Chapter 699 T.D.O.N.B: Conversation In The Kitchen

Like that, we arrived in front of my little mansion, which made her eyes and mouth go wide. After seeing quite a bit of architecture in Arc, she probably didn't expect anything of that caliber.

Moreover, the house was a clear indication that I had to be quite rich, which she probably quickly calculated, just by comparison with other buildings we have seen on our way.

Homes in Arc, after all, were mostly based on functionality, which led them to be rather small in comparison. Not to mention the wall and the garden, hidden behind it.

Celestine would just look around with the same expression glued to her face. She still didn't say anything, but this time it was more an outcome of the state of shock she was in. This lasted until I opened the door for her.

- Come on in - I invited her officially.

- Y-yes - she said, almost choking on her own spit, which led me to believe she was nervous.

I held my smile in, as I patiently waited for her to go inside. She was very shy about stepping over the threshold of my house. Inside, her astonished expression returned. She was trying to look at everything, as she just stood there, barely inside.

- There are rooms on the second and third floors. You can choose one that it's not already occupied. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me - I said to her.

This made her turn round, and take two steps back, finally allowing me to properly enter. I went past her, heading straight to the kitchen. She didn't move at first, watching me, but then also decided to muster her courage, and go towards the stairs.

As I unpacked the groceries, she probably found her new accommodation and unpacked her things. Around half an hour later, she popped her head inside the kitchen, where I was already working on the lunch.

It was quite early for that, but I would usually experiment with a few things before properly preparing the food for Tihana and myself.

- Can I help you with anything? - she asked shyly.

- No, I'm fine - I responded, not taking my eyes off the pan I was using to create my new sauce.

It was supposed to go with the tuna and a mix of rice and vegetables, but first I needed to figure out the first step, before working on everything else.

- You should go and visit the training center. In the headquarters you can submit your application, I believe. My daughter can probably help you with that. She should be free after lunch - I said.

I kinda regretted not seeing her face at that moment, but since I was turned back to her, and focused on my work, it was unattainable. All I heard was a faint mumbling before she asked the question.

- Y-you have a daughter?

- Yeah. Her name is Tihana.

- S-so... You are married? Is your wife also a hunter? - after a short moment of silence, she asked.

- No. I don't have a wife. Tihana is adopted. She was a homeless, underage girl, who really refused to just go with the help of authorities. She would rather stay homeless than do that, so I decided to take her under my wing - I explained.

- Oh - left her mouth.

I swear that I heard a gasp of relief alongside that sound.

- I-i heard that there is a good school here, in Arc - she pointed out after yet another brief pause.

- Yes, there is. I used to... The teachers are quite prominent scientists. They normally would teach in universities and whatnot, but they are teaching teenagers here. In exchange, they can do some research here. It's a win-win situation. Especially for the Xuzards.

As I said those words, the wooden spoon in my hand froze, because I just realized that I haven't seen Ki'rai in all this time. It gave me a complete brain lag, which got broken because of the bubbles emerging from the boiling sauce.

Thanks to that, I resumed my work.

- Xuzards? The reptilians? - asked Celestine.

- I don't think they are reptilians. I believe they didn't come from the lizards - I kinda lied, because I knew very well their origin.

Admitting to that seemed like an overreach because then I would have to go into things that I would rather leave out of the conversation, and her knowledge.

- You are probably right. I'm still used to more of the earth's biology, and the things I know from fantasy novels. Oh, right! I forgot to ask! What about the books I sold you? Did you have the time to read any of them? - she asked.

- Yes. As a matter of fact, I'm reading one of them right now. It's quite interesting - I said, turning the heat off, and finally turning around to face her, as I waited for the sauce to cool down a little before I tasted it.

- I'm glad - a genuine smile appeared on her face.

I realized at that moment, that only her head was in the kitchen, as she was peaking in through this whole time. It also brought a smile to my face.

I found that woman really weird, fascinating, and adorable at the same time. I couldn't wait for Tihana to meet her. But in the back of my head, I had only Ki'rai. I couldn't help but wonder why we didn't meet already. Those thoughts made me realize too, that I've barely seen any Xuzards at all.

I was quite busy trying to return to normal after what I went through, and even left for some time, and they probably were hunting like mad, but it still didn't help with how nervous I felt about this. It made me decide, to go and look for my little lizard as soon as I could, which practically meant, after lunch.

- I would say now that I'm going to visit your shop again, but you closed it - I pointed out.

This made a change in her expression and mood, leading me to believe even firmly that there was something going on, that she wasn't speaking about.

- I'll open it eventually - she promised. - Excuse me... I really have to go to the bathroom.

She clearly lied, trying to escape the unwanted topic.