Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 516: Could you please entrust her to me?
After Leticia left, only Nevill and Saint Shalia were left in the clearing. The Countess extended her hand to invite the shepherdess to sit down, and the latter did not refuse, and sat down on the chair that originally belonged to Leticia. In front of her was a cup of beautiful and fragrant black tea, which was still emitting curling hot steam. Through the ruby-like pure tea, one could see his or her own face reflected in the ceramic teacup.

"Leticia doesn't like black tea." Nevi'er said to Saint Shallia, "She hasn't had this cup of tea yet. If you don't mind, you can taste it. Of course, if you mind, I can make you another pot of black tea. I'm almost done with this cup of black tea."

"No, that's not necessary." Saint Shallia declined politely: "Actually, I don't care about this kind of thing."

To prove that her words were not just polite, she demonstrated it herself by picking up the teacup and taking a sip. The black tea from Sushanbao in the Taguao wilderness, after 3,600 days and nights of high mountain sun and rain evaporation, was processed and sealed in 178 complex processes, and finally fell into the hands of the Countess, who was skilled in this field and brewed by her with the most impeccable technique. As soon as it entered the mouth, the sweet aroma spread between the lips and teeth, and when it was swallowed, it still had an endless aftertaste, like morning dew or flowers, which made people unforgettable.

Saint Shallia put down the teacup. Her thin lips moistened by the tea were stained with a bright pink hue, like primroses sprouting new buds in summer. She looked quietly at Nevile sitting opposite her and spoke softly with a clear look in her eyes: "It tastes good."

"Thank you."

This sincere evaluation brought a proud smile to Nevile's face. She had no interest in money or power, and she even sneered at the ambition to conquer the world, so few people could match the Countess's heart. But in fact, it was easy to make her happy, either by praising her granddaughter or her black tea. After all, these were the only two things she cared about in the world.

Saint Charlena didn't know that her unintentional words had won the favor of the Countess. She considered her tone for a moment, then spoke her purpose. She spoke very slowly, as if she had to think carefully about every word and would only say it after confirming that it was correct. Her cautious attitude showed how much she valued the matter: "Miss Nevile, I am taking the liberty to disturb you this time because I want to get your advice on something."

"My advice?" Nevill was a little surprised at first, but she recovered quickly. She smiled and said, "So that's how it is. It is indeed a good way for young people to seek advice from elders to avoid going astray in life. Unfortunately, young people in our era rarely have this quality of seeking knowledge. Excuse me, Miss Saint Charia, I dare not say that my experience is comparable to those noble sages in ancient times, but I am willing to give you some positive suggestions based on my personal experience. Perhaps it can inspire you?"

Although the age of the young queen is actually older than the age of the planet under her feet, age is not just a number, but the growth of experience and knowledge. Therefore, based on the age of Saint Shallia after her reincarnation, Nevi's calling herself an elder is not an exaggerated boast.

"Thank you." Saint Xia Liya thanked him politely, then hesitated for a moment before asking softly, "I want to become closer to Leticia. I wonder if you can give me some advice in this regard?"

After the words fell, Nevile's hand holding the teacup paused in mid-air. Her eyes swept across the graceful curve of the edge of the teacup and fixed on Saint Shalia's face. She repeated word by word: "You just said that you want to get closer to Leticia...?"

"Yes." Facing the Countess's pressing gaze, Saint Shallia's hands under the table grasped her skirt nervously, pulling out messy wrinkles. But she still maintained her composure and nodded calmly: "This is exactly why I came to you. You are Leticia's grandmother and the person who knows her best in the world. I think you should be able to give me some good advice."

Of course I can give suggestions, but why should I give them?

Nevile put down the teacup, and the ceramic base made a crisp sound when it touched the tray. She was no longer in the mood to drink tea. She looked at the shepherdess's face, as if observing whether she was qualified to give her advice.

Yes, Leticia is the young queen, Saint Charia is the elder sister of the young queens, and the young queens were close and close like family members in the creation era... But that was a long time ago. Now Leticia does not have such a prominent status, such distant memories, or such a deep family. She was forced to forget, lose or abandon many important things, and became a helpless soul in the world, circulating in the maze of time.

