Chapter 1280 - Test Drive (Part 4) (1/2)

”Welcome home, young master. It's always a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e having you here.” Hilya said.

Lark was about to burst into outrage when he noticed that the head chef had actually obeyed his orders. She was talking with Aran, not Lith, offering to both him and Leria sweets from her cart.

The stress almost gave him a stroke, especially when he noticed how the guards looked at him, expecting the Count to scold Hilya and ruin the happiness of the children.

Stuck between a rock and a hard head, Lark could only suck it up and endure.

”Lady Ernas, to what do I owe this unexpected p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e?” He knew Friya from the Court and he hoped that her presence along with Tista's would keep the male staff from remembering anything about those events.

Judging from their sudden blank stares, the plan seemed to work.

”I helped Lith in making this wonder of magic and decided to join them for this joy ride. I must say that it goes beyond my wildest expectations. I'm even considering to gift one to my mother.” She replied to the Count's bow with a small curtsy.

The more Lark learned about the DoLorean, the less he cared for his alleged parenthood. His love for anything even remotely magical was the reason why he and Lith had crossed paths in the first place.

Standing in front of a piece that even the famous Royal Forgemaster Orion Ernas considered worthy of his wife, made Lark's monocle pop out of his eye socket in surprise.

He had no idea that Friya spoke only on her own behalf nor that her request would probably go against the law in the matter of a few hours.

”What does it do, exactly?” He asked without taking a single step away from the car as he studied it inside and out.

Hilya inwardly griped at her master's lack of etiquette, forcing his guests to stand outside despite the chilly wind of the upcoming winter and without offering them any refreshment.

She had filled her cart to the brim with still-warm pastries and hot tea expecting to serve it in the Tea Room, not in the middle of the honor guard. Little did she know that after flying that way, everyone enjoyed the feeling of solid ground under their feet.

”I'm sorry to interrupt Your Grace, but Your tea is getting cold. Maybe you should continue the conversation inside the house.” Hilya had positioned herself so that when she tilted her head pointing at the house, it would also point at the kids.

She hoped that the Count would put two and two together and cease his shenanigans.

”I think you are right, Hilya.” Lark said with the pained voice of a man forced to say goodbye to his true love.

Then, he looked at the sun and calculated how much time was left before sunset.

”I know that it's really rude of me, but I would love to have a ride until there's still some light to enjoy the scenery. Care to join us?” He asked.

The a.d.u.l.ts shuddered, the kids were too busy stuffing their faces with sweets, and Zekell preferred to enjoy a hospitality worthy of the Royals. He never followed the Verhens to official events and, for a mere country blacksmith, it was a unique opportunity to receive undeserved attentions.

”In this case, I'd better leave this here.” Lith took out from his pocket dimension a black sphere the size of an orange covered in red runes.

”What is that?” Lark asked.

”It's a Home Stone.” Friya said. ”It works in couples, allowing to extend the range of dimensional magic and to reduce its requirements by creating a beacon that contains a specific set of coordinates.”

Lark nodded, pretending to have understood her words and so did the others.