Now that all three rooms upstairs were taken, Haku found the house surprisingly lively.It was refreshing, chaotic, maybe, but refreshing.
He still had to get used to having a woman in the house, especially one like Yue. She was messy. Absolutely clueless when it came to cleaning. Apparently, she had never lifted a broom in her life. Ah, the blessing of being born rich.
Luckily, Yue wasn't his only housemate; he also had Alexander or Alex, as Haku always called him.
Yue picked up the nickname and stuck with it, and Alex never bothered correcting her.
Oddly enough, Alex turned out to be a clean freak. Surprising for an orphan. Then again, maybe not, the church had raised him. Strict habits die hard.
That morning, as Alex and Haku sat eating breakfast, Yue joined them, sliding into her seat without even glancing at the food Alex had prepared.
"Why aren't you eating?" Alex asked, already suspicious.
"I'm a cultivator," Yue said calmly. "I don't need food or drink to survive."
Haku smirked. He'd seen this coming from a mile away.
"You should still eat. What is life without pleasures like this? If you lose even these… living forever becomes more of a punishment than a gift, don't you think?"
Yue blinked, caught off guard.
'So that's why he eats. Just how long has he lived?
Is he saying he nearly lost himself, just by losing pleasure?
I thought cultivators were supposed to move beyond that…'
"I will try some, Lord Haku, if you insist," she said cautiously.
Haku was about to tell her not to force herself, but then she took one bite. And all hell broke loose.
She lost all sense of dignity. Eating like a woman possessed.
'I know Alex's cooking is good, but damn. You just threw away your whole 'untouchable saintess' vibe in one meal.'
She finished before either of them, even though they'd started earlier, and quickly raised a hand to cover her mouth.
"It was edible. Thank you, Alex."
'Edible'? Please. And clean your face before trying to act cute again,Haku thought, trying not to burst out laughing.
Alex didn't bother holding back. "Hahaha! Clean your face! And what's with the 'cool and distant' act now? Admit it! My cooking is divine! No one can resist it, hahaha!"
"Why you...!"
As Yue and Alex bickered like siblings, Haku felt a rare warmth settle in his chest. Something he hadn't felt in a long time.
'I wonder how my family's doing…
I don't even know if I died back there, or just vanished. I hope Mom's eating well. My little brother might still be young, but I know he'll take care of her… He always acted like the big brother, even when he wasn't tall enough for the roller coaster. He was the one who calmed Mom down before she attacked the ride attendant. Heh.
This… this isn't so bad anymore.'
Meanwhile, at Duke Maris's Estate...
A very different breakfast was taking place.
Duke Maris, stern and weathered by responsibility, sat at the head of a long, polished table. Standing nearby was Kaelen, his trusted knight, recounting his recent encounter with Haku.
"…and so, my Lord," Kaelen finished, voice low and steady, "while the town believes him to be the last of the Baruga family, I suspect he is far more. The feeling he emanates, along with the Saintess of the Yang Sect serving him, is unsettling."
The Duke laced his fingers together, frowning. "The Yang Sect… That is a power we cannot afford to offend. They don't belong to our realm, but to a connected space. A bridge, as the mages and cultivators call it, to other worlds."
He sighed, voice heavy with unspoken fear. "Most nobles under my rule don't even know such realms exist. It's a secret known only to those who rule… or survive long enough to matter."
Kaelen nodded slightly.
"If someone were to provoke the Yang Sect…" the Duke continued, "…it could be catastrophic. Even the Emperor treads lightly around them."
He looked back at Kaelen. "What would you advise?"
Kaelen didn't hesitate. "Extend an olive branch. Show goodwill. We must acknowledge his presence and demonstrate that we pose no threat."
"And how?" the Duke asked. "A formal envoy? What gift do you give someone like that? Someone whose desires we cannot even guess?"
Kaelen's voice was firm. "Send Lord Aron."
The Duke blinked. "My son? You want to entrust this delicate matter… to Aron?"
"Yes," Kaelen replied. "It would be a powerful gesture. And perhaps… it would benefit Lord Aron to be near someone who challenges his worldview."
The Duke was silent for a long moment. Aron was brash. Spoiled. Impulsive. But maybe… maybe this would be good for him.
"…Very well. Prepare him. Make sure he understands this is no ordinary task, and pray he doesn't make a fool of himself."
Three Days Later
Back at the Baruga Bar
Laughter filled the air as Alex and Yue argued over dishwashing duties. Haku leaned back in his chair, sipping lukewarm tea.
"Just like clockwork," he murmured, smiling to himself.
He knew this peace wouldn't last. Secrets never stayed buried, not when they involved a Nascent Soul cultivator posing as a waitress. The Duke finding out about Yue was part of his long game. He just didn't expect the response to come this fast.
The bell above the bar jingled.
Haku looked up. His smile faltered.
There, standing awkwardly in the doorway and bathed in morning light, was none other than Lord Aron Maris.
Not a knight. Not a court envoy. The spoiled heir himself.
'Well… didn't see that coming.'
Aron, wrapped in a wardrobe that screamed "money and insecurity," immediately tried to gather his composure under Haku's unwavering stare. He scanned the room, rustic, humble, and visibly curled his lip.
"So, the rumors are true," he drawled. "The peasant turned this dump into his palace."
His gaze landed on Alex. "Oh, and look who it is. The old man gave you a suit? Guess even trash can be polished."
Before Haku could respond, a fist met Aron's jaw.
Alex, furious, had launched himself across the room. Aron stumbled back, clutching his face."Don't you dare talk to Haku like that!" Alex snapped.
"You.... you struck a noble?!"
Then his eyes narrowed, recognizing the fabric. "Isn't that the old man's work. You idiot, I was insulting you, not him!"
Haku stepped in, placing a calming hand on Alex's shoulder. "That's enough." Then, to Aron, voice calm and cool: "To what do we owe the pleasure, Lord Maris?"
Aron, red-faced and shaken, adjusted his stance. "My father sends his regards… and extends an invitation. He wishes to discuss matters of… mutual interest."
Haku raised an eyebrow. "How generous. I wasn't aware a humble bar owner had anything to offer a Duke."
Aron forced a stiff smile. "He also… has heard of your associates. He wants to ensure… their well-being."
Ah. So that was it.
The Duke knew about Yue. This was damage control, wrapped in diplomacy and delivered by an idiot.
"I'm touched by his concern," Haku said slowly, eyes glinting. "Tell him I'll consider it. Perhaps we can discuss these… interests… over dinner. Alex is an excellent chef, you know."
Aron paled. "I ..I'll… deliver the message."
He turned toward the door, paused, then looked back at Alex with venom. "You haven't heard the last of this, peasant."
Alex cracked his knuckles. "Can't wait, pretty boy."
As the door slammed behind him, Haku turned to Yue, who had remained silent the whole time.
"Well, Yue," he said with a smirk, "looks like our little secret's out. Time to play our hand."