At that time, it was Nevill who picked up this lonely little girl, it was Nevill who took care of her and doted on her like her own granddaughter, it was Nevill who swore to protect her even at the cost of everything... They were a pair of souls who redeemed each other in the world, the moon in the sky and the moonlight it reflected. Without the moon, the moonlight would not exist; and without the moonlight, the moon would also be dim. So now, the only person Leticia would not forget was Nevill. Didn't she foresee how serious the consequences would be for herself when she let Nevill drink her blood? She must have known, but she still did it, because it was the only light in her always dark memory, and it was also a treasure she was unwilling to abandon no matter how many reincarnations she went through.

Leticia had given her grandmother all her trust in her life, so naturally, Nevelle had to respond to this heavy trust with all her sincerity: for her, she became an immortal witch and took the initiative to attract those dangers that might threaten her to herself; for her, she cooperated with the ambitious people and boldly planned a plan to kill all the aliens on the peninsula; for her, she joined Lingge and others' journey, even if the price of boarding the sky island was to be destined to be an enemy of a secret society that was so powerful that it was desperate... Everything she did was not for herself, but for Leticia.

The close relationship between grandparents and grandchildren cannot allow a third person to interfere, but today Saint Xia Liya openly made such an unreasonable request. Naturally, Neviel could understand her thoughts, because she could see what kind of person Saint Xia Liya was: a gentle, kind and good sister who valued her younger sister very much, which could be seen from how she treated Olvera and Yieta. With such a personality, it is impossible for her to be indifferent to another younger sister.

Although Leticia and the other young royal girls were only sisters in name only, and their actual relationship was only slightly better than strangers, this would instead inspire Saint Charilia's sense of responsibility, allowing her to take the initiative to show kindness, try to infect, influence, and ultimately move Leticia, so that they could restore the close sisterly relationship they had at the beginning.

Can she succeed? I think she can. After all, no matter how cold a cat is, it is impossible to resist a warm and kind embrace forever. Moreover, the atmosphere of this sky island is so beautiful that it is enough to melt her cold shell. Secondly, don't forget that Saint Shalia has powerful external aids - such as Leticia's close friends Metien and Shemi. They don't mind helping the two sisters build a bridge of communication. It's better to say that they are happy to help.

Is this a good thing? Undoubtedly, it is. The journey ahead is long after all. Leticia cannot always keep a distance from the people on the island, especially Saint Shalia and the other girls. They are bound to have some intersections. Moreover, this will be of great benefit to the growth of her character.

Since the possibility of success is very high and it is a good thing, would Nevile be happy to see it happen?

The answer is, a little bit unwillingly.

I can't tell why, maybe it's because I don't trust Saint Shaliya? So what if they are sisters? Wasn't the chief judge also Leticia's sister? But what did she do later? Can Saint Shaliya guarantee that she will never do the same thing again? But who can promise forever?
Or maybe, she was actually a little dissatisfied in her heart, and always felt that Saint Xia Liya was doing this in order to steal her territory, pull out her cabbages, and steal her black tea?

This is something that cannot be allowed.

Perhaps the shepherdess realized that her actions might cause dissatisfaction with the Countess, so she took the initiative to come to the door. Rather than seeking advice, it is better to seek recognition: I want to become closer to Leticia, and I will definitely treat her well, just like my other sisters, so can you recognize me?
Her careful hint gave Nevile a strange sense of immediacy. She felt that she had heard the same words at least a hundred or eighty times in the past. But when, where, and in what situation did she hear them? She pondered and finally realized: Isn't this what the groom often says to the bride's parents at human weddings?

Please rest assured and leave your daughter to me. I will definitely treat her well!
Then followed a few free vows, which spoke of eternity and love as easily as roses at twelve guineas apiece in the garden fair.

So, I am the role of the old mother, right?
She was in a trance for a moment, lost in thought, and did not reply for a long time.

　Give me some meow
　　
　
(End of this chapter)