the violet-haired girl still seated on the sofa. She was watching Huperion intently, her aura practically radiating vigilance.
Even though Ainor’s manner toward Huperion was only that of a big brother, in the violet-haired girl’s eyes it was enough to ring every alarm bell—jealousy and wariness mixing together.
After quietly observing a while, Lan Qi understood.
Huperion wasn’t afraid of the cheerful prince—she was afraid of being misunderstood by that violet-haired girl.
Clearly, the two of them knew each other—and not superficially either.
Huperion cast Lan Qi a desperate look.
He understood immediately.
Ainor only treated her like a little sister because he was close to her father, Duke Migaya. But in the eyes of the girl who valued Ainor deeply—yet was never treated so warmly—Huperion seemed like a threat.
And now the prince was even offering to personally accompany them.
Huperion didn’t dare answer at all!
Lan Qi caught her pitiful expression and made up his mind.
“Thank you for Your Highness’s kind offer.”
He fixed Ainor with a serious gaze. Without accepting or rejecting, he first expressed his gratitude.
That way, Ainor’s attention would shift toward him, and the violet-haired girl wouldn’t misinterpret anything about Huperion.
As expected—
The moment Lan Qi spoke, Ainor’s eyes lit up with delight.
“Classmate Lan Qi, I’ve long had many questions about art I wished to ask you, but I heard you’ve been busy, so I didn’t want to disturb you.”
Though it was their first time talking, Ainor’s sincerity was like a kindred spirit found at last—an eagerness to share endless words.
“I’ve long admired Your Highness. Princess Vivian has spoken of you.”
Lan Qi smiled helplessly as he replied.
Such a down-to-earth prince was extending friendship; there was no reason to refuse.
Compared to Vivian, he didn’t even seem to carry a trace of arrogance.
“Oh? And what has Vivian said about me?”
Ainor leaned forward, intrigued.
“She said you’re warm and reliable—a brother worthy of respect.”
Lan Qi answered smoothly.
Vivian’s actual words weren’t exactly that, but the meaning was close enough.
And besides, to shield Huperion, he needed to keep Ainor’s focus here.
“Really?”
Ainor’s face broke into a joyful grin.
After all, what one hears from a third party is often the truest.
“I could tell. She’s always praising you.”
As Lan Qi flattered him further, he noticed Huperion finally exhale in relief.
So it really was because of the violet-haired girl.
Their relationship wasn’t bad—on the contrary, Huperion likely owed her care and didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
“What else has Vivian said about me?”
Ainor even draped an arm over Lan Qi’s shoulder, chatting with increasing ease.
The two hit it off instantly, as though long-time friends finally meeting.
Yet—
Strangely—
The longer they spoke, the heavier that prickling stare grew.
It was then Lan Qi realized—yes, the violet-haired girl had stopped glaring at Huperion.
But—
Because Ainor and he were suddenly acting like brothers, this single minute of camaraderie seemed to outweigh the girl’s years of efforts.
Now her jealousy was directed at him!
“……”
Lan Qi pondered for a moment, lips curving faintly.
Beside him, Huperion, who had just relaxed, sensed something wrong again.
She glanceddesperately toward the violet-haired girl.
Please, don’t stare at Lan Qi. Really, don’t…
He’s that type who can’t bear to see others in trouble.
The more you glare at him, the more likely he’ll meddle and “do a good deed”!
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